High school system in Holland?

Question

Hi, Im looking into an exchange to Holland and I've been reading about the school system and am really confused. I've read that Secondary school is divided into three levels: VMBO, HAVO, VWO. but what are these? and also, which one would a 15 year old go to? Would I have any choices in electives?

There is a chance i might be staying in Huizen (I think that's what its called) what schools are around there?

Are there uniforms? Do they supply lunches? what's a typical school day- when does it start? when does it end? etc

Is there anything else i should know about the schooling or just living in holland in general?

Im from Australia if that helps at all



Thanks

Answer 1

Easy things first, no school uniforms and no school lunches although some schools will have a little shop where you can buy food if you forgot your sandwiches.

At that age/those kind of schools there is no set daily schedule, you will do about 30 'hours' of 50 minutes each, which can happen anytime between 8:00 and 17:00 (although most schools have only 8 periods each day) (we use 24 hour clock for written, 12 hour clock for spoken times most of the time, so 8 AM and 5 PM.) There will either be a lunch break for all the school at once or a period set aside for half the school for lunch while the other half gets the next period.



In the Netherlands you go to primary school from age 4 or 5 to about age 12, then you change to one of the schools you mentioned, for 4, 5 or 6 years.

Which one depends on your learning abilities more than anything else.



After those you will go on to job training schools, university or to one of the other schools on your list for the last two years, to get to the higher level.



As you are 15 you will go to one of the mentioned schools, or its variation for people who do not speak Dutch, although those are more rare.

Which one will depend on the level of your education, your ability to learn and how they think you will be able to handle Dutch.



VMBO is the easier school, exams at year 4, so about age 16, Havo is 5 years, VWO 6 years and leads to University, so it is the hardest and you are unlikely to go there.

Each of the schools has several different options for the subjects you take for your exams. I think by now you have to take a set of subjects, I have left school long enough ago that is has changed since.



Huizen or a city near will have all schools, so you can be placed in the best for you, leave it up to those who know best to place you, your language abilities will likely place you where you belong. If placed at a low level you can do a higher level next year.

Answer 2

on dutch school there are no uniforms



you can buy sweet in a canteen and in bigger schools there are canteens with more things to buy



how far do you like to cycle each schoolday the first hour starts at 8:30 am and the last depends on the school end sometimes at 17:00 a long day with two hours of the same subject and in between no hours



when travelling by public transport the costs are for the parents of the child



is the schooltyp of you equally to the one in the soap neighbours



have you latin or old greel then Gymnasium



none of those language VWO this level is needefor any enrolment for a study at the university



not knowing what your profession would be HAVO



are you a person who works with his hands VMBO

Answer 3

Holland School System

Answer 4

The levels are based on how bright you are and what kind of education you need after the Secondary school.



On most Dutch schools the lessons are in Dutch.

You live in Australia so you probably speak English, so you need a school who is teaching in English.



There is an foundation of international education in the Netherlands with also information were to find those schools.

Information on their website, you can also asked them questions; http://www.sio.nl/

I'm afraid there's no school in Houten. But Houten is close to Utrecht and there is an international school. But make sure you find a school which diploma is international accepted.

http://www.isutrecht.nl/



Students are not wearing school uniforms in the Netherlands.



It's common to bring your own lunch or (on most schools) you can buy your lunch or a snack at the cafeteria of the school. It's cheaper to bring your own lunch. It's also allowed to eat your own food at the cafeteria.



You get a time-table for your lessons. Lessons are mostly between 8.00 and 17.00. Its up to the school so it depends were you go to school.

But that doesn't mean you go to school from 8 - 17.00. It all depends on your time-table. So it is possible that on monday you start at 9 and end at 17, but on Tuesday you start at 8.30 and end at 14 etc. Its also possible that you have a free hour during the day.



Some information from the Dutch government. Its based on Dutch students so not all of the information is also for international students, like cost might not be valid for you.

http://www.government.nl/issues/education/secondary-education

Answer 5

problems in our public faculties: a million. instructor pay is very low and does not attraction to the wonderful and brightest. 2. Parental involvement is very low because of the fact mum and dad ought to artwork to assist their households. 3. babies choose each thing surpassed to them on a silver platter and have not been taught the fee of preparation. 4. government edicts and one-length-suits-all rules, which comprise, No infant Left at the back of. those rules rigidity instructors to instruct in the direction of the try for worry of being fired somewhat than certainly coaching. 5. maximum severely, human beings choose basic solutions to truly complicated problems. they choose in charge unions, tenure, and different lies they hear. till the status and admire for coaching is raised in our society, we can not start to handle problems.

Answer 6

Might as well skip all that. Unless you speak Dutch there is no way you could keep up with a Dutch school system.