Norden International School vs The English School - Grades 1–6 and Preschool

	N Norden International School Helsinki, Finland	T The English School - Grades 1–6 and Preschool Helsinki, Finland
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €9,850	Fees / year €673 - 11,314
Age range	Age range 5 - 16 years	Age range 4 - 12 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, Finnish Curriculum	Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 11	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Finnish	Instruction language Finnish, English
Opened	Opened 2013	Opened 1945
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Helsinki, Finland (Malmi) and Brussels, Belgium (Rue de la Fusee 66, 1130 Bruxelles). Helsinki is easily accessible by public transport.	Location The English School has two campuses in Helsinki, Finland. Grades 1–6 and Preschool are at Mäntytie 14, 00270 Helsinki. Grades 7–9 and High School are at Valimotie 17–19, 00380 Helsinki.
Stages	Stages Helsinki: pre-school to Grade 9; Brussels: primary education.	Stages Two-year preschool, elementary school, middle school and high school.
School type	School type Private international school	School type The school is a private bilingual school offering education in Finnish and English.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Psychological counseling services; additional support provided through partner Arem.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Finland (Helsinki campus); Belgium (Brussels campus)	Country affiliation Finland
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Helsinki: 10:00–14:00 official hours; Brussels: 12:00–13:00 official hours (Mon-Wed and Friday).	School day structure Lessons last 75 minutes. The lunch hour lasts 30 minutes. Lunch is served in three groups due to staggered times; High School lunch is from 11:35 to 12:50; the Middle School and High School have partly separate lunchtimes. The School Office at Valimotie is open on weekdays from 9.00–14.00.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Registration fee - One-time registration (application) fee: EUR 750. This fee must be paid to complete enrollment and confirm the student's place. Tuition fees (annual and per term by school section) — amounts exclude VAT - Pre‑School (Grade 0): EUR 8,500 per year. Per payment instalment (4 instalments per year): EUR 2,125. - Primary (Grades 1–6): EUR 9,850 per year. Per payment instalment (4 instalments per year): EUR 2,462.50. - Secondary (Grades 7–9): EUR 10,500 per year. Per payment instalment (4 instalments per year): EUR 2,625.00. Mandatory and regularly applied additional fees - Book fee: EUR 500 per year (charged in addition to the tuition fee). - Value added tax (VAT): The listed tuition and service prices do not include VAT. The school indicates an applicable VAT rate of 25.5% to be added where relevant. Optional services and their fees - Afternoon Club (optional): EUR 200 per month plus VAT; includes arts/crafts materials and a light snack. Afternoon program runs from 14:15 and students leave between 16:00 and 16:45. - School transport: Transport from Espoo, Vantaa and Helsinki is available and billed separately; transport is not included in the tuition fee. Discounts - Sibling discount: 5% discount on tuition for qualifying additional children. Billing schedule and payment terms - Payment schedule: Tuition fees are to be paid in four instalments over the school year (four equal payments). The registration fee must be paid to confirm enrollment; other additional fees (book fee, optional services, transport) are charged separately. - Timing of instalments: Fees are invoiced and payable in four instalments during the school year (the school specifies a four‑instalment schedule but does not publish specific calendar dates for each instalment on the published admissions information). Boarding fees - Boarding is not offered; the school operates day programmes and provides optional transport and an afternoon club rather than boarding accommodation. Other costs or incidental fees - School uniforms, special trips, external exam fees or other incidental costs are not explicitly listed in the published tuition summary; optional activities and transport are charged separately where applicable. (The book fee and afternoon club are listed separately from tuition.) Refund information - No specific refund policy or refund conditions for tuition, registration, or other fees is published within the school's publicly available admissions and registration information. The registration fee is stated as required to confirm enrollment.	