Byens Steiner School vs Copenhagen International School

	B Byens Steiner School Copenhagen, Denmark	C Copenhagen International School Copenhagen, Denmark
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year DKK 17,328 - 37,488	Fees / year DKK 3,000 - 210,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 16 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Waldorf Steiner Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP)	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 167	Pupils 850
Typical class size	Typical class size 12	Typical class size 17
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2019	Opened 1963
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Waldorf International School Copenhagen is located at Otto Busses Vej 47, 2450 København SV, Copenhagen, Denmark. It is the international department of Byens Steinerskole. The school is an independent institution approved by the Danish Ministry of Children and Education. The language of instruction in the international department is English.	Location Copenhagen International School is located in the Nordhavn district of Copenhagen, Denmark. The campus address is Levantkaj 4-14, 2150 Nordhavn, Denmark. It sits in Nordhavn with the Orientkaj metro station across the street, a harbour boat stop right outside the school, and on-site parking nearby; many students also cycle to campus.
Stages	Stages Kindergarten and primary education (Class 0–6) in the International Department.	Stages IB Primary Years Programme (PYP); IB Middle Years Programme (MYP); IB Diploma Programme (DP)
School type	School type Independent Waldorf (Steiner) school with an international department.	School type Private international day school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix 80 countries represented; Denmark 24%, United States 16%, United Kingdom 8%, India 4%, Netherlands 4%
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The Learning Support Centre offers diagnostic and remedial support for students with learning challenges, including English literacy and mathematics support, dyslexia testing, and assistive technology; admission is based on individual assessment. About 10–15% of students use these services.	Additional learning support CIS has a Student Support Program to meet diverse learning needs, with an inclusive admissions process and documentation requirements. The school uses a Learning Support framework with tiers (Ia/Ib/Ic, II, III) to determine the level of support needed for Grades K–12.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Denmark	Country affiliation United States
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Non-denominational; inclusive of all religious backgrounds.	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Waldorf-based daily rhythm with a balance of core academics and artistic/practical subjects, including physical education, crafts, and the arts, in alignment with Waldorf education.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Registration - Indmeldelsesgebyr (registration fee): DKK 5,000 per family/ per enrolled pupil as charged at admission. The registration fee is non‑refundable. Deposit / Prepaid tuition - Forudbetalte skolepenge (deposit / prepaid tuition): DKK 11,000 per pupil. This amount functions as prepaid tuition covering the final three months of the pupil's enrolment and is held as a deposit until any outstanding balances are settled. Tuition (school fees) by year group and child position - Bh. kl. – 4. kl. (kindergarten class to Grade 4): - 1st child: DKK 2,682 per month — equivalent to DKK 32,184 per academic year (12 payments) — approx. DKK 10,728 per term (school year split into three terms). - 2nd child: DKK 2,063 per month — equivalent to DKK 24,756 per academic year — approx. DKK 8,252 per term. - 3rd child: DKK 1,444 per month — equivalent to DKK 17,328 per academic year — approx. DKK 5,776 per term. - 5. – 9. klasse (Grades 5–9): - 1st child: DKK 3,124 per month — equivalent to DKK 37,488 per academic year (12 payments) — approx. DKK 12,496 per term. - 2nd child: DKK 2,477 per month — equivalent to DKK 29,724 per academic year — approx. DKK 9,908 per term. - 3rd child: DKK 1,830 per month — equivalent to DKK 21,960 per academic year — approx. DKK 7,320 per term. After‑school care, childcare and optional activities (examples of other fees) - Eftermiddagspasning (after‑school care from end of teaching until 16:30; Fridays until 16:00): - 1st child: DKK 1,125 per month; 2nd child: DKK 843 per month; 3rd child: DKK 562 per month. - Additional listed childcare package (separate package level shown): - 1st child: DKK 437 per month; 2nd child: DKK 328 per month; 3rd child: DKK 219 per month. - Soloundervisning (solo music tuition, 