Compare International Schools in Helsinki, 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.

European School of Helsinki is a multilingual school in central Helsinki delivering the European Schools curriculum for students aged 4 to 18. The programme follows the European Baccalaureate path, with language sections in English, Finnish and French and opportunities to study second and third languages in later years. The final examination is the European Baccalaureate, enabling university access across the EU and beyond. The school operates in a historic five-storey building (1884–85) renovated in 2009, with 45 classrooms, science and ICT laboratories, a language laboratory, music and art rooms, a library, a canteen, a gym and an assembly hall, and most classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards. After-school activities run daily from 14:30 to 17:30, offering more than 30 clubs across section languages, including arts, theatre and dance, sports, science and language groups. The KiVa Koulu wellbeing program supports a safe, inclusive community and close ties with local and international communities. The school is accredited to the European Schools network.

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.

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.

Deutsche Schule Helsinki is a private, German-Finnish intercultural school in Helsinki offering bilingual education from early years to upper secondary. The curriculum combines German and Finnish systems across three stages: lower grades (1–5), upper grades (6–9), and upper secondary. In early years German is taught as a foreign language with English, with Finnish as mother tongue and second language, plus life stance education and Evangelical religion. In upper grades many subjects have curricula published in German, including Chemistry, Biology, German, Finnish as mother tongue, English, Ethics, Geography, History, Art, Latin (8–12), Swedish, Russian, and Sport, with Economics also offered. The upper secondary culminates in the Deutsches Internationales Abitur (DIA), a dual-qualification with a German university entrance qualification and a Finnish matriculation certificate; exams include written tests in three subjects in January and oral tests in two in March. The school provides a library, a music school, after-school care, and an activity program at Malminkatu 14, 00100 Helsinki.

International School of Helsinki (ISH) offers the IB continuum for students aged 4 to 18, with English as the language of instruction and a broad language program that includes Spanish, French and Finnish as Foreign Languages, plus Finnish Mother Tongue and English as an Additional Language support where needed. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) runs from early years through Grade 5, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) covers Grades 6-10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) spans Grades 11-12. ISH became Finland's first fully IB-accredited school in 2005, and it has maintained IB, CIS, and NEASC accreditation through subsequent re-authorisations. Beyond academics, the school offers an extensive after-school activities and athletics program (ASA) for K-12, as well as cultural, language and social clubs. The Parents' Teacher Organization supports the community, and volunteers help events. ISH emphasizes an international community, cross-cultural workshops, and services to help families settle in. A welcoming, thriving environment.

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.

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.

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.

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.