Staring College

What Staring College does

Staring College is a Dutch publicly funded secondary education institution (voortgezet onderwijs) operated by the Portuur foundation and headquartered in Lochem, Netherlands. The school delivers the full Dutch secondary curriculum across vmbo (with vmbo-basis, vmbo-kader, mavo, and mavo+ pathways), havo, atheneum, and gymnasium tracks, serving students from years 1 through 6 across three physical locations: the main Lochem campus (Zutphenseweg 108), the new Borculo De Wildbaan campus (Haarloseweg 9, opened January 2024), and the ISK Borculo dependance (Beukenlaan 1) which provides Internationale Schakelklas services for newcomer/refugee students aged 12-18 in cooperation with COA.

The technology stack centers on standard educational administration and digital learning infrastructure: the Magister student information system for grades, schedules, and attendance; a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy for student laptops; an electronic learning environment (ELO) for study guides and practice exams; and digital parent and student portals. Distinctive program offerings beyond curriculum standard include the WellBased digital mentorship program for student mental health monitoring, the Cambridge English certification track (B2 First, C1 Advanced), the CKV (Culturele en Kunstzinnige Vorming) cultural arts program with annual Schouwburg Lochem performances, and the Koekel(o)eren career orientation project linking vmbo students with approximately 90 regional companies. A school-wide phone-free policy was implemented starting the 2024-2025 school year.

The business model is primarily government-funded through the Dutch secondary education lump-sum and weighted per-student funding mechanism, supplemented by voluntary parent contributions that explicitly fund enrichment activities such as orientation days, project days, and excursions. Core instruction and school books are free to families, with financial assistance available through Leenzorg Lochem, Gemeente Berkelland, and De Vullerfonds for those who need it. Go-to-market is community-led: the school recruits prospective students and their families through open houses (~700+ visitors), masterclasses for group 7/8 primary students, primary school partnerships, and direct enrollment via the national LeerlingAanmelden.nl platform during the March 25-31 national enrollment window. Staring College reported a 96% exam pass rate (2026) against a national average of 90.2%, with 253 new students enrolled for the upcoming school year.

Name

Staring College

Legal name

Staring College

Website

https://staring.nl

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Staring College is a publicly funded Dutch secondary school operating three campuses in Lochem and Borculo, delivering the full vmbo-to-gymnasium curriculum plus an International Transition Class for newcomer students, with ~253 new annual enrollments and a 96% exam pass rate.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Credit Recovery & Alternative Adult High School (EDAAABAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Transition-to-College/Independence Skills Tutoring for Learning Differences (EDANAFAJ)

Keywords

• Secondary education services
• Vmbo havo vwo
• Voortgezet onderwijs
• International transition class
• Student support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lochem

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: As a public secondary school in the Netherlands, Staring College is primarily funded through government educational funding. This covers core operational costs including teacher salaries, facilities, and standard educational materials.
2. Voluntary Parent Contribution: Parents are invited to make voluntary contributions to fund enrichment activities outside regular lessons such as orientation days, project days focused on collaboration, and deepening excursions within various subject areas. This is explicitly described as voluntary.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Staring College is a Dutch secondary education institution offering comprehensive voortgezet onderwijs (secondary education) across all major educational tracks including vmbo (with vmbo-basis, vmbo-kader, mavo, and mavo+ pathways), havo, atheneum, and gymnasium. The school operates three locations in the Lochem and Borculo area, supplemented by the ISK Borculo (Internationale Schakelklas) providing Dutch language and integration education for newcomer youth aged 12-18. Supporting services include Cambridge English certification, WellBased mental health mentorship, CKV arts education, and specialized student support for dyslexia and dyscalculia.

