Weighted-curriculum education

Some of our schools offer weighted-curriculum education from grade 1, 3 or 7 onwards. Weighted-curriculum education emphasises a certain subject or subject area. The available options are Art expression, Communications, Dance arts, Digital visual arts, Domestic science and physical education, Latin, Mathematics, Mathematics and natural sciences, Media education, Modern dance, Movement, Dance and expression, Music, Nature and science, Physical education, Self-expression, Technology education and Visual arts.

Pupils studying in weighted-curriculum education may have 1–2 hours longer school weeks than pupils studying in general education.

Pupils applying for weighted-curriculum education must take an aptitude test that tests the pupils’ ability to study the weighted subject area they have applied for. Schools with the same weighted-curriculum instruction apply the same aptitude test and hold the tests at the same time.

Applicants living in Helsinki 

  • Apply to Grade 1: Weighted-curriculum education starting in grade 1 is offered in one school: Poronlahti Comprehensive school's, special emphasis in music. Apply with a PDF form in January when all future-first grades enrol to school. The PDF will be uploaded here closer to the application period.
  • Apply to Grade 3: Register for the aptitude test via Wilma. Application period is in January. Applications for the weighted-curriculum in music at the Swedish-language school Kottby Grundskola follow the school's own guidelines. For more detailed instructions, see Kottby Grundskolan website, section 'Intensifierad musikundervisning från årskurs 3'.
  • Apply to Grade 7: register for the aptitude test via Wilma. Application period is in January. Applications for the weighted-curriculum in music at the Swedish-language school Kottby Grundskola follow the school's own guidelines. For more detailed instructions, see Kottby Grundskolan website, section 'Intensifierad musikundervisning från årskurs 7'.
  • For more information on the dates and the equipment needed for the selection tests, visit the school website.  Find all our comprehensive schools on the Comprehensive Schools page.

Applicants living in other cities

Please note that applicants enrolled in municipal schools in Helsinki are given priority in the admissions. If there are free places in the study groups, applicants from other cities can also be admitted. You can find detailed instructions in each grade's own section.

More detailed schedules and additional information about the aptitude tests and the equipment needed for them are available on the school’s own websites. You can find all Helsinki's comprehensive schools on this page.

Schools offering weighted-curriculum education

Weighted-curriculum education beginning in Grade 1

To gain admission to weighted-curriculum education, a pupil must take an aptitude test. More detailed schedules and additional information about the aptitude tests and the equipment needed for them are available on the school’s website.

Weighted-curriculum education beginning in Grade 3

To gain admission to weighted-curriculum education, pupils must take an aptitude test, registering for it via Wilma.

Pupils can apply for five different options, i.e. schools/weighted subject areas. The applied for options should be listed in the order of preference. Schools with the same weighted-curriculum education subjects will use the same aptitude test, and pupils will participate in the examination at the school they listed as their first choice.

More detailed schedules and additional information about the aptitude tests and the equipment needed for them are available on the school’s website.

Art expression studies visual arts, music, crafts and performing arts. Pupils in art expression make their own works of art and joint projects. Pupils visit different cultural institutions, such as theatres and museums. Cooperation is pursued with different cultural operators.

Different art subjects are emphasised in different years. In the 4th grade, the emphasis is on crafts, in the 5th grade on music and in the 6th grade on visual arts. In the 8th grade of the lower secondary school, the emphasis is on theatrical expression and in the 9th grade on an art form important for each individual pupil. In the 3rd grade and 7th grade, pupils get to know different fields of art.

The aptitude test includes tasks in visual arts, music, crafts and performing arts. In the aptitude test, the pupil shows that they are able to cooperate.

The weighted curriculum in art expression can be studied at Puistopolku Comprehensive School.

In contemporary dance, the pupil expresses themselves by moving and doing things together with others. Pupils watch dance performances, have discussions and write about their own dancing. Pupils perform at school parties and at the dance pupils’ Dance Festival. Dance pupils work together with music pupils.

