Aanmelden op het Dalí College is een feestje

How does Dutch “middelbare schoolkeuze” work?

The Dutch middelbare-schoolkeuze is a two-decision process every eighth-grader navigates. First, a teacher’s advies and the eindtoets (end-of-primary test) determine the track: vmbo (vocational, 4 years), havo (general, 5 years), vwo (pre-university, 6 years), or a brugklas-combination. Second, families choose a specific middelbare school, and many schools run open dagen and aanmelddagen with parties, balloons, and music to attract families. Dutch parents treat the choice the way Americans treat college admissions: school-comparison spreadsheets, neighborhood-network advice, and lots of late-night talk.

In this clip, NOS Jeugdjournaal visits an aanmelddag at the Dali College: “Dan kan het feest beginnen op het Dali College.”