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Arendal Videregaende Skole

Norway, Arendal

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Norwegian
Fees NOK 43,400
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 1000
Type Co-educational
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP)
Taught languages Norwegian, English, French, Spanish, German, Mandarin
Strengths Visual and Creative Arts, Languages, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Arendal Videregaende Skole operates across two campuses in Arendal, Tyholmen (Kirkebakken 8) and Barbu (Mølleheia 12). It offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) alongside Norway's national university-preparatory studies, vocational education and adult education. The school dates back to the early 19th century and today serves over a thousand students with a broad subject choice, including General Studies with a researcher track and with internationalization. Facilities include two libraries at Barbu and Tyholmen, open weekdays with free four-week textbook loans and staff support from librarians Ann-Katrin Knudsen and Miriam del Carmen Rannekleiv. Extracurricular life centers on UKM, a culture platform for youth, and a student Elevråd that represents all classes. The school also administers public examinations for external candidates. Nutritious dining is provided via two cafeterias offering breakfast, with renewed emphasis on healthy options. Opportunities include cultural, academic and leadership activities across both campuses. Librarians support study and sourcing.

Tyholmen — Kirkebakken 8, 4836 Arendal; and Barbu — Mølleheia 12, 4841 Arendal

The Essentials

Arendal Videregaende Skole has 1,000 pupils, instruction in English, Norwegian.

Location
The school is located in Arendal, Norway. It operates from multiple sites: Tyholmen and Barbu, with Kirkebakken 8 (4836 Arendal) and Mølleheia 12 (4841 Arendal) as additional addresses. The mailing address is Arendal videregående skole, Postboks 788 Stoa, 4809 Arendal. Packages and periodicals are addressed to Kirkebakken 8, 4836 Arendal.

Stages
Upper secondary education (VG1–VG3) with the national university preparatory program, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) taught in English, a vocational program for service sector professions, and adult education with theoretical studies for apprentices.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Many nationalities are represented among the student body.

Country affiliation
Norway
Diving Deeper

Food Options
The school has two canteens, one at Tyholmen and one at Barbu, with opening hours from 07:45 to 13:45. Every morning before the first period, the school offers free breakfast (müsli and milk) and the canteens provide a salad buffet with Norwegian vegetables and legumes, homemade bread, simple hot dishes several days a week, and fried potatoes as a popular side; the school has a clear focus on healthier meals and participated in a 2025 Agder-wide initiative to promote healthier canteens.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by Agder fylkeskommune (Agder County Municipality). It is a public upper secondary school owned by the county.
Fees

Annual tuition at Arendal Videregaende Skole ranges from NOK 43,400 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- There is no application fee for applying to Arendal videregående skole through the national VIGO admissions system. Applicants use VIGO (national admissions) to register preferences; normal application deadlines apply.

Tuition fees (by year group / study type)

- Vg1, Vg2, Vg3 (regular upper secondary students with statutory rights): Tuition is NOK 0 per term and NOK 0 per year for standard videregående opplæring; public upper secondary education is provided free of charge subject to the legal "gratis" principle.

- Voksenopplæring (adult education) – participants who do not have statutory right to free education: Fees apply per semester. Example published fees for Arendal adult programmes include:
- "Bli klar til videregående" program: NOK 21,700 per semester.
- Norskkurs (Arendal voksenopplæring) examples: NOK 16,050 per semester for 20 hours/week groups; NOK 11,920 per semester for 15 hours/week groups. These rates apply to participants who must pay for the course.

- Privatisteksamen (private candidates): A separate exam fee is charged per exam session when registering as a privatist. Current regional exam fees for Agder are set by the exam office and are charged at registration; payment is required for the registration to be valid. Typical published fees (Agder) are approximately NOK 1,403 per exam for subjects where the candidate does not already have a passed grade, and higher rates for improvement/duplicate registrations as set by the exam office. Payment is required at registration.