In the aptitude test, the pupil performs teacher-led exercises in a group. The exercises assess the pupil’s motoric and dance skills. They also assess the pupil’s courage to produce their own movement.

The weighted curriculum in dance can be studied at Kaisaniemi Primary School. The weighted curriculum in contemporary dance at the lower secondary school level is called dance art.
 

Pupils in the weighted curriculum in music study singing, playing, music knowledge, music history and music and movement. Pupils play music together. 

In the aptitude test, the pupil sings and performs rhythm and melody tasks.

The weighted curriculum in music can be studied at the comprehensive schools of Laajasalo, Pakila, Suutarila and Vuoniitty, as well as at Oulunkylä Primary School. The Swedish-language weighted curriculum education in music is provided at Åshöjdens grundskola. 

Motoric skills in different sports are practised in physical education. The exercises consist of movement skills, sports skills, balance skills and equipment handling skills. Functional learning methods can also be used in all the lessons.

The aptitude test measures general physical activity skills with tests suitable for children.

The weighted curriculum in physical education can be studied at the comprehensive schools of Haaga, Pukinmäenkaari, Merilahti and Puistopolku, as well as Tahvonlahti Primary School.

Performing arts means the ability to express oneself. Performing arts is studied in a group through play and roles. Speaking, moving and dancing, theatre and music are practiced in the performing arts class. The goal is that the pupil finds their own way of expressing themselves.

The aptitude test has a variety of expression tasks.

The weighted curriculum in expression can be studied at Kannelmäki Comprehensive School.

Visual arts studies drawing, painting, design and construction using different techniques and materials. The pupil develops their own personal expression and creativity in visual arts.

The aptitude test has a variety of art tasks.

The weighted curriculum in visual arts can be studied at Pikku-Huopalahti Primary School and Aleksis Kivi Comprehensive School.

Weighted-curriculum education beginning in Grade 7

To gain admission to weighted-curriculum education, pupils must take an aptitude test, registering for it via Wilma. Pupils can apply for five different options, i.e. schools/weighted subject areas. The applied for options should be listed in the order of preference. Schools with the same weighted-curriculum education areas will use the same aptitude test, (with the exception of Helsinki Normal Lyceum, which uses its own aptitude test for Latin) and pupils will participate in the test at the school they listed as their first choice.

More detailed schedules and additional information about the aptitude tests and the equipment needed for them are available on the school’s website.

Art expression studies visual arts, music, crafts and performing arts. Pupils art expression make their own works of art and joint projects. Pupils visit different cultural institutions, such as theatres and museums. Cooperation is pursued with different cultural operators. Different art subjects are emphasised in different years. In the 7th grade, pupils get acquainted with different fields of art. In the 8th grade, the emphasis is on theatrical expression and in the 9th grade on an art form important for each individual pupil.

The aptitude test includes tasks in visual arts, music, crafts and performing arts. In the aptitude test, the pupil shows that they are able to cooperate.

The weighted curriculum in art expression can be studied at Puistopolku Comprehensive School.

The weighted curriculum in communication is suitable for anyone interested in communication, expression, information technology, creative writing and cooperation. The communication curriculum includes communication and expression exercises - together and alone. In addition, media literacy is practiced. Pupils create media works, such as videos, advertisements and magazines. At the same time, they learn information and communication technology. Communication pupils make study excursions. In the 9th grade, pupils study visual communication.

The aptitude test assesses the pupil’s communication skills.

The weighted curriculum in communication can be studied at Vartiokylä Lower Secondary School.

The pupil gets acquainted with their own movement and dance as art, as well as works in a group and practices performing in various parties and events at the school and the local environment. Pupils watch performances and visit museums, exhibitions and workshops. Dance art cooperates with other schools and cultural operators.

