What Zuiderpark College does

Zuiderpark College (legal name: Het Zuiderpark College) is a public VMBO school (voortgezet onderwijs) located at Montessoriweg 26, Rotterdam Zuid, Netherlands. It serves students aged 12–16 across three learning pathways — VMBO Basis, VMBO Kader, and VMBO GL (Gemengde Leerweg) — and four vocational profiles: Bouwen, Wonen & Interieur (BWI), Produceren, Installeren & Energie (PIE), Zorg & Welzijn (Z&W), and Economie & Ondernemen (E&O). The school was formed from the merger of three predecessor institutions (De Vaan, Dr. J.Th. de Visser Mavo, and Geerlandthof), and since 1 January 2024 has operated as part of the SARO (Samen Ambitieus Onderwijs Rotterdam) network of 52 schools.

The school's core offering is practice-oriented vocational preparation: from year 1, students engage in hands-on learning through specialized "Pro-locaties" — workshop spaces configured as realistic kitchens, technical workshops, and care facilities — supported by 3D printers, robots, VR headsets, simulators, underwater drones, and remote-controlled cranes. The Skills talent programme (two hours per week in years 1–2) covers techlab, fashion & design, drama, cooking, and sports, while Smart Lessons integrate SmartBusiness, SmartTech, SmartCare, and SmartArt. Year 3 onwards includes structured internships (BPV) at regional employers. Operations run on Magister (student information), Zermelo (scheduling), Office 365 (productivity), and WIS Collect (payments), with documentation hosted on Schoolwiki. The school holds Veilige School Rotterdam certification (recertified June 2025, three-year validity) and LWOO designation under Samenwerkingsverband Passend Onderwijs Koers VO.

The school is primarily funded through Dutch government and municipal education allocations (no tuition fees), supplemented by voluntary parent contributions of €65–€110 per year plus a one-time €50 laptop deposit for year-1 students. It does not generate commercial revenue and has no external shareholders. Leadership is headed by locatiedirecteur P. Kruys with team leaders L. Guit (years 1–2) and H. Roodnat-Kievit (years 3–4), and Onderwijskwaliteit staff J. van Dam and N. Dakika. Active strategic partnerships include Techniek College Rotterdam (continuous vmbo-mbo pathway), Sterk Techniekonderwijs (STO funding), Erasmus+ (international exchanges), Gelijke Kansen Alliantie with Hogeschool Rotterdam, and a network of regional internship employers.

Name

Zuiderpark College

Legal name

Het Zuiderpark College

Website

https://zuiderpark.nl

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Public VMBO school in Rotterdam Zuid offering Basis, Kader, and GL pathways across four vocational profiles (BWI, PIE, Z&W, E&O), serving students aged 12–16 with practice-oriented learning, year-3 internships, and SARO network backing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Rotterdam

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

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Education: As a public school, Zuiderpark College is primarily funded through Dutch government educational funding rather than direct tuition fees. The school receives operational funding from the municipality and national government.
2. Voluntary Parent Contribution: Parents are asked for a voluntary contribution to fund extra-curricular activities, excursions, school trips, sports days, and cultural activities not covered by government funding. Payment is via WIS Collect.
3. Laptop Deposit: One-time security deposit of €50 for laptops provided to year 1 students at the beginning of the school year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Het Zuiderpark College is a public VMBO (preparatory secondary vocational education) school in Rotterdam-Zuid delivering education across three learning pathways (Basis, Kader, GL) and four vocational profiles: Bouwen, Wonen & Interieur (BWI), Produceren, Installeren & Energie (PIE), Zorg & Welzijn (Z&W), and Economie & Ondernemen (E&O). The school differentiates through practice-oriented learning from year 1, Pro-locaties workshop spaces replicating real work environments, the Skills talent programme, and Smart Lessons. Year-3 students complete internships with regional employers, and the school operates under the SARO foundation governance structure.