30 minutes per week for the stated period): DKK 800 (per listed period). - Akut morgenpasning (one‑off emergency single‑day morning care): DKK 100 per occasion. - Ventelistegebyr (waiting‑list administration fee on registration for the waiting list): DKK 450. - Støtteforening (parent/support association membership): DKK 250 per year (charged annually with school fees each August). - Other potential costs: instrument rental, class trips and additional activities (school trips are charged from Grade 4 upwards); parents should expect occasional extra charges for these items. Billing schedule and payment terms - Billing frequency: Tuition and included services are invoiced in 12 monthly instalments; timely payment is due on the 1st of each month. - Collection method: Payment is collected via Betalingsservice (direct debit). An administration fee applies for invoices not paid through Betalingsservice. - Late payment and reminders: - Interest on overdue amounts: 1% per commenced month. - Reminder (rykker) fees: DKK 100 per reminder. - Administration fee for invoices not paid via Betalingsservice: DKK 150 per invoice. - Notice period for withdrawal: Written notice of withdrawal is required with three months' notice to the 1st of a month. Udmeldelse (withdrawal) must be submitted in writing. Refunds and deposit handling - Indmeldelsesgebyr (registration fee): Non‑refundable. - Forudbetalte skolepenge (prepaid tuition / deposit of DKK 11,000): Held as prepaid tuition covering the last three months of the pupil's enrolment; any deposit or remaining balance is returned after the deduction of outstanding school fees, fritidshjem charges or other debts to the school. Boarding - Boarding: Not applicable. The school's published fees cover day‑school tuition, after‑school care and associated services; there is no listing of boarding or residential placement fees. After‑school care (fritidshjem) options and fees are provided instead. Fee payment options and bank details - Preferred payment method: Betalingsservice (direct debit). Administration fee applies for other payment methods. - Bank transfer details (for manual payments / school invoicing): - Bank: Merkur Andelskasse - Registration (Reg): 8401 - Account (Konto): 1073917 - IBAN: DKK DK1284010001073917 - BIC: MEKUDK21. Other billing and concession notes - Sibling discounts: Full tuition is charged for the first child; reduced rates apply for the second and third child; no tuition is charged for subsequent children beyond the third, according to the school's sibling moderation structure. - Financial assistance: The school uses public grant schemes and a board-administered hardship fund to provide partial fee reductions or temporary relief in eligible cases; procedures exist for applying for state administered tuition support and for extraordinary board‑decided reductions. (End of fee overview.)	Fee details Effective year: 2025/26 (figures and conditions below apply to the 2025/26 School Year). Application & Registration Fees - Application fee (non-refundable): DKK 3,000 per application. - Registration fee (one-time, non-refundable): DKK 40,000 due within five business days of accepting a place; failure to pay within five business days will result in contract cancellation. Annual tuition fees (by year group) and implied per-term amounts - Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K 2, 3, 4): DKK 189,000 per year. Per-term (quarter) amount if paid in four instalments (25% each): DKK 47,250. - Kindergarten – Grade 5: DKK 151,000 per year. Per-term (25%): DKK 37,750. - Grades 6–10: DKK 174,000 per year. Per-term (25%): DKK 43,500. - Grades 11–12: DKK 210,000 per year. Per-term (25%): DKK 52,500. Billing schedule and payment terms - Payment schedule options described: - One payment: full annual tuition due on April 1 (date specified in the contract for the applicable year). - Four payments: administrative fee DKK 2,000; payments due on April 1, August 1, November 1, and February 1 (each payment = 25% of annual tuition). - Eight payments: administrative fee DKK 2,000; first payment 30% due on April 1, then seven monthly payments of 10% due August 1, September 1, October 1, November 1, December 1, January 1, and February 1. - Late-payment handling: DKK 125 per late payment reminder. Fees and proration for students enrolling after the school year has started - A minimum payment of one quarter (25% of the annual tuition) is due within five business days of accepting a place and before attendance begins. Tuition is prorated by quarter as follows (dates shown are the quarter end dates for the 2025/26 calendar and determine the charge applicable at point of enrolment): - Enrolment in Quarter 1 (up to the Quarter 1 end date): 100% of