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Herlufsholm Skole

Denmark, Næstved

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Danish
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 11 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 472
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1565
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum, Dutch Curriculum
Taught languages Danish, English, German, French, Spanish, Latin
Typical class size 18
Strengths Sport, Academic Enrichment, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Cultural and Language, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Middle School, High School
Introduction

Herlufsholm Skole is a Denmark-based boarding school for students aged 11 to 18, and the oldest boarding school in the country, founded in 1565. The school combines Danish Middle School (grades 6–10), the 10th Grade, Danish High School (STX), and Pre-IB with the IB Diploma. The IB Diploma is a two-year, university-preparatory program taught exclusively in English, while Pre-IB strengthens reflective and academic skills to prepare students for IB. In addition to the IB track, the school offers Dutch Curriculum and five fields of study in the High School, supporting multiple university pathways. The campus includes historic Skygningen, a range of boarding houses, and extensive dormitory facilities, with a dedicated well-being team. On-site sporting facilities include a gym and an active extracurricular program with 30+ activities. Round Square conferences, the Exchange Program, and a variety of clubs foster global awareness, leadership, and community involvement, within a sense of tradition and belonging.

Herlufsholm Allé 170, 4700 Næstved, Denmark

The Essentials

Herlufsholm Skole has 472 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English, Danish.

Location
Located at Herlufsholm Allé 170, 4700 Næstved, Denmark. The school is on the Herlufsholm campus in Næstved. Bus transport is provided to Copenhagen and Slagelse for travel weekends.

Stages
Danish Middle School; 10th Grade; Danish High School; Pre-IB & IB Diploma

Type
boarding school

Additional learning support
A Reading Specialist and a Mathematics Advisor support literacy and numeracy; IB/STX study counselors assist academic development and well-being; a school nurse is on site.

Country affiliation
Denmark

School day structure
A- and B- weeks create a 10-day schedule; lessons begin on Tuesday in A-weeks and on Monday in B-weeks. Midweekends and travel weekends occur; Saturday is a normal school day; the daily schedule includes staggered lunch breaks.

Bus service
Bus transport is arranged to Copenhagen and Slagelse for travel weekends. Buses depart from Herlufsholm at 14:45 on travel weekends; buses to Copenhagen arrive at DGI-byen/ingerslevsgade, while the Slagelse bus leaves the school and arrives at the bus station. Return times on travel weekends are 19:30 from Copenhagen and 20:15 from Slagelse.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding is offered in several named houses: Skolebygningen Øst, Skolebygningen Vest, Lassengården, Egmontgården, Bodilgården, Vuen, Birgitte Gøye Gården, and Pernille Gøye Gården. Each boarding house has a boarding teacher who lives in the house and acts as a mentor. Sleeping rooms are private spaces called a hummer; most students have a single hummer, but some share; the houses include common living areas, a kitchen, bathrooms, toilets, and laundry facilities. Dipelhuset is a student-run house, and boarders share meals in the dining halls and follow routines like rotations and lal.

Uniform Requirement
The uniform is a shared dress code with a classic blue and grey palette. Clothing must be solid-colored, clean, well-maintained, and worn properly, with no large logos; there are formal Halfgala and Fullgala options for official events, and leisurewear is allowed after mausen. Mister in Næstved is the official clothing supplier and labeling is encouraged.

Food Options
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served buffet-style. Vegetarian options and accommodations for allergies are provided, coordinated with SUS for dietary needs. All students are expected to attend meals at designated times; cancellations require early notice and are coordinated with the dormitory staff.

House System
Herlufsholm Boarding School is divided into student houses, each with a housemaster and their family. The houses include Skolebygningen Øst, Skolebygningen Vest, Lassengården, Egmontgården, Bodilgåden, Vuen, Birgitte Gøye Gården, Pernille Gøye Gården, and Dipelhuset (a student-run house).

Governance and Ownership
Herlufsholm Skole og Gods is governed and owned by Stiftelsen Herlufsholm Skole og Gods, an operating foundation with business areas in the school, forest and agriculture, plus a church and a cemetery. The foundation receives state subsidies from the Danish Ministry of Education and is under their supervision. The foundation's purpose is to ensure the school endures for eternity, with income from other areas used to support the school. The Board of Directors oversees the foundation and the school.
Fees
Application / enrolment fees (one-time)

- An initial administration/registration fee is charged at enrolment. DKK 6,500 is listed as the one-time admission/registration fee in the published fee schedule. DKK 1,000 is listed as a refundable deposit.

