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Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu

Finland, Helsinki

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Finnish, English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 9 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 1886
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Finnish Curriculum, IB (DP)
Taught languages English, Finnish, French, German, Russian, Swedish, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Arabic, Ukrainian, Korean
Typical class size 25
Strengths Languages, STEM, Performing Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Leadership and Professional
Stages Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

SYK is an independent, coeducational day school in Helsinki, founded in 1886 and the oldest coeducational school in Finland. It offers the Finnish national curriculum for grades 3–9 and, in upper secondary, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) taught in English, complemented by a DP Core. The Lukio upper secondary is language‑focused, with a broad language program and official certificates such as DELF (French) and Deutsches Sprachdiplom (German). Language options include A languages (French, German, Russian, English); B1 Swedish; B2 and B3 options (French/German/Russian); and rotating languages such as Arabic, Japanese and Korean. The IB section was created in 1990. The school collaborates with Aalto University, Open University, Helsinki Summer University and the University of Helsinki; it coordinates the national LUKKI language development project and supports LUMA science education. The campus includes a swimming hall and a separate music school. International study trips extend to France, Germany, Latvia and Uzbekistan. SYK emphasizes opportunities for language, science and arts across a long‑standing, inclusive tradition.

Isonnevantie 8, 00320 Helsinki, Finland

The Essentials

Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu has typical class sizes of 25, instruction in Finnish, English.

Location
SYK is located in Etelä-Haaga, Helsinki, at Isonnevantie 8, 00320 Helsinki, Finland. The school sits in Etelä-Haaga with excellent access by car and public transport. From Mannerheimintie, turn onto Vihdintie; Isonnevantie is the first right after Haagan fire station. Public transit serves the school with bus lines stopping on Vihdintie (37, 41, 52, 57, 59, 200, 300, 321, 345), tram lines 10 and 15 nearby, and Huopalahden railway station about 900 metres away.

Stages
Comprehensive education for grades 3–9; upper secondary (grades 10–12) with an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme; the IB section is taught in English.

Type
Independent coeducational day school.

Country affiliation
Finland

School day structure
For grades 3–5: 08:30–10:00 (periods 1–2); 30-minute lunch; 10:30–11:15 (period 3); 11:45–12:30 (period 4); 12:45–13:30 (period 5); 13:45–14:30 (period 6); 14:45–15:30 (period 7). For grades 6–7: 08:30–10:00 (periods 1–2); 10:30–11:15 (period 3); 11:45–12:30 (period 4); 12:45–13:30 (period 5); 13:45–14:30 (period 6); 14:45–15:30 (period 7); 15:30–16:15 (period 8).

Bus service
Bus services stop near the school on Vihdintie (Korppaantie area) with lines 37, 41, 52, 57, 59, 200, 300, 321 and 345. Tram lines 10 (Pikku Huopalahti–Tarkk'ampujankatu) and 15 (Itäkeskus–Keilaniemi) stop nearby. Huopalahden railway station is about 900 metres from the school.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
No boarding facilities are provided. It operates as a day school for students.

Food Options
Lunch is served in a self-service format. Students can choose between a home-style or vegetarian option with potatoes, rice, or pasta. A salad bar and a range of drinks (water, skim milk, whole milk, or low-fat buttermilk) are available.

Governance and Ownership
The school is privately operated by Suomalaisen Yhteiskoulun Osakeyhtiö (SYK Oy). The SYK Foundation holds the majority of shares in SYK Oy.
Fees
Overview of school charges
- Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu (SYK) does not charge tuition for its teaching from the third grade through upper secondary level; the school is non-fee-paying.

Application fees
- There is no application fee for entry to SYK's programmes. Applications to the IB/upper-secondary places use the standard application procedures (electronic joint application or the IB application channels) without a separate school application charge.

Tuition fees by school year / year group
- Grades 3–9 (perusopetus): No tuition is charged; education is provided without a recurring tuition fee.
- Upper secondary / Lukio and IB Diploma Programme (preparatory year + DP): No tuition is charged; IB-line studies are provided without tuition fees. For students who began upper-secondary studies from 2021 onward, course materials and matriculation exam costs are not charged to the student by the school. Students who began earlier may still cover some study-material and examination costs themselves.