In the aptitude test, the pupil completes teacher-led tasks both alone and in a small group of 9–12 people. The pupil shows their capabilities in movement-based tasks and group work.

The weighted curriculum in dance art can be studied at Kruununhaka Lower Secondary School.

The weighted curriculum in digital visual arts uses makes more extensive use of digital tools, such as computers and tablets.

The aptitude test is the same as in the visual arts aptitude test, but in addition contains one task that measures digital image capabilities.

The weighted curriculum in digital visual arts can be studied at Meilahti Lower Secondary School.

The pupil prepares meals in a healthy and ecological way, exercises in a varied way and also encourages other pupils to exercise. The pupil learns camping skills, such as preparing food and getting around in nature, on various excursions. Pupils practice planning and organising sports events. Teaching focuses on everyday, health and experience exercise. The goal is for the pupil to learn how to promote their own and others' well-being.

The aptitude test has tasks that measure the ability to plan and direct physical exercise sessions in a group. The aptitude test has various written tasks related to domestic science and well-being.

The weighted curriculum in domestic science and physical education can be studied at the Nordic Comprehensive School.

Pupils in Latin classes study Latin, ancient history and Greco-Roman mythology. The pupil develops their Latin language skills, which supports the learning of the mother tongue and other languages. Studying Latin broadly supports the understanding of learned borrowings and culture. Latin is studied as an optional B2 language.

The aptitude test measures Finnish language skills. There is a separate aptitude test for Helsinki Normal Lyceum. 

The weighted curriculum in Latin can be studied at Helsinki Normal Lyceum and the secondary schools of Herttoniemi and Töölö.

In mathematics, the pupil becomes enthusiastic about solving mathematical problems and deepens their mathematical understanding. It is nice to learn mathematics with others who are interested in mathematics. Mathematics skill are deepened and applied more than in other classes.

The aptitude test looks at the pupil’s basic calculation and verbal problem-solving skills. No calculators are used in the test.

The weighted curriculum in mathematics can be studied at the secondary schools of Maunula, Munkkiniemi, Pohjois-Haaga and Töölö, as well as at Helsingin Yhteislyseo Secondary School.

Pupils study and observe natural science phenomena. The studies include investigations and study visits. Each grade has its own theme, which involves an artistic and practical subject. Pupils in the 7th grade study the Baltic Sea, combining biology and visual arts. In the 8th grade, pupils make excursions to the forest and get acquainted with the connections between physics and physical education. 9th grade pupils cook and study chemistry as well as combine mathematics and geography.

The aptitude test has various tasks related to natural sciences and mathematics.

The weighted curriculum in mathematics and natural sciences can be studied at Vartiokylä Lower Secondary School.

Photography, videotaping and writing news and other media texts are practiced in the studies. In addition, media contents are studied. The pupils do their own media work in the lessons. The school’s photography and video tools and computers are used in media education. No own equipment is required. Media education pupils visit various media operators, such as newspaper editing rooms or companies as well as exhibitions.

The aptitude test has two parts: a group work test and an individual test. In the group work test, the pupil demonstrates that they are able to work together with others. In the individual test, the pupil performs writing and drawing tasks.

The weighted curriculum in media education can be studied at the comprehensive schools of Hiidenkivi and Vuoniitty.

The pupil can familiarise themselves with a theme that interests them: dance, drama, making cinema, visual arts, stage design, music, as well as performance technology, that is, sound reproduction and stage lighting. In the 7th grade, pupils get to know the various areas of the weighted curriculum. They deepen their knowledge in the 8th and 9th grade, specialising in a topic that interests them.

The aptitude test has various functional and creative tasks.

The weighted curriculum in expression can be studied at Pitäjänmäki Comprehensive School.

The teaching includes varied playing and singing exercises, the utilisation of music technology and the creative production of music. The main emphasis is on exercising music together, and the pupil also has the opportunity to develop their own skills and interests. Pupils play different instruments, develop their own musical expression and participate in various projects and performances.

