Hooligans or Straight-A Students? How Locals Behaved in School

Schools in the Arkhangelsk region will introduce behavior grades starting 1 September 2026. Some believe this measure is necessary and will aid the learning process. Others question whether it might harm students. We asked notable residents of Arkhangelsk and Severodvinsk how they behaved in school and what they think of the new system.

“Behavior Was Lacking”: Dmitry Morev

The mayor of Arkhangelsk believes poor behavior grades can help parents pay attention to their child«s upbringing in time.

“My academic performance at school was not bad, but my behavior was lacking. I often received low grades for behavior, which allowed my parents to influence me in a timely manner. I think my parents succeeded in that,” says Dmitry Morev.

He acknowledges that the assessment can be subjective, but it will not affect the graduation certificate. Behavior will not be reflected in the grade for a specific subject, as it sometimes is now.

“In my opinion, despite the risks of a sometimes subjective approach by a particular teacher in giving such a grade for behavior, this is a correct and interesting proposal. First of all, it is one way of communication between the teacher and the student«s parents. By giving such a grade for behavior, the teacher, as it were, draws the parents» and student«s attention to possible difficulties in the child»s behavior and invites them to dialogue and interaction. Of course, such behavior grades should not be reflected in or affect the student«s graduation certificate.”

“It Varied”: Igor Arsentyev

The mayor of Severodvinsk also admits he received reprimands for his behavior.

“I remember how in school we indeed received grades not only for knowledge but also for behavior. Mostly I had good marks in my report card, but, like any child, it varied. Sometimes the interest in socializing with classmates took precedence over the thirst for knowledge—and one day I did get an F for behavior. I still remember this incident—it stuck in my memory as an important lesson in fairness and responsibility. Today I recall my school years with warmth. Back then, those grades helped us understand that it«s important to be not only a diligent student but also simply a good person.”

According to Igor Arsentyev, the system should be brought back, but one must be careful—not to intimidate children, but to guide them.

“I believe that returning to such a system, even on a trial basis, is not such a bad idea. If done kindly, without excessive strictness, it will help kids learn to manage their emotions and be more attentive to classmates and teachers. And most importantly—it will strengthen that very school atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect, which is remembered for a lifetime.”

“Paid Little Attention to Studies”: Tim Dorofeyev

Well-known Arkhangelsk musician Tim Dorofeyev also received poor grades for behavior.

“Until the 5th grade, my behavior was exemplary. Then there were different grades, including bad ones. In high school, I created an ensemble and started paying little attention to my studies. My behavior was satisfactory—a 3 (C), but I was asked to prepare a program for the graduation party, and we guys did it. They wrote me a good reference, and I entered the Arkhangelsk Music College in the pop guitar class,” recalls the composer.

Tim believes that behavior grades should indeed be brought back to schools.

“Grades on a five-point scale are clear to everyone—students, parents, and teachers. The Soviet grading system was the most progressive!”

“The Wild 90s Left Their Mark”: Vasily Larionov

Deputy Director of the Dobrolyubov Arkhangelsk Regional Scientific Library, Vasily Larionov, shared that he managed to study in school both before and after behavior grades were abolished there.

“I studied in that pivotal and dramatic era when you enter a Soviet school and graduate from a Russian one. This affected literally everything, including the system of rewards and punishments—behavior grades existed in elementary school, but in middle and high school we no longer had them. This, however, did not affect my attitude toward behavior itself—I was a fairly calm schoolboy and remained one.”

However, in high school, Vasily admits, his behavior became less diligent.

“The wild 90s left their unforgettable mark, as they coincided with grades 9–11—the best school years, when almost everything was allowed in behavior and attitude toward what was happening at school, and not only there. That«s probably why I will forever remember this time as one of the brightest in my life.”

The return of behavior grades in 2026, our interviewee believes, will not lead to major changes in the system of children«s education and upbringing.

“My personal opinion is that modern schoolchildren won«t pay much attention to them, especially if they don»t affect the overall grade point average and academic performance. And if behavior grades prevented tragedies and bullying in schools, I would be the first to advocate for their introduction. But the modern world is arranged a little differently, unfortunately.”

Recall that Vasily was the director of the Pomor Philharmonic, but in January 2025 he left the post. He commented on his departure, stating that he “didn«t want this. Circumstances are stronger.” Larionov»s departure upset many townspeople—read about what they thanked him for and what deeds he will be remembered for in Arkhangelsk.

“I Was Held Up as a Bad Example”: Vladislav Belobokov

Musician, radio host, and art director of the bars “Fabrika” and Alter Bayer, Vladislav Belobokov, was a real hooligan.

“My behavior—a nightmare for all my educational institutions. I was so often held up as an example of bad behavior that my portrait at the entrance was only slightly more sympathetic than a ‘wanted by the police’ poster. I think I am a legendary hooligan of school No. 26.”

Vladislav was given behavior grades instead of subject grades, and they ruined his academic performance.

“All joking aside, in my school days, behavior was marked in the gradebook instead of a grade for knowledge. Misbehave in class—a D or even an F in the gradebook. Agree, behavior is not an indicator of knowledge, so it shouldn«t affect grades.”

The musician also considers the idea of assessing behavior separately to be debatable. He believes that preventing bad behavior should be based on working with specialists, not on grades in report cards.

“Discipline within the school walls is one of the main tasks of teachers and the administration. Instead of behavior grades, which can affect further studies and a child«s worldview, it»s better to introduce mandatory talks with a qualified specialist for this purpose, to get to the root of such behavior, not just the result of the actions themselves. I think nowadays this is even more important than 20 years ago, because back then the influence of the immediate environment played a role, but now—the world as a whole. The internet, games, society—all this can leave a heavy imprint on unformed young minds.”

“Behavior Affects the Future”: Alexander Sukhikh

Lawyer Alexander Sukhikh was a diligent student in school.

“I always tried to match behavior worthy of 5 points (an A). In elementary grades, my behavior was excellent, but sometimes there were moments when the whole class acted up. In adolescence, there were reprimands, as with all normal guys. I studied in the 90s, and in our report cards, on Friday at the end of the school week, we were given grades for behavior. For good ones—parents praised us, and if there were reprimands, they had a talk.”

Now Alexander«s son attends school, and the lawyer considers the initiative with behavior grades useful.

“Behavior affects a person«s future and success; it is responsibility, the ability to understand and manage one»s emotions. I believe that grades can change a child for the better, as good marks stimulate students to better achievements, success, and promote a thirst for education. The very fact of a behavior grade will lead to parents monitoring their children«s behavior, excluding conflicts at school. After all, for a poor behavior grade, a parent will themselves contact the school and teacher, find out the reason for the bad behavior, and will also conduct preventive talks with their children about the inadmissibility of bad behavior.”