10 Schools Students Never Want to Leave
Forget stiff classrooms, green chalkboards, and endless rows of desks and chairs. These 10 schools are built on curiosity, play, and movement – from the very first brick.
By Anna Skovby Hansen
Every weekday, hundreds of thousands of students show up for fractions, spelling tests, and history lessons – armed with packed lunches and freshly sharpened pencils, or more likely, fully charged laptops and wireless headphones.
We spend ten years of our lives in primary school, so the design and layout of our schools matter – a lot. Whether it’s room to move freely during recess, walls you’re encouraged to climb, cozy nooks for quiet time, or even rooftops where you can harvest fresh vegetables – school spaces shape the way we learn, grow, and connect.
1. Lundehusskolen – Copenhagen
Where Color Bursts in Dusty Hues
This heritage-listed school from 1943 has been carefully renovated with deep respect for its original details – old wooden doors, built-in cabinets, and stone floors have all been preserved.
The color palette, featuring muted shades of blue, green, and red, creates a calming atmosphere and harmonizes beautifully with wood and other natural materials. Everywhere you look, the learning environments are designed to include everyone – with built-in nooks, wide windowsills, and flexible gathering spaces that support both community and concentration.
Where Color Bursts in Dusty Hues
This heritage-listed school from 1943 has been carefully renovated with deep respect for its original details – old wooden doors, built-in cabinets, and stone floors have all been preserved.
The color palette, featuring muted shades of blue, green, and red, creates a calming atmosphere and harmonizes beautifully with wood and other natural materials. Everywhere you look, the learning environments are designed to include everyone – with built-in nooks, wide windowsills, and flexible gathering spaces that support both community and concentration.
Where Color Bursts in Dusty Hues
This heritage-listed school from 1943 has been carefully renovated with deep respect for its original details – old wooden doors, built-in cabinets, and stone floors have all been preserved.
The color palette, featuring muted shades of blue, green, and red, creates a calming atmosphere and harmonizes beautifully with wood and other natural materials. Everywhere you look, the learning environments are designed to include everyone – with built-in nooks, wide windowsills, and flexible gathering spaces that support both community and concentration.
2. Lindbjergskolen – Herning
A Schoolyard Tailored to Every Grade Level
At Lindbjergskolen, movement is integrated everywhere – inside the building, around it, and even up on the roof. Between the floors, you’ll find large staircases and climbing walls, and at the heart of the school lies a multipurpose hall and communal spaces.
Outside, there are artificial turf fields, playgrounds, and a long movement loop that winds its way all around the school – and across the roof. From up there, you can enjoy views of both Hammerum and Gjellerup. Instead of a traditional schoolyard, the outdoor spaces have been broken up into smaller zones – each one thoughtfully designed to suit different grade levels.
A Schoolyard Tailored to Every Grade Level
At Lindbjergskolen, movement is integrated everywhere – inside the building, around it, and even up on the roof. Between the floors, you’ll find large staircases and climbing walls, and at the heart of the school lies a multipurpose hall and communal spaces.
Outside, there are artificial turf fields, playgrounds, and a long movement loop that winds its way all around the school – and across the roof. From up there, you can enjoy views of both Hammerum and Gjellerup. Instead of a traditional schoolyard, the outdoor spaces have been broken up into smaller zones – each one thoughtfully designed to suit different grade levels.
A Schoolyard Tailored to Every Grade Level
At Lindbjergskolen, movement is integrated everywhere – inside the building, around it, and even up on the roof. Between the floors, you’ll find large staircases and climbing walls, and at the heart of the school lies a multipurpose hall and communal spaces.
Outside, there are artificial turf fields, playgrounds, and a long movement loop that winds its way all around the school – and across the roof. From up there, you can enjoy views of both Hammerum and Gjellerup. Instead of a traditional schoolyard, the outdoor spaces have been broken up into smaller zones – each one thoughtfully designed to suit different grade levels.
3. Sundby School – Nykøbing Falster
A School Inspired by Viking Ring Forts
The building’s circular shape is inspired by Viking Age ring forts – a design that creates a sheltered central courtyard. The facade is thatched with locally sourced straw, paying tribute to traditional regional craftsmanship.
