News | 26 March 2026
Four IES Stockholm schools among national top tier
Four schools from Internationella Engelska Skolan in the Stockholm area are among Sweden’s most successful compulsory schools, according to a new national review of school results spanning a ten-year period.
Internationella Engelska Skolan in Täby, Nacka, Bromma, and Järfälla are all among the schools that, year after year, have ranked within the top quartile of the country's schools, measured by the proportion of Year 9 students achieving the knowledge requirements in all subjects.
During the period 2016–2025, the results were as follows:
- Internationella Engelska Skolan Täby – 95.7%
- Internationella Engelska Skolan Nacka – 94.2%
- Internationella Engelska Skolan Bromma – 93.8%
- Internationella Engelska Skolan Järfälla – 93.6%
This means that, on average, well over nine out of ten students leave these schools with passing grades in every subject.
A stable top position in Swedish education
The review also reveals a clear national pattern. Of the 87 schools in Sweden that have remained in the top quartile for an entire decade, 65 are free schools (friskolor) and 22 are municipal schools.
Meanwhile, there are 38 schools that have consistently ranked in the lowest quartile every year during the same period—all of which are municipal.
Across the entire period, an average of 83.8 per cent of students in free schools meet the knowledge requirements in all subjects, compared to 72.3 per cent in municipal schools.
Significant disparities within the Stockholm region
In the Stockholm area, the differences between schools are stark. While several IES schools consistently rank among the country’s most successful, there are schools in the region that have repeatedly seen very weak results for an entire decade.
Focus must be on well-functioning schools
"The results demonstrate that it is possible to create schools where almost all students reach the learning objectives. When such results recur year after year, it is down to a focus on knowledge and high expectations, which creates a calm environment for study," says Johan Öhman, Principal of Internationella Engelska Skolan Täby.
"The debate on education often focuses on who operates the schools. But in the end, it is the quality of the school that matters. Our focus is always on knowledge, high expectations, and a safe, orderly environment," says Donald Christian, Principal of Internationella Engelska Skolan Nacka.
"The big question isn't actually why certain schools are doing well – it’s how we, as teachers and school leaders, can share best practices to the schools and regions that have been underperforming for a long period." says Dr Rachel Heimeier, Principal of Internationella Engelska Skolan Bromma.
"At a time when the discussion regarding free schools has become political, I believe it is more important to look at what schools are doing well to support and challenge every student," says Carolyn Keay, Principal of Internationella Engelska Skolan Järfälla.
About the report
The report, Compulsory Schools with Long-term Low vs. High Academic Results 2016–2025, is published by the Commission for Choice in Education (Valfrihetskommissionen). It is based on statistics from the National Agency for Education (Skolverket) regarding the proportion of Year 9 students who achieved the knowledge requirements in all subjects during the academic years 2015/16–2024/25. It identifies schools that have consistently belonged to the highest and lowest national quartiles throughout the entire period.