Picture this Aaby Skole in 1819. A humble wooden building stands proudly. It houses a school and teacher’s home. This is the beginning of Aaby Skole’s story.
Before 1815 children from Aaby walked far to Hasle for school. This journey was difficult especially in winter. Farmers complained to Bishop Hygom. They offered to pay for a local teacher. A solution came in the form of a Latin school lector from Aarhus. This arrangement lasted until 1806.
The 1814 school law changed everything. Each parish needed its own school. Aaby hired 23-year-old N J Galthen. He had just graduated from Lyngby seminary. On November 6th he met his first ten students.
The school building at Kærvej 21 wasn’t ready until 1819. It was ten sections of timber frame. Seven were for the teacher’s home. Three were for the classroom. By 1837 49 children attended. Teacher Peder Nielsen earned a generous salary. He received rye barley bread eggs and a plot of land. He also got ten rigsdalers for church singing.
Later teacher Østergaard almost left. He wanted a higher salary in Lisbjerg. But Aaby wouldn’t let him go. He was a respected Grundtvigian. He had done much for the parish. He stayed.
Student numbers grew to over 80. A new school opened in 1900 near the old one. Teacher Jens Jørgen Jensen had arrived in 1882. Aarhus grew rapidly. Aaby needed a bigger school. The old school became a parsonage. A modern school opened in 1909. It’s on Bækgårdens land. Aaby Skole became the cultural heart of the parish.
The 20th century brought more expansion. A new building B was added in 1914. Buildings A and C were expanded. Building D opened after the war. Student numbers soared to 1534 in 1957. Gammelgårdskolen opened in 1959.
Aaby Skole adapted. It became the first suburban school with its own system in 1925. Students could prepare for exams. The A building housed refugees during World War II.
In 1999-2000 Aaby Skole had 683 students. It offered classes from kindergarten to 10th grade. 183 children attended after-school care. Aaby Skole has a long and fascinating history. It’s a vital part of Aaby’s community.