What Openbaar Onderwijs Groningen does

Openbaar Onderwijs Groningen is a Dutch public education foundation (stichting) operating 36 schools in the municipality of Groningen, Netherlands, delivering primary (basisonderwijs), secondary (voortgezet onderwijs), and special (speciaal onderwijs) education to more than 16,000 students aged 4-18, supported by more than 2,000 staff members. The portfolio spans regular public education alongside schools operating under Montessori, Dalton, and Jenaplan pedagogical philosophies, supplemented by specialized programs including the Internationale Schakelklas (ISK) for newcomers aged 12-18, the Orthopedagogisch Didactisch Centrum (OPDC) for at-risk secondary students via Rebound and Traject Thuiszitters VO, and the Bovenschoolse Plusgroep for gifted learners. Approximately 240 students with physical or multiple disabilities are served at the Prins Johan Frisoschool within the special-education portfolio.

Centralized expertise is delivered through wholly-owned support entities: the Kenniscentrum Openbaar Onderwijs (KCOO) provides ambulant counselors, orthopedagogues, and psychodiagnostic staff for primary and special education, while the Expertisecentrum Anderstaligen Groningen (ECAG) supports multilingual students via Dutch-as-second-language (NT2) training built on 40 years of ISK experience. Cross-school continuous learning pathways (doorlopende leerlijnen) span Digital Literacy, English, and Arts & Culture from primary through secondary education, and technology experimentation is enabled through E-Labs and Ontdeklabs at multiple schools. Teacher training is delivered through the Groninger Opleidingsschool (GOS) joint-training partnership with NHL Stenden, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, and Hanzehogeschool Groningen, supported by an internal staff intranet (Plein-Online).

The foundation is funded entirely through the Dutch national education financing system (rijksbekostiging), with revenue allocated per student under statutory formulas and no tuition charged to families. Governance is provided by a two-person Executive Board (college van bestuur) and a Supervisory Board (raad van toezicht), with employee/student representation through medezeggenschapsraden (GMRs). The organization is registered as an ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling, RSIN 821528518) and operates within the Samenwerkingsverband Passend Onderwijs Groningen collaboration for inclusive education placement. Its 2023-2027 strategic plan, 'Koersplan Rijk aan kansen' (Rich in Opportunities), is organized around four themes: socially safe learning environments, foundational knowledge and skills, talent utilization, and 2027 sustainability targets.

Name

Openbaar Onderwijs Groningen

Legal name

Stichting Openbaar Onderwijs Groningen

Website

https://openbaaronderwijsgroningen.nl

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Openbaar Onderwijs Groningen is a Dutch public education foundation operating 36 schools in Groningen, delivering primary, secondary, and special education to over 16,000 students. It is government-funded, ANBI-registered, and employs more than 2,000 staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Public Education

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Accelerated Learning & Grade Advancement Programs (EDAJAGAE)

Keywords

• Public primary education
• Secondary school programs
• Special education services
• Inclusive education support
• Montessori Dalton schooling

Headquarters

HQ city

Groningen

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (Rijksbekostiging): Public education funded by government through the Dutch education financing system (rijksbekostiging). Revenue comes from student numbers and is regulated by national education policies.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Openbaar Onderwijs Groningen operates 36 public schools in the municipality of Groningen, Netherlands, delivering primary education (basisonderwijs), secondary education (voortgezet onderwijs), and special education (speciaal onderwijs) to more than 16,000 students. The foundation offers diverse pedagogical approaches including Montessori, Dalton, and Jenaplan, supplemented by specialized programs such as the Internationale Schakelklas (ISK) for newcomers, Bovenschoolse Plusgroep for gifted students, and continuous learning pathways spanning primary through secondary education.

Product overview

Openbaar Onderwijs Groningen is a public educational organization operating approximately 36 schools across primary education (basisonderwijs), secondary education (voortgezet onderwijs), and special education (speciaal onderwijs) in the municipality of Groningen, serving more than 16,000 students with over 2,000 employees. The portfolio includes regular public schools as well as schools following Montessori, Dalton, and Jenaplan educational philosophies. Central support services include the Kenniscentrum Openbaar Onderwijs (KCOO) for educational support, Expertisecentrum Anderstaligen Groningen (ECAG) for multilingual students, the Orthopedagogisch Didactisch Centrum (OPDC) for at-risk youth, and the Internationale Schakelklas (ISK) for newcomers. The organization also provides specialized programs such as the Bovenschoolse Plusgroep for gifted students, continuous learning pathways (doorlopende leerlijnen) in Digital Literacy, English, and Arts & Culture, and operates E-Labs for technology experimentation. An internal Plein-Online platform serves staff communication needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zernike College: Former cluster name for schools including Montessori Lyceum Groningen, Montessori Vaklyceum, and Harens Lyceum
• Reitdiep College
• H.N. Werkman College
• KCOO (Kenniscentrum Openbaar Onderwijs)
• ECAG (Expertisecentrum Anderstaligen Groningen)
• Groninger Opleidingsschool (GOS)

