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Sandefjord Videregaende Skole

Norway, Sandefjord

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 16 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 2000
Type Co-educational
Opened 1996
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages Norwegian, English, German, French, Spanish
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

Sandefjord videregående skole is a public, co-educational upper secondary school in Sandefjord, Norway. It operates on a single campus formed in 1996 through consolidation of several local schools. The school offers Studiespesialisering (General Studies) at Vg1–Vg3 with science and language, and social studies and economics tracks. In Vg1, fellesfag total 30 hours per week; in Vg2–Vg3, fellesfag total 15 hours, programfag med fordypning 10 hours, and valgfag 5 hours. The school runs the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (two years, English-taught) and Pre-IB, with entry after Vg1 or equivalent; Påbygg after Vg2 to gain university admission qualifications (30 hours/week). Facilities include a Learning Center (ICT and library), Restaurant Barden (student-run classroom), Kantine, and labs for Frisør, blomster, interiør og eksponeringsdesign. A new sports hall (2,700 m2) and gym support PE and clubs. Extra-curriculars include Den kulturelle skolesekken, Solidaritetsaksjonen with FORUT, and an active student council. It supports a diverse student community.

Sandefjord videregående skole, Krokemoveien 2-4, 3214 Sandefjord, Norway

The Essentials

Sandefjord Videregaende Skole has 2,000 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
Sandefjord, Norway. Address: Krokemoveien 2-4, 3214 Sandefjord.

Stages
Upper secondary school (3-year programs) with mixed vocational and academic tracks, including IB/Pre-IB and Studiespesialisering.

Type
Public, co-educational upper secondary school.

Additional learning support
Dyslexia-friendly school and general support measures.

Country affiliation
Norway

School day structure
School day runs from 08:00 to 15:30.

Bus service
The school has a bus service.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Canteen is located in Forum. Payment is by bank card or VIPPS; cashless. Opening hours are school days from 07:45 to 13:50. The last day before the summer break is June 18. The daily hot dish is served until 22 May. We serve free porridge from 07:45 to 08:30 on weekdays through May 29. The canteen offers fruit, a salad bar, smoothies, various small hot items (for example, spring rolls and piadina), soup of the day, daily hot dish, baguettes, assorted self-serve items, coffee drinks from the coffee machine, ice cream, and kiosk items. Offerings may vary.

Governance and Ownership
The school is owned and operated by Vestfold County Municipality (Vestfold fylkeskommune).
Fees
Application fees

- There is no application fee for placing a student at Sandefjord videregående skole (public county secondary school).

Tuition fees (by year group and per term / per year)

- VG1 (first year): Tuition fee per term: NOK 0. Tuition fee per school year: NOK 0.
- VG2 (second year): Tuition fee per term: NOK 0. Tuition fee per school year: NOK 0.
- VG3 (third year): Tuition fee per term: NOK 0. Tuition fee per school year: NOK 0.

All ordinary full-time students at public videregående schools do not pay school tuition; the education itself is provided without school fees.

Mandatory school-provided equipment and related charges

- School PC (elev-PC) lease: There is an annual lease fee for the school-provided laptop/tablet. The lease is billed once per school year (paid in advance) and normally runs over up to three school years according to the county lease scheme. For the 2026/27 school year the lowest annual lease amount corresponds to the lowest annual non-means-tested utstyrsstipend from Lånekassen: NOK 1,427 per year (the lease amount is adjusted annually and the county's contract ties the annual fee to the Lånekassen lowest utstyrsstipend rate). Payment for the PC lease is made through the county's electronic payment/signing portal.

- Free necessary learning materials: All necessary printed and digital learning materials required for subjects are provided free of charge; materials are loaned to the pupil and must be returned in satisfactory condition. If materials are lost, damaged, or not returned, replacement/compensation will be invoiced.

Other programme-specific or activity costs

- Vocational-program materials or consumables: Some vocational and practical training activities (for example certain materials, tools, or consumables used in trade subjects) can involve costs that are billed to the pupil if they are outside what the school provides as part of instruction. Such costs vary by programme and class and are invoiced separately when applicable.

