Parent's Review of Hoersholm International School in Copenhagen, Denmark

What is the name of your child's school? (Please report on one school per survey.)

Hoersholm International School

In what town or city is this school located?

Copenhagen

How would you describe this school? (i.e. American, British, International, Local, etc.)

International

What grade levels are represented at this school?

k1-10

How do most children get to school everyday? (bus, train, walk, etc.)

The children are either driven by the parents or use the public transit facilities.

How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?

The facilities of the school are average. The building is an old refurbished exhibition building. The layout and classrooms seems to be OK, however the acoustics in the classrooms are appalling. The proximity of its danish counterpart school, and their different school hours increases the noise level during lessons in the afternoon. The local danish kids are off around 1 o'clock and their after school clubs are free to roam on the playground that is facing some of the class rooms.

What has this school done to help your child transition from the curriculum in your home country into the curriculum in your new country? Are there programs to prepare your child for repatriation?

Absolutely nothing. This is not a typical international school as most of us are used to. The absence of a functioning ESL program, the lack of teachers that are either native or proficient in the english language are issues that lower the standards of the school considerably. The curriculum emulates the IB program, and this seems to be the schools biggest vice.

It has become the sole ambition by the so called vice headmaster to push the IB option at all cost. Thereby neglecting pressing issues such as bullying, low scholastic english standards, and general mismanagement of the school.

By association to its local counter part the school is limited in its autonomy, or at least thats what they tell the parents. So any changes that would be sensible for an international school are generally not possible. One has to remember that the two schools cater for totally different markets.

Managements sees the parents as an unnecessary nuisance in their IB strive. There is a definite air of "my way or the high way" in their attitude. Not very becoming for a private school.

How would you describe the social activities available for parents through this school? Are there parent-teacher organizations?

Social activities are plenty, both organised by the PT council and individually. There is a vast majority of local families in comparison to expats.

The parent teacher organisation is good, from a social perspective. The school statute gives them limited clout in matters other than bake sales. But they are a very dedicated bunch that put a brighter light on the school as a whole.

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?

Do not send them to this school. Particularly if your children do not have english as a first language. For native speakers it is already a feat for the parents trying to uphold english standards.

The cons completely outweigh the pros and the office attitude that I mentioned earlier is a major issue for most of the expat parents, and some of the locals as well. There have been several instances of people cutting their contracts short in order to escape the claws of the school. Their time in Denmark has been overshadowed by the shortcomings and arrogance of this institution.

There are plenty of other options in the Copenhagen area, and from friends' experience we hear that those schools are more established with a friendlier environment.

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