Choosing compulsory school
Use Skolkoll to compare compulsory schools before preschool class or when you are considering a change of school later on.
Find the right school
Click 1–5 on each row. Leave blank if it does not matter. Choose a school type above to reveal more criteria.
Find compulsory schools in a municipality
Municipality detail pages are still Swedish, but they contain the full school list and key indicators.
When do I choose compulsory school?
Most municipalities run the school choice for preschool class (förskoleklass) in January–February the year before the child turns 6. The typical timeline:
- November–December
The municipality sends information about the school choice, either by letter or digitally.
- January–February
You rank your preferred schools through the municipality's online service or form.
- March–April
The municipality notifies you which school your child has been placed at.
- August
School starts!
Note: dates and procedures vary between municipalities. Contact your municipality for exact timings.
What should you check?
How far is it? Can the child walk or cycle? Is school transport available?
Merit values, teacher qualifications and SALSA values give a picture of the school's outcomes.
Do you prefer a small school with a family feel or a larger one with more activities and resources?
Montessori, Waldorf, sports profile or traditional? What suits your child?
Does the school have good after-school facilities? Do the hours fit your family's everyday logistics?
Attend open houses and talk to staff and other parents. How a school feels in person matters.
Common questions
What is the proximity principle (närhetsprincipen)?
When a municipal school has more applicants than places, pupils who live nearby get priority. This is called the proximity principle. Read more in the glossary
How do queues work for independent schools?
Many independent schools use a queue system where places are given in the order applications are received. Some schools accept registrations from birth. Contact the school directly to join the queue.
Can I choose a school in a different municipality?
Yes, Sweden's free school choice applies nationwide. However, your home municipality is not obliged to pay for a place in another municipality's school if there is a place available locally. Check with both municipalities.
What does merit value (meritvärde) mean?
The merit value is the sum of a pupil's 16 best grades in year 9. It shows average knowledge levels and determines which upper-secondary programmes the pupil can gain admission to. Read more in the glossary
What is the difference between municipal and independent compulsory schools?
Both follow the same national curriculum and are funded through the school voucher (skolpeng). Independent schools are run by private organisers and may have different profiles.
How do I change school if we are not satisfied?
You can apply for a school transfer at any time during the school year. Read our guide on changing schools
Understanding the key indicators
Merit value, year 9
Average final grade. Maximum 320 points (340 with a modern language). The national average is approximately 225–230.
Keep in mind: A high merit value can reflect pupil mix rather than teaching quality. Also look at SALSA.
Qualified teachers (%)
The share of teachers who hold a teaching licence and are qualified in their subjects. The national average is about 70–75%.
Keep in mind: Higher qualification levels are linked to better teaching and more reliable grading.
Pupils per teacher
Number of pupils divided by the number of full-time-equivalent teachers. Lower numbers mean more teacher time per pupil.
Keep in mind: Especially important for children who need extra support or challenges.
SALSA value
Shows whether a school performs better or worse than expected given the pupil mix.
Keep in mind: A positive SALSA means the school "lifts" its pupils regardless of background. Read more in the glossary