[sejtnjir]

In the Netherlands, high schools are separated in three cohorts: practical education, higher education and academically oriented education. The latter are further divided in liberal arts tracks called 'Gymnasium' (notable for having Greek and Latin in the curriculum) and somewhat more practically oriented Atheneum. This has been the case since 1968.

[C1sc0cat]

And can you switch track or are you limited by your school choice in your teens

[midasz]

You must switch depending on your results. The school does have a big say in it, and if you switch schools your parents could possibly make a case for you.

Lowest track - 4 years Middle track - 5 years Highest track - 6 years

I started and spent 3 years in the 'middle' track, in my third year I failed my French and German classes so badly that the school required me to either re-do the third year of the middle track, or go to the 4th year of the lower track. The funny thing is that the 4th year of the lower track does not have French or German as a requirement.

Since my parents did not really cared or bothered to stand up for me (unlike another girl, whose parents lobbied and she was allowed to go through to the next year with worse grades) I chose to do the lower track. Finished that up easily and was given the choice to go to the 4th year of the middle track (without French or German, the 3rd year was the final year with that requirement). Finished the middle track with ease as well.

[sejtnjir]

You can. Typically by completing a 'lower' tier and starting in the final year of 'higher' tier.