Institut Cardinal Mercier (Schaerbeek)

Name

Institut Cardinal Mercier (Schaerbeek)

Legal name

Institut Cardinal Mercier Schaerbeek

Website

https://cardinalmercier.be

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Schaerbeek

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Institut Cardinal Mercier is a private secondary school in Schaerbeek, Brussels, providing secondary education (ages 12-18) under Belgium's Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles free education network. The school offers general transition (GT), technical qualification (TQ), and professional qualification (P/PEQ) tracks, with technical specializations in Construction & Public Works, Electromechanics, IT, and Commerce/Management. It also runs DASPA welcome classes for newly arrived students and operates within the Espace Enseignement Cardinal Mercier network alongside primary and adult education branches.

Product overview

Institut Cardinal Mercier is a comprehensive educational institution in Schaerbeek, Brussels, operating across multiple branches: Ecole Notre-Dame du Sacré-Coeur (primary, ages 2.5-12), Institut Champagnat (secondary, up to 18), and Institut technique supérieur Cardinal Mercier (adult education). The secondary school offers diverse programs including General Secondary (GT), Technical Qualification (TQ) tracks in Commercial, Construction, IT, and Electromechanics sectors, Professional Qualification, and DASPA for newcomers. The institution has implemented a 'Virage numérique' digital transition initiative distributing Chromebooks to students and utilizing SmartSchool as its primary learning management platform, alongside Google Workspace for Education. The school also runs a Mini-Entreprises entrepreneurship program in partnership with LJE, fostering student enterprise skills.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Enseignement secondaire (Secondary Education) Comprehensive secondary education covering the 1er degré commun, 1er degré différencié, DASPA classes for newcomers, and multiple study paths including general, technical, and professional qualifications. Targets students aged 12-18 in the Schaerbeek area of Brussels.
• GT (Général de Transition) - General Secondary Education General secondary education track (e.g., Sciences économiques/langues) preparing students for higher education at the university level.
• TT Informatique - Technical Transition in Computer Science Information technology technical transition program providing skills in computer science and IT systems, preparing students for further technical qualification or higher education.
• TQ Construction et Travaux Publics (Technical Qualification - Construction & Public Works) Technical qualification program in Construction and Public Works (Technicien.ne en Construction & Travaux Publics). Co-financed by the European Union. Available from 4th secondary onward, leading to CESS diploma and qualification certificate (PEQ). Prepares students for careers such as site technician, construction drawing, and public works technician.
• TQ Électromécanique (Technical Qualification - Electromechanics) Technical qualification program in electromechanics, providing hands-on skills for careers in electro-mechanical trades and engineering support roles.
• TQ Gestion / Commerce (Technical Qualification - Management/Commerce) Technical qualification program in management and commerce, including the Technicien.ne Commercial(e) option. Develops business administration, sales, and commercial operations skills.
• Qualifiant Professionnel - Professional Qualification (2e-3e degrés P) Professional qualification programs at 2nd and 3rd degree including Mécanicien.ne, Sanitaire/chauffage, Construction, PAA & GTPE, and Année complémentaire 6SP. Provides hands-on practical training and recognized professional qualifications (CQ6).
• DASPA - Dispositif d'Accueil des Élèves Primo-Arrivants Welcome program for newly arrived students providing French language learning (FLE), orientation support, and integration pathways into mainstream secondary education. Targets non-French-speaking adolescents who have recently arrived in Belgium.
• 1er degré différencié - Differentiated First Degree Differentiated first-degree program for students requiring individualized academic support, smaller class sizes, and adapted pedagogy before transitioning to mainstream tracks.
• SmartSchool Digital Learning Platform (itcm.smartschool.be) School management and learning platform used by students, parents, and teachers for distance learning, document sharing, grade reports (bulletins), announcements, and direct messaging. Available via web and mobile apps (iOS/Android).
• Virage Numérique (Digital Transition) Program Digital transition initiative providing individual Chromebooks to all students from 4th secondary onward and @cardinalmercier.be Google accounts for all students, with associated information sessions for parents.
• Mini-Entreprises Program (LJE partnership) Student entrepreneurship program run in partnership with LJE (Les Jeunes Entreprises). Students create and operate real mini-companies, develop products, and compete in national competitions, developing business and leadership skills.
• Enseignement fondamental - Ecole Notre-Dame du Sacré-Coeur (Primary Education) Primary education branch (maternelle and primaire) of the Espace Enseignement Cardinal Mercier network, serving children from age 2.5 to 12. Located in Schaerbeek, Brussels.
• Enseignement fondamental - Institut Champagnat (Primary Education) Primary education branch (maternelle and primaire) of the Espace Enseignement Cardinal Mercier network, serving children from age 2.5 to 12 in Schaerbeek, Brussels.
• Institut technique supérieur Cardinal Mercier - Promotion sociale (Adult Education) Adult education and social promotion institute of the Espace Enseignement Cardinal Mercier network, offering continuing education programs for adults aged 20 and above.

