Normal Lyceum of Helsinki

The school has a constant, good-natured rivalry with Ressun lukio (Ressu Upper Secondary School, previously known as "Helsingin reaalilyseo") and Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu which are considered even more prestigious than the Normal Lyceum by some.

In 1887, the Primary School became state-owned and was named the Helsinki Finnish Normal Lyceum.

The school went through several name changes until finally becoming the Helsinki Normal Lyceum on January 1, 1995.

In the spring of 2006 teaching started again in the old school building at Ratakatu 6a, which has been completely renovated and modernized.

Right next to the school is a gas station, which was used as the scenery for the fictional café "Wanha Bensis" in the Finnish drama series Kotikatu.