Tuition fees by year group (annual / per-term detail)

- Annual tuition is billed as a schoolkontingent and covers instruction and (for day pupils) the school lunch; for boarders the schoolkontingent additionally covers accommodation, meals, laundry and nursing. Quarterly invoices are issued in advance.

- Published fee examples (academic year 2025/26):
- Grade 10 (G10): DKK 101,000 per year (annual tuition).
- Grade 11 (G11): DKK 141,800 per year (annual tuition).
- Grade 12 (G12): DKK 141,800 per year (annual tuition).

- For the first invoicing in a new enrolment year the total first-year charge includes the one-time admission/registration fee and the refundable deposit in addition to the annual tuition (total first-year example shown as DKK 108,500 where applicable).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- School fees (skolekontingent) are invoiced quarterly in advance; parents receive a quarterly statement. You pay quarterly in advance.

- Payment methods and deadlines:
- You may register for Betalingsservice (Danish direct-debit service) for recurring payment. Payment may alternatively be made by settling the school invoice within one month of issue.
- For late payment a reminder fee of DKK 100 is charged for the first reminder and DKK 100 for subsequent reminders; outstanding amounts are charged interest at 1% per started month. Both legal guardians are liable for payment.

- Additional charges for boarders and day pupils (examples): occasional charges from the dormitory/student-house account for shared activities (e.g., cinema, restaurants) may be added to a boarder's quarterly statement.

Boarding fees (kostelever)

- Boarding is organised as part of the schoolkontingent for kostenrol (kostelever); the schoolkontingent for boarders explicitly includes lodging, food, laundry and nursing. Published annual tuition figures for older year groups (shown above) reflect the higher charge for boarding students.

Other costs and recurring additional fees

- Uniform and clothing: school clothing is an additional expected cost. The school notes that there will be costs for uniform. Amounts for uniform are charged separately.

- Excursions, study trips and extracurricular activities: study trips, excursions and certain school events are charged in addition to the quarterly schoolkontingent and will appear on the pupil's account.

- Extra tuition / remedial lessons: extra-tuition (takster for ekstraundervisning) is charged at published rates and appears as separate items on invoices.

- Dormitory / student-house incidental charges: shared dormitory activities and incidental purchases may be billed via the dormitory account and appear on the quarterly invoice for boarders.

Refund and withdrawal rules

- Normal withdrawal during the school year: when an enrolled pupil is withdrawn during a school year, the schoolkontingent and any outstanding items on the pupil account are payable through the end of the quarter in which the school is notified. If a pupil must leave the school at the school's initiative, the family remains liable for payments through the end of the calendar month in which the school's decision is communicated.

- Summer-school specific refunds: for the two-week summer school program a non-refundable enrolment fee applies; cancellations before the stated cut-off (before 1 May for the 2026 summer school) are refunded minus the non-refundable enrolment fee. In limited emergency cases (serious illness/injury) a partial refund cap is specified for early departure from the Summer School.

Fee payment options and practical details

- Accepted mechanisms for regular school fee payment: registration to Betalingsservice (direct debit) or payment of the quarterly invoice within one month of issue. The quarterly invoice system is standard; invoices and statements are issued by the school's finance office. Late-payment reminder and interest rules apply as described above.

- Contact for billing queries: the school's finance/‘godskontor' handles billing matters and is contactable by phone; queries about moderation (fee reduction) and payment terms are handled by the school's moderation/finance team. Moderation (need‑based fee reduction and sibling discounts) must be applied for by the school's stated deadlines.

Notes on fee-reduction and special arrangements

- Need‑based fee reduction and sibling moderation are available subject to application and the school's procedures; moderation applications for the coming school year must meet the school's stated deadlines.

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Academics

Herlufsholm Skole teaches IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum, Dutch Curriculum for students aged 11 to 18.