Sundby School is the first public school in Denmark to earn the Nordic Swan Ecolabel for sustainability. Outdoor spaces and gardens are fully integrated into the curriculum, featuring rainwater collection systems and growing areas where students cultivate fresh produce for shared lunches.
A School Inspired by Viking Ring Forts
The building’s circular shape is inspired by Viking Age ring forts – a design that creates a sheltered central courtyard. The facade is thatched with locally sourced straw, paying tribute to traditional regional craftsmanship.
Sundby School is the first public school in Denmark to earn the Nordic Swan Ecolabel for sustainability. Outdoor spaces and gardens are fully integrated into the curriculum, featuring rainwater collection systems and growing areas where students cultivate fresh produce for shared lunches.
A School Inspired by Viking Ring Forts
The building’s circular shape is inspired by Viking Age ring forts – a design that creates a sheltered central courtyard. The facade is thatched with locally sourced straw, paying tribute to traditional regional craftsmanship.
Sundby School is the first public school in Denmark to earn the Nordic Swan Ecolabel for sustainability. Outdoor spaces and gardens are fully integrated into the curriculum, featuring rainwater collection systems and growing areas where students cultivate fresh produce for shared lunches.
4. Meatpacking District School – Copenhagen
A School in Touch with the City
The Meatpacking District School rises as a modern, stair-stepped structure of raw concrete and golden aluminum panels. Its facade is defined by warm earth tones that soften the industrial aesthetic, creating a welcoming presence in the heart of bustling Vesterbro.
The school is located at the edge of the White Meatpacking District (Den Hvide Kødby), known for its functionalist architecture and geometric, industrial structures. Inside, you’re met with bright, open spaces defined by exposed materials, wooden details, and colorful zones that offer both orientation and atmosphere in the large communal areas.
A School in Touch with the City
The Meatpacking District School rises as a modern, stair-stepped structure of raw concrete and golden aluminum panels. Its facade is defined by warm earth tones that soften the industrial aesthetic, creating a welcoming presence in the heart of bustling Vesterbro.
The school is located at the edge of the White Meatpacking District (Den Hvide Kødby), known for its functionalist architecture and geometric, industrial structures. Inside, you’re met with bright, open spaces defined by exposed materials, wooden details, and colorful zones that offer both orientation and atmosphere in the large communal areas.
A School in Touch with the City
The Meatpacking District School rises as a modern, stair-stepped structure of raw concrete and golden aluminum panels. Its facade is defined by warm earth tones that soften the industrial aesthetic, creating a welcoming presence in the heart of bustling Vesterbro.
The school is located at the edge of the White Meatpacking District (Den Hvide Kødby), known for its functionalist architecture and geometric, industrial structures. Inside, you’re met with bright, open spaces defined by exposed materials, wooden details, and colorful zones that offer both orientation and atmosphere in the large communal areas.
5. Frederiksbjerg School – Aarhus
Where Students Literally Climb the Walls
Frederiksbjerg School is located in the heart of Aarhus’ vibrant city life – and you can feel it the moment you arrive. The building is designed to encourage natural movement throughout the day: students can climb, balance, and play their way through courtyards, stairways, and hallways.
There are Tarzan courses, climbing walls, and multi-level hideouts that make the school day playful and physically engaging. The facade is clad in reclaimed bricks from old Aarhus buildings – transforming materials from the past into the building blocks of a school for the future.
Where Students Literally Climb the Walls
Frederiksbjerg School is located in the heart of Aarhus’ vibrant city life – and you can feel it the moment you arrive. The building is designed to encourage natural movement throughout the day: students can climb, balance, and play their way through courtyards, stairways, and hallways.
There are Tarzan courses, climbing walls, and multi-level hideouts that make the school day playful and physically engaging. The facade is clad in reclaimed bricks from old Aarhus buildings – transforming materials from the past into the building blocks of a school for the future.
