Alfrink College

What Alfrink College does

Alfrink College is a non-profit secondary education institution (voortgezet onderwijs) located at Werflaan 45, Zoetermeer, Netherlands, operating under the Kardinaal Alfrink Stichting (Cardinal Alfrink Foundation). Named after Dutch Cardinal Bernardus Alfrink (1900-1987), the school delivers a five-year HAVO program, a six-year VWO program, and a bilingual TTO track in which approximately 80% of lessons are taught in English from year one. It serves as the only school in Zoetermeer and surrounding municipalities offering HAVO, VWO, and bilingual education under one roof, drawing students from Zoetermeer and adjacent Randgemeenten including Pijnacker, Nootdorp, Leidschenveen, Leidschendam, and Voorburg. Governance rests with a College van Bestuur led by Rector Philip de Vries, with Jos Grootveld as Conrector bedrijfsvoering and Sandra Dekker as Conrector onderwijs en kwaliteit, supported by department heads and coordinators for each division (lower school HAVO/VWO, lower school TTO, upper school HAVO, upper school VWO, upper school TTO).

The school's core educational portfolio spans three products: the standard HAVO track, the standard VWO track, and the TTO bilingual track, augmented by four differentiated offerings. These include the Alfrink+ enrichment program with four specialized tracks (Sport, Taal, Tech, Podium) for grades 1-2; a UNESCO school program incorporating global citizenship and SDG-themed projects; the MUNA (Model United Nations Alfrink) international student conference; and Cambridge and IB Language A/B exam preparation pathways. The pedagogical methodology combines a Direct Instruction Model with a blended learning approach using MacBooks per student, supported by Magister for student information, Zermelo for scheduling, Microsoft Office 365/Teams for collaboration, RTTI online for assessment, and Aura for library management. Additional support structures include Alfrink Leest (daily 20-minute reading program) and Banduren (supplementary help sessions outside regular class time).

The business model is a Dutch non-profit government-funded education operation. Primary revenue flows from per-student government funding for voortgezet onderwijs, supplemented by voluntary parent contributions (€90/year general student contribution, €17-€10 parent association fee), a TTO-specific fee of €390/year, MacBook sales or rental packages at approximately €1,199 per device (with optional 36-installment rental), Alfrink+ program fees (€50-€150 per track annually), and exam fees for IB, Cambridge, Delf, and Goethe certifications. Distribution occurs through the centralized Onderwijs Transparant enrollment system for Zoetermeer-region primary schools, the zonaarhetvo.nl joint portal for out-of-region students, and direct Alfrink Experience orientation events. The school has no lottery; first-choice applicants are directly admitted during the March 17-31 annual enrollment window. International and ecosystem partnerships include Opleidingsschool Haaglanden (teacher training consortium), UNESCO, German partner schools (Lemgo, Neuss, Essen), Italian Liceo Tasso (EPAS), Wolfert Tweetalig Rotterdam (MUN), Basisschool de Elzenhoek (primary school cooperation), and The Future Hope School in India (charitable partnership).

Name

Alfrink College

Legal name

Alfrink College

Website

https://www.alfrink.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Alfrink College is a non-profit Dutch secondary school in Zoetermeer offering HAVO, VWO, and bilingual (TTO) education. Operating under the Kardinaal Alfrink Stichting foundation, it serves regional students as the area's sole combined HAVO/VWO/TTO provider.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

English Learner (EL/ESL/ELL) & Bilingual Education Programs (EDAJAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG), Career Readiness & College Prep (In-School) (EDAJAFAM)

Keywords

• Secondary education programs
• Bilingual secondary school
• Pre-university education
• Higher general education
• School enrichment programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Zoetermeer