Product overview

Het Zuiderpark College is a vmbo (preparatory secondary vocational education) school in Rotterdam Zuid offering three learning pathways — VMBO Basis, VMBO Kader, and VMBO GL (Gemengde Leerweg) — across four vocational profiles: Bouwen Wonen & Interieur (BWI), Produceren Installeren & Energie (PIE), Zorg & Welzijn (Z&W), and Economie & Ondernemen (E&O). The school differentiates through its Pro-locaties (practical workshop spaces replicating real work environments), the Skills talent programme (robotics, drones, cooking, fashion, sports), and Smart Lessons (SmartBusiness, SmartTech, SmartCare, SmartArt). Students in years 1 and 2 follow a broad foundation, choosing a profile in year 2 and specialising in year 3 with work placements from year 3 onwards. All educational programmes are managed via Magister, schedules are maintained in Zermelo, and payments are processed through WIS Collect.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VMBO Basis The Basisberoepsgerichte Leerweg (BB) is a vocational learning pathway for students who learn best through hands-on, practical activities, preparing them for mbo level 2 diploma programmes.
• VMBO Kader The Kaderberoepsgerichte Leerweg (KB) is a vocational learning pathway combining practical and theoretical learning, preparing students for mbo level 3 or 4 diploma programmes.
• VMBO GL (Gemengde Leerweg) The Gemengde Leerweg (GL) combines classroom learning with practical projects and assignments, designed for students who want both theoretical and hands-on challenge.
• Bouwen, Wonen & Interieur (BWI) A vocational profile focused on construction, interior design, and furniture making. Students learn woodworking, masonry, painting, and computer-aided design (2D/3D drawing, laser cutting), with NaSk1 and mathematics as compulsory subjects.
• Produceren, Installeren & Energie (PIE) A broad technical vocational profile covering metalwork, electrical, and installation technology. Students work with technical drawing, various materials and tools, and learn about domotica, 3D printing, and laser cutting, with NaSk1 and mathematics as compulsory subjects.
• Zorg & Welzijn (Z&W) A vocational profile oriented toward healthcare, well-being, tourism, hospitality, personal care, and sports sectors. Students learn meal preparation, activity organisation, and grooming skills, with biology as a compulsory exam subject.
• Economie & Ondernemen (E&O) A vocational profile focused on business, sales, administration, and entrepreneurship. Students learn how to run a business, build webshops, and work with accounting software, with economics as a compulsory subject.
• Skills (Talentenprogramma) A talent development programme running two hours per week for first- and second-year students, with modules including Techlab (robotics, drones, LEGO, film), Fashion & Design or Drama, Cooking, and Sports & Movement.
• Smart Lessons Futures-oriented interdisciplinary lessons for first- and second-year students covering SmartBusiness, SmartTech, SmartCare, and SmartArt, with activities including drone racing, water rockets, care robotics, and hands-on work with smart technologies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Second place at Solar Challenge 2026
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VABOKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025New collaboration starting September 2025 within the BWI profile (Bouwen, Wonen & Interieur). The partnership aims to show students that technology is broader than just construction, with projects focusing on living, interior, design, and sustainability themes.
• SARO (Samen Ambitieus Onderwijs Rotterdam)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 1 January 2024, Het Zuiderpark College is part of SARO, a network of 52 schools offering primary and secondary education. SARO provides shared expertise, administrative support, professional development programs, and joint procurement for educational materials and equipment. The school maintains its own identity while benefiting from the collective resources and regional positioning of the SARO network.
• Techniek College Rotterdam (TCR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtended collaboration providing a continuous learning pathway (doorlopende leerlijn) between vmbo and mbo. Students can already experience mbo and professional practice during their vmbo education, facilitating smooth transition to follow-up education.
• Erasmus+ ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince October 2024, the school is officially affiliated with the European Erasmus+ program. This enables students and teachers to exchange experiences with schools in countries like Italy and Spain. Exchange visits began with teachers visiting San Marcello, Italy in October.
• Gelijke Kansen Alliantie (GKA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipation in the national GKA agenda 'Lesgeven vanuit Hoge Verwachtingen' (Teaching from High Expectations). Collaboration with Hogeschool Rotterdam on the 'Didactiek van hoge verwachtingen' research. Teachers participate in multi-year training to become internal trainers for Didactisch Coachen.
• Bouwplein010minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBouwplein010 is the training company in the construction sector for the Rijnmond region. Second-year students visit to discover practical experience in construction, learn about various programs and apprenticeships, and understand skills needed in the building industry.
• Mainport Next / RDMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecond-year students visit Mainport Next Event at the RDM Onderzeebootloods in Rotterdam as part of LOB (career orientation). Students experience interactive demonstrations, try technologies like simulators, underwater drones, and remote-controlled cranes, and learn about diverse career opportunities in the Rotterdam port.
• Regional Employers (Internship Partners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird-year students complete internships within their chosen profile at various companies including Hydro Groep Vastgoedonderhoud, Hollandia, Unica, Anka cars, and the beroepentuin. These internships provide real-world professional experience directly related to students' vocational profiles.
• AanDeBak PartnersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmployers from various sectors at the 'Gaan voor een Baan' event in Ahoy who offer AanDeBak guarantee, meaning guaranteed job opportunities for students who choose these sectors after their education.
• AkropolisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare organization providing dementia patients for intergenerational sailing days aboard the Helena. Students interact with elderly, serve food, play games, and provide companionship while developing social skills.
• ReconminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing children for the three-day sailing experience with the historical two-mast clipper De Helena. Students guide and assist children during the voyage, combining education with social service.
• Bibliotheek RotterdamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the 'Boekenroof' (book robbery) educational game where first and second-year students learn to find and use library resources. The library also provides books for the school's library program.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wellantcollege: Dutch VMBO/MBO institution with practical/vocational focus across green, technical, and care profiles; comparable as a school offering hands-on vocational training similar to Zuiderpark's practice-oriented model with multiple profile choices for secondary students.
• Techniek College Rotterdam: MBO college in Rotterdam with technical/professional education focus; explicitly mentioned as a Zuiderpark partner providing a continuous learning pathway (doorlopende leerlijn) from VMBO to MBO for technical profiles such as PIE, directly comparable as a Dutch vocational training provider in the same region.
• Hoornbeeck College: Reformed VMBO/MBO institution in the Netherlands offering vocational programs across technical, care, economic, and service sectors; comparable as a Dutch school delivering hands-on vocational training at both secondary and post-secondary levels with similar profile-based curricula.
• Curio: VMBO/MBO institution in West Brabant providing vocational education across multiple profiles with practical orientation; comparable as a regional Dutch school offering hands-on vocational pathways for secondary students entering MBO or employment.

Broad incumbents

• Albeda: Large Rotterdam MBO institution providing vocational education across multiple sectors including technical, care, hospitality, and economic profiles; comparable as a broader vocational education provider serving similar students in the same Rotterdam labor market with overlapping career outcomes.
• ROC Mondriaan: Regional MBO/ROC institution in the Den Haag area providing vocational education across various sectors including technology, care, business, and services; comparable as a vocational training provider in the Netherlands with a similar mission and broad program portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zuiderpark-college

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Zuiderpark College