annual tuition. - Enrolment in Quarter 2: 75% of annual tuition. - Enrolment in Quarter 3: 50% of annual tuition. - Enrolment in Quarter 4: 25% of annual tuition. Other costs and recurring fees - Special learning needs, external specialist services (speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, external evaluations) are billed separately by the provider. - Lunch, after-school activities, sports, and trips are billed separately from tuition. - After-school club monthly registration (examples): - Pre-K: supervision up to 17:00 included in annual tuition (no additional fee listed). - Grades K–1: DKK 1,100 (until 16:00) or DKK 2,000 (until 16:55) per month. - Grades 2–5: DKK 1,100 (until 16:00) or DKK 2,000 (until 16:55) per month. - After-school activities: invoiced per semester and typically in the range DKK 1,200–2,500 per activity (varies by activity). - Sports activities: annual fees invoiced in two instalments, typically DKK 3,000–4,400 per year (covers coaching, facilities, uniforms, league access). - Trips and tournaments: additional charges for transport and accommodation; examples shown include home games DKK 800 and away games DKK 4,500–6,000. - Lost student card: first replacement free; subsequent replacements DKK 250. - Sports uniforms: initial team uniform included with team signup; replacements available to purchase (replacement cost not specified). Boarding fees - Boarding is not offered; there are no boarding fees. Refunds and withdrawal charges - Application and registration fees are non-refundable. - Annual tuition refund/charge schedule when a parent/guardian withdraws a student (dates are the withdrawal-communication dates used in the contract for the 2025/26 year): - Withdrawal on or before April 1: no annual tuition is due (non-refundable fees are not reimbursed). - Withdrawal April 2 – May 31 (inclusive): 10% of annual tuition due. - Withdrawal June 1 – September 10 (inclusive): 25% of annual tuition due. - Withdrawal September 11 – December 9 (inclusive): 50% of annual tuition due. - Withdrawal December 10 – February 27 (inclusive): 75% of annual tuition due. - Withdrawal after February 27: 100% of annual tuition due. - Force majeure: in a force majeure event fees remain due in full and no refunds are issued. Fee payment methods & how to arrange payments - The published General & Financial Conditions set out payment schedules, instalment options, administrative and late fees; they do not list specific payment channels (e.g., bank account details, card processor) within the fee schedule document itself. For admissions and invoicing matters, contact the Admissions office at admissions@cis.dk. Notes on additional possible charges - External specialist providers invoice separately for therapy and assessments. - Extra-curricular activities, sports fixtures, competitions, and residential elements of trips incur separate charges and are billed in addition to tuition.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Waldorf curriculum aligned with the Danish Ministry of Children and Education. English is the language of instruction in the international department. The program emphasises a holistic education with physical education, handicrafts, the arts, and respect for the natural world, alongside mathematics and literacy, following the head, heart, and hands approach. The Waldorf International School Copenhagen is an IB Primary Years Programme Candidate School with full IB authorization planned for 2027 and MYP candidacy planned for the 2026/27 school year.	Curriculum details CIS offers all three IB Programmes: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). Instruction is in English, with Danish included in the curriculum. English as an Additional Language support is provided to help learners access the curriculum. Danish is taught within the Danish language provision as part of the curriculum. CIS is an IB World School accredited by NEASC to deliver Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes and to award a U.S. high school diploma. Primary School uses the Primary Years Programme; Secondary School delivers the Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results Approximately 95% of the Class of 2025 are IB Diploma candidates. CIS is an IB World School and NEASC-accredited; graduates can earn a U.S. high school diploma in addition to the IB Diploma. The Class of 2023–2024 attended universities including the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University College London, and the University of Edinburgh, among others. Diploma results show a Pass Rate (CIS) of 93% and a Global Pass Rate of 80%; the Mean Diploma Score (CIS) is around 34 versus a Global Mean around 30, with the Highest Diploma Score (Max 45).
