Primary Schools
Primary education in the Netherlands is provided by three basic types of school. Around two-thirds of 4 year olds enrol in some form of religious school, whether this is Roman Catholic, Protestant or Islamic. Around one-third attend what are referred to as public schools, which offer a secular education and are run by the local municipality. In addition, a smaller number of schools also offer teaching focused around philosophical approaches such as the Montessori method. Primary schools providing specialist teaching and care for children with disabilities and behavioural problems are also available, as are international schools which may be favoured by expat families. Subjects taught at primary level range from physical education, history and science, to languages, art and music. For more about the range of primary schools on offer in Holland visit the website www.scholenlijst.nl (in Dutch) or ring the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science on 070 412 34 56. Children aged 12 take what is known as the CITO exam, which offers information about what type of secondary school the child will be most suited to, and is combined with parental and student preference to help determine their future educational path.