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Finnish International School and Kindergarten – Kurdistan

Iraq, Erbil

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

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The school at a glance
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 3 - 8 years
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Finnish Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Typical class size 10
Strengths Academic Enrichment
Clubs Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies, Leadership and Professional
Stages Early Years, Kindergarten, Primary School
Introduction

Finnish International School and Kindergarten – Kurdistan offers a Finnish-national core curriculum blended with Kurdistan Region standards for ages 3 to 8. The program is thematic, integrated and child-centered, designed to support strong academic learning while developing the whole child. It emphasizes higher-level cognitive skills, cultural competences, multi-literacy, ICT competence and entrepreneurship, with families actively involved in education. The school uses Personal Learning Plans for each student and supports holistic development through an educated team of learning assistants, social workers and nurses. Facilities include an Assembly Hall, a dedicated drop-off/pick-up zone, a library as a versatile learning space, and access to devices such as iPads, desktops and laptops. Personal devices are used under policy; supervision begins at 08:00 in Assembly Hall and the end of the day is 15:00, with bus departure from bus gate. Evacuation drills occur termly, and Health and Safety plans govern transport, arranged with Talos Transport.

220 Kurani Ainkawa, Str. #4, Gulan Street, Behind Galleria Mall, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

The Essentials

Finnish International School and Kindergarten – Kurdistan has typical class sizes of 10.

Location
Finnish International School and Kindergarten (FISK) is located at 220 Kurani Ainkawa, Str. #4, Gulan Street, Behind Galleria Mall, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. It is in the Kurani Ainkawa area of Erbil, near the Galleria Mall.

Stages
Pre-KG (3-year-olds); KG1 (4-year-olds); KG2 (5-year-olds); Grade 1–3 (6–8-year-olds).

Country affiliation
Finland

School day structure
KG 1–2: 07:30–08:00 morning supervision; 08:00–08:30 breakfast; 08:30–10:30 classes; 10:30–10:45 break; 10:45–12:15 classes; 12:15–12:45 lunch; 12:45–15:00 ECA; end of school day 15:00 (bus leaving time). Grade 1–3: 08:00–08:30 breakfast; 08:30–11:00 classes; 11:00–11:15 break; 11:15–12:45 classes; 12:45–13:15 lunch; 13:15–15:00 ECA; end of school day 15:00.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniform Policy: Students must wear the school/sports uniform at all times, unless the Principal allows Free Dress Days. If a jacket is worn, it must be a FISK jacket. All students wear black enclosed shoes with black socks, and those wearing a scarf should wear a plain royal blue scarf.
Fees
Application and assessment fees
- Assessment (application) fee: US$50.00, paid in advance in cash; non-refundable.
- Seat reservation fee: US$1,000.00, payable after a successful assessment and acceptance; this amount is deducted from the first tuition invoice. Existing students are asked to pay the seat reservation fee at the beginning of June each year; newly admitted students who register before the academic year should pay the US$1,000 seat reservation fee on acceptance.

Tuition fees by year group (annual and per-term guidance)
- KG1 & KG2: Annual tuition US$3,000.00.
- When the annual tuition is split into three equal term instalments (the school year is divided into three terms), the per-term amount would be US$1,000.00 (calculated as US$3,000.00 ÷ 3). This per-term figure applies only if the parent elects or is invoiced for three equal instalments.
- Grades 1–4: Annual tuition US$3,500.00.
- When the annual tuition is split into three equal term instalments, the per-term amount would be US$1,166.67 (US$3,500.00 ÷ 3). This per-term figure applies only if the parent elects or is invoiced for three equal instalments.
- Payment flexibility noted in the school materials: tuition is invoiced for the full academic year but may be paid in instalments; the handbook describes options including division into three instalments based on invoice due dates and also references tuition payable in 1–9 instalments with the first instalment due before the first day of school. Parents should follow the specific invoice/payment schedule issued for the relevant year.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition is invoiced for a full academic year. The annual fee should be paid before the first day of the academic year or divided into instalments as shown on the invoice. Overdue or unpaid fees at the start of a term will result in the student not being admitted to school for that term; unpaid fees during a term may result in withholding of progress reports and exclusion from lessons until payment is received.
- The annual tuition covers tuition only; it does not include books, uniforms, food, transportation, some trips within the Kurdistan Region, trips outside Iraq, or certain extra‑curricular activities, all of which are charged separately.

Boarding fees
- No boarding programme or boarding fees are listed in the school handbook and published fee schedule; no boarding charges are provided.

Other costs and typical additional fees
- Books: US$250.00, payable at the beginning of the school year.
- Uniform: US$150.00, payable at the time of purchase. The school requires the FISK jacket and specific uniform items; a supplier price list is available from the school's supplier.
- Food (school meals): US$500.00, payable in three instalments at the beginning of each semester as described in the fee schedule.
- Transportation: US$40.00–US$70.00 per month (paid directly to the transportation company).
- Lost or damaged books and school property: charged at cost up to 100% of purchase cost. Fees for extra‑curricular activities are set by the school and charged separately.

Refund information
- All fees collected are stated as non-refundable. Parents are responsible for ensuring fees are paid on time even if payment is made by a sponsor or employer; any shortfall remains the parents' liability.

Fee payment options
- Accepted payment methods: wire transfer to the school bank account (parents pay any transfer charges), cash or check deposited directly to the bank account, or cash payment at the Finance Office. For wire transfers or direct deposits, proof of payment (deposit slip or bank transfer details) must be provided to the Finance Office or emailed to finance@finnishschool-krd.com with parent and student details. Contact for finance enquiries: finance@finnishschool-krd.com, +964 751 740 8529.

