Preschool
Apply through the municipality's preschool queue. Place guarantee is normally within four months; fees are income-based.
Go to Karlstad e-service for preschool application (opens in a new window)
Schools in Karlstad municipality
155 school unitsSkolkoll's statistics include school units that are open/active in Skolverket's register. Dormant units (Vilande — temporarily without students) and discontinued units (Upphörd — permanently closed) are excluded. in Karlstad, Värmland County. The three most common school forms: 77 preschool, 41 compulsory school, 33 after-school care (+6 more) (a school can have multiple forms).
Data updated: 5 July 2026. School data covers 2024/25; Kolada data may cover different periods.
The school landscape in Karlstad
Start here to understand the local offer. The main list on this page shows compulsory and upper-secondary schools with comparable metrics, while preschools and deeper statistics open in separate views where data exists.
- Compulsory
- 41
- Upper secondary
- 21
- Preschools
- 77
- Municipal
- 119
- Independent
- 36
School-form counts come from Skolverket's school-unit register for 2024/25. Kolada municipal metrics usually cover compulsory school and may use different periods.
Karlstad has 155 schools with a merit value of 228.7 (Compulsory school, Kolada 2025), which is near the national average. Teacher qualification: 80.4% (Compulsory school, Kolada 2025) (above the national average of 73.3%).
155 schools17,179 pupils80.4% qualified teachers (Compulsory school, Kolada 2025)Growing municipality (+0.9%)
Apply for a place in Karlstad
Short guide to how to apply by school form in Karlstad.
Compulsory school
School choice is usually handled by the municipality. Dates vary; check the municipality's own calendar.
Go to Karlstad e-service for school choice (opens in a new window)Upper secondary
Apply through the regional upper-secondary admissions system. Admission results are normally published in July.
Go to Karlstad e-service for upper-secondary application (opens in a new window)Practical info
Summary — Karlstad
Five key insights about the municipality's education system.
- Schools perform on average -3.5 merit points below expectations (SALSA model).
- The share of qualified teachers (compulsory school, Kolada 2025: 80.4%) is 7.1 percentage points above the national average.
- The number of compulsory school pupils is projected to decrease by 13% by 2035 (SCB forecast).
- Population is growing: +0.9% change (2025).
- Highest merit value: Nordic International School Karlstad with 257.3 points.
Key metrics — Karlstad municipality
Overview of the municipality's education system.
155Active schools119 municipal, 36 independent
17,179Total pupils41 compulsory, 21 upper secondary
12.3Pupils per teacherCompulsory/upper sec. in this municipality
Karlstad municipality has 155 schools. The municipality year-9 merit value is 228.7 points (Compulsory school, Kolada 2025) compared with national avg 228.5. Teacher qualification (80.4%, Compulsory school, Kolada 2025) is above the national average of 73.3%.
Development over time
The municipality's key school metrics for the last 6 years (2020–2025). Source is shown per metric.
Merit value yr 9↓ -1.8 %
Trend: 232.8 to 228.7, down2020: 232.8 p2025: 228.7 p
Merit values have decreased by 4.1 points since 2020.
Source: Kolada, compulsory school 2020–2025
Qualified teachers↓ -1.3 %
Trend: 81.5 to 80.4, down2020: 81.5 %2025: 80.4 %
Share of qualified teachers has decreased by 1.1 percentage points since 2020.
Source: Kolada, compulsory school 2020–2025
Cost per pupil↑ +22.6 %
Trend: 115,119 to 141,174, up2020: 115,119 SEK2025: 141,174 SEK
Cost per pupil has risen by 26,055 SEK since 2020.
Source: Kolada, compulsory school 2020–2025
Common questions about schools in Karlstad
- How many schools are there in Karlstad?
- Karlstad municipality has 155 school units (open; dormant excluded). A unit can offer more than one school form; 41 of the units offer compulsory education, 21 offer upper-secondary education and 77 offer preschool. 119 of the units are municipal and 36 are independent. A total of 17,179 pupils attend schools in Karlstad.
- What are the merit values in Karlstad?
