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European School of Helsinki

Finland, Helsinki

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Finnish, French
Fees €2,468 - 4,626
Ages 4 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 300
Type Co-educational
Opened 2008
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum European Baccalaureate
Taught languages German, Spanish, French, Finnish, Swedish, Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian, Romanian, Polish, Czech, Lithuanian, Gujarati
Typical class size 17
Strengths Sport, Languages, STEM
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Preschool, Primary School, Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

European School of Helsinki is a multilingual school in central Helsinki delivering the European Schools curriculum for students aged 4 to 18. The programme follows the European Baccalaureate path, with language sections in English, Finnish and French and opportunities to study second and third languages in later years. The final examination is the European Baccalaureate, enabling university access across the EU and beyond. The school operates in a historic five-storey building (1884–85) renovated in 2009, with 45 classrooms, science and ICT laboratories, a language laboratory, music and art rooms, a library, a canteen, a gym and an assembly hall, and most classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards. After-school activities run daily from 14:30 to 17:30, offering more than 30 clubs across section languages, including arts, theatre and dance, sports, science and language groups. The KiVa Koulu wellbeing program supports a safe, inclusive community and close ties with local and international communities. The school is accredited to the European Schools network.

Bulevardi 18, 00120 Helsinki, FINLAND

The Essentials

European School of Helsinki has 300 pupils, typical class sizes of 17, instruction in English, Finnish, French.

Location
The European School of Helsinki is located at Bulevardi 18, 00120 Helsinki, Finland. It sits in central Helsinki. It is accredited to the European Schools' network.

Stages
Nursery: N1–N2 (age 4–6); Primary: P1–P5 (age 6–11); Secondary: S1–S7 (age 11–18). The secondary cycle has three language sections: English, Finnish and French.

Additional learning support
Special educational needs teachers are available (EN/FI).

Country affiliation
Finland.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
The school has a canteen.

Governance and Ownership
The school is accredited to the European Schools' network. The curriculum is approved by the Finnish National Board of Education. The school is audited by the inspectors of the European Schools.
Fees

Annual tuition at European School of Helsinki ranges from EUR 2,468 to EUR 4,626 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- No separate application fee is charged for enrolment.

Tuition fees (by cycle)

- Nursery: EUR 1,234 per term (EUR 2,468 per school year).
- Primary: EUR 1,696 per term (EUR 3,392 per school year).
- Secondary: EUR 2,313 per term (EUR 4,626 per school year).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition is charged on a per-term basis at the amounts shown above. Fees must be paid in advance.
- The school does not grant sibling reductions for tuition.

Boarding fees

- The school does not provide boarding; boarding fees are not applicable.

Other costs and regular ancillary fees

- School meals and routine learning materials are subject to additional fees for all pupils. Example amounts are:
- Morning snack: EUR 0.50.
- Lunch: EUR 2.35.
- Afternoon snack: EUR 0.70.
- School supplies (stationery / e-materials etc.): EUR 130 per year.
- Books (e-books, e-licences) and school trips as required by year/class: charged as specified by class teachers.
- After-school activities: EUR 7.50 per 60-minute activity.

Additional administrative fees (on request)

- Additional school certificate (per certificate): EUR 25.
- Additional copy of a school report (per copy): EUR 35.
- Additional European Baccalaureate (BAC) certificate or translations (per certificate): EUR 65.
- Standard documents (regular school reports, certificates of attendance, EB Diplomas) are issued free of charge.
- Processing time for requested additional certificates or copies: approximately 14 working days from the date of payment; digital delivery or pick-up arrangements are used as appropriate. When payment is made for an additional document, send a copy of the payment receipt to info@esh.fi.

Refund information

- Fees are required to be paid in advance. No school refund procedure or refund amounts are specified.

