Frequently asked questions

Finnish education
Polar School concept
Company

Why Finnish education system is so good?

One of the key factors behind Finland’s good educational performance is the fact that the whole educational system, including the teacher training, is research-and-evidence based. Partnership with us will ensure that we will bring the newest developments in Finnish education to your education center. You can read more about Finnish education here.

How big are Finnish schools?

The legislation in Finland does not set any fixed minimum m2 for a school or a classroom. However, the average size of a cross-area in a Finnish school per one student is 14 m2 and per admin person 20 m2 . Our network of Finnish architect companies that are specialized in Finnish school building requirements can help you to design the school of your dreams. Read more about the Polar School concept here.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Finland?

The legislation in Finland does not set a minimum or maximum student-teacher ratio but Municipalities often set local targets for this. At the moment the average classroom size for grades 1-3 is 18 students, grades 4-9 is 20 students, and grades 10-12 is 25 students. Average group sizes in basic education in Finland have for a long time been below the OECD average.

Is there homework in Finnish schools?

There is a limited amount of homework, but in general, the workload is much lighter than in other countries. Polar Partners’ school concept highly emphasizes student-centered, active learning methods, which take into account that learning happens both inside and outside the school in academic and non-academic activities. You can read more about Finnish education here.

Are there tests or national evaluations in Finnish schools?

The focus of the Finnish education system is on learning rather than testing. The majority of the assessment in a Finnish school is formative, which means that the purpose of assessment is to gather information to improve the learning of students and not to report the student’s performance. You can read more about Finnish education here.

Have you worked as teachers? How do you know it works?

Our Polar School concept is research-and-evidence based and we at Polar Partners are experienced, pedagogical experts. We’ve also worked as teachers, so we know things from a practical level too. In our partner network, there are hundreds of education experts from teachers to professors. You can count on getting the best possible partner in the education business. You can read more about our team here.

POLAR SCHOOL CONCEPT

How to build a school with Finnish standards?

The school building & learning environment design in Finland always starts with a Pedagogical plan, which describes the operational culture, type of pedagogical approach, and actions that are taking place in the school. Key aspects to consider in the school building planning process are health and safety, accessibility, ergonomics and sustainability, acoustics, and lightning. The school facade is always planned to fit the surrounding landscape and therefore can look modern, futuristic, or more traditional. In terms of the interior design, materials used in the school, or the general feel or colors, the schools have the freedom to choose what they like. We highly recommend engaging an experienced Finnish architect in your school design project early on, in order to guarantee the quality and success of your investment.

How much does the new K-12 school cost?

With the Polar School concept, you get a high-quality Finnish curriculum-based school where every function has been thought through. That is why setting up a school isn´t a small investment but it starts to pay value for money about a few years after it is launched. Feel free to contact us and ask more about the costs. Read more about how to start new K-12 school with us.

Why are there 7 different components in Polar Partners’ school concept?

Polar Partners school concept is a unique product, carefully designed and improved over several years by Finnish education experts. Our school services are divided into seven different components (curriculum, teacher training, management training, student support, learning environment, learning materials, and project management) that altogether make up a first-class school that can provide the best possible learning opportunities for the children. You can read more about the Polar Partners School concept here.

What does the “Finnish International School” mean?

Finnish International School follows the set standards for an international private school based on Finnish education. For a Finnish-style school to be recognized in Finland (and in the local country) it needs to follow certain standards such have a localized curriculum approved in both Finland and in the local country, having a teacher training program, Finnish partner in designing the school. These standards can be followed with Polar Partners. The teachers at FIS underwent the intensive professional development conducted by the Finnish education experts, which guarantees that the instructional process at FIS immerses its pupils in a totally Finnish education experience. You can read more about the Polar Partners School concept here.

Is it possible to establish a Finnish K-12 school in my country?

Yes, we have the comprehensive school concept and if you are ready to meet the high-quality standards of a recognized Finnish International School, then we are a perfect fit. You can read more about starting the K-12 school here.

POLAR PARTNERS

How can I be a part of your partner network?

Because of our concept, we prefer Finnish partners. If you feel you have a product or service that would fit as a part of the school concept and you would like to join our partner network, please don´t hesitate to contact us. We are always looking for great new solutions! You can read more about our network here.

How can I be one of your sales representatives?

We are constantly looking for new sales representatives to vend our K-12 school concept worldwide. We are searching for people who have experience in the field of education in their own country, good networks, and an understanding of K-12 school business and concepts. As a reliable partner, we will compensate our sales representatives for bringing new sales to lead to us. Read more here.