Berechja College

What Berechja College does

Berechja College is a publicly funded Dutch Christian secondary school operating under the governance of Stichting Berechja College (a foundation), located in Urk, Flevoland, Netherlands. The school delivers secondary education across three VMBO learning pathways (Basisberoepsgerichte, Kaderberoepsgerichte, and Theoretische Leerweg) with profiles in Maritime & Technology, Care & Welfare, and Service & Products, plus HAVO years 1–3 with a seamless transition to HAVO 4 at partner school Emelwerda College. It also provides LWOO (Leerweg Ondersteunend Onderwijs) for students requiring additional learning support. The school employs approximately 88 staff and serves students transitioning from primary school groups 7/8 in the Noordoostpolder region.

The school's core technology infrastructure consists of a Windows-based laptop blended learning environment supported by the Magister student information system, Magister.Me learning platform, and Microsoft Office365 suite. Its educational methodology centers on Challenge Based Learning (CBL), where students tackle real-world business challenges from local partners such as Jumbo Hofstee, Gemeente Urk, and De Rentmeester, presenting solutions directly to clients. Proprietary enrichment programs include HAVO Next (Cambridge English, Delf French, Job-shadows), Next-Challenge, Next-Talent, and the Bèta-Challenge-Programma, with additional extracurricular offerings such as the Young Solar Challenge solar boat racing team and Techmakers design program.

Revenue is primarily generated through Dutch government lumpsum funding for secondary education, supplemented by parental contributions for educational materials, laptop costs (partially offset by a Gemeente Urk municipal subsidy), and optional programs. The school operates a direct-to-consumer enrollment model through the national centrale aanmeldweek (central enrollment week) using the Leerlinq digital portal, with mid-year transfers handled by the school's decaan (career counselor). Governance follows the Governancecode Funderend Onderwijs, with a College van Bestuur, Raad van Toezicht, and a Medezeggenschapsraad, and is led by Bestuurder John Odinot who also oversees Emelwerda College.

Name

Berechja College

Legal name

Stichting Berechja College

Website

https://berechja.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Berechja College is a publicly funded Dutch Christian secondary school in Urk, Netherlands, offering VMBO (Basis/Kader/Theoretical), HAVO, and LWOO programs to students in the Noordoostpolder region using a Challenge Based Learning approach with blended digital and traditional instruction.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Virtual Homeschool Programs & Online Curriculum Schools (EDAJADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Virtual Tutoring & Academic Intervention (K–12) (EDAJADAH), Virtual Special Education & Related Services (IEP Delivery Online) (EDAJADAG)

Keywords

• Secondary education programs
• VMBO HAVO tracks
• Blended learning environment
• Challenge based learning
• Language certification programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Urk

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Education: As a publicly funded Dutch secondary school under Stichting Berechja College, the institution is primarily funded through the Dutch government via the lumpsum system ( lumpsom / lumpsom funding) for secondary education. Additional revenue comes from parental contributions for educational materials and optional programs. The school also receives municipal support for laptop subsidies for students.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Berechja College is a Christian secondary school that delivers VMBO (Basis, Kader, and Theoretische Leerweg) and HAVO programs to students in the Urk/Noordoostpolder region. Beyond the standard Dutch curriculum, it sells an enrichment layer including HAVO Next, Next-Challenge, Next-Talent, Cambridge English, and DELF French, and uses Challenge Based Learning with local businesses to anchor practical, experiential education. The school also operates support services such as LWOO, remedial teaching, and free homework guidance.

Product overview

Berechja College is a Dutch Christian secondary school offering VMBO (Basis/Kader/Theoretical tracks), HAVO, and LWOO programs. The school operates a platform-plus-programs model with core educational tracks augmented by specialized programs. Key products include Havo Next (enriched havo with Cambridge Engels, Delf Frans, Next-Challenge, Next-Talent), Bèta-Challenge-Programma, Challenge Based Learning methodology, and Young Solar Challenge. The school uses Magister for student administration and blended learning combining laptops with traditional books. Support services include Remedial Teaching (SprintPlus/Remedioom), Homework Guidance, and various training programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HAVO Next: An enriched and challenging HAVO program that combines theory and practice, available to all HAVO students, featuring programs like Cambridge Engels, Delf Frans, Next-Challenge, Next-Talent, and Job-shadows.
• Bèta-Challenge-Programma
• Challenge Based Learning
• Young Solar Challenge