- Equipment and individually required items: The school/fylkeskommune may require individually necessary equipment for certain vocational subjects (tools, protective clothing, subject-specific uniforms). Students with youth-right may apply for equipment stipend from Lånekassen to cover certain necessary items; learners without youth-right or specific categories (e.g., some apprentices) may not be eligible for that stipend and may have to cover specified equipment costs themselves.

Per-term / per-year presentation (summary)

- Regular Vg1–Vg3 (resident students with youth-right): Tuition per term: NOK 0. Tuition per year: NOK 0.

- Adult programmes (examples): Fees per semester (example figures): NOK 21,700 (Bli klar til videregående); NOK 16,050 (Norskkurs 20 h/wk); NOK 11,920 (Norskkurs 15 h/wk). Billing is per semester for these courses.

- PC lease (mandatory for Vg1 students in Agder): annual user contribution NOK 1,427 for the 2026/2027 school year; this is charged each year for up to three years (one annual payment per year). This is an equipment own-payment, not tuition.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Regular tuition: No billing for tuition for Vg1–Vg3 students with statutory rights.

- PC lease (eigenandel): An annual invoice is issued after 1 October; the contribution is due when invoiced. The annual contribution is billed each school year for up to three years; non-payment may be forwarded to collection. Inpaid contributions are not refunded.

- Adult-course fees: Course fees for paying participants are billed per semester; for some courses payment must be made on the first course day (card payment at reception) unless other arrangements (employer payment or agreed instalments) are arranged in advance. Refunds of course fees are restricted; for example, course fees for paid Norwegian daytime courses are refundable only for documented illness (doctor's certificate).

- Privatist exam fees: Payment must be made at the time of registration in the Privatistportal; payment by card is required for the portal transactions. If a candidate withdraws or fails to attend without valid reason, the exam fee is not refunded.

Boarding / residential fees

- Arendal videregående skole does not operate boarding (internat) services for ordinary upper secondary students; there are no boarding fees for standard programmes. School facilities are provided at the Tyholmen and Barbu sites. (Internat arrangements would be listed explicitly if offered; none are advertised for the regular school sites.)

Other costs and typical additional charges

- Personal protective equipment, tools, subject-specific clothing or uniforms for practical/vocational programmes: Students are responsible for individually required equipment where the programme demands it. Youth-right students may apply for an equipment stipend; some student groups (e.g., certain apprentices/lærlinger) do not qualify for the stipend and must cover specified items themselves.

- School trips and excursions: Activities that are part of the compulsory curriculum are covered by the gratis principle; optional or extracurricular trips outside the scope of compulsory instruction may carry participant costs. Specific published excursions or overnight fieldwork in some subjects may involve costs for travel, accommodation or specialized materials when such elements lie outside the compulsory provision.

- PC-related costs: Repair or replacement costs that are not covered by the lease insurance (e.g., damage from negligence, lost charger) are the financial responsibility of the student/guardian. The PC lease agreement details which damages/claims are insured and which are not.

Refund information

- PC lease own-payments: Annual contributions that have been paid are not refunded if the lease is terminated; the lease agreement states that paid contributions will not be refunded.

- Adult-course fees (paid participants): Course fees are refundable only for documented illness (doctor's certificate) for the ordinary Norwegian daytime course examples; refund rules for other adult programmes may vary.

- Privatist exam fees: Exam fees are not refunded if the candidate withdraws or fails to attend without valid reason; valid absence (e.g., documented illness) may permit re-registration without a new fee depending on rules and timing.

Fee payment options

- Card payment: Accepted for many on-site adult course payments and for Privatistportal registrations (privatist exam fees are paid by card in the portal).

- Invoice / billing (faktura): The PC user contribution is invoiced (invoice issued after 1 October). Institutional or supplier invoices use the school's EHF invoicing details (Agder fylkeskommune EHF/org.nr. provided in official contact/faktura information).

- Employer payment or special arrangements: For some adult-course enrollments an employer may be billed if prior confirmation is provided; instalment arrangements can sometimes be agreed if clarified before course start.

