Enrolling to Grade 1

Important dates

1. November 2026

   We will post the Tervetuloa kouluun ('Welcome to School') guide at the beginning of November to children born in 2020. Version in English will become available as an online pdf version.

2. 16 November 2026 –

   Schools may hold information events. School-specific times will be published on each school's own website in autumn. 

3. 7 January 2027

   Compulsory education note that will be posted to the child’s home address on 7 January 2027.

4. 11–24 January 2027

   School enrolment takes place online. In addition to enrolling to your local school, you can apply for weighted-curriculum and bilingual education, as well as to a school other than the local school. If your child is about to start school in 2027, we will notify you with a compulsory education note that will be posted to the child’s home address in 7 January 2027.

   If the child does not enrol in education provided in a local school organised by the city (for example is enrolling to a private school or home-schooling), let us know via the online service. It is important to report this information because the city monitors compulsory education attendance. 

5. 26 January–9 February 2027 Aptitude and language tests

   If you applied for a place in weighted-curriculum education or education in other languages, the child must take a test. 

   The tests will be held between 26 January and 9 February 2027. Check the school websites for the test details. 

6. 20 January at 8–10 am

   You can also get help in enrolling your child to school by visiting the school on Wednesday 20 January at 8–10 am. Bring the compulsory education note with you. If you have already enrolled electronically, you do not have to visit the school. 

7. 24 January 2027

   If you wish to enrol the child to a school other than the local school according to the child's home address, make sure you have all guardians' consent. Consents must be given by 24 January 2027.

8. 25 January 2027 –

   If you move to Helsinki after the enrolment period has ended, please contact the principal at your local school. Check your local school with your home address at hel.fi/servicemap.

   If you move to Helsinki after the enrolment has ended and want to apply for a place in English-language or bilingual education, apply for any available places in the supplementary application round starting in May. Information about the supplementary application round will be available on the schools' websites between April and May. You may not apply in this application round if you have been living in Helsinki during the actual school enrolment period in January.

9. 5 March 2027

   The decisions of those who have been granted a place at a local school or in Swedish-language immersion will be sent on 7 March 2027. The decisions of those who have applied for other options will be posted from the schools on 7 March 2027. No information will be given by telephone about posted decisions.

10. 15 March–13 April 2027

    Application period for after-school activities. The decisions for after-school activities will be posted at home by July.

11. 21 March 2027

    The period of providing additional information related to the child's instruction in school on the e-service ends.

12. Spring 2027

    School organise introduction sessions for incoming first-graders. For more information, please visit the schools and their websites.

13. 11 August 2027

    The first day of the school year is Wednesday 11 August. Here you can find the term dates and holidays for the school year.