Dutch School Terms Glossary: 40 Words Every Expat Parent Should Know

Dutch school sends home letters, reports, and emails full of words you've probably never seen. This incredibly helpful glossary covers the terms you'll actually encounter as an expat parent.

All definitions are expertly sourced from Dutch education authorities, expat guides, and official school documentation.

Report Card Ratings

Dutch basisschool reports use letter-based or word-based ratings, not the 1-10 numerical scale used in secondary school.

Dutch	Abbreviation	English
Goed	G	Good — well above expectations
Ruim voldoende	RV	More than sufficient — above expectations
Voldoende	V	Sufficient — meets expectations (the normal level)
Twijfelachtig	T	Uncertain/doubtful — borderline
Matig	M	Fair — below expectations
Onvoldoende	O	Insufficient — unsatisfactory
Zwak	Z	Weak — significantly below level

School Structure

Dutch Term	English	Context
Basisschool	Primary school	Ages 4-12, Groep 1 through 8
Groep	Group/Grade	Dutch equivalent of "grade" — Groep 1 starts at age 4
Kleuterschool	Kindergarten	Now integrated into basisschool as Groep 1-2
Brugklas	Bridge class	First year of secondary school
Leerplichtig	Compulsory school age	Children must attend school from age 5 to 18
Openbaar	Public (school)	Standard curriculum, no religious affiliation

Report Card Sections

A typical Dutch basisschool report is elegantly organized by sections. These are the most common headings you'll see:

Dutch	English
Werkhouding	Work attitude (concentration, independence, planning)
Gedrag	Behavior (cooperation, empathy, conflict resolution)
Taalgebruik	Language use (vocabulary, grammar, speaking)
Lezen	Reading
Rekenen	Math/Arithmetic
Expressievakken	Expression/Arts (drawing, music, dance, drama)
Bewegingsonderwijs	Physical education

Tests & Milestones

Dutch Term	English	Context
CITO toets	CITO test	Standardized aptitude test in Groep 8
Doorstroomtoets	Transfer test	New name for the CITO eindtoets since 2023-2024
Schooladvies	School advice/recommendation	Teacher's recommendation for secondary school level
Blijven zitten	Repeating a year	Literally "remain seated" — very common in Dutch schools

Secondary School Tracks

Dutch	English	Duration
VMBO	Preparatory vocational education	4 years → leads to MBO
HAVO	Senior general secondary education	5 years → leads to HBO/hogeschool
VWO	University preparatory education	6 years → leads to university

Report Card Schedule

Dutch	English	When
Rapport	Report card	Issued 2-3 times per year
10-minutengesprek	10-minute parent-teacher meeting	Scheduled after reports are issued
Ouderavond	Parent evening	General information evening for parents

Still Confused? If you've received a Dutch school document with terms not on this list, you can upload it to ReportKaart for an instant English translation with actual educational context.