Changing schools
A neutral page on changing schools as a practical school-choice workflow and on why the wish to change schools does not automatically create access to any school.
Short answer
Changing schools is a move from one school to another during the child's school pathway. It is tied to the district school, free school choice, available places, and in some cases the child's best interests.
Changing schools. Changing schools means that a pupil moves from one school to another during the school pathway. In the folkeskole context, changing schools is tied to the district school, free school choice, capacity at the desired school, and in some cases an assessment of the child's best interests.
Why it matters
Changing schools is a practical decision, not just a concept. Parents often search for it when they want to know whether a move, wellbeing concerns, or a different school profile can justify a school transfer.
The rules matter because free school choice does not mean unlimited access. The municipality must admit the child to the district school, but admission to another public school normally depends on space and on whether the school offers relevant teaching at the desired grade level.
Data and methodology connection
The Ministry of Children and Education's page on free school choice states that parents can always require admission to the district school, while admission to another public school depends on vacant places and a relevant teaching offer. The same page outlines special rules for special education offers.
The ministry's material on the meddelelsesbog states that the book follows the pupil when they change schools. That makes school transfer a process in which part of the pupil's educational record continues to the new school.
Sources
Clarifications
Can you always move to another public school?
No. The district school must admit the child, but admission to another public school normally depends on whether there is space at the relevant grade level and whether the school offers a relevant teaching program.
Does the pupil's record follow when changing schools?
Yes. The meddelelsesbog follows the pupil when they change schools, helping the new school understand the pupil's prior academic and social development dialogue.
DanskeGrundskoler.dk. (2026). "Changing schools". Skoleviden. https://danskegrundskoler.dk/en/skoleviden/skoleskift