Application Period & Entrance Test Dates
Enrolment to the European School of Helsinki happens in two categories; Category I (children whose parent(s) are employed by ECHA/the EU) and Category II.
Parents of Category I applicants (parent(s) employed by the European Chemicals Agency) can generate a certificate of employment at ECHA from their system and attach it directly to the application form.
The document for enrolment rules, procedures and policies has been approved by the Administrative Board of the school and can be downloaded here.
The application period for the school year 2024-2025 is from the 8th to 31st of January 2024. The application form is to be completed electronically and can be accessed via this link:
Entrance test dates:
Nursery: 26.2.2024
Primary P1-2: 12.2.2024
Primary P3-5: 13.2.2024
Secondary: 4.3.2024
Information Evenings & ‘Open Doors’ events.
The information evening for nursery (4-5 years of age) and primary school (6-10 years of age) is on Wednesday 10th of January at 17:00 in our assembly hall.
The Nursery ‘Open Doors’ events, which offer a chance to visit the school for prospective nursery parents and pupils, are on Wednesday 10th of January at 9.30-10.30 and on Thursday 11th of January at 9.30-10.30. Please register by 9th January 2024 by sending an email to info@esh.fi.
The Primary ‘Open Doors’ events, which offer a chance to visit the school for prospective primary parents and pupils, is on Wednesday 10th of January at 10.15-11.15. Please register by 9th January 2024 by sending an email to info@esh.fi.
The information evening for Secondary school (11-18 years of age) is on Tuesday 16th of January at 18:00 in our assembly hall. The Secondary ‘open doors’ event for prospective students is from 13:00 to 16:00, also on the 16th of January. Please register for open doors event in Secondary school by 14th January 2024 by sending an email to info@esh.fi.
Enrolment Guidelines & Instructions
Age and class: The primary cycle at the European School of Helsinki starts at the age of six and, as a rule, the following class levels follow chronologically. Sometimes it is advisable to apply to a different class level, for example one year lower. There is an indicative table of equivalences in use in the European Schools.
Language 2: The first foreign language (L2) starts in the first class of the primary cycle. When applying to higher classes, the knowledge of L2 should be on the respective level. If a pupil's L1 (native language) is other than the language of the section (English, French or Finnish) then the language of the section must be chosen as L2.
From the academic year 2023-2024, when applying for P1, and P2 in August 2024, Finnish will be offered as an additional option for Language 2 alongside French, German and English.
If an applicant is accepted, for duly justified reasons, to a language section different from his/her mother tongue while such a section exists in the school, mother tongue tuition cannot be provided.
In their own school, the students of ESH have direct access from the lower secondary to the upper secondary school leading to the European Baccalaureate. There is no need to go through a separate application procedure, completion of the S4 class will be sufficient.
Fees
The Ministry of Education has decided on the tuition fees for category II pupils of the European School of Helsinki as follows:
Nursery 1234 € / term (2468 € /school year)
Primary 1696 € / term (3392 € / school year)
Secondary 2313 € /term (4626 € / school year)
According to the decision of the Ministry reductions for siblings cannot be granted.
School meals, text books, learning materials and after-school activities are subject to a fee for all pupils (category I and II).
Example of current fees:
Morning snack 0,97 €
Lunch 2,69 €
Afternoon snack 1,64 €
School supplies (stationery/e -materials etc) 100 € /year for nursery and primary
Books (e-books, e-licences) as specified by class teachers
School trips
After-school activities 6,50 € / 60 min activity
Staff Vacancies
Alumni Europae
Alumni Europae is the association for former students of the European Schools. There is a unique and invaluable connection amongst all ES graduates that crosses all kinds of social, linguistic and national boundaries. The association was launched at the end of 2011 and has shown great signs of success. Make sure you join in the fun!