Het Hofpark

What Het Hofpark does

Het Hofpark is a publicly funded Dutch special education school (speciaal onderwijs) located at Meester van Hasseltlaan 57 in Apeldoorn, operated under Stichting De Onderwijsspecialisten — a foundation that runs 30 specialized schools across Arnhem, Overbetuwe, Zuidwest-Veluwe, Liemers, Achterhoek, Ede, and the stedendriehoek. The school serves approximately 96 students aged 4 to 13 whose primary barrier to learning is behavioral and socio-emotional rather than cognitive, organized into 9–10 classes of roughly 8–15 pupils each (with the kindergarten group smaller), arranged in units of two to three classes that share staff and outdoor space. Many incoming students have prior histories of school transfer, interruption of education, autism-spectrum characteristics, anxiety, or trauma; the school positions itself as a 'fresh start' environment prioritizing wellbeing and self-confidence before academic recovery.

Instruction is delivered through an integrated pedagogical stack: the Blink method, which organizes subjects around central themes; the EDI (Explicit Direct Instruction) model for structured lesson delivery; and a Positive Behavior Support (PBS) framework with PAD social-emotional lessons, ABC methodology, and a Switch timeout protocol. Specialized facilities include the Talentenlab (project-based innovation lab using Blink), the Schakelklas (transition class of approximately four students working on individual socio-emotional and didactic goals), and shared building facilities with SBO De Prinsenhof (gymnasiums, hall and kitchen, outdoor play areas). The school holds the Gezonde School vignette (Movement & Sports and Nutrition theme certificates) and, as of 15 May 2025, a 'Voldoende' (Sufficient) final judgment from the Inspectie van het Onderwijs covering all evaluated domains.

Revenue is derived from Dutch government special-education funding tied to student enrollment and support-category weighting, administered through the regional educational authority; tuition is not charged, and only a voluntary parent contribution (ouderbijdrage) for school trips and camps is requested. Student intake is controlled externally — the Passend Onderwijs Apeldoorn PO regional consortium issues eligibility certificates (toelaatbaarheidsverklaringen), and municipalities coordinate transportation (often taxi) for eligible students. The school supplements its core referral pipeline with annual Openscholendag open days, parent referral networks, and recurring cultural partnerships (Gigant theater productions with Special Heroes Art instructors; CODA ExperienceLab sustainability workshops). Reported outcomes for transitioning students include 94.7% remaining at intended secondary placement after one year (against an 85% target) and 84.4% entering diploma-oriented secondary education (vmbo/havo/vwo).

Name

Het Hofpark

Legal name

Stichting De Onderwijsspecialisten

Website

https://hethofpark.nl

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Het Hofpark is a publicly funded Dutch special education school in Apeldoorn, serving approximately 96 students aged 4–13 with behavioral and socio-emotional support needs via small classes, PBS behavioral framework, and individualized learning pathways to secondary education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAJAKAH

Specialized Programs & Classrooms (Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, Intellectual/Developmental, Multi-Disability)

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Special Education Services

SECONDARYEDAJAAAH

Public Special Education Schools & Programs

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/Public K–12 Schools & Districts

SECONDARYEDAJAGAL

Behavioral Intervention & PBIS Supports (Tiered, Gen Ed)

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Special Programs (Gifted, ESL/ELL, Remedial, RTI/MTSS)

SECONDARYEDAJAKAC

Specialized Instruction & Resource Support (Inclusion, Pull-Out, Co-Teaching)

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Special Education Services

Keywords

• Special primary education
• Behavioral support education
• Socio-emotional learning
• Special needs schooling
• Transition class programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Apeldoorn

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government-funded special education: As a publicly funded special education school (speciaal onderwijs), Het Hofpark receives government funding based on student enrollment and the level of special educational support required. Funding is administered through the municipal or regional educational authority. Revenue is not derived from tuition fees but from public educational funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Het Hofpark delivers publicly funded special education (speciaal onderwijs) to approximately 96 students aged 4-13 who require behavioral and socio-emotional support, organized across 10 classes of 8-15 students. The school provides a safe, structured learning environment featuring small class sizes, individualized learning pathways (leerroutes 4-7), and specialized programs including the Schakelklas transition class, Talentenlab innovation space, and Switch timeout methodology, all grounded in PBS and EDI frameworks.

Product overview

Het Hofpark is a special education school (speciaal onderwijs) providing specialized education to students aged 4-13 with behavioral and socio-emotional support needs. The school operates in 10 classes with 8-15 students each, organized into units of 2-3 classes. Core offerings include special education services with intensive behavioral support, supplemented by the Talentenlab innovation lab using Blink methodology, the Schakelklas transition program, and the Switch timeout methodology. The school employs PBS and PAD frameworks for social-emotional development, EDI for instructional delivery, and provides comprehensive transition support for students moving to secondary education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Special Education Services (Speciaal Onderwijs)
• Schakelklas (Transition Class)
• Talentenlab (Talent Lab)

