International School of Helsinki and Ressun lukio are both in Helsinki, about 1 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes, and Ressun lukio also offers Finnish. Published annual fees are €12,432 - 16,608 at International School of Helsinki and €10,600 - 14,000 at Ressun lukio, which puts International School of Helsinki roughly 18% higher. International School of Helsinki takes pupils from 4 to 18, and Ressun lukio from 15 to 18. Ressun lukio is the larger school, with around 980 pupils to International School of Helsinki's 500.
Ressun lukio is located in the very heart of Helsinki at Kalevankatu 8-10, 00100 Helsinki. Two upper secondary school programmes operate in two different buildings. The school is run by the City of Helsinki and has approximately 900 students and 60 teachers. Tuition is free, and meals and health services are provided.
Stages
Stages
Ages 4 to 19; Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP)
Stages
Two upper secondary programmes: the Finnish-language programme following the Finnish national curriculum, and the English-language programme following the IB Diploma Programme.
School type
School type
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School type
General upper secondary school
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
40+ nationalities represented
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
ISH provides student support including services for students with additional educational needs, English-language learners, and social-emotional/behavioral needs
Application fee - Application fee: EUR 350 per student. Payment of the application fee is accepted by credit card only.
One-time and registration fees - First-time registration (entry) fee: EUR 3,150 (payable once upon entry for new students). - Refundable security deposit: EUR 1,000 per family (held against unpaid fees; refundable subject to the school's notice and settlement conditions). - Non-refundable deposit to hold place: EUR 500 per student (invoiced each spring and applied to following year's tuition). - Annual capital fee: EUR 1,100 per student (charged in addition to tuition).
Tuition fees by year group (annual totals) - Early Years (Discovery / Explorers): EUR 12,067 per year. - Grades 1–5 (Lower School): EUR 13,341 per year. - Grades 6–8 (Middle Years): EUR 14,143 per year. - Grades 9–10: EUR 14,933 per year. - Grades 11–12 (Diploma Programme years): EUR 16,121 per year.
Tuition fee breakdown (components used in annual totals) - Basic tuition fee (component of the annual total): EUR 8,914 per student. - Supplementary tuition fee (varies by grade level and represents the difference between state cap and school's costs): - Early Years supplementary: EUR 2,053. - Grades 1–5 supplementary: EUR 3,327. - Grades 6–8 supplementary: EUR 4,129. - Grades 9–10 supplementary: EUR 4,919. - Grades 11–12 supplementary: EUR 6,107.
Non-residency fee (where applicable) - Non-resident students only: Grades 1–9 non-residency fee EUR 2,910; Grades 10–12 non-residency fee EUR 2,666. These are charged when a student does not have the municipality-of-residence documentation required for resident grant levels.
Per-term / trimester payment amounts (trimester payment option — example figures from published payment schedule) - The school year is divided into three trimesters (Aug–Oct; Nov–Feb; Mar–May). When using the trimester payment option, basic and supplementary tuition (and non-residency fee where applicable) are charged 30% (trimester 1), 40% (trimester 2) and 30% (trimester 3). A one-time administration fee of EUR 180 per student is charged for the trimester payment option (included in the last invoice). Example trimester invoices (2020/21 figures) were: - Early Years total EUR 12,247 — trimester instalments approximately EUR 4,390.10; EUR 4,386.80; EUR 3,470.10. - Grades 1–5 total EUR 13,521 — trimester instalments approximately EUR 4,772.30; EUR 4,896.40; EUR 3,852.30. - Grades 6–8 total EUR 14,323 — trimester instalments approximately EUR 5,012.90; EUR 5,217.20; EUR 4,092.90. - Grades 9–10 total EUR 15,113 — trimester instalments approximately EUR 5,249.90; EUR 5,533.20; EUR 4,329.90. - Grades 11–12 total EUR 16,301 — trimester instalments approximately EUR 5,606.30; EUR 6,008.40; EUR 4,686.30.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Single-payment option: basic and supplementary tuition fees are payable in full by 30 June prior to the start of the academic year. - Trimester-payment option: due dates shown in the published schedule (example year) were 30 June (Trimester 1), 15 November (Trimester 2) and 28 February (Trimester 3); the trimester split is 30% / 40% / 30% for basic and supplementary tuition. A one-time EUR 180 fee applies for the trimester payment option. - Late payments: overdue payments are subject to interest charges (example policy showed 7% per annum) and continued non-payment may result in loss of the student's place after reminders and procedures. - Withdrawal notice: a minimum notice period applies (30 days advance notice required in the published schedule); final fee calculation depends on the date of formal withdrawal.