Fee details Application & entry fees - Registration fee: EUR 20.00 payable when submitting a registration form. (Applies to Preschool and Grades 1–9). - Entrance test fee: EUR 60.00 (applies to Preschool and Grades 1–9). - Administration fee: EUR 50.00 payable when a new student is enrolled. Tuition fees (all year groups: Preschool – High School) - Standard tuition fee for students resident in Finland: EUR 673.00 per academic year. - Term split: Fall term EUR 336.50 and Spring term EUR 336.50 (i.e., the annual EUR 673.00 is billed as EUR 336.50 per term). - Included in the standard tuition: daily warm lunch. Tuition fees for upper secondary (high school) students from third countries - For students who become subject to tuition fees (students from third countries beginning studies in or after August 2026), the tuition fee for the 2026–2027 academic year is EUR 11,314. - The EUR 11,314 figure is calculated to cover: the average unit price of upper secondary education, learning materials including a computer, meal fees, projected cost increases, and the school's annual fee of EUR 673.00. - If a student who begins in autumn 2026 completes a typical three-year upper secondary programme, the total tuition over three years would be EUR 33,942. Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard tuition (EUR 673.00) may be paid in two parts: at the beginning of the Fall semester and at the beginning of the Spring semester (i.e., the two term instalments). - For upper secondary students from third countries, payment of the tuition fee is a prerequisite for participating in instruction. Boarding fees - Boarding accommodation is not offered; boarding fees are not applicable. (No boarding or residential fee schedule is listed for the school.) Other costs and incidental charges - School supplies and textbooks: Pupils receive textbooks, workbooks and other materials from the school for their use. Pupils are responsible for their materials; books used for more than one year are returned at the end of the year. Guardians may be required to cover replacement costs for lost or damaged school property. Standard compensation for lost or damaged books is EUR 10.00; replacement library card fee EUR 5.00. - Camp schools and certain longer trips: The school does not finance camp schools; guardians may jointly collect funds for camp schools and voluntary fundraising may be organised for these activities. Participation in fundraising is voluntary, but camp schools and some longer trips may require additional guardian contributions. - School attire and equipment: Indoor shoes labelled with the pupil's name and appropriate clothing for physical education are required; special clothing requirements are set by PE teachers. (No separate uniform fee is specified.) Refund information - Refunds for upper secondary tuition charged to students from third countries (students who start in or after August 2026) are specified as follows: - Withdrawal by the last day of the 1st period: 4/5 of the tuition fee refunded. - Withdrawal by the last day of the 2nd period: 3/5 refunded. - Withdrawal by the last day of the 3rd period: 2/5 refunded. - Withdrawal by the last day of the 4th period: 1/5 refunded. - No separate general refund schedule for the standard EUR 673.00 annual fee is detailed in the published school fee information for regular resident students; the above refund schedule applies to the specified upper secondary tuition for students from third countries. Fee payment options and invoicing - The standard tuition is billed per academic year and may be paid in two instalments at the start of each semester. Specific payment instructions and accepted payment methods are provided through the school's finance office and on school invoices. Contact details for the school's finance office are published in school materials.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement The English School uses a dress code rather than a fixed uniform. Pupils must be appropriately dressed for school; outdoor shoes are removed indoors; each pupil must have indoor shoes labelled with their name; PE clothing is required as directed by the gym teachers; dress-up days occur on special occasions.
