Welcome to Primary

Welcome to Primary School at North Zealand International School

An exceptional international education where curiosity is nurtured, diversity is celebrated and every child is inspired to thrive.

At North Zealand International School, we believe every child has the potential to make a positive difference in the world. We inspire learners to become confident, compassionate and curious young people who actively shape their own learning embracing the opportunities and challenges of an ever-changing world.

Our shared vision guides everything we do:

"NIS learners actively engage in shaping their own learning, continually aiming to be respectful, responsible globally minded lifelong learners."

Every aspect of school life is designed to develop internationally minded learners who are academically ambitious, socially responsible and equipped with the knowledge, skills and understanding to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

Excellence in International Education

North Zealand International School is recognised both nationally and internationally for its commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.

We are proud to be Denmark's only IPC Accredited School, having first achieved Accreditation in 2019 and successfully completing our second accreditation in 2023. This rigorous international quality assurance process reflects our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and to delivering outstanding international education.

Our international outlook is further strengthened through our membership of the UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet), a global community of schools committed to promoting peace, intercultural understanding, sustainable development and global citizenship. These values are embedded throughout our curriculum and lived every day within our diverse school community.

The quality of teaching at NIS has also received international recognition through the International Curriculum Association (ICA) Teacher Awards. In 2024, members of our staff were nominated across multiple global award categories, including IPC Teacher of the Year, IMYC Teacher of the Year and Leader of the Year, with NIS receiving the world's first IMYC Teacher of the Year Award. Building on this success, in 2025 our teaching team was recognised among the Top Three Teaching Teams in the World at the ICA Teacher Awards. These achievements reflect the passion, expertise and collaborative culture that define teaching and learning at NIS.

Today, our vibrant international community brings together families representing more than 75 nationalities, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated, every child feels a sense of belonging and every learner is encouraged to flourish.

Learning for the Future

Preparing children for the future means far more than teaching knowledge alone. Today's learners need to think critically, solve complex problems, communicate effectively, collaborate confidently, show empathy, act ethically and adapt positively to change.

At NIS, these future-ready competencies are developed through the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), an engaging enquiry-based curriculum that inspires children to ask questions, investigate ideas, think creatively and make meaningful connections across their learning.

Through authentic projects and real-world contexts, learners explore important local and global issues while developing the confidence to apply their learning in purposeful and meaningful ways. Whether designing sustainable communities, investigating scientific challenges or exploring different cultures and perspectives, our learners become active, reflective learners who confidently shape their own learning.

Developing the Whole Child

At NIS, academic achievement and personal development go hand in hand. We believe educating the whole child means nurturing wellbeing, confidence and resilience alongside academic success.

Through our whole-school wellbeing programme, Second Step, children develop social and emotional skills, build positive relationships and learn strategies that support both their learning and overall wellbeing.

The IPC Personal Goals provide a shared language for learning throughout the Primary School and are explicitly taught, modelled and celebrated every day. These goals help children develop the personal qualities they need to succeed both in school and beyond.

Our IPC Personal Goals are:

· Adaptable

· Collaborator

· Communicator

· Empathetic

· Ethical

· Resilient

· Respectful

· Thinker

As children progress through the Primary School, they deepen their understanding of these attributes and learn to reflect on how they demonstrate them in their everyday learning and relationships. Through reflection, goal setting and growing independence, our learners become confident, responsible and lifelong learners.

International Mindedness and Global Competency

As an international school, we believe children learn best when they understand both themselves and the world around them.

International mindedness is woven throughout every aspect of learning at NIS. Learners explore different perspectives, celebrate cultural diversity and develop empathy through meaningful experiences that connect learning in Denmark with the many cultures represented within our school community.

Alongside this, we intentionally develop global competency which is the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values needed to understand local and global issues and take informed, responsible action. Through enquiry, collaboration and reflection, our learners are encouraged not only to recognise the challenges facing our world, but also to contribute positively to their communities and beyond.

Through our work as a UNESCO Associated School, learners regularly explore the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and develop an understanding of how their actions both big and small can contribute to a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable future. Whether through sustainability projects, community initiatives or everyday classroom experiences, children learn that they have the power to make a meaningful difference. We empower our learners to active global citizens who are ready to make a positive impact in an ever-changing world.

The International Primary Curriculum

The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) is a rigorous, engaging and internationally respected curriculum taught in leading international schools around the world. It combines high academic expectations with creativity, enquiry and reflection, enabling children to develop subject knowledge alongside transferable skills and deep conceptual understanding.

A distinctive feature of the IPC is its emphasis on helping children understand the difference between knowledge, skills and understanding. Learners recognise that knowledge is acquired, skills are practised and refined over time, while understanding develops through reflection, application and making meaningful connections across different areas of learning.

This approach empowers children to become increasingly independent learners who understand not only what they are learning, but why it matters. They are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions, reflect on their progress and take ownership of their learning journey.

The IPC is continually developed to reflect current educational research and international best practice. Its emphasis on enquiry, student agency, collaboration and meaningful learning experiences creates highly engaging classrooms where curiosity is nurtured, achievement is celebrated and every child is challenged to reach their full potential.

A Community Where Children Flourish

Above all, North Zealand International School is a place where children are known, valued and inspired every day.

Our dedicated teachers work in partnership with families to create a safe, inclusive and ambitious learning environment where every child feels confident to embrace challenge, celebrate success and discover their full potential. Together, we nurture learners who are academically successful, emotionally resilient and committed to making a positive contribution to their communities and the wider world.

We are proud to offer an exceptional international education where children develop the knowledge, skills, understanding and values to become respectful, responsible and globally minded lifelong learners.

See the IPC in Action

We invite you to watch the short video below to discover how the IPC nurtures enquiry, creativity, international mindedness and a lifelong love of learning.

Teaching Hours by Subject (Years 1–11)

At NIS, we provide a broad and balanced curriculum that supports learners throughout their educational journey. Click below to explore how teaching hours are allocated across subjects in both Primary and Secondary School.

Teaching hours for subjects at NIS