Growing numbers of Danish parents are turning away from their local public schools, especially in Denmark’s biggest cities. Experts warn this could create a divide between well-resourced and struggling schools.
Parents choose alternatives over local schools
Across Denmark, many families are making an important choice this fall—where their children will start school next year. For a growing share of parents, the local public school is no longer the automatic choice.
In several major urban municipalities, including Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense, and Aalborg, less than half of the children in some school districts attend their own public school. Data from local governments show that in Copenhagen, 29 percent of new students attend a school outside their district. In Aarhus, the figure is 27 percent, while Odense and Aalborg report 16 percent and 12 percent respectively.
Parents often turn to private or “free” schools, or to other public schools in nearby districts. These numbers illustrate a trend that has become a central discussion point ahead of the upcoming municipal elections, where improving public schools is a top issue.
Some schools struggle to keep local students
In the northern part of Aarhus, Vorrevangskolen faces the challenge firsthand. Fewer than half of the district’s children attend the school, even though it offers modern facilities and small classes. Many families nearby choose one of two private schools in the same district.
School administrators say they are working hard to attract more local students. They believe smaller class sizes and accessible teachers should be an advantage, yet many parents still prefer alternatives, often based on word-of-mouth, perceptions of quality, or convenience.
Social divide a growing concern
This increasing tendency to opt out of local public schools has researchers worried about larger social effects. According to education specialists at VIVE, Denmark’s national research center for welfare, it is typically resourceful parents with higher income and education levels who leave the public system.
As a result, schools in less affluent neighborhoods may end up with a higher share of students needing extra support. That can put pressure on already stretched teaching staff and hinder efforts to maintain balanced classrooms. The concern is that Denmark could gradually develop what some describe as “A- and B-schools,” where advantage and disadvantage are reinforced across generations.
Reasons behind the shift
Parents cite a range of reasons for choosing differently. Some mention a poor reputation at their local school, while others prefer smaller class sizes or a particular teaching philosophy offered by private schools.
Another major factor is how schools handle inclusion. In Denmark, public schools are legally required to include children with special educational needs, but resources for this work vary greatly. Many parents worry these challenges might affect classroom quality for all students.
Interestingly, not all families opt out for academic reasons. In some cases, convenience plays the main role—such as a private school being closer to home or easier to reach by bike. Others prefer a small local public school simply because it allows for stronger community ties among children and parents.
Balancing choice and equality
Free school choice is widely supported in Denmark. Yet experts argue that when a large group of families views public schools as second-best, the system’s core principle of equal education for all comes under pressure.
Ensuring every school offers high-quality teaching and a safe environment is therefore a top priority for many municipal politicians. Ahead of election day, several parties have called for new investments, as reflected in campaign discussions surrounding voter guides and pledges to strengthen the quality and reputation of local schools.
Parents’ mixed experiences
Experiences vary widely among parents. Some still choose their district school because they value proximity and a sense of belonging in the neighborhood. Others believe that selecting a different school can better match their child’s learning needs.
The collective picture, however, raises an important question for Danish society: how to preserve equality in education when parental preferences increasingly reflect social and economic divides.
The outcome of the upcoming municipal vote, and the policy changes that follow, will likely determine whether local public schools regain their former position at the heart of Danish communities. For full election results and updates, voters can follow official data through results updates after election day.
Sources and References
DR: Figures from major cities spark concerns over “A and B” schools as parents turn their backs on local public schools
DR: Municipal Elections
DR: Your Ballot
DR: Election Results
