There   are 19 State Gymnasiums in Latvia. The status of gymnasium is acquired by showing good quality of education for several years. Status of gymnasium can be taken off, if quality of education doesn't match the standards of education defined by state.

1. At least 3 educational programmes must be implemented.
2. Higher quality of teaching and learning.
3. The goal of gymnasium is to provide competitive education of high quality and to prepare pupils for studies in university.
4. Higher requirements for teachers' education and qualification.
5. Gymnasium provides active teachers methodological work.
6. Educational programmes are extended with scientific research works and deepened studies of some science branches.

Concerning the school 2009/2010:
Number of students: 355
Number of teaching staff: 35
Number of technical staff: 29 (dinner room, swimming pool, sport hall etc.)
Number of classes: 15 (7 till 12)
Resources: sport hall, swimming pool, library, dining - room
The idea of our school is a united student, teacher and parent body to reach the main goal - to develop students` personal ability for their future life to be an open minded and critical citizen in the whole world

• by improving their researching skills,
• by implementing principles of sustainability in educational programs and learning and teaching process,
• by seeking Latvian traditions and acceptance of multicultural society.

To learn in State Gymnasium means to acquire high quality education.The specific environment determines the network of schools. Daugavpils State Gymnasium is one of the 4 schools where students study in Latvian, however, a great part of them are Russians. State language (Latvian) is used by them only at school.
Daugavpils State Gymnasium offers 6 scholastic programmes. 5 programmes are offered for secondary school pupils (forms 10-12):

• Programme of General Basic Education
• General Secondary Education Programme of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Techniques in Sub-sector of Lingvotechnics where are offered mostly subjects from sub-sector of exact sciences. In addition pupils acquire some subjects in foreign language.
• General Secondary Education Programme of General Education course where are offered subjects from exact and humanitarian sub-sectors without specialization.
• General Secondary Education Programme of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Techniques Course where are offered mostly subjects from sub-sector of exact sciences.
• General Secondary Education Programme of Humanitarian and Social (language) Course where subjects are offered from sub-sector of humanitarian sciences and foreign languages.
• General Secondary Education Programme of Humanitarian and Social Education Course in Sub-sector of Human Studies where subjects are offered from area of humanitarian sciences, with aim to deepen knowledge about society and domains of social relations.

The students have possibility to acquire 4 foreign languages (English, German, Russian and French).
Every year students can widen their outlook and knowledge attending optional special courses in etiquette, public relations, rhetoric, philosophy of arts and nature studies. Our students are motivated and creative. We offer many out of class activities:  choir, folklore dance group, theatre group, debate club, sport sections (basketball, volleyball, swimming).
The participation in different European projects is one of our school brands. Some examples:

• Comenius projects (“Europäische Schülerzeitung” 2004, “Minorities in our society” 2005, “European families in comparison” 2007).  This year we start the 4th Comenius project (with Germany, Turkey and Poland) “Young and old living together”.
• Comenius assistantship (language assistants from Germany, France, Sweden).
• Teachers` professional development in the frame of different European programs (ARION, Comenius etc.).
• Cedefop/study visits: “Linking formal and informal education to acquire lifelong learning skills”2008  (Germany, Great Britain, Luxemburg, Italy, Poland, Sweden).
• Youth in Action (“Lets` talk” 2008). Partners: France, Latvia, Italy, Hungary.
• Since 2008 we are UNESCO Associated school (seeking the goal - implementation of sustainability in educational programs).
• Since 2008 - Deutsche Sprachdiplomschule.
• Global teenager.
• European Spring day.

The cooperation with local university, nongovernmental organisations like American field service and  AIESEC (students` exchange), British Council, Goethe institute and others form a basis for skills development needed in future life.
The school has a regional debate centre, gymnasium serves as a basis for City education board in arranging methodical activities, providing material and human resources.
Social awareness is one of the spheres of activity of students’ parliaments in Daugavpils State gymnasium (represented by 2 persons from each class). They are organising charity actions 3 times during academic year involving all the students performing, making and giving presents, talking together.