Just arrived in the Netherlands and off to school

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Even if your child has only just arrived in the Netherlands, he or she will still need to attend school. Your child will be able to go to a normal class in primary or secondary education once he or she can speak and write a sufficient amount of Dutch.

> Read this information in Dutch

Primary school for children aged 6 to 12

There are initial transition classes for children aged 6 to 12. Your child will learn the Dutch language as a second language in these transition classes.
There are 13 primary schools with a transition class in Rotterdam. You can register your child at the nearest primary school with a transition class. You will need to contact the school yourself.

Primary schools with transition classes

OBS de Kameleon, BOOR, Carnissedreef 2-4, 3083 ZG, 010 480 85 68, Charlois
Over de Slinge, BOOR, Krabbendijkestraat 243-254, 3086 LR, 010 480 35 52, Charlois
De Catamaran, BOOR, Catullusweg 298, 3076 KH, 010 291 67 70, IJsselmonde
De Notenkraker, BOOR, Othelloweg 2, 3190 AE, 010 295 72 73, Hoogvliet
OBS Dakpark, BOOR, Catharina Beersmanstraat 80, 3025 EJ, 010 476 01 14, Delfshaven
OBS Kasteel Spangen, BOOR, Bilderdijkstraat 322, 3027 SN, 010 415 49 09, Delfshaven
Emmausschool, RVKO, Tidemanstraat 59, 3022 SE, 010 425 83 12, Delfshaven
Stephanus, RVKO, Asserweg 360, 3052 AJ, 010 418 47 27, Hillegersberg-Schiebroek
Rozenhorst, RVKO, Jan Tooropstraat 1-3-5, 3181 HE, 0181 212 565, Rozenburg
Pniëlschool, PCBO, Clingendaal 2, 3075 LN, 010 484 46 88, Feijenoord
CBS de Sleutel, PCBO, Putseplein 18, 3073 HT, 010 484 46 91, Feijenoord
Da Costa, PCBO, Johannes Brandstraat 3-7, 3072 BD, 010 484 35 34, Feijenoord
Children’s Centre Talma
- Transition class registrations administration, Vaandrigstraat 15, 3034 PX , 010 413 66 76
- Benthuizerstraat Transition Class, Benthuizerstraat 101, 3035 CN, 010 790 11 49, Noord
- Cornelis Haakschool Transition Class, Algiersstraat 6, 3067 MZ Prins Alexander
Beverwaard Transition Class (collaboration between PCB de Parel and RK de Regenboog), ICBO, Hoensbroeksingel 15, 3077 TA, 06 832 552 95, Beverwaard

Temporary Educational Facilities (TEF)

De Gaffel, RVKO & BOOR, Toni Koopmanplein 114, 3014 RC, 010 311 70 01, City Centre
De Goede Herder Language Class, PCOHS, Kastanjeplein 6, 3053 CD, 010 41 89 579, Hillegersberg-Schiebroek

Secondary education for children aged 12 and upwards

There are various different levels of secondary education in the Netherlands. Your child will be tested to ascertain at which level he or she can participate. These tests are conducted by employees at Koers VO, Rotterdam’s secondary education partnership. Your child will need to complete an intelligence test and a maths test. Advice will subsequently be issued for your child.
There are five secondary schools with an international transition class.

Please contact Koers VO for information about secondary education and registering your child for the relevant tests:

ITC Intake - Koers VO. Link opens an external page
Schiekade 34, 3032 AJ Rotterdam
010 484 25 76
isk@koersvo.nl. Link opens an external page

Secondary Schools

Rotterdam-North:

Rotterdam Design College, Westzeedijk 497, Rotterdam - VMBO (Pre-Vocational Secondary Education) bbl/kbl/gl (basic vocational/advanced vocational/mixed pathways) (16+)
Rotterdam Design College, Beukelsdijk 145, Rotterdam - VMBO (Pre-Vocational Secondary Education) bbl/kbl/gl (basic vocational/advanced vocational/mixed pathways) (12-15 years)
Wolfert College, Walenburgerweg 128, Rotterdam - VMBO (Pre-Vocational Secondary Education) tl (theoretic pathway), HAVO (Higher General Secondary Education) and VWO (Pre-University Education)

Rotterdam-South:

RVC De Hef, Slaghekstraat 221, Rotterdam - VMBO (Pre-Vocational Secondary Education) bbl/kbl/gl (basic vocational/advanced vocational/mixed/theoretic pathways)
Zuiderpark, Montessoriweg 26, Rotterdam - 12-16 years VMBO (Pre-Vocational Secondary Education) bbl/kbl/gl (basic vocational/advanced vocational/mixed/theoretic pathways)
Olympia College, Olympiaweg 395, Rotterdam - VMBO (Pre-Vocational Secondary Education) bbl/kbl (basic vocational/advanced vocational pathways)
OSG Hugo de Groot, Nachtegaalplein 53, Rotterdam - HAVO (Higher General Secondary Education) and VWO (Pre-University Education

Young people aged 17 years, 6 months and above

There is an international transition class at the MBO Albeda. Link opens an external page for young people aged 17 years, 6 months and above.
Young people can move onto regular secondary education, intermediate vocational education (MBO) or higher education (higher vocational education and university) after the international transition class.

Intermediate vocational education and higher education

Institutions for intermediate vocational education, higher vocational education and universities in Rotterdam:

MBO (Intermediate Vocational Education)

HBO (Higher Vocational Education)

University

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR). Link opens an external page

Bilingual MBO (Intermediate Vocational) courses

There are bilingual MBO courses for young people who have a secondary education diploma and who have a good command of the English language:

Continue your studies in the Netherlands

Young people who were already studying abroad before arriving in the Netherlands can continue their studies in the Netherlands if they meet the conditions: What are the entry requirements? - UAF. Link opens an external page