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Primary funding from Dutch government for basic education operations. Most curriculum materials are provided free of charge to students under government provisions.
2. Voluntary Parent Contributions: Voluntary contributions including: general student contribution (€90), parent association fee (€17 for first child, €10 for second), bilingual education fee (€390/year), exam fees for IB, Cambridge, Delf, and Goethe certifications. Excursion and project costs vary by grade.
3. MacBook Sales and Service Packages: Parents purchase or rent MacBooks through school with bundled service and support package. One-time payment of approximately €1,199, or rental in 36 installments with €100 deposit. Includes software, protection, and 3-year insurance for repairs and theft.
4. Alfrink+ Program Fees: Optional enrichment program fees: +Sport €150, +Podium €75, +Taal €50, +Tech €50 per year. Materials and reservations funded through these contributions with no refund policy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Alfrink College delivers secondary education in Zoetermeer, Netherlands, providing five-year HAVO, six-year VWO, and bilingual (TTO) tracks where approximately 80% of lessons are taught in English. The curriculum is supplemented by the Alfrink+ enrichment program with four specialized tracks (Sport, Taal, Tech, Podium) and a UNESCO-school global citizenship program. Delivery is supported by a blended learning methodology using MacBooks and digital platforms (Magister, Zermelo, Microsoft Office 365/Teams, RTTI, Aura), and the school also functions as a Cambridge and IB exam preparation center.

Product overview

Alfrink College is a secondary education institution in Zoetermeer, Netherlands, offering havo (higher general secondary education) and vwo (pre-university education) programs, both in regular and bilingual (tto) formats. The school operates as a single unified institution under the Kardinaal Alfrink Stichting foundation. Its core educational offerings include a five-year havo program, a six-year vwo program, and bilingual variants where approximately 80% of lessons are taught in English. These are supplemented by specialized enrichment programs under the Alfrink+ brand, which includes four distinct plus-classes: +Sport (extra sports activities), +Taal (language studies including Japanese and Italian), +Tech (robotics and programming), and +Podium (performing arts). The school also holds UNESCO-school status, incorporating global citizenship education with international exchange programs and Model United Nations conferences. The institution employs a blended learning methodology combining digital tools with traditional instruction, using systems like Magister for administration, Zermelo for scheduling, and providing each student with a MacBook for learning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Alfrink+: Plusklassen program offering extra-curricular activities in sports (+sport), language (+taal), technology (+tech), and performing arts (+podium). Available for students in years 1 and 2.