Billing schedule and payment terms (where charges apply)
- Regular school tuition billing: Not applicable (no tuition charged).
- Extracurricular service billing (examples):
- SYK Music School (voluntary, after-school individual lessons) bills twice a year (two payments per academic year). The published semester fee schedule (effective 1.8.2026) is: 30 min lessons €453, 45 min lessons €680, 60 min lessons €906. The short-course (music basics) annual fee is €155 for 45 min. Enrollment in the music school is binding.
- Matriculation / examination charges: Matriculation-exam fees (ylioppilastutkinnon maksut) are charged as applicable; the school applies an administrative office fee in connection with matriculation registrations (an office fee of €15 is charged in addition to the matriculation-exam fee).

Boarding fees
- SYK does not operate a boarding school; there are no boarding fees.

Other costs and typical incidental fees
- Voluntary music lessons at SYK (see Music School fees above).
- Matriculation-exam related costs and administrative fee (see above).
- Certain facilities or services run by the school (for example public access to the school swimming hall) have separate usage charges and specific payment methods appropriate to that service; such service charges are billed or collected separately from general school provision.
- Uniforms: No school uniform requirement is enforced as a school-wide tuition-related charge; there is no published mandatory uniform fee. (SYK follows standard Finnish practice where mandatory school uniforms are not used for general pupil cohorts.)

Refund and cancellation rules (where fees apply)
- Music School: Enrollment is binding. A registered place is secured by enrolment and the activity may be discontinued at the turn of a term by written notice; fees are assessed per semester. This means that fees already billed for the current semester are generally binding unless special circumstances apply.
- Matriculation / exam refunds: Standard matriculation-exam refund and appeal rules apply where set by the matriculation authorities; the school charges the administrative office fee in connection with registrations and follows applicable procedures for late changes or cancellations.

Fee payment options and invoicing details
- Electronic invoicing (verkkolasku / OVT) is accepted; the school publishes its OVT identifier for e-invoices. Postal invoices may be sent if electronic invoicing is not used. Bank transfers are accepted to the school's IBAN and SWIFT identifiers. These invoicing and bank-account channels are used for payments to the school for chargeable services.
- For some on-site services (for example public use of the swimming hall), card payment is required at point of sale.

Summary statement for the 2026/27 academic year
- Core instruction at SYK (grades 3–12, including the IB Diploma Programme) is provided without tuition charges for families; there is no boarding and therefore no boarding fees. Chargeable items are generally limited to optional services (for example music school tuition, facility usage fees) and certain examination or administrative fees; these optional services have their own published prices, billing schedules and binding enrolment rules.
Academics

Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu teaches Finnish Curriculum, IB (DP) for students aged 9 to 18.

Curriculum
The school is an IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) in upper secondary with a DP Core. The Lukio is language-focused with a broad language program and official language qualifications. Language options include A languages (French, German, Russian, English); B1 Swedish; B2 French, German, Russian; B3 Spanish, Italian, French, German, Russian; and rotating languages such as Arabic, Japanese, Korean, and Ukrainian. The Lukio also offers official certificates such as DELF (French) and Deutsches Sprachdiplom (German). The program provides extensive mathematics and science coursework and a science-focused track with collaborations with Aalto University, Open University, Helsinki Summer University and the University of Helsinki; it coordinates the national LUKKI language development project and engages in LUMA science education. Lukion diplomas in art, physical education, music and theatre are available, and international study trips are organised to France, Germany, Latvia and Uzbekistan. The curriculum emphasizes interaction and self-expression in language learning; the school collaborates with national and international partners to support higher education pathways.

