Rysensteen Gymnasium

What Rysensteen Gymnasium does

Rysensteen Gymnasium is a publicly funded Danish upper secondary school (gymnasium) located in the Vesterbro district of Copenhagen, founded in 1881 as Laura Engelhardts Skole and renamed in 1919. The school delivers the three-year STX (Studenterkursus) programme culminating in the Danish studentereksamen, with approximately 950 students attending daily across a four-site campus (main building at Tietgensgade 74, the Hvide Kødby learning centre at Flæsketorvet 60, science classrooms in Brune Kødby, and DGI-byen for physical education) and nearly 120 teachers organized across 25 subject groups. Since 2011, Rysensteen has differentiated itself through the Global Citizenship Programme (GCP), a mandatory international curriculum integrated across all subjects and all three years, featuring mandatory exchange trips to 15 partner schools across 13 countries and an annual Citizenship Day (GCP-dagen) held since 2011 in collaboration with RÆSON magazine.

The school's technology stack is built on standard Danish educational infrastructure: Drupal 8 for the public website, Lectio as the LMS for attendance, grading, and scheduling, Google Workspace and Office 365 for productivity, Reindex for library management, Netprøver for digital examinations, and ExamCookie for digital exam proctoring. Notable proprietary frameworks include Rysensteenerdidaktik (a pedagogical framework developed over 15 years and now in its third iteration), the GCP-metroen (a graphical curriculum mapping tool), and an AI Traffic Light System governing student use of language models by subject area under the stated principle of 'using AI to think with, but not think for us.'

Rysensteen operates as a public institution under Danish educational law, funded by the Danish Ministry of Children and Education on a per-student taximeter basis with no tuition fees charged. The school holds an approved international profile school (profilskole) designation from Region Hovedstaden — renewed in October 2025 for two more years — allowing it to admit students with international/intercultural backgrounds outside standard criteria via the 'Med forrang' priority scheme. Revenue is supplemented by exam fees for supplementary GS-fag courses run on behalf of KVUC, voluntary family contributions for GCP study trips, and charitable support through the Rysensteens Jubilæumsfond. The institution is governed by a board chaired by Dorthe Petersen and led by Rector Mette Trangbæk, who succeeded long-serving rector Gitte Harding Transbøl in 2026.

Name

Rysensteen Gymnasium

Legal name

Rysensteen Gymnasium

Website

https://rysensteen.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1881

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Rysensteen Gymnasium is a publicly funded Danish upper secondary school in Copenhagen delivering the three-year STX programme to ~950 students, distinguished by its mandatory Global Citizenship Programme and 15 international partner-school exchange network, funded by the Danish Ministry of Children and Education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

Keywords

• Upper secondary education
• International profile school
• Global citizenship program
• STX studentereksamen
• Campus gymnasium

Headquarters

HQ city

Copenhagen (København V)

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Danish Government Funding (Ministeriet): Rysensteen Gymnasium is a publicly funded Danish upper secondary school (gymnasium) receiving its operating budget from the Danish Ministry of Children and Education. The school charges no tuition fees. Additional revenue comes from exam fees for GS-fag (supplementary courses offered on behalf of KVUC) and voluntary contributions from families for GCP study trips.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rysensteen Gymnasium is a Danish public upper secondary school (gymnasium) in Copenhagen offering the STX (Studenterkursus) programme that culminates in the studentereksamen. Its core offering is the three-year Global Citizenship Programme (GCP), which is fully integrated across all subjects and years for every student and includes mandatory international exchange trips with homestay at 15 partner schools worldwide. The school also delivers academic study lines (studieretninger) across science, humanities, social sciences and creative arts, plus extracurricular activities such as talent development, volunteer programmes, Model UN (RysMUN), annual musical productions, and student council governance.

