Comparing 5 schools side by side in USD.
Frederiksborgvej 10, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark. In Roskilde's historic centre, behind the cathedral, overlooking the fjord.
Primary (Year 1–6); Lower Secondary (Year 7–9); IGCSE (Year 10–11).
International School offering the Cambridge International Curriculum.
Over forty nationalities represented. International Department has 200 students and Danish Department has 800 students, giving a local-to-international ratio of 4:1.
Denmark
Catholic
School office hours are 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. After School Program (SFO) runs 7:00 am–8:05 am and 1:00 pm–5:00 pm.
Transport subsidies are available; Movia school cards are not provided by the school; no school bus service is described.
No. Students wear their own appropriate clothes.
There is a small canteen for Year 3 to Year 11 offering basic items such as sandwiches, pasta and salad. Most students bring a packed lunch. Year 9 to Year 11 may leave school during breaks to go into town for lunch with permission.
Independent educational institution with two departments (Danish and International) sharing a campus. It is funded by public subsidies and by own resources, including school fees, and operates as a not-for-profit organisation. The school board consists of seven members: three elected by parents and four appointed by the church (one from Skt. Laurentii Church Council and three appointed by the Catholic bishop of Copenhagen). The principal and the vice-principal are non-voting members, and staff representatives may attend without voting rights.
The Cambridge International Curriculum is used in the International Department. Primary (Years 1–6), Lower Secondary (Years 7–9) and Upper Secondary/IGCSE (Year 10–11) form the program. All classroom instruction takes place in English.
The Cambridge International Curriculum qualifications are endorsed by the University of Cambridge and are recognised by universities worldwide, providing preparation for higher education including A Levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
The school has a Science Talent program and is a member of the Science Talent network.
The school integrates social and emotional learning through the PSHE programme from Year 1 to Year 11. There is a Whole School Anti-Bullying Approach, with explicit PSHE teaching of anti-bullying strategies based on The Diana Award definition. AKT teachers work with a class to guide social interactions and well-being and to implement strategies to improve the learning environment. The DESTY program grows self-esteem and resilience through one-to-one mentoring, developing an emotional vocabulary and positive relationships. The Cool Kids programme provides CBT-based techniques for anxiety through structured sessions. Headspace in Roskilde offers free counselling for young people, and Student Well-Being Surveys monitor welfare.
The school teaches all classroom instruction in English in the International Department. There is a minimum of two Danish lessons per international class, required by law. Danish is taught as a subject alongside English in the international programme. The Cambridge International Curriculum is used. Students finish Year 11 with the IGCSE examinations.
Student happiness and well-being is supported in the curriculum through the PSHE programme from Year 1 to Year 11. A Whole School Anti-Bullying Approach is in place with explicit anti-bullying teaching in PSHE. AKT teachers guide social interactions and well-being, working with class teams to improve the learning environment. The DESTY program grows self-esteem and resilience through one-to-one mentoring and building emotional vocabulary. Cool Kids provides CBT-based techniques for anxiety; Headspace in Roskilde offers counselling, and Student Well-Being Surveys monitor welfare.
Policies and Guidelines exist to run a safe and orderly school environment. The documents cover child protection and ICT Acceptable Use, and set out procedures for incidents and bereavement, among other areas. The current policy requires the premises to be smoke- and alcohol-free; rules apply to energy drinks and related guidelines. Dress Code and other guidelines are published for students and staff. Safeguarding resources are accessible via intranet or on request, and safeguarding staff include a School Psychologist, a School Nurse, and a Guidance Counselor.
Joining Skt. Josef's International School follows an Enrolment Procedure. 1. Register: complete the registration form; pay the registration fee of DKK 500; payment is non-refundable; upon receipt of the registration form and fee the child is automatically entered into the waiting-pool; the School will contact you if a place becomes available; if there is no available place, the child remains in the waiting-pool. 2. Meeting: when a space becomes available, you will be invited to an enrolment meeting; bring the child and recent school reports; based on the dialogue, a place may be offered if the school considers it suitable for the child. 3. Offer: a letter of confirmation with an offer of a place will be sent; you must confirm acceptance and pay the deposit and school fees. There are two separate wait lists: the International Department (the waiting-pool) and the Danish Department; registration on both lists is possible but offers cannot be transferred between departments. Contact: School Office tel. Hours: Office hours 8.00 am to 3.00 pm; telephone is closed Mondays from 9:00 to 9:30 and daily from 12:15 to 12:45 pm.
