The article substantiates necessity and possibility of sociological research of the future through the prism of the concept of time perspective. In the first part, the article provides its sociological interpretation, shows what brings together and separates the consideration of time perspective in psychology and sociology. As a subject of time perspective in sociology it is suggested to consider the social community. Time perspective of social community is characterized by a predictable time horizon, which is formed due to the indissoluble unity of objective and subjective sides of perception and understanding of the past and present. The objective aspect of time perspective represents the forecast and assessment of social community in quantitative and qualitative parameters that capture objective indicators of its development. The subjective aspect involves vision and understanding by representatives of the social community of their future place and role in the system of social relations. In the second part of the article time perspective of social communities is considered on materials of research of educational communities – students and teachers of various educational organizations. Trends in the development of educational communities in Russia up to 2030 are analyzed. The main trend is a reduction in the numbers of almost all educational communities, which is the result, on the one hand, of demographic changes, on the second hand, of educational policy of the government. Objective processes of transformation of educational communities are reflected in the subjective perception of the future.