Product overview

Rysensteen Gymnasium is an internationally oriented profile school offering the Danish STX (Higher Secondary Examination) program with approximately 950 students. The core educational offering centers on the Global Citizenship Programme (GCP), a mandatory three-year international program integrated across all subjects for all students. This includes cultural understanding courses, partnerships with 15 schools worldwide (Argentina, Canada, Egypt, India, Greenland, China, Croatia, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, Turkey, Uganda, and USA), and mandatory exchange trips with homestay. The school offers study specialization tracks (studieretninger) across science, humanities, social sciences, and creative arts. Beyond academics, the school provides talent development programs, volunteer opportunities, student committees, Model UN (RysMUN), annual musical productions, choir and music activities, and sports programs. The school operates as a campus with facilities across multiple buildings in the Vesterbro district of Copenhagen.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• STX Upper Secondary Education Programme (Studenterkursus) Three-year Danish upper secondary education programme preparing students for higher education across science, humanities, social sciences, and creative arts, culminating in the studentereksamen (matriculation exam). Targets Danish teenagers aged 15-18 who have completed folkeskole.
• Global Citizenship Programme (GCP) A comprehensive three-year international education programme fully integrated across all subjects for all students. Includes cultural understanding courses, mandatory exchange trips with homestay at 15 partner schools across 13 countries, and concludes with a GCP certificate.
• Exchange Programme with Partner Schools Mandatory international exchange trips for all 3.g students to one of 15 partner schools in Argentina, Canada, Egypt, Greenland, India, China, Croatia, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, Turkey, Uganda, and the USA. Includes virtual collaboration in 1.g and 2.g, followed by homestay exchange visits in 3.g.
• Profile School Admission (Profilplads) Specialized admission pathway for students with international and intercultural experiences and competencies, approved by Region Hovedstaden. Allows intake outside standard admission criteria under the 'Med forrang' priority scheme.
• Talent Development Programme (Talentudvikling) Enrichment programmes for students with exceptional abilities including ATU (Academic Talent Unit), Forskerspirer (Research Spirits), subject competitions, MEP/MUN (Model EU/Parliament), and science activities.
• Volunteer Work Programme (Frivillighed) Community engagement programme including partnerships with PlanBørnefonden, Red Barnet, Caritas Danmark, Loppeshoppen, and Café Sonja. Students completing 20+ hours receive a volunteer certificate. Raised 410,351.79 DKK for PlanBørnefonden in 2025/2026.
• RysMUN (Model United Nations) Annual Model United Nations simulation where all 2nd-year students participate, practicing diplomatic debate skills and international cooperation.
• GS-fag Supplementary Courses Supplementary courses offered on behalf of KVUC (Københavns VUC) for students needing additional qualifications, generating exam fees as additional revenue.
• Financial Support Schemes Financial assistance for GCP study trips via the school's jubilee fund (Rysensteens Jubilæumsfond) for families unable to afford costs, with single parents additionally eligible for support through Enesteående Forældre.

