Scan Magazine

By Karolina Oestlin

Sweden’s largest boarding school, Sigtunaskolan Humanistiska Läroverket, is located on the shores of Lake Mälaren in the idyllic small town of Sigtuna. With its close proximity to Stockholm, Uppsala and Arlanda International Airport, it is perfectly situated for a boarding school for international students.

“We are a Swedish school with international influences and great teachers,” Conny Lindberg, Deputy Director, describes the school. The school’s holistic approach to education means that all aspects – whether science, arts or after-school activities – are seen as linked. “We see the person. And we allow the talents and goals of each individual student to shape their education.”

Two-thirds of the students are Swedes who have lived abroad or whose families still do. Some are day students and others choose to board. “The boarding brings stability to everyday life that international day schools can’t offer,” Lindberg says and explains: “Our students tend to stay – and live in the same house – from grade 9 to graduation.”

As the students live, study and get involved in the impressive range of after-school activities that are on offer (ranging from sports to theatre, music and writing) they become close friends for life. “Former students say that the best thing about the school is the network of close friends around the world that you build during the years at Sigtuna.”

Website: www.sshl.se

Fact box
Number of students: 510 (270 boarders, 240 day students)
Education: International Baccalaureate, Swedish curriculum grades 7-12
Tuition fees: Yes