Curriculum
The school offers Danish Middle School (grades 6–10), 10th Grade, Danish High School (STX) and Pre-IB & IB Diploma. Five fields of study are offered in the High School, each with its own focus. The IB Diploma is a two-year university-preparatory program taught exclusively in English; Pre-IB readies students for IB education by strengthening reflective and academic skills.

Student Teacher Ratio
Total employees are 170, with 87 full-time in the school area. Enrollment by program is 185 Lower School, 224 STX, and 63 Pre-IB/IB. Average class sizes are 16.8 for Lower School, 17.8 for STX, and 21 for Pre-IB/IB.

Exam Results
IB Diploma exam results are published.

Higher Education Progression
The High School provides the study qualifications required for higher education in Denmark and abroad.

Gifted and Talented
The school offers scholarships for talented students to attend STX or IB, including full-funded 3-year stays for day students. A mentor is assigned to all STX and Pre-IB/IB students to support their academic and personal development.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Herlufsholm creates an environment where students feel safe and are encouraged to develop both personally and socially. Well-being is central to daily life, and the school has achieved top rankings in national well-being surveys over the past three years. TeamTrivsel promotes well-being through conversations, development programs, preventive initiatives, and counseling, and every 1st-year student participates in the Wellbeing Ambassador Program, with 9th graders assisting new 6th graders as they start. Every student has an adult they can approach, such as a homeroom teacher, mentor, or academic advisor. In boarding houses, a boarding house teacher is available around the clock to foster a safe, open, and inclusive community, and there is a weekly Advisory Hour to support class well-being. The MiLife coordinator focuses on self-awareness and social development, offering conflict-resolution courses and the WEB program (Where Everyone Belongs), with staff supervision and support for students who have low self-esteem.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Herlufsholm supports learners who need extra help through targeted academic assistance. The Reading Specialist strengthens reading development, sets goals for classes and individuals, and participates in relevant parent meetings to advise on literacy. A Mathematics Advisor coordinates mathematics development across the school and works to minimize the number of students experiencing difficulties. IB and STX students are assigned mentors to support their academic progress and personal growth throughout the year. The school offers extra Danish lessons with a tutor if necessary for students who arrive with Danish as a second language or who struggle with Danish. Throughout the year the school invites guest professors and provides additional support to students with difficulties.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Herlufsholm is taught in English. Danish is the primary language outside of class and is a popular language course within the IB. Each year, the school admits students who have taken a foreign education or whose parents do not speak Danish, and it tests Danish proficiency at the beginning of the school year, with extra Danish lessons available if necessary. Communication at the school is primarily Danish, which requires students to learn Danish quickly, and Danish as a second language is offered to support this transition. The Summer School differentiates language courses by mixing Danish and foreign students to provide opportunities to train in English while learning about Danish culture.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through TeamTrivsel and the well-being program, with staff addressing issues such as anxiety, exam worries, loneliness, and concentration. The MiLife coordinator focuses on self-awareness and social development for lower school and provides supervision to colleagues and guidance for students with low self-esteem, including conflict resolution and the WEB program. IB and STX students are assigned mentors who support both academic development and personal growth, with mentors helping students manage study habits, planning, and follow-through. Three study counselors support IB and STX students with academic planning, university applications, and balancing academic and personal life. The school nurse lives on campus and is available 24/7 for urgent issues, handling daily care, emergency care, referrals, prescriptions, minor injuries, and well-being support in collaboration with parents, teachers, and leaders.

Safeguarding
Herlufsholm fosters a safety-conscious environment with TeamTrivsel and an anti-bullying strategy developed in collaboration with the student council. Students and parents are encouraged to reach out if negative interactions arise that could develop into bullying or inappropriate behavior. In each boarding house, a boarding house teacher is available around the clock to maintain a safe, open, and inclusive environment. Students can contact well-being staff, including study counselors and the on-site nurse, for support or urgent matters. The school maintains a whistleblower scheme for safeguarding concerns and handles sensitive data in line with GDPR guidelines, with GDPR-related requests directed to the appropriate contacts.
Parent Experience

History
Herlufsholm School was founded on May 23, 1565, as a school for the children of noble and respectable men, making it the oldest boarding school in Denmark. Traditional features include festive parties, plays, and ceremonies centered on the school's founders, a school uniform, and the Herlovian language used in daily life. Today, the school houses students from 6th grade to the 10th grade of the middle school and 1st to 3rd year of the high school, with day students and boarders in smaller classes focused on peace, academic rigor, and well-being. With more than 450 years of history, Herlufsholm offers traditions such as balls, café evenings, school comedies, Bird Shooting, sports days, and excursions that contribute to a strong sense of community.

