The European School Copenhagen has three language sections (tracks) - English, Danish and French. The language of the section is known as Language 1 or L1 and is the primary language of instruction. In order to be admitted to a language section, the child must speak the language of the section fluently (mother tongue proficiency) and the language must be anchored in daily life, except SWALS students.
The language of the section is also the language used in communication between teachers and parents e.g. in parents meetings, messages on Aula, etc. The language of communication from the school administration is typically in English, which is the common language of the school.
See also multilingual education and language change requests.
In Primary 1, students start their first foreign language, also known as Language 2 or just L2.
The choice of L2 is important as students are taught some of their subjects in their L2 from Secondary 3 onwards. The L2 options are English, German or French. Min. 7 students must choose the language for a language group to be formed.
You can read more about L2 in the Second Language (L2) Parents’ Guide.
Parents will receive guidance from the school regarding the L2 options before they have to decide on their child's L2.
In Secondary 1, students must select a second foreign language, also known as Language 3 or L3. The choices are English, French, German or Danish. Students/parents will receive guidance prior to making their choice of L3. Min. 7 students must choose the language for a language group to be formed.
In Secondary 4, students can choose a third foreign language, also known as language 4 or L4. Spanish is offered at the European School Copenhagen. Min. 7 students must choose the language for a language group to be formed.
In Secondary 6, students can choose an additional foreign language as a complementary subject in S6 and S7. Chinese is offered at the European School Copenhagen. Min. 7 students must choose the language for a language group to be formed.
The European School Copenhagen generally takes the position that changing L2 or L1 is not an option as the language choice at the beginning of the child’s schooling is made in agreement with the parents/carers following guidance from the school. A change of language can only be justified in exceptional cases and by agreement with management. See the following policies:
Laternenfest is a German tradition around St. Martin's Day on the 11th November. On this day, children in Germany walk with their lanterns and sign songs. Here at the European School Copenhagen, the tradition is celebrated by the L2 German teachers and students in Primary.
In S2, students can choose to study either Latin or ICT. If they choose Latin, they study it both in S2 and S3, and can then choose to continue to study Advanced Latin in S4. Advanced Latin in S4 is only an option to those students, who have studied Latin in S2 and S3.
See Educational support.
Also known as the Pedagogical Learning Centre (PLC). The Primary school library on the ground floor has a variety of books , primarily in Danish and English but also in French, which the students can borrow. Each class also has a small library of age-appropriate books available for loan. All book borrowing is recorded in the Cicero system in the library.
Secondary students have a selection of books available in each language classroom.
See Address, Parking and Public transport for more information.
When students start in Secondary, they will get access to their own locker where they can keep their books and other belongings.
The locker keys will be distributed by the technical staff through arrangement with the class teacher. If for any reason students do not receive a key or lose their key, they should contact Administration. Keys must be replaced if lost.
Unfortunately, it is not possible for the students in Nursery to P4 to have lockers due to lack of space.
Lost and found items are put in the boxes on the 1st floor of the Primary building in front of P1FR.
At different times of the year (usually before the Christmas and Summer holidays), the Administration will send out a reminder to parents to check the boxes. If the items are not collected before the deadline communicated, the items are donated to charity.
Any valuables such as phones, jewellery, etc. should be handed in to the Administration. The school cannot take responsibility for any items taken to school.
At the European School Copenhagen, we refer to S1-S4 as Lower Secondary.
Santa Lucia is a Christian festival observed on 13th December each year. It commemorates Saint Lucia, a 3rd-century martyr. The children wear white robes and undertake a candlelit procession with the lead wearing a crown of candles (the Santa Lucia crown) and singing the traditional Santa Lucia song. This procession is usually undertaken by Grade 3 each year and parents are invited to attend. See also Christmas party/concert with the parents..
Students need to bring their own lunch to school unless they have signed up for the school lunch programme. They should also bring a small, nutritious snack for the short morning break, which is easy to unwrap and eat, and a bottle of water. Lunch boxes and drinks bottles should be clearly labeled with the child’s name.
Parents can order school lunch through the Culinary School using this link.
These are our principles for the food:
We try to make tasty, healthy, climate-friendly, and organic food every day.
We cook the meals according to the Danish Food Administration's official recommendations for school meals, and work based on Copenhagen Municipality's Guidelines for climate-friendly and healthy food.
We ensure that challenging, varied, and recognizable food is served. There will always be an element of the lunch that is a stomach-filler, so no child is going through the school day hungry.
We always have a vegetarian offer, and meat generally takes up little space on our menus.
It is possible to register your child for one of the following 5 food subscriptions:
Regular lunch
Vegetarian lunch
Halal lunch
Lactose-free lunch
Gluten-free lunch
Other considerations for diet or food allergies cannot be accommodated in the culinary school's lunch offer.
If you have any questions about the food, please contact Tim Rosenvinge at PF7V@kk.dk.
Inquiries regarding registration and payment should be directed to Skolemad-klub at (+45) 33 11 01 03. Read more here.
It is possible to apply for a subsidy towards the cost of the school lunch.