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Rygaards International School

Denmark, Copenhagen

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees DKK 42,350 - 53,075
Ages 4 - 16 years
Pupil numbers 1000
Type Co-educational
Opened 1909
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Taught languages Danish, French, German, Spanish
Typical class size 24
Strengths Performing Arts, Languages, STEM
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

Rygaards International School is a co-educational school in Denmark offering an English-language curriculum for students aged 4 to 16. In the Primary School, pupils follow the English National Curriculum with a Cambridge framework for English, Maths and Science, alongside Danish language outcomes and Danish as a Second Language. In the Secondary School, students study a broad subject-by-subject programme, moving to IGCSE/GCSE courses such as English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, German and Spanish, with additional options including Global Perspective and GCSE Astronomy. Danish language strands run throughout the curriculum. The school traces its roots to 1909 and now welcomes over 1,000 students from around 80 nationalities, offering a Learning Resource Center, two science laboratories, two art rooms, two music rooms, and dual gymnasiums on a campus. Extracurriculars include Scenekunst, Robotics and Debate clubs, Duke of Edinburgh programme, and well-being framework recognized with the WAS award in 2024.

Bernstorffsvej 54, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark

The Essentials

Rygaards International School has 1,000 pupils, typical class sizes of 24, instruction in English.

Location
Bernstorffsvej 54, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark. The school is in the Hellerup area just north of central Copenhagen.

Stages
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.

Type
Private, Christian/Catholic, co-educational.

Additional learning support
Special service unit provides additional learning support.

Country affiliation
Denmark

Religious affiliation
Catholic
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
No uniforms; students do not wear school uniforms.

Food Options
There is no canteen; children bring their own lunches.

Governance and Ownership
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.
Fees

Annual tuition at Rygaards International School ranges from DKK 42,350 to DKK 53,075 for 2026/27.

Overview and scope
This summary lists published Rygaards International School fees and related payment terms for the published schedule (figures shown in Danish kroner, DKK). Figures include the main tuition, sibling rates, reception-class and SFO (after-school care) charges, supplements for secondary years, one-off fees, and standard ancillary charges.

Application, enrolment and deposit
- Application fee (one‑time, non‑refundable): DKK 2,000.
- Enrollment fee (one‑time, non‑refundable): DKK 2,000.
- Deposit (refundable subject to conditions): DKK 15,000. The deposit is refunded only when all school books are returned in good condition and all outstanding payments have been settled; deposit paid for a place not taken at the agreed time is not refundable. Deposits for Year 11 students are returned after September 1 to allow for exam remark administration; any remark costs may be deducted from the deposit.

Tuition — main charges (per annum and published monthly instalment option)
All amounts below are quoted in Danish kroner (DKK).
- Reception class (Privat pasningsordning, Reception class): Annual DKK 95,700; per 11 monthly instalments DKK 8,700. (No sibling reduction for reception class.)
- Reception class after‑care (14:45–17:00): Annual DKK 23,100; per 11 monthly instalments DKK 2,100.
- 1st child (standard international tuition): Annual DKK 42,350; per 11 monthly instalments DKK 3,850.
- 2nd child at Rygaards (sibling rate): Annual DKK 40,150; per 11 monthly instalments DKK 3,650.
- 3rd child at Rygaards (sibling rate): Annual DKK 30,250; per 11 monthly instalments DKK 2,750.
- 4th child at Rygaards (sibling rate): Annual DKK 25,850; per 11 monthly instalments DKK 2,350.

Tuition for students without a Danish CPR number (no state subsidy)
- Students without a CPR number or without diplomatic status are charged a higher instalment reflecting the lost state subsidy; published per‑11‑month instalment figures for CPR‑less students appear in the fee schedule. Examples from the published table (per‑11‑month instalments): Reception‑class special column and higher instalments are shown for non‑CPR cases; for standard pupils the CPR‑less monthly columns are higher (e.g., 1st child CPR‑less instalment DKK 8,125 as published). Annual totals for CPR‑less are calculated from the published per‑11‑month instalments.

Secondary‑year supplements and travel
- Y7–Y11 supplement (to cover additional costs in these grades): Annual DKK 4,675; per 11 monthly instalments DKK 425.
- Y7–Y9 travel supplement (to cover one international overnight trip for these classes): Annual DKK 6,050; per 11 monthly instalments DKK 550. Travel‑supplement payments that fund obligatory Y7–Y9 curriculum trips are non‑refundable if the student does not participate.

SFO (After‑School Care) and morning care
- SFO standard after‑school care (open 14:45–17:30; Friday until 17:00): Annual DKK 23,100; per 11 monthly instalments DKK 2,100. Extra holiday weeks (winter, autumn, first week of summer) are charged with the school fee after each holiday (a published extra weekly SFO charge applies where used). Late collection fee: DKK 300 per 15 minutes. Morning SFO (Year 1–4, open 6:30–8:55): Annual DKK 4,400; per 11 monthly instalments DKK 400. Registration for SFO and reception after‑care is binding.

