Three different young people who graduated from the same private school—Erudito Lyceum—unanimously agree: the education they received here not only helped them get into their desired study programs but also developed critical thinking, teamwork skills, curiosity, and self-confidence. These qualities, they say, became a strong foundation that allows them to step boldly into the world. A good education, as the graduates emphasize, is the best investment parents can make for their children.

From Lithuania to the Netherlands

Erudito Lyceum graduate Gabrielius Šemberas, after finishing school, received offers to study at the business schools of City University London, the University of Lancaster, and the University of York. However, he chose to continue his studies here in Lithuania, at ISM University of Management and Economics, where he is studying finance in Vilnius.

Another graduate of the same school, Urtė Vegytė, who completed Erudito Lyceum with three perfect scores, continued her studies after the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) by enrolling at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. She is now studying dentistry in Kaunas.

After graduating from Erudito Lyceum, Goda Songailaitė decided to pursue an international bachelor’s degree in psychology at Leiden University in the Netherlands. In the future, she envisions herself contributing to the development of education in Lithuania and working at a university as a lecturer.

The Lyceum Prepares You for Life, Not Just for Exams

“I could talk for a long time about the impact Erudito Lyceum has had on me. This school played a major role in unlocking my potential. I can confidently say that at Erudito Lyceum I gained not only knowledge but also competencies. I know how to ask questions, think flexibly, and I am not afraid to talk to people. Figuratively speaking, this school gave me a backbone for life,” said G. Šemberas.

G. Songailaitė had a similar experience. According to her, the international environment and cultural diversity not only broadened her horizons but also helped her integrate more easily into the global world.

“At Erudito Lyceum, I learned how important it is to get to know other cultures, languages, and to be part of a diverse environment. At this school, I had the opportunity to meet both classmates and teachers from other countries. This helped me realize that a large part of learning happens outside the classroom, and that the values and skills a student brings with them shape their choices and surroundings. When I arrived in a new country, I felt prepared for the culture and the language—it was much easier to adapt,” said Goda.

A Special Relationship with Teachers

According to U. Vegytė, one of the main lessons learned at Erudito Lyceum is that a teacher can be both an authority and a friend. She learned how to build close and warm relationships with teachers because classes are very small. The opportunities to communicate with teachers are limitless: “If you want to, you can learn absolutely anything at the Lyceum. I still keep in touch with some of my teachers to this day. In public schools, classes are usually large—up to 30 students—so it is difficult to talk about a closer teacher-student relationship with each individual.”

Teaching – Different, but More Valuable

According to the graduates, one of the greatest added values at Erudito Lyceum is its teaching staff: the school employs teachers from more than 30 countries around the world, whose contribution to the community is especially significant. In class, teachers use methods that help students develop skills essential for life: the ability to work in teams, plan activities independently, carry out complex analytical tasks, express ideas clearly, engage in discussions, and support their opinions with well-founded arguments.

Urtė, now studying dentistry, added that students who attend public schools often develop the habit of “cramming” and repeating information. Deeper skills—such as organizing and analyzing information, making connections, and integrating knowledge across different subjects—are often forgotten or neglected in larger classes. These are the very skills that set Lyceum students apart from those in public schools.

“While in other schools a lesson usually lasts 45 minutes, at Erudito it is 1.5 hours. It may seem that children cannot keep their focus for that long. But in fact, it is amazing how well they can, if the lessons are conducted properly—engagingly, with changes of activity and short breaks. Students learn study methods simply through the way lessons are taught. Learning how to learn is an invaluable skill, and one that is often lacking. For example, I now find it easy to study at university because at the Lyceum I gained excellent foundations for higher education: independent learning, academic writing, research, and teamwork skills,” said Urtė.

An Investment That Pays Off

In Šemberas’ view, parents deciding between enrolling their children in a private or public school should take a closer look at the learning processes and the specific culture of the school. If the school chosen by both parents and children matches the family’s and the student’s expectations, then investing in education is always worthwhile. Children spend a large part of their lives at school—and the wrong environment can cost much more in the long run.