Community
Traditions include balls, café evenings, school comedies, Bird Shooting, sports days, and excursions, contributing to a strong sense of community. Boarders must choose at least one weekly extracurricular activity from over 30 options, ranging from music and visual arts to sports such as basketball and tennis. The boarding houses and housemasters provide daily life support, helping create a close, familial atmosphere and a safe, well-supported learning environment. The school prioritizes well-being and safety as essential for learning and personal development.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
A class selects a parent representative who meets with school management three times a year; two parent representatives are also selected to serve on the school's board of directors. Parent meetings are held once a year, with the agenda shared and summaries posted via the Parent Intranet for the primary school. Forældreintra is a dedicated platform for the school's parents, providing information on balls and other events, class documents, and news. The school communicates with parents through emails and newsletters. The board includes two parent representatives: Christian Ahlefeldt-Laurvig and Helle Hofman Funder-Schmidt. Balls and the annual calendar involve parents, with invitations, dress codes, and registration managed by email and Forældreintra prior to each event.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Skygningen, the School Building, is historic and listed. The ground floor houses classrooms for the lower secondary grades (7th–9th), while the first and second floors are boarding dormitories. The dormitories are arranged as East and West wings, with rooms typically in doubles and some singles, and each boarding house includes a living room, a small kitchen, bathrooms, toilets, and a washing machine and dryer, with a boarding teacher living on site. The campus comprises several boarding houses that provide accommodation, including Skolebygningen Øst and Vest, Lassengården, Egmontgården, Bodilgården, Vuen, Birgitte Gøye Gården, and Pernille Gøye Gården. Dipelhuset serves as a student common house for socializing and events. The school offers more than 30 extracurricular activities outside teaching hours, including a gym and a wide range of sports.

Sports Facilities
On-campus sport facilities include a gym (motionscenter) for fitness training. The extracurricular program supports a broad range of sports and activities. Examples of sports include badminton, basketball, football (soccer), tennis, volleyball, and handball. There are running groups and mountain biking opportunities.

Academic Facilities
Skygningen, the School Building, is historic and listed. The ground floor contains classrooms for the lower secondary grades (7th–9th), while the first and second floors host dormitories for boarding students. East and West dormitories provide private rooms, with common facilities and supervision by a boarding teacher living on site. Skygningen is among the oldest buildings on campus.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Dipelhuset is the students' communal hub for socializing and events beyond the classroom. There are more than 30 extracurricular activities available to all students, distributed over more than 50 weekly sessions. Activities include sport such as badminton, basketball, football, tennis, volleyball and handball; creative pursuits such as music, singing, bands, visual arts and crafts; and academic options such as languages, SoMe, financial literacy, mathematics, Model United Nations, hunting license, cooking, driving license, and e-sports.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
More than 30 after-school activities cover sports, music, art, and academics. The Award Gold Medal Program challenges students to set and pursue a two-year personal development goal. Conferences through Round Square include opportunities such as Model United Nations, developing diplomacy and leadership. The Exchange Program enables students to explore other cultures.

Arts & Creative
After-school activities include music and art. The Extracurricular Program supports talent development with many partners and activities for everyone. Students have opportunities to explore and develop their artistic and creative talents through these programs.

Cultural & Language
Conferences through Round Square, including Model United Nations, develop diplomacy and global awareness. The Exchange Program offers opportunities to explore other cultures. These activities broaden cultural understanding and international perspectives.

Social & Hobbies
After-school activities emphasize sports, music, and art. The Award Gold Medal Program provides additional personal development challenges. Charity projects are organized through Round Square around the world.

Community & Service
Charity projects are organized through Round Square around the world. Participation in these projects fosters community involvement and social responsibility. The Exchange Program provides cross-cultural engagement with other communities.

