Education and Schools in Antwerp

There are several schooling options available for expat children in Antwerp. The city is home to a few reputable international schools as well as some good public and private schools. Parents will need to consider the fees, language of instruction, and location of any prospective schools before deciding on one.

Public education in Belgium is free and is managed at the regional level. Children can start school at two-and-a-half years, but attendance is only compulsory between ages five and 18.

See Education and Schools in Belgium for more on the national education system.

Public schools in Antwerp

Public schools are divided into pre-schools, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools. Flemish (a regional dialect of Dutch) is the language of instruction in Antwerp, and other languages are introduced towards the end of primary school. 

Children under 12 who can't speak Dutch can attend any primary school, but over the age of 12, they are required to attend a school with additional classes for foreign-language speakers (OKAN – OnthaalKlas Anderstalige Nieuwkomers). These classes are focused on intensive Dutch-language learning. Children are then integrated into mainstream classes as soon as possible.

Useful links

• Education in Flanders
• International Schools in Antwerp

Special educational needs in Antwerp

Special-needs education in Belgium focuses on inclusion and equality. The government is committed to ensuring each child exercises their right to education. 

The first step would be to immerse a child into a mainstream school. If this is not possible or suitable, children would then be enrolled in a specialist school. There are various categories of specialist schools in Belgium. Some schools are focused on physical disabilities, and others will focus on learning or behavioural difficulties.

Tutors in Antwerp

Whether parents are looking to improve their child's language skills, boost their grades in a problem subject or get assistance in preparing for a big exam, expat families can make good use of the many high-quality tutors in Antwerp. There are numerous large and small companies, as well as independent tutors, who can be hired to help. It can be particularly useful to ask fellow expats and the child's school for recommendations.

Useful links

• Popular tutoring services in Antwerp include Apprentus and TeacherOn.