Bakkegårdsskolen

Did you ever imagine a school named after a farm? Bakkegårdsskolen, right here in Vangede, carries a piece of local history in its very name. Bakkegårdsskolen takes its name from Bakkegården, a farm displaced by Bernstorff’s agricultural reforms in 1766. Imagine the changes that transpired here. The farm’s land was later divided into Søndre Bakkegård and Nordre Bakkegård. Nordre Bakkegård met its end in 1935, making way for soccer fields. Bakkegårdsskolen itself rose in response to the burgeoning population. The older Tjørnegårdsskolen, built in 1924, couldn’t contain the growing number of students. So, in the midst of a developing neighborhood at Bakkevejene, Bakkegårdsskolen opened its doors in 1936. Designed by architect Frederik Wagner, the school boasted an astronomical observatory on its roof and dedicated school gardens to the west. Several classes transferred from Tjørnegårdsskolen, quickly filling the new space. During the 1940s and 1950s, Bakkegårdsskolen saw its student body swell to over 800. Later additions included a school kitchen, a library, and medical and dental clinics. After 1975, the number of pupils dipped below 400. However, with the closure of Mosegårdsskolen, Bakkegårdsskolen’s student population saw a resurgence. This Functionalist-style aula school underwent significant renovations between 2004 and 2006. A new underground sports hall was added beneath the schoolyard, expanding Bakkegårdsskolen from 6,500 to nearly 10,000 square meters. Look for the lion sculpture by Henrik Stercke at the main entrance. Bakkegårdsskolen stands as a testament to the evolving needs of the community, a place where history and education intertwine.