Quick Start: What Do I Need To Do?
My child is starting preschool or primary school in Leuven
Step 1: Research and visit several schools
Step 2: Create a ranked list of preferred schools
Step 3: Register online during the enrolment period
Step 4: Receive school allocation results
Step 5: Complete enrolment with the assigned school
Step 6: Start school in September
Key Dates for 2026
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Open days for all elementary schools | Wednesday, January 28, 2026 from 9:00 to 12:30 Thursday, February 5, 2026 from 14:00 to 17:30 |
| Registration period opens | 24 February 2026 (09:00) |
| Registration period closes | 17 March 2026 (17:00) |
| Allocation results announced | 24 April 2026 |
| School enrolment appointments | 27 April – 12 May 2026 |
| Open registration (remaining places) | From 21 May 2026 |
What is considered elementary school in Belgium?
Preschool/Nursery
Children can start what is known as ‘kleuteronderwijs’ any time between the ages of 2.5 and 6.
Preschool education is not mandatory for children up to 5 years old, but it is strongly recommended for children to attend this stage of elementary education to develop social and practical skills, as well as to prepare for primary school education.
Children can start preschool from the moment they are 2.5 years old and can have their first day of school on any of the following dates:
- The first day of school after every school holiday (summer, autumn, Christmas, and Easter holidays)
- The first school day in February
- The first school day after Ascension Day
You can calculate your child's first day of school based on their birthday here.
Ideally, your child is already potty trained at the start of preschool, but schools can’t refuse entry if your child is not. It is, however, in the child's best interest for teachers to focus on their core education task rather than potty training.
Primary Education
Primary education, known as ‘lager onderwijs’ in Flanders, goes from year 1 to year 6 (see table below for comparison of ages and school year).
Children start the first year of primary school on the 1st of September of the calendar year when they turn 6. Primary school education is compulsory throughout Belgium, and successful completion will grant children a certificate needed for secondary school.
Important note: one of the main requirements to start primary school in Flanders is to have "sufficient preschool attendance," which translates to at least 290 half-days of preschool attendance. However, the school's class council (or ‘klassenraad’ in Dutch) can exempt children who don't meet this requirement - like those who received schooling in another country - during the standard enrollment procedure.
Types of School Denominations
Students have free choice among all the available schools in and around Leuven, which are primarily two types:
Official education (officieel onderwijs)
These schools are organized by or on behalf of the government. These schools are neutral but must offer a choice of various religious or ethics classes along with their compulsory education.
Free education (vrij onderwijs)
These schools are not organized by the government and are usually associated with a specific religion, with the largest group being the catholic schools. There are also schools in this category without a religious denomination, but they can be linked to a specific study method, for example, Freinet or Steiner.
Advantages of enrolling in local schools
One of the biggest advantages of choosing a local school is immersion. Children will be immersed in the local language (Dutch) and culture. Several schools actively support children learning Dutch and organize introduction classes for newcomers.
International schools
Another option for elementary school is private education at some of the private schools around the country. The only available school in Leuven is the International School Leuven. Review this list for an overview of other international schools in Belgium - primarily in or around Brussels.
What a typical school day looks like
A typical school day in Belgium starts around 8:30 and finishes around 15:30. There is no school on Wednesday afternoon (school typically ends between 11:30 and 12:30), Saturday, and Sunday.
A lunch break is usually held from noon to 13:00 every day (except Wednesday), and most pupils stay in the school during this time. Students typically have a choice between bringing their own lunch from home or hot meals the school provides (this will vary from school to school).
Choosing the right school
Elementary schools in Leuven offer plenty of opportunities to learn more about their institution through info evenings and open days. Many schools can even accommodate and offer tours outside their scheduled information days, should the existing schedule not fit yours or if it has passed before you knew it.