Products and services

• Olympic Moves Participation in Olympic Moves, the largest school sports competition in the Netherlands.
• Huiswerkbegeleiding (Homework Guidance) Free homework support service available Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 07:45-08:15 and 14:35-16:15 in the support room, with no prior registration required.
• Remedial Teaching Specialized support for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, or those needing extra help, including use of SprintPlus and Remedioom software for reading, spelling, and language learning.
• VMBO Programs (Basis/Kader/Theoretische Leerweg) Core secondary education programs offering three learning paths (Basisberoepsgerichte, Kaderberoepsgerichte, and Theoretische Leerweg) with profiles in Maritiem & Techniek, Zorg & Welzijn, and Dienstverlening & Producten; available to students from primary schools in the Noordoostpolder/Urk region.
• HAVO Next Enriched HAVO program combining theory with practice, featuring Cambridge English, DELF French, Next-Challenge, Next-Talent, Job-shadows, and Blended Learning; designed for students with an HAVO recommendation seeking additional challenge.
• Next-Challenge Practice-oriented subject for HAVO students in years 1-3 where students tackle real-world business challenges through field research and present solutions directly to clients; described as unique in the region.
• Next-Talent Talent program for third-year HAVO students offering 20 challenges from which participants choose to deepen and broaden their knowledge in preparation for profile selection in upper secondary education.
• Cambridge Engels High-level English language program leading to internationally recognized Cambridge diplomas with official examination, seamlessly connecting to HAVO 4 at Emelwerda College.
• Delf Frans High-level French language program leading to internationally recognized DELF diplomas with official examination, providing advantages for international projects and foreign internships.
• Bèta-Challenge-Programma Weekly three-hour program for classes 1 and 2 of the Theoretische Leerweg where students explore real business challenges from partners such as Jumbo Hofstee, Gemeente Urk, and SCAB and present solutions to actual clients.
• Young Solar Challenge Technical extracurricular program for students aged 14-17 where teams build and race their own solar-powered boat in the Young Solar Challenge series, with the Berechja team placing 12th in Sneek and 8th in Emmeloord.
• LWOO (Leerweg Ondersteunend Onderwijs) Learning-path support education for students with learning disadvantages, providing smaller classes, extra coaching, and additional mentor attention within regular Basis/Kader classes.
• Techmakers Technology-focused design and engineering program where students develop projects (e.g., maquettes, sustainable building designs) based on real client briefs from community partners, using CAD, design tools, and VR technology.
• Training Programs (faalangst, social resilience, exam fear) Targeted training programs covering fear-of-failure reduction, social resilience, and exam-fear reduction to support student wellbeing.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96.4% examination pass rate
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and supporting.

