tel: +358- (0)9- 4774 180
fax: +358- (0)9- 4774 1810

http://www.syk.edu.hel.fi/

APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE IB PROGRAMME AT HELSINGIN SUOMALAINEN YHTEISKOULU 2006

Contents [General information] [Structure of the school] [Names and phone numbers] [The International Baccalaureate] [The IB curriculum and examination] [Admissions procedure] [Fees]

GENERAL INFORMATION [Back to top]

Principal: Ms Anja-Liisa Alanko anja-liisa.alanko@edu.hel.fi IB Coordinator: Ms Minna Ankkuri minna.ankkuri@edu.hel.fi CAS Supervisor: Mr Steven Huxley School staff: Finnish section: IB-section: full time: 19 men, 42 women 6 men, 6 women part time: 1 man, 4 women 1 men nationalities: 1 3 Enrolment: 963 71 Age-range: 9-19 15-19 Grades: 3-12 10-12 Curriculum: national IB Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu (SYK) is an independent coeducational day school founded in 1886. The IB-section was created in 1990. The school prepares its students either for the national matriculation exam or the International Baccalaureate, both of which give a student general university entry qualifications. All staff are experienced and qualified teachers with university degrees and/or teaching certificates. The school year runs from mid-August till the end of week 22. Instruction is given on 190 days. Modern facilities include e.g. art and music rooms, computer rooms, rooms for textile work, science laboratories, a library, a language laboratory, a gymnasium and a swimming pool. Good academic standards are required for IB entry. Admission is based on previous school records appraisals from teachers and the headmaster of the previous school and an interview. If necessary, an entrance exam will be arranged.

STRUCTURE OF THE SCHOOL [Back to top]

The comprehensive school consists of grades 3-9. The upper secondary school incorporates an International Baccalaureate program. In all there are approximately 1070 pupils. Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu provides a dynamic learning environment in which all students are encouraged to participate actively in both lessons and all other facets of the school. Also, the broad age range of the students encourages tolerance and understanding. Founded in 1886, SYK is the oldest coeducational school in Finland. Proud of its traditions yet always seeking to be at the forefront of educational development the school offers its students a broad range of activities in which parents play an important part. Names and phone numbers: Office +358-(0)9- 4774 180 Principal Anja-Liisa Alanko anja-liisa.alanko@edu.hel.fi +358-(0)9- 4774 1814 Vice principal Jukka Niiranen jukka1.niiranen@edu.hel.fi +358-(0)9- 4774 1816 Assistant principal Helena Jauho helena.jauho@edu.hel.fi +358-(0)9- 4774 1815 IB-coordinator Minna Ankkuri minna.ankkuri@edu.hel.fi +358-(0)9- 4774 1817 Financial officer Anne Eloranta anne.eloranta@edu.hel.fi +358-(0)9- 4774 1844 Secretary Raija Viuhkonen raija.viuhkonen@edu.hel.fi +358-(0)9- 4774 1818 Teachers Teachers' room +358-(0)9- 4774 1811 Guidance Counselors comprehensive school: Hilkka Kuikka +358-(0)9- 4774 1819 upper secondary school: Marika Mattila marika.mattila@edu.hel.fi +358-(0)9- 4774 1820 Swimming Hall +358-(0)9- 4774 1827 Student Union +358-(0)9- 579 156

THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE [Back to top]

The International Baccalaureate (IB) programme is a comprehensive and rigorous two-year curriculum, leading to examinations, for students aged between sixteen and nineteen. Based on the pattern of no single country, it is a deliberate compromise between the specialisation required in some national systems and the breadth preferred in others. The general objectives of the IB are to provide students with a balanced education, to facilitate geographic and cultural mobility, and to promote international understanding through a shared academic experience. The International Baccalaureate Organisation IBO, which was founded in 1965, is based in Geneva. It is a non-governmental organisation holding consultative status with UNESCO and registered as a foundation under Swiss law. The IBO also has administrative offices in Buenos Aires, New York and Singapore. The office for the Nordic Countries is located in Stockholm and the Examinations Office is located in Cardiff (U.K.). The IBO is governed by an international Council of Foundation and supported by Standing Conferences of Governments and Heads of Schools. There are now some 1005 official member schools in over 100 countries authorised to offer the curriculum and to present candidates for examination. The IB Diploma meets general university requirements in more than 80 countries including Finland.

