Schools / living in Tervuren

> commute
Make sure you're close enough to a tram stop to do it on public transport.
Or cycle.

Even catholic schools are not very catholic anymore, and I don't personally think there's anything about the Belgian system that stifles creativity.

Hello Teriksen. Tervuren is a lovely place to live and to settle. You are at an advantage in that your children wont have hte linguistic problems that many of the French speaking or international children face in Tervuren. And they will have the advantage of mixing with a significant number of children from various linguistic backgrounds. I dont think you will find the schools overly dogmatic when it comes to religion. Regarding creativity, they are all fairly similar in ethos (unless you consider the montessori school). What I would add is that Belgian schools in general demand high academic standards, although I dont know what you are used to in the Netherlands. Regarding commuting, 8am is the absolute worst time to travel to Schuman by car. I reckon you will need to allow 40-60 mins. But the tram is very efficient and reliable and is a pleasant journey if you dont need your car.

Hi again; the only school I know of (by reputation) is Heilige Hart, but I think this is only for secondary level (although there are certainly feeder schools in Tervuren). May I suggest that you join the Life in Belgium page on facebook and ask your question there? Its very active and there are surely plenty of Tervuren parents who will be able to advise far better than I can. You could also consider Wezezmbeek Oppem - its a bit nearer Schuman, nice neighbourhood and a choice of reputable schools - both Dutch and French speaking. Good luck.

I would also reccomend Wezembeek. Commute is easy as there are regular busses to Krainnem and the metro is only a few stops from Schuman metro. Commune are good, expats are everywhere (a lot of Germans as the german school is there.

Tervuren still has a bit of a Dutchness about it, particularly if you live close to the village, with a good local music academy, scouts, shops, all easy walk. I can't think of any part of Wezembeek where you get that. AFAIR, you also have a fairly limited choice of Dutch speaking schools.

St Pieter's Woluwe (Tervuren side) would make a far better alternative to Wezembeek. It is closer to Schuman, and you have St Josephs, Mater Dei and the Atheneum that are all good school choices.

Heilig Hart starts at age 2.5 years and is in Wezembeek-Oppem and not Tervuren.

There are quite a few streets in Wezembeek that practically are Tervuren though I guess, the slim strip along rue de la limit near the tram terminus and the streets around Heilig Hart. The further north in Wezembeek, the bigger the percentage of French speakers, it's 80% French speaking amongst the Belgian population.

If you want creative activities, the Music and Arts academies are still official but optional schooling with national recognized qualifications and very low cost.

Heilig Hart is a big big school, so you have to have a certain amount of order there. Yes by primary level, it becomes more academically demanding. By secondary if the level is too hard to keep up with, KA Tervuren still has a good academic reputation or KA in WSP/SPW up the road.

The swimming pool is naff in Tervuren and the sports centre is not brilliant either, Wezembeek sports centre up the road near Heilig Hart is better and French and Dutch and never heard any political use of language there, the staff there are trilingual French/Dutch/English.

I'd certainly not consider in any sane life a drive to Schuman. I'd either live on tram 44 line through Tervuren or tram 39 from Wezembeek. It's 25 minutes by tram from Tervuren to Montgomery even in rush hour, often quicker than driving, then change to metro. Or there is 315/317 bus from Tervuren through Kraainem to Kraainem metro, but these buses to a mad tour of Tervuren before going on a fast route through Kraainem, depends on where you board in Tervuren as to how fast the journey would be.

GBS Tervuren and Mariaschool are also near the tram. Heilig Hart kleuter is near 39 tram, lagere and middelbare are near 44 tram, KA Tervuren de Kattensprong is the same 44 tram stop opposite direction. You even have Mater Dei, KA SPW de Zonnewijzer near 39 tram and Sint Jozefs SPW near 39/44 tram further into the city but Dutch is spoken by about 5% of the population as first language there so not so easy to get served in shops in Dutch in that area and it would do wonders for your French!

KA Tervuren side of the town near the 44 tram is cheaper housing on average than Heilig Hart side simply as that side has so many more big houses. Cheaper too near Sint Jozefs SPW.

Hello - we are also partly Dutch, live in Tervuren and 2 of our children attend Heilig Hart. There is no doubt that there is a relatively strict environment (compared to most Dutch schools) but we chose the school above others due to it's reputation, academic level and the feel of the school itself. Our children are very happy there, the kids are challenged for their age (homework and exams) but even at 10, our oldest son is learning about such a variety of subjects we feel comfortable with the system, as does he (though in honesty we have pushed back on the school about some of their expectations, but that worked well!). In general there is a good atmosphere there and it is popular as can be seen by the waiting lists (don't think all classes are full though). On a side note, we really like living in Tervuren - great place to bring up a family, lovely park nearby, good amenities (supermarket etc), Friday market and the 44 tram is a good link to town (25 to 30 minutes to get to Montgomery). Good luck!