Products and services

• Basisonderwijs (Primary Education) Primary education for children aged 4-12 offered across approximately 20 schools, including regular public education and schools following Montessori, Dalton, and Jenaplan educational philosophies, serving families in the municipality of Groningen.
• Voortgezet Onderwijs (Secondary Education) Secondary education covering VMBO, HAVO, Atheneum, Atheneum+, Gymnasium, and practical education for students aged 12-18, offered at approximately 15 schools across the Groningen municipality.
• Speciaal Onderwijs (Special Education) Specialized education for students with specific support needs related to learning, behavior, or physical/multiple disabilities, including special primary education (SBO), special secondary education (VSO), and programs such as Prins Johan Frisoschool serving approximately 240 students aged 4-18.
• Passend Onderwijs (Inclusive Education Support) Support services ensuring every student receives education appropriate to their qualities and support needs, delivered in collaboration with the Samenwerkingsverband Passend Onderwijs Groningen regional partnership.
• Bovenschoolse Plusgroep (Gifted Program) Above-school gifted education program that brings together high-potential students from different schools to develop analytical thinking, creativity, and social competencies.
• Internationale Schakelklas (ISK) International Transition Class for newcomers aged 12-18 who do not or barely speak Dutch, preparing them for regular education, built on 40 years of experience.
• Doorlopende Leerlijnen (Continuous Learning Pathways) Integrated curriculum programs spanning from primary to secondary education in Digital Literacy, English, and Arts & Culture, ensuring smooth transitions between educational levels.
• Kansrijk Onderwijs (Opportunity-Rich Education) Educational approach focused on reducing inequality by strengthening basic skills and providing diverse opportunities for talent discovery and development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 36 schools serving the municipality of Groningen
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

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

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Groninger Opleidingsschool (GOS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with NHL Stenden, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, and Hanzehogeschool Groningen for teacher training and professional development. Partners in 'Samen Opleiden' (Joint Training) program for student teachers and professional development of existing staff.
• Kenniscentrum Openbaar Onderwijs (KCOO)coreOthersInternal expertise center providing ambulatory counselors, orthopedagogues, and psychodiagnostic staff for support, research, and consultation for students, teachers, and parents in primary and special education.
• Expertisecentrum Anderstaligen Groningen (ECAG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpertise center providing guidance, information, and training on Dutch as a second language (NT2) and education for non-Dutch speaking students, built on 40 years of experience from ISK.
• Samenwerkingsverband Passend Onderwijs GroningencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with other school boards in the region to provide appropriate educational placement for all students through inclusive education (passend onderwijs).
• Tijd voor ToekomstminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner providing activities during extended school days including homework guidance, sports, and cultural activities.
• Sectorraad GOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization representing schools and school boards in specialized education (special basisonderwijs, speciaal onderwijs, and voortgezet speciaal onderwijs).
• Gereformeerde Scholengroep (GSG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Groninger Opleidingsschool collaboration for teacher training alongside Openbaar Onderwijs Groningen schools.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stichting BOOR: Rotterdam-based public education foundation (Bestuur Openbaar Onderwijs Rotterdam) running primary, secondary, and special education schools — comparable Dutch public school operator at similar scale and governance structure.
• Stichting Openbaar Onderwijs Amsterdam: Amsterdam-based public education foundation operating primary, secondary, and special education schools — directly comparable to OOG in mission, governance (stichting/ANBI structure), and mixed K-12 portfolio.

Emerging players

• CED-Groep: Dutch educational services and consulting firm providing training, advisory, and support to schools and school boards — overlaps with OOG's in-house KCOO/ECAG expertise services and serves as a benchmark for the external educational services market.

Others

• Somtoday: Student information system widely used across Dutch K-12 schools — adjacent technology provider enabling the digital administration and parent-facing services that OOG's Plein-Online intranet and school operations depend on.
• APS (Education Lab): Dutch education support organization providing professional development, training, and consultancy to schools — comparable support functions to OOG's KCOO and OPDC units, but operating as an external provider rather than embedded within a school network.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/OpenbaarOnderwijsGroningen/?ref=bookmarks
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/OpenbaarOnderwijsGroningen
• Facebookfacebook.com/OpenbaarOnderwijsGroningen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/openbaar-onderwijs-groningen
• Instagraminstagram.com/openbaaronderwijsgroningen

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries10 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 Openbaar Onderwijs Groningen