Reykjavík City increases funding for independent schools
Reykjavík City's contribution to independent schools has been substantially increased through new agreements.
A new agreement between Reykjavík City and independent primary schools in Reykjavík has been approved by the City Executive Council, with all schools having signed the document. The agreement takes effect retroactively to Jan. 1, 2025. The new agreement better enables schools to maintain service levels in accordance with Reykjavík's Education Policy.
Funding increases
Under the new agreement, Reykjavík City's contribution will increase to 80 percent from the previous 70-75 percent of total cost per student, regardless of enrollment numbers. The contribution is calculated as 80% of the weighted average total operating cost per student across all municipality-operated primary schools, based on figures from Statistics Iceland. Additionally, the percentage is no longer reduced for schools with enrollments exceeding 200 students, as was previously the case.
The agreements remain in effect through 2026, and independent schools are expected to implement the same enrollment system used by city-run schools by the end of the contract period.
Agreement a valuable contribution to children's education
"The signing of this agreement is cause for celebration, and it's important that this good work continues as it truly represents a valuable contribution to children's education in our city. I'm confident this will further strengthen our positive collaboration," says Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir.
In the photo from left: Alexandra Briem, School & Recreation Council member; Helga Þórðardóttir, chair of the School & Recreation Council; Alma Guðmundsdóttir, chair of the Association of Independent Schools; Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir; and Steinn Jóhannsson, Director of Education & Youth for Reykjavík.
The additional annual cost to Reykjavík City is estimated at ISK 134 million.
The independent schools in Reykjavík are: Grunnskóli Hjallastefnunnar, Landakotsskóli, Skóli Ísaks Jónssonar, Tjarnarskóli, Suðurhlíðarskóli, and Waldorfskólinn Sólstafir.