High School in the Netherlands is called Secondary school and is for students between the age of 12 and 18. There are three types of Secondary education programs. These include two general Secondary schools, a four-year High School (MAVO) and a five-year High School (HAVO), some levels of vocational education, whereas the highest level (VWO) which prepares for the university, is a six-year education course. Comprehensive school usually offers all levels.

Usually exchange students are placed in the fourth grade of HAVO (upper level), which is pre-graduation year.

Regardless of level, all students study some compulsory subjects. At the beginning of the fourth year, depending on the school level, students have to choose six, seven or eight subjects, which must include Dutch and one other foreign language. The choice of subjects is important in relation to further education. Besides Sports and Dutch you will take e.g. English, French or German. Other subjects are Mathematics, Geography, History, Economics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Music and Drawing lessons.

In Dutch schools the relationship between teachers and students is quite informal and open. Teachers encourage students to think for themselves and to question facts rather than just accept them.

The Dutch school year is divided into three semesters which run from August to Christmas, January to Easter and April to July. The major breaks are in between semesters. Classes usually start at 8am but as schedules differs from day to day you will not go home at the same time every day. All classes do however end around 4 pm at the latest. Dutch schools do not serve lunch, thus most students bring their lunch from home.

The school year starts in August and ends in July.