Norra Latin

Norra Latin (NL), a fine neo-Renaissance style building from 1880 situated on Drottninggatan, will be the new SIS campus site in Stockholm city. 

NL will become a perfect complement to the main building on Johannesgatan (which dates from the same period) as well as providing a hub for whole-school activities. SIS will vacate the current annexes and premises on Olof Palmes Gata once teaching commences at NL.

Together, the two buildings will see a substantial nett gain of space rising from just under 8,000 square metres to almost 14,000. Norra Latin will also offer over 12,000 square metres of outdoor space for recreation and events. The underground car park will remain operational but without direct access to the school grounds. SIS has entered into a long-term lease agreement, securing a stable base on which to plan for future developments and expansion.

This will offer exciting opportunities to enhance the SIS experience for our students, such as a 500 square meter Learning Commons space that will cater for all ages, and additional catering and sporting facilities. Teaching in NL, for Middle and Upper School students, will commence in the autumn of 2023 after the building has been refurbished to meet modern teaching needs. The School will then look at options for the existing Johannesgatan premises to ensure they continue to match the needs of modern teaching and learning.

Norra Latin was built as a school, but for the last 30 years or so has functioned as a conference centre. Converting it back to a school will require care and attention as SIS Advancement Director, Emma Jones, explains:

“Norra Latin has protected status so that any alterations we make have to be sensitive to its architectural heritage. SIS will have to work sympathetically with the fabric of the building. I am excited that we can create a 21st century learning environment while retaining and enjoying the character and ambience of the 19th century building. It will take time, but I am looking forward to seeing the transformation get under way.”

Securing Norra Latin is the culmination of years of work, with previous site options having fallen through. Exploring the viability of Norra Latin started as far back as October 2020, led by Emma. Since then, months of work have gone into researching, planning, and exploring the practicalities of the building, before a period of negotiation to agree the final lease.

SIS Director, Marisa León, sees the acquisition of NL as a major step in securing the future of the School:

“This will allow us to plan securely for the future. There is tremendous demand for international school places in Stockholm as the city and the region grows and develops. Adding Norra Latin to our profile  will allow us to satisfy more of the families on our waiting list and will greatly increase our appeal. It will allow us to provide more facilities and build upon our reputation as the leading international school in the city offering IB programmes through all grades from primary to upper school.”