Where Students Literally Climb the Walls
Frederiksbjerg School is located in the heart of Aarhus’ vibrant city life – and you can feel it the moment you arrive. The building is designed to encourage natural movement throughout the day: students can climb, balance, and play their way through courtyards, stairways, and hallways.
There are Tarzan courses, climbing walls, and multi-level hideouts that make the school day playful and physically engaging. The facade is clad in reclaimed bricks from old Aarhus buildings – transforming materials from the past into the building blocks of a school for the future.
45 Minutes of Daily Physical Activity
Students in Danish public schools are required to engage in an average of 45 minutes of physical activity each school day – across all grade levels.
This daily movement is intended to promote the health and well-being of children and young people, while also supporting their learning outcomes in school.
Physical activity can be incorporated into the school day in several ways:
- Teachers may integrate movement sequences into lessons to support academic activities.
- Movement can be part of supplementary or enrichment programs.
- It can also take place in collaboration with local organizations – such as sports clubs or cultural associations – and may extend over longer periods of time.
6. Kalvebod Fælled School – Copenhagen
Here, the building invites nature inside
This circular school building opens toward both the natural landscape of Kalvebod Fælled and the urban pulse of Ørestad. Surrounding the building, the outdoor areas unfold like a gently rolling concrete landscape – planted with greenery and winding paths that invite spontaneous play and movement under the open sky.
Inside, the floors are connected by a large, open atrium – a central gathering space where students from different grades can meet, mingle, and learn across age groups.
Here, the building invites nature inside
This circular school building opens toward both the natural landscape of Kalvebod Fælled and the urban pulse of Ørestad. Surrounding the building, the outdoor areas unfold like a gently rolling concrete landscape – planted with greenery and winding paths that invite spontaneous play and movement under the open sky.
Inside, the floors are connected by a large, open atrium – a central gathering space where students from different grades can meet, mingle, and learn across age groups.
Here, the building invites nature inside
This circular school building opens toward both the natural landscape of Kalvebod Fælled and the urban pulse of Ørestad. Surrounding the building, the outdoor areas unfold like a gently rolling concrete landscape – planted with greenery and winding paths that invite spontaneous play and movement under the open sky.
Inside, the floors are connected by a large, open atrium – a central gathering space where students from different grades can meet, mingle, and learn across age groups.
7. The School in the Town Center – Helsingør
Where Historic Buildings Are Given New Life
The School in the Town Center blends history and modernity right in the heart of Helsingør. The original brick buildings, dating from 1880 to 1963, still stand with their facades beautifully preserved – but behind them lies a contemporary learning environment.
New extensions echo the character of the original structures through the use of richly detailed brickwork. Inside, the spaces are open, bright, and adaptable – featuring glass elements, built-in nooks, and movable furniture that can easily support a variety of teaching methods.
Where Historic Buildings Are Given New Life
The School in the Town Center blends history and modernity right in the heart of Helsingør. The original brick buildings, dating from 1880 to 1963, still stand with their facades beautifully preserved – but behind them lies a contemporary learning environment.
New extensions echo the character of the original structures through the use of richly detailed brickwork. Inside, the spaces are open, bright, and adaptable – featuring glass elements, built-in nooks, and movable furniture that can easily support a variety of teaching methods.
Where Historic Buildings Are Given New Life
The School in the Town Center blends history and modernity right in the heart of Helsingør. The original brick buildings, dating from 1880 to 1963, still stand with their facades beautifully preserved – but behind them lies a contemporary learning environment.
New extensions echo the character of the original structures through the use of richly detailed brickwork. Inside, the spaces are open, bright, and adaptable – featuring glass elements, built-in nooks, and movable furniture that can easily support a variety of teaching methods.
8. Dybkærskolen – Silkeborg
A School Inspired by the Rolling Landscape
Dybkærskolen is designed to follow the hilly terrain of Gødvad, blending seamlessly into its natural surroundings. Warm red-brown brick facades and timber structures bring a sense of coziness both inside and out.