Higher Education Progression
Higher education guidance is provided by the Lukiolaisen OPO-sivu, including the Lukiolaisen Opas (2026–2027) and Yo-info, with admissions information via Opintopolku.fi and links to Ylioppilastutkinto materials. The Lukiolaiset receive information and support for applying to universities and universities of applied sciences through these resources, and collaborations with universities such as Aalto University and the University of Helsinki are highlighted to support higher education planning.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
SYK supports social and emotional development within a healthy, safe, and inclusive learning environment. The school emphasizes well-being, health, social responsibility, positive interaction, and active participation. The student welfare team includes the head of the upper secondary, a deputy head, a psychologist, a school social worker (kuraattori), health nurses, guidance counselors, and a special educator, meeting regularly to coordinate support. Conversations between the counselor, student, and guardians are confidential. Staff collaborate to promote the welfare and well-being of all students.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
SYK provides dedicated support for students with special educational needs through a team of specialists. Tuire Honkimäki provides broad-based special education for 9th grade, upper secondary, and IB; Senja Linnainmaa works with 3rd–6th grades; Liisa Sierla supports 6th–8th grades. The school lists guidance counselors (opinto-ohjaajat) and special educators (erityisopettajat) as part of the same support team. The services extend across the basic education and upper secondary/IB programs as needed.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The language of instruction is Finnish in the comprehensive school (grades 3–9) and the national upper secondary section; the upper secondary also includes an IB section taught in English. The IB Diploma Programme is offered in English for grades 10–12. Languages taught at SYK include English, French, German, Russian, Swedish, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Arabic, Ukrainian, and Korean.

Mental Wellbeing
SYK provides mental wellbeing support through a student welfare structure that includes a psychologist, school social worker (kuraattori), health nurses, and other welfare staff. The welfare group is responsible for student well-being and meets regularly. Conversations between the counselor, student, and guardians are confidential. The school works with external partners such as child psychiatry, family counseling services, and social services when needed.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is integrated into student welfare work, with confidential discussions and coordination with external agencies (e.g., child psychiatry, family counseling and social services) to support student safety and well-being. External collaboration is part of the safeguarding approach where needed.
Parent Experience

History
SYK is an independent coeducational day school founded in 1886. The IB-section was created in 1990. The school offers the national matriculation exam or the International Baccalaureate Diploma as university-entry qualifications. Instruction is Finnish in the comprehensive school (grades 3–9) and English in the upper secondary IB section (grades 10–12). The school year runs from mid-August to the end of week 22, with about 190 days of instruction. Founded in 1886, SYK is the oldest coeducational school in Finland.

Community
The school has approximately 1,150 pupils. The comprehensive school consists of grades 3–9 and the upper secondary school includes an International Baccalaureate program (grades 10–12). The language of instruction is Finnish in the comprehensive school and English in the IB section. SYK provides a dynamic learning environment in which all students are encouraged to participate actively in lessons and other facets of the school, and the broad age range of the students fosters tolerance and understanding. Parents play an important part in the school's activities.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Vanhempainyhdistys guides the activities of the joint parents and raises funds to support student activities, and organizes the primary school parent evening. Class parent associations plan and carry out joint trips, study visits and leirikouluja and celebrations, and serve as links to the parent association and participate in parent councils. The association's events include class-level parent councils in September, January and May; autumn market in early October; Christmas glöggs in the teachers' lounge; Flooran Day in May; the association's annual meeting in May; and joint meetings of the combined parents and the parents' association in January and May.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
SYK is an independent, co-educational school specialized in languages and offering a learning path from 3rd grade to high school. The school has up-to-date facilities and equipment that promote learning, encourage experimentation and support teaching methods appropriate to the times. The school is located on the south coast of Finland, in Helsinki, in Etelä-Haaga, 6 km outside the city center, and is easily reachable by public transportation. It is an IB World School with both an IB Diploma Programme and a Finnish national curriculum in the comprehensive education. The campus includes a swimming hall and a separate music school on site.

Sports Facilities
SYK has a swimming hall.

