Education
The Netherlands’ literacy rate is 100 percent, evidence of the country’s excellent education system. The Netherlands ranked eleventh in the Legatum Insitute’s Education Sub-Index of 142 countries (2012). In a similar study, the World Economic Forum (2011) ranked the Netherlands tenth for the quality of its education system out of 142 countries in its report.
The Legatum Institute also reported that 87 percent of the Dutch were satisfied with the country’s education system and 94 percent believed that students have the opportunity to learn and grow at schools. Class sizes in the Netherlands are small, with just 16 students per teacher.
If you decide to enroll your child in a Dutch school, you will find that the school system is vastly different from American schools. The main language of instruction will be Dutch, with English often taught as a secondary language. The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science oversees the entire system, sets the curriculum and distributes state funds.
The school system is divided into two stages: primary education for ages 4 to 12 and secondary education for ages 12 to 18. Compulsory education is strictly set in the Netherlands. Children must begin their education at the age of 5 and remain in school until the age of 18 or until they receive their secondary school diploma.
Primary education can begin at age 4, although that year is not mandatory. Official compulsory education starts at age 5, or year one of school. If your child is between 2 and 6, you can enroll the child in a supplementary Dutch language program that is meant to help non-natives. The Netherlands has over 6,800 primary schools. Each school follows the national curriculum, which includes typical subjects like Dutch, English, math and physical activity. At the eighth and final year of primary school, most campuses will administer the Central Institute for Test Development (CITO) exam to students to measure their knowledge. The results of the exam help students and parents decide which type of secondary education is most appropriate for them.
The secondary education level can be confusing for American expats who are not familiar with the Dutch system. There are four types of secondary education schools, with 700 campuses total. The first and most popular type is the pre-university education or VWO. It takes six years to complete and is meant for students who wish to go on to universities. The second is the senior general secondary education or HAVO. This program takes five years and trains students for higher professional education. The third is the pre-vocational secondary education or VMBO, which takes four years and trains students for vocational education. The last type is practical training or PRO. This provides job training and prepares students to enter the job market directly after graduation. In their final year of school, students must take the national examinations to receive their secondary school certificate.
The school year in the Netherlands is similar to that of American schools. Although the exact dates may vary, schools generally follow the same holiday and break schedule, which includes the typical winter holiday and summer vacation periods.
The Dutch public school system is free for all legal residents of the Netherlands. If you do plan to enroll your child in a public school, be sure to start early in the school year. If the school is at its capacity for the next year, it will reject the application. With that in mind, the registration process is straightforward. Contact the school of your choice to arrange the enrollment. You will be required to present some documents, most notably a form of identification and proof of legal residency. If the public school in your area is full or it does not seem like the right choice for your child, there are other options for you to consider.
Private schools in the Netherlands are quite different from other countries. These schools usually operate under a certain religious or ideological belief. The schools have the freedom to practice their own teaching methods, but still must follow the standards set by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The Ministry in turn also finances these schools, effectively making them free for students. If you would rather have your child attend a school of a certain religious denomination, then private schools could be a good choice.
International schools are another option if you would rather have your child attend an American-style school. The biggest advantage for American expats is that many of these schools conduct lessons in English. The downside is that these schools are expensive. The U.S. Department of State provides direct assistance to three international schools in the Netherlands: the International School of Amsterdam, the American International School of Rotterdamn and the American School of The Hague. All three schools offer classes from pre-school to grade 12, along with Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate (IB) classes. However, tuition cost is high, ranging from US$7,300 to US$26,300, depending on the grade level and the school. An additional application fee can cost up to US$4,800. Other annual enrollment fees may be assessed.
If you are thinking about homeschooling your child, you will need to consider a few things. The Netherlands has a strict stance against homeschooling and does not recognize it as a legal form of education. However, parents may make a special request if none of the schools in the area fit the needs of the child, mostly for religious or moral reasons. If you are granted the exemption to the law or do not intend on becoming a permanent resident, then online schools like The Calvert School and The Keystone School offer accredited programs that can help guide you through your child’s education.