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Non-residents, meaning persons living outside Turku, can apply for a right to study in the schools of Turku. The parent or guardian should deliver the application directly to the school they wish to apply to.
Special classes mean classes that emphasize certain subjects by the specific decision of the Education Committee.
Language-oriented classes start in the first year. Classes emphasizing music, mathematics, sports and art start in the third year.
The student’s local secondary school is determined by the primary school. The student has a right to apply for some other school as well regardless of area borders.
Parents or guardians of the students will be informed about the transition to the seventh year during the turn of the year. Information sessions will be held in secondary schools in January.
Parents or guardians of students will be informed about applying to special classes in December.
When moving on to the third year in Turku it is possible to apply to a special class. Apply through the Wilma Turku system by 13 January 2019 at the latest.
Language-oriented classes start in the first year. However, it is possible to take in a few extra students when moving on to the third year, if there are places in the class. Students who wish to apply to a language-oriented class should do so during the application period.
In the 2024–2025 school year, parents will register children starting first grade at the school through Wilma by Sunday, January 14, 2024.
Transition from preschool to primary school
Local schools co-operate with preschool units to make it easier for the child to start school. The co-operation forms and practices vary among schools and areas. Every school has assigned a contact teacher who coordinates the co-operation between preschool education and the school. Local schools organize visiting days for new students in spring.
School transport applications concerning charter transportations (+ attachments) for the school year 2024 - 2025 should be delivered to the Education Division School Transports by 31 May 2024.
You should apply for school transport by sending an application form either via email or by regular mail to the Education Division School Transports. Any attachments, such as expert opinions, should be delivered together with the application.
The school bus card is valid in the buses of Turku’s internal public transport on schooldays and it entitles for two trips per day. Time limit for changing buses is 75 minutes.
Loading the card
A granted bus card should be reclaimed from the Public Traffic Service Office (Aurakatu 5). A student whose right for school transport remains valid to the following school year should load their card at the Service Office in the beginning of August (no need to post a new application).
Organizations, communities, companies and private persons can rent school facilities outside teaching hours (mostly weekday evenings and weekends).
Payments
The costs for renting school facilities can be found on the application form. The principal of the school may also allow the use of school facilities for free or for 20% discount if the criteria mentioned on the application form are met. The renter must also pay for a supervisor if the principal demands that a supervisor needs to be present.
Morning and afternoon activities for pupils in Turku
Pupils in grades 1–2 and pupils in basic education who have a decision on special support can participate in the morning and afternoon activities of basic education organised by the City of Turku.
Turku International School offers Afternoon activities for or first and second year students in English.
School menus can be found in Finnish on the web pages of Kaarea:
- Menus for primary schools (menu.kaarea.fi in Finnish)
- Menus for secondary schools and upper secondary schools (menu.kaarea.fi in Finnish)
According to the Basic Education Act the school pupil has a right for free school transportation if the way to school is longer than 5 km or it takes longer than 2,5 hours (3 hours for over 13-year-olds). The transportation benefit may also be granted based on the dangerous nature of the school trip or on an expert opinion that the trip to school is too difficult or tiresome compared to the health or developmental level of the school pupil.
Parents have the primary responsibility in the upbringing of their child. The school is responsible for the child’s teaching and bringing up as a member of the school community. The task of the school is to provide the parents or guardians information so that they can follow and promote the learning and school attendance of their children.
The law on basic education obligates schools to co-operate with homes. The co-operation may be related to:
- the learning of the child
- evaluation
- writing a curriculum
- developing the operations of the school
Basic education means general education for the entire age group and it covers school years from 1 to 9. Basic education is free of charge and its objective is to provide the abilities and competence for the studies of the next education phase. Teaching is based on the accepted curriculum.
The student’s local school is determined by their address of residence. The student can also apply for another school but the student has a primary right to get to the local school of their student area.
Support for learning and growth is part of high quality basic education. Support for learning and school attendance is available for all students. Forms of support include the student’s pedagogical support, guidance and student welfare. The student has a right for early, systematic and proactive support. The support received by the student must be flexible, persevering, and it must transform according to the student’s needs. Different forms of support can be used singly or in conjunction with others so that they complement each other.
The Kylämäki Village in Kurala is a recreation and cultural area for the whole family to enjoy. You can explore the area any time of the year and stay for a picnic or get to know the endearing farm animals.
In the summertime you can learn about life on the farm in the 1950s with the guidance of a woman farmer. You can also participate in workshops and courses throughout the year, and during the summer you can watch work demonstrations and even try your own hand in farm work.
Safety instructions for participants in Children´s wonderland
• Anyone can atted the event, number of participants is not limited. One can arrive to the event when ever.
• Every child should have a responsible adult with them. We recommend that one adult is needed for 1-3 children.
Preschools and Comprehensive schools (basic education)
The services organise and develop the city's education and teaching services. The services consist of six (6) service areas:
- Joint services
- Early childhood education and care
- Basic education
- General upper secondary education and adult education
- Vocational education
- Swedish language education and training
The director of the Education services is Timo Jalonen.
The main goal of the event was collaboration, sharing of ideas and thoughts, and constructive dialogue between citizens and city employees.