Food options	Food options —	Food options The school's food service is provided by Compass Group and a healthy, balanced lunch is served daily. Lunch menus in English and Finnish can be seen in the cafeteria and on the school's website. For dietary restrictions, a doctor's certificate should be submitted to the homeroom teacher; the lunch program provides substitute foods for dietary restrictions; a vegetarian menu is available only with advance notice.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is a private educational institution in cooperation with the City of Helsinki Educational Department. It adheres to Finnish basic education laws and national curriculum standards, and operates as a Home School. It collaborates with the local education departments of Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa.	Governance and ownership The English School is governed by a Board of Trustees and a Board of Directors. The director, principals and all permanent staff are appointed by the Board of Trustees.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details English is the primary language of instruction at Norden International School of Helsinki, with Finnish language education provided as a secondary focus. The Primary Curriculum (Grades 1–6) is designed for a well-rounded education that emphasizes academic achievement, creativity, and personal growth, with Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies (exploring history, geography, and the community), Arts & Crafts, and Physical Education. Social Studies focuses on history, geography, and the community to help students understand the world. The Secondary Curriculum (Grades 7–9) is more challenging and specialized, combining core subjects, electives, and opportunities for personal growth to promote independence, self-discipline, and collaboration. In Norden Brussels for 2026–27, English remains the language of instruction, with French and Flemish taught as additional languages; class sizes are small (10–12 students) and the program emphasizes personalized education, reading culture and libraries, performance tracking and support, arts, sports and handcrafts, a stress-free, technology-enabled learning environment, parental involvement, and psychological well-being support.	Curriculum details Truly bilingual curriculum across preschool to high school with instruction in Finnish and English. The High School offers two study programs: the bilingual English–Finnish Language and Culture Program, where studies are conducted in both Finnish and English (English taught by native speakers), and a General Upper Secondary English program. Both programs follow the Finnish national curriculum and culminate in the Finnish Matriculation Examinations (in Finnish for the bilingual program; in English for the English-language track). The school's curriculum is anchored in Christian values and emphasizes global citizenship, cultural understanding, respect for diversity, ecological sustainability and responsible citizenship.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Small class sizes in Norden Brussels: 10–12 students per class.	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Most graduates advance to well-known universities in Finland and abroad. Guidance counselors assist students in planning higher education and studying abroad after high school, if requested.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented Gifted pathways include additional diplomas in Music and Visual Arts (Music Diploma and Visual Arts Diploma), with extra music courses and arts opportunities available for dedicated students.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The school focuses on a child-centered approach with diverse students and aims to nurture talents, foster peer learning, and support students' social development through engaging activities beyond regular classes.	Social & emotional learning The English School maintains a multi-disciplinary student wellbeing group that focuses on the social and emotional development of pupils. The group includes the principal, school nurse and school doctor, and specialists such as a school social worker, a school psychologist, a special education teacher and a guidance counselor (upper secondary). They work to promote wellbeing, positive development, learning and schoolwork for pupils. They provide support through one-on-one sessions, group work and wellbeing-related lessons with teachers. They also offer confidential guidance for pupils and families and coordinate services with parents and other staff.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) The School Wellbeing Group includes a dedicated special education teacher who supports pupils with learning and developmental needs. The school social worker and the school psychologist assist pupils facing learning difficulties, attention issues or emotional problems. The school psychologist provides guidance to teachers, counselling for students and carries out cognitive evaluations when needed. All student welfare matters are handled confidentially in collaboration with parents.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language English is the primary language of instruction at the Helsinki campus; Finnish language education is provided as a secondary focus. In Brussels, the primary language of instruction is English, with French and Flemish taught as additional languages.	English as an additional language The English School follows the Finnish National Core Curriculum with an emphasis on English and Finnish languages and cultures. English is taught at a native level from preschool through grade 12. The proportion of Finnish and English instruction varies by grade: preschool and grades 1–4 are mainly English with total immersion, while grades 5–9 increase Finnish instruction and continue native-level English. In high school, studies are offered in both languages and students prepare for matriculation in Finnish. The goal is for students to be truly bilingual by the end of ninth grade.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Students receive psychological counseling services and well-being support at the school site; the Brussels campus notes an external educational partner provides additional support.	