Best private schools in Sweden 2024

The history of the emergence of private schools in Sweden dates back to the 10th years of the XIX century, but the mass phenomenon became only with the introduction of compulsory general education almost a hundred years later. But even then, against the background of schools established by municipal authorities, non-governmental organizations of primary education were uncompetitive. The situation changed only after the next reform of the education system in 1992: it provided all educational institutions in the country with state funding, which made school education in Sweden as accessible and adaptive as possible.

The Swedish school system is built in such a way that children are engaged for at least ten years, starting to attend classes at the age of six (seven) and finishing the ninth grade at 16-17 years, respectively. Attendance is mandatory, such a requirement is established by the Swedish law on education.

Sweden's educational system mandates a 9-year compulsory education. This breaks down as follows:

• Primary school: Grades 1 to 3

• Intermediate stage: Grades 4 to 6

• High school: Grades 7 to 9

At the culmination of this 9-year journey, students transition to the gymnasium, a higher educational level that spans three years. Foreign students have three academic paths to consider:

• Professional programs

• Technical programs

• Academic programs

During the formative years (grades 1-3 and 4-6) at private schools in Sweden, students often learn under the guidance of a singular teacher. By grade 5, many schools opt to segregate students based on gender. As students move to grades 7 through 9, they begin to specialize, allowing them the flexibility to pick disciplines and courses aligned with their prospective careers.

In Sweden's primary private schools, a significant emphasis is placed on fostering social development. Activities like peer interaction and establishing cordial relationships are prioritized, while academic pursuits, especially sciences, often take a secondary role.

Until they reach grade 5, students aren't graded. Instead, a continuous feedback system is in place. Teachers regularly engage with parents through individual meetings to discuss their child's progress. However, starting grade 6, students are introduced to a grading system ranging from A (highest) to F (lowest). Every week, students present a detailed report summarizing their accomplishments, insights, and lessons learned.

Sweden's academic year kickstarts towards the end of August, divided between autumn and spring semesters. While school typically commences at 08:30 and wraps up around 14:30, timings might vary based on the specific institution and grade.

Upon concluding grade 9, the lion's share of students progresses to gymnasiums. Entry prerequisites include successful completion of the 9-year education and clearing three core national exams in Swedish, English, and Mathematics. The entrance criteria, particularly the required grades, often fluctuate based on the gymnasium's repute.

Post grade 9, students are greeted with a plethora of over 20 educational avenues. For guidance on their next step, they can always turn to school counselors. While gymnasium durations generally last between 2 and 3 years, this is influenced by the chosen track. Courses also have varied difficulty levels. For instance, Physics has two, Mathematics boasts five, and English impressively has seven. Expectedly, higher difficulty levels entail more instructional hours.

Esther Diaz

Education specialist, career coach and consultant. She worked for Inspired Education Group and directed the admissions department at the International School san Patricio Toledo.

What would you say is the most important when choosing a Spanish school?

This is the quality of support and work of the management, the opportunity to study at IB, the prestige of the school and the percentage of successful completion of the diploma stage of IB, recommendations for further universities. It is worth considering the national "recruitment" of campus students, opportunities for extracurricular development and activities, the availability of medical services and consultations, opportunities for language immersion. Is education at the chosen school based on the values you share? Is the school a close-knit community? Is academic support good?

• Thea Private Grundskola: Esteemed for offering top-notch bilingual education in both Swedish and English, this accredited institution operates within the national educational framework. With an illustrious legacy, skilled educators, state-of-the-art facilities, and an expansive extracurricular roster, it stands as an ideal choice for international students.

• Tanto School: Founded in 1983 and nestled in Stockholm, this distinguished institution offers comprehensive international education in English. Its intimate size allows for a nurturing, family-like environment, maintaining rigorous admission standards to uphold its legacy.

• Internationella Engelska Gymnasiet Södermalm: Situated in Stockholm's heart, this co-ed gymnasium offers an advanced university preparatory curriculum. Collaborating closely with Pro civitas, students here can further hone their athletic prowess. The institution prides itself on its proficient educators and a curriculum delivered entirely in English, emphasizing law and social sciences.

Education at these prestigious establishments comes with a tuition fee, averaging around 6,000 euros annually. Unsurprisingly, private schools in Sweden often command a higher fee, with the final amount depending on factors like the school's reputation, locale, extracurricular offerings, and the selected academic program.

For short courses (less than 3 months), students can make do with a standard visa. However, anything longer necessitates an educational residence permit. Prospective international students should be prepared to submit:

• A filled questionnaire (in Swedish or English)

• Proof of enrolment in a gymnasium or similar institution

• Financial solvency confirmation (either from the student or a sponsor)

• An international passport, accompanied by photocopies of all its pages

• Two colored passport-sized photos

• Medical insurance documentation.