GLOBALE GYMNASIER: DENMARK’S LEADING GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP SECONDARY SCHOOLS

The Globale Gymnasier consortium is a small network of Danish high schools that was founded in 2007. Its membership is drawn from a select group of the nation’s elite tier of gymnasiums (upper secondary-level schools) that offer outstanding, rigorous academic programmes designed to prepare students for entry into the country’s top universities. The Globale Gymnasier association is designed to promote and further global citizenship and internationally conscious curriculum programmes in each of its member schools whilst, simultaneously, promoting its’ members on a global stage.

ABOUT

Denmark is famously one of the best educated countries in the world, with more than half the country’s population choosing to continue education to upper secondary or vocational levels. Education in Denmark is compulsory until primary education has been completed (typically between the ages of 15 and 16) with the vast majority of pupils attending Folkesokole (state-supported public schools). A significant number (just over 15%) attend private schools in the primary sector, with state-sponsored vouchers being available to contribute to the cost. Denmark has significantly more private and independent schools than other European nations. According to the OECD some 43% of Danes choose to pursue post-primary education (known as Upper Secondary).

The upper secondary level of the Danish school system, roughly equivalent to the American High School level, is the first elective tier of education in Denmark. It is non-compulsory but is commonly pursued by Danes, contributing significantly to the country’s reputation as a well-educated workforce. This tier of schooling is broken into a broad array of schools which offer various curricula to suit the student’s preferred career path and aptitude. Some 10% of teenagers enrol in vocational education programmes at the Upper Secondary level.

Others opt to enter the system of famous gymnasiums which are common to the Nordic countries. Gymnasiums tend to offer the most academic and rigorous programme and are the most selective and competitive in respect of admissions. As such, they are often the most prestigious too. Other schools offer technological or vocational educational programmes. A large number of upper secondary high schools in Denmark offer a combination of programmes with the most selective also tending to favour the International Baccalaureate programme as an alternative option for their students.

Some of the better-known schools in this sector have attempted to carve out a reputation as internationally focused schools, competing outside of their national borders and developing a leading global citizenship programme.

The nation’s most famous gymnasiums also, commonly, have a high-performance sports programme attached or embedded within their institution catering to academically able, future athletes. There is significant overlap between the membership of the Eliteidræts Gymnasier (the association of high-performance sports schools) and the Globale Gymnasier network, and various other associations of Denmark’s top tier schools.

The Globale Gymnasier network was established after its founders identified a need to better instil a global awareness in Denmark’s high school graduating classes. As such, the Globale Gymnasier organisation works with its member schools to institute a global citizen ethos and an international culture curriculum alongside the required Danish curriculum. The organisation’s ultimate aim is to help Danish students better understand the world in which they exist and to ensure that they, and by extension Denmark, are given the best chance to take advantage of global opportunities.

This is achieved through a defined programme which seeks to instruct participating students in cultural awareness; understanding their own culture, history and reality, and how that interacts with those of other cultures and communities within the context of the global landscape. With this mindset it is believed that these pupils will be better equipped to handle a globalised world and will possess the critical thinking capabilities essential to managing the challenges that affect us all.

Member schools and their respective student bodies are encouraged to take part in global research initiatives and to work with other like-minded peer schools from around the world. In part, this is achieved through regular and ongoing dialogue and cultural exchange programmes. The member schools also engage in international community service projects and visits in order to further their learning and to apply that learning in real-world contexts.

In addition, many of the member schools offer some degree of international education certification or the International Baccalaureate as a means of augmenting their global education and allowing their pupils to signal to others that they have undergone such learning.

The Globale Gymnasier’s nine member schools are amongst the best-known and most academically challenging schools in the country, some of which offer boarding. Indeed, many have achieved a global reputation for excellence and are considered to be peer schools of many of the world’s leading institutions, attracting applications from international students. The members include: Aarhus Gymnasium; Grenaa Gymnasium; Ikast-Brande Gymnasium; Københavns åbne Gymnasium; Ordrup Gymnasium; Rosborg Gymnasium; Sct. Knuds Gymnasium; Slagelse Gymnasium; and Svendborg Gymnasium.

Membership is open to similar Danish schools (i.e. Gymnasiums – selective grammar schools offering upper secondary education aimed at university preparation) that can demonstrate alignment with the group’s ideals and objectives and that have adopted the Globale Gymnasier curriculum requirements.

The Globale Gymnasier secretariat is invested in a three-person steering panel comprised of representatives selected from amongst the member schools. The organisation’s primary contact point thus changes with elections to its’ executive body.

For parents seeking to ensure a balanced modern curriculum for their children coupled with the opportunity for extensive international educational experiences, then the Globale Gymnasier schools may be amongst the best in Denmark.

You can find current contact details below or learn more about Globale Gymnasier and their work here.

If you attended any of the schools listed here, our readers would be very keen to hear about your experience. Your insights and stories are particularly helpful for prospective families who are exploring higher school options and deciding between the various upper secondary education curricula programmes (HF / HHX / HTX / STX or International Baccalaureate options). We also welcome contributions from former staff members, administrators or other members of the respective gymnasiums’ communities. Please feel free to share with us in the comments below.