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Lycee Franco-Finlandais d'Helsinki

Finland, Helsinki

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Finnish, French
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 5 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 811
Type Co-educational
Opened 1938
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, Finnish Curriculum
Taught languages Finnish, French, English, Swedish, Spanish, German
Typical class size 23
Strengths Languages, Visual and Creative Arts, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Leadership and Professional, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Primary School, Secondary School, Preschool
Introduction

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.

Raumantie 4, 00350 Helsinki, Finland

The Essentials

Lycee Franco-Finlandais d'Helsinki has 811 pupils, typical class sizes of 23, instruction in Finnish, French.

Location
The school is in Helsinki, Finland, located at Raumantie 4, 00350 Helsinki. It is in the Munkkivuori area of the city. The campus serves as a public language school with Finnish and French language communities nearby and within the public education network. The address and location are published as Helsingin ranskalais-suomalainen koulu / Lycée franco-finlandais d'Helsinki, Raumantie 4, 00350 Helsinki.

Stages
Preschool, primary (classes 1-9), and upper secondary (lycée).

Type
Public language school with bilingual Finnish–French instruction.

Additional learning support
Language support courses are organized based on student needs. A specialist teacher guides students to identify individual learning strategies and to develop study skills. The school psychologist conducts assessments and, when needed, refers students to further evaluation or specialists.

Country affiliation
France.

School day structure
For classes 1-5, the day runs from 8:15 to 14:45 with a midday lunch and short breaks. For classes 6-9 and the lycée, the day runs from 8:15 to 16:15 with longer periods and breaks. The school cafeteria serves a daily lunch.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Dress appropriately for school activities and in accordance with good manners.

Food Options
School meals are provided by Compass Group Finland Oy at the Lycée franco-finlandais d'Helsinki. The restaurant manager is Sanna Pettersson. Special diets must be reported via a Forms form at the start of August, and should also be communicated to the class teacher.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a governing board (Comité de direction) with representatives of parents, the Friends of the French School association, Helsinki City Education and Teaching Services, teachers, other staff, and students; plus the Director General of Education and the Institut Français in Finland. The board serves 2023–2027 (1 October 2023 to 31 September 2027). The principal and the secretary participate in governance.
Fees
Application fees
- There is no application fee for entrance to Helsingin ranskalais-suomalainen koulu. Language placement tests and entrance tests used for admissions are free of charge to applicants.

Tuition fees (by school stage, per term / per year)
- Esikoulu (preschool): No tuition charged — 0 EUR per term, 0 EUR per academic year. The preschool day is provided without tuition charges.
- Perusopetus (basic education, grades 1–9): No tuition charged — 0 EUR per term, 0 EUR per academic year. Education in the school's preschool, primary and lower-secondary sections is provided as a state-maintained service without tuition.
- Lukio (upper secondary / lycée): No tuition charged — 0 EUR per term, 0 EUR per academic year. Upper secondary studies are provided without tuition.

Paid supplementary services and typical fees (other than tuition)
- Esikoulun iltapäivähoito (preschool afternoon care): Charged by the school's parent association (Ranskalaisen koulun ystävät ry) at 475 EUR per month (listed amount before any state allowance/subsidy). Kela's private childcare subsidy may be available to families; the subsidy is paid directly to the service provider and the family is invoiced for the remainder.
- School meals: Daily school lunch is provided as part of the normal school day. In Finland, pupils in compulsory education and upper secondary are entitled to a school meal at no charge; school lunch is provided daily as part of the service.
- Exchange trips and class outings: The school organises exchange visits (notably for 4th and 8th grades and for certain lycée exchanges). These exchange trips and other voluntary trips are arranged periodically and involve costs that are covered by families (class fundraising activities to offset costs are common). Specific trip charges vary by trip.
- Materials / activity fees and extracurriculars: No regular school-wide tuition or mandatory material fee is published for any year group. Individual optional activities, clubs or trips may carry separate charges; those charges are set on a per-activity basis. (The school provides a library and curriculum resources as part of instruction.)

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Regular tuition invoices: There are no regular tuition invoices because basic and upper-secondary education at the school is provided without tuition charges.
- Paid services (example: esikoulun iltapäivähoito): The stated fee is presented as a monthly charge (475 EUR / month before subsidies). Kela's private-care subsidy is applied and paid to the service provider; the provider invoices families for the remaining amount after subsidy. The parent association sets the registration and invoicing rules for the paid afternoon care program.
- School invoicing method for any billable items: The school receives only electronic invoices (verkkolasku); the school's billing identifiers and electronic invoice operator are published for invoice routing.