- School trips and activities: Activities that are an integrated part of the formal instruction are covered by the gratis-principle and must not require mandatory payment from pupils. Optional or voluntary extracurricular trips or activities may involve voluntary contributions or participant fees; these fees are handled separately by the school and may be invoiced. Refunds for collected fundraising (dugnad) sums can be made on request under documented circumstances.

- Uniforms: There is no standard school uniform requirement or universal uniform fee for Sandefjord videregående skole; any specific clothing requirements for particular vocational courses (e.g., work clothes or protective clothing) are treated as programme-specific costs and handled per programme.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- PC lease: billed once per school year in advance through the county's electronic payment portal; the lease period and invoicing frequency are set out in the lease contract. If a pupil leaves school, the contract specifies conditions for return, takeover, or remaining payments (for example: leaving before 1 October means the pupil has no right to overtake the PC; leaving after 1 October and wishing to keep the PC requires payment of remaining lease amounts). Failure to pay may lead to reminders and collection procedures.

- Replacement / damage / lost items: Library/læremidler and school-owned equipment are subject to replacement charges if lost or returned in unacceptable condition. The library/learning-centre issues two reminders before a claim is forwarded to invoicing; unpaid claims may be referred to collection.

- Other invoiced items (programme fees, optional activities): invoicing dates and due dates vary by item; when the school issues a charge it will specify the due date on the invoice. Repeated non-payment is followed by reminders (purre) and eventual collection.

Boarding / student housing (boarding fees)

- Sandefjord videregående skole does not operate a student boarding (internat) facility as part of the school's services; therefore there is no boarding fee charged by the school. Student boarding options exist at some other institutions but are not provided by Sandefjord videregående skole.

Other common fees and likely amounts

- PC damage/theft: costs vary depending on fault and whether the damage is accidental or due to negligence; the lease contract allows for an own payment (egenandel) on accidental damage and requires compensation in cases of negligent damage or theft (police report required for theft). Amounts are determined case-by-case and invoiced.

- Replacement of lost or damaged loaned books/materials: invoiced per the county's replacement rates; the library system issues status, reminders, and invoices for lost items. Exact replacement prices depend on the item.

Refund information

- Refunds of voluntary fundraising (dugnad) payments: may be returned to the payer on request if the payment and amount can be documented.
- Refunds of invoiced programme or activity fees are handled case-by-case according to the school's and county's administrative rules; invoices may be cancelled or partially refunded where appropriate, but standard process is that billed charges are due unless specific refund arrangements are agreed by the school or county. For lost/damaged items returned within acceptable condition, replacement charges can be avoided if returned before invoicing.

Fee payment options

- Electronic county payment portal for pupil contracts (PC lease and similar): payments and contract signing are handled via the county's portal (elevkontrakter). Students/guardians receive SMS/e-mail instructions when payment/signing is required.

- Invoicing and e‑invoice: the county issues invoices (e‑faktura or e-mail delivery where applicable); invoices show due dates and payment references. Unpaid invoices follow ordinary reminder and collection procedures.

- Bank transfer and other standard methods: county invoicing and payment processing use standard bank payment channels; specific instructions (account numbers, references) appear on each invoice or payment notice. The school and county may also accept other administrative payment channels indicated on particular invoices (for example third‑party payment solutions used for voluntary contributions or fundraising).

Quick summary (key monetary items for 2026/27)

- Application fee: NOK 0.
- Tuition for VG1/VG2/VG3: NOK 0 per term / NOK 0 per school year for each year group.
- School PC lease (annual fee for 2026/27, standard model): NOK 1,427 per year (paid annually in advance under the county lease scheme; amount is tied to Lånekassen lowest utstyrsstipend and adjusted annually).
- Textbooks and necessary learning materials: provided free; replacement charges apply if items are lost/damaged/not returned.

(End of fee overview.)
Academics

Sandefjord Videregaende Skole teaches IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 16 to 18.

