Primary Schools

Amsterdam has more than 190 primary schools (basisscholen), including Montessori, Steiner and Dalton schools, various religious schools and special needs schools.

Secondary Schools

After year 8 (groep 8), the final year of primary school, pupils move on to secondary school (middelbare school) for secondary education (voortgezet onderwijs). There are three branches: VMBO, HAVO, and VWO. A report from the primary school and a test taken in the last year of primary school will advise which branch is best for the child. Amsterdam has over 30 secondary schools, some offering one branch and others offering several.

Choosing a School

For more information on primary and secondary schools in Amsterdam, excluding international schools, read about Dutch education on iamsterdam's website. Furthermore, you can obtain a school guide (scholengids) from your city district (stadsdeel). When choosing a school, it is possible to visit schools – most organize information days (voorlichtingsdagen) or accept private appointments.

For primary and secondary schools, it's important to register your child early. Some primary schools have waiting lists, and secondary schools can have too many applicants, leading to rejections. Apply early and consider alternatives.

International Schools

The Netherlands' diverse and well-balanced education system includes many options for international schooling, particularly around Amsterdam. These schools offer a wide range of learning opportunities, languages, and cultural experiences. Many international schools follow the standardized International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, allowing students to receive an internationally recognized education and transfer easily to other international schools worldwide.

There are two types of international schools: independent (private) and those partially funded by the government or municipality (community schools). Community schools emphasize connecting with Dutch society.

Special Needs Schools

Special needs schools in the Netherlands cater to children with disabilities or behavioral problems and are organized into clusters:

• Cluster 1: Children with visual impairments
• Cluster 2: Children with hearing and/or speaking impairments
• Cluster 3: Children with mental and/or physical challenges
• Cluster 4: Children with behavioral and/or social difficulties

For more information (in Dutch only).

Compulsory Attendance

School attendance is compulsory for children aged 5-16. If a child is frequently absent, the school will notify the municipality. Parents are responsible for ensuring their children attend school. Allowing children to miss school without a valid reason can lead to prosecution, fines, study orders (leerstraf), or even jail in extreme cases. For unauthorized absences, such as taking extra holidays during school time, there is a high chance of an official report being filed. If your child needs to be absent, you must notify the school.

Truant Officers

The municipality employs school attendance officers (leerplichtambtenaren) to ensure children attend school. If a student is absent for more than three consecutive days, the school must notify the attendance officer, who will investigate and may take action, including drawing up an official report.

Exemptions

A child can be temporarily exempted from compulsory education only in exceptional situations, such as if your job prevents you from taking time off during school holidays. Your employer must provide proof, and the leave cannot be during the first two weeks of the school year.

In other exceptional cases, a child may get a leave of absence for up to ten days. For longer leaves, the school attendance officer will decide with the school's head teacher. Applications for exemptions must be submitted to the school's management.

Obtaining a Diploma

If a child turns 16 and has not obtained a diploma, they must continue training for a qualification (kwalificatieplicht). This means they must stay in school until their 18th birthday or until they receive a diploma.

More Information

For more information about the school system in the Netherlands, visit the website of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap, OC&W).