Note about the figures provided above: the numeric fee items and the policies quoted are taken from the school's published FISK handbook and fee schedule material (FISK Fee Schedule as presented in the school handbook). The handbook presents the listed fee amounts and the payment rules (including the non-refundable policy and instalment options). Parents should follow the formal invoice and payment schedule issued by the school for the applicable academic year.
Academics

Finnish International School and Kindergarten – Kurdistan teaches Finnish Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 3 to 8.

Curriculum
The FISK curriculum combines the Finnish National Core Curriculum with Kurdistan Region standards. It is designed to be thematic, integrated and child-centered, enabling strong academic learning alongside development of the child as a whole. The program emphasizes higher level cognitive skills, cultural competences, multi-literacy, ICT competence and entrepreneurship, with active involvement of families in education.

Student Teacher Ratio
Class size: 10 students per class.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Early intervention is the focus, with general, intensified and special support. The multi-professional Student Welfare Team (Vice Principal, School Counselor, Special Needs Teachers and School Nurse) coordinates care when needed. The school emphasizes collaboration between staff, families and students to prevent problems and support learning. Assessments during admissions and ongoing practice include social and emotional, behavioral and motor skills as part of a holistic evaluation. Cross-cutting skills include higher level cognitive skills, learning to learn, cultural competences, looking after oneself and safety, ICT competence, entrepreneurship, participation, empowerment and responsibility. Educating together with parents is a core principle of the school.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Special Needs support is provided through dedicated Special Needs Teachers and a multi-professional Student Welfare Team. Support is offered in three levels—general, intensified and special—based on assessment and long-term planning. When general support is not enough, the Student Welfare Team coordinates further care to meet the child's needs. The team includes the Vice Principal, School Counselor, Special Needs Teachers and the School Nurse.

Mental Wellbeing
Health, safety and wellbeing are supported by a Health & Safety & Environment Team, with staff trained for first aid and fire safety. A full-time school nurse is on site daily for emergencies and health matters. Evacuation drills are conducted each term as part of the Health and Safety Plan. The Student Welfare Team focuses on early intervention and collaboration among the school, families and other stakeholders to support student wellbeing and personal development. Cross-cutting skills include looking after oneself and safety as part of the wellbeing framework.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is supported by the Health & Safety & Environment Team, trained staff for first aid and fire safety, a full-time nurse on site, routine evacuation drills, a focus on safe drop-off/pick-up procedures, and a multi-professional Student Welfare Team that oversees attendance and wellbeing. The school emphasizes preventing safety risks through coordinated health and safety planning and clear procedures for student welfare.
Parent Experience

Community
Welcome to the FISK community. Our school wants to share the learning journey together with your family as your child's education is extremely important. Home-School Cooperation is emphasized; the school believes that the responsibility of learning is shared between students, teachers and homes. Parents are always welcome to join classes, talk to staff, and contribute to community building after negotiating this with teachers.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school has a Parent Association (PA). PA is a parent-led group that supports the school in its primary task according to the school values. The aims of PA are: to enrich the children's education by promoting parental involvement in supporting school policies and programs in a constructive way; to maintain and foster a constructive partnership between staff and parents in the interests of the school and children; to act as a vehicle for discussion, learning and positive action; to enhance programs offered by FISK; to work toward achieving these aims through fundraising and other activities.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school has an Assembly Hall and a dedicated drop-off/pick-up zone. The gates open at 08:00 with supervision in the Assembly Hall; there is one official drop-off/pick-up area and a bus gate. The Library is a versatile learning environment where students read, study, research and do projects using modern technology. The school provides devices for learning (iPads, desktops, laptops) and allows students to use their own devices before and after school; devices must be used according to the FISK policy, and the school does not assume responsibility for personal devices. The school organizes evacuation drills each term and has a Health and Safety Plan; Transportation is arranged with Talos Transport and the Transportation Office is located at the bus gate.

Academic Facilities
The curriculum combines the Finnish National Core Curriculum with Kurdistan Region standards. The learning approach is thematic, integrated and child-centered. The curriculum provides opportunities for high-level academic learning while nurturing the child as a whole. Cross-cutting skills include higher-level cognitive skills, cultural competences, self-care and safety, multi-literacy, ICT competence, working life skills and entrepreneurship, and participation and responsibility. The school uses Personal Learning Plans for each student and emphasizes holistic development. The school has an educated team of learning assistants, social workers and nurses as part of the expert team.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Cultural & Language
Cultural competences, interaction and self-expression are cross-cutting skills in the curriculum.

Social & Hobbies
Extra Curricular Activities are scheduled for KG 1-2 after regular classes, from 12:45 to 15:00. The end of the school day is 15:00 (bus leaving time). Fees for extra-curricular activities are determined by the school.

Leadership & Professional
The curriculum includes working life skills and entrepreneurship, and emphasizes participation, empowerment and responsibility.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Looking after oneself, managing daily activities, and safety are cross-cutting skills in the curriculum.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Placement Policy for Academic Year 2019–2020. The school admission board will decide the acceptance of each applicant. The school will inform you by email whether your child can be admitted to FISK. 2. Class placement and sizes. Pre-KG is for 3-year-olds. KG1 is for 4-year-olds. KG2 is for 5-year-olds; Grade 1–3 is for 6–8-year-olds. Each class size is 10.
School Events
The school has not added events
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