Bakketun Folk High School
Security – Generosity – Joy of life
Create your best year at Bakketun
A year at Bakketun is more than a school year – it is a year filled with learning, experiences, community and lifelong friendships. Here you get to explore your interests, try new things and grow as a person in a safe, inclusive environment.
With us, you decide a lot for yourself: You choose the course, electives and projects that suit your interests and goals. Maybe you want to go on an adventure, create music, film, do extreme sports or learn a craft? No matter what you choose, you will experience mastery, togetherness and laughter – every single week.
In the middle of Trøndelag – Close to everything
Bakketun is located in Verdal – a school small enough that everyone knows each other, but big enough to give you lots of choices. Here you will find both closeness and freedom, security and challenges.
You live in a stately building with lots of charm, surrounded by fjord, city and mountains. The boarding house consists of small, cozy living units with a shared living room and kitchen – small, safe communities where laughter runs rampant and new friendships grow.
Just a short walk away you will find the city center with shops, cinema, fitness center and train station – and Trondheim Airport is only an hour away.
Learning in a broad sense
Folk high school is learning in the broadest sense – both academically, socially and personally. You learn through what you do, and your participation matters – both for yourself and for the community around you. Here you meet teachers who care, cheer you on and help you find out who you are and what you want to do next.
The school year
The school year begins in the latter half of August and ends in mid-May.
A folk high school year is intense and eventful – with classes also on Saturdays. You will notice that the weeks fly by, filled with subjects, electives, trips and project weeks. We have homecoming weekends and holidays about once a month.
All included – no surprises
When you go to Bakketun, you know what you're paying for. Everything is included in the line price – all meals, trips and activities. You avoid hidden costs and get a year full of experiences without any extra expenses along the way.
Joint trip to Spain and Gibraltar
Every autumn, the whole school goes on a joint trip to Spain and Gibraltar. Here you get to know both fellow students and teachers better, experience new places and make memories for life. In addition to this joint trip, we arrange several joint days and project weeks throughout the year, where students from all grades collaborate and participate in creative and social activities. This creates a strong community across all grades.
A good community
The best thing about Bakketun, according to former students, is the community. Here you live close to others, share meals, trips and everyday life – and become part of a community that lasts well beyond the school year.
Friday night is stipkevæld, where the school's fellows organize quizzes, competitions, themed parties or game nights. Saturday night is student night, where the lines take turns creating shows and entertainment for the rest of the school - with humor, creativity and lots of good atmosphere.
In the afternoons, the gym, skate hall, music studio and creative workshops are open, and many people gather in the fireplace room, bake, play games or go on spontaneous trips.
There is always something happening – and always someone to share it with.
Facilities and opportunities
With us you will find everything you need for a varied and active year:
- Gym and training room
- Skate hall and bouldering room
- Sound studio and music room
- Ceramics workshop and molding room
- Photo studio
- Black box
- Student kitchen
Everything can be used outside of class time.
A drug-free year
Bakketun has a zero tolerance policy for drugs. It is important that everyone who comes here accepts and contributes to making the year drug-free.
Value base
Bakketun is an independent foundation affiliated with Normisjon, and one of many Christian folk high schools in Norway. You are welcome just as you are – with your outlook on life and your thoughts about faith and life.
Throughout the school year we have joint gatherings with information, reflection and a “word of the day” that often has a Christian basis. We want to convey faith in a natural and living way, and also offer gatherings outside of school hours for those who wish.
Our core values
Safety – With us you should be able to be yourself, try new things and help others thrive.
Generosity – We meet each other with respect, openness and care – regardless of background, beliefs and interests.
Joy of life – We create moments that give energy and joy. Unity is strengthened when we cheer each other on.
A year that matters
A year at Bakketun is a breather – but also a springboard. You get time to reflect, grow and find your way forward, whether you are going to study, work or just settle down for a while.
Here you will make new friends, memories and experiences that will last a lifetime.
Welcome to Bakketun – a year that may mean more than you think.
After my time at Bakketun, I am left with a lot of love and memories. Thanks to an incredibly good classroom environment, good teachers, and wonderful people across the lines. One of the highlights of the year was the magical pre-Christmas period.
– Evy Frivold
The year at Bakketun is something I will never forget, and I am left with memories and friends for life. I am incredibly happy that I chose to go to folk high school.
– Thea Berg Martinsen
5 quick facts about Bakketun
1. What is it like to live there?
boarding school?
Very social! You live in small apartments with 8–14 students – with a shared living room, kitchen and bathroom. Most people share rooms, but we also have some single rooms. It doesn't take long before you feel at home.
2. What do we do in our free time?
Anything is possible! There is always someone playing, training, gaming, watching movies or making something good. You can use the gym, the skate hall, the music rooms or just hang out in the common room. Many also go on short trips in the surrounding area.
3. How is the food?
You are served breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. Varied, homemade and always something good on the buffet. (All meals, including on trips, are included in the price.)
4. Do I have to know someone from before?
No, absolutely not. Most people come alone, and it's easy to get to know each other! Through trips, student evenings and joint activities, you become part of an inclusive community in the first few weeks.
5. Do I have to be a Christian to go here?
No. Bakketun is a Christian folk high school, but everyone is welcome – regardless of faith or outlook on life. We have daily community gatherings with «word of the day», and other gatherings that are completely voluntary. Every Wednesday many people gather for Kro – a quiet time of reflection, conversation and fellowship. It is a voluntary offer that many people appreciate as a nice break from the week,
regardless of faith.
The Christian elements at Bakketun are primarily about community, respect and consideration – values that most people recognize.
Read more at Questions and Answers about Bakketun
How you live at Bakketun
Are you wondering what it's like to live at Folkehøgskole? At Bakketun we have three cozy boarding houses, which are again divided into smaller housing units.
Leisure and Everyday Life
At Bakketun, life is about much more than just courses and classes. Afternoons, evenings, and weekends are filled with activities, trips, and a strong social community.