- The municipality year-9 merit value in Karlstad is 228.7 points (Compulsory school, Kolada 2025). The highest school-unit merit value belongs to Nordic International School Karlstad with 257.3 points.
- Which school in Karlstad has the highest teacher qualification rate?
- Sundsta-Älvkullegymnasiet 4 has the highest school-unit share of qualified teachers in Karlstad at 99.6%. The municipality value is 80.4% (Compulsory school, Kolada 2025).
- How much does a school place cost in Karlstad?
- The cost per pupil in compulsory school in Karlstad is 141,174 SEK per year (2025). In municipal schools the cost is 139,702 SEK per pupil.
Municipal support functions for schools
Practical information about how Karlstad organises school choice, mother-tongue teaching, student health and school transport.
The municipality has its own e-service for compulsory-school choice.
School choice window: usually 15 Jan–15 Feb. Check the municipality's own calendar.
School choice in KarlstadThe municipality has an e-service for the preschool queue and place applications.
Preschool queue in KarlstadThe municipality is responsible for school transport to and from compulsory school where distance, traffic safety or disability warrants it. Regulated by the Education Act (Skollagen) 10:32.
About school transport21.4% of compulsory-school pupils have a mother tongue other than Swedish. The municipality must offer mother-tongue tuition where at least five pupils request the same language (Education Act 10:7).
Cost per pupil in municipal compulsory schools: 5,267 SEK/year (2025).B
Nurse, counsellor, psychologist and special-needs teacher per Education Act 2:25.
Independent schools that admit pupils with special needs can apply for supplementary funding ("tilläggsbelopp") on top of the basic grant. The municipality of residence decides on each application from the provider.
How supplementary funding worksHow does Karlstad compare to neighbouring municipalities?See the full table ↓
1/7Merit value 2025
3/7Qualified teachers 2025
3/6Cost/pupil 2025
Skolkoll score in Karlstad
Where schools sit on the national 0-100 scale. Compulsory schools and upper secondary are shown separately because scores are calibrated by school stage.
Compulsory schools in Karlstad
Skolkoll score · compared with all compulsory schools in Sweden
Compulsory schools in Karlstad: 34 schools on the 0–100 national scale. Highest: Resursskola Orrholmen with Skolkoll score 70 out of 100. Municipal average 55, neutral midpoint 50.
34 compulsory schools with Skolkoll score
Upper secondary schools in Karlstad
Skolkoll score · compared with all upper secondary schools in Sweden
Upper secondary schools in Karlstad: 18 schools on the 0–100 national scale. Highest: Sundsta-Älvkullegymnasiet 5 with Skolkoll score 75 out of 100. Municipal average 55, neutral midpoint 50.
18 upper secondary schools with Skolkoll score
See compulsory schools in Karlstad ranked by Skolkoll score →
Compulsory schools and upper secondary in Karlstad
Compare schools| School | Forms | Provider | Pupils | Qual. teachers | Skolkoll score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backa Friskola | Adapted compulsory school, After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class | Nyed Friskola Ekonomisk förening | 60 | 74.8% | Skolkoll score 58 out of 100. Near average. |
| Drottning Blankas Gymnasieskola Karlstad 1 | Upper secondary school | AcadeMedia AB | 80 | — | — |
| Drottning Blankas gymnasieskola Karlstad 2 | Upper secondary school | AcadeMedia AB | 20 | — | Skolkoll score 62 out of 100. Near average. Limited confidence. |
| Färjestadsskolan | After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | — | — | — |
| Fredricelundsskolan | After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 250 | 60.9% | Skolkoll score 46 out of 100. Below average. |
| Fria Läroverken Karlstad | Upper secondary school | Watma Group AB | 570 | 75.7% | Skolkoll score 45 out of 100. Below average. |
| Friskolan Stellatus | After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class | Friskolan Stellatus Ekonomisk förening | 100 | 73.7% | Skolkoll score 54 out of 100. Near average. |
