Registering your child at a secondary school

Do you want to register your child at a secondary school? Since the school year 2023–2024, there has been a central registration week for schools. You can register your child from 25 until 31 March. You will need some of your child’s details for this. One of these details is their burgerservicenummer – BSN (citizen service number).

Last updated on 25 October 2024

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Registering your child before the registration week

Has your child received a definitive school advice before 25 March? Check whether you can register your child before the central registration week. This does not give your child priority over other pupils.

Register your child at any time of the year

Does your child need to go to a new secondary school because you are moving house? In that case, you can register your child throughout the year.

Secondary school open day

Would you like to go to a secondary school open day with your child? The date of the open day varies from school to school. You can find more information about open days on the websites of secondary schools.

Conditions for registering your child at a secondary school

Do you want to register your child at a secondary school? Here are some things you need to think of:

  • Choosing a secondary school yourself
    Check the website of your municipality first. There, you can find out if you and your child may choose a secondary school yourselves. You can also find out if the municipality has agreements with school boards about the distribution of pupils among schools. And you can find out if there is a draw for admission.
  • The school board decides on admission
    The school board of the secondary school decides on the admission of your child. Among other things, the school board looks at the school advice from your child’s primary. This tells you which level is best for your child. This can be vmbo, havo or vwo.
  • If the school no longer has room
    Schools can be full, with no room for your child. You may register your child at more than one secondary school.
  • Extra support for your child
    Does your child need extra support? Ask if the secondary school can offer this to your child. If this is not possible, the school still has a duty of care to your child. The school will look for another suitable place together with you. This may be at another secondary school. It may also be at a school for special education.

What to bring when registering at a school

Are you registering your child at a secondary school? You will need your child’s citizen service number (BSN) (in Dutch). You will also need your child’s proof of identity. Is your child going to a new secondary school? Take the certificate of deregistration from the old school with you.

During the registration, your child will receive an education number. This number is usually the same as the BSN.

If your child does not have a BSN yet

Does your child not have a BSN yet? The school will give your child a temporary education number (in Dutch). To receive a BSN, your child must be registered in the Basisregistratie Personen – BRP (Personal Records Database) (in Dutch) of the municipality. You must give the BSN to the school.

Laws and regulations (in Dutch)

Wet voortgezet onderwijs 2020, hoofdstuk 8

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