Bilingual education in English and Finnish

A pilot for bilingual English-Finnish education will be launched at Peipon koulu in August 2026. The pilot will begin with a group in the first grade.

The aim of bilingual education is for the student to achieve good and diverse language skills in both the school’s teaching language (Finnish) and the target language (English). Both languages are used in parallel in different subjects, but about 50 to 75 % of the teaching will be in English. However, Finnish language teaching is always carried out in Finnish. The content of teaching is the same as in Finnish-language education.

After grades 1-6, the bilingual teaching is set to continue at the lower secondary school Pääskytien koulu, where 25 to 50 % of the teaching will be in English.

The application period for the bilingual education is open from 19 November to 31 December 2025. All students starting first grade in the autumn of 2026 can apply. Applications are open to children from Porvoo and other municipalities.

Applications are submitted via Wilma. If you are not able to use Wilma, a paper application can be submitted to Peipon koulu by 31 December 2025.

Admission decisions are based on a entrance examination, which all applicants will attend. The entrance exam will take place on 21 January 2026 from 9:00 to 11:00 at Peipon koulu. No separate invitation will be sent, all applicants are welcome.

The exam assesses language awareness, listening comprehension, concept understanding, memory, perception, and ability to follow verbal instructions. Bilingual eduation requires special commitment from both the child and the family. If a child has challenges with learning, reading, or writing, applying is not recommended.

Applying for bilingual education does not require prior English skills. The entrance exam can also be taken in English.

Decisions about admission will be announced in connection with other school placement decisions in February 2026. For students from Porvoo who are accepted, Peipon koulu will be their designated school. For students from other municipalities, Peipon koulu will serve as a secondary school.

An info event will be held for all interested guardians at Peipon koulu on Wednesday 19.11.2025 at 18.00. Join the event to learn more about the application process, the entrance examination and the implementation of bilingual education. Teachers and teaching management are present to answer questions.