The choice of secondary school (the "high school") is a fundamental step in the child's school career which for many families, especially expat ones, may seem like a complex process.
This two-part guide is therefore intended to help you some basic information, some advice and the Dutch terms of reference to orient yourself between school levels, advies and registrations with more serenity.
How Middelbare School is organised
In the Netherlands the scholastic path compulsory consists of only two cycles and does not include middle school, as in Italy. There primary school (primary or elementary school), from 4 to 12 years, is in fact followed by secondary education, commonly called middelbare school (secondary or high school). There secondary school it lasts from 4 to 6 years, depending on the path followed.
There are three routes:
- Il VWO it is the most academic and theoretical path, designed for those who will continue with university research courses (scientific education, WO). It lasts 6 years and partly corresponds to the Italian high school.
- L’HAVO It is a 5-year intermediate course. It prepares you for university courses in applied sciences, more oriented towards starting a profession and a practical approach (higher vocational education, HBO).
- Finally, the MAVO/VMBO it is a 4-year practical path, more oriented towards the world of work or technical education. Upon completion, various professional training opportunities open up (secondary vocational education, MBO).
All public schools in Amsterdam are free and require no tuition fees.
What is the Basischool Advies for?
In Italy after middle school it is possible to choose relatively freely between high school, technical and professional. In the Netherlands, however, access to the different courses of the Middelbar school is defined byadvice della primary school.
The advies is the primary school's official advice on the most suitable level/path for the child and defines which path (VWO, HAVO or VMBO) they can apply for enrolment. It arrives between January and February of the last year (group 8) and is based on the school results obtained over the years, the teachers' observations and the result of a national test (doormstroomtoets). The objective of this system is to place each child in the path best suited to their skills and learning style.
It is important to know, however, that the path received with the advies is not definitive for the entire Middle School and may vary from one year to the next. In fact, it is quite common to move up a level if a student demonstrates good results and motivation, or down a level if the study load is too demanding. These steps are considered as a normal adjustment to the school curriculum.
The “school lottery” ad Amsterdam
For those who live in Amsterdam, once the most suitable route has been identified, a very vast choice opens up: the city in fact has around 80 Middelbar schools between the different routes, located in different areas of the city.
To manage the numerous registration requests, for some years the municipality has been using a lottery, a drawing system, to assign seats. The student therefore does not directly choose the school to enroll in, but creates a ranking of his favorite schools, including the municipal computerized system (Central Draw & Matching system) will assign him a seat. The number of institutions to indicate in the list varies based on the advies received. Families generally receive their lottery results in April.
The assignment of places occurs randomly: each student is associated with a number from which the draw is carried out. Each student is gradually assigned a place in the first available school among those present in their ranking, regardless of their academic results or proximity to the school.
How to create your own list of schools
Between January and March each school organizes open day: open days where parents and children can visit the institute, meet teachers and students and get an idea of the atmosphere and teaching method. Many schools also offer trial days or demonstration lessons (lesson afternoon) which are a good opportunity to understand how it feels in that environment. It is generally necessary to book in advance.
Each visit can last one or two hours, so you need to plan the open day calendar in advance to find space for all the schools you are interested in visiting. A planner as this can be a very useful tool:
https://www.devogids.nl/open-dagen-planner/
It is not necessary to wait for group 8 to participate in the open dags. Already from group 7 the basisichool can give you an idea of the most suitable advies and you can start visiting some schools.
Alternatives to the Amsterdam loterij
Some families also consider schools in nearby cities, such as Haarlem, Amstelveen or Hoofddorp. However, in other municipalities the enrollment procedures can be very different, so it is important to check the information on the school website.
For expat families or those with bilingual needs, Amsterdam offers some international schools, often with IB (International Baccalaureate) programs. They often include annual costs, advance registration and, in some cases, language tests. They can be an excellent choice for those planning transfers or wanting continuity with international curricula.
A choice to make together
Choosing the right middelbare school takes time and planning. Visiting schools together, listening carefully to their preferences and speaking openly with your children helps make this transition more peaceful. Likewise, it is important to openly discuss the expectations and impressions gathered. Even those on the quality of the sandwiches in the canteen: they could make a difference 😃
And don't miss the second episode of this little guide dedicated to all the little big changes that you - children - but also you - will have to face after choosing Middelbare school. Coming in March here on our blog!