Arendal videregående skole
"Porsgrunn videregående skole is a public upper secondary school situated in Porsgrunn, a town in the Telemark region of Norway."
As one of the largest schools in Telemark county — sharing that distinction with Skien videregående skole — the school is home to approximately 1,150 students and around 170 employees, making it a substantial and well-resourced educational community. The school holds a notable place within Norway's educational landscape as one of only 24 schools in the country authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). The IB Diploma Programme, delivered in English, prepares students aged 16 to 19 for university entrance worldwide through a rigorous and internationally recognized curriculum. For expatriate families and relocating professionals, this is a significant advantage: the IBDP is accepted by universities across Europe, North America, and beyond, providing students with a credential that travels well regardless of where their academic journey takes them next. The IB programme at Porsgrunn has been in place since 2007, giving the school nearly two decades of experience developing and refining its international academic offering. The fact that English serves as the language of instruction within the IB stream means that international families whose children are not yet fluent in Norwegian can integrate into a rigorous academic environment without a language barrier standing in the way of their studies. The broader school community reflects the character of Porsgrunn itself — a mid-sized Norwegian industrial town with a practical, grounded identity. Students in the IB programme study alongside peers enrolled in Norway's national upper secondary curriculum, creating a setting where international and local educational cultures coexist. This environment can be genuinely enriching for students from abroad, offering authentic immersion in Norwegian society while still pursuing an internationally portable qualification. For families considering Porsgrunn videregående skole, the school's size brings real benefits in terms of facilities, staffing depth, and the range of subjects and extracurricular opportunities likely to be available. As a publicly funded institution, it operates within Norway's well-regarded state education system, which emphasizes student wellbeing, academic support, and equitable access to resources. What ultimately distinguishes this school for internationally mobile families is the combination of its IB Diploma Programme, English-language instruction, and its position within a large, stable public school with deep roots in its local community. Families relocating to the Telemark region who are seeking an academically credible, internationally recognized programme for their secondary-age children will find Porsgrunn videregående skole to be one of the very few institutions in the region equipped to meet that need. Prospective families are encouraged to visit the school's website or contact the admissions office directly to learn more about entry requirements, application timelines, and the specific subject offerings available within the current IB curriculum cycle.