Quantifiable outcome

• Promotion 2026 graduates celebrated at in-school ceremony with municipal and community participation
• +4 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LJE - Les Jeunes EntreprisescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLJE organizes the Mini-Entreprise program for secondary school students. Students form real mini-companies, develop products, and compete in national competitions. ITCM students regularly participate in LJE events, assemblies, and contests, achieving notable results (national finals, logo competition awards, best stand prizes). The partnership is a flagship element of ITCM's entrepreneurial education approach.
• Commune de SchaerbeekcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe municipality of Schaerbeek hosts ITCM's Mini-Entreprise assemblies and other events. The local government (echevin du commerce) actively supports student entrepreneurship. Schaerbeek's Bourgmestre and échevins have attended school events and proclamation ceremonies, demonstrating a strong institutional partnership.
• SmartschoolcoreTechnology or IntegrationSmartschool is the school's primary digital platform for student information management, communication, document sharing, grade distribution, and distance learning. The school uses the Smartschool domain itcm.smartschool.be and provides apps for iOS and Android.
• ARChE (Accompagnement Réflexif des Cheminements)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport service accompanying students on their educational and personal pathways. Mentioned as a key partner in student support alongside AMO, PMS, and integration teams.
• AMARRAGES+minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent support and reintegration program mentioned alongside ARChE as part of ITCM's inclusive support ecosystem.
• PMS (Centre Psycho-Médico-Social)minorOthersPsychological and social support center integrated into the school's support system for students.
• Schola ULBminorOthersUniversity preparation and orientation program in partnership with Université Libre de Bruxelles. ITCM provides its students access to Schola ULB services for higher education guidance.
• ConstrucityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrussels construction sector initiative that ITCM students participate in, including the Welcome Construction Challenges event. Construcity promotes careers in construction to Brussels youth and co-sponsored ITCM's new Technicien en Construction & Travaux Publics option.
• Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (Enseignement)coreOthersThe official education authority under which ITCM operates as part of the libre (free/catholic) education network. Sets curriculum standards, examination frameworks, and certification requirements.
• AMO Ecole de devoirs (Atmosphères)minorOthersAfter-school homework support service (école de devoirs) linked to the school, providing academic support to students.
• ConstructivminorOthersConstruction sector training and research organization, listed among ITCM's institutional partners.
• CCBC - Confédération Construction Bruxelles-CapitaleminorOthersBrussels Construction Confederation, listed as a partner organization of ITCM.
• CDR ConstructionminorOthersConstruction sector professional organization listed as a partner of ITCM.
• CDR BRCminorOthersListed as a partner organization.
• CTA Serge CreuzminorOthersIndustrial automation training center listed as a partner.
• CTA Institut Notre-DameminorOthersTechnical training center listed as a partner.
• CTELBminorOthersListed as a partner organization.
• EducamminorOthersTraining and skills development organization in the construction sector, listed as a partner.
• Job Days (Beci)minorOthersCareer and employment event organized in partnership with Beci (Brussels Enterprises), providing students exposure to the professional world.
• Fondation Reine PaolaminorOthersThe Reine Paola Foundation supports educational excellence projects in Wallonia and Brussels. Listed as a partner.
• Parcours ton orientation (Story-Me)minorOthersCareer orientation platform for students, listed as a partner resource.
• Groupe Santé Josaphat / CASS-CSSAminorOthersLocal health and social services group in Schaerbeek, listed as a community partner.
• Médiation scolaireminorOthersSchool mediation service supporting conflict resolution within the school community.
• Oxfam - Magasins du mondeminorOthersFair trade organization with which ITCM has partnered for fair trade breakfast events and ethical education initiatives.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Athénée Royal de Schaerbeek: Public secondary school located in the same Schaerbeek (1030) catchment area as Institut Cardinal Mercier. Competes directly for the same Brussels-Capital student pool, particularly in the lower secondary tracks, and represents the closest public-network alternative to Cardinal Mercier's Catholic/free offerings.
• European Schools of Brussels: Network of accredited European secondary schools in the Brussels area serving children of EU institution staff and other international families. Comparable as a Brussels secondary institution, though with a different funding/governance model and a more international student body.
• Athénée Royal d'Ixelles: Public secondary school in the adjacent Ixelles commune of Brussels-Capital. Comparable as a public-network Brussels secondary offering general and qualifying tracks, representing an alternative for families weighing public athénée vs. Catholic free-network secondary education in central Brussels.
• Institut Saint-Luc Brussels: Catholic secondary school in Brussels offering technical, artistic, and general tracks. Comparable as a Brussels Catholic secondary with technical/vocational emphasis, competing for the same families seeking a Catholic values-based secondary education with technical qualifications.
• Don Bosco Belgium: Catholic education network in Belgium with multiple secondary campuses emphasizing technical, vocational, and professional qualification programs. Highly comparable to Cardinal Mercier's TQ and PEQ tracks in construction, electromechanics, and commerce, and competes for similar Brussels/Wallonia families seeking hands-on technical education.
• Institut Saint-Boniface Parnasse-Deux Alice: Brussels Catholic secondary school providing general, technical, and vocational tracks. Comparable as a free-network Brussels secondary with multiple study paths and inclusive admissions, competing for the same Brussels-Capital enrollment pool as Cardinal Mercier.
• Collège Saint-Michel, Brussels: Jesuit Catholic secondary school in Brussels offering general and technical tracks. Comparable as a Brussels-based Catholic secondary institution with a similar mix of academic and qualifying programs, competing for the same family segment seeking values-based secondary education.

Broad incumbents

• GO! Onderwijs Vlaanderen: Largest public-education network in Belgium (Flemish Community). Comparable as a large Belgium-wide K-12 and secondary education provider, though operating under Flemish governance rather than Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles; serves as a structural incumbent in the Belgian education market that anchors broader network competition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCtG4D9wsm6M2Ryr7Ksj20xg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institut-cardinal-mercier-schaerbeek

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Institut Cardinal Mercier (Schaerbeek)