Refund information - Refunds are granted only for basic and supplementary tuition payments for full trimesters not attended. Any trimester that a student has started to attend must be paid in full. Students departing after 28 February receive no refund for that academic year. Application, registration, annual capital and non-residency fees are non-refundable.
Boarding / accommodation - The school operates as a day school; boarding is not offered and no boarding fees apply.
Other costs and optional fees - IB examination and registration fees are invoiced separately (IBO charges). - Materials / class activity fees and optional service fees (examples from published schedules) may include a materials fee and activity-specific charges; optional student support or therapy services and after-school care are charged separately and on a needs/participation basis. Exact optional-service fees vary by year and service. - The school may invoice additional one-off or annual charges (for example membership or capital levies); these are set or confirmed by the school's governance and may vary year to year.
Fee payment practicalities - The application fee is charged by credit card only. Invoicing and payment arrangements for tuition and other fees are handled by the school's Business Office; parents receive invoices with due dates and payment instructions. Specific accepted payment methods for tuition invoices (for example bank transfer or in-person card payment) are provided on those invoices and via the Business Office.
Fee details
Application fees
- No separate application fee is charged by Ressun lukio for admission to its general upper secondary (lukio) or IB Diploma Programme; applications are submitted through the national joint application process used by Helsinki general upper secondary schools.
Tuition fees (by programme and year group)
- For students who are residents of Finland or who are otherwise entitled to free municipal upper secondary education (including EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and those with equivalent residence status), there is no tuition charged for any year group; instruction, required study materials, school meals on required school days and student welfare/health services are provided without tuition charge.
- For students who are required to pay full-cost tuition (students arriving to Finland from countries outside the EU/EEA/Norway/Iceland/Liechtenstein/Switzerland who begin studies on or after 1 August 2026), the City of Helsinki's published standard tuition amounts for general upper secondary education are: - National general upper secondary (lukio): EUR 10,600 per academic year. - IB Diploma Programme (Ressun IB): EUR 14,000 per academic year.
- Per-term breakdown for the full-cost tuition amounts (where the school bills on academic-year basis but parents/operators require a per-term figure): - National general upper secondary: EUR 10,600 per academic year → EUR 5,300 per semester (assuming billing is divided in two equal semesters). - IB Diploma Programme: EUR 14,000 per academic year → EUR 7,000 per semester (assuming billing is divided in two equal semesters).
Billing schedule and payment terms
- The City's published tuition amounts are shown as annual fees. Specific published invoices, installment dates, exact billing cycle or statutory payment deadlines for individual families are not detailed in the public school summary materials. The tuition amounts above are presented as annual sums by the City of Helsinki.
Boarding fees (if applicable)
- Ressun lukio is a day upper secondary school operating in Helsinki city premises and does not operate a school boarding/dormitory programme; there are no boarding fees applicable.
Other costs or fees
- For students entitled to free municipal education, routine study materials, school meals on required school days and student welfare/health services are provided without charge. Extra optional items or activities (for example, voluntary school trips, optional extracurricular activities, personal equipment, or optional course materials beyond the standard curriculum) may incur separate charges to families; such optional costs are not listed as routine tuition.
- IB-related final examination registration/subject fees: for candidates not covered by the municipal entitlements, per-exam fees set by the awarding authorities apply; the national matriculation/examination authority's per-subject fee for autumn 2026 is indicated as €41 per paper (note: fees for IB subject registrations and the IB organization's school/registration fees are administered separately).
Refund information
- Refunds of examination fees (in special or exceptional circumstances) are governed by the Matriculation Examination Board's rules and guidance; requests for refunds of examination fees must follow the Board's procedures and deadlines. For students who fall under the municipality's entitled/free-education category, the school will pay the registration fees for the first examination session.
- No separate municipal public schedule for refunds of annual tuition (for the full-cost tuition category) is published in the summary material; specific refund terms and cancellation conditions for tuition-paying students would be set in the City's billing and contract documentation.
Fee payment options
- The publicly posted school and City summary pages do not list specific permitted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, direct debit, card payment or online payment portal) for tuition invoicing. Payment methods and invoicing details are handled through the City of Helsinki's finance/billing processes and the school's administration at the time of invoicing.
Brief note on available public detail
- The City of Helsinki publishes that regular municipal students attend tuition-free and lists the annual full-cost tuition figures that apply to students required to pay (EUR 10,600 for national lukio; EUR 14,000 for IB). Specific operational details that were not published in the public summary materials reviewed include the school's exact billing schedule (invoice dates and installment breakdowns as issued to families), detailed tuition refund policy language for full-cost-paying students, and the explicit list of accepted payment channels.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
The school is not a boarding school and does not have any accommodation facilities.
Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
The school does not have a uniform.
Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
The school has a hot lunch program.
Food options
The school provides meals at no charge.
House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
The school operates under the Finnish Ministry of Education and is established as a non-profit association, 'The Parents' Association of the International School of Helsinki'. The Parents' Association elects the ISH Board of Governors, which consists of 7-9 members, primarily ISH parents; day-to-day administration is delegated to the Head of School and the leadership team.
Governance and ownership
The school is run by the City of Helsinki. It operates two upper secondary programmes: the Finnish-language programme following the Finnish national curriculum and the English-language IB Diploma Programme.
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
ISH offers the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the Diploma Programme (DP) as part of the IB World School framework. The language of instruction is English; Spanish, French and Finnish as a Foreign Language, plus Finnish Mother Tongue, are offered, with English as an Additonal Language (EAL) support for identified students. The PYP uses an integrated, cross-curricular approach and runs from early years through Grade 5; the MYP is a 5-year programme for Grades 6–10; the DP is a 2-year programme for Grades 11–12. ISH became Finland's first fully IB-accredited school in 2005.
Curriculum details
Two upper secondary programmes: Finnish-language programme follows the Finnish national curriculum; English-language programme follows the international IB Diploma Programme.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
1:5
Student teacher ratio
Approximately 15:1 (about 900 students and 60 teachers).
Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
The High School Diploma (HSDP) and the IB Diploma (DP) are recognized by leading universities.
Higher education progression
Graduates are admitted to top universities in Finland and around the world.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
ISH centers wellbeing at the heart of its education, organizing around four catalysts: Wellbeing, Autonomy, Belonging, and Connection. Wellbeing focuses on community, social and emotional development, and balance. Autonomy develops decision‑making, challenge, and agency with high expectations and self‑actualization. Belonging ensures all kinds of people feel valued through collaboration and appreciation of diversity. Connection broadens experiences, deepens empathy, and encourages responsibility and purposeful actions. The school serves learners from 4 to 19 across the IB continuum with an individualized approach and a community made up of more than 40 nationalities.
Social & emotional learning
The student association is active and holds various events each year. An active parents' association supports the students.
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
ISH provides inclusive, individualized support for students with additional educational needs, including access and enrichment, and support for students acquiring English and those with social‑emotional and/or behavioral needs. The school emphasises an inclusive admission policy and is proactive about ensuring appropriate support; in some cases, additional admissions information may be requested to place students for success.
Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
Early Years to Grade 8: the school accepts students with no prior English experience and provides targeted language support to help students integrate and succeed academically and socially. High School (Grades 9–12) applicants must demonstrate sufficient English proficiency, which is evaluated during the admissions process; additional English assessments may be required.
English as an additional language
The English-language programme follows the international IB Diploma Programme.
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
Wellbeing support is provided by a Wellbeing Lead, School Counselors, a City Counselor, and an Individualised Learning Lead as part of the safeguarding framework. The Counseling Team handles student counseling and related supports; pastoral care and career/personal counseling are provided as part of ISH services.
Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
ISH has a Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures. The safeguarding team includes the Wellbeing Lead, Head of School, Individualised Learning Lead, School Counselors, City Counselor, and School Psychologist, and meets monthly to review policy, log concerns, train staff, and consider cases. The Counseling Team handles reports of concern and works with external agencies as needed. ISH provides a Code of Conduct for staff and volunteers and requires safeguarding training; there is a confidential whistleblowing channel for reporting malpractice or abuse.
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
The upper secondary school comprises two programmes: a Finnish-language programme following the Finnish national curriculum and an English-language programme following the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The two programmes operate in two different buildings in the heart of Helsinki, with easy traffic connections. The school has approximately 900 students and 60 teachers, and the students are aged 15–19. The school is run by the City of Helsinki, and tuition, study materials, meals and health services are free. The library is good and contains books, magazines and newspapers; the classrooms are equipped with modern presentation technology; and the school building includes a gym.
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
The school has a gym on site.
Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
Two buildings host the Finnish-language programme and the English-language IB Diploma Programme. The classrooms are equipped with modern presentation technology. The library provides books, magazines and newspapers for student use. The City of Helsinki runs the school and offers free tuition, study materials, meals and health services.
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
ISH offers an extensive after-school activities and athletics program (ASA) for grades K-12.
Extra curricular facilities
The student association is active and holds various events each year. An active parents' association supports the students. The school cooperates with guardians, universities, companies and cooperation partners in Finland and around the world.
