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Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Early Years, Preschool, Primary School, Elementary
Introduction
Located in Helsinki's center, Ecole Francaise Jules Verne is a private French international school serving children from playschool at age 2 through CM2. It belongs to the AEFE network and is run by a non-profit association with a School Board and School Council, giving parents a voice in school life. The curriculum follows the French Ministry of Education, harmonized with Finnish specifics. Instruction is in French by qualified teachers; English is introduced from age six and reinforced from age eight, and Finnish is introduced from the first playschool year. The school is multilingual and multicultural, with more than 10 nationalities represented. Facilities include a daycare, after-school clubs covering arts, sports and games, and a holiday camp. The library houses around 6,000 titles in French, Finnish and English, supporting reading across languages. The school collaborates with Helsinki libraries and the Library of the French Institute in Helsinki to broaden French-language access.
Ecole Francaise Jules Verne has 118 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in French, English.
Location
The school is located in central Helsinki, Finland. The new premises are near the Hietalahti market, in the Kaartin Lasaretti buildings. It is easily accessible by public transport, with Tram 6 at Hietalahdentori and Trams 7/9 at Ruoholahden villat, Bus 22 at Hietalahdentori, Bus 20/30 at Lapinlahden puisto, and Kamppi-bound buses serving nearby stops.
Stages
Playschool and Elementary (CM2). The school offers continuity in education from playschool through CM2; children start at two years old in playschool and transition to elementary at six.
Type
Private French international school in Helsinki, part of the AEFE network; managed by a non-profit association.
Pupil Nationality Mix
More than 10 nationalities are represented among students.
Country affiliation
France (AEFE network).
School day structure
A daycare welcomes pupils in the morning and afternoon; clubs are organised after school; a holiday camp is available for outside-of-school periods.
Bus service
No dedicated school bus service described. The school is accessible by public transport with nearby tram and bus stops.
Academics
Ecole Francaise Jules Verne teaches French Curriculum for students aged 2 to 10.
Curriculum
The French School Jules Verne offers the French curriculum in accordance with the French Ministry of Education, in harmony with Finnish specificities. It serves children from two years in playschool and from six years in the elementary school, with continuity in education up to CM2. Instruction is delivered in French by qualified staff, with English introduced from age six and reinforced from age eight. From the first year of playschool, children also become familiar with the Finnish language. The school is multilingual and multicultural, with more than 10 nationalities represented. The French School Jules Verne is part of the AEFE network, the Agency for French Education Abroad.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school provides a caring, non-discriminatory environment; aggression and all forms of verbal abuse, moral or physical, are prohibited; pupils have the right to inform any adult if they feel assaulted; parents participate in school life through the School Council and regular information is shared to support dialogue.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school offers a specific support system in French as needed; complementary pedagogical activities are available to help pupils with learning disabilities or problems, and a specialist teacher of French as a foreign language can provide targeted support.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is introduced from the preparatory course (CP) with 1 hour 30 minutes per week; from CE2, English instruction is reinforced with one school subject taught in English (2 hours) in addition to 2 hours of English lessons (total 4 hours per week); all subjects are taught in French apart from Finnish and English.
Safeguarding
Health and safety policies require an information form permitting urgent intervention at the start of the year; in case of illness or accident the school will contact parents and may call a doctor or hospital; no medication is given except as part of an Individual Assistance Plan; for food allergies a medical certificate is required; snacks are allowed from CP, but candies are prohibited; the schoolyard rules restrict dangerous games and violence; evacuation drills occur at least twice a year and a Security Plan is reviewed annually; the school is governed by Finnish law (no smoking on premises) and parents are kept informed and involved through regular meetings and the School Council.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Contact the school to obtain the enrolment form. The school is part of the AEFE network, which supports the school on several levels. 2. Enrolment in playschool. The playschool is part of Helsinki City private daycare centers. From August 2022, the school welcomes children born in 2020 in the TPS group. There is no entrance test for playschool children. Before the age of six, it is not necessary for the child or the family to speak French. It is possible to enrol your child on a waiting list. 3. Enrolment in elementary school. For children coming from a school in France or from another AEFE school, there is no entrance test. Only children coming from a different educational system are required to take a test, which evaluates their proficiency in French. Admission depends on the test result.
Waitlist
A waiting list is available for playschool enrolment.
FAQs
What curriculum does Ecole Francaise Jules Verne follow?
The school follows the French Ministry of Education curriculum harmonised with Finnish specifics. It serves children from age 2 in playschool through CM2 (approximately age 10) and is part of the AEFE network.
What age range does the school accept?
Children from age 2 (playschool) through CM2 (approximately age 10-11), covering early years and primary education.
What languages are taught?
French is the primary language of instruction. English is introduced from age 6 and reinforced from age 8 with subjects taught in English. Finnish is introduced from the first year of playschool.
How many students attend?
Approximately 118 students attend, representing more than 10 nationalities.
Is the school part of a network?
Yes, the school is part of the AEFE (Agence pour l'Enseignement Francais a l'Etranger) network and is managed by a non-profit association.
What learning support is available?
The school offers specific support in French as needed, complementary pedagogical activities for learning difficulties, and a specialist teacher of French as a foreign language.
Are meals provided?
Yes, optional lunch is available in the canteen at EUR 7.90 per day, provided by Sodexo with supervision included.
What after-school activities are offered?
Clubs include theatre, yoga, architecture, sports, music, circus, visual arts and cinema, running Monday to Friday after school until 16:45.
Where is the school located?
In central Helsinki, near the Hietalahti market in the Kaartin Lasaretti buildings. It is accessible by tram and bus.
When was the school founded?
The school was founded in 1976 and has served the French-speaking community in Helsinki for nearly 50 years.
Is there a waiting list?
Yes, a waiting list is available for playschool enrolment. Contact the school to check availability.
