Agora Stichting voor Bijzonder Primair Onderwijs in de Zaanstreek

What Agora Stichting voor Bijzonder Primair Onderwijs in de Zaanstreek does

Agora Stichting voor Bijzonder Primair Onderwijs in de Zaanstreek is a Dutch non-profit foundation (stichting) operating 25 primary schools across the Zaanstreek region of North Holland, serving approximately 7,000 students with a workforce of over 700 teachers, support staff, school leaders, and central office personnel. Founded in 2001 through the merger of multiple denominational school foundations, the organization offers a diverse portfolio of educational approaches under one umbrella — including Jenaplan, Dalton, interconfessional, Roman Catholic, Christian, and evangelical primary education — unified by its proprietary 'Bildungsagoramodel' philosophical framework that integrates four life spheres (private, public, political, commercial) with four training spheres (sports, arts, science, religion) and an ecological awareness layer. Beyond core primary education, Agora runs specialist programs including the Kangoeroegroep for gifted learners, SBO Tijstroom for special primary education, the Verlengde Leertijd extended learning program in disadvantaged neighborhoods, and the Integraal Kindcentrum (IKC) model that integrates education and childcare under one operational roof.

The foundation's business model is entirely publicly funded: per-pupil lumpsum grants from the Dutch Ministry of Education (OCW) constitute the primary revenue stream, supplemented by municipal subsidies (notably Gemeente Zaanstad for the Poelenburg/Peldersveld extended learning program under Actieplan Poelenburg en Spelersveld). Primary education is free for parents in the Netherlands, so there is no tuition or fee revenue. The technology stack is operational rather than transformative: Parro for parent-school communication, Social Schools for website content management, EasyCruit for recruitment, and EduPrompt for hosting a multilingual picture book ('Leren dromen aan de Zaan') read aloud in five languages to support early literacy.

Agora is governed by a two-person College van Bestuur (G. Schutte as Chair, F.P.D. Schotte as Member), overseen by a five-member Raad van Toezicht chaired by J.P. Purmer, with a Gemeenschappelijke Medezeggenschapsraad (GMR) representing staff and parents. The organization is currently executing a multi-year policy plan ('Leren dromen aan de Zaan' 2024-2028) with ten strategic ambitions, expanding into a 25th school (Campus Olympia, opening August 2025), and building a 0-18 vertical integration with secondary education partner ZAAM and childcare partner TintelTuin in Zaandam Oost.

Name

Agora Stichting voor Bijzonder Primair Onderwijs in de Zaanstreek

Legal name

Stichting Agora

Website

https://agora.nu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Agora is a Dutch non-profit foundation operating 25 primary schools across the Zaanstreek region, serving approximately 7,000 students with 700+ staff. It delivers publicly funded special primary education under its proprietary Bildungsagoramodel, with integrated childcare, gifted and special-needs programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Primary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter Montessori/Waldorf/Classical/Expeditionary (Pedagogical Models) (EDAJACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialized Programs & Classrooms (Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, Intellectual/Developmental, Multi-Disability) (EDAJAKAH), Extended Learning Time Programs (After-School/Summer Intervention) (EDAJAGAK)

Keywords

• Primary education services
• Special primary education
• Values-based schooling
• Gifted learner programs
• Childcare integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Zaandam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Education Funding: Agora receives per-pupil government funding (lumsum/ lumpsom) from the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) as a primary school foundation. This funding covers educational operations, staff salaries, and facility costs. Additional funding comes from municipal contributions for specific programs such as extended learning time in Poelenburg and Peldersveld (Actieplan Poelenburg en Spelersveld).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Stichting Agora operates a network of 25 primary schools across the Zaanstreek region of the Netherlands, providing special (bijzonder) primary education grounded in philosophical values with Christian origins. Beyond standard primary education, the foundation delivers specialized programs including the Kangoeroegroep for gifted learners, Integraal Kindcentrum (IKC) integrated education-childcare, special primary education (SBO Tijstroom), and the extended learning time program (Verlengde Leertijd), all under the proprietary Bildungsagoramodel framework.

