Education is compulsory in the Netherlands from the age of five to sixteen, however, most children start to attend primary school at age of four. While the structure of primary education in the Netherlands is straightforward, the structure of the Dutch secondary education system often seems confusing because of the multiple paths and graduation ages in high school. In reality, Dutch secondary schools are similar to those in most other countries, with one stream to prepare students for vocational training (VMBO) and another to prepare students for university (VWO). The main difference in the Netherlands is that there is a third, middle stream in high schools that prepares students to study at universities of applied sciences (HAVO).
- Here you can find detailed information regarding all stages of education: Education in the Netherlands
- For further information about the school system in the Netherlands, you can have a look at this video: School system in The Netherlands