Basic education in English

General info

Tiirismaa Comprehensive School offers bilingual education in Finnish and English for grades 1-9. The bilingual education follows the Finnish national curriculum, but English language is strongly integrated into many subjects. The proportion of instruction in English is approximately 70% in grades 1-6 and in grades 7-9 the aim is about 50%. The proportion of Finnish instruction increases in the upper grades so that the students can continue their education in a fully Finnish-speaking environment after comprehensive school.

In each grade the maximum number of students is 24. The education is primarily intended for children living in the Lahti area. The guardians are responsible for the student’s transportation to and from the school. 

Application and Student Selection

Applying for 1st grade

Applications for bilingual education are made for the first grade. The minimum class size is 16 students. The application period for the next school year is annually in January in conjunction with first-grade enrollment in Lahti.

The applicants will take an entrance exam which assesses their skills in both Finnish and English languages at a level that enables learning. The entrance exam for year 1 includes tasks in both Finnish and English. Applicants don’t need to know how to read or write. No preparation or practice is required for the exam.

For more information on the application periods and links, please follow the lahti.fi -website for bilingual education.

Application from 2nd to 9th grades

Application for grades from 2nd to 9th is possible if there are available student places. The application period for the next school year is in April – May.

The applicants will take an entrance exam which assesses their skills in Finnish and English at their age level. The entrance exam includes tasks in both Finnish and English.

For more information on the application periods and links, please follow the lahti.fi -website for bilingual education.

Student selection

To pass the entrance exam the applicant has to reach a set minimum score. The applicants must achieve predetermined minimum scores both in the Finnish and English sections. Up to 24 applicants who pass the entrance exam will be selected for the bilingual education based on their exam scores. Priority is given to applicants living in the Lahti area. If applicants receive the same score on the entrance exam, their order will be determined by a draw.

General info

Starting in autumn 2025, Tiirismaa Comprehensive School will offer education in English for grades 1-9. The English-language instruction will follow the Finnish national curriculum for basic education, but the students are taught in English. Each grade will also have Finnish language instruction to ensure that students have the option to continue their studies in Finnish after basic education.

In the initial phase, students are taught in combined classes. The education is intended for children living in the Lahti area. The guardians are responsible for the student’s transportation to and from the school.

Application and Student Selection

Application

Who can apply?

The student’s place of residence is Lahti. If the student is moving to Lahti, they can be considered a future resident of Lahti during the entrance exam phase. However, only applicants who are residents of Lahti will be granted a student place. If the child moves away from Lahti, their right to study in English-medium basic education will end at the end of the current academic year.

Students can only apply to the grade level corresponding their age according to the Finnish basic education system.

To participate in the entrance exam, the student’s native language must be English, or they must have previously attended English-medium basic education.

In the academic year 2025-2026, the principle of continuous application will be followed. Applications can be submitted starting from July 15, 2025.

From the academic year 2026-2027, applications will be conducted twice a year, in August and January.

Entrance exam and student selection

The entrance exam is organized after application, and it will primarily be held in person. If a child is moving from another country to Finland at the time of the entrance exam, the participation may be arranged remotely according to specific guidelines set by the school.

Applicants will take an entrance exam that assesses their language skills appropriate for their age level and their skills in English at a level that enables learning.

To pass the entrance exam, the applicant must achieve a minimum of 60% of the total score.

More information

Mari Kiuru, mari.kiuru@lahti.fi