Quick Start
Quick guide to registering your child for secondary school:
- Visit school open days.
- Create a ranked list of preferred schools.
- Register through the online registration tool.
- Wait for your allocation email.
- Finalize enrollment with the assigned school.
- If your child does not speak Dutch, ask about OKAN support.
Timeline of Secondary School Registration
| Stage | Time |
| Online registration | March–April |
| Allocation results | May |
| Confirm enrollment with assigned school | May–June |
| School starts | September |
What a Typical School Day Looks Like
The school year in Flanders starts on the 1st of September and ends on the 30th of June.
A typical school day in Belgium starts around 8:30 and finishes around 15:30. There is no school on Wednesday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday.
A lunch break is usually held from noon to 13:00. Most pupils stay in the school during the lunch break and usually bring their own lunch. Some schools provide hot meals during lunch.
Types of Secondary Education
Secondary education lasts six years (ages 12–18) and is divided into three stages of two years each.
The 1st and 2nd years - what's known as the 1st grade of middle school - are foundational to establishing a basic curriculum and guiding students toward the type of education and the field of study they want to pursue in the future.
From the 2nd grade (comprised of the 3rd and 4th years), students must choose between the following types of education (study tracks):
General secondary education
Known as ‘doorstroom finaliteit’ - or its more traditional term ‘ASO (Algemeen Secundair onderwijs)’ - is a broader type of education that lays a strong foundation for students pursuing higher education. While students will have electives around a chosen field of study, this type of education will not prepare the student for a particular profession.
Technical secondary education
Known by various terms including ‘dubbel finaliteit’, ‘doorstroom-arbeidsmarkt finaliteit’, or the more traditional ‘TSO (Technisch Secundair onderwijs)’. Students will get a comprehensive curriculum through this type of education that gives them a choice between pursuing higher education or focusing on more practical training to begin a specific profession right after secondary school.
Secondary education in the arts:
‘KSO (Kunst Secundair onderwijs)’ follows the same principles as TSO but specifically focuses on art.
Vocational secondary education
Known as ‘arbeidsmarkt finaliteit’ or the traditional ‘BSO (Beroeps Secundair onderwijs)’, is a more practice-oriented type of education that prepares students for a specific profession they can begin right after finishing secondary school.
Comparison of Secondary Education Types
| Track | Best for | Leads to |
|---|---|---|
| General (ASO / Doorstroom) | Academically oriented students | University or college |
| Technical (TSO) | Students who enjoy theory and practical learning | Higher education or employment |
| Arts (KSO) | Students focused on creative disciplines | Higher education or arts careers |
| Vocational (BSO) | Practical, profession-oriented learning | Employment or further specialization |
School Denominations and Fields of Study
Similar to elementary school education, students have free choice between 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 and do not ascribe to a specific denomination. Students can choose from various religious or ethics classes in these schools, along with compulsory education.
Free education (‘vrij orderwijs’)
These schools are not organized by the government (but are still subsidized and overseen by the government) and are typically associated with a specific religion, albeit with minimal impact on curriculum and pedagogy. The largest group in this category is the schools with catholic roots. The schools that follow a specific study method, like Freinet or Steiner, also fall within this category.
Where things begin to differ from elementary school - and one of the great aspects of the Belgian secondary education system - is its ability to provide subject matter differentiation from the first year of secondary school.
Fields of Study
In the two years of the 1st grade, students get to test, explore, and reinforce specific fields of study. From the 2nd grade, they will receive subjects related to their chosen field of study based on the type of education they want to pursue (ASO, TSO, KSO, BSO). The main categories of available fields of study are:
- Languages and culture
- Art and creation
- Economics and organization
- Sport
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- Agriculture and horticulture
- Society and welfare
- Food and Hospitality
Most schools offer a large selection, but not all will be available. Some schools are so specialized they'll offer perhaps 2 or 3 of these fields at most.
International Secondary Schools
There are no international secondary schools in Leuven (yet). You can review this list for an overview of available international schools in Belgium - primarily in or around Brussels.
However, one of the biggest advantages of choosing a local school is immersion. Children will be immersed in the local language (Dutch) and culture.
Choosing the Right School
Open Days to Visit Schools
Secondary schools in Leuven offer plenty of opportunities to learn more about their institution through info evenings and open days. Most of these opportunities happen a few weeks before the official online registration begins; others may offer opportunities to visit during that period. Make sure to check your preferred schools' websites and social media channels for exact dates.
