BSS IB DP

Admission

_{For Applicants with a School Leaving Report from Finland}

You apply to upper secondary school (the preparatory year) through the joint application system www.studyinfo.fi

The application perod is 16.2.-16.3.2027

Applicants with Finnish School leaving reports do not have to attach any certificates. The grades are automatically transferred. English and Mathematics are emphasized subjects with double weight. WE require a grade average (theoretical subjects) of at least 7,5.

There are no entrance tests for this category of applicants.

International applicants

International applicants, who have not completed the Finnish compulsory basic education, also apply by submitting an application in the Finnish national application system www.studyinfo.fi. To this application applicants must attach their latest transcript of records in original and also attach a translation to English. In addition to the transcript of records the applicant must attach a recommendation letter. This letter should be written by a person who knows the applicant well but is not a family member. 

After applying through the national application system international applicants are invited to en entrance test in English and Mathematics. 

Please note that only students who reside in the Pori region with parents/legal guardians and who don’t have a prior upper secondary education can be selected to the BSS IBDP.

PreDP

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) lasts for two years and is preceded by a pre-diploma year aiming at developing the students’ general knowledge as well as study and language skills. The pre-DP year curriculum is a modified version of the national curriculum and the language of instruction is English. Students complete 25-30 courses in the pre-DP year.

Subjects and Number of Courses

• Languages: Finnish 7, English 4, Swedish 3
• Mathematics: Advanced mathematics 4 or 5
• Science: Biology 2, Physics 2-3,  Chemistry 1, Geography 1
• Humanities: History 2, Social Studies 1, Health education, Philosophy 1
• Other subjects: Music 1, Physical Education 1, Guidance and counselling 1

Pre-DP year evaluation

• Students are assessed  five times a year at the end of each study period. The grade reports are available in Wilma.
• The courses are evaluated on a scale of 10 (excellent) to 4 (fail).
• If all course work is not submitted the student is awarded the grade H (= incomplete).
• Teachers are not required to accept work which is turned in late.
• Students can try to raise a course grade by signing up for a retake exam via Wilma.
• A retake exam can be taken only once per course.
• The dates for the retake exams can be found on the school’s website.

Absences

• All students are expected to attend school regularly. Absences from school must have a legitimate excuse and teachers should be informed of them in advance, if possible.
• All absences must be cleared by a parent/guardian or a medical professional (doctor, dentist etc).
• If a student has three to four absences the teacher will determine whether he/she can evaluate the course.
• The last retake exam is arranged in mid-June.
• The pre-DP year cannot be repeated.

School rules

The rules of conduct exist to ensure that everyone feels good and safe at school. They help us create an environment that is calm and easy to learn in. The rules are based on the Upper Secondary School Act and must be followed by everyone. They also include advice and tips. The rules apply during all school hours. School hours include the school day according to the timetable, school meals, breaks, as well as excursions, camp schools, outdoor days, parties, and other events organized by the school.

The school day is counted from the first lesson to the last. If a student needs to be at school outside these hours, for example while waiting for transportation, permission must be requested from the group advisor or the principal. If the rules are broken, it may lead to disciplinary actions.

Students’ Rights

• Every student has the right to participate in teaching safely.

• Every student has the right to equal and fair treatment.

• Every student has the right to take part in the school’s activities, develop them, and express their opinion.

• Every student has the right to student welfare services and support for learning and schooling.

• Every student has the right to a free meal every school day with in‑person teaching.

• Every student has the right to free care in case of an accident.

Safety, Well‑Being, and Good Conduct

• Students must participate in lessons according to the schedule and complete the tasks given by the teacher during school hours, including homework in their free time.

• Everyone at school must behave kindly, fairly, and respectfully toward one another. This means showing consideration, using appropriate language, acting well, and ensuring that others have peace to work and study without disturbance. Physical violence and speaking to someone in a mean or degrading way are prohibited. Bullying and discrimination are forbidden and may lead to criminal or civil consequences.

• Good table manners must be observed in the school restaurant.

• Instructions from staff must always be followed.

• Clothing must be chosen with regard to safety and hygiene in teaching. Specific clothing instructions for different activities are given by the teacher.

• Valuables or other items not needed during the school day are not recommended to be brought to school.

• Everyone must arrive to lessons on time.

• In the school corridors, one must walk, not run.

• If a broken or dangerous object is discovered, personnel at the school must be informed immediately.

• Bicycles or scooters must always be parked in the bicycle rack and locked.

• Cycling and riding scooters are prohibited in the schoolyard.

• The school has no parking for mopeds or other motor vehicles; street parking applies.

• During breaks, safety is important. Loud or overly rough games and play are not allowed.

• Throwing snowballs or other objects that may cause injury is prohibited during school hours.

• Gambling for money is prohibited at school.

• Passwords or usernames may never be shared with anyone else. This also applies to the codes for the lockable lockers.

• The school and school grounds are under camera surveillance.

Schoolyard and Movement

• The schoolyard will be located on the roof of the upper secondary school starting from the spring term of 2026.

• The break area is the assembly hall on the second floor. When moving around during the school day, the teacher’s instructions must be followed.

• When arriving at or leaving school, it is important to do so safely and follow all traffic rules.

Keeping the Environment Clean and Taking Care of It

• All students must help keep the school and schoolyard clean and tidy.

• Littering is prohibited, and one must always clean up after oneself.

• Every student must take care of the school’s property and textbooks. If something belonging to the school is deliberately damaged, it must be replaced.

• Other people’s belongings must be left alone and may only be borrowed with permission.

• Upon arriving at school, shoes must be placed in the shoe rack at the entrance and outerwear hung on the coat rack.

Use and Storage of Phones and Other Mobile Devices

• The use of phones during lesson time is prohibited. They may only be used in exceptional cases with the teacher’s permission.

• The phone must be turned off or set to silent mode and kept in the bag during lessons. The bag is stored in the student’s lockable locker.

• When the computer is not used in teaching, it must be kept in the bag.

• Pictures or videos of other people may not be posted or shared without their permission.

• Filming or photographing lessons is prohibited unless permission has been granted.

Intoxicants and Dangerous Objects

• Dangerous or harmful objects, such as knives, weapons, tools for making fire, or dangerous substances, may not be brought to school.

• Tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and similar substances are strictly prohibited at school.

• The use of allergenic substances in school premises is prohibited.

• Teachers and the principal have the right to inspect a student’s belongings and confiscate dangerous items if there is suspicion that the student possesses such items and refuses to hand them over.

Snacks

• Personal snacks may be eaten with the teacher’s permission and only at the time and place designated by the teacher.

• No one may eat or drink during lessons.

Discipline

• If a student breaks the rules of conduct—for example by cheating, behaving inappropriately, not completing tasks, or being careless—it may lead to disciplinary actions. These actions, in accordance with the Upper Secondary School Act, include being instructed to leave the classroom, receiving a written warning, or suspension.

• As a student, you are obliged to clean up after yourself or repair damage you have caused.

Follow‑Up and Review of the Rules

• Guardians and students receive information about the rules of conduct, for example on the school’s website and in Wilma.

• The group advisor reviews the rules with the students every year. They are also reviewed and updated when necessary, for example when laws affecting the school change.

• These rules of conduct apply from 1 August 2025 onward.