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Graduates pursue higher education at universities around the world, including institutions in the UK, the US and Europe. For the Classes of 2023 and 2024, CIS graduates attended universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College London, University College London, and the University of Edinburgh, among others. The profile shows a range of accepted universities across the UK, US and Europe as part of graduates' higher education trajectories.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented Novo Nordisk Foundation Scholarships are available for children of international researchers. Any student who wishes to take the full IB Diploma Programme may enrol, supporting high-achieving learners.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Admission Criteria: All children whose parents enroll are welcome provided the following criteria are met: The parents have consciously chosen Waldorf education and confirm this choice explicitly on the application form; the child has a nationality other than Danish and at least one of the parents works in Denmark for a period of time (the period is not set but should be convincingly demonstrated); the child has Danish nationality and was educated abroad for at least two years because at least one parent worked abroad for a period; or the child has Danish nationality and at least one parent will be working abroad in the foreseeable future for at least two years, as confirmed in writing by an employer. By parents, we understand parents, guardians, or caregivers. Please refer to the Fee Policy and structure page for more information about school fees. Entry Age: Schooling in Denmark begins in kindergarten class. Children entering Kindergarten Class must turn 6 years by the 31st of December of the year they are to start. Class Age of the child: Kindergarten class – The year the child reaches the age of six; Class 1 – The year the child reaches the age of seven; Class 2 – The year the child reaches the age of eight; Class 3 – The year the child reaches the age of eight; Class 4 – The year the child reaches the age of nine; Class 5 – The year the child reaches the age of ten; Class 6 – The year the child reaches the age of eleven; Class 7 – The year the child reaches the age of twelve; Class 8 – The year the child reaches the age of thirteen; Class 9 – The year the child reaches the age of fourteen. If your child is below the age of six please take a look at the site for our kindergarten Lærkelunden. School Equivalents: Review the School Equivalents chart to see which class your child should attend. Current Classes: As a new and growing school, we add at least one year group every year so our oldest students never phase out of the school. For the 2023-24 classes only classes 0. to 6 are available. Language requirements: WISC accepts children of all nationalities from the age of 6. Since the lessons will be taught mainly in English, it is an advantage but not a requirement that one of the child's main languages is English. We advise that one of the parents is Danish-speaking, but it is not a requirement. Automatic enrollment in the Support Association: You automatically become a member of the WISC's support association. It costs 250 DKK a year to be a member, and the enrollment is registered when the amount is paid. You will receive an invoice by email.	Admissions The school serves students aged 34 months through 18 years. Admission is non-discriminatory and open to all students; no single nationality may exceed 25% of the student body. Applications are accepted year‑round, subject to space. The four steps to apply are: 1. Book a tour, 2) Submit an online application with required documents and a 3,000 DKK application fee, 3) Application review by the Principals for the relevant grade considering English proficiency and learning‑support needs, 4) Secure your place by accepting the offer and paying a 40,000 DKK registration fee; enrollment steps are guided by the Admissions team after confirmation. Now accepting applications for the 2026‑2027 school year, with spaces in all grade levels. To arrange a visit, confirm a date and time with the Admissions Office; tours last 60–90 minutes. Address: Levantkaj 4‑14, 2150 Nordhavn, Denmark.
