Alma College

What Alma College does

Alma College is a publicly funded Dutch VMBO (preparatory secondary vocational education) school located at Catharina van Renneslaan 37 in Almelo, Netherlands. It serves approximately 850 students who enter after primary education (groep 8) with vmbo-level recommendations, offering three learning pathways (BBL, KBL, and GL/TL) and an unusually broad curriculum of eight of the ten possible vmbo profiles spanning technical (BWI, PIE, M&T), commercial (E&O), service (D&P, HBR), healthcare (Z&W), and ICT/creative (MVI) fields. Specialized programs include the Topsport Talentschool for elite athletes, Sportklas, Toptraject for continuous vmbo-mbo-hbo progression, and Sterk Techniekonderwijs for technical workforce development.

The school's core technology stack centers on ICT-rijk onderwijs — an ICT-rich education model requiring all students to use Windows laptops and supported by Microsoft 365 and the Somtoday student information system, with the public-facing site built on Elementor. Distinctive structural features include the 'dakpanklassen' combined-level classrooms where students from different vmbo pathways learn together at their own level, and partnerships with ROC van Twente, Saxion, Techniekhuis Twente, and local technical businesses for internships and pathway continuity. Support services cover career orientation (LOB), dyslexia/dyscalculia assistance, and the Gezonde School (healthy school) program.

Alma College operates under Stichting Carmelcollege, a multi-school educational foundation, and was itself formed through the merger of three predecessor schools (Pius X College, Het Noordik, and Het Erasmus). Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the institution is primarily government-funded per student under the Dutch vmbo financing regime, supplemented by voluntary parent contributions, school materials fees, and ancillary community-program revenue (e.g., neighbourhood lunches at EUR 10 per person). Roy Veldkamp was appointed director on April 1, 2025. Marketing and enrollment are conducted through a dedicated website, ontdekhetalmacollege.nl discovery site, Almazing Days orientation events, Open Huis events, information evenings, personal tours, and Instagram/Facebook/YouTube channels targeting groep 7/8 families.

Name

Alma College

Legal name

Alma College

Website

https://almacollege.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Alma College is a publicly funded Dutch VMBO secondary school in Almelo serving approximately 850 students across three learning pathways and eight vocational profiles, operating under Stichting Carmelcollege.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Almelo

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Alma College is a Dutch VMBO (preparatory secondary vocational education) school in Almelo, Netherlands, providing secondary education across three learning paths (BBL, KBL, and GL/TL/mavo). The school offers 8 of 10 possible vmbo profiles covering technical (BWI, PIE, M&T), commercial (E&O), service (D&P, HBR), healthcare (Z&W), and ICT (MVI) fields, serving approximately 850 students and preparing them for mbo level 2-4 or havo progression.

