Compare IB Curriculum International Schools in Copenhagen, Denmark

The school is located in Hørsholm, North Zealand, Denmark. It is 26 minutes by car from Copenhagen. The address is Christianshusvej 195, 2970 Hørsholm.

Early Years (Preschool), Primary School, Secondary School and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).

Private international school. IPC is used in the Primary School; Cambridge Assessment International Education is used in the Secondary School; the school is an authorized IB World School offering the Diploma Programme.

Denmark

The school does not provide boarding. It offers before and after school care for Early Years to Year 5 from 07:00 to 17:00. Morning Club starts at 07:00 and school begins at 08:30 for Years 1–5; after-school clubs run until 17:00, including Ællingen (The Duckling) and Svanereden (The Swan's Nest). There is a monthly fee for care (1,500 DKK for the first child) and holiday care with additional fees; the program closes during Christmas/New Year and Easter, with summer opening for two weeks.

The cafeteria is run by Jespers Torvekøkken and serves healthy, tasty, sustainable meals made from scratch, including lunch dishes, sandwiches, snacks, fruit and vegetables. From January 2026, Year 1–4 learners receive free lunches on school days as part of a national school meal pilot. For Years 5–7 meals can be pre-ordered via Kanpla; for Years 8–10 payments are cashless via Kanpla, and NGG operates as a mobile-free campus. Pre-ordered meals for Lower Primary and Middle School are collected by the class helper at lunch.

North Zealand International School is part of the private school Nordsjællands Grundskole og Gymnasium (NGG), which encompasses a Preschool, Primary, Secondary and IBDP. NGG is located in Hørsholm, Denmark.

Primary and Middle School Campus (Pre-K–MYP4) is at Rygårds Allé 131, 2900 Hellerup. High School Campus (MYP5–DP2, ISH STX) is at Præstøgade 17, 2100 København Ø. ISH operates across two campuses in the Copenhagen area.

IB Continuum: Primary Years Programme (ages 3–11), Middle Years Programme (ages 11–16), Diploma Programme (ages 16–19), plus the Danish STX high school programme for upper secondary students.

International day school offering IB programmes and the Danish STX high school programme.

Over 700 students representing more than 70 nationalities.

English Language Support (EAL) is provided across PYP, MYP and DP. Learning Support offers three levels—Inclusive Access Arrangements, Mild, and Moderate; Intensive level is available in Primary and Middle School with associated fees.

Denmark

Morning Club (7:00–8:20) and after-school care until 17:00 for children aged 3–10.

ISH provides a daily lunch service for all students with two options (general and vegetarian) and salads; all meat used is halal and vegan lunch is not offered. The lunch is prepared on-site at the Hellerup campus, and the weekly menu is published; lunch is compulsory for Pre-K students.

The School Board governs ISH; the School District consists of parents and former parents who helped establish the school; bylaws are available in Danish and English translations.

The International School of Hellerup is an IB World School offering the full IB continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP) for students aged 3–19.

Social and emotional learning is woven into everyday school life at ISH. A dedicated wellbeing framework supports student welfare and development. A dedicated child/student protection team meets biweekly to discuss and address safeguarding concerns. Student Support Services provides counseling, learning support, EAL, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and the school health service. English Language Support and Learning Support are available to help students access the IB and learn effectively. Students are encouraged to express concerns and seek help from trusted adults.

Learning Support is provided to remove barriers and maximise potential. Support may be individualised for part or all of the school day. Inclusive access arrangements include additional time, a scribe or reader, and assistive software, based on the IB Inclusion Policy. The school's Student Support Services coordinates these supports in collaboration with families. Counselling and other therapies available through SSS support students' wellbeing and learning.

English Language Support is available for students who need it. EAL is provided as part of Student Support Services. English and Danish language offerings are integrated within the IB language and literature curriculum. The school's EAL provision is designed to help students access and succeed in the IB programmes.

Social and emotional learning is embedded in daily practice at ISH. Wellbeing is prioritized to ensure students feel secure and heard. A safeguarding and student protection framework supports mental wellbeing across the school. Student Support Services offers counseling and access to wellbeing-related therapies as part of holistic care.

All adults working in or on behalf of the school have a fundamental responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of our students. A dedicated child/student protection team with specific safeguarding responsibilities meets every two weeks or as required to discuss and address safety concerns. Staff induction includes safeguarding training and orientation to expectations. Any safeguarding concerns must be reported and recorded promptly. The safeguarding framework underpins ISH's commitment to a safe and secure learning environment.

ISH follows a five-stage admissions process: Stage 1 Enquiry, Stage 2 Apply Online, Stage 3 Review Process, Stage 4 Admissions Decision, Stage 5 Complete Enrollment. Applications are completed online via the OpenApply Admissions Portal, and a non-refundable application fee of 2,000 DKK per child is required. Stage 3 involves an English and Mathematics assessment and an interview for PYP4–DP1 applicants; other applicants may be invited for interviews or assessments as needed. Admissions decisions can be Admitted, Waiting Pool, or Not Proceeding; if a place is not available, a place may be offered from the Waiting Pool. Enrollment is completed through an online enrollment agreement with a mandatory deposit. Primary School and Middle School applications are open year‑round; High School DP admissions close on September 1 each year, with transfers from IB DP available afterward. Upcoming admissions events are listed in the admissions section.

