Compare Finnish Curriculum International Schools in Finland

The English School in Finland is a private bilingual institution offering Finnish-English education from preschool through secondary level to about 700 students (ages 5–18). The curriculum combines the Finnish national framework with strong English instruction, and in the high school there are two study options: the bilingual English–Finnish Language and Culture Program and a General Upper Secondary English program. Both programs culminate in the Finnish Matriculation Examinations, with language of instruction determined by program. The school's ethos is rooted in Christian values and a commitment to global citizenship, cultural understanding, respect for diversity, ecological sustainability and responsible citizenship. Campus facilities include a two-campus layout (Mäntytie for Grades 1–6 and Preschool and Valimotie for Grades 7–12), two gymnasia (one divisible), and a central bilingual library. The school runs exchange links, a debate club with international and national competitions, and clubs organised by The Friends of The English School, alongside after-school care.

SYK is an independent, coeducational day school in Helsinki, founded in 1886 and the oldest coeducational school in Finland. It offers the Finnish national curriculum for grades 3–9 and, in upper secondary, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) taught in English, complemented by a DP Core. The Lukio upper secondary is language‑focused, with a broad language program and official certificates such as DELF (French) and Deutsches Sprachdiplom (German). Language options include A languages (French, German, Russian, English); B1 Swedish; B2 and B3 options (French/German/Russian); and rotating languages such as Arabic, Japanese and Korean. The IB section was created in 1990. The school collaborates with Aalto University, Open University, Helsinki Summer University and the University of Helsinki; it coordinates the national LUKKI language development project and supports LUMA science education. The campus includes a swimming hall and a separate music school. International study trips extend to France, Germany, Latvia and Uzbekistan. SYK emphasizes opportunities for language, science and arts across a long‑standing, inclusive tradition.

Ressu Comprehensive School is a municipal public school in Helsinki serving grades 1–9 (ages about 7–15). It sits in Kamppi, with some lower‑secondary activities at Ruoholahdenkatu 23. The school blends the Finnish Curriculum with the International Baccalaureate framework: PYP for grades 1–6 and MYP for grades 7–9, taught primarily in Finnish, with about 80% of the weighted curriculum delivered in English. Language study starts with English A1 in Grade 1, A2 from Grade 3, B1 Swedish from Grade 6, and B2 languages from Grade 8. An English‑language weighted‑curriculum option exists, with English‑language acquisition classes taught fully in English. The school has around 750 pupils and offers facilities including a lower gym and spaces used for hockey, dance, and art clubs. After‑school clubs are organized by the Ressu PTA and partners, and learning projects culminate in the PYP exhibition in Grade 6. The school promotes international-mindedness and inclusion within Helsinki's municipal system.

Joensuun Lyseon lukio is a public upper secondary school in Joensuu, Finland, administered by the City of Joensuu. It offers the Finnish Curriculum alongside the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP), including a Preparatory Year. The school has 162 places, with 135 in the general programme and 27 in the IB line. Admission to the IB line is by application via Opintopolku, using a weighted lower secondary GPA (minimum 8.0) plus English and Mathematics (each weighted 2.0). The facilities at Science Park place Lyseo in an environment that supports closer cooperation with higher education institutions and industry. The school provides flexible spaces, modern furnishings, an acoustically pleasant environment, up-to-date teaching technology, and spaces for goal-oriented study and student wellbeing. Since 2000, Lyseo has delivered international upper secondary education through IB, with first IB graduates in 2003 and around 400 diplomas earned from students from about 20 countries in recent decades.

Ressun lukio operates from two campus buildings in central Helsinki, offering two upper secondary programmes. The Finnish-language programme follows the Finnish national curriculum, and the English-language option delivers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school serves about 900 students with around 60 teachers, and most students are aged 15 to 19. The City of Helsinki runs the school and tuition is free; study materials, meals and health services are provided. Facilities include two campuses with modern classrooms, a well‑stocked library, and on‑site gym facilities. An Erasmus programme and international cooperation with guardians, universities, and partner organisations extend learning beyond Finland. The programmes lead to widely recognised university entry qualifications. A vibrant student association, an active parents' association, and the Ressun lukio IB Student Council foster leadership, events and community involvement, while strong transport links make daily access easy for students. The school emphasises inclusive student support and a global outlook.

