Brugklas Explained: What Secondary School Actually Looks Like
When your child turns 12 in the Netherlands, it is an important milestone: leaving the safe environment of primary school and entering the wide world of secondary education. For expats, this transition can be quite daunting: a lot changes.
One of the first words you encounter is ‘brugklas‘.
What is a "Brugklas" and why does it exist?
Brugklas literally means bridge class. The bridge class is exactly what the name suggests: a bridge between primary school and secondary school. At primary school, you take a doorstroomtoets and receive a recommendation from your teacher. This indicates which track suits you best: VMBO-basis vocational track, VMBO-kader vocational track, MAVO (also known as VMBO-T), HAVO, VWO, or Gymnasium.
In the first year (or the first two years) of secondary school, you are in the bridge class. For example, the MAVO-HAVO bridge class or the HAVO-VWO bridge class. Thanks to the bridge class, a student is given more time to show and discover which track suits them best. After the bridge class, the student moves to that level. You then continue with, for example, MAVO, HAVO, or VWO.
Daily Life in the Brugklas: What changes for expat kids?
If your child is accustomed to the predictable routine of a Dutch primary school, the first year of secondary school will be as significant as a whirlwind. This is what daily life looks like:
Going from classroom to classroom: The days of sitting in one classroom all day with one fixed teacher are over. In secondary school, students wander through the corridors with heavy backpacks full of books and go to a different classroom with a different teacher for each subject.
Mastering the digital timetable: Dutch secondary schools traditionally use school apps such as Magister or Somtoday. Students (and parents) use these apps to view their timetable, keep track of homework, and see grades.
Life with lockers and independence: Students are given their own locker to store their coats and heavy textbooks. They are expected to ensure they have enough time during breaks to grab the right materials.
The social shift: Overnight, your species changes from the ‘king and queen’ of the school (the oldest children in Group 8) into the very youngest, smallest fish in a large pond full of teenagers up to 18 years old.
The Expat Challenge: Language & Independence
Although the daily chaos of secondary school takes some getting used to, the biggest hurdle for an expat child is often language proficiency. The expected level of Dutch in secondary school is significantly higher and more academic than on the playground of primary school.
Depending on your child’s background, a number of scenarios apply:
From a Dutch primary school with limited knowledge of Dutch: If your child has attended a regular Dutch primary school but still struggles with Dutch or needs extra language support before he or she can tackle the more complex textbooks of secondary school, he or she may be eligible for a ‘kopklas’. A kopklas is an intensive transition year (often after Group 8) specifically aimed at improving Dutch language skills and study habits before a student officially enters secondary school.
Coming from abroad or an international school without Dutch: If your child has never lived in the Netherlands and speaks little to no Dutch, he or she generally cannot enter a regular first-year class directly. Instead, your child will usually have to attend an ISK (International Schakalklas). Here, the primary focus lies entirely on learning Dutch and adapting to the culture. Once they have reached a sufficient level, the ISK assists families in finding the right secondary school.
The NIO test: During this transition phase, schools may sometimes request a NIO test (Dutch Intelligence Test for Educational Level). This is a language-independent intelligence test often used to determine a child’s cognitive learning potential when traditional Dutch school reports or Cito scores are unavailable.
Would you like to know more about how these levels fit together? Read more in our guide: [VMBO, HAVO or VWO? Understanding the Dutch Secondary School Tracks].
Need personal guidance? We're here to help:
📅 Book a discovery call with us to talk through your family’s unique situation.
🇳🇱 Start Dutch lessons today to give your child a head start before the school year begins.
🎒 Need help with your school search? Let us guide you through finding the perfect fit for your child.
Key Takeaways: The Brugklas
- It's a trial year: Time to adjust and prove academic levels.
- Combined levels: Often mixed with other tracks.
- Independence: A big shift in responsibility, lockers, and daily organization.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Brugklas
What is a "brugklas" in the Dutch school system?
The *brugklas* (bridge class) is the first year of secondary school in the Netherlands. It acts as a transitional year designed to help 12-year-olds bridge the gap between the cozy environment of primary school and the independent rhythm of high school.
Do students stay on the same level during their first year?
Not always. Many schools place students in combined levels (such as MAVO/HAVO or HAVO/VWO) for the first year. This gives teachers time to evaluate the student's true potential before placing them in a definitive educational track for year two.
How old are children when they enter the brugklas?
Children typically enter the brugklas at around 12 years old, right after graduating from primary school (*basisschool* / group 8).