| Frödingskolan | After-school care, Compulsory school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 290 | 79.1% | Skolkoll score 51 out of 100. Near average. |
| Frödingskolan AG | Adapted compulsory school, After-school care | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | — | — | — |
| Hagaborgsskolan | After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 160 | 84.6% | Skolkoll score 56 out of 100. Near average. |
| Herrhagsskolan 4-6 | After-school care, Compulsory school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 170 | 78.6% | Skolkoll score 52 out of 100. Near average. |
| Herrhagsskolan AG | Adapted compulsory school, After-school care | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | — | — | — |
| Herrhagsskolan F-3 | After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 180 | 82.1% | Skolkoll score 55 out of 100. Near average. |
| Hultsbergsskolan | After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | — | — | — |
| Hultsbergsskolan AG | Adapted compulsory school, After-school care | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | — | — | — |
| Ilandaskolan | Compulsory school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 510 | 85.2% | Skolkoll score 55 out of 100. Near average. |
| Ilandaskolan AG | Adapted compulsory school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | — | — | — |
| Internationella Engelska Skolan Karlstad | Compulsory school, Open leisure-time activities | Internationella Engelska Skolan i Sverige Holdings AB | 550 | — | Skolkoll score 58 out of 100. Near average. |
| Karlstads Globala Gymnasium | Upper secondary school | Global bildning AB | 420 | 98.3% | Skolkoll score 62 out of 100. Near average. |
| Karlstads gymnasieingenjörsutbildning | Upper secondary school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | — | — | — |
| Kronoparksskolan | After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 210 | 70.3% | Skolkoll score 47 out of 100. Below average. |
| Kronoparksskolan AG | Adapted compulsory school, After-school care | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | — | — | — |
| Kroppkärrskolan 4-6 | Compulsory school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 200 | 81.1% | Skolkoll score 55 out of 100. Near average. |
| Kroppkärrsskolan F-3 | After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 170 | 91.3% | Skolkoll score 59 out of 100. Near average. |
| Kvarnbergsskolan | After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 290 | 90.9% | Skolkoll score 61 out of 100. Near average. |
| Lillerudsgymnasiet AB | Adult education, Upper secondary school | LILLERUDSGYMNASIET AB | 270 | 71.9% | Skolkoll score 51 out of 100. Near average. |
| Mariebergsskolan | Compulsory school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 460 | 83% | Skolkoll score 51 out of 100. Near average. |
| Nobelgymnasiet 1 | Adult education, Upper secondary school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 290 | 98.8% | Skolkoll score 57 out of 100. Near average. |
| Nobelgymnasiet 2 | Upper secondary school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 240 | 57.6% | Skolkoll score 44 out of 100. Below average. |
| Nobelgymnasiet 3 | Adult education, Upper secondary school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 250 | 58% | Skolkoll score 41 out of 100. Below average. |
| Nobelgymnasiet 4 | Upper secondary school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 150 | 86.7% | Skolkoll score 49 out of 100. Below average. |
| Nobelgymnasiet 5 | Adapted upper secondary school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | — | — | — |
| Nordic International School Karlstad | Compulsory school | Watma Group AB | 340 | — | Skolkoll score 64 out of 100. Near average. |
| Norrstrandsskolan 4-6 | After-school care, Compulsory school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 200 | 82.6% | Skolkoll score 57 out of 100. Near average. |
| Norrstrandsskolan 7-9 | Compulsory school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 520 | 83.1% | Skolkoll score 56 out of 100. Near average. |
| NTI Gymnasiet Karlstad | Upper secondary school | AcadeMedia AB | 160 | 71.4% | Skolkoll score 47 out of 100. Below average. |