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is supported by the School Wellbeing Group, which focuses on wellbeing alongside learning and schoolwork. The team conducts wellbeing lessons, one-on-one support and group work, and provides confidential guidance to pupils and families. The School Social Worker and School Psychologist offer counselling, strategies for emotional regulation and support for students facing personal or academic challenges. The group collaborates with teachers to promote emotional intelligence and healthy social interaction.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding Safeguarding is embedded in the School Wellbeing Group's work; student welfare matters are handled confidentially in agreement with the pupil and parents. The group develops support structures for the pupil and family and ensures appropriate guidance and privacy in line with school policy.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Norden International School provides private primary and secondary education from pre-school to Grade 9. English is the primary language of instruction, with Finnish language education provided as a secondary focus. Libraries are at the heart of school life. The physical environment is designed to feel as comfortable as home, with cozy, student-friendly classrooms. Small class sizes (10-12 students) ensure personalized attention from teachers and assistant teachers.	Facilities overview The English School is a bilingual Finnish-English school comprising a two-year preschool, an elementary school, a middle school and a high school, with about 700 students aged 5 to 19. The long-awaited new school building will be the home for the English School for decades to come. The U-shaped building will house the preschool and primary in a separate wing, with the middle and high school located on floors 2–4. The building will have two gymnasiums, one of which can be divided into two with a curtain. A bilingual library sits in the heart of the school. Bright and spacious classrooms with connectivity between primary rooms support flexible learning. The Mäntytie site houses Grades 1–6 and Preschool; the Valimotie site houses Grades 7–12.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities Two gymnasiums, one divisible into two spaces with a curtain.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Personalized Education: Every student progresses at their own pace with continuous support. Reading Culture and Libraries: Reading is a fundamental part of the education, with libraries at the heart of school life. Physical and Social Environment: The physical environment feels like home; classrooms are cozy, student-friendly, and provide a warm learning atmosphere. Small class sizes (10-12 students) ensure personalized attention from teachers and assistant teachers. Language offerings include Swedish, Spanish, and French.	Academic facilities The bilingual library is located in the heart of the school. Classrooms are bright and spacious, and in the primary school a door can connect adjacent classrooms to form larger spaces. The U-shaped building design places preschool and primary in a separate wing and positions middle and high school on floors 2–4. The Mäntytie site hosts Grades 1–6 and Preschool, while Valimotie hosts Grades 7–12.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Afternoon club offers ESL, IT, Art and Craft, Dancing, Board games, and Homework.	Extra curricular facilities Student Exchange links with partner schools worldwide, including Abingdon (England); Mount Clear College (Australia); Quintin and Jean XXIII (France); Taizhou and Tianyi School in China, among others. Debate club participates in international and national competitions with venues in Estonia, Latvia, Romania, Slovenia and other partners.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Opened in August 2013, Norden International School of Helsinki began as Kielo International School. It is a private primary and secondary school located in Malmi, Helsinki, and operates in cooperation with the City of Helsinki Educational Department. English is the primary language of instruction, with Finnish language education provided as a secondary focus. The school serves students from pre-school to Grade 9 and collaborates with the education authorities of Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa to align with national expectations.	History Catholic Sisters from the Missouri-based Congregation arrived in Helsinki in 1939 to establish The English School. The school opened on October 1, 1945 with eighteen students. A new Mäntytie building was completed in 1952 to accommodate growth and to align with developments around the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. Since 1996 the school has been governed by the Foundation of the English School. The English School now serves more than 700 students across a two-year preschool, a comprehensive school (grades 1–9) and a high school.
Community	Community The student body is diverse, with children from many countries and cultures, and the school warmly welcomes students of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and encouraging peer learning. It offers extracurricular and social opportunities, including an Afternoon Club in Helsinki that runs from 14:15 to 16:00–16:45 with ESL, IT, art and craft, dancing, board games, and homework support (fee: 200 euros plus VAT). Parents actively participate in their children's education through parent-child programs, cultural food days, and interactive activities.	Community We are a traditional and safe school community where students, guardians and staff know one another and collaborate closely. The school is founded on Christian principles and values such as mutual respect, joy of learning, a strong work ethic, honesty, responsibility, forgiveness and service to create a safe environment for human development. Open House events for the high school are held to welcome prospective students, with on-site and online formats. International collaboration and student exchanges with partner schools around the world enrich the school community.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association The Friends of the English School is the parents' association. It was founded on November 26, 1954, and the funds collected by the Friends are directed entirely back to the school to benefit the students. The Friends are led by a Board of up to 10 members, elected at the Friends' Annual Meeting yearly, with a two-year term for each member. The Board includes roles such as Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, Event Manager, Communications, Clubs and Fundraising. Reach the Board at friends@engs.fi.