Open days in 2026 for all elementary schools in Leuven:
- Wednesday, January 28, from 9:00 to 12:30
- Thursday, February 5, from 14:00 to 17:30
Helpful Resource
Some Facebook groups related to life in Leuven (including the Expats in Leuven group) can provide excellent school guidance and recommendations. It is important to note that you have to put these opinions and advice in the context of your particular situation. You'll find opinions raving about their school being amazing, only to get comments from others completely disagreeing with those statements. What's good for some will be terrible for others.
Questions to help narrow down schools of choice
- How far is the school from your home and/or your workplace? This is a significant factor as one of the criteria for allocating spots in your school choice will be distance (more on that later).
- What additional activities does the school offer outside of the traditional educational curriculum?
- Do you have any special needs (disabilities, neurodivergence) that require additional care or provisions?
- What are the school's fundamental values and policies around diversity, inclusion, bullying, and religious tolerance?
- What if the student cannot speak fluent Dutch? How does the school provide support to those students?
It's always advisable to have several preferred schools on your list. This will come in handy for the enrollment procedure we will explain next.
Enrollment procedure for the first year
Elementary schools in Leuven work through an online registration tool. Back in the days before this system, parents had to queue for very long periods to claim one of the coveted spots in their school of choice. The centralized enrollment process ensures everyone has a fair shot at a place in their school of choice and the convenience of it all being managed online. It doesn't matter if you enter your school (s) selection on the first or last registration day.
Register
From Tuesday, the 24th of February 2026 (9:00) until Tuesday, the 17th of March 2026 (17:00), you can register your child for the school(s) of your choice using the online registration tool. You can register for multiple schools. The online registration tool will prompt you to enter your chosen schools in order of preference. Remember, the date and time you register within this period do not influence the spot allocation.
Note: You can check for available places in the schools of your choice from the 21th February 2026 here.
Enroll
Once registered, the available places will be allocated. You will receive an e-mail on the 24th of April 2026 with the school's contact details where you can enroll your child. Make an appointment with the school between the 27th of April 2026 (9:00) and the 12th of May 2026 (17:00) to enroll your child.
The online registration considers your ranking of preferred schools and will prioritize the top choices. It will also prioritize the distance of those school choices from the child's legal domicile or the parent's workplace to do the allocation.
No placement for your child yet?
If you missed the registration period or did not find a school yet for your child, you can enroll your child directly in the school of your choice if there are places available during the open registration period starting from the 21st of May 2026. You will need to make an appointment with the school to enroll your child.
Priority Groups
This enrollment process ensures everyone gets a fair chance to attend their preferred school; however, two groups will have priority when registering for a particular school:
1. Siblings - including step-siblings, half-siblings, or other children in the same household - of students currently enrolled in elementary school are given priority when registering for that particular school.
2. Children of elementary school staff will also have the same priority for that specific school only.
Enrollment from the second year and within the school year
You can contact the school directly for more information for students enrolling from the second year onward. The same applies to changes within the school year. You can check for available spots in the school of your choice for a specific year on this website, too.
Guide for Ages per School Level
Kleuter
| Age | Class |
| Under 2.5-5 | Pre-school |
Primary School (Lagere School)
| Age | Class |
| 5-6 | 1st year/1ste leerjaar |
| 7-8 | 2nd year/2de leerjaar |
| 8-9 | 3rd year/3de leerjaar |
| 9-10 | 4th year/4de leerjaar |
| 10-11 | 5th year/5de leerjaar |
| 11-12 | 6th year/6de leerjaar |
Secondary School (Middelbaar)
| Age | Class |
| 12-13 | 1st year/1ste middelbaar |
| 13-14 | 2nd year/2de middelbaar |
| 14-15 | 3rd year/3de middelbaar |
| 15-16 | 4th year/4de middelbaar |
| 16-17 | 5th year/5de middelbaar |
| 17-18 | 6th year/6de middelbaar |
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start looking for a school?
Ideally, start researching schools several months before the enrolment period opens. Many schools organize information sessions and open days early in the year, giving families time to compare options before submitting their school preferences.