Scholarships	Scholarships Grants for reduction of school fees: Byens Steinerskole has two types of programs where you can apply for a subsidy or a full or partial free place. First scheme: Application for support from Fordelingssekretariatet. The Danish Finance Act allocates funds for subsidies for school fees and after-school program fees. Subsidies for after-school program fees are only available for children in grades 0-3. Fordelingssekretariatet makes a limited amount of money available as a subsidy to reduce school fees. The funds are distributed based on the application and parents' income base. The application form is handed out to all parents at the beginning of the school year. The deadline for applying is the 25th of August each year, and you apply for one school year at a time. The application is submitted at the start of the school year. The Fordelingssekretariatet sets the criteria and administers free places for independent schools. If you are eligible, the subsidy is paid to the school in December; the subsidy amount is not received until December, so the reduction takes effect January to June. The application must reach the school by the 25th of August. The parent application form can be downloaded from Parent Intra and sent to kontor@byenssteinerskole.dk. Second scheme: Extraordinary reduction/exemption of school fees. The board may allocate funds for temporary reductions to help families affected by a social event, such as job loss, serious illness, divorce, and the like, where the family's financial situation is strained. These free places are limited in number. The duration of the reduction or exemption is generally 3 to 6 months, or one school year in special cases. The extraordinary free place scheme is always granted prospectively and at the earliest from the next 1st of the month after the application has been processed. You can apply after 15 August and the grant is valid for the school year you apply for. The grant is awarded by the chairperson, treasurer, and school principal jointly following a request from parents to the school principal. To be considered, a written application with documentation of the family's financial situation, annual statement, or similar must be submitted to the school; the head of the school will then present the application anonymously to the board for decision.	Scholarships The Secondary School Scholarships make the IB Diploma Programme accessible to exceptionally talented students who might not otherwise be able to afford CIS tuition; scholarships are awarded to applicants entering Grade 11 for the duration of Grades 11 and 12, and recipients are expected to study at CIS for the duration. Scholarships fall into Academic Excellence, Arts, and Sustainability. Academic Excellence scholarships are based on academic excellence and personal skills; because the IB Diploma is demanding, academic abilities are given priority in the scholarship process and all scholarship applicants take two one‑hour exams in English and Maths. Arts scholarships honor exceptional talent in the visual arts, music and theatre; applicants submit an online portfolio (three to five works) with explanations and a personal statement; references may accompany the portfolio. Sustainability scholarships recognize outstanding commitment to environmental issues; applicants submit an online portfolio with explanations and a personal statement; references may accompany. The Scholarship Panel comprises the Secondary School Principal, the IB Coordinator, and a CIS board member. External candidates follow a financial review, complete the standard application (noting the scholarship choice), pay the 3,000 DKK application fee, email a personal statement, and submit portfolios if required; internal candidates follow similar steps. All applicants complete a Financial Means Declaration Form. The 2026–2027 scholarship timeline includes fixed deadlines for financial review, exams, interviews, and offers as published on the site.
Waitlist	Waitlist Waiting list for Lærkelunden: Lærkelunden has its own waiting list and children can be placed on the list from the age of 3 months. To get on the waiting list, please register your child using this form. Once there is an availability we will contact you. Since we are a small institution, there will not be that many openings every year. When an opening occurs, the staff choose a child from the waiting list, that fits into the current group of children, and offer the spot to the parents. Children on the waiting list are chosen based on: Siblings to children in the kindergarten or school are firstly offered the spot according to the date of need and age. We have emphasis on that there is an age and gender distribution, so that there are grounds for new friendships between the children. At the same time, the age distribution ensures that we do not have to replace the whole group at once. Please be aware that we already have many children listed on the waiting list. Contact: admission@byenssteinerskole.dk.	Waitlist When space is not sufficient to accommodate all qualified applicants, a waiting pool is created. CIS draws from the waiting pool based on priority groups and a review of all applications to determine which students can most benefit from CIS. Priority 1: Returning students who confirm reenrollment in writing by the deadline. Priority 2: CIS Scholarship students and siblings of currently enrolled students. Priority 3: Applicants affiliated with diplomatic missions, governmental and non‑governmental organisations operating in Copenhagen; applicants affiliated with multinational corporations operating in Copenhagen; children of CIS alumni. Priority 4: Former CIS students who left Denmark to study abroad and those who have attended Danish efterskole. Priority 5: Other qualified applicants.
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