Product overview

Staring College is a Dutch secondary education institution (voortgezet onderwijs) offering a unified educational platform with multiple levels and programs across three locations (Lochem, Borculo De Wildbaan, and ISK Borculo). The core offerings include VMBO (with multiple pathways: vmbo-basis, vmbo-kader, mavo, and mavo+), HAVO (5 years), Atheneum, and Gymnasium (both 6 years pre-university). Supporting programs include the ISK (Internationale Schakelklas) for newcomer students, the Magister digital information system for grades and communication, Cambridge English certification, the WellBased digital mental health mentorship, CKV arts education, and specialized student support services for dyslexia and dyscalculia. The school also implements BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) for digital learning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VMBO (Voortgezet Middelbaar Onderwijs)

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% exam pass rate (2026), significantly above 90.2% national average
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Welzijn LochemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026Partnership for youth workers at school program. Four youth workers (Tess, Jelle, Maurits, Melissa) are present 24 hours per week at Staring College Lochem. They serve as trusted contact points for students and bridge between school and youth world. Youth workers provide listening ear, guidance, and safe space. Includes dedicated 'Huiskamer' room for conversations, rest, and support.
• Gemeente LochemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026Joint partnership with Welzijn Lochem and municipality for youth workers program at school. Municipality provides funding and formal cooperation agreement. Three organizations signed collaboration agreement on June 22, 2026.
• ArtEZ Conservatorium (Artez Hogeschool voor de Kunsten)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2023Partnership through ArtEZ Connected program for musically interested and talented students. Students recommended by school music teachers get pre-access to audition rounds. Students and teachers can participate in masterclasses. Music teachers can receive continuing education. Agreement signed June 5, 2023.
• Koekel(o)eren Regional Companies NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Unique career orientation project connecting vmbo students with regional businesses. Approximately 90 companies in the region participate, allowing first and second year students to visit actual workplaces and experience daily business operations. Project began in 2015, hundreds of students have participated. Creates bridge between education and business community.
• Rotary BarchemminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerService club supports CPR education at the school. Provided initial financial contribution to develop lessons, train more staff as instructors, and purchase practice materials including CPR dolls, AED devices, and training equipment. Members also organize wood-splitting activities to fundraise for ongoing CPR education program.
• Bronkhorst High TechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company in Ruurlo that hosts visits for vwo students with NT/NG profile. Students learn about flow meters for gas and liquid streams, design their own flow meter for a cola manufacturer, and visit R&D department with speed-dating opportunity with employees.
• COA (Centraal Orgaan opvang Asielzoekers)coreOthersCOA operates the asylum seeker accommodation where many ISK students reside. ISK provides education for unaccompanied minor refugees (AMV's) housed at COA facilities in Borculo area.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mencia de Mendoza Lyceum: Secondary school in Eindhoven offering HAVO, VWO and gymnasium with an international/Cambridge-oriented profile, comparable to Staring's Cambridge English offering and community-based mission.
• Lorentz Casimir Lyceum: Eindhoven-based Dutch secondary school with comparable VMBO through VWO offering and strong community focus. Similar multi-location footprint and mission to support diverse student pathways including technical and pre-university tracks.
• Christiaan Huygens College: Multi-location Dutch secondary school offering VMBO, HAVO and VWO programs across several campuses, comparable to Staring's regional multi-site model. Similar focus on differentiated academic tracks and career-oriented pathways.
• Christelijk Lyceum Delft: Delft-based secondary school with VMBO through VWO including gymnasium, comparable in scale, program breadth, and community-embedded positioning to Staring College.
• Canisius College: Large Dutch secondary school in Nijmegen offering VMBO, HAVO, Atheneum and Gymnasium under a community-embedded mission similar to Staring's. Comparable multi-level portfolio, regional brand positioning, and Catholic/community roots.
• Praedinius Gymnasium: Groningen secondary school combining gymnasium, atheneum, HAVO and VMBO programs. Comparable comprehensive multi-level offering and similar emphasis on small-scale community education in a regional Dutch setting.
• Assink Lyceum: Fellow secondary school within the same Portuur foundation, offering comparable VMBO, HAVO and VWO streams to students in the broader Achterhoek region. Operates under identical governance and funding model, making it the most directly comparable peer.

Broad incumbents

• Stichting VO-raad: Dutch sector association representing all secondary education institutions, including Staring College and its Portuur foundation peers. Not a direct competitor but the broad umbrella organization governing the regulatory and funding environment Staring operates within.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/staringcollege
• Instagraminstagram.com/staring.nl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/staring-college

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Staring College