Curriculum
The school offers Studiespesialisering (General Studies) as a three-year program (Vg1–Vg3), with Realfag (science) and language, social studies and economics tracks. In Vg1, fellesfag (common subjects) total 30 hours per week. In Vg2 and Vg3, fellesfag total 15 hours per week, programfag med fordypning (specialized program subjects) 10 hours per week, and valgfag (electives) 5 hours per week. The school also offers International Baccalaureate (IB) and Pre-IB: the IB Diploma Programme is two years (Vg2 and Vg3) with English as the language of instruction, and you can enter IB after completing Vg1 studiespesialiserende, Pre-IB or equivalent; Pre-IB starts in Vg1 with some English-language instruction and introduction to IB methods. The school provides Påbygg (one-year programme) after Vg2 YF to achieve general university admission qualifications; it is theory-focused and totals 30 hours per week, including Norwegian (10 hours), mathematics (5 hours), history (5 hours), science (3 hours), physical education (2 hours), and program subjects (5 hours). After completion of Påbygg, students can apply to university or college.

Higher Education Progression
The IB Diploma Programme qualifies for admission to colleges and universities in Norway and in most other countries. English is the language of instruction, and the diploma is designed to prepare students for higher education in Norway or abroad.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Sandefjord vgs supports social-emotional learning through Elevtjenester, a multidisciplinary student services team. The team includes an anti-bullying ombud, a diversity advisor, school counselors, special educators, and educational psychologists, together with a physiotherapist and a school nurse. It provides guidance on well-being, bullying prevention, personal and peer relationships, and planning for further study or careers. Confidentiality is observed in all counseling and health-related matters. The team collaborates with external partners as needed to promote a positive, inclusive learning climate.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Sandefjord vgs is certified as a dyslexia-friendly school by Dysleksi Norge since January 2014. It has plans to support learners with reading, writing, and mathematics difficulties; an inclusive and accepting learning environment; systems for identifying and tracking students; documentation processes. It provides measures and methods for teaching students in the target group, along with suitable learning materials and assistive tools. It also offers systematic staff training and awareness-raising about dyslexia. The designated contact for the dyslexia-friendly school is Signy Engeness, Elevtjenester lead.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English-language instruction is central in the IB pathway. Sandefjord vgs offers the IB Diploma Programme (two years, Vg2–Vg3) with English as the language of instruction; all textbooks, assignments, and exams are in English. Pre-IB introduces IB approaches from Vg1, with parts of teaching in English to prepare students for IB. The Kombiløpet program supports minority-language learners with 30 hours of instruction per week, including foundational Norwegian language training and English and mathematics support aligned to curricula; eligibility includes nine years of schooling from a foreign school or prior Norwegian schooling, and placements can start during the year when space allows. New and transferred students can access language support on-site and through external arrangements to help them meet upper-secondary requirements.

Mental Wellbeing
Elevtjenester provides mental wellbeing support through a multi-disciplinary team, including school counselors, environmental advisers, special educators, educational psychologists, a physiotherapist, and a school nurse. They offer guidance on wellbeing, bullying, personal and social issues, and accommodations for learning. Counseling and referrals to health and educational services are provided with strict confidentiality. They also coordinate with external partners to support student welfare and promote a safe, supportive school environment.

Safeguarding
Sandefjord vgs safeguards students via Elevtjenester: a multidisciplinary team that includes an anti-bullying ombud, a diversity advisor, school counselors, special educators, educational psychologists, a physiotherapist, and a school nurse. The team provides confidential counseling and health services, with privacy protections for all student records and consultations. It supports students with bullying, issues with teachers and peers, health concerns, and questions related to substance use, and it coordinates with external services as needed. The presence of an anti-bullying ombud and a structured support system helps ensure a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. The team collaborates with other school services to safeguard welfare and respond appropriately to student needs.
Parent Experience

