In Finland all children go to school, it is mandatory. If a child needs to be absent outside of the school holidays, the school must be asked for permission. The school can reject the application based on what is best for the child’s education.
The city will appoint each child to a school based on where they live. You enroll either by visiting the school on a fixed date in January or online. Most children continue to a school where the language of education is the same as the one spoken at the daycare and pre-primary school. If your child has gone to a Swedish-speaking unit for daycare and pre-primary school, they will most likely be appointed to a Swedish-language primary school. However, your child might be appointed to a Finnish-language school, even if your preference is a Swedish-language school. In this case it’s important that you are in touch with the head of the Swedish school in your area to enroll your child.
Read more about comprehensive education at InfoFinland and at the Finnish National Agency of Education
A child with immigrant background who does not speak Swedish, or Finnish, will receive preparatory education at their school before entering the Swedish or Finnish classroom. In order to support a child’s integration into the school system Swedish as a second language, S2, education, instead of Swedish as a mother tongue education, may be offered during basic education.
Helsinki has developed a guide called Introduction to school that provides answers about school for families that have moved to Finland. The guide has information about daily life in school, the ways in which the school operates and the tasks of the staff. It is well worth a read for parents with children in schools in other municipalities too.
Helsingfors
The Swedish schools in Helsingfors/Helsinki are divided in four main districts. Within each district you will find schools for primary education years 1 – 6 and one school for pupils in grade 7– 9. To find out the school that children in your area will go to you can check the servicemap, write Swedish in the top search box and choose Swedish primary school area. Then type in your home address, in Finnish. The servicemap is a great tool, if you are patient.
Enrollment in school is carried out in January, online at asti.hel.fi. Instructions will be sent to the home along with the compulsory education notification. Read more about the process.
Here is a guide for international families in Helsinki you can download, called Options for basic education in Helsinki:
Esbo
To find out the school that children in your area will go to you can check the servicemap, write Swedish in the top search box and choose Swedish primary school area. Then type in your home address, in Finnish. The servicemap is a great tool, if you are patient.
Information about comprehensive education in Esbo can be found here. You will find information about enrollment, The Swedish Education and Culture Unit and much more.
Information about enrolling can be found here.
Vanda
In Vanda/Vantaa there are four Swedish comprehensive schools. Read more about the school system in Vanda here, there is also a section for frequently asked questions.
You enroll your child in first grade through the online system Wilma, read more in Swedish here on how to apply. For example, you should use Wilma in Swedish to apply for a Swedish school.
Grankulla
In Grankulla/Kauniainen 1-6 graders are in Granhultsskolan and 7-9 graders in Hagelstamska skolan.
You can enroll your child in first grade through the online system Wilma. You can read more here, in Swedish, or contact Catharina Sunesdotter, rector of Swedish-language undergraduate education phone 050 4148305, catharina.sunesdotter(at)edu.grankulla.fi
HUX education
If a child does not have a place in upper secondary education after basic education they can enroll in HUX education. It gives one skills to apply for high school or vocational education, a clear plan for further studies and working life and better skills for upper secondary school and the matriculation exam or a vocational degree.
In Helsingfors the HUX education is offered at Prakticum.
Read more about the HUX education, in Swedish, at studyinfo.fi.