Quantifiable outcome

• All students complete GCP programme with mandatory international exchange trip to partner school country in 3.g with homestay
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• BETA ConsultancyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024External consultants from BETA assisted in developing the school's Strategy 2025-2030 'Sammen skaber vi fremtiden'. BETA conducted interviews with staff and internal stakeholders, held a strategy seminar for the board, and helped sharpen the descriptions of goals.
• Prva Privatna Gimnazija (Croatia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school in Zagreb, Croatia. 3.X class visited in October 2025. Students engage in virtual collaboration during 1.g and 2.g, followed by a homestay exchange visit in 3.g.
• Tampines Meridian Junior College (Singapore)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school in Singapore. 3.S class visited in September 2025. Part of the GCP exchange programme where students host their Singaporean buddies during visits and travel for homestay.
• Partnerskoler i Argentina, Canada, Egypten, Grønland, Indien, Kina, Kroatien, Polen, Singapore, Spanien, Sydkorea, Tyrkiet, Uganda og USA (2 skoler i Maine og Massachusetts)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRysensteen has formal partnerships with 15 international schools across 13 countries. All 3.g students travel to their assigned partner school for a homestay exchange. The partnerships involve virtual collaboration in 1.g and 2.g, reciprocal visits, and cultural understanding coursework. Specific partner schools include institutions in Buenos Aires (Argentina), Toronto (Canada), Cairo (Egypt), Sisimiut (Greenland), Bangalore (India), Hangzhou (China), Zagreb (Croatia), Singapore, Madrid (Spain), Seoul (South Korea), Istanbul/Alanya (Turkey), Kampala (Uganda), South Berwick Maine (USA), and Massachusetts (USA).
• PlanBørnefondencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with PlanBørnefonden (Plan Denmark) as part of the voluntary work (frivillighed) programme. Rysensteen has a target of 100 active volunteers and raised 410,351.79 DKK for PlanBørnefonden in 2025/2026. Students also participate in GCP-related activities linked to this partnership.
• Red BarnetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents volunteer with Red Barnet (Save the Children Denmark) running a learning café for disadvantaged children and youth in Ydre Nørrebro as part of the school's voluntary work programme.
• Caritas DanmarkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents participate in a food community (madfællesskab) with ethnic elderly residents, and surplus food is donated to a women's crisis centre on Vesterbro. Part of the school's voluntary work and GCP framework.
• Diakonissestiftelsen (Loppeshoppen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents volunteer at Loppeshoppen, a second-hand shop operated by Diakonissestiftelsen, open on Fridays from 14:00-17:00 as part of the school's voluntary work programme.
• Plejehjemmet BryggergårdenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWeekly cycling programme where students accompany residents with dementia on bike rides. One group of students visits the nursing home regularly as part of the voluntary work initiatives.
• Settlementet (Café Sonja)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents volunteer at Café Sonja in Saxogade, operated by Settlementet, as part of the school's voluntary work and GCP programme.
• RÆSON MagazinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual collaboration with Danish magazine RÆSON and journalist Clement Kjersgaard for the Citizenshipdag/GCP-dag, held every November since 2011. 3.g students present films produced during their GCP study trips, and politicians and experts debate the year's theme with all students.
• Copenhagen University (KU), RUC, Life, CBS, DTUminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school works closely with higher education institutions in and around Copenhagen — including KU, RUC, Life, CBS, and DTU — in areas of academic collaboration, talent development, and career guidance. Classes visit universities and cultural institutions daily as part of teaching.
• Københavns Kommune (Copenhagen Municipality)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRysensteen participates in a binding partnership with Copenhagen Municipality regarding youth health and well-being. Annually, a questionnaire survey is conducted among students to inform the school's health initiatives for the following year.
• GymnasiefællesskabetminorOthersA joint structure for Danish gymnasiums. Rysensteen's whistleblower unit includes two lawyers from Gymnasiefællesskabet. The DPO (Databeskyttelsesrådgiver) is also provided through this organization.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Copenhagen International School: A larger international school in Copenhagen offering IB PYP/MYP/DP and serving an internationally mobile student base. Comparable as a broader international education incumbent competing for internationally oriented families in the same metropolitan catchment.
• International School of Hellerup: An established Greater Copenhagen international school offering IB programmes to a primarily expatriate and internationally mobile student body. Comparable as a mature international education incumbent in the broader Copenhagen region competing for the same internationally oriented family segment.

Direct peers

• Christianshavns Gymnasium: A Copenhagen public gymnasium offering STX with strong academic and community profile. Directly comparable as a same-city Danish public gymnasium recruiting from the same optagelse.dk catchment.
• Ørestad Gymnasium: A Copenhagen public gymnasium offering STX with a focus on science, innovation, and international outlook. Comparable as a similarly sized urban Danish gymnasium competing for the same Copenhagen catchment and international-profile students through optagelse.dk.
• Ingrid Jespersens Gymnasium: A private Copenhagen gymnasium offering STX with an international and language-oriented profile. Comparable as a direct competitor for Copenhagen families seeking internationally oriented upper secondary education, though operating under a private (tuition-based) model.
• Sankt Petri Skole: A Copenhagen private school offering STX alongside IB, with a strong international focus. Comparable as a same-city competitor for international-profile students and a reference for international curriculum integration alongside national STX.
• Nørre Gymnasium: A central Copenhagen public gymnasium delivering STX with a humanities and language specialization. Comparable as a co-located, similarly sized competitor for profile-oriented Danish upper secondary students in the same catchment area.

Emerging players

• Nørrebros Efterskole / Profile efterskoler: Danish efterskoler (residential 9th/10th grade schools) often with international or profile themes (e.g., Global, Sports, Music). Comparable as adjacent Danish secondary institutions developing international curricula that compete for the same families feeding into gymnasiums like Rysensteen.

Others

• Deutsche Schule Kopenhagen / Lycée Français Saint-Louis: Foreign-system schools in Copenhagen offering German Abitur / French Baccalauréat as alternatives to STX. Comparable as adjacent international curriculum providers serving expat and internationally mobile families in the same catchment, illustrating alternative education pathways.

Regional players

• Helsingborgs Gymnasium: A large Swedish upper secondary school offering national programmes plus international profile options in the Øresund region. Comparable as a Nordic regional gymnasium with international profile ambitions competing for cross-border Scandinavian families.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rysensteen Gymnasium