Located at Kajaaninkatu 3 in Oulu, Oulun Lyseon lukio offers two English‑language upper secondary pathways: the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) and a Finnish general upper secondary track taught in English. The IB DP begins with a preparatory Pre‑DP year and is taught in English. Students choose six subjects from groups covering language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics and arts, and complete the Theory of Knowledge, the Creativity, Activity and Service course, and the Extended Essay. Finland recognises the IB diploma as equivalent to the national matriculation examination and the diploma supports university study worldwide. From autumn 2026, Lyseo will launch an English‑language Finnish general upper secondary track with the matriculation examination in English planned for autumn 2028. The school has a long history and a main building on Kajaaninkatu, offering opportunities in languages, arts and social learning through its IB programme and forthcoming tracks.

Turun normaalikoulu, Turku, Finland, offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) alongside the Finnish Curriculum. The campus is at Annikanpolku 9, 20610 Turku. A one-year Pre-DP precedes the two-year DP, with English as the language of instruction in Pre-DP. The DP comprises six subject groups plus the core: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), and the Extended Essay (EE). Subjects are chosen from Groups 1–5; Group 6 Arts is not offered. Three subjects are taken at Higher Level and three at Standard Level, with some flexibility in HL. The Diploma is graded on a 45-point scale, requiring a minimum of 24 points and completion of DP core requirements. In Finland, the Diploma is considered equivalent to the matriculation examination, and most graduates gain admission to universities in Finland and abroad. DP language offerings include English A, English B, Finnish B, and ab initio options such as French, German, and Spanish.

Imatran yhteislukio is a co-educational upper secondary school in Imatra, Finland, located at Mansikkalan koulukeskus, Koulukatu 2. The school offers a Finnish four-year upper secondary program and an English-taught IB Diploma Programme (DP) line. The IB DP begins with a Pre-DP preparatory year that aligns Finnish first-year courses, followed by two DP years in six subjects, preparing students for university study worldwide. The faculty collaborates with Etelä-Karjalan IB-lukio in cooperation with Lappeenrannan lyseon lukio and broadens higher education opportunities through the University of Eastern Finland Open University online courses. A double degree is available with Saimaan ammattiopisto, pairing upper secondary and vocational studies culminating in the matriculation examination, with an adult track also offered. Distinctive features include the Culture Academy arts program collaborating with TanssiStudio Jami and Virta-opisto, and access to Imatra Music School. The South Karelia Sports Academy provides regular athletic training, and ninth-grade admissions open in spring annually.

Jyväskylän Lyseon Lukio is a Finnish upper secondary school located at Sepänkatu 3, Jyväskylä. The school offers the Finnish national curriculum alongside an English-language IB Diploma Programme (DP) line and an Information Technology (IT) line. Students can choose among three study tracks: a general line with a natural sciences emphasis or an entrepreneurship emphasis, an English-language IB line, and the IT line. The IB option provides a globally recognized curriculum taught in English, while the general line follows national studies with flexible subject choices. The school also houses theatre studies, visual arts studies, and music studies, supporting arts engagement both inside and outside class. Jyväskylän Lyseon Lukio maintains strong international links through Erasmus+ KA1 activities, partner schools, and annual international events. It participates in UNESCO ASPnet projects, with students acting as ambassadors. A group called Let's Get Global fosters leadership and global awareness alongside regular international exchanges and collaborations worldwide.

Kuopion Lyseon lukio combines Finland's upper secondary curriculum with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, serving students aged 16 to 18. Located at Puijonkatu 18 on Kuopio's Market Square edge, the school operates within the municipal education framework and maintains a modern yet traditional campus. The Finnish LOPS2021 program and the IB line offer a broad course mix across mathematics, natural sciences, humanities, languages, and arts, with a particular emphasis on arts and crafts. The language program is broad, and facilities include a Lyseo language studio, a language classroom, and dedicated writing rooms, supported by a well-equipped library. International activity includes partnerships with schools in France and Germany and Gotland, and participation in the European Youth Parliament. The school runs the IB program since 1994 and provides guidance through Opinto-ohjaajat and an IB coordinator. Extra-curriculars include clubs such as the Sigma mathematics club and activities like student council and EYP involvement.

