Student forecast & founding norm.

Student forecast

An application for a new school must show a student forecast proving the school will have enough students after the start date and keep them. DUO checks if there is enough interest in a school and if the student forecast is well made. The minister decides on the application for a new school.

Founding norm

A school must have a minimum number of students before it can start. This is called the founding norm.

Founding norm primary education

In primary education, the founding norm must be reached within five years after funding starts. How many students are needed for a new primary school differs per municipality. The closing norm of the municipality decides. The founding norm is 1.6 times the closing norm and always at least 200 students.

Legal founding norm secondary education

For secondary education, legal founding norms apply:

• 390 students for a new school with pre-university education
• 325 students for a new school with senior general secondary education and 130 students for a senior general secondary education section
• 260 students for a new school with general secondary education
• 260 students for a new school with preparatory middle-level vocational education, with at least 160 students for a preparatory middle-level vocational profile
• 120 students for a new school for practical education track

The founding norm must be met within the time of the education type. So for senior general secondary education, the norm must be met within 5 years.