​
Nurmeksen lukio provides general upper secondary education for 16 – 19 –year-olds and also for mature students. Founded in 1898, we are one of the first upper secondary schools in Finnish countryside. The main aim of Nurmeksen lukio is to provide strong all-round general academic education as a solid basis for further studies in higher education. Our ideals are verity, humanity and righteousness.

Being a small school with about 100 students and 17 teachers, we are a warm and friendly community where every member is welcome and accepted as they are. Our groups are usually quite small, about 15 - 17 students. Supporting student well-being is close to our hearts, we have tutor students and teachers, teambuilding events and the services of the student welfare officer, school nurse and other student welfare staff available. Students can enjoy free porridge in the morning and a delicious lunch at noon.

Our teachers are qualified and dedicated to fostering good learning outcomes. We use modern educational technology and good quality textbooks. In addition to the obligatory and advanced study units outlined in the Finnish national curriculum, we provide applied study units in eg. music, arts, physical education and field courses in biology. And if that is not enough, students can participate in university pathway studies already during their upper secondary school years. 

Naturally, students get a laptop, textbooks, digital learning materials and the access to digital learning environments for free. 

Being an Erasmus+ accredited institution, we offer our students chances to widen their horizons and take part in projects with other European schools. Both group and individual exchanges are organized every year.

Nurmeksen lukio is situated on the same campus as the vocational college Riveria. This enables students to combine studies for a vocational qualification with an upper secondary school certificate. For example, Riveria trains builders, car mechanics, practical nurses and baker-confectioners.

The campus area is located by beautiful Lake Pielinen right next to Nurmes town centre. The classrooms in Nurmeksen lukio were renovated in 2023, and are today equipped with modern educational technology. In addition, we have sound-proof group study rooms for projects, team work and independent study. There are also common rooms and hall areas for students to hang out, play games and socialize during break times. There is even a small gym for students to build muscle in addition to training their brains.