Institut Sankt Joseph Copenhagen vs Sankt Petri Schule
Institut Sankt Joseph Copenhagen and Sankt Petri Schule are both in Copenhagen, about 2 km apart. Both schools offer Bespoke programmes. Institut Sankt Joseph Copenhagen also offers Cambridge (Primary) and Cambridge (Secondary), and Sankt Petri Schule also offers German. Published annual fees are close, at DKK 24,240 - 41,040 for Institut Sankt Joseph Copenhagen and DKK 30,500 - 33,600 for Sankt Petri Schule. Institut Sankt Joseph Copenhagen takes pupils from 6 to 16, and Sankt Petri Schule from 3 to 18.
The school is located in the Østerbro district of Copenhagen, Denmark, across from the United States Embassy and a few minutes' walk from Østerport Station.
Location
Two campuses in central Copenhagen: Larslejsstræde 5, 1451 Copenhagen K (primary) and Nørregade 31, 1451 Copenhagen K (secondary).
Stages
Stages
Kindergarten to 10th grade.
Stages
Primary (0–5) and Gymnasium/Secondary (6–12).
School type
School type
Private Catholic school.
School type
Deutsch-dänische Schule (German-Danish international school).
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Special education courses are available; Danish and English as a foreign language support.
Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Denmark
Country affiliation
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Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Catholic
Religious affiliation
Church affiliation with Sankt Petri Church.
School day structure
School day structure
School day runs 8:00 am–3:30 pm; After School Program runs 7:00–8:00 am and 12:45–5:00 pm.
School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and Waitlist Fees
- International / Bilingual department waitlist / application fee: DKK 2,000 (non‑refundable). - Danish department waitlist fee: DKK 500 (non‑refundable).
Deposit
- Deposit for first child (0–9 / bilingual): equal to two months' tuition. For subsequent children, deposit equal to one month's tuition. - Deposit is refunded when the pupil leaves the school provided all books and materials are returned and all tuition payments are current. If a family cancels a place before 1 October in the start year, the deposit will not be refunded.
Tuition — International / Bilingual department (per month and annual total, billed in 12 monthly instalments)
- 0 – 9th grade: DKK 3,420 per month; annual total DKK 41,040. - Sibling reductions (applied to the same family): second child 25% reduction (DKK 2,565 per month), third child 50% reduction (DKK 1,710 per month), fourth child free. - Fee for families without a Danish CPR number (non‑CPR): higher rates apply for non‑CPR families — first child DKK 5,000 per month; second child DKK 4,500 per month; third child DKK 3,500 per month.
Tuition — Danish department (per month and annual total, billed in 12 monthly instalments)
- 0 – 9th grade: DKK 2,020 per month; annual total DKK 24,240. - 10th grade: DKK 3,155 per month; annual total DKK 37,860. In addition to the 10th‑grade tuition there is a DKK 3,000 advance payment to cover the study trip deposit. - Sibling reductions for the Danish department: second child reduced to DKK 1,515 per month (25% reduction), third child reduced to DKK 1,010 per month (50% reduction), fourth child free. Sibling moderation is applied to the youngest child(ren).
After‑School Programme (SFO) fees and preschool SFO arrangement
- SFO (07:00–17:00), children in 0–2 grade: DKK 1,690 per month; annual total DKK 20,280. - SFO for 3rd grade: DKK 1,690 per month charged over 9 months (August–April); total DKK 15,210. - Morning SFO (07:00–08:00): DKK 570 per month; annual total DKK 6,840. - Pre‑school SFO arrangement for incoming 0th grade: May and June charged at DKK 3,100 per month; no payment for July. - Payments for SFO are included in the monthly school‑fee instalments (collected at the same time as tuition instalments).
Additional compulsory and regular charges
- Parents' Fund contribution: DKK 35 charged with the monthly school‑fee invoice (families with multiple children pay only once); payment to the fund is voluntary and can be opted out by contacting the school office. - Study trips, retreats and residential trips: these are part of the curriculum for certain year groups and are charged separately. Parents receive information about the cost and payment schedule in advance. Payments for trips are billed via the normal school‑fee invoicing. - For 10th grade there is a DKK 3,000 advance payment to cover the study trip deposit (charged in addition to tuition).
Billing schedule and payment terms
- All tuition and SFO fees are annual amounts divided into 12 equal monthly instalments (August–July). July is charged as part of the full school year even if the pupil leaves earlier; finishing the school year always requires payment for July. - For some charges (for example 3rd‑grade SFO), fees may be set over a shorter billing span as specified above. - Families enrolling for the upcoming 0th grade are required to prepay school fees for August and September at enrolment; this prepayment is deducted from the August and September instalments for that school year. - Withdrawal/termination: withdrawal must be submitted in writing to the school office. The school charges for the current month plus one additional month when a pupil is withdrawn; if the school year is completed at ISJ the family remains liable for the July instalment.
