IB Education
IB, or International Baccalaureate, is an international education program. It offers a unified, globally recognized educational pathway from early childhood to upper secondary education.
IB = International Baccalaureate
IB education, or International Baccalaureate, is a globally recognized program that provides students with a broad-based education emphasizing critical thinking and intercultural understanding. The IB program covers a unified educational pathway from early childhood to upper secondary, supporting students’ holistic development and preparing them for higher education worldwide. Key objectives include developing lifelong learning skills, diverse knowledge and abilities, and international cooperation.
More information about IB programs can be found on the IBO website.
Why are we expanding IB education?
The City of Vantaa is expanding IB education to serve its growing multilingual and international community. The goal is to offer international education, develop lifelong learning skills, and strengthen learners’ global understanding.
In Vantaa, IB education is already offered at the upper secondary level at Tikkurila Upper Secondary School and at Vocational College Varia in English. By expanding IB programs to early childhood and basic education, we create a unified IB continuum for children and youth of all ages.
What’s new with IB?
The IB program provides a globally recognized, unified educational pathway from early childhood to upper secondary, making Vantaa more attractive to international families. There are two IB programs in early childhood and basic education: the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3–12 and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 13–16.
The IB program is implemented in daycare centers and schools through Vantaa’s local early childhood education and curriculum. This means special approaches to learning and teaching, emphasizing conceptual understanding, broad-based learning, and understanding phenomena.
The IB framework also offers education professionals opportunities to develop their expertise in an international environment.
Who is IB for?
The IB education program is intended for children and youth whose life situation suits an English-language international program. The IB program emphasizes learner autonomy, learning-to-learn skills, and community spirit. IB provides excellent preparation for higher education both in Finland and abroad. From the perspective of educational continuity, IB especially serves children and families who live in Finland temporarily due to work assignments and who already have an IB background from a previous country of residence. Participation in the IB program also requires sufficient English language skills from learners.
When does the activity start?
IB program activities in early childhood education, pre-primary, and basic education in Vantaa will begin gradually. The aim is to start the IB program in 2027, gradually increasing the number of students. Activities will begin in the Aviapolis area at Y.E.S Daycare and Vantaa International School. Initially, Vantaa will have IB Candidate School status, and official IB World School status will be obtained after a couple of years of the application phase.
In the future, IB-based early childhood, pre-primary, and basic education will be offered at the Muura Daycare and School, which will be completed in 2029. At Muura, IB education will be provided in English and will also serve as the local Finnish-language school and daycare for children living in the area.