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school teaches in English, with Finnish language education provided as a secondary focus. It offers primary and secondary education from pre-school to Grade 9. In Brussels, Norden International School will provide primary education in the Evere–Haren region for the 2025-2026 academic year. The Afternoon Club provides after-school enrichment with ESL, IT/media literacy, Art & Craft, Dancing, Board games, and Homework support.	Academic & intellectual Field trips enrich learning with visits to museums, theatres and other special exhibits. Once per year a longer day trip may be organized for each class. Camp schools may be included in the curriculum, in cooperation with guardians. These experiences extend classroom learning beyond daily lessons.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Secondary School includes elective courses in visual arts, music, drama, and technology. The Afternoon Club includes Art and Craft and Dancing activities. The school supports creative expression through these arts-based offerings.	Arts & creative The afternoon care program includes free play, arts and crafts, and indoor and outdoor activities. Pupils can take part in clubs organized by The Friends of The English School, which meet before or after regular school hours and may include creative activities. Specific information about clubs is provided in September and offerings may vary.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language English is the primary language of instruction, with Finnish language education provided as a secondary focus. The student body is diverse, with children from various countries and cultures, reflecting a multicultural environment. The school operates in Helsinki and Brussels.	Cultural & language The library promotes learning English and Finnish languages and cultures. Lunch menus are available in English and Finnish.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies The Afternoon Club offers activities such as ESL (English as a second language), IT/media literacy, Art & Craft, Dancing, and Board games, with homework support. Sessions run after regular school hours, providing structured recreational and educational activity.	Social & hobbies Afternoon Care provides time for free play, arts and crafts, and indoor and outdoor sports, as well as time to complete homework. Clubs meet before or after regular school hours, offering opportunities to pursue interests with peers.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service Pupils have the opportunity to participate in clubs organized by The Friends of The English School. Clubs meet before or after regular school hours and information is shared in September. The clubs may vary and may not run throughout the year.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Physical Education is offered as part of the secondary program. The Afternoon Club provides after-school activities, including ESL, IT/media literacy, Art & Craft, Dancing, and Board games, supporting well-being through a mix of physical, creative, and educational activities.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Afternoon care runs after the school day and is available until 5 pm, with opportunities for indoor and outdoor sports and time to do homework. The school is a candy-free and sugar-free environment; candy and soft drinks are not allowed at school.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision Swedish, Spanish, and French are offered as foreign languages. Students can choose from a variety of language offerings to expand their communication skills.	Language provision The English School teaches English and Finnish. It follows the Finnish National Core Curriculum with emphasis on English and Finnish languages and cultures. English is taught at a native level from preschool to grade 12. The proportion of Finnish and English in instruction varies by grade level, with the goal of achieving true bilingual proficiency by the end of ninth grade.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The English School follows the Finnish National Core Curriculum with emphasis placed on English and Finnish languages and cultures. English is taught at a native level from preschool to grade 12. Preschool and grades 1–4 have the highest proportion of instruction in English, with total immersion; Finnish is taught at native level or as a second language. In grades 5–9, Finnish instruction increases while English remains at native level, and in high school studies are offered in both Finnish and English, with the bilingual program enabling advanced study in English language and literature while preparing for Finnish matriculation examinations.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs Total immersion in English is used in Preschool and Grades 1–4. Finnish is taught at native level or as a second language. In Grades 5–9, Finnish instruction increases while English continues to be taught at native level.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Fill in the registration form. You will receive a confirmation message stating that you have received a place for the level assessment. The assessment date will be announced afterward. The application form is available online. 2. Take the level assessment. All prospective students have to go through a level assessment. Level assessments are arranged upon request. The level assessment is a required part of the admissions process. 3. Pay the registration fee. The one-time registration fee is 750 Euros. The annual school fee is 9,850 Euros plus VAT and an additional 500 Euros for books. This fee covers all expenses except for the one-time registration fee. 4. Sign the school contract. Enrollment is completed upon signing the school contract. The contract formalizes the enrollment and confirms the placement. This completes the enrollment.	Admissions —
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist A waiting list is established based on entrance test results when openings exist; entrance tests are conducted for grades with available openings, and the waiting list is used to sequence offers.
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