History
The school year 2021/22 was a jubilee year for Sandefjord videregående skole, marking 25 years since Norway's largest upper secondary school was formed by consolidating Sandefjord's upper secondary schools into one campus. SVGS was inaugurated on August 1, 1996, and opened as a center for knowledge, culture and communication. It was Norway's first large co-located upper secondary school, created by merging Sandar VGS, Sandefjord Gymnasium, Sandefjord Cook and Steward School, and Sandefjord Commercial High School into a school of about 1,380 students. The opening ceremony took place in the Forum, where Principal Thor Klaveness and the leadership marked the school's first official day of operation. The complex was designed as a mini-society around Forum, with spaces such as a bakery, a hair salon, a butcher, a restaurant and a bookstore; the Virik Center joined in spring 1997, and integration of disabled students was a key focus; the Student Services under Anne Margrethe Dahlen provided a school psychologist, a health nurse, a chaplain and many counselors.

Community
The school year 2021/22 was marked by jubilee activities for students and staff that referenced the school's history and future development. Welcome to the start of the school year: Monday, August 17, the school opens again, and this page outlines important information for starting the year. Meetings for parents and guardians are scheduled for autumn and will be held in Forum or in classrooms for good cooperation between the school and families.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school has a Learning Center that houses ICT and library services. Restaurant Barden is a student-run restaurant used as a classroom for Restaurant- and Food subjects. Kantine, the campus canteen, provides meals and a free breakfast on school days. Frisør, blomster, interiør og eksponeringsdesign facilities support hands-on training in creative trades. The campus also includes a modern sports facility with a new gym adjacent to the old building, expanding opportunities for physical education and team activities.

Sports Facilities
A large new sports hall was inaugurated on March 12, 2019. The hall covers a total of 2,700 square meters, including 1,750 square meters of sports space. It features six changing rooms, eight additional changing rooms, and three separate halls plus a dedicated basistreningsrom. There are 12 badminton courts, 6 basketball courts, and various volleyball- and floorball courts, with four ball sports using international-size goals (handball, basketball, volleyball, and innebandy). The facility is located next to the older gym and is used from 08:15 to 15:15 on school days, with after-hours access for clubs, at a total project cost of 60 million kroner.

Academic Facilities
The Learning Center houses the school's ICT and library services. Opening hours are 08:00–15:30 on weekdays, with the center closed during school holidays. An afternoon-open learning center operates from September to mid-May, with teaching guidance resuming in September. ICT support is available via the Service Portal, with contact options including a service desk email and phone. The library can be reached by telephone at 907 31 967 or by email at biblioteksfv(at)vestfoldfylke.no, and chat support is accessible via Teams in the channel 'SFV Bibliotek'.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Solidaritetsaksjonen with FORUT engages students and staff in aiding Sri Lankan refugees, funding shelters and kitchen gardens through fundraising and community support. The cultural arts program Den kulturelle skolesekken (DKS) provides professional arts experiences, with all students receiving two events per year. Aksjon HøstLes is a seven-week reading period for all vg1 vocational students to boost reading skills. Sommerjobbmesse is an annual summer job fair organized with NAV and local employers to help students find summer work. The school's arts and performance offerings include two major concert projects per year in Musikk, dans og drama, and art/design exhibitions and 3D printing/laser-cutting projects through Kunst, design og arkitektur.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers International Baccalaureate (IB) with a Diploma Programme and Pre-IB pathway. The IB Diploma Programme lasts two years and has an international focus with English as the language of instruction. The Pre-IB pathway introduces IB methods and prepares students for IB studies. Studiespesialisering is available with toppidrett, combining rigorous academics with elite sport and five hours of weekly training and sport-specific instruction.

Arts & Creative
Musikk, dans og drama is a dedicated program where students receive instrument or vocal lessons, join a choir, and participate in dance and drama activities. The program day blends practical and theoretical studies and is Vestfold7s largest music line, with opportunities to perform in bands, orchestras, and concerts. Kunst, design og arkitektur offers practical courses in art, design, and architecture, including 3D printing, laser cutting, product development, and gallery exhibitions.

Cultural & Language
Den kulturelle skolesekken brings professional art encounters and cultural experiences to students, with two events during the school year. The IB program emphasizes international awareness and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS), fostering global-mindedness and independent inquiry. English is the working language in IB, with many subjects taught or supported in English to prepare for higher education in Norway or abroad.

