- Enrollment and Tuition
- Attendance and Absence
- Conduct and Behavior
- Substance Use
- Internet and Social Media
- Study trips
- Disciplinary Actions
- Holidays and School Closures
Enrollment and Tuition
Confirmed School Place
A school place is confirmed once the student has accepted the offer and paid the enrollment/administrative fee. The acceptance is binding once the right of withdrawal has expired, which is 14 days after the school place is confirmed.
If a student wishes to withdraw after the withdrawal period has ended, the enrollment fee will not be refunded. Planned study trips/excursions that cannot be cancelled must be paid for in full by the student.
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are due at the start of the school year and then monthly, with the final payment in May. If there are any issues with keeping up with the payment schedule, the school must be informed immediately to make alternative payment arrangements. Without such an agreement, unpaid fees will be sent to collections, and late payment fees may apply.
Failure to pay tuition may lead to loss of the school place and disqualification from participating in school trips or excursions.
Students who withdraw during the school year, for any reason, must still pay tuition for the following six weeks. Planned trips or excursions that cannot be cancelled must be paid for in full. The same applies to other school expenses incurred directly on behalf of the student. For Norwegian citizens: Note that if the academic year is not completed, the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen) may convert grants into loans.
Changing Class
If a student wishes to switch to another class, a written application must be submitted to the school management. There is no guarantee that places are available on other courses or that the request will be approved.
Planned trips on the current course that cannot be cancelled must be paid for. The student is responsible for any increased costs on the new course.
Conditions for Participation
Participation at the school requires that the student’s mental and physical health allows for a responsible and safe stay, both for the student and others. If there is any doubt, the school leadership will enter into dialogue with the student and may require them to return home until their health improves.
The Folkehøgskole Act requires students to live in the school’s dormitories.
Holidays and School Closures
School closure
The campus is closed during official holidays.
Classes end at lunchtime on the last school day before a break, and that lunch is the final meal served. The campus reopens the day before classes resume; evening meal that day is the first meal after the holiday.
Staying on campus
Students may not remain on campus during holidays. An exception can be made for students who have a particularly long journey home.
Important
If you are granted permission to stay on campus during a holiday period, all normal school rules—including the alcohol ban—remain in force. Any violation will revoke your privilege to stay on campus in future breaks.
Food
During the holiday, you must purchase and prepare your own meals.
Attendance and Absence
Approved School Year
A full folk high school year consists of 190 days (33 weeks).
A minimum of 90% documented attendance is required for the year to be approved and to receive two admission points for higher education. Attendance includes mandatory classes, common subjects, practical work, excursions, and compulsory school events.
Students with more than 10% undocumented absence will lose their school place and will not have the school year approved. This usually also results in the loss of the right to convert loans into grants.
Both documented and undocumented absences over 10% may result in the loss of additional admission points for higher education.
Absence and Follow-Up
Questions regarding a student’s attendance record should be directed to the course teacher. The Assistant Principal will distribute attendance reports throughout the school year. Students will also have access to an online attendance overview. Students will be notified well in advance if they are at risk of failing to achieve 90% attendance.
If a student has a high level of undocumented absence, the school may determine that it is not advisable to allow the student to participate in a study trip.
OBS! Please note: In folk high schools, the 10% rule applies to total absence, not absence in individual subjects like highschool.
Absence (Folk High School Regulations)
Students with more than 10% absence during a school year are, generally, not considered to have completed the course. Documented absence, as described under Recording of Absence, shall not be counted as absence.
Absence is recorded for classes, common/core subjects, practical duties such as kitchen service and cleaning, study trips, and mandatory school activities.
The Principal or Managing Director may decide that a student who has up to 20% undocumented absence from a course may nevertheless have the course approved if the reason for the absence or the student’s development throughout the course makes it clearly unreasonable not to regard the student as having completed the course.
Recording of Absence
Absence is recorded in both days and hours. Late arrival and absence from the morning assembly are recorded as one-third (1/3) of a class period of absence. Suspensions are included in the calculation of the absence percentage.
A student may request that the reason for an absence be included as an attachment to the diploma/certificate, provided that documentation of the reason for the absence is submitted.
A student may request that up to 15 days of absence during a full-year course, or up to 7.5 days of absence during a half-year course, not be recorded on the diploma/certificate if the absence is due to:
- Political activities
- Legally required appearances or obligations
- Health and welfare reasons
- Humanitarian or relief work
- Up to two days for religious holidays for students who belong to religious communities other than the Church of Norway
- Representation at events on a national or international level, for example in sports or cultural activities
Independent study work that has been agreed upon with the school is not considered absence.
Diploma / Certificate
Students whose school year is approved receive a diploma/certificate. The diploma/certificate shall include documentation of the student’s learning programme and participation.
Absence is recorded on the diploma/certificate in both days and hours.