Many schools can even accommodate and offer tours outside their scheduled information days if it has passed before you knew it or your arrival in Leuven doesn't coincide with the regular school year.
Additional Support for Internationals
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 you narrow down your schools of choice
- How accessible is the school from where you live by public transport, car, or bike? For many students, beginning secondary school also means the start of going to school on their own.
- Do you already have a type of education (ASO, TSO, BSO) and field of study (languages, art, STEM, etc.) preference, and does your school offer it? If you have no preference yet, does the school offer variety in case you'd like to change?
- 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? Does the school offer the OKAN program? (see information about OKAN in next section)
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.
What if my Child Doesn't Speak Dutch?
Several schools actively support children learning Dutch and organize introduction classes for newcomers called OKAN (Dutch as a second language).
What is the OKAN programme?
OKAN stands for Onthaalonderwijs voor Anderstalige Nieuwkomers, which means Reception Education for Non-Dutch-Speaking Newcomers. It is a special programme in Flanders designed to help newly arrived children learn Dutch and adapt to the Belgian education system before joining regular classes.
Who is OKAN for?
OKAN is intended for students who:
- Have recently arrived in Belgium.
- Do not speak or understand enough Dutch to follow regular lessons.
- Are of secondary school age (approximately 12–18 years old).
How does it work?
During an OKAN year, students focus primarily on:
- Learning Dutch as quickly as possible.
- Becoming familiar with Belgian school life and classroom expectations.
- Developing the academic language skills needed for regular education.
- Building confidence and social connections in their new environment.
Classes are usually smaller than in mainstream education, allowing teachers to provide more individual support.
How long does OKAN last?
Most students follow OKAN for one school year, although the exact duration depends on the student's age, educational background, language progress, and individual needs. After successfully completing the programme, students move on to a regular secondary school programme.
What happens after OKAN?
At the end of the programme, the school helps determine the most suitable next step for the student. Depending on their interests, abilities, and previous education, students can continue in:
- General secondary education (ASO / Doorstroom).
- Technical secondary education (TSO).
- Arts secondary education (KSO).
- Vocational secondary education (BSO).
Which schools offer OKAN in Leuven?
At the time of writing, the following schools offer OKAN for secondary-school students in Leuven:
- SALCO
- Heilig-Hartinstituut Kessel-Lo
- GO! Redingenhof
Can my child start OKAN during the school year?
Yes. Unlike the standard secondary school enrollment procedure, registration for an OKAN programme can generally be arranged directly with the school throughout the year. Families who arrive in Leuven after September do not need to wait until the next school year to seek support.
Why do international families choose OKAN?
OKAN helps children transition successfully into Flemish education while learning Dutch in a supportive environment. For many international families, it provides a smoother pathway into local schools, friendships, and daily life in Belgium.
Check out this IHL article for more information about learning Dutch for children.
Enrollment Procedure for the First Year
The majority of 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. The allocation is completely random. It doesn't matter if you enter your school(s) selection on the first or last registration day. Everyone gets the same chances.
Key steps and dates for the enrollment procedure in 2026
Register
From 31 March 2026 (14:00) until 24 April 2026 (14:00), 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.
Enroll
Once registered, the available places will be allocated. You will receive an e-mail on 18 May 2026 with the school's contact details where you can enroll your child. Make an appointment with the school between 20 May 2026 and 16 June 2026 to enroll your child.
- After 20 May 2026: 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. You will need to make an appointment with the school to enroll your child.
Priority Registration
The only two aspects that give priority registration in the secondary school of choice are when
The student has siblings - including step-siblings, half-siblings, or other children in the same household - currently enrolled in the secondary school
When the student is a child of secondary school staff in that specific school.
Brochure (in Dutch) with all the info about registering - 25/26 Schoolyear
​What Happens if You Are Put on the Waiting List?
If there is no place in any of the schools you selected, your child will be placed on the reserve list. In short:
- You will then receive proof, a 'notification of unrealized registration' (in Dutch - 'mededeling van niet-gerealiseerde inschrijving').​ Keep track of this.
- The schools will use the reserve list until the 5th school day in October, unless you cancel your place on the waitlist.
