New Islamic secondary school to open temporarily in Nijmegen's Bottendaal neighborhood
Starting August 2026, Nijmegen will welcome a new Islamic secondary school, ’t Kompas College, temporarily housed in Bottendaal. This decision impacts local families seeking diverse educational options and marks a step toward expanding school choices in the region.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| School Name | ’t Kompas College |
| Location | Cortenaerpad 32, Bottendaal, Nijmegen |
| Temporary Duration | August 1, 2026 – August 1, 2027 |
| Funding Start Date | August 1, 2026 |
| Current Building Use | Former primary school De Driemaster, shared with Kindcentrum/BSO De Vuurtoren |
| Long-term Plans | New permanent location expected by March 2027 |
| Ministerial Decision | June 2025 (Minister of Education, Culture and Science) |
The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science oversees the funding and approval of new schools in the Netherlands, ensuring they meet national educational standards. Municipalities like Nijmegen are responsible for facilitating temporary and permanent locations for these institutions.
Read the full translated article below
New secondary school temporarily located in Bottendaal
Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, a new secondary school will temporarily operate at Cortenaerpad 32. The former building of primary school De Driemaster will be used by ’t Kompas College.
The Minister of Education, Culture and Science decided in June 2025 that ’t Kompas College will receive government funding from August 1, 2026. This means the municipality must find a location in Nijmegen for the school. ’t Kompas College is an Islamic secondary school and will be an addition to the existing schools in Nijmegen offering secondary education.
Temporary location
Following the minister’s decision, the municipality explored available locations. Cortenaerpad 32 in Bottendaal is the best short-term solution for the 2026-2027 school year. The existing school building is available quickly and can be made suitable with minimal adjustments. The school will use the premises temporarily from August 1, 2026, to August 1, 2027.
Part of the building is currently used by Kindcentrum/BSO De Vuurtoren and will remain available to them.
Long-term plans
Plans for the long-term redevelopment of Cortenaerpad 32 can proceed as planned. ’t Kompas College is expected to vacate the location after the 2026-2027 school year. The school is now conducting a location search for the 2027-2028 school year and beyond. More details about the new location for ’t Kompas College from August 2027 are expected by March.