The idea of establishing a Catholic school in Finland has been discussed for a long time – and now it is finally becoming reality. Helsinki Catholic School will begin its operations in August 2026 in Helsinki, in Lauttasaari, adjacent to the Church of Saint James the Apostle. The target minimum number of pupils for the combined opening class in the first academic year is 5–10 pupils, and all children beginning preschool or grades 1–3 may enroll. But what does a Catholic school actually mean?
The school’s strength lies in its size. It is like a small village school in the middle of the city, where pupils receive personal attention. The teacher has time to focus on teaching – their true work – and the pupils have time and peace to focus on learning. The school is open to everyone regardless of belief, and participation in confessional activities is voluntary.
A school with Catholic values
“A Catholic school follows the national curriculum, Helsinki’s city curriculum and the Basic Education Act, ensuring families high-quality Finnish basic education. The school already has its own curriculum, according to which teaching is further guided by Catholic values,” says the school’s coordinator, Sara Numminen.
Catholic values include, among other things, the understanding of inner freedom, closely linked with the search for truth and the practice of love. According to Bishop Raimo Goyarrola of Helsinki, learning virtues and growing in faith also help children and young people to become good citizens.
In the everyday life of the school, it is also important to support pupils’ initiative and foster an equal relationship between the teacher and the pupils.
“These features are very important in Finnish school culture and fit well within a Catholic school. Among pupils, competitiveness is not emphasised, but solidarity and consideration for others,” Bishop Raimo notes.
In a combined class every pupil is important
In autumn 2026, the Catholic school will begin with preschool and grades 1, 2 and possibly 3. At first, teaching will take place in a combined class where children of different ages study in the same room. This teaching model is familiar in Finland from Montessori schools and from smaller rural village schools. It allows the pupils’ differing skills and needs to be taken into account, as the class is smaller than usual and a classroom assistant works alongside the experienced teacher.
The school’s teacher will be Anna-Mária Lahdelma, a class teacher trained at the University of Jyväskylä and specialised in early childhood and early primary education.
“In teaching, everything begins with encountering each child as an individual,” Lahdelma explains. “In my work I focus on identifying children’s strengths and support needs, accepting everyone as they are and building a good atmosphere – these make learning possible.”
She sees the Catholic school as a wonderful opportunity to strengthen Catholic community life and to create connections among children who share the same faith and values.
“I grew up in Jyväskylä in the 1990s in a Finnish-Hungarian Catholic family. At that time we met very few other Catholic children, but visits to larger parishes were always impressive experiences!” Lahdelma shares.
In everyday school life, Lahdelma also emphasises the importance of listening to children and involving them in joint decision-making in the classroom.
The student body is multicultural and the language of instruction is Finnish. The school therefore also supports integration.
Financing secured through a foundation
Naturally, financing is essential for the future school. For families, education is free of charge. Only optional before- and after-school activities cost around 100 euros per month, which includes, for example, the afternoon snack.
To support the school’s operations, the Catholic Diocese of Helsinki and Fundación Parentes, an internationally active foundation based in Spain, have established a separate foundation, which will begin operating once approved by the Finnish Patent and Registration Office. The purpose of the foundation is to build assets through investments and donations to support Catholic education, teaching and formation in Finland. Thus, its work is not limited only to establishing the Catholic school but also to promoting education and cultural formation more broadly.
Most of the capital required at the beginning has been provided by Fundación Parentes. In the future, the foundation aims to diversify its funding base. “The foundation is a key actor for the school’s financing. It is good to remember that the foundation’s board is separate from the school board, which is also needed. The school board will be appointed once the school begins. The parents’ association also has an important role in fundraising. In this way, pupils’ families are involved in the school’s life,” explains coordinator Sara Numminen.
After the foundation is established, the school will, according to Numminen, join the Association of Christian Schools and Daycare Centres.
Classrooms waiting for pupils
While financing and other details are being finalised, one large and one smaller classroom in the upper floor of Saint James the Apostle Church in Lauttasaari already await pupils.
Interior architects Pablo Riquelme and Alexis Ramirez have designed the renovation and interiors of the school facilities, emphasising wood and natural tones. The work will be carried out during the coming winter and spring. According to the architects, the aim is to create a flexible learning environment that supports combined-class teaching and can later be adapted as the number of pupils grows. The plans can already be viewed on the school’s website and Instagram account.
In addition to renovations, many still have an important task: to pray for the project and to spread the word about it. The development and activities of the school can already be followed through the following channels:
Website: koulu.katolinen.fi
E-mail: koulu@katolinen.fi
Instagram: Helsinki Catholic School
Contact person: project manager Mervi Sarimo, 050-3037071
Above all: A school cannot exist without pupils! Be courageous and enroll your child in the new Catholic school! Enrollment takes place via the form on the school’s website.
Anita Geritz-Zhuang and Aino Okinyo
(updated Dec 10, 2025)