Vrijeschool Mareland Leiden

What Vrijeschool Mareland Leiden does

Vrijeschool Mareland Leiden is a Dutch primary school (basisschool) operating under anthroposophical/Waldorf educational principles, located at Maresingel 19 in Leiden, Netherlands. The school delivers integrated early childhood and primary education spanning preschool (peuterspeelzaal, ages 2.5+), kindergarten (groep 1–2), and elementary education through grade 8, alongside after-school care (BSO). It serves families in the Leiden area seeking alternative pedagogy that balances academic learning with artistic (Euritmie, Vormtekenen), narrative (Vertelstof), and seasonal cultural (Jaarfeesten) development, with class sizes capped at 27 students in kindergarten and 28 in lower-school grades. A dedicated Leerlingenzorg function and inclusion within the Samenwerkingsverband passend onderwijs regio Leiden cooperative provide structured support for students with ADHD, dyslexia, autism spectrum disorders, and giftedness.

The school is governed under Stichting Vrije Scholen Zuid West Nederland, a parent foundation that also oversees sister vrijescholen De Vuurvogel (Zoetermeer) and Ridderspoor (Alphen aan den Rijn); the three schools share a joint Medezeggenschapsraad (GMR). Revenue is derived primarily from Dutch government education funding channeled through this foundation, supplemented by voluntary parent contributions (ouderbijdrage). Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the school website, with monthly information mornings (informatieochtenden), annual open events and the community Bazaar, and priority-placement arrangements with antroposophical childcare providers (Peuterspeelzaal De Gouden Poort, Kinderopvang Villa Saskia, Kinderopvang Het Kleine Volkje) feeding the enrollment funnel.

The organization operates from a single monumental building with 11–50 staff including a two-person Directie (Jos Olsthoorn and Marije Ehrlich), administration, internal student counselors (intern begeleiders), remedial teachers, an arts therapist (kunstzinnig therapeut), and a concierge. The Maresingel building is slated for renovation starting in 2028, requiring temporary relocation of school activities. There is no proprietary technology, no venture or growth funding, no M&A activity, and no public market presence — this is a stable, non-profit educational institution operating within the Dutch public education system.

Name

Vrijeschool Mareland Leiden

Legal name

Vrijeschool Mareland Leiden

Website

https://vrijeschoolmarelandleiden.nl

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vrijeschool Mareland Leiden is a Dutch Waldorf-inspired primary school in Leiden offering integrated preschool, basisschool, and after-school care under anthroposophical pedagogy. It serves families in the Leiden region and is governed by Stichting Vrije Scholen Zuid West Nederland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Primary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Waldorf/Steiner K–12 Schools (EDAJABAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

General Preschools (Play-Based) (EDACABAA)

Keywords

• Primary education services
• Waldorf education
• Anthroposophical pedagogy
• After-school care
• Preschool education

Headquarters

HQ city

Leiden

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government-funded primary education: As a recognized Dutch primary school (basisschool), Vrijeschool Mareland receives government funding through the Stichting Vrije Scholen Zuid West Nederland foundation. Education is primarily funded through public education system.
2. Parent contribution (ouderbijdrage): Voluntary parent contribution to fund additional activities and materials beyond the standard curriculum. Mentioned in school documents and forms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Vrijeschool Mareland Leiden provides anthroposophical (Waldorf-inspired) primary education from kindergarten (groep 1-2) through group 8, alongside integrated preschool (peuterspeelzaal) for children from age 2.5 and after-school care (BSO). The school delivers the standard Dutch primary curriculum supplemented by distinctive anthroposophical subjects such as eurythmy (euritmie), form drawing (vormtekenen), and storytelling (vertelstof), with class sizes capped at 27 (kindergarten) and 28 (lower school). Educational delivery is government-funded through the parent foundation Stichting Vrije Scholen Zuid West Nederland, with a voluntary parent contribution covering additional activities.