Late payment and arrears
- Payments are collected monthly in advance by direct debit (PBS / Betalingsservice). When PBS/direct debit is not set up, an invoice is issued via the school's intra system and an administrative fee of DKK 50 per month is added. - If a monthly payment is not received, the school may issue reminders (rykkere); a reminder fee of DKK 75 is added for late payments. After three consecutive reminders without payment the school may forward the claim to debt collection authorities.
Refunds and cancellations
- The tuition deposit is refundable when the pupil departs provided all school property (books etc.) is returned and all outstanding payments are settled, except in the case of cancellation before 1 October in the start year when the deposit is forfeited. - Payments for school trips are generally non‑refundable if the trip has been paid to the travel organiser. Refunds for trips due to illness are not provided when the trip has already been paid to the travel agent.
Boarding
- Boarding is not applicable; Institut Sankt Joseph is a day school and does not charge boarding fees.
Other one‑off or occasional charges
- Waiting‑list or venteliste fees as noted above (DKK 500 Danish department / DKK 2,000 bilingual). - Charges for specific residential trips, retreats and class trips are billed separately as required. - A small, voluntary Parents' Fund contribution (DKK 35) is collected monthly with school fees; families may opt out by contacting the school office.
Accepted payment method(s) and handling
- Primary collection method: PBS (Denmark's Direct Debit service). Parents sign up to PBS via a Giro/direct‑debit form sent by the school when the first instalment is issued. - If PBS/direct debit is not used, the school issues invoices via the school intra system and adds an administrative fee of DKK 50 per month.
Fee details
Application fees
- Tilmeldingsgebyr (registration / application fee): DKK 1,000. - Indmeldelses-/optagelsesgebyr for 0. klasse (admission fee for entry to 0. class): DKK 2,100.
Tuition (school fees) — structure and amounts
- Schulgeld (school tuition) is charged per child with a sibling discount structure: - 1st child: DKK 2,525 per month (DKK 30,300 per year). - 2nd child: DKK 2,200 per month (DKK 26,400 per year). - 3rd child: DKK 1,625 per month (DKK 19,500 per year). - 4th child: DKK 0 per month (no tuition charged).
- The school's published tuition figures are not differentiated by individual grade or year group; tuition is applied by child number as listed above.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition and SFO fees are collected by direct debit (PBS). Amounts are drawn on the 10th of each month. Parents must provide an authorization for PBS. - The school applies a two-month written notice period for withdrawal: written cancellation must be given and carries a two-month notice to the first of a month; the new school must be named on the cancellation form. Fees remain payable through the notice period.
SFO (school childcare / after-school care) and club fees
- SFO / Fritidshjem (full after-school care): DKK 1,800 per month (DKK 19,800 per year). - Klub (club for older children): DKK 875 per month (DKK 9,625 per year).
Music school (additional optional charges and structure)
- Instrumental and singing lessons are charged separately through the school's music school. Monthly prices vary by lesson length and whether the student is a Sankt Petri pupil or external: - 20 min weekly (Sankt Petri pupil): DKK 790 per month; external DKK 900 per month. - 30 min weekly (Sankt Petri pupil): DKK 1,000 per month; external DKK 1,200 per month. - 40 min weekly (Sankt Petri pupil): DKK 1,280 per month; external DKK 1,500 per month. - 60 min or 2×30 min weekly (Sankt Petri pupil): DKK 1,800 per month; external DKK 2,000 per month. - Music school registration fee: DKK 350 (one-time). Payment options for the music school include MobilePay and bank transfer as specified for music-school transactions; monthly music-school fees are normally collected in 11 monthly installments (August–June) with July unpaid.
Other costs and mandatory contributions
- Membership in the school association (Schulverein / Förderverein) is mandatory and costs DKK 200 per family per year. - All core textbooks and exercise notebooks are provided by the school; families are expected to supply personal items such as dictionaries, calculators and drawing instruments. Additional optional costs can include instrument rental, extracurricular activities, school trips and materials for specific projects. Instrument rental or special partner discounts are available for music students through external partners. - No school uniform is specified or required in the school's public fee and admission information.
Boarding / residential provision
- The school is a day school operating at multiple central Copenhagen locations; no boarding or residential accommodation fees are listed because boarding is not offered.
Refunds, reductions and fee concessions
- The school may grant tuition reductions in special cases on application; such applications must be renewed annually and must be submitted by the stated deadline (applications received after the deadline cannot be considered). Withdrawals from the school require two months' written notice to the first of a month; fees remain payable for the notice period. For music-school lessons there is normally a three-month paid trial period (from school start until end of October) and specific rules for cancellations and refunds for missed lessons or teacher cancellations are handled under the music-school conditions.
Fee payment options and banking details
- Standard recurring payments for school tuition and SFO are collected by PBS (direct debit). Withdrawals are scheduled for the 10th of each month. - The music school accepts MobilePay for the music registration fee and provides bank account details for transfers; music-school tuition is charged in monthly installments (11 payments, August–June) via the stated payment channels.
