About us

From Umka Kindergarten (2007) to today’s multilingual academy — the journey of one family dream that became a school for many.

The Gnosis Story

The story of Academia Gnosis began with a parent’s small dream and has grown into a multi-level educational ecosystem. It all started in 2007, when we opened the doors of Umka Kindergarten: a cozy place where children received warm meals, their own beds, and the chance to hear several languages every day.

Five years later, in 2012, we felt that children and families needed more flexibility and extra development, so Gnosis Saturday School was born. On Saturdays, pupils immersed themselves in languages, creative studios, and sports, turning a day off into a space for discovery.

By 2017 it became clear that a gentle bridge was needed between kindergarten and school. This bridge was Gnosis Multilingual Pre-School—a preparatory step where five- and six-year-olds, still in a playful atmosphere, mastered the basics of reading, mathematics, and three languages at once.

Finally, in 2022 we took the logical next step and opened Gnosis Primary School. Today it is a primary school that combines Russian and Cypriot standards with a project-based approach and a multilingual environment.

We did not choose the name “Umka” by chance. A white polar bear cub suddenly finding itself on a sunny island is a metaphor for our little ones, who grow up in a multilingual environment while staying true to their roots. “Umka” reminds us that wherever you live, warmth and support are created not by walls but by people and care.

Today, quality is upheld by the people we select so carefully. Teachers, caregivers, cooks, nurses — each passes a strict selection process and, once employed, undergoes annual professional development: methodological seminars, first-aid courses, fire-safety training, multilingual-teaching programs. Thanks to this, a single standard of care and professionalism prevails in classrooms, kitchens, and playgrounds.

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But Academia Gnosis is more than lessons. We build a community of families: we celebrate Maslenitsa at a shared table, hold language festivals, sports relays, and charity fairs together. These traditions are the “ties” that unite children, parents, and teachers into one warm team.

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Growth matters both locally and globally. This is why we have taken part in Erasmus+, speak at international seminars, and collaborate with schools in Bulgaria, Italy, and France, creating a shared multilingual approach to education. Such exchanges allow us to bring the world’s best practices to Cyprus while sharing our discoveries with colleagues abroad.

Thus, Umka and Academia Gnosis grow alongside their children: confidently, responsibly, and with a great desire to explore new horizons.

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Tel.:+357 22 312790
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