Situated by the Baltic Sea, Kotkan lyseo is an upper secondary school of approximately 500 students (aged 15-19) and 40 staff. We operate in two prestigious Art Nouveau style buildings: Globus (built in 1911) and Arcus (1905) and have a long history in education since its founding days in 1896.  

Kotkan lyseo focuses on general education in multiple fields, such as Finnish language and literature, Swedish as a second language, foreign languages (English, German, French, Spanish, Russian), mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, physical education, health education, psychology, history, social studies, religion/ethics, philosophy, music and visual arts.  

Collaboration with higher education institutions and working life is an integral part of our everyday school culture. We regularly welcome visitors from various fields and organize educational trips outside the school. South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk) is located near our school, and we frequently visit their campus to learn more about study opportunities and future career paths. 

Our school also offers multiple study programs and clubs:  

• Studies in English program 

• Visual Arts and Music program 

• Environmental studies and Eco-Schools student committee  
  (part of the global Eco-School network) 

• Sports Academy 

• Student council board 

• Unesco guild  
  (part of the international UNESCO ASPnet network) 

• Choir 

• Nature excursion course 

• Japanese culture club 

The quality of teaching and the support in studying are among our top priorities. Students receive help and encouragement from tutors, teachers, guidance counselors and a special education teacher. Our school is dedicated to looking after our students’ well-being and fostering a sense of community.  

In addition to studying, student life comes with traditional festivities and a variety of events, not only to educate and engage students outside the classroom, but also to provide the students with memorable experiences. Examples of such occasions include the elegant and formal Ballroom Dance Event for the second-year students, and Penkkarit – a traditional day full of mischief organized by seniors to mark their last day at school. 

Kotkan lyseo has also taken part in Erasmus+ mobility projects and we have hosted guests, as well as sent our students and/or teachers abroad to engage in further pedagogical development, promote European cooperation, explore educational practices in other countries and foster the sense of European citizenship and identity.  

Welcome, or as we say in Finland, Tervetuloa!  

 

About Upper Secondary Schools in Finland 

Upper secondary schools in Finland typically teach students aged 15-19 and the senior year culminates in nationwide matriculation examinations which will pave the way to further studies. 

For our national core curriculum, please visit: National core curriculum for general upper secondary education 2025 - eRequirements