Other regular and one‑off charges
- International Parents' Committee fee: DKK 400 per family per year (charged once a year, normally in September).
- Class money: DKK 400 per student per year (charged once a year; non‑refundable). Class money covers consumables, minor excursions, social activities and similar items.
- Examination fees and related charges:
- Examination remark / clerical checks: DKK 700.
- Examination fee for additional subjects (internal): DKK 1,000 per subject.
- Examination fee for additional subjects (external candidates): DKK 2,500 per subject.
- Overdue payment notice fee: DKK 100 per reminder (maximum three reminders).
- Fee for change of payment frequency: DKK 100. Monthly payment plan change carries this fee.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Currency: All published fees must be paid in Danish kroner (DKK). Any costs related to bank transfer fees, currency exchange or similar are the responsibility of the payer.
- Payment frequency and timing: School fees may be set and invoiced monthly, half‑yearly or yearly (the school year is treated as August–June, both inclusive). Monthly instalments are commonly arranged as 11 payments (no payment due in July). Monthly payments are due on the 5th of each month (except July). Published instalment columns show the per‑11‑month amounts. There is a specific published option for CPR‑less students that results in a higher instalment reflecting the lost state subsidy.
- Registration date rules: A child registered from day 1–20 of a calendar month is charged for the whole month; registration after the 20th is charged from the 1st of the following month. Companies may be registered as payers and are liable for all fees charged. In households where two adults are jointly responsible, both parties are jointly and severally liable to the school for payment.

Refunds, withdrawals and non‑payment
- Deposit refund conditions: Deposit is refunded only once books are returned in good condition and all outstanding payments are cleared; unclaimed deposits accrue to the school after six months if bank account information for refund is not provided. Deposit for a place not taken at the agreed time is not refunded. Year 11 deposits may be held until after September 1 to allow for exam administration, and any remark costs may be deducted.
- Withdrawal notice and charges: Withdrawal from the school (and from the reception class) requires a completed Notice of Withdrawal and three full calendar months' notice in advance (July is not included in the notice calculation). All fees remain chargeable through the end of the three‑month notice period regardless of actual attendance. Withdrawal from SFO or reception after‑care requires one month's notice to the end of a month; fees are chargeable to the end of that notice period regardless of attendance.
- Non‑payment consequences: If unpaid fees equal three months' school fees or more, the school may terminate the school attendance agreement and exclude the student; fees remain payable through any termination period as specified in the published terms.

Boarding
- Boarding is not applicable. Rygaards is a day school; no boarding fees are published.

Practical notes on payment methods
- The published terms specify that all payments must be made in DKK and that any transfer or exchange fees are the payer's responsibility. The published terms do not list explicit merchant payment methods (credit‑card providers or specific bank account details) in the fee schedule or the terms document; parents should follow the school's invoicing for the available payment method on each invoice.

Summary of the most commonly asked fee figures (quick reference)
- Reception class: DKK 95,700 per year (DKK 8,700 per 11 instalments).
- 1st child standard tuition: DKK 42,350 per year (DKK 3,850 per 11 instalments).
- Y7–Y11 supplement: DKK 4,675 per year; Y7–Y9 travel supplement: DKK 6,050 per year.
- Application fee: DKK 2,000; Enrollment fee: DKK 2,000; Deposit: DKK 15,000.

If any amount needs to be presented in a different currency or in a different invoicing frequency (half‑year or single annual payment), the published invoicing options allow monthly (11 instalments), half‑yearly or annual billing and annual amounts can be divided accordingly; the published instalment columns and terms specify the standard monthly instalment amounts and payment timing.
Academics

Rygaards International School teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE for students aged 4 to 16.

Curriculum
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.

Exam Results
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.

Gifted and Talented
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.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
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.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
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.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
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.

Mental Wellbeing
Pastoral care and a supportive learning environment are prioritized to support students' mental wellbeing, with ongoing emphasis on ethical awareness and responsibility.

Safeguarding
The school operates with a structured, caring environment and conducts regular safeguarding practices as part of its inclusive community.
Parent Experience

History
Rygaards School traces its origins to September 1909, when the Assumption Sisters founded Denmark's first school with twelve students. After expansions, the school moved to the Rygaards estate in Hellerup and was renamed Rygaards French School; after World War II a Danish department was added and boys were admitted for the first time. English became the dominant language in the International department, while French remained a compulsory subject in both departments. In 1968 the International department became Rygaards School and was integrated with the Danish department under one Principal. Today the school is over 100 years old, with more than 1,000 students representing 80 nationalities.