Product overview

Alma College is a Dutch VMBO (preparatory secondary vocational education) school in Almelo offering a comprehensive educational program across three learning paths (BBL, KBL, and GL/TL). The school provides eight distinct VMBO profiles covering technical (BWI, PIE, M&T), commercial (E&O), service (D&P, HBR), healthcare (Z&W), and ICT (MVI) fields. Special programs include a Topsport Talentschool for elite athletes, Sportklas, Toptraject for advanced academic pathways, Sterk Techniekonderwijs for technical education, and ICT-rich education requiring student laptops. The school also offers extensive support services including LOB (career orientation), dyslexia/dyscalculia assistance, and a Healthy School program. Alma College operates under the Stichting Carmelcollege educational foundation, formed from the merger of Pius X College, Het Noordik, and Het Erasmus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bouwen, Wonen en Interieur (BWI) A practical VMBO profile focused on construction, interior design, and housing, teaching masonry, tiling, furniture making, carpentry, painting, and digital drafting using tools like SketchUp. Targets vmbo students seeking technical-vocational education.
• Dienstverlening en Producten (D&P) A dynamic VMBO profile focused on service delivery and event management. Students organize activities like winter sports trips, survival runs, dinner shows, and circus performances while developing sporting skills.
• Economie en Ondernemen (E&O) A commercial and entrepreneurial VMBO profile teaching business operations, customer service, shop management, e-commerce, logistics, and administrative support.
• Horeca, Bakkerij en Recreatie (HBR) A hospitality and culinary arts VMBO profile covering cooking, baking, menu planning, hospitality skills, and event organization, with practical training in kitchens and bakery facilities.
• Media, Vormgeving en ICT (MVI) A creative and technical ICT VMBO profile covering graphic design, web design, video production, photography, computer building, networking, and application development using Apple computers with professional software.
• Mobiliteit en Transport (M&T) A transport and logistics VMBO profile teaching automotive mechanics (gasoline, diesel, hybrid, electric vehicles), cycling technology, transport operations, warehouse management, and route planning.
• Produceren, Installeren en Energie (PIE) A technical engineering VMBO profile covering electrical installations, plumbing, metalworking, and building automation, including training in 2D/3D CAD, CNC machines, and domotics.
• Zorg en Welzijn (Z&W) A healthcare and welfare VMBO profile preparing students for work in education, hospitals, childcare, elderly care, and disability care, including practical training in meal preparation, child and elderly care, and first aid.
• Topsport Talentschool A program for elite athletes providing flexible scheduling, reduced instruction time, exemptions, and distributed exams to accommodate training and competitions at national and international levels.
• Sportklas An accelerated sports program for athletic students offering extra sports activities, external sports clinics, and preparation for sports-related further education.
• Toptraject A continuous learning pathway from VMBO through MBO to HBO for ambitious students, developed in partnership with ROC Twente and Saxion, including career guidance, study skills, and language development.
• Sterk Techniekonderwijs A strong technical education initiative bridging VMBO, MBO, and local businesses in Almelo, preparing students for careers in technical professions through the technology lab and profile studies.
• Ondersteuning (Student Support) Student support services including dyslexia and dyscalculia assistance, anxiety and exam fear management, social skills development, learning and planning support, reading and math tutoring, and career counseling.
• Gezonde School A healthy school program promoting nutrition awareness, healthy eating in the cafeteria, and overall student well-being through lessons, breaks, and balanced lifestyle guidance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Highest score from the onderwijsinspectie (education inspectorate) for teaching quality
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ROC van TwentecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor regional vocational training institution. Alma College director Roy Veldkamp previously worked at ROC van Twente for 16 years, including 12 years managing the Entreeopleiding. Alumni from Alma College continue to ROC van Twente for mbo education. Collaboration on Toptraject program connecting vmbo, mbo, and hbo pathways.
• SaxionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipates in Toptraject program together with ROC van Twente and other Twentse vmbo schools, creating a continuous learning pathway from vmbo through mbo to hbo.
• Sterk Techniekonderwijs partnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional collaboration between vmbo, mbo, and local technical businesses in Almelo area. Goal: strong technical education sustainably preparing future workers for all technical professions. Connects vmbo education with technical companies for internships, career orientation, and technology education.
• Techniekhuis TwenteminorOthersAlma College alumni (e.g., Tuana) continue to Techniekhuis Twente for mbo programs like interieuradviseur, demonstrating educational pathway connections.
• Local neighbourhood communityminorOthersRegular neighbourhood lunches (Buurtlunches) organized for local residents near the school, providing culinary experience opportunities for students while building community relationships.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CSG Het Noordik: Secondary school in Hengelo (Twente) offering vmbo, havo, and vwo tracks. Comparable to Alma College as a regional secondary school competing for the same Twente student market.
• Het Stedelijk Lyceum Enschede: Secondary school in Enschede offering multiple tracks including vocational vmbo. Comparable to Alma College as a regional secondary school competing for the same groep 8 cohort in the Twente region.
• Bonhoeffer College: Secondary school in Enschede (Twente) offering vmbo, havo, and vwo tracks. Comparable to Alma College as a regional secondary school competing for the same groep 8 cohort in the Twente region.
• Twickel College: Secondary school in Hengelo (Twente) offering vmbo and havo/vwo tracks. Comparable to Alma College as a regional secondary school in the Twente region, serving similar vocational and academic pathways.
• Carmel College Salland: Secondary school under the same Stichting Carmelcollege foundation as Alma College. Comparable as a peer school within the same foundation governance structure, offering vmbo and other tracks in the broader region.
• Geerdink College: Secondary school in Hengelo (Twente) offering vmbo, havo, and vwo programs. Comparable to Alma College as a regional secondary school competing for the same Twente student market.

Emerging players

• AOC Oost: Agricultural vocational school in the Twente region. Comparable to Alma College as a regional vocational education provider, though focused on the agricultural domain rather than the broader vmbo profile mix.

Broad incumbents

• ROC van Twente: Larger regional MBO (vocational) training institution in the Twente area and a strategic partner of Alma College through the Toptraject program. Comparable as a broader vocational education provider in the same region that Alma College alumni feed into.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCvEblS3FyCawYWiYps7XTbA
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlmaCollegeVMBO
• Instagraminstagram.com/almacollegealmelo
• Xx.com/almacollege7604
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alma-college-almelo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alma College