Boarding / accommodation fees
- The school operates as a day school (preschool, primary, lower secondary and upper secondary) and does not operate a boarding/overnight residence. Families are responsible for pupils' travel arrangements to and from school. No boarding fees apply.

Other costs (examples parents commonly meet)
- After-school / afternoon care (esikoulun iltapäivähoito): 475 EUR per month (before any state subsidy) for the 2025–2026 listing of the service; subsidy arrangements reduce the invoiced amount.
- Voluntary trips, exchanges and extracurricular activities: Variable charges; families typically pay travel and participation costs and may be asked to support activities through fundraising.
- No compulsory school uniform fee is listed in published school materials; the school's standard communications do not identify a mandatory uniform purchase.

Refund information
- Tuition refunds: Not applicable because the school does not charge tuition for preschool (day), basic education or upper secondary.
- Refunds for paid services (example: afternoon care): Refunds, cancellations and any proration for paid services follow the terms set by the fee-charging provider (Ranskalaisen koulun ystävät ry for the esikoulun iltapäivähoito). Kela childcare subsidy is paid to the provider and reduces the billed amount; the handling of refunds for amounts already invoiced is determined by the provider's rules.

Fee payment options
- School (Helsingin ranskalais-suomalainen koulu) billing: The school accepts electronic invoices (verkkolasku) only; the school's business and e-invoice identifiers are published for routing invoices. For any billable items invoiced by the school administration, payment is via the electronic invoicing channel.
- Paid services operated by third parties (examples): The preschool afternoon care is organised and invoiced by the parent association (Ranskalaisen koulun ystävät ry); Kela's private-care subsidy is paid directly to that provider and the provider issues invoices to families for the balance. Payment methods for provider invoices are set by the provider.
Academics

Lycee Franco-Finlandais d'Helsinki teaches Bespoke Curriculum, Finnish Curriculum for students aged 5 to 18.

Curriculum
The Finnish national curriculum is followed. In basic education, Finnish is taught as a mother tongue from grade 1; A1 French begins in grade 1; A2 English begins in grade 4; B1 Swedish begins in grade 6; B2 Spanish or German begins in grade 8. In upper secondary, there are two tracks: French L1 and a mission-specific track. In French L1, modules from the national program lead to the Finnish matriculation exams; the mission-specific L1 offers a flexible program for students with strong French, requiring at least 24 French units to be validated and allowing other national-program units. The school provides a wide range of courses for French studies, including projects and francophone units, supports exchanges and trips, and offers official language certifications such as DELF B2 and DALF C1 recognized by the French state. Small teaching groups in upper secondary support students' needs, and the international cooperation network enables visits, exchanges and study trips.

Exam Results
Spring 2025 matriculation exam results were the best in the country in STT's high school comparison.

Higher Education Progression
Studies at Helsinki French-Finnish School provide good preparation for further studies in Finland and abroad.
Parent Experience

History
1938 Catherine Servé founded Helsingin ranskankielisen leikkikoulun (the French-speaking kindergarten) in Helsinki. In 1947 the kindergarten expanded into a four-year French-speaking primary school. In 1949 the Ranskalaisen koulun ystävät association was founded. In the 1950s the school organized its first pupil study trip to France (1953), and in 1956 the first class of the Helsinki French–Finnish joint secondary school began, with the Laivurinkatu building designed by architect Aino Kallio-Ericsson completed. In 1964 the school sent its first graduates, and in 1977 Helsinki switched to the basic education system, the school was nationalized and gained its present name and structure; in 1994 it moved to Munkkivuori into a building designed by Toivo Korhonen and a new building by architect Aarne von Boehm.

