The Dutch education system

Primary school (basisschool) begins at four and lasts eight years in grades 1 to 8 (groep 1 tot 8), ending at twelve.

• Then comes secondary school with three main tracks: VMBO four years to prepare for vocational education, HAVO five years for higher professional education (HBO) and VWO six years for university (WO).
• After secondary school there is intermediate vocational education (MBO) with practical training and apprenticeship, higher professional education (HBO) and universities (WO).
• Moving between tracks is possible after obtaining appropriate certificates (the stacking).
• And there are schools for children with special needs (speciaal onderwijs) and support classes.

You register your child directly at the school you choose, and a school is not imposed on you according to your area, though some cities use a central registration system (aanmeldingsronde) for sought-after secondary schools.

• Attend open days (open dag) and talk to the head and teachers and look at the classes.
• Ask about the school's philosophy, religion, the education inspectorate's assessment (Inspectie van het Onderwijs) and class sizes.
• You need the child's BSN, birth certificate, vaccination record and address.
• In some cities you may be placed on a waiting list, so register early.
• For newly arrived children there are international transition classes (internationale schakelklas) that teach Dutch first.

In grade eight the teacher gives a school recommendation (schooladvies) that determines the suitable secondary track, based on the child's performance over the years and the end-of-primary test (eindtoets), such as Cito or IEP, held in April.

• The recommendation is based on a comprehensive assessment and not on the test alone, and if the test is higher than the recommendation the teacher can reconsider.
• You can discuss the recommendation with the teacher and request its review, and chances are better when the teacher knows the child's history.
• The secondary school accepts the child according to this recommendation.
• There are transition classes (brugklas) combining two tracks in the first year to ease movement.
• Do not fear the vocational track, since it provides very in-demand jobs.

Parents are expected to cooperate with the school: attend teacher meetings (oudergesprek) and parents' evenings (ouderavond), follow homework, and inform the school when the child is absent through illness on the same morning.

• Absence without excuse is an offence against compulsory schooling that may expose parents to a fine from the attendance officer (leerplichtambtenaar).
• Schools communicate via apps (ParnasSys, Social Schools and Group) and emails, so ask for help if you do not understand.
• Many schools organise an introduction day (kennismaking) for new parents.
• Support for activities such as trips and celebrations by volunteering (ouderhulp) is requested.
• And the participation council (medezeggenschapsraad) includes parents and teachers to give their opinion on school decisions.

Primary and secondary education is free, but there is a voluntary parental contribution (ouderbijdrage) for activities and trips, which is optional by law so the school may not refuse the child's admission because of non-payment.

• Books are sometimes bought or lent.
• For low-income families the municipality offers support via Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur and the Kindpakket.
• After 18 you study with student finance (studiefinanciering) from DUO for qualifying students in vocational secondary and higher education, a mix of grant and loan, and a travel allowance is available.
• University fees are annual (collegegeld) around two thousand euros or more depending on the situation, so check the current rules and exemptions.

From what age is education compulsory?