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Vasa övningsskola

Finland, Vaasa

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Swedish, English
Fees €14,500
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 950
Type Co-educational
Opened 1974
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), Finnish Curriculum
Taught languages French, German, English, Swedish
Strengths Visual and Creative Arts, STEM, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

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.

Kyrkoesplanaden 11–13, FIN 65100 Vaasa; Skolhusgatan 31, FIN 65100 Vaasa

The Essentials

Vasa övningsskola has 950 pupils, instruction in Swedish, English.

Location
Kyrkoesplanaden 11-13, 65100 Vaasa (grundskolan); Skolhusgatan 31, 65100 Vaasa (gymnasium)

Stages
Grundskolan (grades 1–9) and Gymnasium; International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) offered, including a preparatory year and Diploma Programme

Type
university school

Additional learning support
Student welfare services provide support for individual students and foster a healthy school community

Country affiliation
Finland

School day structure
Grundskolan: Year 1 starts at 9:30 and ends at 12:30; Years 2–6 start at 9:00 and end at 12:30; Year 7 starts at 9:00; Years 8–9 start at 9:00 with class-based timetables. Gymnasium starts at 9:00 at Skolhusgatan 31; lunch and breaks follow the timetable. IB studies begin with a preparatory year (year 1) followed by the two-year Diploma Programme.

Bus service
School bus transport (skolskjutsar) is available; operates from the afternoon of the first day.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
The school provides school lunches for basic education and upper secondary. Weekly menus are published and dietary options are available; a form is provided to apply for a special diet.

Governance and Ownership
Vasa övningsskola is a university school and a part of Åbo Akademi University. A directing body governs the school, with a three-year mandate.
Fees

Annual tuition at Vasa övningsskola ranges from EUR 14,500 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- No separate application fee is charged for applicants holding a Finnish school‑leaving certificate or for applicants to the national gymnasium programme (no application charge is specified for these applicants).

Tuition fees by year group (per school year and per term)

- Grundskolan (comprehensive/basic education, years 1–9): EUR 0 per school year; EUR 0 per term. Basic education is provided without tuition charges. Daily school meals are provided as part of the educational services.

- Gymnasiet — national upper secondary programme: EUR 0 per school year; EUR 0 per term for students who have the statutory right to free education (Finnish/EU/EEA citizens or students with an applicable residence permit). Instruction, necessary learning materials and school meals are provided without tuition charge for students entitled to free upper secondary education.

- International applicants (students without a Finnish compulsory‑school certificate and without the right to free upper secondary education): EUR 14,500 per school year for non‑EU nationals who do not have an applicable residence permit. The school charges international students who lack the right to free upper secondary education as a term fee (the annual amount is stated as EUR 14,500). The term billing structure is applied to that annual fee. This charge covers study materials and a laptop and books where applicable.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Billing for municipal services associated with the school (for example after‑school care and transport) is invoiced monthly or according to the specific service terms; after‑school care has a monthly activity fee and school transport uses termly or periodic invoicing. Payment for transport and other invoiced services is arranged through the school/office invoicing procedures and invoice fields include standard bank transfer details (IBAN/BIC).

- For international tuition (EUR 14,500 per school year) the school uses a term‑fee billing arrangement; parents/students should follow the school's admission and enrolment instructions for the invoice schedule and payment deadlines for that term fee.

Boarding fees

- Vasa övningsskola operates as a day school; no boarding/internat fees apply because no boarding provision is offered by the school. Instruction and programmes are organised in the school's city facilities.

Other costs and fees (examples)

- After‑school afternoon care (Övis eftis) for participating pupils: a fixed monthly activity fee of EUR 126; the fee covers supervision, materials, excursions, events, accident insurance and (for the afternoon service) a snack. The fee is charged monthly regardless of the number of days the child actually attends; reduced charging rules apply for prolonged illness and specific cancellation periods. Specific cancellation and sibling‑discount rules apply.

- School transport (skolskjuts) costs and reimbursement forms: single trip ticket examples shown on the transport invoice form indicate EUR 1.70 per trip (EUR 3.40 per day) with a monthly maximum shown (up to about EUR 23 per month per pupil on the transport invoice form). Transport invoices include fields for payer IBAN and BIC for bank transfer payment. Rules for returning and claiming transport invoices and reimbursements are set on the transport forms.

- School lunches and main meals: pupils in pre‑primary, basic education and entitled upper secondary students receive school meals as part of the education services (meals are provided without separate tuition charge). Special‑diet arrangements require an individual registration form.

- Parent‑association or student‑club membership: small membership or activity fees may apply (examples: a parent‑association membership fee shown as EUR 10 per family on a parents' association payment page with an IBAN for transfer). Such voluntary association fees are invoiced or paid separately to the association.

- Course‑specific materials or extracurricular activity fees: certain optional courses, study trips or instrument hire, art materials and voluntary extracurricular activities may carry additional costs; these are managed as separate charges when they apply. (See the specific service or activity notices for exact amounts.)

Refunds and cancellation rules

- After‑school care (Övis eftis): cancellation and refund rules are specified in the eftis terms. A place must be cancelled before specified deadlines to avoid charges; cancellations between 15 June and 8 August incur half of the August fee; prolonged illness or full‑month absence may reduce or cancel charges as described in the eftis rules. Fees are directly enforceable and collection procedures are described in the eftis rules.

- School transport reimbursements and cancellations: separate forms and deadlines apply for transport refunds and claims; the transport documentation shows how to request reimbursement for eligible periods.