Product overview

Vrijeschool Mareland Leiden is a single-site vrijeschool (Waldorf-inspired primary school) offering integrated educational services including preschool (Peuterspeelzaal), kindergarten (kleuterklas, groups 1-2), elementary school (basisschool, groups 3-8), and after-school care (BSO). The school is part of Stichting Vrije Scholen Zuid West Nederland and operates under anthroposophical educational principles. Core educational offerings include specialized Waldorf curriculum elements such as Euritmie (eurythmy), Vormtekenen (form drawing), and Vertelstof (storytelling). Student support services include intern begeleiders, remedial teachers, and special needs accommodations. Cultural programs like seasonal festivals (Jaarfeesten) and the annual Bazaar complement the academic curriculum.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Maregroen: A green committee/working group of parents who help maintain and develop the school's outdoor areas and playgrounds

Products and services

• Vrije School Mareland Leiden (Anthroposophical Primary Education)

Quantifiable outcome

• Maximum 27 students per kindergarten class, 28 per lower school class
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stichting Vrije Scholen Zuid West Nederland (VSZWN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent foundation governing multiple free schools (vrije scholen) in Southwest Netherlands including Vrije School Mareland in Leiden, De Vuurvogel in Zoetermeer, and Ridderspoor in Alphen aan den Rijn. Provides administrative support, governance, and shared educational resources.
• Peuterspeelzaal De Gouden PoortcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreschool operating on the same anthroposophical pedagogical foundation as Vrije School Mareland, located nearby. Children from this preschool receive priority placement at Mareland.
• Kinderopvang Villa SaskiaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAntroposofisch-oriented childcare provider. Children who have attended for at least one school year receive priority placement at Mareland.
• Kinderopvang Het Kleine VolkjeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAntroposofisch-oriented childcare provider. Children who have attended for at least one school year receive priority placement at Mareland.
• Samenwerkingsverband passend onderwijs regio LeidencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative for inclusive education in Leiden region. Provides support for children with behavioral and learning difficulties including ADHD, dyslexia, autism spectrum disorders, and giftedness. Facilitates collaboration between primary schools and arranges educational support funding from Ministry of Education (OCW).
• Begeleidingsdienst vrijescholenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport service providing expertise and knowledge for free schools (vrijescholen). Supports specialized pedagogical approaches unique to anthroposophical education.
• Stichting LeerKrachtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational foundation supporting teacher professional development. The Mareland team works weekly on quality free school education and craftsmanship through this program.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Rudolf Steiner School New York: Long-established independent Waldorf school in New York City serving kindergarten through grade 12 under anthroposophical pedagogy. Comparable as a single-site Waldorf institution delivering eurythmy, form drawing, storytelling curriculum, and integrated arts-based education.
• Waldorf School of the Peninsula: Independent Waldorf school in the San Francisco Bay Area operating multiple campuses from early childhood through high school under anthroposophical pedagogy. Comparable for curriculum modules and inclusion of eurythmy, form drawing, and storytelling.
• Vrije School Den Haag: Established Dutch vrijeschool in The Hague offering Waldorf-inspired primary education under similar anthroposophical principles. Comparable peer in terms of curriculum, pedagogical model, and parent-driven community model.
• Michael Hall School: Waldorf/Steiner school in Forest Row, UK, offering kindergarten through sixth-form education under anthroposophical pedagogy. Comparable peer for curriculum structure, multi-year teacher-student relationships, and integrated arts subjects.
• Green Meadow Waldorf School: Long-standing Waldorf school in Chestnut Ridge, New York, serving early childhood through grade 12 under anthroposophical pedagogy. Comparable for curriculum depth, festival calendar, and inclusion of eurhythmy and handwork subjects.
• Emerson Waldorf School: Independent Waldorf school in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, offering early childhood through grade 12 under anthroposophical pedagogy. Comparable for integrated arts curriculum, mixed-age early childhood programming, and festival-based community calendar.
• Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School: Waldorf school in Ghent, New York, offering parent-child, early childhood, and grades programs under anthroposophical pedagogy. Comparable for integrated preschool-to-primary pathway and farm/environmental education emphasis.
• Vrije School Ridderspoor Alphen aan den Rijn: Third free school under Stichting Vrije Scholen Zuid West Nederland, located in Alphen aan den Rijn. Delivers the same anthroposophical primary education model and participates in the shared Medezeggenschapsraad governance structure with Mareland.
• Vrije School De Vuurvogel Zoetermeer: Sister free school (vrije school) in Zoetermeer governed by the same parent foundation Stichting Vrije Scholen Zuid West Nederland. Operates the same anthroposophical pedagogy for primary education and shares governance through the GMR — the most direct comparable to Vrijeschool Mareland Leiden.

Others

• Stichting Vrije Scholen Zuid-West Nederland: Parent foundation governing Mareland along with De Vuurvogel and Ridderspoor. Relevant as the governing body that shapes shared curriculum, governance, HR, and capital decisions affecting the subject school.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights1 record

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vrijeschool-mareland-leiden

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Vrijeschool Mareland Leiden