Yep, can confirm, such system existed in other large Soviet cites as well. I also graduated from one such maths and physics oriented school. Compared to regular

Yep, can confirm, such system existed in other large Soviet cites as well. I also graduated from one such maths and physics oriented school. Compared to regular public schools the education level was much higher, and not only in those subjects. The studying there was extremely intense, 6-day week (which was standard in USSR at that time), long hours, and tons of homework to keep you busy late at nights and weekends (read: Sunday). Best graduates were expected to go further study in MSU or other top universities. The rest of us who went to local universities found themselves bored in the first years of their studies. Now, living in a western European country I found in a hard way that the key to a better education for your talented kid hides in your bank account. Don't get me wrong, I in no way support Soviet system, but this was one of the things they did good.