Practical notes on who pays what

- Regular upper secondary students (with youth-right, under statutory conditions) do not pay tuition; they may still need to contribute to individually required equipment, PC user-contribution, or optional activity costs if applicable.

- Adults and other participants without statutory right to free education are charged per advertised course/semester fees as published for each adult programme. Refund and payment terms differ by course and are specified for each programme.
Academics

Arendal Videregaende Skole teaches IB (DP).

Curriculum
The school offers International Baccalaureate; Arts, Design and Architecture; General Studies; General Studies with a Research Track; General Studies with Internationalization; Sales, Service and Tourism; Supplementary Studies for General University Admission; Adult Education; Theory for Apprentices; and Vocational Education.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school has a school nurse (helsesykepleier) who promotes physical, mental, and sexual health through support and guidance, with confidential conversations and referrals when needed. The school provides mental health support through the Pedagogical-Psychological Service (PPT) and the Follow-Up Service (OT), including assessment, counseling, and guidance on education and career options. The Tankevirus course is offered by the school nurses as a three-session resilience program to help students become aware of their thinking patterns and how to change negative thoughts. The Youth Health Clinic (HFU) is available on-site at Altisenteret with regular hours; the service is free for youths up to 24 years old and no appointment is required. Mangfoldsrådgivere provide counseling and practical help to students facing cultural pressure or discrimination; there are two Mangfoldsrådgivere (one in Kristiansand and one in Arendal) who work to support equal opportunities and rights. The Rusforebyggende arbeid program emphasizes student voices in wellbeing initiatives and includes a dedicated ruskontakt for handling drug-related incidents.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school can tailor support and instruction to you so you can participate and learn as well as possible. You or your parents can request individualized tilrettelegging by contacting a counselor and applying in InSchool. Before anything is decided, the school must obtain an assessment from the Pedagogical-Psychological Service (PPT) regarding individually tailored education, and you must consent in InSchool. When tilrettelegging is approved, an Individual Education Plan (IOP) is created and reviewed annually. Individual tilrettelegging may include personal assistance, physical accommodations, or adapted teaching methods to ensure mastery in subjects.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Engelsk is taught as Engelsk 1 and Engelsk 2 within Studiespesialisering. Engelsk 1 develops advanced English skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and intercultural understanding of English-speaking cultures; Engelsk 2 deepens analysis of literature and the English-speaking world's influence on society. The courses emphasize self-directed work, with opportunities for independent study of literary texts and cross-disciplinary work in English. Internasjonal Vg1 has an extra hour per week, reflecting the program's international orientation and broader perspectives.

Mental Wellbeing
The school supports mental wellbeing through regular counseling and health services. The school nurse provides conversations about physical, mental, and sexual health and can refer students to other health services, with confidentiality. The Tankevirus course offers resilience training to help students identify thinking patterns and learn how to change negative thoughts, with three one-hour sessions. The Youth Health Clinic (HFU) is free and open to youths up to 24 years old, with no appointment required. The Pedagogical-Psychological Service (PPT) provides counseling and support for learning and mental health concerns, with confidentiality.

Safeguarding
The school's health and support staff operate with strict confidentiality; the school nurse offers confidential conversations about health and can refer to other services. Mangfoldsrådgivere address safeguarding by supporting students facing cultural pressure, discrimination, and rights issues, providing counseling and guidance. Oppvekstombudet in Agder provides safeguarding and guidance to ensure every child's right to education and a safe learning environment. The school collaborates with the Pedagogical-Psychological Service (PPT) and the Oppfølgingstjenesten (OT) to support at‑risk students and ensure appropriate accommodations. Rusforebyggende arbeid involves student input in safety and wellbeing and includes a dedicated ruskontakt for handling drug-related incidents.
Parent Experience

History
The roots of Arendal Upper Secondary School go back to the early 1800s. The school was established in the centre of town during Arendal's heyday as a city of sailing ships. In the school year 2011-2012 Arendal Upper Secondary School had over 1,000 students and 130 employees. The school offers the widest choice of subjects in the county of Aust-Agder, including the national university preparatory program, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), a vocational program for service sector professions, adult education and theoretical studies for apprentices. The school also administers and arranges public examinations in the academic subjects for external candidates.