Academic Facilities
SYK offers a national curriculum (Finnish) for grades 3–12 and an IB Diploma Programme in the upper secondary. The IB courses offered include Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, English B, English Language and Literature A, Finnish B, Finnish Literature A, French B, History, Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL and SL, and Physics. Languages are a central focus with a broad selection: Finnish in the national curriculum and English in the IB section, with additional languages available at advanced levels such as English, French, German, Russian. The IB places emphasis on STEM subjects, including Computer Science and Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL and SL. Theatre studies are part of the compulsory curriculum in the comprehensive school.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extracurricular opportunities at SYK include Debate club, Choir and Arts club. Students can start clubs of their own for CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service) as part of the IB Diploma Programme. SYK has a swimming hall and a separate music school on campus. In recent years, students have organized clubs such as trading club, movie club, football club, math club, Model United Nations club, medicine club and chess club.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The IB section is taught in English, while the national side is taught in Finnish. Students participate in Maths Senior Competition for International Schools and may attend CERN's particle physics summer school in Geneva, depending on funding. They also compete in national science contests such as the Four Science Contests, with strong results. The language program is broad (54 ECTS) and includes opportunities to study abroad; DELF and Deutsches Sprachdiplom certificates are available. The LUKKI project coordinates national language teaching, and study trips abroad include France, Germany, Latvia and Uzbekistan.

Arts & Creative
Teen theatre; chamber choir and orchestra; art club Sykli; nature club Amici Naturae; chess club; and the basketball club Sykki ry are active. The school has its own music institute and swimming hall. Students can complete luki diploma in visual arts, physical education, music, and theatre.

Cultural & Language
The language program covers Level A languages (French, German, Russian, English), Level B1 Swedish, Level B2 French/German/Russian, Level B3 Spanish/Italian/French/German/Russian, with Arabic, Japanese, Korean and Ukrainian offered alternately. The upper secondary includes an International Baccalaureate program taught in English. Students undertake international study trips and exchanges to France, Germany, Latvia and Uzbekistan, and can earn DELF and Deutsches Sprachdiplom certificates. SYK participates in Model European Parliament, Baltic MEP, and the United Nations Seminar, and students have competed in Generation €uro and Talousguru.

Social & Hobbies
The teen council (teinikunta) operates actively. Chess club and basketball club Sykki ry are offered. A wide range of after-school activities, trips, expert lectures, theme days, and celebrations are part of the school experience.

Leadership & Professional
The teen council operates actively as a leadership platform. Students participate in international leadership programs such as Model European Parliament, Baltic MEP, and the United Nations Seminar, and have achievements in Generation €uro and Talousguru.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school provides daily access to health professionals, including a health nurse, a guidance counselor, a psychologist, and a special education teacher. There is a strong emphasis on wellbeing, with a range of after-school activities, trips, expert lectures, theme days, and celebrations. Cafe Siesta is offered on assessment days to give students a break, and the school hosts annual events and a supportive, inclusive community.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught at SYK include English, French, German, Russian, Swedish, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Arabic, Ukrainian, and Korean. The national curriculum is taught in Finnish, while the IB section uses English as its language of instruction. The school offers IB courses such as English B, Finnish B, French B, and other DP subjects across the language groups.

Bilingual Teaching
SYK's comprehensive school (grades 3–9) and the Finnish upper secondary section are taught in Finnish. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (grades 10–12) is taught in English. Within the IB track, language courses are delivered in the target languages as appropriate, and SYK offers a broad range of language options including English, Finnish, French, German, Russian, Swedish, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Arabic, Ukrainian, and Korean.

Immersion Programs
The IB Diploma Programme provides English-language instruction for most DP courses. The primary language of instruction in the IB Diploma Programme is English, except for language courses where the target language is used primarily. This arrangement immerses students in English within the DP while offering opportunities to study other languages as part of the program.
Admissions

Admissions
SYK offers two curricula: the Finnish national curriculum for classes starting in 3rd grade up to high school, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) in the high school. The IB Diploma Programme section was established in 1990; SYK was the first school in Finland, together with Mattlidens Gymnasium, to offer the full IB diploma programme. The school is chartered, co-educational, government supported, and non-fee paying, and operates as a day school with no boarding. It is located at Isonnevantie 8, 00320 Helsinki, Finland, in Etelä-Haaga, about 6 km outside the city center and accessible by public transportation. Languages of instruction are Finnish for the national curriculum and English for the IB section. Admissions involve a selection process for both sections; in the IB section, about 8–11% of applicants are accepted each year. The graduating class in the national section is approximately 120 students, and the IB graduating class is about 30 students. Languages taught at the school include English, French, German, Russian, Swedish, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Arabic, Ukrainian, and Korean.
School Events
The school has not added events
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