Product overview

Agora Stichting voor Bijzonder Primair Onderwijs is a foundation operating 25 primary schools across the Zaanstreek region, offering special primary education rooted in philosophical values with Christian origins. The organization provides a portfolio of educational products including the core school network (Agora Basisscholen), the Kangoeroegroep for gifted students, Integraal Kindcentrum (IKC) combining education and childcare, Verlengde Leertijd for extended learning programs, SBO Tijstroom for special primary education, the Bildung program based on the Bildungsagoramodel, and the Marktplaats magazine for internal communication. Approximately 7,000 students attend the schools, served by over 700 employees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Agora Basisscholen (Primary School Network) A network of 25 primary schools across the Zaanstreek region (Zaandam, Zaandijk, Koog aan de Zaan, Westzaan, Assendelft, Krommenie, Wormerveer, Wormer, and Oostzaan) providing special primary education based on philosophical values with Christian origins. Approximately 7,000 students attend these schools.
• Kangoeroegroep A cross-school program for gifted and highly gifted students from groups 3 to 8, offering project-based learning including philosophy, discovery learning, ICT/programming, research skills, and mathematics beyond secondary school level. Weekly meetings held at two Agora schools: De Evenaar in Krommenie and Het Zaanplein in Zaandam.
• Integraal Kindcentrum (IKC) An Integral Child Centre combining education and childcare under one roof, providing seamless transitions between care and education for children from 0/2.5 to 13 years, with coordinated teams and single points of contact for parents.
• Verlengde Leertijd (Extended Learning Time) Extended learning time program providing 2.5 hours of additional lessons per week for all students in Poelenburg and Peldersveld neighborhoods, covering theater, music, creative arts, technology, media literacy, and civic education to ensure equal opportunities.
• SBO Tijstroom (Special Primary Education) Special primary education (speciaal basisonderwijs) facility for children requiring more than average learning or behavioral support, with a referral certificate (TLV) required for placement. Also includes BSLO after-school social learning environment for children 6+.
• Bildung Program A broad formation program based on the Bildungsagoramodel, teaching children about four life spheres (private, commercial, political, public) and four training spheres (sports, art, science, religion) within an ecological context, focused on personal development and identity formation.