Community
Helsingin ranskalais-suomalainen koulu is a traditional state-maintained bilingual school where instruction is given in Finnish and French. It includes a preschool, primary, middle and upper secondary, with about 800 students; at the end of upper secondary, students take the Finnish matriculation examination. A student council represents all students, with separate councils for the elementary and the secondary, guided by teachers Sébastien Caillault (lower) and Mirva Alm (upper). Exchange trips to France are organized for 4th and 8th grades, and home–school cooperation is supported through Wilma for communications, attendance, and notices. After-school care is provided by the City of Helsinki, and school clubs operate throughout the year.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Parent representation sits on Helsingin ranskalais-suomalaisen koulun johtokunta, with Pihla Ranta as chair. The France–Finland Associations liaison (Eija Raitala) and Helsinki City Education representative (Taina Tervonen, vice-chair) also sit on the board, together with a teacher representative (Julie Barret), other staff (Olli Rantala), and a student representative (Nikolai Brummer). An expert from the National Agency for Education (Anu Halvari) and a representative of the Institut Français (Clotilde Tachon) participate. The principal (Johanna Kumenius) and the secretary (Margareta Bergheim-Johansson) are also on the board. The board guides policy and strategic collaboration with parents and France–Finland partners.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school is a long-standing state-supported language school where instruction is provided in Finnish and French. It offers kindergarten, primary, secondary, and upper secondary education, with about 800 students in total. At the end of upper secondary, students take the Finnish matriculation examination. The cafeteria provides daily hot lunches, with salad and bread options; information on special diets is updated at the start of each school year. The library houses around 25,000 books in Finnish and French and is staffed by a full-time librarian. The library is open on school days from 8:15 to 15:30. The school is located at Raumantie 4, 00350 Helsinki.

Academic Facilities
The school follows the Finnish national curriculum but has its own timetable; a significant portion of basic education is taught in French. In Lukio, the upper secondary, official DELF B2 and C1 language examinations are available. The high school offers a range of courses with an emphasis on French language and culture. The library contains about 25,000 books in Finnish and French, welcomes all students, and has a librarian on duty. The online library catalog is available through hrsk.verkkokirjasto.fi.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The lycée follows the Finnish program and provides excellent preparation for the Finnish university entrance examinations at the end of the course. In addition to the mandatory national courses, students can study other languages, choose project- or theme-based modules, and take courses in artistic subjects up to the high school diploma. The lycée has a strong international cooperation network that enables visits, exchanges, and study trips in various countries. Small teaching groups create an encouraging learning environment tailored to students' needs.

Arts & Creative
A broad range of optional courses is offered in the humanities, natural sciences, and in artistic and practical subjects. Artistic subjects can be studied up to the high school diploma. Projects and theme-based modules may incorporate arts and creative work.

Cultural & Language
The lycée offers a varied language program with two sections: French L1 and the mission-specific French L1. In the French L1 section, students study modules of the national program to complete the Finnish baccalaureate. The mission-specific L1 section provides a flexible program for students who already have strong French skills, requiring a minimum of 24 units in French and 16 units in other subjects. The school offers a broad range of courses for French studies, and francophone projects and the francophone environment support language learning. Official language certifications recognized by the French state, DELF B2 and DALF C1, enable admission to French universities without a separate language test.

Social & Hobbies
The daily life at the lycée is lively, with many events organized by students themselves. The student council is a forum for planning and influence for all students, organizing events each term. The lycée organizes visits and projects that enrich studies, and students can include study exchanges to francophone countries or other destinations.

Community & Service
The lycée fosters a strong sense of community through student-led events and projects. The student council and the Parents' Association contribute to school life, including graduation celebrations; graduates receive a white cap with a tricolor lining. The school also arranges visits and projects that connect students with broader communities.

Leadership & Professional
The student council provides leadership opportunities and plans events each term. Students can participate in and lead projects that enrich their studies. The Parents' Association contributes to school life and graduation celebrations.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Well-being and progression are supported in an individualized and real-time manner. The student council and tutors organize events to strengthen community. Academic progress is monitored and support is offered in different subjects. A school social worker, the school nurse, and the psychologist are available to students.
Languages

Language Provision
Finnish and French are taught; a varied language program is offered; there are two language tracks: French L1 and the special mission section; in the French L1 section, modules from the national program are studied to sit the Finnish matriculation examinations.

Bilingual Teaching
The school teaches in Finnish and French.

Immersion Programs
Exchange trips to francophone countries or to other countries can be included in studies.
Reputation

Awards
STT autumn high school ranking: won the large high schools category
DALF C2 participation: six students participated in the DALF C2 level this year, the highest diploma in mastery of French as a foreign language
Label FrancÉducation: renewed commitment to bilingual excellence
Admissions

Admissions
1. Eligibility and basis for admission. The Lycée franco-finlandais d'Helsinki accepts students for preschool and for grades 1–9 on the basis of a language test in Finnish and in French. Admission to preschool is possible without a language test if the applicant comes from the preschool of the Friends of the French School. Tests are conducted by the school's teachers and are free.