Do I need to register on the first day of the enrolment period?
No. The timing of your registration during the official registration period does not affect your chances of receiving a place. Whether you register on the first or last day, your application is treated equally.
Can I choose more than one school?
Yes. In the online registration system, you can select multiple schools and rank them in order of preference. It is strongly recommended to include several schools rather than applying to only one.
How are school places allocated?
The allocation system takes into account factors such as your preferred school ranking, the distance between the school and your legal address, and the distance between the school and a parent's workplace. Registration time within the registration period is not a factor.
Do siblings have priority?
Yes. Children who already have a sibling attending a school receive priority for that school. The same priority applies to children of staff members working at the school.
What if my child does not get a place at our first-choice school?
The enrolment system allows you to rank multiple schools. If your child cannot be allocated to the first-choice school, the system considers your next preferred schools.
What if we miss the registration period?
Families who miss the central registration period can still contact schools directly once open enrolment begins, provided places remain available. Checking school vacancies online is recommended before approaching schools.
My child is moving to Leuven during the school year. Do I need to wait for the next enrolment period?
No. Children moving to Leuven during the school year can enroll at any time if places are available. Contact schools directly and consult the school vacancy platform to identify schools with available places.
Does my child need to speak Dutch before starting school?
No. Many schools have experience welcoming children who do not yet speak Dutch and can provide additional language support. Immersion in a Dutch-speaking environment is often one of the fastest ways for children to learn the language.
We recently moved to Belgium. Will previous schooling abroad be recognized?
Yes. Children who attended school outside Belgium can enroll in Flemish schools. Previous educational experience is taken into account, particularly when assessing readiness for primary education.
At what age can my child start preschool?
Children can start preschool (kleuteronderwijs) from the age of 2.5 years, but only on designated entry dates during the school year.
Does my child need to be potty trained before starting preschool?
No. Schools cannot refuse admission because a child is not fully potty trained. However, most schools recommend that children are potty trained as much as possible before they start.
Is preschool mandatory?
Preschool is not compulsory for younger children, but attendance becomes compulsory from age 5 and is strongly recommended to help children prepare for primary school.
What is the preschool attendance requirement for primary school?
Children are generally expected to have attended at least 290 half-days of preschool before starting primary school. Exceptions may be granted, especially for children who have recently arrived from abroad.
Are elementary schools free?
Most Flemish elementary schools are government-funded and do not charge tuition fees. However, schools may charge limited fees for activities, school trips, lunches, childcare and other services.
What documents will I need to enroll my child?
Schools may request documents such as:
- Your child's identity document or passport
- A residence permit (if applicable)
- Proof of address
- Previous school records (if available)
- Vaccination information (if applicable)
Requirements may vary slightly between schools, so confirm directly with the school once you receive an enrolment offer.
Do schools provide lunch and after-school care?
Most schools offer supervised lunch breaks, and many provide hot meals for an additional fee. Before-school and after-school childcare is also commonly available, although arrangements, opening hours and costs differ from school to school.
How can I compare schools?
The best way is to attend information sessions or arrange a visit. When comparing schools, consider factors such as location, educational philosophy, language support, childcare options, extracurricular activities and how comfortable your child feels in the school environment.
Where can I get help if I still have questions?
For questions about a specific school's admissions process or available places, contact the school directly. For general guidance on navigating the Flemish education system as an international family, International House Leuven may be able to point you towards the appropriate resources.
Additional Links
- Dedicated page on the City of Leuven website
- Online enrollment tool for elementary school
- Flemish education system on Eurydice
- School holidays in Belgium
- List of schools in Leuven
- Flemish Ministry of Education and Training
Useful Dutch vocabulary
basisonderwijs = elementary education (preschool and primary school)
kleuteronderwijs = preschool
lager onderwijs = primary school
klassenraad = school council
middelbare school = secondary school