History

Our school started on September 1st, 1884. In the beginning the school had only 16 students but the number grew fast. Many students came from outside of Tornio because it was the closest town to complete higher studies. The school was first held in Cossack barracks and later in an apartment owned by Charles Ekman. Our current school building was built in 1914 and it was first used as Russian barracks. When Finland became independent the school moved to this building. The 1917-18 war affected school s functioning. It had to be closed for a while and part of the students lost their lives while fighting in the war. In 1928 the school was called Tornion yhteislyseo. That year the school was enlarged and repaired. During the World War II the school was used by the German army, from the year 1941 onwards. During the war years the building suffered severe damages and the school wasn t able to continue its function until 1945. In 1953 a fire caused by a cigarette damaged the school building. The number of students having grown after the war the building had to be enlarged again in 1957-58. In 1961 there were 800 students in this school. In 1998 our school got an international line of studies, called Eurolukio. In 2005-2006, after the fusion of two schools in Tornio, our school became the only upper secondary school in town. As the oldest upper secondary school in Lapland, our school is now 128 years old.

Comprehensive school
Comprehensive school is free for every child living in Finland. Pre-school Pre-school is a playschool where you also learn the basics of mathematics as well as Finnish grammar. Children go to pre-school usually in the same year they turn six and a year before they go to primary school. Pre-school is not compulsory but it belongs to basic education and most Finnish children attend it. Primary school Primary school is compulsory for the children of 7 to 12. It consists of six forms and each one lasts a year. In primary school one learns to read and write properly and starts to study more subjects, for example biology, physical education and English and Swedish or some foreign other language in greater cities. But for the languages, primary school teachers are usually class teachers.

Secondary school For teens aged 13-16 , it consists of classes 7-9. Secondary school is compulsory education. Pupils study the same basic subjects as in primary school but they also choose some optional subjects.

Vocational school and combined senior secondary and vocational studies

In Finland after comprehensive school one can choose between vocational school and senior secondary school. It is also possible to combine these two studies, thus having a trade plus passing the matriculation examination. Vocational school The purpose of vocational school is to have a trade after finishing the studies. For example after three years one can be a hairdresser or a plumber. The idea is only to study skills needed to a certain trade and not so many general subjects. The studies last about three years and during that time one also has to practice the trade in real life. Combined senior secondary and vocational studies If one cannot decide between vocational school and upper secondary school it is possible to combine them. This alternative takes about four years of studying, alternating the terms in both schools. One has to carry out a certain number of compulsory courses but they don t entitle to the upper secondary school diploma. Nevertheless, one has to carry out the whole vocational school syllabus. Having taken the compulsory courses in upper secondary school, one can also pass the matriculation examination.

Upper secondary school (=lukio) and higher education

Upper secondary education is for those who have finished their lower degree studies. At the end of upper secondary school a student usually attends the matriculation examination ylioppilastutkinto, which is a national examination serving as a necessary qualification for starting academic studies at university. In general, the objective of upper secondary school is to accomplish the matriculation examination. Upper secondary school curriculum consists of the minimum of 75 course credits, of which 47 or 51 are obligatory. The number of obligatory courses depends on the level of mathematics the student chooses, which can be either advanced or standard. Our school year is divided into five terms, each of which lasts about 7 weeks. During each term a student takes six or seven subjects, i.e. six or seven courses. Each course consists of about 18 lessons of 75 minutes (three lessons per week). At the end of each term there is a 7-day exam period of the subjects studied during the term. Languages are divided in different categories in upper secondary school. Advanced level A-language (usually English, starting in the third grade in primary school) and B1-language (starting in the 7h form, usually Swedish) are obligatory for everyone. The student must study at least two languages, of which at least one has to be advanced and the other must be the second national language (Finland has two official languages, Finnish and Swedish). Instead of one A and one B1 languages a student can also study two Alanguages, depending on the choice the municipality has to offer. B2 and B3 languages are optional. B2 starts in the 8th grade and B3 in upper secondary school. In addition to compulsory courses a student must have accomplished at least ten optional courses before they can be accepted as baccalaureates. Upper secondary school lasts from two to four years. It s possible to graduate as a baccalaureate either in autumn or in spring. Most students graduate in three years. School marks are graded from 4 (failure) to 10. One cannot become a baccalaureate, if one has not carried out the curriculum of lukio. The certificate of graduation and the matriculation examination are two separate things, someone may choose not to take part in the matriculation examination. School traditions The second formers are called wanhat (the old) after penkinpainajaiset, the schoolleaving day of the third formers. The final year students are called abiturientti abi . There are two very special occasions in Finnish upper secondary schools nationwide: the ball of the new seniors vanhojentanssit , and the school leaving day of the third formers.

MATRICULATION EXAMINATION
History The matriculation examination was first arranged in Finland in 1852. At first it was the entrance examination to Helsinki University. One had to show sufficient evidence of an all-round education and knowledge of Latin. The matriculation examination has always been an essential part of Finnish civilization. Nowadays The purpose of the examination is to discover whether pupils have assimilated the knowledge and skills required by the curriculum. The examination also tests the students level of maturity. Passing the examination entitles the candidate to continue their studies at university, after passing the additional entrance examination. Common facts The matriculation examination is held twice a year, in spring and in autumn. The examination is held in all Finnish upper secondary schools at the same time. A candidate must complete the examination during not more than three consecutive examination periods. The examination can also be completed in one examination period. A candidate must participate in at least four different exams. There is no limit to how many exams a candidate can participate in. The Finnish language examination is the only test which is mandatory for all students. A candidate can choose all the other subjects freely. List of subjects Mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry, geography, health education, mother tongue (Finnish or Swedish), Swedish, English, Spanish, French, German, Russian, philosophy, psychology, history, religion or ethics, social studies Higher education There are 16 universities and 28 Universities of Applied Studies in Finland. A student has to pass entrance test in order to be accepted. Finnish students do not pay any tuition fees.