Fee payment options and bank details

- Payments are made by bank transfer to the named recipient. The recipient and bank account details are:
- Recipient: Opetushallitus.
- Bank (option 1): Danske Bank A/S — IBAN: FI07 8129 9710 0117 01 — BIC: DABAFIHH.
- Bank (option 2): Nordea Bank Oyj — IBAN: FI13 1804 3000 0156 51 — BIC: NDEAFIHH.
- Include the pupil's name or the name of the requested certificate as the payment reference. For additional document requests, email a copy of the payment receipt to info@esh.fi.

Notes on common extra items

- School trips, certain textbooks/e-licences and specific class materials may incur extra charges which vary by class and activity; these are billed separately as required. After-school clubs are charged per activity session at the rate noted above.
Academics

European School of Helsinki teaches European Baccalaureate for students aged 4 to 18.

Curriculum
The European School of Helsinki follows the European Schools curriculum, approved by the Finnish National Board of Education, and emphasizes multilingualism, tolerance and multiculturalism. The curriculum largely follows the syllabi of the European Schools. Language sections are English, Finnish and French, with main subjects taught in the language of the section. The second language starts in the first year of primary (P1), taught in small mixed-nationality groups with native speakers, aiming for A2 by the end of primary; in later years, History and Geography are taught in the second language, and L3/L4 languages such as German, Spanish, French, Finnish and Swedish can be studied where possible. The final examination is the European Baccalaureate (EB), taken at the end of S7, which is recognised for university access within the European Union and beyond (also recognised in the USA, Canada and Australia).

Higher Education Progression
The European Baccalaureate is an officially recognised entry qualification for higher education in all EU countries, as well as many others; European School students attend universities all over Europe and beyond.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The European School of Helsinki provides a safe, healthy, secure, pleasant and supportive environment for all members of the school community. The school encourages every student to play a full and active role in the school community. It promotes the idea of support via its pastoral systems and strives for close relations with local, national and international communities. It promotes awareness of healthy lifestyles and provides appropriate opportunities and support to facilitate students' physical development. It offers a range of extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities to enable students to contribute to the school and to society. The school is a KiVa Koulu, a research-based antibullying program designed to reduce bullying and victimisation and to support a positive school climate.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school has a Special Education Teacher (SEN teacher) who provides intensified support and individual teaching. The SEN teacher consults with class and subject teachers, writes ILPs and is part of the welfare group. The SEN teacher works with pupils across all age groups (nursery through secondary) in all language sections (Finnish, English, French). Those referred to the SEN teacher are mostly students with language or communication problems, difficulties in mathematics, or minor speech difficulties. Usually a pupil has 1-2 lessons per week with the SEN teacher, either one-to-one or in a small group (2-4). Support forms are decided on a case-by-case basis in agreement with parents and teachers.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
L2, or the second language, begins in the first year of the primary cycle (P1). L2 is taught in small groups to create a comfortable and supportive atmosphere. Native speaker teachers provide an essential example for modelling L2 and help learners understand nuance and meaning. L2 is used in language lessons and elsewhere in the school; pupils use their L2 daily. L2 is the second language chosen from English, French or German. L2 is taught as the student's second language and is integrated across the curriculum, including subjects such as Art, Music and Sport.

Mental Wellbeing
The pupil welfare team includes staff with expertise in health and wellbeing, including a school nurse, a school counselor and a school psychologist. The school nurse delivers health care, treats accidents and illnesses, and conducts annual health assessments. The school counselor assists pupils and families and can be contacted for matters related to school, peers or family life. The school psychologist helps pupils succeed academically, socially, behaviorally and emotionally and provides counseling. The welfare system is designed to support wellbeing across Nursery, Primary and Secondary and to coordinate with families and health professionals as needed.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is addressed through the pupil welfare framework led by the Pupil Welfare Coordinator. The school counselor can be consulted by pupils, guardians and teachers for safeguarding concerns. The school psychologist supports safeguarding through counseling and wellbeing work. If necessary, the school collaborates with child welfare authorities, family clinics and health care authorities to protect pupils. The SEN teacher provides intensified support for identified needs across all age groups.
Parent Experience

