Finding the best International School in Copenhagen
Looking for the best international schools in Copenhagen and the Greater Copenhagen region?
With 17 international schools within Greater Copenhagen, you have quite a few options. This variety gives you flexibility, but how can you narrow down your options to find the best international school for your child?
Below we explore some of the primary considerations that can guide your decision-making process and offer tips on identifying the best international school for your family.
Age groups at international schools in Copenhagen
The age of your child is an important factor in finding the best school as not all schools offer all grade levels.
One thing to keep in mind is that Danish students start school later than most international students. Compulsory education here starts only at age 6.
This means the age placement decision in Denmark can differ from what you might have seen in other parts of the world as the Danish regulations for starting formal education apply to most schools here – even the international ones.
If you have multiple children of different ages, finding a school that can accommodate them all will make life a lot easier for your family.
However, once your child reaches the upper secondary level (called gymnasium in Denmark), it is unusual for students to be driven to school by their parents or for parents to even show up at school on a regular basis. This means you can be more flexible in your choice of schools if you have more than one child.
(Note: The infographic above groups lower secondary and upper secondary together in the Secondary column. The Age column reflects the grade levels taught at each school.)
Kindergartens
For children not old enough to begin primary school, Copenhagen offers private international kindergartens (called børnehave in Denmark) offering programs in English for 3–5 year-olds.
There are also 4 public kindergartens in the Copenhagen area with English-language programs for foreign children from non-Danish-speaking families.
Another alternative for your child is a forest kindergarten (skovbørnehave). These special Danish kindergartens allow your child to enjoy, learn and grow surrounded by nature in small settings in areas outside Copenhagen. The children are bussed out in the morning and return in the afternoon.
All kindergartens in Denmark – both private and public – charge fees.
Curriculums at international schools in Copenhagen
The international schools in Copenhagen teach a variety of curriculums, and many schools teach more than one.
For example, a school may combine the IGCSE and IB Diploma Program curriculums or teach both the International Primary Curriculum and the IB Middle Years Program.
Which is the best choice for your child? This depends on your child’s education background up to now and what your child’s future academic plans look like.
Choosing a school that teaches the national curriculum matching your home country – e.g. American, British, French or German – might make for an easier transition if your family will be in Copenhagen only temporarily before returning home.
On the other hand, international curriculums such as the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), IGCSE or any of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programs are taught at many international schools around the world. One of these may be a good choice if you are a globetrotting family.
Annual tuition fees at international schools in Copenhagen
Enrolling your child in an international school in Copenhagen can be free (yes!). In other cases, there are international schools where you will have to pay annual tuition fees and possibly other types of fees.
In general, tuition fees increase for higher grades/older students. However, some schools have a simpler approach and charge the same fee for all students, regardless of age.
One thing to watch for is the availability of sibling discounts, which are fee reductions that some schools offer to families enrolling more than one child in the same school.
All schools – including international schools – receive a subsidy per student from the Ministry of Education. Private schools charge parents a tuition fee in addition to the subsidy. On the other hand, some international schools are public and thus free of charge.
In Copenhagen, annual tuition fees vary widely, from completely free to as high as DKK177,000 per year. However, this highest figure is an outlier as most private international schools charge monthly fees of approximately DKK3,000–4,000 (DKK36,000–48,000 per year).
Keep in mind that the fees listed in the infographic above show only tuition fees. They do no not include separate school-related expenses such as application fees, registration fees, boarding fees and other non-instructional fees (e.g. English language support, after-school activities, sports clubs, exam fees, etc.).
CPR number
Ensuring you have a CPR number – a Danish personal identification number – for your child and a connected registered address can save you a lot of money.
If you are unable to report your child’s CPR number and registered address by 5 September each year, you will be charged the value of the state education subsidy (DKK45,000–75,000) on top of the normal tuition fees.
What is the best international school in Copenhagen?
Finding the best international school in Copenhagen is highly personal, so there is no on-size-fits-all answer.
What works best for your family and your child comes down to your needs and preferences. Age groups, curriculums and annual tuition fees are important considerations when choosing an international school, but there are many other factors that may influence your decision – languages, location and facilities, to name a few.
It’s important to consider these factors in a local context. For example, in many countries children typically travel to school in a school bus. Denmark, on the other, has excellent infrastructure allowing students to use bikes and public transport to travel to and from school and other activities.
To find the best fit, start by determining your family’s priorities and creating a shortlist. This will help you identify the schools you’d like to contact for a virtual or in-person tour to get a feel for the environment they offer.
Ready to explore all the international schools in Copenhagen and the Greater Copenhagen region? Start your search with Schooling Denmark.