Quantifiable outcome

• 94.7% of former students remained at their transition destination after one year (exceeding 85% target)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Onderwijsregio Oost-Nederland / Openscholendag consortiumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2026The school participates in the annual Openscholendag, a regional initiative organized by Onderwijsregio Oost-Nederland in collaboration with five universities of applied sciences (Iselinge Hogeschool, Hogeschool Saxion, HAN, Hogeschool KPZ, and Hogeschool Windesheim). Over 120 primary schools participate. The event aims to inspire more people to work in education and showcase teaching careers.
• De OnderwijsspecialistencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHet Hofpark is part of De Onderwijsspecialisten, a foundation of 30 schools in special basic education, special education, and special secondary education across the regions of Arnhem, Overbetuwe, Zuidwest-Veluwe, Liemers, Achterhoek, Ede, and the stedendriehoek Apeldoorn-Deventer-Zutphen. All schools share the goal of giving students a full place in society. The foundation provides shared professional development, administrative support, HR, and institutional credibility. Staff are employed through De Onderwijsspecialisten.
• Gigant (theater/cultural venue, Apeldoorn)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGigant is a film theater and pop podium that also offers arts and culture programs for schools. Het Hofpark has an ongoing collaboration with Gigant for student cultural activities, including the annual school theater production. Students perform on the professional Gigant stage as part of their educational program.
• Stichting Special Heroes Art / Special HeroescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial Heroes is a national program promoting an active lifestyle for children by introducing them to various sports, arts, and culture. Special Heroes Art supports Het Hofpark's theater productions, providing professional guest instructors for workshops in music, dance, photography, and film. Teachers Twan Kemp and Manon Grootendorst integrate these elements into school performances.
• CODA ExperienceLab (Apeldoorn)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCODA is a cultural institution in Apeldoorn offering an ExperienceLab where students engage in hands-on making activities. Het Hofpark students visited for a 3-day creative workshop on sustainable design and green manufacturing, creating bags from old jeans, wooden benches, and naturally dyed fabric. The experience supports the school's Blink-themed curriculum on environmental sustainability.
• at.zorg (youth care provider)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partnerat.zorg provides youth care services within Het Hofpark's Schakelklas, offering individual coaching for students and connecting with families. They work alongside the autism and behavioral coach, educational support staff, and a.at.zorg employee to provide integrated support.
• Karakter (youth mental health)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKarakter is a youth healthcare provider that Het Hofpark works with for students who have ongoing therapeutic needs beyond what the school can provide internally. The school collaborates with youth care providers including Karakter and Entrea Lindenhout.
• Het Maashuis, Leo Kannerhuis, AutismehuisminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHet Maashuis in Apeldoorn, Leo Kannerhuis in Oosterbeek, and Autismehuis in Zwolle support Het Hofpark with guidance and assistance for students with complex support needs related to autism. These specialized autism centers provide expertise that complements the school's internal autism and behavioral coaching.
• Centrum voor Jeugd en Gezin (CJG) ApeldoornminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe CJG (Centre for Youth and Family) provides a youth consultant and school doctor who participate in Het Hofpark's weekly Commission for Guidance (CvdB) meetings. The youth doctor conducts general medical examinations for students in their first year at the school and provides advice on care and support.
• Passend Onderwijs Apeldoorn PO (regional consortium)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe regional consortium determines which students receive eligibility certificates (toelaatbaarheidsverklaringen) for special education placement. The school is part of this network that ensures every student in the region has access to a suitable educational placement close to home. Schools collaborate to share knowledge and best practices.
• SBO De PrinsenhofminorOthersHet Hofpark shares its school building with SBO De Prinsenhof (Special Basic Education). The two schools share facilities including the gymnasiums, Talentenlab, Schakelklas, Switch room, and canteen. They are operationally co-located but serve different student populations.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• De Onderwijsspecialisten: Stichting De Onderwijsspecialisten is the parent foundation that operates 30 special education schools across eastern Netherlands (Arnhem, Veluwe, Liemers, Achterhoek, Ede, stedendriehoek). It is the most directly relevant peer because Het Hofpark is one school within this network and shares governance, HR, branding, and curriculum resources.
• Catapult Learning: US-based provider of special education, intervention, and tutoring services to K-12 students, including those with behavioral and learning differences. Comparable as a specialized K-12 service provider for the same student type, although operating at significantly larger scale and under US public-charter contracts rather than Dutch 'Passend Onderwijs' funding.

Direct peers

• Kentalis: Dutch foundation providing education, care and support to children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing, including K-12 special education. Comparable because it operates publicly funded cluster-style special K-12 education at institutional scale in the Netherlands.
• Visio: Dutch organization providing education and support for people who are blind or visually impaired, including K-12 special education. Comparable as a publicly funded Dutch special education operator serving a specific disability population with a multi-disciplinary professional model similar to Het Hofpark's.
• Heliomare: Dutch provider of special education, rehabilitation, and care for children and adults with physical disabilities, chronic illness, or multiple disabilities in North Holland. Comparable as a publicly funded Dutch SO/VSO operator with multi-disciplinary team delivery and family partnership practices similar to Het Hofpark's.
• Bartiméus: Dutch foundation offering education, care and support for people who are blind, visually impaired, or have multiple disabilities. Comparable to Het Hofpark as a publicly funded Dutch special K-12 education provider with embedded care, support staff, and family engagement practices.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/onderwijsspec
• Facebookfacebook.com/DeOnderwijsspecialisten
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/het-hofpark

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Het Hofpark