RSG Enkhuizen

RSG Enkhuizen (Regionale Scholengemeenschap Enkhuizen) is a public secondary school in the city of Enkhuizen, located in the Dutch province of North Holland. The school offers education at vmbo-tl, havo, and vwo (atheneum) levels, and has a history dating back to 1870.

RSG Enkhuizen
Modernised school facade (2012)
Location
Boendersveld 3, 1602 DK Enkhuizen , North Holland Netherlands
Information
Former name	Rijksscholengemeenschap Enkhuizen
School type	Secondary school
Motto	School voor je leven (School for life)
Established	1 September 1870
Faculty	178 (2025)
Years offered	4-6 years
Gender	All
Enrollment	1.417 (2024-2025)
Average class size	15-30 students
Language	Dutch, English
Website	https://rsg-enkhuizen.nl/

History

See also: Education in the Netherlands

The origins of RSG Enkhuizen lie in the founding of the Hogere Burgerschool (HBS) on 1 September 1870. This was initiated by progressive local figures, following the introduction of the Dutch Secondary Education Act (Wet op het Middelbaar Onderwijs) by Thorbecke in 1863, which created new educational opportunities. The school opened with 33 students and was housed in the former Zeekantoor, a historic building with various prior uses.

In 1882, the first female students were admitted, following a request by teacher L. Dondorff. The school grew steadily in the early twentieth century. In 1902, a new school building was opened on the Westerstraat. In 1929, the school became a state school, which allowed for a complete five-year program.

During the 1960s and 1970s, several mergers took place. In 1968, the HBS became a branch of the Rijksscholengemeenschap West-Friesland in Hoorn. In 1975, it merged with the municipal mavo to form the Rijksscholengemeenschap Enkhuizen. In 1981, the school moved to a new building at Boendersveld, consolidating its previously scattered locations. At that time, the school also had a full atheneum department.

In 1991, the Dutch central government transferred responsibility for state schools to local municipalities. The school continued under its current name, RSG Enkhuizen.

Since 1999, the school has been managed by an independent foundation with parental representation on the board. In 2025, RSG Enkhuizen celebrates the 50th anniversary of its merge.^[1] The school currently has approximately 1,417 students and 178 staff members.^[2]

International projects

RSG Enkhuizen actively participates in international partnerships, particularly within the framework of the European Erasmus Programme. In projects with schools from countries including England, Spain, and France, cultural diversity is a central theme.^[3][4] Students take part in exchanges and joint educational activities focused on topics such as respect and inclusion.^[5]

The school also offers bilingual education, or TTO, in which students follow certain subjects in English, with the aim of developing international competencies.^[6]

Social engagement

Each year, the school organises a "charity day", during which students raise funds for both local and international causes.^[7][8][9]

Through initiatives such as the Respectweek and a sustained focus on citizenship education, the school promotes social safety, inclusion, and diversity within the school community.^[10] In addition, RSG Enkhuizen observes Paarse Vrijdag ("Purple Friday"), a national awareness day in support of LGBTQ+ rights.^[5]