Lahden lukio Gaudia is an upper secondary school in Lahti, Finland, located at the Paavola campus on Terijoenkatu 7. It serves students aged 16 to 18 and offers two main paths: the Finnish national curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, plus specialised tracks in Visual Arts and Design and Music, alongside a General line. The program emphasises internationality, language proficiency, and exchange opportunities, with an English-language IB option further broadening global perspectives. The school accommodates about 1,350 students and provides modern facilities including a school library, an arts wing with the ArtHouse, recording studio, band rooms, and theatre spaces. The Paavola campus supports university-level study integration and collaborations with universities and workplaces. Students participate in a culture programme with partners like City Museum, Sinfonia Lahti, City Theatre, and others, with Erasmus+ accreditation enabling mobility. The campus includes a large sports hall and student lounges to support wellbeing and activities.

Lyseonpuiston lukio is a public upper secondary school in central Rovaniemi, Finland, offering the Finnish national curriculum alongside the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) with a preparatory year. The IB is taught mainly in English and follows the six-subject structure: one subject from each group, with three to four at Higher Level; a Theory of Knowledge course, an Extended Essay, and CAS form core components. The Diploma is recognised by universities worldwide. The school is the northernmost IB in Finland and has held IB World School status since 2004. The campus also hosts Urheilulukio (Sports High School) on-site and shares facilities with Ounasvaaran lukio, providing strong sport opportunities. As a UNESCO School, Lyseonpuiston lukio emphasizes international understanding, intercultural engagement, and LUMA development activities through the LUMA Center Finland network. The school runs a broad languages program, with IB options in Spanish, Hindi, French, Italian, Russian, Chinese, German, Finnish and Ukrainian.

Vasa övningsskola is a university school affiliated with Åbo Akademi University in Vaasa, Finland. It provides cohesive basic education for grades 1–9 across two Vaasa addresses: Kyrkoesplanaden 11–13 and Skolhusgatan 31. The school operates together with a gymnasium, offering an English-language International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in addition to the Finnish Curriculum. In grades 1–9, CLIL is used, with subject instruction in English in some areas. An English track runs through the lower and upper grades, supporting multilingual development and a strong mother tongue. The gymnasium provides Swedish-language visual arts and music, as well as an English IB Diploma Programme. The Makerspace equips students with laser cutting, 3D printers, vinyl cutter, sewing machines, and audio/video tools to support creative projects. There is a robust focus on language development, research collaboration with the Department of Education at Åbo Akademi University, and UNESCO ASPnet membership emphasizing sustainable education. Around 950 students and 120 staff.

Finnish International School of Tampere (FISTA) is a comprehensive school serving ages 6 to 16, with preschool, primary and lower secondary education (grades 1–9) in Tampere, Finland. The school teaches mainly in English, while Finnish, Swedish, and other languages are offered as part of the curriculum. It follows the City of Tampere curriculum based on the Finnish National Core Curriculum, and applicants complete a language test to participate in English-language education. FISTA began as Amurin kansakoulu in 1954 and became FISTA in 2012. The campus is in central Tampere and serves 910 students with 110 staff in the 2025–2026 year. Features include preparatory education for Finnish learners (up to one year) and two study lines for grades 7–9: bilingual and international. Students take Finnish lessons from early grades, with Swedish from grade 6 and optional A2 languages (Spanish, French or German). A program of clubs supports after-school interests and wellbeing.

Founded in 1992, the International School of Vantaa is a municipal school serving grades 1-9 with about 670 students in Vantaa, Finland. The language of instruction is predominantly English, serving students whose home language is English or who are fluent in English, while the general Finnish National Board of Education framework shapes a tailor-made curriculum built around thematic units that integrate multiple subjects. From grade 4, elective language offerings include French, Spanish, Swedish and German; Swedish becomes compulsory from grade 6. The school is situated in Kartanonkoski; premises also house a daycare center and a public library. Student selection is based on oral or written English assessment. The school emphasizes after-school activities for younger and older students, free daily school meals, and wellbeing programs such as Urhea athletics and the Schools on the Move initiative. The environment blends municipal schooling with an international-flavored English instruction within the Finnish system.

Lycee Franco-Finlandais d'Helsinki is a Finnish public language school delivering bilingual Finnish–French instruction within the Finnish education system. The school follows the Finnish national curriculum, with instruction in Finnish and French across basic education and upper secondary. In basic education, Finnish is taught as a mother tongue from grade 1; A1 French starts in grade 1; A2 English in grade 4; B1 Swedish in grade 6; B2 Spanish or German in grade 8. Upper secondary splits into French L1 and a mission-specific track; the L1 program aligns with the Finnish matriculation exam, while the mission track offers flexibility for strong French skills, requiring at least 24 French units and 16 units in other subjects. The school provides DELF B2 and DALF C1 certifications, a range of French studies, francophone projects, and exchanges. About 800 students study here, with small teaching groups and an international cooperation network, including study trips abroad.

