Student forecast & founding standard.

Student forecast

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

Founding standard

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

Founding standard primary education

In primary education the founding standard must be reached within five years after funding starts. How many students must join a new primary school differs per municipality. The closure standard of the municipality is decisive. The founding standard is 1.6 times the closure standard, and always at least 200 students.

Legal founding standard secondary education

For secondary education the following legal founding standards apply:

• 390 students for a new school for 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 junior general secondary education
• 260 students for a new school with pre-vocational secondary education, with at least 160 students for a pre-vocational secondary education profile
• 120 students for a new school for the practical education track

The founding standard must be reached within the duration of the education type. So for a senior general secondary education program the standard must be met within 5 years.