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Strengths Performing Arts, Languages, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Arts and Creative, Community and Service, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction
Institut Sankt Joseph Copenhagen is a private Catholic school in Copenhagen offering a bespoke bilingual curriculum for ages 6 to 16. The school combines Danish and Cambridge International education within a single framework. In Primary, Cambridge is taught alongside Danish curriculum; about half of lessons are in Danish (dansk fællesmål) and half in English (Cambridge goals), while Secondary follows both Danish and Cambridge models. The academic structure includes Lower Primary (Kindergarten–Year 3), Upper Primary (Year 4–6) and Secondary (Year 7–10), totaling 29 classes. A core feature is the International Bilingual Department opened in 2014, designed to prepare students to thrive in Denmark and abroad. Facilities include a sports center, a gymnasium and a playground, with easy access to Østre anlæg, Kastellet and Fælledparken. The school offers robust after-school care (SFO Liljen), a dedicated music program through the ISJ Music School, field trips and service opportunities for students' academic growth worldwide.
Dag Hammarskjölds Allé 17, 2100 København, Denmark
The Essentials
Institut Sankt Joseph Copenhagen has 850 pupils, typical class sizes of 24, instruction in Danish, English.
Location
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.
Stages
Kindergarten to 10th grade.
Type
Private Catholic school.
Additional learning support
Special education courses are available; Danish and English as a foreign language support.
Country affiliation
Denmark
Religious affiliation
Catholic
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.
Fees
Annual tuition at Institut Sankt Joseph Copenhagen ranges from DKK 24,240 to DKK 41,040 for 2026/27.
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.
Academics
Institut Sankt Joseph Copenhagen teaches Bespoke Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary) for students aged 6 to 16.
Curriculum
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.
Higher Education Progression
After graduation, about 98% go on to some form of upper secondary education.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
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 Educational Needs (SEN)
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 (EAL)
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
FAQs
What curriculum does Institut Sankt Joseph Copenhagen follow?
The bilingual department uses two curriculums taught in two languages under one unified school.
What age range does Institut Sankt Joseph Copenhagen serve?
The school serves students from age 6 to 16.
What are the tuition fees?
Annual fees range from RMB 24,240 to RMB 41,040. Contact the school for the full fee schedule and any additional charges.
Is the school co-educational?
The school is described as co-educational.
How many students attend Institut Sankt Joseph Copenhagen?
The school has approximately 850 students.
Where is Institut Sankt Joseph Copenhagen located?
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.
When was Institut Sankt Joseph Copenhagen established?
The school was established in 1858.
Who leads Institut Sankt Joseph Copenhagen?
The school is led by Isabel Let Jensen.
Does the school provide learning support for students with special educational needs?
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.
What languages are used for instruction?
Languages taught: English and Danish.
How do I apply to Institut Sankt Joseph Copenhagen?
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.
What extracurricular activities are available?
ISJ Music School has its own music program. It offers group music classes including choirs and bands, as well as music production and private lessons. The program provides opportunities to perform and develop musical skills across ages.
What accreditations does Institut Sankt Joseph Copenhagen hold?
Inspection Report 2020-21: Danish inspectorate; notes dynamic energy and diversity among students and staff; international environment with students from more than 70 nations.
