This school is known as the most elitist in Flanders: « But certainly not that certain people are given priority »
King Filip went to school there, just like his brother Laurent. And more blue blood flows through the veins of the students in the abbey school of Zevenkerken, near Bruges. It is not for nothing that the school has the reputation of the most elitist school in Flanders. “I am a classicist of training and eligere Means literally ‘choose’ in Latin. It is indeed true that our school is selected by a specific audience, « says Stefaan Misshaert director. » Grosso Modo is about three groups of people. The nobility is the first because we have a rich tradition in it. Very often it is about French speakers who want solid Dutch -language education for their children. The second group are the magistrates and the liberal professions. Those are often doctors or judges. The third group are entrepreneurs. ”
Missel does not hide that many parents also choose his school to prepare their network a little further. « We have a good reputation in those circles. But people also choose us because we have a clear mission and vision linked to our Benedictine tradition in which living in a group is very important. Just like spirituality and social engagement. We have a lot of students who are religious from home. You can see, for example, in the commitment during celebrations and reflection days. »
Misshaert with the first -year students of the school, to whom he also teaches. – © Simon Mouton
The pedagogical project also means that all pupils are in boarding school, the boys close to the school and the girls 1.5 kilometers further, in the Bethania priory. « That gives many benefits because we can also organize all kinds of cultural and sporting activities on Wednesday afternoon and in the evening, » says Misshaert. « We are in a fantastic park area. Our students have a huge amount of space to exercise. »
Pupils who want to start at the school must prepare a motivation letter. The school makes a selection based on that. « We have a hundred registrations for 65 places every year, » says the director. « It is certainly not the case that certain people are given priority. Some families often urge, but they have to wait until everyone is a place free. It sometimes happens that I get phone calls from acquaintances or even fathers who used to have the school and say: » That is actually the nephew or niece of that or that. « But we are very correct. »
Stefaan Missel. – © Simon Mouton
Despite its status, the school does score among the averages in our teacher. The low flow to higher education falls because many graduates from the abbey school outside Flanders study and they are not included in the figures of the Education Administration. But: only 18 percent of starters in Higher Education Flemish graduates within the proposed study duration. « It is true that things went a little less well in the past, but we are very well on our way to turn the more negative figures, » says Misshaert. « Our last inspection report is particularly enthusiastic. I am confident that our figures will soon be better. The most recent informal messages about this already indicate in that direction. »