History
The European School of Helsinki is accredited to the European Schools' network. The mission is to offer diverse and high-quality education and instruction for children and young people coming from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The school aims to give pupils confidence in their own cultural identity for development as European citizens and to promote diversity, fairness and equality to combat discrimination, with high expectations up to the European Baccalaureate. The educational principles include developing high standards in the mother tongue and foreign languages; developing mathematical and scientific skills; building information and communication technology skills; fostering a European and global perspective; and encouraging creativity in music and the visual arts. The ethos is to provide a safe, healthy, secure, pleasant and supportive environment; to encourage every student to play a full and active role; to promote collaboration with local, national and international communities; to support healthy lifestyles and enrichment opportunities; and to prepare students for future life as active, responsible citizens.

Community
Education at the European School of Helsinki is divided into nursery, primary and secondary cycles, with the secondary cycle featuring three language sections: English, Finnish and French. Teachers come from around the world, contributing to cultural diversity and aligning with international best practice. The school fosters a European cultural diversity and an inclusive, supportive community throughout all cycles, with emphasis on a safe, healthy school life and opportunities for enrichment activities. Eco-Schools is part of the school's program since January 2022, with a current focus on waste reduction; the school is a KiVa Koulu anti-bullying school; and PRIME is a European project to foster media literacy, funded by the European Union and conducted in collaboration with partner organizations.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
ESH occupies a historic building in the heart of Helsinki, built in 1884-85. The building has five floors and 45 classrooms. It contains two ICT classrooms, three science laboratories, a language laboratory, a music classroom and an art classroom, and was renovated in 2009 to provide up-to-date learning facilities. Most classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards. There is a canteen, a library, a gym and an assembly hall.

Sports Facilities
The school has a gym on site. The European School of Helsinki supports sports through its after-school activities program. Basketball and Wushu are among the sports clubs offered. All activities are supervised by qualified staff.

Academic Facilities
Two ICT classrooms, three science laboratories, a language laboratory, a music classroom and an art classroom support the curriculum. Most classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards. ESH has the latest technology for teaching and learning, including computer labs, laptops, iPads and interactive whiteboards. The building was renovated in 2009 to provide up-to-date facilities.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The European School of Helsinki offers comprehensive multilingual After-school Activities designed to enrich pupils' learning and leisure time. The program runs daily from 14:30 to 17:30 and includes more than 30 clubs in all section languages each week. Options include creative activities such as Arts and Handicraft, drawing, painting and architecture. Performing arts such as theatre and dance, sports clubs including basketball and Wushu, and science, baking, chess and nature clubs are offered. Relaxation and play activities, Lego Club and board games, along with Finnish L2 language support, complete the program; all activities are supervised by qualified staff.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school is accredited to the European Schools' network. The objectives are to give pupils confidence in their own cultural identity and to promote diversity and equality. High standards are pursued in the mother tongue and in foreign languages, and mathematical and scientific skills are developed throughout schooling. Pupils also develop media and ICT skills and gain a European and global perspective in the human sciences, with preparation for the European Baccalaureate.

Arts & Creative
Creativity in music and visual arts is encouraged. The school fosters appreciation of a common European artistic heritage. Creative expression is supported across the curriculum. Extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities engage students in arts-related activities.

Cultural & Language
The school develops high standards in the mother tongue and in foreign languages. Pupils gain confidence in their own cultural identity and in becoming European citizens. A European and global perspective is encouraged in the study of the human sciences.

Social & Hobbies
The school provides appropriate extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities to enable students to contribute to the school and society. The school fosters a safe, healthy, secure, pleasant and supportive environment. Every student is encouraged to play a full and active role in the school community. The KiVa Koulu program contributes to the school's approach to wellbeing.

Community & Service
The school promotes close relations with local, national and international communities. Pastoral systems provide support and guidance for students. Information, advice and guidance help students prepare for future life. The school aims to enable students to make a positive contribution to the school and society.