- If places become available, the school will contact the students on the reserve list in order
The email about school placements will come from ‘Aanmelden.school’. This email states in which school your child has an assigned place (T number) and/or in which schools your child is on the reserve list (R number).
A serial number for a school that starts with a T
- This is the number of the ticket
- The email will also contain practical information about the arrangements for registering at the school.
A serial number for a school that starts with an R
- This is the number for the school where your child is on the reserve list. The reserve list starts with number 1.
- When places become available, students on the reserve list will be contacted in the numbered order of their reserve list. The order of the reserve list will remain in place until the fifth school day in October.
- For students with an R number, the email contains an attachment with a refusal document. You must keep this proof. If places become available at this school later, the school will contact you to register. The school will always respect the order of the list with the R numbers.
To sum it up
- T number means: I have an allocated place in the school
- R number means: I have a reserve number on the school's waiting list
Enrollment from the Second and Within the School Year
If you would like to enroll your child in a new school during the school year, then you need to contact the schools directly to see if there are open places or not. To enroll your child in the second year or further, the same applies; contact the school directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply to more than one school?
Yes. During the online registration period, you can select multiple schools and rank them in order of preference. Listing several schools increases your chances of receiving a place at a school that suits your child.
Does it matter if I register on the first day or the last day?
No. The allocation process is not based on who registers first. As long as you complete your registration within the official registration period, your chances are the same.
What if my child doesn't speak Dutch?
Your child can still attend a Flemish secondary school. Newly arrived pupils who do not speak Dutch may be eligible for an OKAN programme (Onthaalonderwijs voor Anderstalige Nieuwkomers), which helps them learn Dutch and prepare for regular education. In Leuven, OKAN is offered by SALCO, Heilig-Hartinstituut Kessel-Lo, and GO! Redingenhof.
Are there international secondary schools in Leuven?
At the moment, there are no international secondary schools in Leuven. Families looking for international education typically consider schools in and around Brussels. Many international families in Leuven choose local Flemish schools because of the language immersion and integration opportunities they offer.
What if we move to Leuven after the registration period has ended?
You can contact schools directly to ask whether places are still available. Schools can continue to enroll students after the central registration period if vacancies remain.
What happens if my child is placed on a waiting list?
If your child does not receive a place at a selected school, they may be placed on that school's reserve list. Schools contact families in the order of the reserve list when places become available. The waiting list remains active until the fifth school day of October.
What do the T-number and R-number mean?
- T-number: Your child has been allocated a place at that school.
- R-number: Your child is on the reserve (waiting) list for that school. The lower the number, the higher your position on the waiting list.
Can my child change schools during the school year?
Yes. If you wish to change schools during the school year, you should contact the schools directly to check whether places are available.
How do I choose the right school?
When comparing schools, consider practical factors such as travel time, available study programmes, extracurricular activities, language support, inclusion policies, and any additional support your child may need. Visiting open days and information evenings can also help you make an informed decision.
Is there priority for certain students during enrollment?
Yes. Priority is generally given to students who already have a sibling attending the school (including step-siblings, half-siblings, or children living in the same household) and to children of staff members working at that school.
Can I enroll my child directly in the second year or later?
Yes. For enrollment in the second year or higher, families should contact schools directly to ask about available places and admission procedures.
Where can I get help if I have questions about enrollment?
You can contact the school directly, consult the City of Leuven's education services, or reach out to International House Leuven for guidance on navigating the Flemish education system.
What documents should I prepare for enrollment?
Requirements may vary by school, but it is advisable to have your child's identification documents, previous school records or reports, and any relevant residency information available when completing the enrollment process. (Always check the specific requirements of the school where you are enrolling.)
Do all schools offer the same study options?
No. While all schools follow the Flemish curriculum, they may differ in the study tracks, fields of study, educational approach, extracurricular activities, and support services they offer. It is important to verify that your preferred school offers the programme that matches your child's interests and goals.
Additional Links
- Dedicated page on the City of Leuven website
- Online enrollment tool for secondary school
- Flemish education system on Eurydice
- School holidays in Belgium
- List of schools in Leuven
- Questions or complaints: onderwijs@leuven.be
- List of all international schools in Belgium
Useful Dutch Vocabulary
basisonderwijs = elementary school
middelbare school = secondary school