Practical notes for parents (concise)
- Tuition is charged per child with sibling discounts for a second, third and fourth child; the fourth child attends free. Monthly direct-debit collection occurs on the 10th. Registration and 0. class admission fees are one‑time charges. SFO and club services have separate monthly and yearly rates. The school can consider reductions on application and enforces a two‑month written cancellation period.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The bilingual department uses two curriculums taught in two languages under one unified school. Approximately half of the lessons are taught in Danish following the dansk fællesmål; the other half (Maths, English and Science) are taught in English following the Cambridge International curriculum. The end goal is for students to excel in both the Danish and International school systems while in Denmark, and to provide families the flexibility to succeed in Denmark and abroad. The academic structure is organized into three departments: Lower Primary (Kindergarten to Year 3), Upper Primary (Year 4-6), and Secondary (Year 7-10), with a total of 29 classes. In the bilingual department Danish-language subjects follow the Ministry's common goals and reading plans, while English follows the Cambridge curriculum goals; year plans are developed by teachers and made available in intra.
Curriculum details
Sankt Petri Skole comprises a kindergarten (0. klasse) and a nine-year primary school, plus a gymnasium (10–12). It is an international Danish-German school in central Copenhagen with equal emphasis on German and Danish language and culture. A central Sprogkoncept makes language a key element: Danish and German are treated as equal languages, taught by native speakers, with DaF and DSU support for learners of Danish as a second language and German as a foreign language. In the 0th class, two teachers (one Danish-speaking and one German-speaking) work together for much of the timetable to help students reach at least A1+ after two years. Indskoling (0–5) mirrors the German Grundschule, with three classes per year and no level grouping after 4th grade; Udskoling (6–9) introduces higher academic and language demands and culminates in FP9 and the German SEK I exam. In the upper years, many subjects are taught in German and the curriculum aligns with both German and Danish standards; the Gymnasium offers a double diploma (DIA and STX), with the DIA recognized by the Danish Ministry as equivalent to the Danish Abitur, enabling access to universities in Denmark, Germany, and beyond. After 9th grade, around 90% of students continue to gymnasial education, and the school fosters international exchanges and study trips as part of its higher education pathways.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
In the 0. class, two teachers (Danish- and German-speaking) share many lessons to support language development. Indskoling (0–5) has three classes per year with a maximum of 24 students per class. The school provides AKT-based support and additional tutoring for students with special learning needs, with language support funded for both languages.
Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
In FP9 2021/2022, the school reports an average of 9.4 on mandatory tests, with 32 students taking all mandatory tests. The subject-specific averages shown are Danish 9.6, English 9.7, Mathematics 10.6, and the common science/factual exam 9.6. 100% of students achieve at least a grade 2 in Danish and Mathematics. Ninth graders also take the German SEK I exam as part of the Abschluss.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
After graduation, about 98% go on to some form of upper secondary education.
Higher education progression
The Gymnasium offers a double graduation (DIA and STX). The DIA is recognized by the Danish Ministry as equivalent to the Danish Abitur and provides direct access to universities in Denmark, Germany, the USA, the UK, and many other countries. DIA enables study opportunities at German and Danish universities and beyond. After completing 9th grade, about 90% continue to gymnasial education, with exchanges and study trips forming part of broader higher-education pathways.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Complete the official bilingual admission application using the International Bilingual Department form. A non-refundable 2,000 DKK application fee must accompany the application. The application form is accessible via the admissions link on the page. 2. Your application will be processed, and a decision will be made to call your child for an admission interview; if called, the most recent school report from the current institution may be requested. 3. A final decision will be made following the admission interview; your child will be accepted or placed on the waiting list. 4. If accepted and enrollment is finalised, pay a 2-month tuition deposit to secure your child's spot for the upcoming school year.
Admissions
1. Optagelse i Grade 0: Nine months before the school start, an admissions procedure is conducted. It consists of an information evening, an afternoon visit for the child in Grade 0, and in some cases a meeting with the principal. Admission can only be confirmed after this. There are always many children on the waiting list, so admission cannot be guaranteed, even if the child is school-ready and speaks German. Children without a Danish personal number must contact the secretariat by email. Children who already have a CPR number can only be registered on the waiting list via the following link: Join the waiting list for Grade 0.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Gerda Mottzens Memorial Scholarship: three scholarships are awarded annually to Institut Sankt Joseph students, consisting of two half-scholarships and one full scholarship; the full scholarship is earmarked for the daughter of a single mother. Applications must be submitted before August 15.
Scholarships
3. Gymnasium enrollment: Students from public or private schools in Denmark apply for admission via Optagelse.dk. Students moving from abroad must contact the school secretariat to obtain the necessary information about enrollment at the school. It is always possible to enroll for the gymnasium. Enrollment form is available at the school.
Waitlist
Waitlist
The bilingual admission process considers space availability and gender balance. If there is no space, the child is placed on the waiting list and will be contacted if a space becomes available.
Waitlist
2. Waitlist and selection: There is a waiting list for all grades. If there are more children on the list than the school can admit, the school leadership makes a selection. There is information about the selection criteria in the frequently asked questions. Admission cannot be guaranteed even if the child is school-ready and speaks German.