The English School - Finland

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.

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

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

Finland

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.

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.

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 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.

The English School maintains a multi-disciplinary student wellbeing group that focuses on the social and emotional development of pupils. The group includes the principal, school nurse and school doctor, and specialists such as a school social worker, a school psychologist, a special education teacher and a guidance counselor (upper secondary). They work to promote wellbeing, positive development, learning and schoolwork for pupils. They provide support through one-on-one sessions, group work and wellbeing-related lessons with teachers. They also offer confidential guidance for pupils and families and coordinate services with parents and other staff.

The School Wellbeing Group includes a dedicated special education teacher who supports pupils with learning and developmental needs. The school social worker and the school psychologist assist pupils facing learning difficulties, attention issues or emotional problems. The school psychologist provides guidance to teachers, counselling for students and carries out cognitive evaluations when needed. All student welfare matters are handled confidentially in collaboration with parents.

The English School follows the Finnish National Core Curriculum with an emphasis on English and Finnish languages and cultures. English is taught at a native level from preschool through grade 12. The proportion of Finnish and English instruction varies by grade: preschool and grades 1–4 are mainly English with total immersion, while grades 5–9 increase Finnish instruction and continue native-level English. In high school, studies are offered in both languages and students prepare for matriculation in Finnish. The goal is for students to be truly bilingual by the end of ninth grade.

Mental wellbeing is supported by the School Wellbeing Group, which focuses on wellbeing alongside learning and schoolwork. The team conducts wellbeing lessons, one-on-one support and group work, and provides confidential guidance to pupils and families. The School Social Worker and School Psychologist offer counselling, strategies for emotional regulation and support for students facing personal or academic challenges. The group collaborates with teachers to promote emotional intelligence and healthy social interaction.

Safeguarding is embedded in the School Wellbeing Group's work; student welfare matters are handled confidentially in agreement with the pupil and parents. The group develops support structures for the pupil and family and ensures appropriate guidance and privacy in line with school policy.

Admission to Grade 1-9 at The English School is carried out through a structured process. Grade 1 entrants are selected mainly from the school's own preschool, with some openings typically remaining. For the 2026-2027 school year, applications are accepted through January 25, 2026; if openings exist, registered applicants are invited to participate in an oral entrance test, and a waiting list is established based on the test results. English language skills must be sufficient to study the elementary curriculum in English, and applicants must have at least a basic level of Finnish (A1.3).

For Grades 2-8, openings are by inquiry with specific deadlines: February 2, 2026 for Grades 7-8 (entrance tests in February) and April 6, 2026 for Grades 2-6 (entrance tests in April). Entrance tests are organized only for grades with available openings and consist of written tests in English and Finnish. Applicants should have English and Finnish language skills enabling study in both languages; Finnish may be studied as a mother tongue or as a second language.

Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year follow a grade-by-birth-year alignment: Grade 1 corresponds to birth year 2019; Grade 2 to 2018; Grade 3 to 2017; Grade 4 to 2016; Grade 5 to 2015; Grade 6 to 2014; Grade 7 to 2013; Grade 8 to 2012.

Grade 9 applications are generally not accepted, but applicants may contact the middle school principal to discuss the matter. Pay a registration fee of 20€. 2. Fill in the online or paper registration form and submit together with the registration fee receipt. 3. If there are no openings and the child's name remains on the applicant register, annual confirmation in writing is required with the child's name, date of birth, address, telephone, and a note confirming registration. Failure to confirm annually will result in withdrawal of the name from the applicant register.

The school operates two campuses: Mäntytie 14 (grades 1-6 and Preschool) and Valimotie 17–19 (grades 7-9 and High School).

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.