We run two separate wait lists at Skt. Josef's. One for the International Department, the waiting-pool, and one for the Danish Department. It is possible to put a child on both lists, but this would require two separate enrolments. An offer of a place in one department cannot be transferred to another department. Spaces are limited and availability is determined in accordance with our enrolment policy and priority criteria.
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.
Kindergarten to 10th grade.
Private Catholic school.
Special education courses are available; Danish and English as a foreign language support.
Denmark
Catholic
School day runs 8:00 am–3:30 pm; After School Program runs 7:00–8:00 am and 12:45–5:00 pm.
The school lunch program is provided by Bistrup & Nør, offering hot or cold meals. Students and staff can create a login, debit account, and personalize their menu options. You may order food until 7am for same-day delivery. The school also participates in a milk scheme with daily milk delivery; payments are made twice yearly in advance.
The school is a private, independent educational institution governed by a five-member Board of Directors. The board is responsible for the overall management of the school and for informing the Ministry of Education about finances and operations. The bylaws specify the board includes representatives of the Saint Joseph Sisters, the Catholic Pastoral Council, the Catholic Bishop of Copenhagen, and elected parent representatives. The principal handles daily educational leadership.
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.
After graduation, about 98% go on to some form of upper secondary education.
The school provides social support as part of student support. It is committed to providing academic, linguistic and social support to students. Various student support programs complement regular lessons. The Study Hall Café is open Monday–Friday as a vital support outlet. Special education courses are available in a variety of subjects to provide maximum support. Danish and English as a foreign language receive additional support.
Special education: Special education courses are available in a variety of subjects to maximize support. The programs are designed to complement regular school lessons and give students opportunities to improve themselves in various subjects.
English as an additional language: The school provides Danish and English as foreign language support. The support is part of the Student Support program.
Mental wellbeing: AKT-teachers organize sessions for certain year groups with a focus on wellbeing; sessions can be organized for specific students or groups as needed. The rest room is open from 8:10 to 13:40 as a space for students to take a break and talk to an adult. The breaks include the good break, where a pedagogue organizes structured activities to reduce conflict and increase comfort. Trips and retreats are part of ISJ's program and contribute to social and emotional development.
Safeguarding: The anti-bullying policy creates a bullying-free environment to ensure a safe, accepting learning atmosphere. Bullying is defined as degrading, offensive or exclusionary behavior, including digital forms, and is not tolerated. The policy provides teachers, students and parents with tools to identify, prevent, and address bullying and to stop bullying. New students receive extra attention to help them feel safe and integrate, including assigning tutors. The school conducts regular learning environment reviews to improve safety and well-being.
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.
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.
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.
Current location: Agernhaven 2K, 2750 Ballerup, Denmark. The school has been based at this site since its inception, with expansion plans underway. A new location will be one stop further on the C train line. A permanent campus is planned by 2030 adjacent to the Kildedal train station.
IC 1–IC 3 (KS1); IC 4–IC 6 (KS2); IC 7–IC 8 (KS3); IC 9–IC 11 (KS4). The primary language of instruction is English, with daily Danish and a Language of the Month programme.
independent self-governing educational institution
Morning Club 07:15 am – 08:15 am; School Hours 08:15 am – 02:15 pm; After School Club 02:15 pm – 05.00 pm
The school does not have a school uniform. Learners wear clothing appropriate to the weather and activities, and indoor shoes are worn inside.
Students bring their own lunches and snacks. SFO provides a healthy snack for enrolled students that may be warm or cool depending on the day. The school does not provide warm meals or cooling services.
The school is governed by a School Charter approved by the Board on 11 June 2020 and published online on 1 July 2020; governance is overseen by a School Board (Søren Pap-Tolstrup, Board Chairman; Mushe Norestani, Board Vice Chairman; Ludmila Lafuente, Board Member; Priyanka Jhawar, Board Member; Farina Marriott, Board Member; Aleksandra Matuszek, Alternate Board Member). An Annual Report is published (2024).
The curriculum combines the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) with the Danish National Curriculum (Fælles Mål) and the British National Curriculum to provide a strong international foundation. The curriculum is organized into cross-curricular topics that help students make meaningful links between subjects. The primary language of instruction is English, with daily Danish instruction; music, art, and PE are taught in Danish as much as possible depending on language levels. STEM is embedded across the curriculum with Maker Space challenges, biology and chemistry labs, and coding for every year group, plus extracurricular STEM clubs. In IC9–IC11, students choose between two learning pathways: the International Track and the Danish Track; the International Track prepares students for international education opportunities.
High teacher-to-student ratios.
The International Track prepares students for international education opportunities.
