Developing School Association

Developing School Association (Kehittyvä koulu -yhdistys ry)

Rethinking Education for a Changing World

Developing School Association (Kehittyvä koulu -yhdistys ry) is a Finnish non-profit organization founded in 2001 to promote learner-centered education, democratic school culture, and research-informed teaching practices.

We believe education should strengthen:

    • Independent thinking
    • Intrinsic motivation
    • Social responsibility
    • Lifelong learning skills

Our mission is to support schools, teachers, families, and communities in building meaningful and future-oriented learning environments.

History

The association was started in 2001 to promote democratic education and student voice.

In 2005 we founded the first democratic school in Finland, Phoenix School. The school ran for three years.

In 2010 we started the still ongoing Phoenix Online School.

In 2016 we organized the International Democratic Education Conference IDEC@EUDEC 2016 in Mikkeli, Finland in co-operation with Otavan Opisto.

In 2016 we also started a school project for the street children in Faisalabad, Pakistan, called My Identity School, in co-operation with the local STEP-organization.

In 2025 we focused on teacher education by starting the Science of Learning Academy.

In 2026 we announced the Innovative Teacher Award -program.

What We Do

Support Individual Learning Paths

We promote educational models that recognize students as active participants in their own learning process.

Develop Schools and Learning Communities

We work with schools to create democratic, inclusive, and research-informed learning cultures.

Build International Collaboration

We cooperate with educators and organizations across Europe and beyond, sharing innovative practices and research-based approaches.

Promote Learning Science

We translate research in cognitive science and educational psychology into practical tools for everyday classroom teaching.

Key Initiatives

Phoenix Online School (Feeniks-nettikoulu)

Since 2010, we have operated Phoenix Online School, which enables students to complete Finnish basic education through flexible, home-based and digital learning solutions.

Science-Informed Professional Development

Through international cooperation and webinars, we help educators apply evidence-based teaching strategies in real classrooms.

Innovative Teacher Award

An international initiative celebrating teachers who develop creative, research-informed, and impactful classroom practices.

Our Values

    • Respect for the learner
    • Educational freedom and responsibility
    • Research-based development
    • Democratic participation
    • International openness

We believe that education is not only about transferring knowledge, but about building thoughtful, capable, and engaged human beings.

Why Finland?

Finland is globally recognized for its strong educational culture, teacher autonomy, and emphasis on equity. We build on this foundation while continuously seeking new ways to improve learning and school development.

Get Involved

Whether you are:

    • A teacher seeking research-based methods
    • A school leader interested in school development
    • An organization looking for international collaboration
    • A supporter of democratic and learner-centered education

We welcome cooperation.

Visit the Finnish-language pages for detailed information about our programs, events, and membership.