How We Calculate School Performance Scores

We've developed a comprehensive scoring system (0-100) that evaluates Dutch primary schools with emphasis on academic excellence and preparation for higher education tracks. Here's how it works:

The Four Components

1. Track Success Rate (50% of total score)

• VWO Rate (25 points)
• Percentage of students placed in VWO track
• Scaled at 70% (e.g., 50% VWO students = 35 points)

• Highest weight reflects importance of university track preparation

• HAVO Rate (30 points possible)

• Percentage of remaining students (non-VWO) placed in HAVO
• Scaled at 40% for the remaining student population

• Example: With 50% VWO, if 40% of remaining students go to HAVO = 12 points

• VMBO-T Rate (5 points possible)

• Percentage of remaining students achieving VMBO-T level
• Lower weight to emphasize higher academic tracks

2. Fundamental Level Achievement (25% of total score)

• Measures basic skill achievement against national standards
• Full points awarded for meeting or exceeding Signaleringswaarde (threshold)
• Additional points for surpassing municipality averages
• Penalty if below national minimum standards

3. Advanced Achievement (30% combined)

Target Level Results (15%)

• Advanced academic achievement targets
• Measured against national Signaleringswaarde
• Bonus for exceeding expected performance levels

Final Exam Performance (15%)

• CITO/DIA test scores compared to national averages
• Additional points for exceeding municipality averages
• Emphasis on competitive performance within local context

4. Advice Accuracy (10% of total)

• Measures how well school predictions match actual student placement
• Bonus points for consistently accurate recommendations

Example Calculation

For a school with: - 40% VWO students (28 points) - 35% HAVO from remaining students (14 points) - 25% VMBO-T from remaining (2.5 points) - 85% fundamental level achievement (21.25 points) - 60% target level achievement (9 points) - CITO scores 5% above municipality average (12 points) - 95% advice accuracy (9.5 points)

Total score: 96.25/100 (normalized to 100)

Important Notes

• Scores are calculated yearly
• Missing data defaults to average scores
• Heavy emphasis on VWO preparation and placement
• Additional rewards for beating local averages
• Balanced consideration of both achievement and progress
• Final scores are normalized to a 0-100 scale
• Emphasis on both absolute performance and local context

This scoring system helps parents compare schools objectively while emphasizing preparation for higher academic tracks.