The school’s distinctive zigzag roofline and integrated skylights maximize natural daylight. The architecture creates small, flexible learning zones where students can collaborate, find quiet focus, or step outside onto rooftop terraces. Large glass panels flood the spaces with sunlight, and a bright central atrium ties the entire school together.
A School Inspired by the Rolling Landscape
Dybkærskolen is designed to follow the hilly terrain of Gødvad, blending seamlessly into its natural surroundings. Warm red-brown brick facades and timber structures bring a sense of coziness both inside and out.
The school’s distinctive zigzag roofline and integrated skylights maximize natural daylight. The architecture creates small, flexible learning zones where students can collaborate, find quiet focus, or step outside onto rooftop terraces. Large glass panels flood the spaces with sunlight, and a bright central atrium ties the entire school together.
A School Inspired by the Rolling Landscape
Dybkærskolen is designed to follow the hilly terrain of Gødvad, blending seamlessly into its natural surroundings. Warm red-brown brick facades and timber structures bring a sense of coziness both inside and out.
The school’s distinctive zigzag roofline and integrated skylights maximize natural daylight. The architecture creates small, flexible learning zones where students can collaborate, find quiet focus, or step outside onto rooftop terraces. Large glass panels flood the spaces with sunlight, and a bright central atrium ties the entire school together.
9. Feldballe Friskole – Rønde
Built with Straw, Eelgrass, and Timber
The main building at Feldballe Friskole is a classic 1955 structure with red brick walls and white-framed windows. In contrast, the timber-clad extension stands out – with materials like straw, eelgrass, and wood that offer a more climate-friendly alternative to conventional construction.
The primary design element is compressed straw packed into wooden cassettes, assembled like giant building blocks. If the structure is no longer needed, it can be taken apart and reassembled elsewhere in a completely new design.
Built with Straw, Eelgrass, and Timber
The main building at Feldballe Friskole is a classic 1955 structure with red brick walls and white-framed windows. In contrast, the timber-clad extension stands out – with materials like straw, eelgrass, and wood that offer a more climate-friendly alternative to conventional construction.
The primary design element is compressed straw packed into wooden cassettes, assembled like giant building blocks. If the structure is no longer needed, it can be taken apart and reassembled elsewhere in a completely new design.
Built with Straw, Eelgrass, and Timber
The main building at Feldballe Friskole is a classic 1955 structure with red brick walls and white-framed windows. In contrast, the timber-clad extension stands out – with materials like straw, eelgrass, and wood that offer a more climate-friendly alternative to conventional construction.
The primary design element is compressed straw packed into wooden cassettes, assembled like giant building blocks. If the structure is no longer needed, it can be taken apart and reassembled elsewhere in a completely new design.
10. Erlev Skole – Haderslev
Where Wood is a Defining Element
At Erlev School, it’s not just the students who are encouraged to think creatively – the building does too. Constructed primarily from wood, the school features a striking exposed post-and-beam structure on its facade.
The use of wood continues inside, where walls and staircases are built from wooden elements that create a bright and airy feeling throughout the spacious common areas. A variety of work zones offer space for different learning styles – whether that means studying on the floor, relaxing in cozy nooks, or taking lessons out into the schoolyard.
Where Wood is a Defining Element
På Erlev Skole er det ikke kun eleverne, der skal tænke kreativt – det gør bygningen også. Skolen er bygget af træ med en synlig søjle struktur på facaden.
Træet går igen indenfor, hvor både vægge og trapper er konstrueret i træelementer, som giver en lys og luftig fornemmelse i de store fælles rum. Der er skabt plads til forskellige arbejdsstationer, så der er plads til at lære på gulvet, i små hyggekroge og i skolegården.
Where Wood is a Defining Element
At Erlev School, it’s not just the students who are encouraged to think creatively – the building does too. Constructed primarily from wood, the school features a striking exposed post-and-beam structure on its facade.
The use of wood continues inside, where walls and staircases are built from wooden elements that create a bright and airy feeling throughout the spacious common areas. A variety of work zones offer space for different learning styles – whether that means studying on the floor, relaxing in cozy nooks, or taking lessons out into the schoolyard.
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