Illness
If a student is ill or otherwise unable to attend class, the course teacher must be informed as soon as possible. If no notice is received in time, the absence will be considered undocumented unless the student was prevented from reporting in.
Leave
Leave (e.g., for doctor or dentist visits) must be approved in advance. Applications should be submitted to the course teacher no later than two days before the absence. Approved leave is considered documented absence unless otherwise defined as approved absence.
You can find leave of absence applications in a binder at the reception. Please remember to register your days away in the “absence book” located outside the reception.
Conduct and Behavior
Main Rules
- Possession and use of alcohol on school premises and surrounding areas is strictly forbidden.
- Use of drugs or illegal substances is prohibited at all times during the school year, including during holidays.
- Students must fulfil shared responsibilities and tasks, attend and actively participate in all teaching and school activities.
- Quiet hours must be observed in the dormitories after 11:00 PM. 23.00.
General Behavior
Students must contribute to a good learning and working environment for all. Everyone is expected to act respectfully and follow school and societal rules. Students must help keep indoor and outdoor areas clean and care for school property.
Violence, threats, threatening behavior, sexual harassment/assault, theft, bullying, discrimination, or offensive language (racist or hateful speech) are prohibited.
Cleanliness and Order
Students must keep their rooms and bathrooms clean and tidy. All students participate in cleaning shared areas in dormitories and school buildings according to a rota. Students must help clean up after meals and events.
Dorm rooms are private spaces during the school year, but school staff have the right to access for inspections, cleaning checks, maintenance, or damage prevention.
Lost or damaged keys must be replaced by the student.
Vandalism
Students who cause damage through vandalism or negligence will be required to repair the damage if possible and may be held financially responsible or subject to disciplinary actions.
Weapons and Dangerous Objects
Weapons, ammunition, and other dangerous items (e.g., knives, explosives, fireworks) are prohibited unless special permission is given.
Night Quiet Hours
Quiet must be observed after 11:00 PM on school premises, indoors and outdoors.
Animals
Pets or animals are not allowed on school premises unless otherwise agreed.
Guests and Overnight Stays Away
All guests must be approved by the school office at least two days in advance and informed of the school’s rules and fire safety instructions. Guests must sleep in assigned guest rooms. If you have a single room, guests may stay there. You are responsible for your guests, including payment and guestbook registration. A small fee applies for meals. Guests who violate rules will be asked to leave immediately.
Students staying away overnight must register their departure and return in the designated travel book.
Clothing and Symbols
According to the Folkehøgskoleloven (Folk High School Act), students may not wear face coverings during class or school trips, except for climatic, pedagogical, health, or safety reasons.
Students may not wear clothing, jewelry, or symbols promoting extremist political views, racism, violence, threats, pornography, or hate speech.
Violations may result in orders to remove the item. Failure to comply may result in removal from class or expulsion for repeated offenses.
Consequences for Rule Violations
Violations of school rules or generally accepted social norms will lead to disciplinary action such as confiscation of weapons/dangerous items, warnings, suspension, or expulsion.
Substance Use
To create a positive and safe school year, we depend on a substance-free environment. Therefore, the use and possession of intoxicants are strictly prohibited at the school, in the boarding facilities, and in the immediate vicinity of the school.
When around 100 students live together in a boarding school, safety is important. Being under the influence of alcohol when the fire alarm goes off, or operating a stove or similar equipment while intoxicated, poses a safety risk. We want students to be well-rested and alert for classes. It is also important to be considerate of students who may struggle with substance use or who have had difficult experiences related to substance use. The school also wants to help students develop healthy attitudes and habits regarding alcohol.
- Alcohol: Possession or use of alcohol on school premises or nearby is strictly prohibited. Being intoxicated on school premises or during school events is also not allowed. Violations lead to suspension of up to one week. Repeated violations lead to permanent expulsion and exclusion from school trips.
- Drugs: Use of drugs or illegal substances is prohibited, including during holidays or leaves.
Violations result in suspension or permanent expulsion and possible exclusion from trips.
These rules apply to both students and their guests. You are responsible for your guests’ behavior.
Clarification:
Being present in an environment where alcohol is being consumed is treated the same as personal consumption. You are responsible for avoiding such situations.
The surrounding school area includes everything on this side of Kvernhusvannet and the nearby residential area (including the water tower). Public alcohol consumption is illegal under Norwegian law.
Insurance
Students at the school are covered by occupational injury insurance in accordance with the provisions of the Norwegian National Insurance Act. Coverage is subject to certain conditions.
Students are insured against accidental injury while on school premises. There may be limitations to the coverage in certain situations.
The school has group travel insurance for school trips. In addition to this, students must arrange their own valid travel insurance covering trips in Norway and abroad, including the relevant destinations and duration of travel. Many students have family insurance that provides such coverage, but it is the student’s responsibility to check that the insurance applies to the specific trip.
Students are encouraged to take out their own home contents insurance and valuables insurance to cover personal belongings, including equipment, valuables, and furnishings brought to the school. The school is not responsible for theft or loss of students’ belongings during the school year.
