Compare German Curriculum International Schools in Denmark

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.