The English School - Grades 1–6 and Preschool

Finland, Helsinki

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The school at a glance

Instructs in Finnish, English

Fees €673 - 11,314

Ages 4 - 12 years

Type Co-educational

Opened 1945

Bus Service No

Availability Not shared by this school

Part of

Academic offering

Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE

Taught languages English, Finnish, Swedish, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Italian

Strengths Languages, Academic Enrichment, Service and Sustainability

Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language

Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary

Introduction

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.

This campus is part of The English School - Finland

Mäntytie 14, 00270 Helsinki, Finland

Gallery

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Vibes and Culture

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The Essentials

Location

The English School has two campuses in Helsinki, Finland. Grades 1–6 and Preschool are at Mäntytie 14, 00270 Helsinki. Grades 7–9 and High School are at Valimotie 17–19, 00380 Helsinki.

Stages

Two-year preschool, elementary school, middle school and high school.

Type

The school is a private bilingual school offering education in Finnish and English.

Country affiliation

Finland

School day structure

Lessons last 75 minutes. The lunch hour lasts 30 minutes. Lunch is served in three groups due to staggered times; High School lunch is from 11:35 to 12:50; the Middle School and High School have partly separate lunchtimes. The School Office at Valimotie is open on weekdays from 9.00–14.00.

Diving Deeper

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Fees

Application & entry fees

- Registration fee: EUR 20.00 payable when submitting a registration form. (Applies to Preschool and Grades 1–9).
- Entrance test fee: EUR 60.00 (applies to Preschool and Grades 1–9).
- Administration fee: EUR 50.00 payable when a new student is enrolled.

Tuition fees (all year groups: Preschool – High School)

- Standard tuition fee for students resident in Finland: EUR 673.00 per academic year.
- Term split: Fall term EUR 336.50 and Spring term EUR 336.50 (i.e., the annual EUR 673.00 is billed as EUR 336.50 per term).
- Included in the standard tuition: daily warm lunch.

Tuition fees for upper secondary (high school) students from third countries

- For students who become subject to tuition fees (students from third countries beginning studies in or after August 2026), the tuition fee for the 2026–2027 academic year is EUR 11,314.
- The EUR 11,314 figure is calculated to cover: the average unit price of upper secondary education, learning materials including a computer, meal fees, projected cost increases, and the school's annual fee of EUR 673.00.
- If a student who begins in autumn 2026 completes a typical three-year upper secondary programme, the total tuition over three years would be EUR 33,942.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Standard tuition (EUR 673.00) may be paid in two parts: at the beginning of the Fall semester and at the beginning of the Spring semester (i.e., the two term instalments).
- For upper secondary students from third countries, payment of the tuition fee is a prerequisite for participating in instruction.

Boarding fees

- Boarding accommodation is not offered; boarding fees are not applicable. (No boarding or residential fee schedule is listed for the school.)

Other costs and incidental charges

- School supplies and textbooks: Pupils receive textbooks, workbooks and other materials from the school for their use. Pupils are responsible for their materials; books used for more than one year are returned at the end of the year. Guardians may be required to cover replacement costs for lost or damaged school property. Standard compensation for lost or damaged books is EUR 10.00; replacement library card fee EUR 5.00.
- Camp schools and certain longer trips: The school does not finance camp schools; guardians may jointly collect funds for camp schools and voluntary fundraising may be organised for these activities. Participation in fundraising is voluntary, but camp schools and some longer trips may require additional guardian contributions.
- School attire and equipment: Indoor shoes labelled with the pupil's name and appropriate clothing for physical education are required; special clothing requirements are set by PE teachers. (No separate uniform fee is specified.)

Refund information

- Refunds for upper secondary tuition charged to students from third countries (students who start in or after August 2026) are specified as follows:
- Withdrawal by the last day of the 1st period: 4/5 of the tuition fee refunded.
- Withdrawal by the last day of the 2nd period: 3/5 refunded.
- Withdrawal by the last day of the 3rd period: 2/5 refunded.
- Withdrawal by the last day of the 4th period: 1/5 refunded.
- No separate general refund schedule for the standard EUR 673.00 annual fee is detailed in the published school fee information for regular resident students; the above refund schedule applies to the specified upper secondary tuition for students from third countries.

Fee payment options and invoicing

- The standard tuition is billed per academic year and may be paid in two instalments at the start of each semester. Specific payment instructions and accepted payment methods are provided through the school's finance office and on school invoices. Contact details for the school's finance office are published in school materials.

Academics

Curriculum

Truly bilingual curriculum across preschool to high school with instruction in Finnish and English. The High School offers two study programs: the bilingual English–Finnish Language and Culture Program, where studies are conducted in both Finnish and English (English taught by native speakers), and a General Upper Secondary English program. Both programs follow the Finnish national curriculum and culminate in the Finnish Matriculation Examinations (in Finnish for the bilingual program; in English for the English-language track). The school's curriculum is anchored in Christian values and emphasizes global citizenship, cultural understanding, respect for diversity, ecological sustainability and responsible citizenship.

Higher Education Progression

Most graduates advance to well-known universities in Finland and abroad. Guidance counselors assist students in planning higher education and studying abroad after high school, if requested.

Gifted and Talented

Gifted pathways include additional diplomas in Music and Visual Arts (Music Diploma and Visual Arts Diploma), with extra music courses and arts opportunities available for dedicated students.

Wellbeing

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Parent Experience

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Facilities

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Extra-Curricular Activities

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Languages

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Reputation

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Admissions

Waitlist

A waiting list is established based on entrance test results when openings exist; entrance tests are conducted for grades with available openings, and the waiting list is used to sequence offers.

