In and Out of Finnish Schools

Students relax but focus while taking notes.

The highlight of my Fulbright experience has been visiting Finnish schools of all varieties. Observing classrooms, interviewing teachers, and discussing life in Kentucky with students have given me a better understanding of what education is like in Finland. You can read all about Finland’s education system on the internet. There are countless articles, research studies, and charts that describe what makes Finland so unique in terms of teaching and learning. After all, they are a world leader on international assessments. However, I quickly realized that no two schools in Finland are the same. While different schools adhere to the same guidelines and principles, individual districts have the autonomy to customize their curriculum and daily structure in order to best meet students’ needs.

Finnish Classroom 360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

360-image of a 6th grade classroom

Students conduct experiments at the
University of Helsinki's, LUMA Center.

A focus on students’ individual needs is what all Finnish schools have in common. Teachers and administrators prioritize students’ overall well-being and development. By focusing on social and emotional learning skills, students are better able to collaborate with peers and excel academically.

Below is a snapshot of the Finnish education system. As you can see, there are no “dead ends.” After 9th grade, students gets to choose their path. This choice is not a one-time deal. Students can change plans and many educational programs “cross” school lines which keeps their options open. Students have the opportunity to pursue their interests and develop the skills they desire.

Eija Kauppinen, Counsellor for Education, Finnish National Agency for Education, Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching 2010-2011

Upper Secondary Education (Grades 10-12)
During 9th grade, students apply for upper secondary schools if they wish to continue their formal education. Upper secondary education is typically three years, but students have the option to complete their degree in four years. Most students graduate at the age of 19 since they begin school a year later in Finland compared to the U.S.

While most schools in Finland are public institutions, some have programs or reputations that appeal to students with certain interests. For example, there are high schools (lukios) that specialize in art, music, dance, or media to name a few. Therefore, some schools are quite competitive to get into. However, if students are not accepted to their top choice, there is no need to fret. Students realize that generally speaking, all schools in Finland are equal in terms of quality and resources. Students know they will receive a good education at any school.

High schools have facilities to support students' learning. This schools has a school library, equipment for healthcare training, and a fully functional kitchen for students interested in culinary arts.

A general high school education might not be the calling or best fit for some students. There is another option: vocational training. Trade schools are not second rate to high schools. Students can expect to receive advanced training in a variety of fields from healthcare to video production. After graduation, students use their degree and certifications to enter the workforce or to attend a university or polytechnic university. At vocational schools, degree paths are customized based on students’ individual strengths and ambitions. During their three years of training, students often gain work experience through internships and apprenticeships. Both general upper secondary education and vocational training prepare students for more than a score on an exam or a signature on a certification. They prepare students for life beyond their days in school.

Helsinki Vocational College specialize in audiovisual training. Programs include photography, video production, 3D design, and video game development.

Basic Education

Grades 1-9 in Finland are obligatory and comprise what is known as “Basic Education.” Students generally begin first grade at age 7 and complete ninth grade at age 15.

Lower Secondary (Grades 7-9)
Normally, lower secondary education (yläaste) (think junior high or middle school) is situated in a separate building from lukio and primary grades. Two other Fulbright Teachers and I had the opportunity to visit a junior high school together. Birger Holm, principal of Espoonlahti School, organized a tour that showed us all the great things happening in middle grades.

Students can expect to receive an education in a wide-array of subjects. Students take wood and metal working, textile crafts, home economics, physical education, music, and other courses dealing with art and design.

Primary (Grades 1-6)
Since I am an elementary school librarian, it only makes sense that the majority of my classroom visits were at primary schools (ala-aste). For many of these grade levels, students have a classroom teacher who teaches multiple subjects. Students sometimes switch teachers for special classes like wood-working or music. In most schools, students get a 15-minute break after each 45-minute lesson in addition to a scheduled recess period. In some classrooms I have visited, students claim to never have homework. Students from other classrooms claim they have 30 minutes of homework each night. In some classrooms, students are allowed to complete assignments in the hall or in flexible seating options. In other classrooms, students have assigned seats. There is no one-size-fits-all for how education works in Finland. It varies. This is expected given different student populations and various teaching styles. So, instead of me explaining Finnish education in general, I will show you what I know based on personal observations.

Many schools are early adopters of new educational technologies like virtual reality, 3D printing, and interactive projectors.

In most schools you will find flexible seating options.

This 7th grade class is finalizing their Lego League project which they later presented to a panel of judges at a local competition.

Before high school, all students take a textile class as seen in the bottom left picture.

Helsinki English School had a phenomenon learning week where activities and projects revolved around the theme: "time." These 1st and 2nd graders are creating their own grandfather clocks.

This 6th grade class is conducting research on a country they would most like to visit. Students analyze maps, create a travel guide, and explore the destination using a virtual reality headset.

Finland's New Curriculum
Even though the Finnish education system is consistently ranked at the top of international educational benchmarks—despite minimal homework regimens and no standardized tests, apart from a nationwide matriculation examination for students when they are around 17—the curriculum has been tweaked further to keep it relevant (Source—Straits Times).

One of the major components of Finland’s new curriculum are transversal competences. Study, working life, and active citizenship require a command of different knowledge and skills as well as competences in combining these. Each subject promotes transversal competence skills. When you speak with Finnish teachers, the conversation tends to always lead to students’ overall well-being.

There is so much to say about my schools visits in Finland that I could write a book. Hey! Now, that's an idea!

So, what’s next? What am I going to do with these pages of notes and ideas swirling around in my brain? Well, I have used my observations to develop my final Fulbright Inquiry Project—a website for how to integrate project/phenomenon-based learning that will launch soon. I might not be able to detail every single school visit these past four months in one blog post. But I can share more about my classroom observations via my website. The site has a blog section where I have and will continue to add articles that highlight specific aspects of what I have learned in Finland. Stay tuned for the release of my online toolkit!