This article is devoted to the problem of the role of culture in the modern Russian education’s process. It is caused by multinational and polycultural characteristics of the modern society. Features of the environment of the Polyethnic (multinational) School are defined. Concepts «polycultural educational space» and «the educational environment of Polyethnic School» which functioning is caused by the principle of polycultural educational activity are developped. The author gives special attention to multicultural / polycultural education as a process. Its purpose is defined. The problem of the polycultural preparation of an expert, ready to work at the Polyethnic School, taking into account new understanding of the cultural-valuable reference points in education is analysed.