Quantifiable outcome

• De Golfbreker achieved the 'Klassewerkplek' (Classroom Workplace) quality mark — a recognition for a strong, safe, and positive work environment.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Stichting Discussiëren Kun Je LerenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 2025Stichting Discussiëren Kun Je Leren organized a debate battle for Agora staff at the organization-wide study day on 25 March 2025, covering societal themes and citizenship education in real life.
• OZCS Vorselaar (Belgium)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 November 2025OZCS from Vorselaar, Belgium, is Agora's Belgian counterpart. In November 2025, Agora's Bildung ambassadors traveled to Belgium (with Erasmus+ subsidy) for a three-day program including workshops on the Belgian education system and an upbringing trajectory, organized in cooperation with OZCS.
• Erasmus+minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 November 2025Erasmus+ provided subsidy for Agora's Bildung ambassadors' three-day trip to Belgium (Genk, Vorselaar, Antwerp) in November 2025, which included a STEAM course, workshops on the Belgian education system, cultural activities, and a visit to the Blikfabriek.
• Eric WelpminorOthers · 12 November 2025Eric Welp contributed to the creation of the multilingual picture book 'Leren dromen aan de Zaan', which was read aloud in five languages via the EduPrompt platform. Listed as co-creator alongside teacher Jente Vincken and EduPrompt.
• Stichting ZAAM (interconfessioneel voortgezet onderwijs)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025ZAAM (interconfessional secondary education) and Agora signed an intent declaration on 1 April 2025 to create a 0-18 school in Poelenburg, Zaandam Oost. The initiative aims to reduce learning and educational disadvantages, prevent dropout, strengthen transition pathways between primary and secondary education for better school advice, and increase equal opportunities for children. Also on 27 June 2025, Mohamed El Jaouhari was appointed as cross-school director for the ZAAM–TintelTuin–Agora collaboration.
• Hogeschool iPABOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Agora and iPABO have collaborated since 2019 on 'Samen Opleiden' (Joint Training), sharing responsibility for training new teachers. Student teachers and interns are supervised by mentors within Agora schools, with school trainers supporting both students and mentors at training schools. iPABO also provides in-company training for language coordinators. LIO (teacher-in-training) students can conduct their internship under a teaching employment contract conditions.
• TintelTuincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTintelTuin is Agora's primary childcare partner, operating before-school, after-school, and midday childcare at 20 of Agora's 25 schools. TintelTuin also provides BSLO (Buitenschoolse Sociale Leeromgeving — after-school social learning environment) at SBO Tijstroom. TintelTuin participates in the 0-18 school initiative in Zaandam Oost alongside Agora and ZAAM, signed April 2025.
• Baloe KinderopvangminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBaloe Kinderopvang is one of several childcare partners operating at Agora schools where TintelTuin is not present. Baloe provides before and after-school childcare services integrated with the school.
• Babino KinderopvangminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBabino is a childcare partner operating at certain Agora schools, providing integrated childcare services alongside the school's educational program.
• Boefje KinderopvangminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBoefje is a childcare partner operating at certain Agora schools, providing integrated childcare services.
• KindertuinminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKindertuin is a childcare partner operating at certain Agora schools, providing integrated childcare services alongside the school's educational program.
• Zaan PrimaircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgora and Zaan Primair are the two largest school boards in the Zaanstreek, together covering approximately 50 schools. They collaborate on future-proofing education amid a teacher shortage (~12% in Zaanstad). A joint working group 'Kwaliteit, Stabiliteit & Solidariteit' meets biweekly to explore alternative ways of organizing education and advocating jointly to politicians. They also cooperate with school boards outside the Zaanstreek on shared challenges.
• Gemeente Zaanstad (Municipality of Zaanstad)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe municipality of Zaanstad provides funding for the extended learning program (Verlengde Leertijd) in Poelenburg and Peldersveld under Actieplan Poelenburg en Spelersveld. Agora participates in the Coalitie Zaanstad, selected as a 'Voorloper' (precursor) for the Rijke Schooldag subsidy program. The municipality also holds educational housing responsibility (zorgplicht) and collaborates with Agora through the Integraal Huisvestingsplan Primair Onderwijs (IHP) for school building projects.
• Brede School Academie (BSA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe BSA is intended for talented children in groups 6, 7, and 8 who have the cognitive ability and work ethic for HAVO or VWO but struggle due to language barriers or a language-poor environment. BSA helps them develop language skills to fully realize their talents. Agora schools collaborate with BSA.
• Samenwerkingsverband PO ZaanstreekcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgora participates in the PO Zaanstreek cooperation partnership (school board collaboration) covering Zaanstad, Oostzaan, and Wormerland. This partnership ensures that every child receives appropriate education and support, working collectively to improve the alignment of education and support services for students.
• Ouder- en Jeugdsteunpunt ZaanstreekminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe parent and youth support point, established by the PO and VO cooperation partnerships in the Zaanstreek, provides parents and youth with advice, support, and someone to think alongside regarding appropriate education. It operates independently and offers a telephone consultation every Friday 9:00-10:00 (06-28867927).
• Nationaal Regieorgaan Onderwijsonderzoek (NRO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgora participated in the NRO congress on 30 October 2025, focused on evidence-informed reading education, student behavior, and employee well-being. Directors, internal counselors, group teachers from the kompasgroep, and Agora staff attended.
• Onze AmsterdamseSchool (Elize Jong and Eva Tol)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerElize Jong and Eva Tol from Onze AmsterdamseSchool facilitated the 25 September 2025 study day on Evidence Informed Working and Effective Reading Education for Agora directors and internal counselors (IB'ers) at De Stoomhal, using knowledge cards and theory to work on school leadership, year plans, and evidence-informed working.
• Agora Support Passend Onderwijs (ASPO)coreOthersASPO is an internal network of educational and support specialists that supports all Agora schools with development questions. ASPO is developing toward an expertise centre alongside SBO Tijstroom. Together with SBO Tijstroom, ASPO is working toward becoming an expert centre.
• Zigzag KindzorgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZigzag Kindzorg operates a nursing children's day care facility within the SBO Tijstroom building, providing care for chronically and long-term ill children aged 0-4, adjusted to each child's care needs.
• Sociaal Wijkteam Peldersveld en HoornseveldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe social neighborhood team for Peldersveld and Hoornseveld is housed within the SBO Tijstroom building, providing social support services integrated with the special primary education setting.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Zaan Primair: The other major primary school foundation in the Zaanstreek region. Together with Agora, covers approximately 50 schools in the region and collaborates on teacher shortage mitigation. Most directly comparable peer given same geography, scale, and student demographic.

Regional players

• Stichting Penta: Primary school foundation serving the Etten-Leur area in North Brabant. Comparable as a Dutch multi-school primary education foundation with publicly-funded operations, though in a different region than Agora.
• Optimus Onderwijs: Primary school foundation serving the Wierden area in eastern Netherlands. Comparable Dutch primary education foundation with multiple schools under single governance, though operating in a different geographic region than Agora.

Broad incumbents

• Stichting BOOR: One of the largest primary school foundations in the Rotterdam metropolitan area. Comparable to Agora as a Dutch publicly-funded school foundation operating multiple primary schools, though serving a different geographic market and at larger scale.

Others

• ZAAM: Interconfessional secondary education foundation in Amsterdam and partner of Agora through the 0-18 school collaboration in Zaandam Oost (April 2025). Adjacent in educational level (secondary vs primary) and enables Agora's vertical expansion into secondary education pathways.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/agora-stichting-voor-bijzonder-primair-onderwijs-in-de-zaanstreek

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries4 records

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 Agora Stichting voor Bijzonder Primair Onderwijs in de Zaanstreek