Mattlidens gymnasium is a municipal upper secondary school in Espoo, Finland, offering a Swedish-language track alongside an English-language International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. It is the largest Swedish-language upper secondary school in Finland and the only Swedish-language IB DP school in the capital region, providing a diverse bilingual pathway for students. The IB DP forms a two-year course (DP1/DP2) with a preparatory year (preDP) in grade 10, six subject groups, and a Diploma core of CAS, Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge. The school emphasizes intercultural understanding and multilingualism, with Swedish, English, and Finnish at multiple levels and options in Spanish, French, and German. In autumn 2026 a new sports line for young athletes will balance flexible studies with professional sport. The campus shares facilities with a lower-grade campus and is connected by modern transport. About 150 students study the English IB programme. Strong pastoral support and a collaborative school culture.

Norden International School follows a Finnish Curriculum across two campuses, Helsinki (Malmi) and Brussels (Evere–Haren). It is a private international school serving pre‑school to Grade 9, with English as the language of instruction and Finnish language education as a secondary focus. The Primary Curriculum (Grades 1–6) covers Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies (history, geography, and the community), Arts & Crafts, and Physical Education. The Secondary Curriculum (Grades 7–9) provides more challenging core subjects, electives, and opportunities for independent learning and collaboration. In Brussels for 2026–27, English remains the language of instruction, with French and Flemish as additional languages; class sizes are small (10–12 students) and the program emphasizes personalized education, reading culture and libraries, performance tracking, arts, sports and handcrafts, and a technology‑enabled learning environment with parental involvement and well‑being support. Opened in 2013 as Kielo International School, Norden collaborates with the City of Helsinki Educational Department and operates in Helsinki and Brussels.

Tampereen Lyseo Lukio, known as Rellu, is a public upper secondary school in Tampere, Finland, by Pyynikintori square. It offers three study programmes: a high school programme, a Social Sciences Studies programme and an International Baccalaureate programme taught in English culminating in the IB diploma. The curriculum blends the Finnish national framework with the IB Diploma Programme, and features a broad range of subjects. Languages include English, German, French and Spanish as A-languages; Swedish as B1, with French and German as B2 and Spanish, French, German and Russian as B3. Rellu maintains partner schools in France, Germany and Spain and is part of the IB network. It supports learning across Tampere City schools and online courses, and involves University of Tampere courses. Through IB and Social Sciences study, students complete CAS projects, Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essays, guided by caring teachers and a focus on well-being and future study opportunities.

The Finnish-Russian School is a state-funded bilingual institution in Helsinki offering preschool, basic and upper secondary education with instruction in Finnish and Russian. In basic education, the school follows the national core curriculum, while Russian language and culture are studied to a significantly greater extent. The elementary curriculum is published as part of the school's materials, and the upper-secondary program follows LOps 2021 Lukion opinto-opas for the 2025–2026 academic year. The school welcomes 700 pupils. It operates in a new building completed in autumn 2021 in Etelä-Kaarela. Facilities include a central auditorium seating 200, with a stage and audio-visual equipment, plus a small multipurpose hall for indoor activities and a separate meeting room with hybrid meeting capability. After the school day, learners may join theatre, visual arts and chess clubs, participate in Erasmus exchanges, and engage in student council activities. After-school care runs for younger pupils in a supervised program.

Turku International School (TIS) is a municipal school operating in the Kupittaa district of Turku, providing basic education for students in grades 1 through 9. Established to serve both international families in the region and returning Finnish expatriates, TIS delivers instruction primarily in English while strictly following the framework of the Finnish National Core Curriculum. A defining feature of the school is its structural integration with the City of Turku's broader educational network, allowing students access to municipal morning and afternoon hobby programs directly on campus. The curriculum heavily incorporates Finnish language studies for all proficiency levels to ensure community integration. Rather than operating as an independent international bubble, TIS functions as a public multicultural environment that emphasizes practical cooperation, sustainability, and cross-cultural understanding within the framework of Finland’s tuition-free basic education system.