18 March 2025| Vejlefjord, Denmark [Peter Larsen with tedNEWS]
Vejlefjord Gymnasium will close on 30 June 2025, at the end of this school year. The school’s board made this decision at an extraordinary meeting on 5 March after careful consideration and a thorough assessment of the financial and structural challenges that have characterised the school’s operations in recent years. This is an unfortunate but necessary choice to ensure that the school can adapt to the reality that will unfold in the future. All other departments at the school will continue unchanged.
“Even though it is a very painful decision, we have to realise that it is impossible to run a small high school of this size anymore. Now, we will work purposefully to further develop our school offer, including the creation of new positions at the boarding school, where there is a need for more teachers. Here, we see good opportunities to create new and exciting offers in a strengthened after-school department,” says Principal Kasper Busk.
After several years of a low intake of new students, the school’s board has been forced to make this difficult decision. The prospect of another small 1st-grade class in the coming school year was the decisive factor that led to the board deciding to close the high school. Since 1972, the high school has educated many students, and it is, therefore, with great sadness that we now have to say goodbye to this part of the school.
Even though the high school closes, the school’s other departments—nursery and kindergarten, primary school, and continuation school—will continue their positive development and growth. Vejlefjordskolen is known for its strong academic foundation and value-based approach to teaching, and these will continue to be the core of the school’s activities.
The current school year for the upper secondary school will end as planned, and great emphasis is placed on ensuring a proper transition for the students. The school’s management works closely with relevant parties to help the current first and second-grade students find suitable upper-secondary schools where they can complete their education. Likewise, the many talented high school teachers will be helped further.
Vejlefjord School was founded by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1930 and today is an independent institution with close ties to the Church. The school is located in scenic surroundings, where outdoor life and nature play a central role in the teaching. We will continue to strengthen this focus in the other departments.
“We want to thank all students, parents, staff and partners who have been part of the high school’s history over the years. Shortly, we will arrange a farewell celebration to say a proper goodbye to this era of Vejlefjord School’s activities,” leaders commented.
Thomas Müller, former president of the Danish Union of Churches Conference, who also took on the role of school director of Vejlefjordskolen, reflects in a recent interview on his transition from church to school leadership, his educational philosophy, and his vision for the school as it navigates this challenging time.
Featured image and photos of the Vejlefjordskelen campus: [ Tor Tjeransen] / AME (CC BY 4.0).
Videographer: Amerson Fortunato
