Haapavesi lower secondary school

Our school is a modern lower secondary school that includes grades 7-9 (pupils are 13-16 years old). We started in a new school building in 2022.There are about 300 students and 30 teachers in our school.The pupils are taught in age-based classes. 

 General basic education in Finland is free of charge. Pupils get all the books,other learning materials, tools and equipment for free. The school also serves a free lunch to pupils at the school cafeteria every school day. Lunch includes a warm meal, salad, bread, drinks and sometimes a dessert, too. Pupils don’t wear school uniforms in Finland.

 The school year in Finland begins in August and ends in early June. Pupils at our school study every day from 9 am to 3 pm. The number of weekly lesson hours is 30 hours. The pupils study many different subjects by working both together and independently. They are also supported by a team of auxiliary staff. Teaching assistants help children both in and out of the classroom.

Subjects that you can learn in our school are: mother tongue (Finnish) and literature, maths, history, biology, geography, Swedish, German, English, crafts, music, arts, home economics, health education, PE, chemistry, physics, civics, pupil counselling, religion or ethics.

Lessons at our school last 45 minutes, totaling 6 lessons a day. We have several short breaks between lessons, lasting 10-20 minutes, including a 30-minute lunch break. During the breaks pupils can spend time inside the school building or outside in the school yard.

Finland has been repeatedly praised for our high quality of education.This is in part due to the highly trained workforce in our schools. All teachers must have at least a master’s degree to be qualified for this important work. Throughout the subjects the students are taught to think critically, emphasizing 21st century skills like multiliteracy, cultural competence, entrepreneurship and ICT skills.These are only some of the goals set by the Finnish basic education curriculum.