• Emelwerda CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBerechja College and Emelwerda College operate a strategic partnership for joint ICT project leadership recruitment and a seamless academic pathway for HAVO students. HAVO 1-3 is delivered at Berechja College with curriculum aligned to Emelwerda College, and students transition to HAVO 4 at Emelwerda. Both schools also jointly recruit for a Projectleider ICT position. Shared activities include academic programs and coordinated lesson materials.
• Stichting Aandacht+ (Samenwerkingsverband Passend Onderwijs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBerechja College is part of the Stichting Aandacht+, a cooperative of VO (secondary education) schools in the Noordoostpolder that collectively designs and delivers Passend Onderwijs (inclusive education) services for students requiring additional support. The partnership enables coordinated support structures, referral networks, and resource sharing.
• Jumbo HofsteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJumbo Hofstee (a local supermarket) partners with Berechja College by providing real business challenges for the Beta-Challenge program. Students develop and pitch product concepts to the company, with winning ideas potentially commercialized. A student-designed 'Chicken Crunch Bowl' fresh meal kit was the top seller, earning the team a reward.
• Gemeente Urk (Municipality of Urk)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe municipality of Urk partners with the school by providing funding for student laptop purchases under a municipal subsidy scheme, and by serving as a client for Beta-Challenge student projects. The municipality also provides a subsidy code for discounted laptop procurement through The Rent Company.
• Stichting Natuurbeleefplaats De RentmeesterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDe Rentmeester foundation engaged Berechja College's Techmakers students to design the layout of their future building site. Students developed and presented maquette proposals, with one winning design selected for potential use by the foundation.
• SCAB (Regional Business/Industry Body)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCAB collaborates with the school by providing real-world challenges and projects for the Beta-Challenge curriculum, supporting students in developing practical solutions to actual business problems.
• The Rent CompanysupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Rent Company supplies Windows laptops to students of Berechja College. The school recommends this supplier, and laptops are available through the school's portal with service and warranty packages. A municipal subsidy code (via Urk municipality) can be applied to reduce costs.
• Van Dijk EducatiefsupportingOthersVan Dijk Educatief is the textbook supplier and book return service for Berechja College. Students return books at the end of the school year through a designated collection day, or by mail to Van Dijk's facility in Kampen.
• Youth Care and Social Support Network (Ket en partners)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBerechja College works with a network of external care and support organizations for students requiring specialized assistance. Partners include Tactus (addiction support), Waypoint (youth care), Caritas, Schoolmaatschappelijk Werk, Triade Vitrae, GGD, Caleido, De Twijn, Kentalis, Bartimeús, and Veilig Thuis. These organizations provide deep support interventions and specialized services for students with complex needs.
• Young Solar ChallengeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Young Solar Challenge is a national student racing competition for solar-powered boats. Berechja College fields a team (solarteam_berechja) that competes in races across the Netherlands. The school also seeks local partners and sponsors (e.g., Matoq, VCU for batteries, Urker New York Pizza for event catering) to support the team.
• Urker New York PizzaminorOthersUrker New York Pizza provided sponsored pizza for the Young Solar Challenge team during their race weekend event in Emmeloord, as part of local business sponsorship of the school's solar boat racing team.
• Matoq and VCUminorOthersMatoq and VCU are battery sponsors for the Berechja College solar boat team participating in the Young Solar Challenge, providing the energy storage needed for the racing competition.
• DTM Solar (Duidelijke Technische Materialen)minorOthersDTM supplied the large solar panels used on the Berechja College solar boat for the Young Solar Challenge races.
• De Poort (Event Venue, Urk)supportingOthersDe Poort, located at Lange Dam 52 in Urk, serves as the venue for Berechja College's Toerustingsavond (parent information evening) and other school events.
• Firda (ROC)supportingOthersFirda (an ROC/vocational school) hosts a Doe-dag (experience day) for Berechja College's year 4 students, supporting career orientation and vocational pathway exploration.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Emelwerda College: Sister school in Emmeloord sharing the same Stichting governance structure, Christian identity, and joint Bestuurder. Operates the seamless HAVO 4 transition pathway for Berechja students and co-recruits for ICT project leadership.
• Driestar College: Reformed Christian secondary school in Gouda offering similar VMBO/HAVO programs with Christian identity. Comparable in mission, target market (religious families), and educational model.
• Gomarus College: Reformed Christian secondary school offering VMBO, HAVO, and VWO programs with a strong religious identity. Comparable in target market (Reformed Christian families) and educational offerings.
• Ichthus College: Christian secondary school offering similar VMBO/HAVO programs with religious identity integration. Comparable in serving Protestant Christian families seeking secondary education grounded in faith-based values.
• Calvijn College: Reformed Christian secondary school providing VMBO and HAVO programs. Comparable in religious identity, target demographic, and educational structure to Berechja College.

Regional players

• CSG Bogerman: Regional secondary school in Sneek (Friesland) offering VMBO and HAVO programs. Comparable as a same-size regional secondary school in the northern Netherlands, though not religiously affiliated.
• OSG Sevenwolden: Open secondary school in the Friesland region offering VMBO and HAVO programs. Comparable as a regional secondary school serving a similar geographic catchment area in the northern Netherlands.
• Helicon: Regional MBO/vocational education provider with multiple locations. Comparable as a regional education provider serving the same geographic area, though focused on vocational rather than secondary education.
• CSG Comenius: Regional secondary school in the northern Netherlands offering VMBO and HAVO programs. Comparable as a regional secondary school serving a similar demographic area.

Others

• Firda: Regional training center (ROC) in Friesland and Flevoland offering MBO vocational education. Listed as a partner (hosts Doe-dag for Berechja year 4 students) and comparable as a regional education provider though focused on post-secondary vocational training.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/berechjacollege

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Berechja College