Newsletter from the Principal
Dear Parents and Guardians,
There has been considerable discussion about the results of the latest PISA assessment, which were reported in the Icelandic media yesterday. Naturally, the performance of Icelandic students in the core subjects covered by the survey is a cause for concern. It is clear that both educational authorities and the school system as a whole need to respond to these results and work to understand how outcomes can be improved.
While this applies to the education system overall, it is also important to recognize that Landakotsskóli continues to be in a very strong position. Although educational authorities do not publish school-level PISA comparisons, Landakotsskóli has consistently performed exceptionally well in every available comparison with other schools, and we know that our students’ achievement in core academic subjects is well above average. At the same time, we place great emphasis on student well-being and work hard to ensure that children thrive at school. We sincerely hope that our results in that area are just as strong.
How Do We Measure the Quality of a School?
One of the best indicators is how students fare after they graduate and leave the school. All evidence suggests that former Landakotsskóli students continue to be highly successful in both their studies and their future careers.
It has been a pleasure to meet many of our former students who graduated last spring and to hear about their experiences in upper secondary school. Landakotsskóli graduates are now studying at a wide range of schools, including Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík, Kvennaskólinn, Verslunarskóli Íslands, Tækniskólinn, and Menntaskólinn í Kópavogi.
We hear the same messages again and again:
“Things are going really well.”
“Math is no problem at all.”
“I received credit for my French courses, and now I’m studying Spanish as my fourth language.”
“I’m doing great and have become a student representative.”
Upper secondary schools also confirm that our students are well prepared, independent, and responsible. This is precisely our goal: to provide an environment where students enjoy learning, receive an education that prepares them well for the next stage, and ensures that every opportunity is open to them.
That is why it does not surprise us when parents contact the school after their older children have met outstanding students in upper secondary schools who graduated from Landakotsskóli and ask whether their younger children can transfer to our school.
Strong Results Across Measures
Landakotsskóli consistently performs among the top schools in every assessment.
Our students’ achievements are particularly noteworthy. The latest Lesmál reading assessment showed that every Grade 2 student in the Icelandic Department of Landakotsskóli achieved age-appropriate reading proficiency in spring 2026. Landakotsskóli was the only school in Reykjavík to achieve this result. In fact, this has been the case for several years.
Results from the Matsferill assessments in Icelandic and mathematics, administered to students in Grades 4–9 in March 2026, also showed that students in most year groups performed well above the national average.
Academic Excellence and Creativity.
We will continue to place a strong emphasis on the core academic subjects to ensure that students maintain the advantage we have consistently seen. However, success also depends on offering a rich and creative educational experience in which social skills, creative thinking, and innovation are equally valued.
At Landakotsskóli we believe that academic excellence and student well-being go hand in hand. By combining strong foundations in literacy and numeracy with creativity, responsibility, and personal growth, we prepare students not only for future studies but also for active participation in an ever-changing world.
With best regards,
Sigrún Birgisdóttir Principal, Landakotsskóli