Questions about admissions
We have gathered answers to the questions parents ask most often at the open day and in conversations with the school office.
Catchment area and admissions route
How do I know if I live in the school catchment area?
The easiest way is to check the list of streets on the school catchment area page. The catchment area is set by a municipal council resolution and does not always match the nearest school.
If in doubt, the school office will check your address by phone.
We live in the catchment area but are not registered here. What then?
What counts is the place of residence, not the registered address. Parents confirm it with a statement attached to the registration form.
Can a child from the catchment area be refused admission?
No. Children living in the catchment area are admitted automatically, regardless of the number of registrations. When there are more registrations than expected, we open an additional class.
Can we apply to several schools at once?
Yes, to up to three public schools. In the request you list the chosen schools in order of preference.
A child from the catchment area can also apply to another school. Their place at the catchment school is guaranteed anyway.
Child's age
My child turns 6 this year. Can they start first grade?
Yes, at the parents' request. The condition is attending pre-school education in the previous year or an opinion on school readiness from the psychological and educational counselling centre.
How do we defer compulsory schooling?
Parents submit an application to the head teacher of the catchment school together with an opinion from the psychological and educational counselling centre. A child whose schooling is deferred continues pre-school education.
Does a seven-year-old need a certificate of school readiness?
No. The counselling centre's opinion is only needed when starting school early or deferring compulsory schooling.
Documents and dates
When are documents submitted?
Registration forms and applications are usually accepted in March. The exact dates for the given year are set by the governing authority, and we publish them in the admissions timetable.
Do both parents have to sign the registration form or application?
Yes, unless one parent has sole parental authority. In that case a document confirming this is attached.
Can I register my child online?
You can start registration with an online form. The school office replies by e-mail and arranges a time to sign the registration form or application at school.
What if we are late submitting the documents?
Documents submitted after the deadline are considered in the supplementary admissions round, if places are left. A child from the catchment area is admitted even after the deadline.
Where can I check whether my child has been admitted?
Lists of candidates are posted by the main entrance. Because of children's personal data, we do not publish them online or give results by phone.
Our child has been admitted, but we are moving. What should we do?
A written notice to the school office is enough. The freed place goes to the supplementary admissions round.
We are moving during the school year. Will you admit our child?
Yes. A child living in the catchment area is admitted automatically, at any time of year. An application and records from the previous school are needed.
Classes and organisation
Do you have specialised classes?
No. All classes follow the same core curriculum and have the same number of hours. We develop children's interests in extra activities, with sign-up in September.
How many children will be in the class?
Classes in Grades 1–3 have no more than 25 students. If there are more registrations, we create an additional class.
Can we ask for a particular form teacher?
Form teachers are assigned by the head teacher, taking into account how the whole school is organised. Requests to place a child in the same class as a friend are met where possible.
When will we meet the form teacher and find out who is in the class?
At the end of August, the school office sends parents of first-graders an email with the class assignment and the form teacher's name. You can ask about the class composition at the school office or the form teacher. We do not post or publish children's names.
Parents meet the form teacher in person on the first day of school.
Care and meals
Is after-school club enrolment part of admissions?
No, it is a separate procedure. Registration for the next school year takes place in June, and children admitted later are registered at the beginning of September.
What are the after-school club's hours and does it cost anything?
The after-school club is open from 6:30 to 17:00, and care there is free of charge. Parents pay only for lunches.
Does my child have to eat lunch at school?
No, lunches are optional. Parents submit the lunch declaration at the beginning of the school year.
Getting ready for school
What should I buy for the starter kit?
The items on the list from the form teacher are enough. The school provides textbooks and workbooks, and we buy art supplies in bulk for the whole class.
Does my child need to be able to read before first grade?
No. Reading and writing are taught in first grade, at each child's own pace.
Is there a school uniform?
No. For school ceremonies formal dress is required: a white blouse or shirt and dark trousers or a skirt.