Education and schools in Stavanger

Public education in Norway is excellent, and Stavanger is no exception, although there are private and international options as well. That said, there is not a longstanding tradition of private education in Norway, and private schools are not as common as in many other European countries. The population of Norway is highly educated, and many adults hold tertiary degrees.

Public education in Norway is free for all citizens, and education is mandatory for children between the ages of 6 and 16. The government sets curriculum guidelines and provides funding for schools, and each municipality administers and operates their schools.

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Public schools in Stavanger

Public schools in Stavanger, known as folkeskoler, are administered by the municipalities and are free for all students. They are divided into primary, lower secondary and upper secondary schools. Primary schools provide education for students aged 6 to 13 and the lower secondary schools for students aged 13 to 16. In upper secondary, from the ages of 16 to 19, students can choose between general studies – aimed at preparing students for higher education – and vocational education, aimed at preparing them for specific trades and professions.

Stavanger's public schools teach mainly in Norwegian, but there are also schools that offer bilingual education or instruction in other languages. Overall, the public schools in Stavanger provide high-quality education with well-trained teaching staff and good facilities. They also have good results in national and international test rankings.

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Private schools in Stavanger

Private schools in Stavanger, known as privatskoler, are independently run and are financed mostly by tuition fees. They offer a range of educational options and can vary in terms of their curriculum, philosophy, and specialisations. Some private schools follow the Norwegian National Curriculum and are similar in structure to public schools, while others may have a more specialised curriculum, such as bilingual education, or focus on a particular subject or teaching method, such as Montessori.

Many private schools in Stavanger are religious, basing their education on the teachings and principles of a particular faith. In Stavanger, private religious schools are mainly Christian. These schools may provide religious education as part of the curriculum.

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International schools in Stavanger

International schools are educational institutions that provide an international curriculum and instruction in a foreign language, typically English. These schools cater to the needs of international families, expats, and Norwegians who want their children to receive an international education. There are two international schools in Stavanger: the British International Schools of Stavanger and the International School of Stavanger. In the neighbouring town is Sandnes International School. All of them offer the International Baccalaureate and classes in English.

It is worth noting that international schools in Stavanger can be quite expensive. They also have limited seats and may have waiting lists for enrolment.

British International Schools of Stavanger

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
Ages: 18 months to 18 years
Website: www.biss.no

International School of Stavanger

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
Ages: 3 to 18
Website: www.isstavanger.no

Sandnes International School

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
Ages: 6 to 16
Website: www.sdis.no

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Special-needs schools in Stavanger

In Norway, special-needs education is provided by both public and private institutions. With an emphasis on inclusion, the Norwegian government tries to keep students with special educational needs in mainstream schools and in the mainstream curriculum as far as possible. The curriculum is therefore designed to be flexible and adaptable to the individual needs of each student.

Students with more pronounced special educational needs can attend special-needs schools known as spesialskoler, or alternatively they can attend special education programmes within mainstream schools. Special-needs education can also be provided in the form of support services, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy and counselling, which can be provided to students in mainstream schools.

In Norway, there is a strong emphasis on inclusion and integration, and many students with special educational needs will have the opportunity to participate in mainstream activities, such as sports, music, and community service.

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Tutors in Stavanger

Education is highly regarded in Norway, as it is in most other Nordic countries, and parents often supplement their children's education with private tutoring. Expats often hire tutors, either for Norwegian language lessons or as extra academic support for their children as they get used to the move. Superprof and Varsity Tutors are two notable tutoring companies in Norway.