Our History
From its humble beginnings in 1963 where a handful of parents rented a room at a local school, CIS has grown from strength to strength.
The collaboration between a few schools in the late 1960s — including CIS — gave birth to the Diploma Programme which then developed into the IB programme. Since then, we have been committed to spearheading modern, thoughtful curriculums that are aligned with the challenges our students will face in their lives after here.
1963 —
1968
1963: A handful of expat parents worked with the US embassy to deliver an English language curriculum for expat families. The course was offered to 12 students in a rented room at Bagsværd Kostskole og Gymnasium.
1964: John Therman was the first student to receive an American High School Diploma. An association called the Copenhagen International High School (CIHS) was created to prepare students in Denmark for a university entrance exam in the USA.
1968: In 1968 the school name became Copenhagen International School (CIS).
1969 —
1972
1969: CIS was one of the founding schools to offer International Baccalaureate examinations on an experimental basis.
1972: In 1972 the first International Baccalaureate Diploma was earned by a CIS student, Pavel Pisa, former Czechoslovakia. During this year, CIS carried out a critical self-study and was visited by a team of accreditors from the European Council of International Schools. Accreditation was granted in April 1973 – the second school in Europe to receive this honor.
1973 –
1996
1973: In September 1973, Charles Gellar started the Copenhagen International Junior School, with Mrs Inez Sullivan as the first principal. 16 students were enrolled on the first day. Six months later there were 38 students were enrolled.
1987: A Pre-K group is officially opened.
1993: The merger of CIS and CIJS takes place and the school moves to Hellerup under the name CIS.
1996: Introduction of the IB Middle Years Programme
1999 –
2003
1999: The Nordic Network conference was held at the International School of Stockholm. CIS was nominated to be one of the five major schools making up the Board of the Nordic Network.
2000: Introduction of the IB Primary Years Programme.
2003: CIS Celebrates 50 years of international education in Denmark. More than 200 alumni returned to celebrate the anniversary weekend held 19/20 April. Princess Benedikte also visited the school to mark this great milestone
2007 –
2017
2007: Resource centre is established attending to children with additional learning needs.
2010: The CIS Board secure a plot of land in Nordhavn and an agreement was reached to work with CF Møller Architects on a pro-bono basis to design a school campus fit for the future.
2016: The Hellerup and City Campus close their doors for the last time on 15th December 2016.
2017: CIS moves to Nordhavn with record enrolment 922 students.
