A Modern Catholic International School in Hellerup
We strive to maximize each student’s potential.
Our School Values
Rygaards School is an international Catholic private school founded by the Religious of the Assumption in 1909. Since its foundation, the school has been open to all children, regardless of faith or background.
Our values are rooted in a Christian view of humanity and universal values such as respect, responsibility and equality. We are committed to both academic development and the personal growth of our pupils, encouraging each individual to develop courage, curiosity and a strong sense of self.
In close partnership with families, we provide high-quality education that gives pupils a solid foundation of knowledge, contemporary approaches to learning and a strong sense of ethical awareness. We want our pupils to enjoy a safe and happy school experience where community, care and engagement are a natural part of everyday life.
Our Values Programme
Through our whole-school Values Programme, we focus on one value each quarter. This includes assemblies, competitions and classroom activities that help us put the value we wish to promote into practice in everyday life.
Saint Marie Eugénie, our foundress, drew on Christian values to encourage children to reflect on how they could make a positive difference to others. This could be by offering their friendship, spreading joy and showing that they are people others can trust.
Our four core values are at the heart of Rygaards School
- From August to October holiday: Respect (from Rygaards’ Founding Principles)
- From after October holiday to Christmas: Truth (from Marie Eugenie’s philosophy of education)
- From Christmas to Easter: Courage (from the School’s logo)
- From Easter to Summer: Vision (from the school’s motto)
Mission Statement
Rygaards School sees as its purpose, in co-operation with parents, to practice a form of educating which aims to build up the self-confidence, sense of values, and all-round personal development of the individual student.
The fundamental objective of Rygaards School is to teach and live the Catholic-Christian ethic. More specifically the school’s objective is to provide a school environment inspired by the values of the Order of the Assumption, in which the spirit of freedom and love expressed in the Gospels permeates the entire daily life of the school.
At Rygaards School a framework has been created which enables the individual’s insight into Christianity to grow and the individual’s creed to be clarified and to mature.
Rygaards School has a special mission to take in students from diverse cultures and religions, and therefore wishes, while showing respect for the individual’s faith, to further an ecumenical and cross-religious dialogue to the spiritual enrichment of all.
Rygaards School sees as its purpose, in co-operation with parents, to practice a form of educating which aims, also out of school hours, to build up the self-confidence, sense of values, and all-round personal development of the individual student.
Based on Danish school legislation, Rygaards School provides an all-round education, using contemporary teaching methods and encouraging ethical awareness.
At Rygaards School the students are free to develop their potential for the good both of self and of society. It is thus a part of the school’s aims to strengthen the students’ understanding of responsibility for one’s fellow and mutual respect for others – both on a local and a global scale.
In addition, the school operates as a private Basic School (primary and lower secondary school = Danish Folkeskole/Grundskole) in accordance with the prevailing laws and regulations in force for Free-Schools and Private Basic Schools, etc.
The school shall provide an education comparable to that generally required of the municipal Basic School.
The school shall prepare students to live in a free and democratic society.
A Modern School in Historic Surroundings
Rygaards School has undergone continuous renovation and development and today appears as a modern school with strong academic facilities set within historic and atmospheric buildings.
The library is the school’s learning centre and a central space for both focused study and learning.
The school has two gyms: Old Gym and New Gym.
Our specialised classrooms and laboratories provide the framework for a varied science education with room for both experimentation and focused study.
Our dedicated music building features spacious, light-filled rooms where students develop their musical skills.
The school offers art classes in spacious studios, where students can explore their creativity using a variety of materials and techniques.
Food studies is mandatory for all year 8 students in six months – after that it is offered as an elective. The students develop practical cooking skills in our well-equipped school kitchen.
We also offer Craft and Design as an elective, focusing on hands-on learning in modern workshop facilities.
Rygaards School features a large green park with playgrounds, sports fields, a wooded area, and open lawns, providing ample space for play, physical activity, and fresh air during breaks.
Our values
Rygaards School is a Catholic independent school founded by the Assumption Sisters in 1909. Since its beginning, the school has been open to all children regardless of faith or background.
Our values are rooted in a Christian view of humanity combined with universal principles such as respect, responsibility and equality. We work purposefully with both academic development and personal formation and aim to strengthen each student’s courage, curiosity and sense of identity.
In close cooperation with families, we provide teaching that offers solid academic foundations, contemporary learning methods and ethical awareness. Students should experience a safe and positive school life where community, care and engagement are natural elements of everyday life.
Traditions and Community
The school’s traditions are an important part of our identity. Morning assembly, Lucia celebrations, Carnival and United Nations Day are examples of events that strengthen community and students’ social and ethical awareness.
There is a daily morning assembly in the church, and throughout the year ecumenical services are held. Catholic students are offered Mass and Catholic religious education. At the same time, all students meet in an inclusive community with respect for diversity and belief.
Have a look inside
Take a look behind the scenes at Rygaards School and experience the unique atmosphere of our community.
Danish and International Departments
Rygaards School includes both a Danish department and an English-speaking International Department. The school’s approximately 1,000 students represent many nationalities, languages and faiths, and this diversity is a natural strength in everyday school life. It fosters intercultural understanding, global awareness and mutual respect.
The two departments share facilities and a common values foundation, and joint events are held regularly. Several teachers work across both departments, supporting coherence and a shared school culture.
The Danish Department covers Kindergarten Class to Year 9.
The International Department offers education from Reception Class to Year 11.
For younger students, after-school provision is available across departments. The SFO (after-school club) includes both Danish students and international students from Year 2 to Year 4.
Reception Class has an after-school programme called Caterpillars, and Year 1 has the programme Butterflies.
Students in the International Department complete their schooling in Year 11 with IGCSE examinations. Students in the Danish Department leave school after year 10 having completed the Danish state examinations.
Facilities and Location
The school’s buildings are organised so that students meet environments suited to their age and needs.
Reception Class – Year 4
Our Reception class up to Year 4 are located in the Good Shepherd Building.
Kindergarten Class – Year 3
The Danish kindergarten class and up to Year 3 are based in the Annex. This is also here the SFO takes place. The unit provides a safe and welcoming setting for younger students.
Year 4–6
The Danish Year 4-6 share the Marie Eugénie Building with Year 5 and 6 from the International Department. Art studios are also located here.
Year 7–9 and Year 7–11
The Danish Year 7-9 and the International Year 7-11 have classrooms next to each other in the Main Building.