Social & Hobbies
Solidaritetsaksjonen partners with FORUT since 2016 to support refugees, with students fundraising and contributing to field projects abroad. Aksjon HøstLes is a seven-week reading initiative for VG1 vocational students to build reading skills and a love of reading. Sommerjobbmesse is an annual job fair organized with NAV and local businesses to help students obtain summer work experience.

Community & Service
Solidaritetsaksjonen funds projects such as shelters for Tamil refugees and develops kitchen gardens to support families in need. Den kulturelle skolesekken provides culturally enriching experiences as part of the school program, strengthening community ties and cultural identity. The school promotes inclusion and community engagement through diverse activities and partnerships.

Leadership & Professional
Elevdemokrati operates with a large and active student council. Class representatives and department-level representatives participate in a main student council that collaborates with the principal and staff to influence school life. The school environment is coordinated by a designated staff member, and student leadership opportunities are embedded in the school governance structure.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Toppidrett offers five hours of weekly training plus performance-focused teaching to student-athletes. Hverdagslivstrening (HLT) provides tailored everyday-life training and practical learning aimed at supporting students with additional needs, focusing on communication, social skills, and independence. The school also emphasizes sport and wellbeing through organized activities and a supportive environment.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction for the IB Diploma Programme. All textbooks are in English and all assignments and exams are in English, except for Norwegian or foreign-language books or exams. In Pre-IB, parts of the instruction are conducted in English.

Bilingual Teaching
The Diploma Programme uses English as the language of instruction. The Diploma Programme is two years long (Vg2 and Vg3) with an international focus. In Pre-IB, some instruction is in English, and students are introduced to IB teaching methods.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Applications and contacts: Vigo.no is the site for applying to upper secondary schools. If you have questions related to your education or the site, contact the admissions office in your home county. The Sandefjord Upper Secondary School admissions contact is: Postboks 1213, Trudvang, 3105 Tønsberg; Phone: 33 34 41 72 (Mon–Fri 11:30–14:00); Email: inntak@vestfoldfylke.no. 2. Søknadsfrister inntak: February 1 is the intake with priority rights or individual treatment; March 1 is the intake for ordinary applicants; By April 30 applications can be changed by contacting the admissions office; July 1 is the deadline to have a registered Vestfold address if you marked relocation to Vestfold; July 1 also marks the option to register a forhåndssvar (preliminary response) to your application. 3. Hovedinntak i juli: The main intake is carried out by the admissions office and published on July 8. It covers ordinary and youth-right applicants; Applicants receive an SMS and must respond to the offered place or waitlist within two weeks; Failure to respond may result in losing the school place or waitlist position; Applicants who have registered a forhåndssvar do not need to submit additional responses unless they wish to decline the place or the waitlist; Applicants eligible for the Vg4 Påbygg after vocational competence under §3-1 are included in the main intake. 4. Sisteinntak i august: The last intake is conducted by the admissions office in the first week of August and includes adult applicants; If you do not want the school place, inform Sandefjord Upper Secondary School by emailing adminsvgs@vestfoldfylke.no. 5. Svar: Vigo.no is the site for applying to upper secondary schools; If you are away or cannot respond within the deadline, you can register a preliminary reply to your application. 6. Ventelister: Updated wait lists arrive around August 5; The lists are ranked by the county admissions office and Sandefjord Upper Secondary School follows the lists; When a place becomes available, the school contacts waitlisted applicants by phone or SMS; If the call is not answered, a message is left by SMS and email; You will receive a deadline to reply YES or NO to accept the offered place.

Waitlist
Waitlists are updated around August 5. The lists are ranked by the county admissions office and Sandefjord Upper Secondary School follows the lists. When a place becomes available, the school contacts waitlisted applicants by phone or SMS. If the call is not answered, a message is left by SMS and email, and applicants must respond YES or NO within the given deadline. Historically, little happens on waitlists before the start of the school year, but contact with those on the waitlist continues.
School Events
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