Deutsche Schule Oslo: German–Norwegian education and two final certificates

Deutsch-Norwegische Schule Oslo, DENOSO, is a German–Norwegian day school at Myra 3 in Sagene. It follows the German system, with Norwegian curricula in Norwegian and social studies, called Samfunnsfag.

Pupils who successfully complete Grade 12 can receive both the German International Abitur, DIA, and a Norwegian vitnemål, or final record of secondary education. This is the defining advantage for a family who wants both systems. The outcome depends on completing the required route; it is not two automatic certificates for every pupil.

For English-medium IB, compare Oslo International School. For a French Baccalauréat, compare Lycée René Cassin. DENOSO is the strongest fit when German is already important to the family and Norwegian study is also valuable.

Programme and languages

The school describes itself as a private Begegnungsschule, an encounter school recognised by Germany and Norway. Its current structure is:

• Kindergarten from the age of twelve months.
• Grundschule, Grades 1–4.
• Mittelstufe, Grades 5–9. Grades 5–6 introduce the Gymnasium route; from Grade 7 the report conference may recommend Realschule-level assessment.
• Oberstufe, Grades 10–12. Pupils can gain the Mittlerer Schulabschluss after Grade 10, followed by DIA and vitnemål after Grade 12.

German is the main language of school. Norwegian is divided between NoM, for mother-tongue level, and NoFre, for foreign-language learners. The school assigns the group. Its Infothek publishes separate German and Norwegian book lists, and families buy required books. Ask for the current lists before ordering.

The Grade 11–12 qualification phase must be completed in full at DENOSO. A pupil cannot join only Grade 12 to obtain the DIA. Confirm subject combinations and how the Norwegian vitnemål requirements apply to the proposed programme.

Ordinary admission and Grade 1

Applications for regular school places are accepted throughout the year, subject to availability. The admissions page asks for the school form, the last two reports where available, birth certificate and vaccination record. Add the AKS/SAKS form if after-school care is needed.

The first Grade 1 deadline is 1 December in the preceding year. The school then invites children to a group introductory session that includes observation of language understanding. It recommends registering for a municipal place at the same time and withdrawing that registration only after DENOSO confirms admission.

School withdrawal requires three months’ notice to the end of a month.

Guest pupils have a separate route

DENOSO accepts temporary guest pupils only for at least one school semester, up to one academic year, and no later than Grade 10. Entry depends on available space and the previous two years’ reports. Very good German is required.

The deadlines are 15 March for an August–January stay and 15 October for a February–June stay. A written decision normally follows about four weeks after the deadline, and an offer must be accepted within ten days.

A minor must have a confirmed host family or responsible adult in Oslo. The family, not the school, must arrange it. Health and personal-liability insurance are required. Guest pupils pay ordinary tuition for the period, with accommodation and other personal costs additional.

This option is useful for a planned German-school exchange of a semester or year. It is not boarding and it is not a route for a pupil arriving without strong German or an Oslo guardian.

Kindergarten application

Kindergarten admits children from their first birthday. The first-round Oslo deadline is 1 March for an August start, but applications are ordered by receipt date and the kindergarten’s priorities.

Families must apply both to DENOSO and through the relevant Oslo district. Residents outside Oslo use Bydel Sagene. DENOSO must be listed as the first preference. Both submissions are required for the first main round.

The school maintains its own waiting list. A child can be removed if the family declines an offer without maintaining its interest, or if the child is absent from the municipal portal without a later date agreed. Kindergarten withdrawal also requires three months’ notice to month-end.

After-school care

AKS, the activity school, covers Grades 1–4. SAKS covers Grades 5–8. Enrolled pupils in those years can apply during the year. Cancellation or a change in attendance days requires one month’s notice to month-end.

Kindergarten and AKS run 07:45–16:45. SAKS starts at 14:00 or when lessons finish and closes at 16:45. These are not the secretariat’s opening hours.

There is no school bus. Current Udir guidance explains that pupils in unsubsidized private schools under section 22-1 do not have the statutory transport entitlement of public-school pupils. The school page still cites the former section 2-12. Test the Myraløkka journey from the intended home.

Current monthly fees

The Infothek states that kindergarten, school and activity-care fees are linked to national rates reviewed every six months. Charges are monthly, paid in full at the start of the month. July is free, but the school does not publish an annual total.

The non-refundable admission fee is NOK 3,300 for school and 3,000 for kindergarten.

Provision	Current monthly fee
Kindergarten	NOK 1,200 plus 800 food
School, Grades 1–6	NOK 4,073
School, Grades 7–9	NOK 4,073
School, Grades 10–12	NOK 2,703

Do not infer that every future month will retain the same price, because the school expressly links it to changing rates. Confirm how many months will be invoiced for a mid-year start.

For AKS and SAKS:

Attendance	Monthly fee
AKS Grades 1–3, full time	NOK 3,825 plus 150 food, before an approved free-core-hours deduction
AKS Grade 4, five days	NOK 3,825 plus 150 food
AKS Grade 4, three or two days	NOK 2,290 or 2,015, plus 75 food
AKS Grade 4, one day	NOK 1,015
SAKS Grades 5–8, five days	NOK 2,440 plus 150 food
SAKS, three or two days	NOK 2,290 or 2,015, plus 75 food
SAKS, one day	NOK 1,015

For Grades 1–3, municipal free core hours are deducted only after an application by the stated 30 September deadline. Approval is for one school year. A child joining after the deadline pays the full-time fee until a new application can be made in the following year.

A 35% school-fee sibling reduction begins with the third school pupil. It applies only when an employer does not reimburse the fees; kindergarten children do not count. Families under six times Norway’s National Insurance basic amount, 6G, may apply for a discretionary social reduction with income and asset documents. It begins no earlier than the month after application and must be renewed each calendar year.

Current legal rights and support questions

The school is an unsubsidized private school. Udir’s guidance says pupils at such schools are not covered by statutory rights to individual adaptation, special language provision, Sami education or school transport.

This does not answer what DENOSO itself can provide. Its Infothek identifies a municipal school-health service on site, but it does not publish a complete learning-support offer. Discuss the child’s needs and obtain a written plan before accepting.

Our view

Choose DENOSO for a German-led education that deliberately incorporates Norwegian and can culminate in DIA plus vitnemål. I would not choose it for a child without the German needed to access teaching, or on the assumption of an English international programme.

For a temporary guest place, the minimum semester, strong German, host-family and insurance conditions are decisive. For a regular family, calculate school and activity care together and test a journey without school transport.

Friendly orientation, not an application. Dates, fees, and programme details move. Confirm everything with the school.