For the guardian

Upper secondary school studies are more theoretical than comprehensive school studies. In upper secondary school, the student's responsibility and freedom increase. It is important that the student learns an effective and suitable way to learn. If necessary, help with study techniques can be obtained from a special education teacher. The desire to learn and the will to develop one's own study skills are important. 

Upper secondary school lessons mainly use digital learning environments and learning materials. Students receive a laptop from the school for the entire duration of upper secondary school. The computer is also used for matriculation exams and exams during exam week. 

Upper secondary school lessons are 75 minutes long. This means that there are lessons 3 times a week, meaning there are fewer different subjects during the day than in middle school. 

In high school, the academic year is divided into 5 periods. Each period lasts 7-8 weeks. After each period there is an exam week and the order of classes changes with the change of period.

Upper secondary school courses provide credits and must total at least 150 credits throughout the entire upper secondary school. Upper secondary school studies are divided into compulsory and elective courses. There are 94 or 102 compulsory courses, depending on the choice of mathematics. The matriculation examination is based on both compulsory and national elective courses, so it is a good idea to take them before taking the high school entrance exams. 

Upper secondary school is usually completed in 3 years. However, more and more students want to complete upper secondary school in 3,5 or 4 years. Reasons for extending the duration may include hobbies, high goals or health reasons. Extension of studies is agreed upon with the study advisor.

Upper secondary school gives students the opportunity to make individual and flexible choices. With the guidance of a study advisor and group leader, young people can plan their own progress and schedule, and thus take into account, for example, the best possible combination of hobbies and studies.

Extended compulsory education came into effect in 2021. Compulsory education ends when a young person turns 18 or when they complete a secondary education qualification (baccalaureate or vocational qualification) before then.

As compulsory education expanded, students became free of charge

• textbooks and other materials needed for teaching
• computer and calculator license required for completing studies
• The five exams required to complete the matriculation examination, including the retake of failed exams
• School trips of at least seven kilometers without a deductible

The Compulsory Education Act entered into force on 1 August 2021. The provisions regarding the obligation to apply entered into force on 1 January 2021.

Wilma is the main channel for communication between home and school. Guardians receive Wilma IDs when the student starts high school.

In Wilma you can:

• monitor a student's studies and grades
• see the student's schedule and upcoming exams
• track and acknowledge absences
• to ask for leave
• communicate with teachers and school staff.

You can log in to Wilma at https://hamina.inschool.fi/

The guardian's Wilma accounts are automatically deleted when the student turns 18. The guardian's accounts can be reactivated if the student asks the office secretary or study advisor to grant the guardian rights.

Students are obliged to participate in classes unless there is a justified reason for their absence (Upper Secondary Education Act, Section 30). 

You can only be absent from a course for an acceptable reason (illness, requested and granted leave, etc.).

Permission for absences due to reasons other than illness must be requested in advance.

The person issuing the permit depends on the length of the permit period requested:

• Permission for an individual lesson is granted by the teacher of the relevant subject.
• group leader for a maximum of three days
• for a longer period than the above, the principal

The guardian requests permission for the student to be absent using a free-form Wilma message. 

The student must inform the course teacher of their absence as soon as possible through Wilma. The reason for the absence must be stated in the absence notification. The absence notification for students under the age of 18 is made by the guardian in Wilma. During the exam week, absence due to illness must be reported in advance to the exam administrator.

Completion of the course will be interrupted if the student is absent without prior permission for more than three lessons (75 minutes), excluding cases of illness.

It is the student's responsibility to find out what was discussed in class and what homework was assigned. Absences from visits to a study counselor, special education teacher, curator, psychologist or public health nurse, as well as from school representation duties and, for example, student union board meetings do not lead to interruption of the course, but the student must report them to the course teacher.

Absences from group guidance sessions and classes, as well as from joint school events, are explained to the group leader.

There are no leave application forms in use at the upper secondary school. The guardian requests permission for absence via a free-form Wilma message. The person granting the permission depends on the length of time requested.

• Permission for an individual lesson is granted by the course teacher.
• group leader for a maximum of three days
• for a longer period than the above, the principal

We organize parent evenings for both first and second graders in high school in the fall, October-November. The dates of the parent evenings are announced in Wilma and on the website.

We encourage guardians to have low-threshold contact with teachers or school staff throughout the year if the need arises.