| Nyeds skola | After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 320 | 63.1% | Skolkoll score 47 out of 100. Below average. |
| Orrholmsskolan | After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 130 | 80.5% | Skolkoll score 58 out of 100. Near average. |
| Praktiska Gymnasiet Karlstad | Upper secondary school | AcadeMedia AB | 350 | 72.5% | Skolkoll score 41 out of 100. Below average. |
| Råtorpsskolan | After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 200 | 81.4% | Skolkoll score 56 out of 100. Near average. |
| Realgymnasiet Karlstad | Upper secondary school | Gen Futura AB | 150 | 61.4% | Skolkoll score 42 out of 100. Below average. |
| Resursskola Marieberg | Compulsory school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 10 | 62.4% | Skolkoll score 50 out of 100. Near average. Limited confidence. |
| Resursskola Orrholmen | After-school care, Compulsory school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 20 | 98.7% | Skolkoll score 70 out of 100. Near average. Limited confidence. |
| Resursskola Örsholmen | Compulsory school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 20 | 64% | Skolkoll score 50 out of 100. Near average. Limited confidence. |
| Resursskola Rud | Compulsory school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 10 | 57.1% | Skolkoll score 48 out of 100. Below average. Limited confidence. |
| Rudsskolan | Compulsory school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 540 | 85% | Skolkoll score 63 out of 100. Near average. |
| Skåreskolan | After-school care, Compulsory school | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 190 | 85.2% | Skolkoll score 60 out of 100. Near average. |
| Skattkärrsskolan | After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | — | — | — |
| Södra Råtorps skola | After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class | KARLSTADS KOMMUN | 70 | 85.2% | Skolkoll score 57 out of 100. Near average. |
| Solstadens skola | After-school care, Compulsory school, Preschool class | Edukatus Alliance Holding AB | 120 | 50.8% | Skolkoll score 43 out of 100. Below average. |
Preschools in KarlstadKarlstad has 77 preschools. Group sizes, staff and after-school care are listed separately.
See preschools Neighbouring municipalities
The 6 closest municipalities by geographic distance. Colour coding: better / average / worse than neighbour average (±3 %).
| Municipality | Distance | Merit value (2025) | Qual. teachers (2025) | Cost/pupil (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karlstad you | — | 228.7 | 80.4% | 141,174 SEK |
| Hammarö | 8 km | 225.4 | 83.5% | 150,726 SEK |
| Kil | 17.8 km | 220.1 | 73.3% | 135,851 SEK |
| Forshaga | 17.9 km | 210.4 | 75.8% | 138,641 SEK |
| Grums | 25.4 km | 194.4 | 84.8% | 152,340 SEK |
| Kristinehamn | 36.7 km | 205.6 | 67% | — |
| Säffle | 44.6 km | 206.7 | 75.4% | 165,163 SEK |
| Neighbour avg | 210.4 | 76.6% | 148,544 SEK |
Merit value, qualified teachers and cost/pupil in the neighbour comparison come from Kolada, compulsory school. Only neighbour values from the same Kolada year as the selected municipality are compared (merit value 2025, qualified teachers 2025, cost/pupil 2025).For statistical peers (KNN) and SCB peer-group benchmark, see municipal data.
Explore the statistics in depth
Detailed statistics for Karlstad municipality, organised by school form and theme. Click for full tables, trends and comparisons.
Compulsory schoolsAll compulsory schools with merit values, teachers and grade distribution.Upper secondaryProgrammes, graduation rates and pathways to higher education.Preschool and childcarePreschools, fritidshem and pedagogical care with key metrics.Safety and study environmentSchool Inspectorate survey results for safety and study peace.Demographics and youthPopulation, household types, child welfare and economic conditions.All municipal dataEconomy, society, environment, adult education and SCB peer benchmark.
Statistics: school year 2024/25. Source: Skolverket, SCB, Kolada.Glossary · About the data.
— = data not available from source.
National comparison
See how Karlstad municipality compares in a national perspective.
