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Our Classes
The DSSV offers primary education, secondary education and language classes for adults. Students are divided into groups that follow the Dutch grade system: preschool/group 1, combination group of 1, 2 and 3, combination group 4 to 8, and Secondary Education years1 to 3. We have separate language classes for adults.
At the DSSV, students attend 36 weeks of lessons, supplemented with 6 cultural events. Our preschool program is an off-line at-home program with monthly in-class trial lessons.
preschool
Our preschool/group 1 program focuses on a playful, at home, building of a Dutch vocabulary. Our curriculum is based on the Dutch methods Sil op school and Kleuteruniversiteit and integrates an at-home program with monthly in-class trial lessons.
group 1-2
In group 1 and 2, we emphasize activities aimed at oral language development and early literacy.
group 3
In groep 3 we use the teaching methods Veilig Leren Lezen and voor-door-koor.
group 4-8
In groups 4 - 8 we work with Staal Spelling, Staal Taal and Nieuwsbegrip.
Secundary education
We use Nieuw Nederlands in secondary education and prepare our students for CNaVT exams and certification. A CNaVT certificate allows a student to study at a Dutch or Belgian college or university at local rates.
Online/Hybrid Education
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During the intake, parents may opt for small online classes or for private lessons instead of in-person education.
Online/Hybrid Primary Education
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For students from group 6 who don't have the opportunity to participate in classes at our locations, we offer an online-hybrid program.
Although DSSV offers in-person classes at four locations in the San Francisco Bay Area, it is not always practical for families to get their children into one of them. For those children from group 6 on, we have developed an online/hybrid program that meets all requirements of our classroom education in terms of teaching methods and educational goals. We combine these weekly online classes with so-called terugkomdagen (return days), regular in-person lessons at a central location. The return days and our cultural events give students the opportunity to meet their classmates, make friends, and to practice their Dutch.
Online/Hybrid secondary education
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For our secondary education students, we offer an online/hybrid program. Our online/hybrid program meets all the requirements of our secondary education in the classrooms in terms of teaching methods and educational goals, as well as the preparation for CNaVT exams (see below). We combine these weekly online classes with so-called terugkomdagen (return days), regular in-person lessons at a central location. The return days and our cultural events give students the opportunity to meet their classmates, make friends, and to practice their Dutch.
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Culture and Events
During the lessons, Culture (the 'C' in 'NTC') is a regular part of our classes through themed lessons in the classroom and activities outside the classroom. In the classroom, the themes strengthen our students' vocabulary. Our cultural activities and events outside of the classroom are part of the official curriculum and are much fun for students, but also for parents and siblings.
Kinderboekenweek
Oktober
Every year, the joy of reading is stimulated by our activities around the Children's Book Week.
4 / 5 May Celebration
Maart
When we pay attention to the end of WWII from a Dutch and Belgian perspective.
Saint Nicholas
December
Can we have a year without a Sinterklaas party for all the sweet children in the area? Of course not!
King's Day
April
In collaboration with the Dutch consulate, we celebrate King's Day with traditional Dutch children's games.
Ice skating
Januari
The Elfstedentocht of Silicon Valley, where families of the school gather to ice-skate while enjoying koek en zopie refreshments.
End of year party
Juni
A cultural-themed celebration of the end of the school year.
Enrollment
Formal registration of new students takes place by completing the registration form. After an intake interview, the directors and teachers' team will determine in which class a student can best be placed and whether there is a need for extra support.
Intake
During the intake, we will try to assess a student's Dutch language proficiency level, as well as the parents' expectations. Based on this, we will determine in which group (grade) the student will be placed. If available, we advise to bring a copy of the student file that you received upon departure from the previous school.
For a student who went to school in the Netherlands, this includes:
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Educational report
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Data from the student tracking system or other recent test data
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Report card
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Proof of deregistration from previous school
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If applicable, an Individual Education Program (IEP)
If a student followed NTC education elsewhere, the data mentioned above are usually also available and the DSSV would like to receive a copy.
Placement
We adhere to the principles of the Dutch education system when placing a student in a group. Within their class, students work together with children of the same level and age as much as possible, though proficiency level takes precedent over age.
Tutoring
The development of the student is the main focus within the DSSV. The school offers tutoring to help students not to fall behind or to help them accelerate, for example to facilitate a nearing return to the Netherlands or Belgium. Tutoring is in preparation of or to support in-class lessons.
Tuition Fees
Our tuition per student for families is USD 175 per month for 9 months. In case of employer reimbursement, the tuition is USD 240 per month. In addition, we charge an annual contribution of USD 50 per student to purchase books, workbooks and teaching materials, and an annual registration fee of USD 100 per family.
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Big Family: 40% off tuition for third student when 3 students of the same family join at the same time.
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Early Bird: 75% discount on registration fee if you register before May 1.
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Prepaid: 100% discount on registration fee when paying tuition fees in advance for the entire school year.
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Tuition fee includes
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CITO or Diataal tests twice a year (for primary education).
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Opportunity to participate in the CNaVT exam (for secondary education).
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Access to physical and digital books and comics library.
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Thorough reporting twice a year.
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Extra support (if desired) when returning to the Netherlands or Belgium.
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Participation in cultural events for the whole family (Children's Book Week, Sinterklaas, Skating, King's Day).
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Google For Education (digital Classroom and school email).
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Possibility of private lessons in addition to classroom lessons.
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CNaVT (Certificate Dutch as a Foreign Language)
The CNaVT is an exam and certificate of the Taalunie that offers Dutch learners the opportunity to test and certify their proficiency in Dutch. It is part of the European Framework of Reference for Modern Foreign Languages (CEFR) and is internationally recognised. CNaVT is executed by the Center of Language and Education of KU Leuven and the Radboud University Nijmegen. It's aimed at Dutch and Flemish examinees.
The exams are aimed at (young) adults, age 16 and older. The Taalunie offers several levels of CNaVT exams for different purposes. Students can decide on the level through the descriptions of the different exams and a self-evaluation tool. The advantages of obtaining a CNaVT certificate is, for example, acceptance at Dutch and Belgian universities of applied sciences (level B2), or credits at for a Seal of Biliteracy (level B1 or B2) at US high schools.
The CNaVT exams are conducted annually in May. Registration for CNaVT is between February 15 and March 15.
DSSV is an official CNaVT exam location and facilitates the exams exclusively for actively registered students. Preparation for CNaVT is included in our classroom curriculum. Private exam preparation lessons are also a possibility.
The additional cost for classroom DSSV students is $245 per student. For students who pay the annual tuition, private preparation lessons are available against our hourly private lesson rate.
For students who are not actively registered with DSSV, we offer a private preparation package that consists of 9 private lessons and facilitation of the exam. Costs of this package is USD 2,450 per student.
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The CNaVT exams consist of three parts: listening and/or reading and writing (part A), reading and writing (part B) and speaking and listening in conversation (part C). B2 and C1 examinees are also required to give a presentation in Dutch.
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