Products and services

• HAVO (Hoger Algemeen Voortgezet Onderwijs) Five-year secondary education program (higher general continued education) that is more practical in nature. Students choose a profile in the third year and typically proceed to HBO or MBO after graduation. For students with HAVO or HAVO/VWO recommendations from primary school.
• VWO (Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs) Six-year pre-university education program emphasizing critical thinking, analysis, and research. Students choose a profile in the fourth year and typically proceed to university or HBO. For students with VWO recommendations from primary school.
• TTO - Tweetalig Onderwijs (Bilingual Education) Bilingual education program (TTO) offered at both HAVO and VWO levels where approximately 80% of lessons are taught in English from the bridge class onwards. Students can take Cambridge exams or IB Language A/B exams. Includes a two-year bridge class before the HAVO/VWO decision.
• Alfrink+ (Plusklassen) Four specialized plus-classes available in years 1 and 2: +Sport (extra sports activities including freerunning, padel, surfing), +Taal (language development including Japanese and Italian), +Tech (robot building, Lego Mindstorms, rocket assembly, programming), and +Podium (drama, art, music, and cultural activities). Optional enrollment with separate annual fees.
• UNESCO-school Program UNESCO-school program promoting global citizenship, peace, and tolerance through projects on themes like peace, human rights, poverty, and sustainability. Includes exchange programs with German schools in Lemgo, Neuss, and Essen, study trips, the annual Model United Nations Alfrink (MUNA) conference, and the WOLFMUN collaboration with Wolfert Tweetalig in Rotterdam.
• Alfrink Experience Orientation program for prospective students (group 8) to experience the school, attend fun lessons, meet current students, and get a taste of the school atmosphere. Includes wendagen (orientation days) with overnight stay to build class cohesion. Offered multiple times per year.
• Cambridge Exam Preparation Optional Cambridge English exam preparation available for bilingual education students wanting to achieve internationally recognized English language certification.
• IB (International Baccalaureate) Language Exams International Baccalaureate Language A (for TVWO) and Language B (for THAVO) exam preparation available for bilingual education students seeking internationally recognized certifications.
• MacBook Learning Program MacBook purchase or rental program with bundled service package including software, protection, and 3-year insurance for repairs and theft. Enables blended learning approach using MacBooks alongside traditional books and pen-and-paper methods.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of lessons in English for bilingual students from first year
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Opleidingsschool Haaglanden (OSH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with 10 secondary schools in Haaglanden region and 4 teacher training institutions. Forms a professional learning community for collaborative knowledge sharing and good education. Alfrink actively contributes to training new teachers and supports starting teachers through school coaches and workplace supervisors.
• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlfrink College is a UNESCO-school, part of UNESCO's educational network under the United Nations. The school organizes annual projects on themes like human rights and sustainability, contributing to peace and tolerance. Students participate in SDG projects and the school has a student working group on societal involvement and sustainability.
• German Partner Schools (Lemgo, Neuss, Essen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing exchange program with German schools. Second-year bilingual students host German students in November and travel to Germany in April. Students work together on sustainable city development ideas. Exchange is part of comprehensive internationalization approach.
• Wolfert Tweetalig RotterdamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Model United Nations conferences. Alfrink students participated in WOLFMUN conference organized by Wolfert Tweetalig in Rotterdam. Alfrink students chaired committee meetings and represented countries in debates.
• Basisschool de ElzenhoekminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation for English week activities where Alfrink bilingual students taught English to primary school students from groups 1-8. Primary students visited Alfrink for a programmed visit including English songs, language activities, and treasure hunts.
• The Future Hope School (India)minorOthersCharitable partnership for Goededoelendag (Charity Day). Future Hope School in India helps disadvantaged children access further education. Alfrink students contribute to this charity as part of citizenship education program.
• Liceo Tasso (Rome)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPAS (European Parliament Ambassador Schools) exchange partnership with Italian school. Students and supervisors from Rome visited Alfrink in February as part of the program focused on learning across boundaries.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Erasmiaans Gymnasium: Amsterdam-based selective gymnasium with bilingual stream and international orientation. Comparable academically rigorous VWO-focused program with bilingual pathways, serving a similar urban Dutch secondary market.
• Haags Montessori Lyceum: The Hague secondary school offering HAVO/VWO with bilingual (TTO) streams. Comparable bilingual secondary offering in the same Haaglanden regional cluster as Alfrink, competing for similar international-minded families.
• Stedelijk Gymnasium Leiden: Selective Leiden gymnasium offering VWO with enrichment and international components. Comparable academically selective Dutch secondary school with international orientation and extracurricular enrichment programs.
• Wolfert Tweetalig Rotterdam: Bilingual HAVO/VWO school in Rotterdam offering TTO and international curriculum. Most direct comparable as another Dutch TTO provider; Alfrink already collaborates with Wolfert on MUN conferences, indicating shared operating model and target families.
• St. Maartens College Maastricht: Maastricht secondary school with TTO bilingual tracks and international partnerships. Comparable Dutch bilingual HAVO/VWO model, particularly relevant given Maastricht's cross-border educational positioning and international orientation.
• Johan de Witt Scholengroep: The Hague-based secondary school offering HAVO, VWO, and bilingual tracks. Comparable structure to Alfrink in offering combined academic and TTO pathways to families in the greater Haaglanden region.

Broad incumbents

• British School of Amsterdam: Established Amsterdam-based international school offering British curriculum and IB. Broader international curriculum incumbent competing for English-medium secondary families in the Netherlands, though operating on a private international rather than Dutch subsidized model.
• International School of The Hague: Larger international curriculum school in The Hague offering full IB programmes. Broader incumbent in the international secondary segment in the same Haaglanden region; competes for internationally-minded families seeking English-medium schooling, though at a different price point and curriculum model.

Others

• Nuffic: Dutch organization for internationalization in education. Not a direct competitor but a relevant ecosystem participant supporting TTO schools (including Alfrink) through certification frameworks, teacher training, and international program coordination.
• Platform TTO / Steunpunt TTO: National platform supporting Dutch bilingual (TTO) schools. Thematically related ecosystem participant that sets quality standards, organizes networks, and represents the TTO schools category in which Alfrink participates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/alfrinkcollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alfrinkcollege

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Alfrink College