Community
International Parents' Committee (IPC) welcomes families into the Rygaards community and plans events and functions for students and their families to foster academic excellence, cultural diversity and friendships. It works with Rygaards School to foster a greater sense of community within the school, support the school mission, and organize social events for students, parents and teachers; it also coordinates fundraising activities. Membership is automatic for every parent or guardian of a pupil in the International Department, with the annual subscription included in the school fees, and membership ends when the pupil is no longer enrolled.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
International Parents' Committee (IPC) is the school's parent-teacher association for the International Department. It engages parents, plans events and activities for students, parents and staff, and coordinates fundraising in support of school provisions. Membership is automatic for every parent or guardian of a pupil in the International Department, with the annual subscription included in the school fees.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Rygaards International School features a modern campus with extensive facilities. The Learning Resource Center is on the top floor of the main building, providing a library and study spaces for both the Danish and International departments. The campus includes two gymnasiums, two science laboratories, two art rooms, two music rooms, a special service unit, and various specialist rooms. The school also has extensive grounds that support outdoor learning and activities. The Learning Center's auditorium area is adaptable for class presentations and exhibitions.

Sports Facilities
Two gymnasiums support indoor sport. Extensive grounds enable outdoor activities. The facilities support physical education and school sports programs. The campus is designed to integrate sports with learning spaces.

Academic Facilities
The Learning Resource Center (LRC) is located on the top floor of the main building and serves both the Danish and International departments. The LRC provides a library environment, small-group workspaces and space for exhibitions and class presentations. The school has two science laboratories. There are two art rooms and two music rooms. A special service unit and various specialist rooms support diverse learning needs.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Rygaards Fritidsforening is an after-school activities association run by an active board of parent volunteers who have children in either the International or Danish departments. Rygaards Fritidsforening offers a range of activities. Scenekunst provides performing arts opportunities. Clubs include Robotics, Art and Debate. Duke of Edinburgh International Awards Programme is available to students.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Rygaards International School offers an English-language curriculum for students aged 4 to 16. The International Department uses a Cambridge IGCSE framework with subjects including English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, History, German, and Spanish. Danish is taught as a subject and the Danish Department follows the standard Danish curriculum. The school is NEASC-accredited.

Arts & Creative
Rygaards supports arts and drama through Scenekunst and a range of clubs. The campus features a Learning Resource Center, two art rooms and two music rooms. Extracurricular offerings include Robotics & Tech Club, Debate, Spanish, Drama, Art Club, French Club and other creative activities; Scenekunst is described as part of the program. The school puts on plays and musicals, holds concerts and runs creative writing workshops.

Cultural & Language
English is the language of instruction in the International Department. Foreign language teachers for French and German are native speakers. French remains a compulsory subject in both the International and Danish Departments. Danish is taught as a subject and aligned with the Danish curriculum.

Social & Hobbies
Rygaards runs Rygaards Fritidsforening, an after-school activities association run by parent volunteers. Clubs include Robotics & Tech Club, Debate, Spanish, Drama, Art Club, French Club, Lektie café, Pokemon Go Club and more. The Duke of Edinburgh Award Programme is available to students. The International Department also participates in COBIS competitions and maintains thriving debate and MUN teams.

Community & Service
Rygaards runs charity campaigns; Den lille spejderuge is a charity-style activity offered for kindergarten classes to build class spirit and teamwork. The school is an approved Duke of Edinburgh International Award Centre, with Bronze in Year 9 and pathways to Silver and Gold. The school's emphasis on wellbeing and community is reflected in its broader charitable and service activities.

Leadership & Professional
The Student Council represents students in years 7–11 (and 7th–9th grade) with two representatives per class and elected presidents from the Danish and International Departments. Two liaison teachers, Mary Olesen and Samina Kjærbo, coordinate the council. The Duke of Edinburgh Award Programme supports leadership and service development at the school. Talentprogram includes Advanced English Programme and International English Programme with internal and external competitions and enrichment opportunities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Rygaards has an Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Strategy and was awarded the Wellbeing Award for Schools (WAS) in June 2024. The strategy aims to promote positive mental health and provide support across staff, students and families. The campus includes facilities such as a Learning Resource Center, two gymnasiums, two science labs, two art rooms and two music rooms, supporting physical and creative wellbeing. The school also engages in sport and team activities, including international travel for competitions and matches.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction in the International Department for ages 4 to 16. French and German are taught as foreign languages by native-speaking teachers. Danish is taught under the Danish Fællesmål framework, with Danish Language Outcomes and Danish as a Second Language Learning Outcomes. The International Secondary School offers IGCSE English Language, IGCSE German and IGCSE Spanish.

Bilingual Teaching
The school uses Danish and English as languages of instruction.
Reputation

Awards
IGCSE results are publicly reported for multiple years (2018–2025) with high percentages of A–C grades and many students achieving five IGCSE grades.

Accreditations
NEASC accreditation; ECIS, Danish International Schools Network (DISN), Association of Catholic Schools in Denmark (FAKS) member; Duke of Edinburgh International Award Centre; Cambridge IGCSE exams (Cambridge and Edexcel) present.
Admissions

Admissions
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.

Scholarships
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.

Waitlist
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.
School Events
The school has not added events
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