School Events

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FAQs

Where is The English School located and which grades are on each campus?

The English School has two campuses in Helsinki: Mäntytie 14, 00270 Helsinki hosts Preschool and Grades 1–6, while Valimotie 17–19, 00380 Helsinki hosts Grades 7–12. The school serves preschool through high school in these two sites.

What age range and grade levels does the school serve?

The school serves children aged 4 to 12 in its Preschool and Grades 1–6 programmes, and the whole institution extends through middle and high school up to age 18–19. The description covers a two-year preschool, comprehensive school (Grades 1–9) and upper secondary (high school).

Is the curriculum bilingual and what languages are used for instruction?

Yes, the curriculum is truly bilingual across preschool to high school with instruction in Finnish and English. Preschool and Grades 1–4 use total immersion in English, Grades 5–9 increase Finnish instruction while maintaining native-level English, and high school offers both bilingual and English-language study tracks.

What type of school is The English School and what values does it emphasise?

The English School is a private, co-educational bilingual school following the Finnish National Core Curriculum. The school emphasises Christian-rooted values and focuses on global citizenship, cultural understanding, respect for diversity, ecological sustainability and responsible citizenship.

Do I need to pay any fees when applying and enrolling?

Yes. There is a Registration fee of EUR 20.00 payable when submitting a registration form (applies to Preschool and Grades 1–9), an Entrance test fee of EUR 60.00 (applies to Preschool and Grades 1–9), and an Administration fee of EUR 50.00 payable when a new student is enrolled.

If a grade is full, how does the school manage offers and waiting lists?

When openings are filled, the school establishes a waiting list based on entrance test results, and the waiting list is used to sequence subsequent offers. Entrance tests are conducted for grades with available openings.

What upper secondary study options are offered and how do they relate to the Finnish Matriculation Examinations?

The high school offers a bilingual English–Finnish Language and Culture Program and a General Upper Secondary English program. Both follow the Finnish national curriculum and culminate in the Finnish Matriculation Examinations, with the bilingual programme preparing students for the exam in Finnish and the English-language track preparing students in English.

How long are lessons and how is the school day structured around lunch?

Lessons last 75 minutes and the lunch hour lasts 30 minutes. Lunch is served in three staggered groups, with High School lunch running from 11:35 to 12:50 and partly separate lunchtimes for Middle and High School.

What academic facilities does the school have?

The school has bright, spacious classrooms with connectivity between primary rooms, a central bilingual library, and two gymnasia (one divisible by a curtain). The U-shaped building design situates preschool and primary in a separate wing and places middle and high school on upper floors.

Are there sports facilities on campus?

Yes, the school has two gymnasia on site, and one of them can be divided into two separate spaces with a curtain to accommodate multiple activities. Outdoor sport arrangements are part of the curriculum and after-school activity offerings.

What extracurricular activities and clubs are available for primary pupils?

Clubs are organised by The Friends of The English School and may meet before or after regular school hours, with specific offerings communicated in September. The afternoon care programme includes free play, arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor activities, and time to complete homework.

Does the school run student exchanges or international activities?

Yes, the school runs student exchange links with partner schools worldwide, including partners in England, Australia, France and China, and the debate club participates in international and national competitions in several countries. These links are part of the school's international collaboration activities.

What wellbeing and mental health support is available to pupils?

A multi-disciplinary School Wellbeing Group — including the principal, school nurse and doctor, school social worker, school psychologist, special education teacher and guidance counsellor — supports pupils' social and emotional development. They provide one-on-one sessions, group work, wellbeing lessons and confidential guidance for pupils and families.

How does the school support pupils with special educational needs or learning difficulties?

The School Wellbeing Group includes a dedicated special education teacher and access to a school social worker and school psychologist, who assist pupils with learning and developmental needs. The psychologist provides counselling, guidance to teachers and cognitive evaluations when needed, and all welfare matters are handled confidentially in collaboration with parents.

How is English taught to non-native speakers and what progression can we expect?

English is taught at a native level from preschool through Grade 12, with total immersion in Preschool and Grades 1–4 and continued native-level English instruction through Grade 9. The programme aims for true bilingual proficiency by the end of ninth grade, while Finnish instruction increases from Grade 5 onwards.

Is the school a uniform school and what are the dress expectations?

The English School uses a dress code rather than a fixed uniform; pupils must be appropriately dressed for school and remove outdoor shoes indoors. Each pupil must have indoor shoes labelled with their name, and PE clothing is required as directed by gym teachers.

Who governs The English School and how is the school managed?

The school is governed by a Board of Trustees and a Board of Directors, which appoints the director, principals and permanent staff. The Foundation of the English School has governed the school since 1996.

What is the school's history and how long has it been operating in Helsinki?

The English School was founded by Catholic Sisters who arrived in Helsinki in 1939, and the school opened on October 1, 1945 with eighteen students. A new Mäntytie building was completed in 1952, and the school now serves about 700 students across preschool to high school.

How can parents get involved with the parent association and who do we contact?

The Friends of the English School is the parents' association, founded in 1954, and funds raised by the Friends are directed back to benefit students. The Friends are led by a Board elected annually and can be reached at friends@engs.fi.

Are boarders accepted and is there any boarding provision?

Boarding accommodation is not offered and boarding fees are not applicable, as the school is a day school with no residential provision.

What are the tuition fees at The English School - Grades 1–6 and Preschool?

Annual tuition at The English School - Grades 1–6 and Preschool ranges from EUR 673 to EUR 11,314 depending on year group. Fees are reviewed each year, so check the school's current fee schedule before applying.

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