Our Story
From Dream to Reality
Waldorf International School of Copenhagen – also known as Byens Steinerskole – was founded as a parent-led initiative with the dream of establishing a Waldorf school in the heart of Copenhagen. The aim was to create a space where children could grow and thrive through creativity, holistic learning, and a strong sense of community.
From the beginning, the vision was to bring Steiner education into a modern urban context and to offer an education that meets the needs of families living in or moving to Copenhagen – whether from Denmark or abroad.
A Waldorf School for a Global City
Copenhagen is an international city, and our school is proud to be part of a worldwide educational movement. Waldorf education exists in more than 60 countries, with over 1,200 schools and 2,000 kindergartens around the world. However, only a small and growing number of these are fully international Waldorf schools – offering instruction in English within the framework of Steiner pedagogy.
We are one of them.
Our international department was established to serve families coming to Denmark for work, research, or diplomatic missions, as well as Danish families returning from years abroad who wish to continue their child’s Waldorf journey in English. We believe all children deserve a school that nurtures their head, heart, and hands – in a diverse and inclusive environment.
The Early Years
The first meeting that led to the founding of the school was held in 2017 at the Waldorf kindergarten Nordstjernen in Valby. Shortly after, a support association was created, and with strong parent engagement, the concrete work of starting the school began.
In August 2019, the school opened its doors with 48 students on Nyelandsvej in Frederiksberg – divided between a Danish and an international section.
A Home in Jernbanebyen
After a brief and unexpected stay in temporary facilities in 2020, the school relocated in 2021 to Otto Busses Vej in Jernbanebyen – a former railway district now being transformed into one of Copenhagen’s most ambitious urban developments.
Jernbanebyen is envisioned as a vibrant, green, and mostly car-free neighborhood with homes, cafés, cultural venues, and sports facilities – all designed for modern city living. The area is built with sustainability and community at its core, making it especially attractive for families with children.
Centrally located, it’s just minutes from the main train station, public transport, and the Copenhagen harbor.
The move marked a turning point for the school: it had found its home – with space to grow, close to nature and the heart of the city, and as part of a dynamic, family-friendly, and future-oriented community.
Looking Ahead
Today, Waldorf International School of Copenhagen has 276 students and a kindergarten with 31 children (as of September 2024). A planned expansion in 2025/26 includes new classrooms, well-equipped rooms for craft, music, science and other hands-on learning, an additional kindergarten building with nursery facilities, and a multi-purpose hall for theatre, music, and sports.
The school community continues to grow – shaped by a spirit of collaboration, creativity, and international outlook.
By 2030, the school plans to move into a newly constructed, purpose-built building in Jernbanebyen. This will not only support the school’s continued pedagogical development but also establish a cultural and educational landmark for the neighborhood and for Waldorf education in Denmark.
