Bilingual education


Lower Secondary (Onderbouw)

In the first and second year of MAVO and the first to third year of HAVO/VWO, you’re in the lower secondary phase, where most classes are taught in English. For modern foreign languages (French and German), the target language is also the teaching language. In year 1 HAVO/VWO to 3 VWO you have the subject Chinese language and culture. Additionally, there are two project weeks per year focused on language and culture. In the first year, you’ll work with UNICEF on a project about children’s rights, and in the second year, the project is about identity. These projects foster understanding of different cultures and provide room for personal development.

During the Immersion Camp in the first year, you’ll get to know your classmates better through team-building activities. In the second year, you’ll go on a study trip to Normandy, where you’ll explore how World War II still influences today’s world. In the third year of HAVO/VWO, you’ll work digitally with a foreign partner school on an international project.

In the second year (MAVO) and third year (HAVO/VWO), you’ll make your profile choice. The counselor will guide you through this process, and you’ll take part in a journey of discovery at MBOs, universities of applied sciences, and universities to help you make a well-informed decision.

In addition to these educational, interesting, and fun activities, you’ll develop essential academic skills during these years that will prepare you for the upper secondary phase. The skills you develop include research, reflection, communication and collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking. You’ll learn to gather, analyze information, and reflect on your learning process, partly through keeping a portfolio. This prepares you for further studies and a career in a globalized world.

Upper Secondary (Bovenbouw) – Years 4 and 5 HAVO, Years 4, 5, 6 VWO

In the upper secondary phase of HAVO and VWO in bilingual education, you build on what you’ve learned in the lower secondary. The focus is primarily on the International Baccalaureate (IB) in English. This is not just about learning the English language, but more about study skills such as conducting research, communicating well, thinking critically, and organizing yourself effectively. This helps you grow academically and personally.

You’ll also take subjects like Global Citizenship (GC) and/or Global Perspectives (GP). In GC, you’ll learn about global issues and challenges, while GP focuses on critical thinking, research, and understanding global problems from different perspectives. In year 4 HAVO/VWO, you’ll go on a senior trip, which is part of the GC program.