Leadership & Professional
The school encourages every student to play a full and active role in the school community. It provides information, advice and guidance to support students' future life and career. It fosters leadership qualities and professional readiness through active participation in school life.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school provides a safe, healthy, secure, pleasant and supportive environment. It promotes awareness of healthy lifestyles and supports students' physical development. Pastoral systems offer encouragement and wellbeing support to the school community. The school is proud to be a KiVa Koulu School.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught: English, Finnish, and French through language sections. A second language begins in P1 and is taught in small native-speaking groups, with a target of CEFR A2 by the end of primary and CEFR C1 by the end of secondary. A third or fourth language can be studied if a teaching group can be created, with common options including German, Spanish, Finnish, Swedish and French. Mother tongue teaching is offered for pupils whose mother tongue is different from English, French or Finnish under certain conditions.

Bilingual Teaching
The school provides three language sections: English, Finnish and French. Main subjects are taught in the language of the section. A second language begins in P1 and is taught in small native-speaking groups, targeting A2 by the end of primary and C1 by the end of secondary; in the secondary cycle some subjects are taught in the second language, and a third or fourth language (L3/L4) can be studied if a teaching group can be created, with common options including German, Spanish, Finnish, Swedish and French. Mother tongue teaching is offered for languages outside EN/FR/FI under certain conditions.

Immersion Programs
Multilingual environment with three language sections: English, Finnish and French. Language exposure begins early as pupils learn in several languages and cultures. The second language starts in primary year 1 in small native-speaking groups, and some lessons are organized in mixed groups with pupils from different sections. A third or fourth language can be studied if a teaching group can be created.
Reputation

Accreditations
The school is accredited to the European Schools' network.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Application period and enrollment categories. Enrollment to the European School of Helsinki happens in two categories: Category I for children whose parent(s) are employed by European Chemicals Agency or other EU institutions, and Category II. For Category I, parents can generate a certificate of employment from the ECHA system and attach it to the application form. The document containing the enrollment rules, procedures and policies is approved by the Administrative Board and downloadable. The application period for the 2026-2027 school year was 7–31 January 2026. Two information sessions are held in the school Assembly Hall: 13 January 2026 (Nursery Cycle) and 14 January 2026 (Primary and Secondary Cycle). Entrance tests (by invitation only) are organized in the first week of March 2026. 2. Enrollment guidelines & instructions. The primary cycle starts at age six, with subsequent classes following chronologically; there is an indicative table of equivalences used for placement. Language 2 (L2) starts in the first year of the primary cycle (P1). When applying to higher classes, L2 must be at the appropriate level. If a pupil's L1 is different from the language of the section (English, French or Finnish), the language of the section must be chosen as L2. For P1–P4, Finnish is offered as an option for L2 alongside French, German and English. Language 3 (L3) starts in the first year of the secondary cycle (S1) and is mandatory until S5. If a pupil is accepted into a language section different from their mother tongue while such a section exists, mother tongue tuition cannot be provided. Students have direct access from lower secondary to upper secondary leading to the European Baccalaureate; no separate application is required beyond completing S4. 3. Fees. The Ministry of Education has set tuition fees for Category II pupils: Nursery 1234 € per term (2468 € per school year); Primary 1696 € per term (3392 € per school year); Secondary 2313 € per term (4626 € per school year). Sibling discounts are not granted. School meals, textbooks, learning materials and after-school activities are charged to all pupils (Categories I and II). Examples include morning snack 0.50 €, lunch 2.35 €, and afternoon snack 0.70 €. School supplies 130 € per year; books (e-books, e-licences) as specified by class teachers; school trips; after-school activities 7.50 € per 60-minute activity. Additional certificates and copies incur fees (e.g., 25 € per certificate, 35 € per extra copy of a school report, 65 € per BAC certificate/translation). Standard documents such as school reports and EB Diplomas are issued free of charge. Fees must be paid in advance. Payment should be made to Opetushallitus (recipient) via Danske Bank or Nordea Bank with the specified IBANs and BICs; the certificate/pupil's name should be noted in the payment reference. Processing time for certificate requests is about 14 working days from payment; certificates are delivered by encrypted email or available for pick-up.
School Events
The school has not added events
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