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Register for secondary school.
Your child is almost done with primary school and will move to secondary school. Have you and your child found a secondary school? Then you register your child during the central registration period. Here you can read all you need to know about registering your child for secondary school.
Fixed registration week every school year
Since the 2023/2024 school year, there is a central registration week to sign up for secondary school. This week is always from March 25 to March 31. It does not matter if you register your child at the start or the end of this week. If your child already has a final school advice, you may register your child before this week. However, this does not give priority over other students. All students have an equal chance of a spot at the school they prefer and that matches the school advice.
It is wise to check with the secondary school on how the registration process works exactly. Secondary schools may choose to allow registration before the central week. All students still have an equal chance of a place at the school they prefer and that fits the school advice. If you want to register your child earlier at the chosen secondary school, your child must already have a final school advice from primary school.
If special circumstances like moving make it impossible to register in the central week, schools can organize a second registration chance. Your child then has less chance to be placed at the first choice school.
If your child moves to secondary special education, you may register your child earlier with a provisional school advice at secondary special education.
Registering for secondary school
Usually, parents register their child at the secondary school. With your permission, the registration can also go through primary school. You must provide the following information at registration:
- Last name, first name and initials
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Citizen service number or education number
- Primary school advice
You must register your child in writing at the secondary school. This makes the registration official. If your child needs extra support, tell the school. Also, let the school know if you applied to other schools.
The registration process
After your child is registered, the school has six weeks to respond. The school decides if your child is admitted and informs you in writing. In some cases, the school can extend this period by four weeks. A school may refuse a student only under certain conditions.
You can register your child at multiple secondary schools. If your child needs extra support, the school can ask for additional information. Schools must check if they can offer a place because of their duty of care.
Placement
The secondary school must place your child at the level of the school advice from the primary school. For example, if your child has a havo advice, the school must place your child at least at havo level. If the school has a vmbo-tl/havo class, a havo class, and a havo/vwo class, the school can decide in which of these 3 classes they place your child.
You may also register your child for another school type. The secondary school then decides if they accept your child. For practical education track a declaration of admissibility from the partnership tailored education is needed. For route support a decision for route support from the partnership tailored education is required.
If your child’s advice changed after the secondary school transition test, your child has the right to placement at the new level.
Lottery
If too many students register, a school can draw lots between the applicants. Some students have the right to priority, for example if they came from a primary school with a certain teaching method or if a brother or sister already goes to that school. This differs per city and school.
Students must have an equal chance to be drawn. This also applies to students who need extra support. Only after the lottery is it checked if drawn students need extra help.
If you as a parent think placement at a specific school is necessary, you may ask that school. Parents can say that because of a mix of personal traits, support needs, or health and home situations, a special offer at a school is needed for their child. The school governing body is not required to agree.
Make an objection
You can object within 6 weeks if the secondary school refuses your child. This can be if the process was not done properly or if you disagree with the reason for refusal.
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