The aptitude test includes rhythm and melody tasks, and the pupil gives a possible singing and/or playing sample.

The weighted curriculum in music can be studied at Kruununhaka Lower Secondary School, at the comprehensive schools of Laajasalo, Pakila, Porolahti, Suutarila and Vuoniitty, as well as at Oulunkylä Secondary School. Swedish-language weighted curriculum education in music is provided by Åshöjdens grundskola.

The weighted curriculum in nature and science supports the learning of biology, chemistry and physics in a practical way. The emphasis is suitable for anyone who is interested in nature, laboratory work or astronomy, for example. The pupil acquaints themselves with a wide range of natural science topics. Among others, study excursions are made, space and nature are studied and research is practiced. The pupil learns how they can influence their own environment and what kind of living environment the Earth is.

The aptitude test has applied tasks in natural science subjects.

The weighted curriculum in nature and science can be studied at the comprehensive schools of Käpylä, Merilahti and Vesala.

Physical education – Sports classes

Various sports and a wide range of basic forms of exercise are practised in physical education. Pupils have the opportunity to participate in sports exercises coordinated by Urhea before and after the school day a couple of times a week.

The aptitude test has indoor tests measuring movement skills, speed, endurance, strength, balance skills, sense of rhythm, mobility and equipment handling skills. About the test: www.soveltuvuuskoe.fi

The weighted curriculum in physical education can be studied at the comprehensive schools of Haaga, Itäkeskus, Laajasalo, Merilahti and Pakila, Puistopolku and Pukinmäenkaari and Maunula Secondary School.

Physical Education - Sports Classes (Urhea)

Sports-focused lower secondary schools have a sports-focused lower secondary school status granted by the Finnish Olympic Committee. The aim of sports-focused lower secondary schools is to support young competitive athletes in combining studies and sports, as well as in growing up as athletes. Pupils participate in sports and physical training coordinated by Urhea. Teaching is planned in such a way that pupils have the opportunity to participate in morning and afternoon sports coaching.

The aptitude test has indoor tests measuring movement skills, speed, endurance, strength, balance skills, sense of rhythm, mobility and equipment handling skills. About the test: www.soveltuvuuskoe.fi. In addition, the pupil participates in a specific sport test of their choice.

A sports class is available at the comprehensive schools of Haaga, Pasila, Puistolu and Pukinmäenkaari and the secondary schools of Herttoniemi and Pohjois-Haaga. Learn more: https://urhea.fi/

Performing arts means the ability to express oneself. Performing arts are studied in a group through play and roles. Speaking, moving and dancing, theatre and music are practiced in the expression class. The goal is that the pupil finds their own way of expressing themselves.

The aptitude test has different expression tasks.

The weighted curriculum in expression can be studied at Kannelmäki Comprehensive School.

The teaching is suitable for anyone interested in applied problem solving, craftsmanship and information technology. The teaching includes versatile use of technology. With the help of technology, artistic and practical subjects are combined with theoretical subjects: the “Chemistry in the kitchen” theme studies chemistry, domestic science and information technology.

In the aptitude test, the pupil performs applied tasks that require reasoning skills, for example. The aptitude test involves technical drawing with a pencil and paper.

The weighted curriculum in technology education can be studied at Aurinkolahti Comprehensive School.

The pupil focuses on and deepens their knowledge of different ways of making pictures. Pictures are made by drawing, painting, shaping, constructing and using digital tools, for example. The pupil is part of an artistic school community. Pupils participate in cooperation between subjects and art projects and get acquainted with current cultural offerings.

The aptitude test has a variety of art tasks.

The weighted curriculum in visual arts can be studied at Meilahti Lower Secondary School, Aleksis Kivi Comprehensive School, Porolahti Comprehensive School, Helsingin Uusi Yhteiskoulu Secondary School and Helsingin Yhteislyseo Secondary School.