ISH offers scholarships to talented students entering MYP5 (Grade 10) and above who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and active community engagement. Internal applicants (current ISH students) entering MYP5 or higher can apply; eligible candidates are invited for assessment and interview, and scholarships of 25% or 50% of school fees are awarded for one year (renewable each year). External applicants (not currently at ISH) entering MYP5 or above must first complete a general ISH application before applying for a scholarship; applications are accepted year-round and processed within about one month; start dates are determined individually. The Scholarship Committee, comprising the Deputy Head, the High School Principal, and IB Coordinators, makes all final award decisions. ISH also offers Temporary Financial Assistance for students not qualifying for scholarships, reviewed every four months and available for up to one year.

The Waiting Pool is used instead of a Waiting List. When a place becomes available, ISH selects the most suitable candidate from the Waiting Pool using a Best‑Fit Approach that considers both the applicant's profile and the class context. Factors include enrolled sibling priority and direct IB transfer priority, gender, nationality, English proficiency, level of proficiency in other languages, academic performance and abilities, extracurricular talents, learning support needs, desired start date, and whether the applicant is already enrolled elsewhere. Applications for PYP–MYP4 are accepted year‑round (January entry for August start); DP admissions close September 1 each year; after that ISH accepts new students transferring from an IB DP program with available subjects. Letters of Offer are issued via OpenApply. Waiting Pool decisions follow ISH and IB standards and policies.

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.

Kindergarten and primary education (Class 0–6) in the International Department.

Independent Waldorf (Steiner) school with an international department.

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.

Denmark

Non-denominational; inclusive of all religious backgrounds.

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.

Snacks (fruit, crispbread, buns, butter, vegetables) are provided in the after-school program from 13:45 to 14:15; morning care is available 7:30–8:30 and must be booked separately (price listed under School Fees).

Independent school; governed by a school board; teachers, parents and members of the school's support organization are members of the Danish Free School Association through the school.

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.

Well-being and community are core values at Waldorf International School Copenhagen, and the school continuously works on both students' academic and social development. The school implements a Well-being and Anti-Bullying Strategy and conducts regular well-being surveys with action plans. Students are actively engaged through UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools and class charters to foster a democratic, respectful community.

The Learning Support Centre provides services for students with learning challenges, which can be diagnostic or general cognitive difficulties such as dyslexia. The programmes focus on high academic achievement, a sense of community, and the formation of social relationships. The school is not certified to have a special needs profile and does not receive special grants. Admission for students with special needs is based on an individual assessment. Approximately 10–15% of students use the Learning Support Centre services.

The language of instruction is English in the international department. The Learning Support Centre provides English as a Second Language (ESL) support, with ESL specialists as part of the centre's team. ESL is integrated into the school's approach alongside Danish and mathematics.

Well-being and community are fundamental values; teachers meet weekly to discuss each student's well-being and social dynamics. The Well-being and Anti-Bullying Strategy is regularly evaluated with well-being surveys and action plans. UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools work and class charters support a democratic, respectful school culture.

The Crisis and Bereavement Response Policy provides a comprehensive framework for responding to crises, bereavement, or other significant events affecting the school community. The Well-being and Anti-Bullying Strategy outlines safeguarding measures, with reporting, classroom support, and parent communication as part of the process. The school emphasizes a safe and supportive environment through structured steps from initial reporting to follow-up actions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

IB Primary Years Programme (PYP); IB Middle Years Programme (MYP); IB Diploma Programme (DP)

Private international day school

80 countries represented; Denmark 24%, United States 16%, United Kingdom 8%, India 4%, Netherlands 4%

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.

United States

The school does not offer boarding facilities.

The school has a canteen offering a wide range of healthy food and drinks; packed lunches are permitted.

At CIS, international houses exist; each house comprises 2-4 staff and 10-14 students; monthly house assemblies are held with mandatory attendance; there is a CIS House Competition with a prize for the winning house at the end of each semester.

The School is non-profit and independent. Governance is provided by a Board of Governors (Executive Board) that is the final authority and is responsible for financial oversight, approving budgets and fees, and setting the school's mission and strategic plan; the Director manages day-to-day operations under Board oversight. The School teaches its academic disciplines in English, with Danish included in the curriculum.

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.

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).

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.

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.

The school has a safe, inclusive community where learners feel valued and belong. A culture of child protection is embedded in school life with everyone responsible for safeguarding. The school has wellbeing and belonging as core educational focus across divisions. Policies and practices support social and emotional development throughout the school.

The school has learning support for students with diverse needs provided by the Student Support team. The team includes counselling, learning support, nursing, and child safeguarding, with external consultants such as speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists and school psychologists. The school has pre-referral processes to identify and evaluate student needs and to develop effective interventions. The school has an inclusive, holistic approach to student well-being and success.

The school has English as an Additional Language (EAL) program that provides language instruction and social and academic support for students whose home language is not English. The school has standards that are the same for all students but goals are individualized to ensure equal access to the curriculum. The school has a policy of valuing home languages and uses interlingual teaching to integrate home languages in mainstream classrooms. The school has a Mother Tongue Program offering native-level language teaching from Grade 1.

The school has counselling and wellbeing support through the Student Support team, with a focus on students' mental, social and emotional well-being. The school has a holistic approach to student well-being integrated with safeguarding and inclusive education.

The school has a Child Safeguarding Philosophy and Practice and leads safeguarding efforts to ensure staff are aware of responsibilities under child protection policies. The school follows UNCRC guidance that all learners have equal rights to be protected from harm, and will respond promptly to safeguarding concerns. The school has a whistleblowing system and ongoing safeguarding training for staff.

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.

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.

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.