The school provides a weekly wellbeing class for all students that teaches how to form relationships, understand their own emotions, and learn strategies for regulating emotions and communication. A school dog supports wellbeing and provides emotional comfort in the classroom. Mental health is prioritized as part of the learning environment.
The primary language of instruction is English. Danish is taught daily. The school celebrates home languages and uses a Language of the Month programme to share words, songs, and stories from students' home languages.
Mental health is prioritized through weekly wellbeing lessons and mentoring to support both academic and emotional development. The school dog provides ongoing emotional support and contributes to classroom calm.
The Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, effective January 1, 2025, outlines a child-centred approach and responsibilities for all staff to prevent, identify, and respond to concerns about abuse, neglect, radicalisation, negative social control, honour-related norms, or any harm. The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Kristin Barron with Deputy DSL Jenny Hudson Vismark; staff must read the policy, report concerns promptly, and complete safeguarding training annually. Mandatory reporting duties under Danish law are in place, and the school collaborates with external services such as Børn og Familie and the police. Safeguarding in the curriculum covers personal safety, digital safety, democratic values, respect and inclusion, how to seek help, and awareness of bullying and coercive control. Records are stored securely in line with GDPR, and the school undergoes external supervision for compliance.
1. Fill in the admissions request form and schedule an optional school tour. The Admissions Portal handles inquiries or applications. The VIS Admissions Team supports families through all aspects of the application process.
2. Submit recent school reports and authorize a staff member at your child's current educational institution to fill in the VIS questionnaire. This helps VIS gather information about your child's prior schooling and placement. You may be asked to provide additional documents as part of the application process.
3. Child-Centered Assessment via Trial Days, Assessment Morning (prospective IC 1), and/or online interview. These assessments provide opportunities for your child to experience VIS's classroom environment. The results help determine readiness and fit for the program. The admissions decision will consider these assessments alongside other materials.
4. Once admission has been offered, sign the contract and pay the admission fee and refundable deposit (9700 DKK total). The contract confirms placement and terms. The deposit is refundable with three months' notice and subject to no outstanding fees.
5. The school will send all pre-arrival welcome documents so that you and your child feel ready for their first day of school. The documents cover logistics and next steps.
Waitlist: If a grade level is at capacity, eligible students may be placed on a waitlist and offered admission if space becomes available.
Bernstorffsvej 54, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark. The school is in the Hellerup area just north of central Copenhagen.
Two departments under one roof: Rygaards Danske Skole and Rygaards International School. The international department educates pupils from 4 to 16 years old using the English curriculum.
Private, Christian/Catholic, co-educational.
Special service unit provides additional learning support.
Denmark
Catholic
No uniforms; students do not wear school uniforms.
There is no canteen; children bring their own lunches.
The school is governed by a Board of Governors consisting of five members; three are appointed and two are elected by the parents, each for a two-year term. The Board provides the overall management and medium- and long-term strategy for the school, and is responsible to the Ministry of Education for financial management and auditing, as well as for staff recruitment and dismissal. It ensures that the Roman Catholic ethos on which the school was founded is upheld. Board meetings occur about four times per term, and management and teacher representatives typically attend.
Rygaards International School offers the English National Curriculum in the Primary School, with a Cambridge framework used for English, Maths and Science. The Primary Curriculum includes Danish language outcomes and Danish as a Second Language, alongside Danish fællesmål components. In the Secondary School, students follow a broad, subject-by-subject programme with a Year 7 Curriculum 2025–2026 and IGCSE/GCSE courses such as English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, German and Spanish, plus options like Global Perspective and GCSE Astronomy. A Danish language strand and related Danish language outcomes are integrated across the curriculum.
IGCSE results are consistently strong. In 2025, 100% of students achieved A-C with 52% of grades at A-A; 96% of English as a First Language entries were A-C and 75% in Maths were A-C, with 95% achieving 5 IGCSE grades at A-C. In 2024, 100% of students achieved A-C; 57% were A-A; 97% of English First Language were A-C and 91% of Maths were A-C; 87% achieved 5 IGCSE grades at A-C. The data show a consistent pattern of A-C outcomes across years (2018–2025) with substantial proportions of A-A grades in English and strong Maths results.
The STEM Talent Programme is offered for students in the Danish department. The Duke of Edinburgh's Programme is also offered, and Rygaards is among the Danish schools providing this programme.
The school fosters social and emotional development through a caring, supportive atmosphere with strong emphasis on personal development and community, supported by a leadership team and pastoral care practices.
The school serves a diverse student body and provides structured support within its international and Danish school model; details on specific SEN provisions are not listed here.