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
ISH began in 1963 as a British Preparatory School. It moved to Espoo in 1973 and was known as the British School. In 1976 it relocated to Töölö, Helsinki, shared facilities with the Topelius school and was renamed the International School of Helsinki. The school expanded in 1982 to include kindergarten through grade 6 and 7–9, and NEASC and CIS accredited in 1985. It moved to Kulosaari in 1990, added grade 10, introduced the IB Diploma Programme in 1992, moved to Ruoholahti in 1996 and adopted the PYP and MYP; it celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013 and has maintained accreditation with IB, CIS, and NEASC, including a 2020 re-authorization with planning through 2021.
History
Ressun lukio forms an upper secondary school in the very heart of Helsinki, with easy access to transport. Two programmes operate in two buildings: the Finnish-language programme follows the Finnish national curriculum, and the English-language programme follows the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Ressun lukio and Ressun lukio IB World School together host around 900 students and about 60 teachers; students are typically 15 to 19 years old. Either programme leads to general university entry qualifications. The school is run by the City of Helsinki and does not charge tuition; study materials, meals and health services are provided.
Community
Community
ISH maintains a vibrant community centered on the ISH Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO). The PTO fosters connections and creates memorable experiences for families, teachers, and staff. It offers New Family Support with welcome coffee mornings and language support through community coordinators, ISHNO – International School of Helsinki Night Out; workshops; and fitness clubs. It also distributes a monthly newsletter, maintains WhatsApp chats, and invites volunteers; followers on Facebook and Instagram keep families updated.
Community
The student association is active and holds various events each year. An active parents' association supports the students. The school is committed to international cooperation and the spirit of open-mindedness. It cooperates in many ways with guardians, universities, companies and cooperation partners in Finland and across the world.
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
The ISH Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is the school's inclusive community hub. It supports new families with welcome coffee mornings, the handbook, and language support through coordinators. ISHNO – International School of Helsinki Night Out – offers social events such as dinners, quizzes, and bowling. The PTO runs workshops, Fitness & More activities (Yoga, Bootcamp, Running Clubs), and the Global Foods Club.
Parent teacher association
An active parents' association supports the students.
Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
Workshops cover cultural insights; Global Foods Club offers multicultural culinary experiences.
Cultural & language
Erasmus programme; international cooperation with guardians, universities, companies and cooperation partners in Finland and across the world; the English-language IB Diploma Programme is offered.
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
ISH Night Out provides social evenings; Workshops offer skill development; Fitness & More includes Yoga, Bootcamp, and Running Clubs; Global Foods Club promotes multicultural culinary activities.
Social & hobbies
The student association is active and holds various events each year.
Community & service
Community & service
The Parents' Teacher Organization (PTO) fosters connections among families, teachers, and staff. Volunteers support events and activities. New family support includes language coordination to help families settle in.
Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
There is a Ressun lukio IB Student Council; the student association is active and engaged in events.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Fitness & More offers Yoga, Bootcamp, and Running Clubs to stay active and connected.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
The school building contains a gym; meals and health services are free.
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language of instruction is English. Spanish, French and Finnish as Foreign Language are offered, as well as Finnish Mother Tongue. The English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme provides support for identified students.
Language provision
Finnish and English are the languages of instruction. The Finnish-language programme follows the Finnish national curriculum; the English-language programme follows the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Either programme provides general university entry qualifications.
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
Two upper secondary programmes: a Finnish-language programme follows the Finnish national curriculum and an English-language programme follows the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
IBO, NEASC, CIS accreditation; ISH received re-accreditation in November 2020. IBO provides the three programme frameworks (PYP, MYP, DP) that guide learning at ISH.
Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Submit the online application via OpenApply with the required documents. All uploaded documents must be in English or translations with originals. Documents required vary by level but typically include the application form, enrolment and payment agreement, copy of passport, and school reports for the past two years. For Lower School there is a New Applicant Online Parent Survey and teacher reference forms; for Upper School there is an introductory letter from the applicant and teacher reference forms; Learning Support students must attach an IEP and recent assessments; an application fee of 350€ per student is charged.
2. After the admissions office has received a complete application, the applicant will be considered for admission. Submitting faulty or insufficient information can reverse the admissions decision.
3. An interview will be conducted when: the applicant is applying for Upper School (grades 9-12); the applicant has learning support needs; submitted documents need to be clarified; class placement needs to be defined.
4. English Language Expectations: High School applicants must demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency to succeed in high school. English language skills are evaluated throughout the admissions process, including a complete application and a student interview, and in some cases, an additional English assessment may be required.
5. Residency Requirements: Students must reside with at least one parent or a designated guardian while enrolled. The school requires verification of guardian arrangements to ensure student welfare and compliance with safeguarding policies.
