The school

Illustration of Viola with fellow students, parents and teacher

Árbæjarskóli is one of the largest primary schools in Iceland, located in the unique environment of Elliðaárdalur. The school boasts a rich history of over 50 years. From 1956 to 1966, the school operated in a community center in Árbæjarblettur, teaching in three divisions. In the autumn of 1967, the school moved to a new building with 421 students.

Today, Árbæjarskóli is a primary school for grades 1 to 10. The school has a single-session schedule and 700 students. The school is an consolidated school for lower secondary education after students from Árbæjarskóli, Ártúnsskóli, and Selásskóli transfer there. About 100 employees work at the school in a variety of positions for the benefit of the students.

The management team consists of the school principal, two assistant principals, two heads of division, student council, and school council.

The after-school program Töfrasel is for children in grades 1 to 4 at Árbæjarskóli, and the youth center Ársel offers diverse and enjoyable activities for children and teenagers.

School activities

Operational plan

What's ahead for Árbæjarskóli? You can find several items in the operational plan, including the school's policy for the previous year, teaching planning, and much more.

School rules

The foundation of good school operations is for each person to respect others and themselves. Everyone involved in school activities should have the opportunity to work without disruption or harassment. Staff, students and parents should familiarize themselves with Árbæjarskóli's school rules. Árbæjarskóli reviews its school rules annually. Rules are presented to parents and homeroom teachers go over them with students at the start of the school year.

General school rules 

  • School interactions are based on mutual respect, positivity, courtesy and consideration. Students must follow instructions from school staff.
  • Parents are responsible for their children arriving punctually at school with necessary materials each day. Parents must report illness and absences early in the morning, otherwise it's considered unauthorized absence.
  • Students should take good care of their school, both indoors and outdoors.
  • Bicycles, skateboards, scooters, electric bikes and motor vehicles are not allowed on school grounds during school hours. These vehicles are not stored inside the school but must be kept at bike racks.
  • Árbæjarskóli is a phone-free school. Students may not use phones during school hours without special permission from a teacher. If students bring phones to school, they must be kept in school bags, locked lockers or phone pouches (during class). This also applies to headphones, AirPods, buds and similar items.
  • Using Chromebooks for computer games during or outside of class violates school rules and may result in administrators retrieving the student.
  • Students may not use personal smart devices during school hours on school premises except under teacher guidance and permission.
  • Audio and video recordings are only allowed on school premises and grounds during school hours with permission from teachers and/or school administrators. Consent is required from those being recorded. It's prohibited to publish or distribute images or videos of students or staff online or elsewhere without permission.
  • Students should bring healthy, nutritious snacks from home. On special occasions, teachers may allow students to bring other types of snacks.
  • Students may not consume sweets, soda, vitamin or energy drinks at school during school hours.
  • Students should not wear outerwear or headgear in classrooms without teacher permission.
  • Eating and drinking are not allowed in classrooms for students in grades 8-10, or in the library.

School council

Primary schools must have an active school council that serves as a forum for consultation between the principal and the school community on the school operation. The main role of the school council is to be a forum for all representatives of the school community to consult on school matters.

Primary school meals

School meals are free for the 2024-2025 school year. However, the school still needs to track information about allergies and intolerances and limit food waste. Students must register for the school lunch program as before.

Students registered last year will be automatically enrolled. Others need to register. Change the registration at matur.vala.is.

Change school meal registration Árbæjarskóli menu Learn more about primary school lunch
Illustration of Fjóla eating at school

Parent cooperation

We are all in this together, and as the proverb goes it takes a village to raise a child.

 

Reykjavík City schools make targeted efforts to consult with and increase parent involvement in school activities.

 

All schools in Reykjavík City have an active parent association.

More about parent involvement at Árbæjarskóli More about parent cooperation in primary schools
Teikning af Fjólu á leið í skólann ásamt fleiri nemendum og foreldrum

Exemption from school attendance

Here is a request form for student school leave of 3-5 days.

Here is the request form for leave exceeding one week.

Evaluation of school activities

The goal of evaluating and monitoring the quality of work is to provide information about school activities, their results and development.

More about internal evaluation of Árbæjarskóli's activities More about evaluating primary school activities

Árbæjarskóli school district

Reykjavík has many school districts, and the child's registered address determines their district school.

Your child gets priority in their district school. Nevertheless, all parents have the choice to apply to any school in the city for their children according to the rules on school districts, applications, and admission.

Here is information on which streets belong to Árbæjarskóli's school district.

Learn more about Árbæjarskóli's school district Rules on school districts, applications, and enrollment