THE IB CURRICULUM AND EXAMINATION [Back to top]

The IB-section at Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu offers the two-year IB-course preceded by a preparatory year, which serves as an introduction to the actual IB-programme. During the preparatory year the students follow the national curriculum but also receive intensive training in English. The IB curriculum consists of six subject groups. The following subjects are offered at Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu. Group 1: Language A1 (best language) Finnish SL HL English SL (HL) Group 2 Language A2, B (foreign language) English A2, B SL HL Finnish B SL (HL) French SL (HL) Swedish SL (HL) Group 3 Individuals and Societies History SL HL Economics SL HL Group 4 Experimental Sciences Biology SL HL Chemistry SL HL Physics SL HL Group 5 Mathematics Mathematics SL HL Group 6 Electives Swedish / French SL HL A second subject from group 4 A second subject from group 3 NOTE! A student whose mother tongue is not Finnish/English is able to study his own mother tongue as a self-taught Language but only on SL level. He has to find a tutor and to take care of possible costs by him self. To be eligible for the award of the diploma all candidates must: offer one subject from each of the above groups offer at least three and not more than four of the six subject at Higher level (HL) and the others at Standard level (SL) submit an Extended Essay in one of the subjects of the IB curriculum follow a course in the Theory of Knowledge engage in CAS activities representing Creativity, Action and Service The language of instruction is English. Candidates who have offered two languages A or have taken an examination in either Group 3 or 4 in a language other than the Language A presented will be awarded the Bilingual Diploma. Candidates may also offer single subjects, for which they will receive a certificate.

ADMISSIONS PROCEDURE [Back to top]

Preparatory year = 10th grade An application for admission must be sent to the student Admissions Board (Etelä-Suomen lääninhallitus, yhteisvalinta, PL 110, 00521 HELSINKI) by the deadline assigned yearly by the Board. The applicant must ask for a "Confidential Appraisal on Applicant to the IB Programme" form from SYK or copy it from the internet (download here) and this form must be completed and signed by the applicant present principal, English teacher and homeroom teacher. The Principal must send the form to SYK by the deadline mentioned above. Special attention is paid to the applicant's grades in English, the mother tongue / the first language and mathematics. 40 applicants are invited to an interview during which they receive their final bonus points. Students applying from abroad are normally exempt from the interview. The applicant's bonus points are sent to the Student Admissions board and will be added to the grade point average of theoretical subjects in the graduation diploma from the Comprehensive school. The 20 students having reached the highest scores will be admitted to the IB program. In addition 3-5 students applying from abroad are admitted yearly. IB1 = 11th grade Students who have successfully completed the preparatory year will be moved to IB1. If the Student's teachers estimate that he/she does not have the necessary potential to take the IB Diploma, the student can continue his/her studies in SYK's Finnish section towards the Finnish Matriculation Examination. This applies also to students who decide to drop out of the IB programme at the end of the preparatory year. Students applying for admission without having taken the preparatory year can be admitted, if places are still available, on the following basis: school reports (10th grade) Special attention will be paid to grades in English, the mother tongue / the first language and Mathematics confidential appraisals (form, see above) entrance exams (first language, English and Mathematics) an interview by the Principal/Coordinator can be arranged for the applicant and his/her parents/guardian. if the school has only 1-2 study place to offer the Principal and the Coordinator will make the decision who among the applicants is/are chosen.

FEES [Back to top]

Students attending the IB-section pay neither registration nor tuition fees, except for English A and languages not normally taught at the school. However, they must buy their text books. All students pay for Group 4 Project weekend roughly 50 EUR. Students of Biology pay roughly 120 EUR for the one week's Field course of Ecology if organized. All students pay the examination fees charged by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (about 580 EUR in 2004).