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Three pupils smiling outside.

Schools

Basic education in Finland consists of nine years of general education free of charge. Every child who is living permanently in Finland is obligated to attend compulsory education. Compulsory education begins the calendar year a child turns seven. Compulsory education continues until the student reaches the age of 18. Compulsory education can end earlier if the student completes a matriculation examination or a vocational degree.

The Kokkola upper secondary school for adults organises teaching in the final stages of basic education for adults.

Kokkola has 27 basic education schools, of which 22 operate in Finnish and 5 in Swedish.

Basic education schools in Kokkola

Weighted-curriculum education

The basic education sector in Kokkola offers weighted-curriculum education in language immersion classes (grades 1–9) and mathematics and music-oriented classes (grades 3–9). Sports-oriented teaching is also available in grades 7–9. These forms of weighted-curriculum education are only available in Finnish-speaking comprehensive schools in Kokkola.

  • Language immersion education is offered in grades 1–6 in Hollihaka school and in grades 7–9 in Kiviniitty school. The key feature in language immersion studies is the pupil’s role as an active learner. The purpose of the language immersion method is to achieve functional language skills, meaning that pupils learn a foreign language in practice and through the studied school subjects.

    Each year, one group of first-year pupils starts in both Swedish and English language immersion education. Each group consists of at most 22 pupils with Finnish as their first language. Before starting first grade, the pupils have been in language immersion groups in their day care centre and pre-primary education unit. Their teaching will continue in accordance with the curriculum for language immersion education until grade 9.

    Weighted-curriculum education in Kokkola (in Finnish)

  • Hakalahti school and Kiviniitty school offer weighted-curriculum education in sports in grades 7–9. The sports-oriented classes guide pupils towards becoming athletes, emphasising the importance of coordinating your studies with the increasing amount of training. The sports-oriented classes collaborate with local coaches and sports clubs.

    Sports-oriented education is open to all six-graders in the Kokkola comprehensive schools. There is a separate application form for applying to sports-oriented education. The pupils are admitted based on their basic physical skills, performance in school sports and an admission interview. The maximum group size in both schools is 24 pupils.

    Weighted-curriculum education in Kokkola (in Finnish)

  • Mathematics-oriented education is offered in grades 3–6 in Halkokari school and in grades 7–9 in Hakalahti school. The mathematics-oriented classes offer inspiring, functional and versatile teaching for pupils interested in mathematics. The pupils are given an opportunity to deepen their mathematical skills and achieve a strong mathematical mindset.

    One mathematics-oriented class starts each year, consisting of a maximum of 24 third-grade pupils selected based on an aptitude test. The test (taken in the second grade) is used to assess the pupils’ mathematical skills in a versatile manner. The teaching will continue in accordance with the curriculum for mathematics-oriented classes until grade 9.

    Weighted-curriculum education in Kokkola (in Finnish)

  • Music-oriented education is offered in grades 3–6 in Mäntykangas school and in grades 7–9 in Kiviniitty school. Each pupil in a music-oriented class is entitled to private lessons in one instrument at the Central Ostrobothnia Conservatory at their own cost. Music-oriented education is a great and easy way to combine a hobby and schoolwork.

    One music-oriented class starts each year, consisting of a maximum of 24 third-grade pupils selected based on an aptitude test. All second-graders in municipal comprehensive education are tested in January–February. Special education pupils studying in small groups will take part in the tests if their guardians and teachers feel that continuing their studies in a music-oriented class is possible for the pupils. During the two-stage aptitude test, the pupils will also choose an instrument for which they will receive lessons organised in collaboration with the Conservatory. The teaching will continue in accordance with the curriculum for music-oriented classes until grade 9.

    Weighted-curriculum education in Kokkola (in Finnish)