Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu

Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu, commonly abbreviated SYK, is a free Finnish private school located in the district of Etelä-Haaga in the city of Helsinki.

History

SYK was founded in 1886. Its roots trace back to a group of notable Finnish intellectuals whose aim was to found a Finnish-language lycée for female students in order to further the education of women in Finland. By the time that this group had raised enough funds to actually found the school, the ideal of coeducational schools had gained so much ground among the members that the school that was founded in 1886 became a coeducational one. This was a very important event in the history of Finnish schools, as SYK was the first Finnish-language coeducational school in Finland.

YK Today

Even today SYK is a highly respected educational institution. It offers education from 3rd to 9th grade as well as the three high school years. The matriculation examination results have been among the best in Finland. SYK is noted for its internationality. It is one of the 16 schools in Finland which offer the IB Diploma Programme in the equivalent of the 11th and 12th grades. After the PISA (2004 and 2005) results came out, Chinese headmasters have been a familiar sight in the corridors. Traditionally, SYK has a big rivalry with another school, that was originally situated in central Helsinki, Helsinki's Norssi.

Unlike other schools in Finland, SYK recruits its students from all over the Helsinki capital area. There are only a limited amount of places so second graders have to pass entrance tests to get in. Later, the students are required excellent academic standards to get into the equivalent of year ten.

Language Education

SYK highlights language education. 3rd graders begin with French, German or Russian as their first foreign language. In year five it is possible for them to start English. Two years later, 7th graders take on Swedish as the mandatory second domestic language. There is also a possibility to begin learning a fourth language in year eight (French, German or Russian). As well as fifth and/or sixth languages in high school.

Another special task the school has is to take in repatriating children, offering English teaching that matches their level and possibly giving special tutouring in Finnish or other subjects. Most of these children take French as their second language in year 5 instead of English.

Notable Alumni

Over the years the school has contributed to the cultural and economical life of Finland through some of its well known alumni. Some of these are:

*Esa-Pekka Salonen (orchestral conductor)
*Erkki Tuomioja (Minister of Foreign Affairs)
*Matti Wuori (lawyer and member of the European Parliament)
*Henrik Tikkanen (author and artist)
*Olli Mustonen (pianist)
*Pentti Linkola (philosopher, activist and author)
*Saima Harmaja (poet)
*Suvi-Anne Siimes (politician)

External links

* [http://www.syk.fi SYK homepage (also in English)]
* [http://www.syk.edu.hel.fi Old SYK homepage (also in English)]