Timeline — school events in Karlstad
COSMOS MONTESSORIFÖRSKOLA: Renamed from Förskola 584786 to COSMOS MONTESSORIFÖRSKOLA
COSMOS MONTESSORIFÖRSKOLA: Operating name changed from Förskola 584786 to COSMOS MONTESSORIFÖRSKOLA
COSMOS MONTESSORIFÖRSKOLA: Operator name changed to: Cosmos Montessoriförskola AB (previously: Okänd huvudman)
COSMOS MONTESSORIFÖRSKOLA: Address changed from Parkgatan 9C, 65222 KARLSTAD to PARKGATAN 9 C, 65222 KARLSTAD
FÖRSKOLAN FRÖET: Renamed from Förskola 651778 to FÖRSKOLAN FRÖET
FÖRSKOLAN FRÖET: Operating name changed from Förskola 651778 to FÖRSKOLAN FRÖET
FÖRSKOLAN FRÖET: Operator name changed to: Fröets Förskola I Karlstad, Ekonomisk Förening (previously: Okänd huvudman)
FÖRSKOLAN FRÖET: Address changed from John Ericssonsgatan 2 B, 65222 KARLSTAD to JOHN ERICSSONSGATAN 2 B, 65218 KARLSTAD
STELLATUS FÖRSKOLA: Renamed from Förskola 542825 to STELLATUS FÖRSKOLA
STELLATUS FÖRSKOLA: Operating name changed from Förskola 542825 to STELLATUS FÖRSKOLA
STELLATUS FÖRSKOLA: Operator name changed to: Friskolan Stellatus Ekonomisk Förening (previously: Okänd huvudman)
COSMOS MONTESSORIFÖRSKOLA: Renamed from COSMOS MONTESSORIFÖRSKOLA to Förskola 584786
COSMOS MONTESSORIFÖRSKOLA: Operating name changed from COSMOS MONTESSORIFÖRSKOLA to Förskola 584786
COSMOS MONTESSORIFÖRSKOLA: Operator name changed to: Okänd huvudman (previously: Cosmos Montessoriförskola AB)
COSMOS MONTESSORIFÖRSKOLA: Address changed from PARKGATAN 9 C, 65222 KARLSTAD to Parkgatan 9C, 65222 KARLSTAD
FÖRSKOLAN FRÖET: Renamed from FÖRSKOLAN FRÖET to Förskola 651778
FÖRSKOLAN FRÖET: Operating name changed from FÖRSKOLAN FRÖET to Förskola 651778
FÖRSKOLAN FRÖET: Operator name changed to: Okänd huvudman (previously: Fröets Förskola I Karlstad, Ekonomisk Förening)
FÖRSKOLAN FRÖET: Address changed from JOHN ERICSSONSGATAN 2 B, 65218 KARLSTAD to John Ericssonsgatan 2 B, 65222 KARLSTAD
STELLATUS FÖRSKOLA: Renamed from STELLATUS FÖRSKOLA to Förskola 542825
STELLATUS FÖRSKOLA: Operating name changed from STELLATUS FÖRSKOLA to Förskola 542825
STELLATUS FÖRSKOLA: Operator name changed to: Okänd huvudman (previously: Friskolan Stellatus Ekonomisk Förening)
MORKULLANS FÖRSKOLA: Address changed from KARMGATAN 117, 65347 KARLSTAD to Morkullevägen 27, 89140 ÖRNSKÖLDSVIK
Frödingskolan: Head changed
Frödingskolan: Head changed
Frödingskolan AG: Head changed
Frödingskolan AG: Head changed
Kvarnbergsskolan: Head changed
Kvarnbergsskolan: Head changed
Orrholmsskolan: Head changed
… and 850 older events.
Related
Move from the municipality page to the county, nearby municipalities, and the statistics views that help explain the local pattern.
Värmland CountyOpen the county page for a broader regional view around Karlstad.Merit value year 9Compare Karlstad with other municipalities on merit values.Upper secondary schoolsSee how upper-secondary provision and outcomes vary between municipalities.Teacher certification by countyFollow teacher qualification and regional differences.Municipality profileCompare municipality profiles across multiple dimensions at once.Best compulsory schoolsTop compulsory schools ranked by Skolkoll score.Sweden's best compulsory schoolsThe national top 100 by Skolkoll score.Independent vs municipalCompare schools by provider type.Best independent schoolsTop independent compulsory schools ranked by Skolkoll score.Upper secondary schoolsAll upper secondary schools in the municipality.Best upper secondary schoolsTop upper secondary schools ranked by Skolkoll score.PreschoolsAll preschools in the municipality.Best preschoolsTop preschools ranked by staffing density.ÅrjängCompare nearby schools and municipality-level results.ArvikaCompare nearby schools and municipality-level results.EdaCompare nearby schools and municipality-level results.FilipstadCompare nearby schools and municipality-level results.ForshagaCompare nearby schools and municipality-level results.
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