Changes in Espoo’s school and general upper secondary school network  

As the Capital of Children and Youth, Espoo is home to 260 day care centres, including 170 municipal and 90 private centres. Pre-primary education is provided at 143 units, and primary and lower secondary education is provided at 81 comprehensive schools in the city. In addition, Espoo has 11 general upper secondary schools and a wide range of vocational education opportunities.   

The City of Espoo continuously develops its education services and learning path. At the start of the 2026–2027 school year, the school network will expand further.  

“We are making long-term investments in learning environments and educational opportunities to ensure that every child and young person in Espoo has the opportunity to grow, learn and succeed. Developing our school network promotes equality, wellbeing and the skills needed for the future,” says Merja Narvo-Akkola, Deputy Mayor for Growth and Learning.  

New Keran koulu  

At the start of the school year, Espoo will have a total of 71 Finnish-language and 10 Swedish-language comprehensive schools. The number of Finnish-language comprehensive schools will increase with the opening of the new lower secondary school, Keran koulu. During the 2026–2027 school year, Keran koulu will operate in close cooperation with Kilonpuiston koulu, sharing staff and, in part, teaching facilities.  

Until its new building is completed, Keran koulu will operate at Kutojantie 2 and Nihtisillantie 3. The new Keran koulu school building is scheduled for completion in 2030. The weighted curriculum education in performing arts currently offered at Kilonpuiston koulu will be transferred to Keran koulu in stages. The first students will be admitted to Keran koulu’s performing arts programme for the 2029–2030 school year. Kilonpuiston koulu will continue to offer bilingual education.  

“The 2026–2027 school year will be an exciting one for both Keran koulu and Kilonpuiston koulu. Keran koulu will open with three 7th-grade classes and will operate in the facilities on Kutojantie and Nihtisillantie. Pupils in grades 8 and 9 from Kilonpuiston koulu will also continue studying at Kutojantie until they complete their comprehensive education. The same staff from Kilonpuiston koulu will work in both schools.   

Preparations for the change have been underway at Kilonpuiston koulu for the past two years. Together with the staff, plans have also been made for the schools to gradually become separate organisations starting from the 2027–2028 school year, when Keran koulu will appoint its own principal. “Planning an inspiring and well-functioning school day is exciting work at both schools,” says Annukka Leutonen, Principal of Keran koulu and Kilonpuiston koulu.  

Sunan koulu returns to its own premises  

Pupils at Sunan koulu primary school will move from temporary premises back into the school’s renovated building. The renovation and extension project was completed during the summer. As a result of the project, the school has been expanded into a primary school with three parallel classes and capacity for approximately 480 pupils. The school provides education for grades 1–6.   

“After two years in temporary premises, Sunan koulu is returning to its newly renovated premises. The start of the school year marks a new beginning for us. We will strengthen our sense of community, reintroduce practices that encourage pupil participation, and continue developing our everyday operations to meet the needs of our renovated and growing school. It is wonderful to build the future together with our staff, pupils and guardians on such a strong foundation,” says Laura Kalmi, Principal of Sunan koulu.  

Construction of Kiviruukin lukio  

Construction of the new Kiviruukin lukio is progressing well. The general upper secondary school will open in August 2027. Students will be able to apply for admission through the joint application process in spring 2027. In addition to the Finnish-language general programme, Kiviruukin lukio will offer general upper secondary education in English. The target group for English-language general upper secondary education is students whose Finnish or Swedish language skills are not sufficient for general upper secondary studies, but whose language skills enable studying in English.