Built in 1885 Oehlenschlægersgades Skole stands proudly on Vesterbro. This Copenhagen school holds a rich history. It began as Friskolen i Øhlenschlægersgade a private school. It boasted nearly 1000 students across 35 gender-segregated classes. Oehlenschlægersgades Skole was unique. It featured a grand vestibule. Children had individual coat closets near their classrooms.
During World War I Oehlenschlægersgades Skole sheltered homeless families. Children received their education in other Vesterbro buildings. In the basement a coat rack remains a poignant reminder of the Civil Defence’s wartime presence. The school briefly housed displaced classes from Alsgade Skole during the German occupation. Pupils shared school hours. Oehlenschlægersgades Skole faced its own brief occupation in 1945 followed by evacuation. The building then served as a base for resistance fighters.
The post-war era saw significant changes. Boys and girls began sharing classrooms. In 1957 even the teachers’ lounge partition fell. Male and female teachers finally shared break rooms. An expansion took place in 1970. The demolition of the Saxogade-Dannebrogsgade housing project in 1973 provided the school with playing fields. Nicknamed “The Red Fields” due to the asphalt’s color these fields became a beloved local space.
Between 2018 and 2021 Oehlenschlægersgades Skole underwent a massive transformation. This included a new five-story building. The building houses the school’s after-school program and a new gymnasium. During the renovations the school temporarily resided in Jernbanebyen. Today Oehlenschlægersgades Skole continues to educate generations. It stands as a testament to Copenhagen’s enduring spirit. It stands as a symbol of resilience adapting to the changing times. The school remains a cornerstone of the Vesterbro community.