Community
The school's vision is to equip students with knowledge, skills and cultural attributes that help them thrive as individuals and make a positive difference in their local communities and in the wider world. We work towards this vision by creating an inspiring and safe school community. In our community, students are at the centre of learning, guided by teachers of high professional standing who set expectations and provide support that bring out the best in every student. Arendal remains a dynamic, outward oriented town with many international companies and organisations represented in its population.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school's teaching facilities are distributed across two buildings, one in Barbu and one in Tyholmen. The Tyholmen building is located at Kirkebakken 8, 4836 Arendal, and the Barbu building is at Mølleheia 12, 4841 Arendal. Maps of the buildings and classrooms are provided in the school's information booklet.

Academic Facilities
Two libraries, Barbu and Tyholmen, provide books, study space, and a place to relax. Libraries are open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 15:30, and all upper-secondary students can borrow textbooks for free for four weeks. Librarians Ann-Katrin Knudsen and Miriam del Carmen Rannekleiv assist with finding materials and guidance on sources. The school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in addition to the national university-preparatory program.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Ung Kultur Møtes (UKM) is a culture arena for youth aged 13-20. Agder runs local UKM festivals in February and March, with opportunities to perform, arrange, create, or participate in activities beyond music and dance. UKM is completely free to join; Agder collaborates with culture partners to offer additional experiences such as performances and mentorship. The county festival brings participants from across Agder, and the landsfestival gathers attendees from all over Norway.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers International Baccalaureate (IB). It provides General Studies (Studiespesialisering) with a researcher line and with internationalization. The school also offers Vocational Education and Adult Education as program options.

Arts & Creative
The school offers Arts, Design and Architecture as a study program.

Cultural & Language
The school offers Studiespesialisering with internationalization and the International Baccalaureate program. The tracks support language and cultural education.

Social & Hobbies
The school has an elevråd (student council) with representatives from all classes who wish to participate. The elevråd is the students' voice to the leadership, and the leadership's voice to the students. The elevråd serves as the voice for over 1000 students, with monthly meetings and representation in the School Environment Committee and the Working Environment Committee. It also has representatives in the Youth City Council and in the committee drafting a new school regulation.

Leadership & Professional
The school has a student council that acts as the leadership's interface with students. The current leadership for 2025/2026 is President Sara Elisabeth Sissener (VG3) and Deputy Sofie Midtun Pedersen (VG3). Members come from VG1, VG2 and VG3, including Allan Begovic, William Endre Wallentinsen, Hawaii Mohammed Rahayem, Eline Natalie Lervold, Ingrid Lyngvi-Østerhus, Anja Evensen, and Roya Merzaei as Secretary.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school has two cafeterias—one on Tyholmen and one on Barbu. They are open from 07:45 to 13:45, with Barbu closing at 12:30 on Thursdays. The school provides a free breakfast every morning, including müsli blends and milk. The canteens focus on healthier school food and offer a salad buffet with vegetables and legumes, homemade bread, simple hot meals several days a week, and fried potatoes as a popular side. The aim is to support good eating habits and a pleasant dining environment for all students and staff.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught include English and Norwegian. English A and Norwegian A are offered in Group 1, and Norwegian B is offered in Group 2. The program is taught in English, and language support for non-native English speakers is available.

Bilingual Teaching
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is taught in English for students aged 16–19. Norwegian A and English A are offered as Group 1 language options, and Norwegian B is offered as a Language Acquisition option. The IB DP includes six subject groups and three core components: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). Language support is provided for non-native English speakers.
Admissions

Admissions
1. A love for learning is the most important characteristic of a successful Diploma Programme student. Students who enjoy academic challenges and want to understand the world more deeply are well suited for the programme. Successful candidates tend to show strong analytical skills, good communication skills in English, motivation to work hard and consistently, and willingness to collaborate with other students.
School Events
The school has not added events
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