The school employs native English-speaking teachers for the International Department and native speaker teachers for French and German, supporting language development across the curriculum.
Pastoral care and a supportive learning environment are prioritized to support students' mental wellbeing, with ongoing emphasis on ethical awareness and responsibility.
The school operates with a structured, caring environment and conducts regular safeguarding practices as part of its inclusive community.
Book a tour of Rygaards International School to learn about the curriculum and facilities. The Admissions Office can clarify questions you have about the school. Tours can be scheduled via the Schedule a Tour link on the admissions page. The curriculum is based on the English curriculum for 4 to 16 year olds, and native English-speaking teachers support instruction. Registration of Interest is the first step for applications to inquire about availability and to agree to the Admissions Policy and Financial Regulations. The form requires agreeing to the stated terms and conditions and is used to sign up for the international school; the Admissions Policy, Process and Priority can be read via the link provided. For any questions, contact the Admissions Office. Entrance tests are required and are aligned with the child's year group. The entrance test process is explained below.
Friplads offers a possibility to apply for a fripladstilskud (fee subsidy) at Rygaards Skole. The subsidy is allocated according to the Fordelingsekretariatets income criteria and the number of children. The application form can be obtained from the school office and is available from roughly the end of May to August 31. Approved subsidies are deducted from school fees from February to June. The application form should be returned to the school office by August 31.
Admission priorities place pupils into four groups in this order: Group 1 children of international families where one or both parents have recently come to Denmark to work with Danish or international organizations; Group 2 children of international families where one or both parents have come to Denmark to work in Danish or international organizations and their children are now of school age; Group 3 children whose international employee parents wish to move from another international school in Denmark; Group 4 Danish children or children whose parents are Danes working outside Denmark, with a permanent workplace outside Denmark in the last year. The waiting pool is not first-come, first-served. When a place cannot be offered, applicants are placed in a waiting pool within their group and will be contacted if a place becomes available. Siblings are given priority only within a given group and cannot move up groups. The offer of a place is always subject to testing.
Two campuses in central Copenhagen: Larslejsstræde 5, 1451 Copenhagen K (primary) and Nørregade 31, 1451 Copenhagen K (secondary).
Primary (0–5) and Gymnasium/Secondary (6–12).
Deutsch-dänische Schule (German-Danish international school).
Church affiliation with Sankt Petri Church.
The school has a school association; membership in the association is mandatory and costs 200 DKK per family per year. The school is a Danish-German international school in the heart of Copenhagen, delivering bilingual education in German and Danish.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The school upholds four core values: Curiosity, Wellbeing, Cultural Encounter, and Tradition. Curiosity means learning together for life. Wellbeing means seeing every child and fostering a sense of community. Cultural Encounter reflects the German-Danish bilingual character and the school's role as a German-Danish encounter school. Tradition means knowing roots and shaping the future.
The school receives funding to support inclusion of students with special needs in the regular classroom, including 116,000 DKK in 2021. On average four students received fixed weekly support from pedagogues, and groups involving about 60 children benefited from wellbeing initiatives. The school did not receive funding for special education in 2021. It also received 188,000 DKK to support Danish-language instruction for multilingual students, used for for newcomer students and related language-band initiatives.
English begins in 3rd grade as a foreign language. French is offered as an elective from 6th grade. The school uses Danish as a second language (DSA) for students who do not yet speak Danish, and German as a foreign language (DaF) for students with Danish-speaking backgrounds. The school emphasizes a Danish-German language concept, with intensive Danish support for newcomers and ongoing language education integrated into the timetable. A language-band approach groups students by language level in the early years to build proficiency.
All 0. class groups have a pedagogue present once a week, and 1st and 2nd grades have weekly sessions focusing on wellbeing and the development of social skills such as cooperation, trust, and conflict resolution. The school uses external resources and programmes to promote wellbeing and digital literacy, and engages in national and local initiatives around wellbeing and digital formation. The school also runs activities to foster inclusive class communities, with a focus on ensuring safe and positive learning environments across all year groups.
The school has an anti-bullying strategy designed to prevent and reduce bullying both digitally and on-site, with a goal of strengthening overall student wellbeing and safe learning communities. It builds safe, tolerant communities where differences are seen as strengths, and it involves teachers, support staff, AKT-lærer, parents, and students in safeguarding. Bullying handling follows a three-step process: analysis, planning, and evaluation, with class-level wellbeing agreements and involvement of the student council. The school communicates clearly about bullying, provides pathways to report issues, and involves parents at meetings; it uses a national child helpline (116 111) and maintains guidelines for digital safety and media use as part of safeguarding.
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.
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.
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.
