International Schools in Denmark

If you're moving to Denmark with school-age children who don't speak Danish, you'll face an immediate decision: Danish public school (folkeskole) with language support, or an international school. For children under 10, immersion in a Danish school often works well — children at that age absorb language faster than you expect. For teenagers, the disruption to their education from a complete language switch can be significant, and international schools become the more practical choice.

This guide covers both options honestly, with specific school names, locations, and fee ranges.

Why International Schools Make Sense in Many Cases

Denmark's public school system (folkeskolen) is excellent by global standards — well-resourced, low-stress, focused on learning through play at younger ages and critical thinking at older ages. But it operates entirely in Danish. New children who don't speak the language are supported through modtagerklasser (reception classes — see below), but the pace of transition varies, and for a child who is mid-way through GCSEs or an American curriculum, switching to Danish education is disruptive in a way that international school avoids.

Additionally, if your family may relocate again after Denmark, keeping children in an internationally-recognised curriculum (typically IB — International Baccalaureate) ensures continuity regardless of where you move next.

International Schools in Copenhagen

Copenhagen International School (CIS)

The largest and most established international school in Denmark. Located in Nordhavn (a 15-minute cycle from the city centre), CIS serves around 1,200 students from 80+ nationalities, ages 3–18.

• Curriculum: International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes
• Language of instruction: English, with Danish as an additional language from an early age
• Fees: DKK 120,000–160,000 per year, depending on year group. Early childhood is at the lower end; IB Diploma years are the highest.
• Application: Apply as early as possible — waitlists are common for popular year groups. Contact the admissions office directly.
• Campus: Purpose-built modern facility in Nordhavn. Excellent sports and arts facilities.

CIS is the default choice for most expat families in Copenhagen, particularly those on corporate relocation packages where the employer covers fees.

Rygaards International School

A smaller school in Hellerup (northern Copenhagen suburb), serving ages 3–16. Has been operating since 1909, originally as a Danish-English bilingual school.

• Curriculum: Cambridge International Curriculum (IGCSE pathway)
• Fees: Approximately DKK 100,000–130,000 per year
• Character: Smaller, more personal environment than CIS. Often preferred by families who find CIS's scale overwhelming.
• Location: Easily accessible from Hellerup, Østerbro, and north-shore suburbs

American School of Copenhagen (ASC)

Located in Hellerup, the American School follows the US college-preparatory curriculum.

• Curriculum: US curriculum, SAT preparation, AP courses
• Fees: Approximately DKK 130,000–150,000 per year
• Best for: American families who want full continuity with the US education system, particularly if planning to return to the US after Denmark

French Lycée Christian Andersen

Serves the French community in Copenhagen with French national curriculum education. French language of instruction.

German School Copenhagen (Deutsche Schule Kopenhagen)

German curriculum, German language instruction. Located in Hellerup. Serves the German expat community and others seeking German-language education.

International Schools Outside Copenhagen

Aarhus International School

Located in Åbyhøj (western Aarhus), this is the primary option for international families in Denmark's second city.

• Curriculum: IB from Kindergarten through to IB Diploma
• Fees: Approximately DKK 70,000–110,000 per year — significantly cheaper than Copenhagen equivalents
• Size: Around 600 students, ages 2–18
• Language: English-medium instruction with Danish as an additional language

For families relocated to Aarhus by employers like Vestas, Grundfos, or Aarhus University, this school is the standard choice.

Odense International School

Smaller school serving the expat community in Odense. IB curriculum. Contact directly for current fee structures.

Employer Fee Coverage: Ask Before You Accept

Many multinational employers in Denmark include international school fee coverage in their relocation packages. This is especially common in:

• Pharmaceutical companies (Novo Nordisk, Leo Pharma)
• Shipping and logistics (Maersk)
• Energy companies (Vestas, Ørsted)
• Professional services and consulting firms

If you're negotiating a relocation package, school fees are a significant and legitimate line item. CIS fees for two children amount to DKK 240,000–320,000 annually — equivalent to a major salary component. Get written confirmation of exactly what your employer covers (fees only, or also registration/materials fees and uniforms) and whether coverage applies for the full duration of your contract.

The Public School Option: Folkeskole with Modtagerklasse

For children who are flexible and young enough, the Danish public school system is genuinely worth considering — it's free, the quality is high, and Danish children are typically welcoming.

Modtagerklasser

Every Danish municipality is required to offer modtagerklasser (reception classes) for newly-arrived children who don't speak Danish. These are dedicated classes where children receive intensive Danish language instruction for 6–18 months, alongside some mainstream curriculum subjects.

After the reception period, children are mainstreamed into regular Danish classes with continued support. How smooth this transition is varies significantly between municipalities and individual schools.

Ages it works best: Children under 9–10 typically adapt remarkably well. The language acquisition is faster at younger ages, and the social pressure to be linguistically perfect is lower in younger classrooms.

Ages it's harder: Teenagers entering Year 8 or above face more difficulty — the academic demands are higher, the social stakes of language fumbling feel greater, and the remaining time in the Danish system before potential departure may be shorter.

What to Expect from a Folkeskole as an Expat Parent

• School meetings and communications will be in Danish — use DeepL or Google Translate, or ask for an English version (many schools accommodate this)
• Parent-teacher conferences (skole-hjem samtaler) can typically be conducted in English in Copenhagen schools
• Danish school culture emphasises independence, outdoor play, and self-directed learning — different from more structured Asian or UK/US approaches, and different from what many expat families expect
• Schools run from roughly 8am to 2pm for younger years, later for older children

To find your local folkeskole and their modtagerklasse provision, contact your municipality's Børne- og Ungeforvaltning (Children and Youth Administration) after registering your CPR number and address.

Registration and Waitlists

For international schools: apply immediately upon knowing your move date. CIS in particular has waitlists for specific year groups (Year 1–3 and IB Diploma years are often the most constrained). Registration fees are typically DKK 3,000–8,000, non-refundable.

For folkeskole: contact the school directly after registering your child's CPR number and address. You are assigned a district school (distriktsskole) based on your home address, though you can apply to attend a school outside your district.