Internet and Social Media
General Use
Students may access the school’s wireless network under the condition that it is used in accordance with the school’s data and information security policies. Violations may result in loss of access.
Phones and tablets may not be used in class unless permitted by the subject teacher.
Consent for Photos and Videos
Photos/videos taken by staff during classes, trips, or showcasing student work may be used in school brochures, websites, or social media (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok).
Publishing portraits or videos requires student consent. A consent form will be distributed at the beginning of the school year and must be signed.
Consent from Others
Students may not share photos/videos of other students or staff without their consent. While group/situational photos are exempt, it is still encouraged to ask.
Violations may result in disciplinary action or legal consequences
Study trips
School rules also apply during study trips. An additional travel code of conduct applies. Violations will be addressed immediately by trip leaders. Serious or repeated breaches may result in the student being sent home at their own expense. Rule violations during trips will be treated as disciplinary cases upon return.
Disciplinary Actions
Disciplinary Council
Folkhøgskoleloven (The Folk High School Act) regulates the handling of disciplinary cases. Disciplinary cases refer to matters involving serious breaches of the school rules.
The Disciplinary Council consists of the principal, one teacher, and two representatives from IKV (residential office/administration and kitchen/caretaker). The contact teacher of the student involved also participates. The student has the right to attend the meeting with a representative from the student council.
In some cases, the Disciplinary Council may delegate cases to the school management or a smaller designated group.
Case proceedings follow the rules in Chapters IV, V, and VI of the Public Administration Act. Decisions made by the Disciplinary Council may be appealed to the school board, see section 8.4.
Reactions/Consequences for Breach of School Rules
If a student breaches the school rules, the school may take various disciplinary actions. The reaction must be authorized by the regulations, must be proportionate to the severity of the violation, and should be implemented as close in time to the violation as possible. Repeated violations of school rules may be considered aggravating circumstances.
Breaches of the school rules may result in the following responses (which may be combined):
• Verbal warning for minor violations
• Written warning
• Confiscation of item(s)
• Suspension for a specific period
• Expulsion and loss of school placement
• Police report in the case of criminal offenses
The following breaches of school rules are considered serious and will result in a disciplinary case:
• Failure to pay tuition
• Extensive undocumented absence
• Violence and threats
• Racism, bullying, and harassment
• Sexual abuse
• Theft
• Vandalism
• Use of weapons or other dangerous items contrary to instructions
• Use or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs
This list is not exhaustive, and a disciplinary case may be initiated for other types of violations as well.
Expulsion requires serious or repeated breaches of school rules. Use or possession of illegal drugs, violence, and sexual abuse will normally lead to expulsion. Serious cases of racism, bullying, and harassment (including sexual harassment) will also typically result in expulsion.
Decisions regarding suspension or expulsion are considered individual decisions under the Public Administration Act and require a two-thirds majority vote in the Disciplinary Council. The student must be given the opportunity to explain themselves orally to the Disciplinary Council before any decision is made. This right to speak applies to all types of disciplinary actions.
During a suspension, the student must leave the school premises for the entire suspension period.
Expulsion results in the loss of the student’s placement and the right to be on school premises for the remainder of the school year. The student will also lose the right to receive a diploma.
Procedural Rules for Disciplinary Cases
The principal convenes a meeting with the Disciplinary Council. Before the meeting, the council must collect all necessary information related to the case.
The student must be notified in writing of the meeting with the Disciplinary Council. The notice must specify the time of the meeting and the subject of the case. It must also inform the student of their right to express their opinion on the matter and to bring a support person to the meeting.
During the meeting, the student must be informed of the suspicion and/or evidence related to the alleged breach of rules and be given access to all relevant case information. The student must then be given the opportunity to explain themselves and present their side of the case.
All decisions made by the Disciplinary Council must be in writing and include a justification. The decision must contain information about the student’s right to appeal, see section 8.4. The deadline for filing an appeal is three weeks from the date the student was informed of the decision.
Right of Appeal in Disciplinary Cases
The student has the right to appeal decisions made by the Disciplinary Council. The appeal must be in writing, specify which decision is being appealed, include a description of the grounds for the appeal and what is being requested. The appeal must be signed by the student and/or their parents/guardians if the student is a minor and sent to the Disciplinary Council.
The school board is the school’s highest authority, cf. Section 2 of the Folk High School Act. In the case of an appeal against a decision from the Disciplinary Council, the board serves as the appeals body. When handling the appeal, the board must consider the student’s arguments and conduct any necessary investigations prompted by the appeal. If the board finds the appeal justified, it must overturn or amend the decision.
Folk high schools are considered public administrative bodies under the Public Administration Act in cases where the school exercises public authority and makes individual decisions. The provisions of Chapters IV, V, and VI of the Public Administration Act apply to the board’s handling of appeals.