2. General application timeline and ongoing admissions. Applications for the preschool and for grade 1 take place in January. A continuing admission procedure is available during the school year, subject to space. Places are allocated according to admission criteria and within the limit of available places.

3. Transportation and student support. The Lycée franco-finlandais d'Helsinki is not a local school under the law; transportation costs are the responsibility of the parents. The school's mode of support is group-specific; individual student support is not provided.

4. Preschool admissions (internal): Admissions for preschool occur in January. A parent information meeting is organized in January. Enrollment is not required for students coming from the Friends of the French School preschool, but a registration form via the Admissions page must be completed so that the student's information is transmitted to the school registry. The headteacher makes the admission decision in February–March. The decision is sent electronically and parents must confirm acceptance within 14 days.

5. Preschool admissions (external): For preschool admissions from outside the school, January is the intake month. The application is made electronically via Wilma; the link for the application is provided on the Admissions page. The preschool capacity is a minimum of 20 pupils, depending on language test results.

6. Preschool language testing and selection criteria. Language tests are held on January 31, 2026. Admission criteria are based on equal opportunity: to have a language test accepted, a candidate must score at least 50% in both Finnish and French. An applicant whose tests in both languages are accepted may obtain a place. If more candidates have accepted tests than there are places, priority is given to students with siblings at the school, and the remainder are drawn by lottery among those who passed the tests. If places remain, admission may be granted only by the Finnish language test (minimum 80% in the Finnish section).

7. Grade 1 admissions (internal): For students coming from the LFF preschool, there is no separate school enrollment for Grade 1, but parents must fill a registration form so that information about the student is transmitted from the preschool registry to the school registry. A language test in Finnish and French for students coming from the preschool is conducted no later than early March; a decision on admission is made by early June. The decision is sent electronically and parents must confirm acceptance within 14 days.

8. Grade 1 admissions (external): External applicants for Grade 1 apply in January via Wilma. A Finnish and French language test is organized for external applicants on Saturday, January 31, 2026. Admission decisions follow the same equal-opportunity criteria as preschool, with priority given to siblings where applicable and remaining places allocated by lottery if needed.

9. Classes 2–6 admissions. New students are admitted to classes 2–6 if there is space and if the applicant demonstrates sufficient Finnish and French language ability in the school's language tests. Applications are made electronically via Wilma (continuous admission). Language tests are organized individually by teachers and are free. The headteacher's admission decision follows the language test, and parents must confirm acceptance within 14 days.

10. Classes 7–9 admissions. New students may be admitted to classes 7–9 if there is space. Applications are made electronically via Wilma (continuous admission). Language tests are usually held in spring and again in August if places remain; tests can also be arranged during the year for students moving from abroad. For Finnish-diploma applicants, only the Finnish test is required; for foreign-diploma applicants, tests in both Finnish and French are required. The language test includes oral and written components. The headteacher decides after the tests and informs parents electronically, with acceptance required within 14 days.

11. Lycée admissions (final years) and centralised application. Admission to the lycée is via the centralised admission system Opintopolku. Students in the final year of basic education and those in 10th grade receive application instructions from their guidance counselor. The lycée offers two tracks: Mission spéciale (45 places) and Ligne générale (15 places).

12. Lycée Mission spéciale track details. For Mission spéciale, language and aptitude testing occurs on April 21–22, 2026. Invitations to the test are sent by email; those who pass are selected based on the average of academic subjects. Open day for lycée applicants is on January 13, 2026 from 13:00 to 15:00 at Raumantie 4. Parents' information evening for lycée is on January 21, 2026 via Teams at 18:00.

13. Lycée Ligne générale track details. Ligne générale offers 15 places and selects applicants based on the average of subjects; applicants must have a French language A grade in their final certificate. It is possible to apply to Ligne générale if French A1 or A2 was studied; applicants can apply to Mission spéciale if they have strong French-language skills acquired elsewhere.

14. Additional lycée information and contacts. Open house information and parent events are provided, with details available from the guidance counselor (e.g., Anna Mäenpää). For further questions, applicants should contact the school's guidance office.

Waitlist
If more candidates pass language tests than there are places, priority is given to applicants with siblings at the school, and the remaining places are drawn by lottery among those who passed the tests. If places still remain after the lottery, admission may be granted only by the Finnish-language test for preschool with at least 80% in the Finnish portion. The language test for preschool is scheduled for January 31, 2026. The school may contact the applicant's former preschool or school as needed to complete registration.
School Events
The school has not added events
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