Leadership & Professional
Conferences through Round Square, including Model United Nations, develop diplomacy and leadership. The Award Gold Medal Program fosters personal development and leadership by requiring ambitious goals. Talent development offers partners and activities to support students who want to be among the very best.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Well-being is central at Herlufsholm, and the school has achieved top rankings in national well-being surveys. Well-being initiatives include school plays, Fugleskydning, Cross-Day for the entire 1st-year class, sports day, cabin trips, expeditions, and participation in conferences both domestically and abroad. The Extracurricular Program offers a variety of activities after school hours, and a dedicated well-being team supports students with mentorship and wellbeing initiatives.
Languages

Language Provision
Pre-IB is taught in English, with Danish as the primary language of communication and Danish offered at two levels plus an intensive Danish course at the start of the year. The IB Diploma is a two-year program where all teaching takes place in English. In IB, Danish A and English A are available as language and literature subjects, and Danish B is offered as a language acquisition subject.

Immersion Programs
Two exciting weeks at Herlufsholm Summer School are for both foreign and Danish children aged 12-16. It is a small program with a maximum of 36 participants and offers differentiated language courses. Foreign students are taught basic Danish and learn about Danish culture and society, while Danish students mix with foreign students to practice English and gain confidence in communication. The Summer School runs in 2026 from July 11 to July 25.
Reputation

Awards
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award — an internationally recognised diploma program. You choose activities in four sections (sport, skills, volunteering, and expedition) in bronze, silver, and gold levels (1 year, 1½ years, and 2 years). Completion earns a diploma, an Award badge, and Herlufsholm's Trolleskjold. Past gold expeditions have included Iceland.

Accreditations
IB World School — authorised to offer Pre-IB and IB Diploma; Language of instruction: English; IB School since 03 September 1996.
Admissions

Admissions
Herlufsholm provides education for students from 6th to 9th grade in the lower school, and STX and the IB Diploma in the upper school. Open Day events are held throughout the year to introduce daily life and programs. When applying to become a boarding or day student, you and your family are invited to an interview with a school leader. For admission to the Danish upper secondary program (STX), the application deadline via Optagelse.dk is March 1, and interviews typically occur in January and February. Applicants for Pre-IB or IB Diploma programs are admitted on a rolling basis, with a recommendation to apply as early as possible, preferably before June 1. Admissions assess not only academic results but also the individual's potential for personal development within the Herlufsholm community; a transcript of grades and a preliminary assessment of educational readiness or a statement from the current school are required. Even if you apply for STX/IB through Optagelse.dk, you must also apply directly to Herlufsholm using the application form on this site. Fees are quarterly in advance: day students pay tuition plus lunch, and boarding students pay tuition plus accommodation, meals, laundry, and healthcare. When seeking financial considerations, fee reductions are available for needs-based and sibling discounts; the deadline to apply for a discount for the upcoming school year is June 1. For need-based reductions, include documents such as the annual tax assessment or tax statement for the previous year, a preliminary income assessment for the current year, and any foreign income documentation. There are specific discount forms and attachments for different student groups (e.g., Eunomia tuition grant for day students; Eunomia boarding support for boarding students; Parent applications for private gymnasiums and student courses; SU eligibility for over-18 STX/IB students). For over-18 students in STX/IB programs, SU is an available option with Danish CPR number requirements. This information is also complemented by fee-reduction resources and related support documents on the school's site.

Scholarships
Discounts are offered as part of a Fee Reduction program, including needs-based and sibling discounts. To apply, complete a general discount application and any relevant forms. The annual deadline to apply for a discount for the upcoming school year is June 1, with forms that vary by student group: Day students in Middle School (Application form; Eunomia tuition grant), Boarding students in Middle School (Application form; Eunomia tuition grant; Eunomia boarding support), Parent applications for private gymnasiums and student courses (Application form; Parent application private gymnasiums), and All Students Over 18 in STX/IB Programs (Application form; SU eligibility). Documentation for need-based discounts should include the annual tax assessment or tax statement for the previous year, a preliminary income assessment for the current year, and any foreign income documentation. There are attachments related to Eunomia grants and boarding support, and discount options may be discussed before the deadline by contacting moderation@herlufsholm.dk or +45 55 75 35 01. These programs are designed to support students who have the potential to enrich Herlufsholm but may not be able to afford full tuition.
School Events
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