Education Services in Denmark

The Danish government provides a free public educational system including higher education to all students who live in Denmark. Some foreign students who attend school at a university in Denmark may have to pay tuition, however. All Danish children under six years old are allowed to enroll at a free public day care center, but this is optional. All children in Denmark are required to go to school between the ages of 7 and 16 years old. 87% of children in Denmark attend a public primary school. These schools serve both boys and girls, and students do not have to wear a school uniform. The school day is normally from 8 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon, and students get a half hour break when they can eat their lunch brought from home. Students have to go to school between the months of August and June, and often classes will keep the same teacher with the class throughout primary school. Six years are spent studying the English language, and three years are spent learning either German or French, although some other language choices are now becoming available. A large number of Danish families send their children to private schools, but this option is the most popular with expat families.