Meet Ilona Tombu | Founder and Director of the Russian Kids Club

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ilona Tombu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ilona, every day, we know how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
My name is Ilona Tombu. I am a Russian language teacher with a background in elementary education as well as in teaching Russian as a foreign language.

I was born in Tallinn, Estonia, in a Russian-speaking family.Here in the U.S., I became a mother to two daughters.

The idea of starting the school came to me with the birth of my children. It was very important to me that my daughters received a solid foundation in the Russian language—that they would be able to read, write, and communicate well in fluent, beautiful Russian. I wanted them to be able to speak with their grandparents and use Russian within our family.

That’s why I decided to open a school where they could attend classes and study the Russian language. In addition to lessons, I wanted them to have the opportunity to interact in Russian with other children, to take part in performances, celebrations, and to become more familiar with Russian culture.

At that time, there were Sunday Russian schools in many areas of Los Angeles, but there were none in the South Bay. That also motivated me to create a place where Russian-speaking families in our area could come together and give their children access to Russian language and culture.

All of this was always very important to me. We started by opening a small puppet theater class, and gradually, other families began expressing interest in bringing their children to our classes.

And so the school began to grow. In addition to the puppet theater, we opened classes in Russian language, literature, math, drama, drawing, art, singing, dancing, and more. Over the 15 years of the school’s existence, it has grown significantly.
Before the pandemic, the school was growing and developing very successfully. We had many students and a strong interest in learning Russian.

However, unfortunately, after the pandemic, many students chose to remain in online learning, and as a result, the number of students at our school decreased.

Nevertheless, the school continues to operate, and we currently have children from ages 3 to 15 attending. Our high school students successfully pass the AP Russian Language exam for college credit and receive high honors in essay competitions.
Our students actively and successfully participate in academic olympiads, as well as in chess tournaments and other events.

We organize many different events—not only at the school but also in parks, where we invite the entire Russian-speaking community and beyond. We host celebrations, quizzes, and various competitions. We also organize theatrical performances, plays, art evenings, and concerts.

Our school has become not only an educational center but also a cultural hub for the local Russian-speaking community. It is a place where children learn the language of their heritage, connect with their roots, and build lasting friendships through shared experiences.

What began as a small initiative inspired by my daughters has grown into a vibrant community where children and their families come together to celebrate language, learning, and culture.

I am proud of how far we’ve come and grateful to every teacher, parent, and student who has been part of this journey.

Our mission remains the same: to preserve the richness of the Russian language and culture for future generations—through education, creativity, and community.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey has been full of both challenges and growth, and I’m proud of how far we’ve come. One of the most difficult parts in the beginning was finding a suitable space to rent for the school. In the early years, my husband kindly offered a few rooms in his office building, which allowed us to get started. As the school began to grow and we needed more classrooms, we were finally able to rent our own space and moved into a Presbyterian Church of San Pedro building, which has become our new home.

Another ongoing challenge has been sourcing and delivering Russian literature, textbooks, and educational materials from Russia. It has always required a lot of effort and coordination, and now it has become quite expensive due to rising shipping and import costs.

Despite these obstacles, each step taught me valuable lessons — about patience, persistence, creative problem-solving, and the importance of community support. What sets our school apart is our dedication to preserving language and culture, while creating a warm, welcoming environment where children can grow, learn, and connect.

I want the world to know that our story is built on love — love for learning, for our students, for our culture, and for the community we’ve created together. Every step has been a labor of care and commitment, and we’re excited to keep growing, sharing, and supporting each other like one big family.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give a huge shoutout to my family for their unwavering support — both financial and emotional. Their belief in me has been a constant source of strength, and I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

I’m also deeply grateful to the teachers who have guided and inspired me along the way, and to the parents who trust us with their children. Your trust and collaboration mean the world, and it’s an honor to be a part of your children’s growth and learning journey.

Thank you all for being such an important part of my story.

Website: https://www.ruskidsclub.com

Instagram: russiankidsclub

Facebook: Russian Kids Club

Youtube: ruskidsclub

Image Credits
Inga Vassileva, Svetlana Pavlovskaya