- International tuition (EUR 14,500 per school year): no separate published refund schedule for that tuition amount is provided on the admission information page; parents should follow the school's enrolment and contract documents that govern any refund or withdrawal terms.

Payment options

- Bank transfer (SEPA/IBAN and BIC) is used for invoiced services and refunds; invoice forms and transport forms include IBAN/BIC fields for transfers.

- Voluntary association or activity fees are often paid by bank transfer to the specified IBAN of the association.

- Other payment methods accepted for specific invoices (for example online municipal invoice payment services or card payment) are handled through the school or municipal invoicing channels; invoices include payment instructions and payment references.


Brief note on availability of precise per‑term installment figures

- The school's admission information states the annual tuition for non‑EU students without the right to free upper secondary education as EUR 14,500 and indicates that international students «pay a term fee» that covers materials and a laptop; a specific per‑term numeric breakdown of that EUR 14,500 (for example an exact EUR amount per term) is not published alongside the admission text. For after‑school care and transport, the published monthly and per‑trip figures and the cancellation/refund rules are available in the eftis and transport documents.
Academics

Vasa övningsskola teaches IB (DP), Finnish Curriculum.

Curriculum
Vasa övningsskola is a cohesive basic education for grades 1–9. Grades 1–9 are divided into four teaching units: 1–2, 3–4, 5–6, and 7–9. In each grade, a number of students study using CLIL, Content and Language Integrated Learning, i.e., subject-based instruction in English.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school bases upbringing and teaching on tolerance and respect for people. Students are offered a safe and stimulating learning environment where individual and social development is addressed holistically. The school strengthens students' responsibility for developing personal knowledge and skills and builds a foundation for lifelong learning and engagement in sustainable development. As a Finland-Swedish institution, Vasa övningsskola enables students to develop their own cultural identity. In collaboration between homes and the school, students develop good readiness for a full life in society. A central task of the school is to participate in Finland-Swedish teacher education by providing supervised teaching practice at all levels.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
In the English track, instruction in grades 1–9 is partly in English. The gymnasium offers an English-language International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP).

Mental Wellbeing
The school provides a safe and stimulating learning environment that supports students' personal and social development, contributing to their overall mental well-being.

Safeguarding
The school fosters a safe and respectful culture, with collaboration between families and staff to prepare students for life in society.
Parent Experience

History
Vasa övningsskola is a university school affiliated with Åbo Akademi University, comprising basic education and a gymnasium. It operates at two addresses in central Vaasa. Approximately 950 students are educated there by a team of about 120 staff, and more than 400 teacher trainees complete supervised practicum annually. The school collaborates with other Finnish-language schools and with the Pedagogical Institute at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, particularly for research and experimental activities. The school is part of Åbo Akademi University.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Vasa övningsskola comprises basic education and upper-secondary education and is located at two addresses in central Vaasa. In total, 950 children and young people receive their education there, taught by a team of 120 staff. More than 400 teacher students undertake supervised teacher training at the school each year. The school is a university school and part of Åbo Akademi University.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) is used in grades 1–9, with some subjects taught in English. The gymnasium offers Swedish-language visual arts and music programs and an English-language International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school emphasizes communication, laboratory work, and social skills, including a strong mother tongue, useful multilingualism, and familiarity with technology and media, along with an investigative, problem-solving mindset. It collaborates with the Department of Education at Åbo Akademi University for Finland-Swedish teacher education and functions as a university development school, enabling research, experimentation, and development projects in pedagogy and student growth.

Arts & Creative
The gymnasium offers Swedish-language visual arts and music programs, and an English-language International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The Makerspace provides equipment for creative work, including a laser cutter, 3D printers, vinyl cutter, sewing machines, and audio/video production tools to support art and design projects.

Cultural & Language
Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) is used in grades 1–9, with English-language instruction in some subjects. An English-track is present in grades 1–9, with instruction partly in English. The gymnasium offers an English-language IB Diploma Programme. The school emphasizes a strong mother tongue and multilingualism and aims to function as a language-stimulating school.

Social & Hobbies
Student council activities, buddy programs, parent associations, and club activities are part of school life. Student welfare services provide support to individual students and foster a good school community. During teacher training internships, trainees participate in theme days, events, recess activities, and pupil welfare work.

Community & Service
Vasa övningsskola is a UNESCO ASPnet member since November 2020. The ASPnet network enables schools to address global issues and discuss current topics, helping students understand an increasingly complex, interdependent world. UNESCO ASPNet aims include integrating global education and sustainable development into curricula, testing new teaching methods, and sharing experiences and best practices among UNESCO schools to empower students as global citizens and encourage sustainable lifestyles.

Leadership & Professional
Vasa övningsskola provides a safe pedagogical environment where student teachers receive supervision and support for their first teaching experiences. Supervisors, student teachers, and peers reflect on situations that arise during practice. The internship includes both individual and group supervision, with reflection on practice and exposure to the school's culture and values; the time at the practice school should mirror the realities faced by newly qualified teachers.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Student welfare services support the individual student and work to maintain a positive school community. The school also emphasizes sustainability and energy initiatives, with programs such as sustainability and energy projects and Green Career Education.
Languages

Language Provision
English is used for CLIL across grades 1–9; Swedish is the language of instruction in Swedish-language upper-secondary programs (visual arts and music); the upper-secondary school offers the English-language International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Bilingual Teaching
The school uses Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) with English as the language of instruction in many subjects.

Immersion Programs
Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) provides subject-integrated instruction in English across grades 1–9, forming an English-language immersion component of the basic education.
School Events
The school has not added events
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