Resources
The Education System in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, school is compulsory for all children from the age of five through to sixteen. Most Dutch children usually start primary school (basisschool) by the age of three or four. The Dutch have a strong educational system, but as an expat you may wish to have your children attend an international school, of which there are several in the Amsterdam area. Either way, you will want to register your child in advance as some schools may have a waiting list.
Choosing a School
If you are already living in the Netherlands, then you can visit the school(s) of your choice. It is advisable to start looking at schools either in advance of your move to the Netherlands, or soon after you arrive. If you are choosing a Dutch school, check with your municipality for a list of primary schools in your neighbourhood. Whether you are looking at a private or public schooling for your child, you should make an appointment to talk with an administrator. It would be also be helpful to attend an information day (voorlichtingsdagen) at the school. Visiting the school and talking to staff will allow you to make an informed decision based on first hand experience. It is also wise to check with your colleagues, friends, and other expats for their advice and recommendations.
Options
You can choose to send your child to a neighbourhood school, or to a special education school (schools that follow particular pedagogical beliefs, such as Montessori, Steiner, or a school based on religious principals). In addition, there are specific schools for children with special needs or handicapped children and those children with behavioural problems.
Fees
Education is free for every child in the Netherlands until the age of sixteen, unless you choose a private school. A school can request a parental contribution (ouderbijdrage) to help fund school activities, outings, etc. Primary school children are given free swimming lessons. (schoolzwemmen).
School Hours
Children attend school Monday to Friday from around o8.30 till 15.00. Lunch hour is from 12.00 to13.00. and the schools are obligated to provide school care (overblijven) at lunchtime. Children may also go home for lunch. However, most schools are closed from 12.00 or 12.30 onwards on Wednesday afternoons.
Leave of Absence from school
Other than on school holidays, daily school is compulsory in the Netherlands, and special permission must be given if you are going to take your child out of school during the school year. You may be exempted in special circumstances, but usually only for ten days, and you must apply to the school administration for an exemption. If your profession makes it impossible to take the same holidays as your child’s school holidays, then again, you must get permission and your employer must provide proof of this.
The school will also notify the municipality if a child is often absent from school. Truant officers are employed by the municipality to check whether children are attending school regularly. It is your responsibility as a parent to make sure your child attends school. If your child has a reason to be absent you must keep the school informed.
International Schools
There are two types of international or private schools. The first are normal private schools that are not funded by the government. The second type are called community schools and are a combination of private/public schooling, and as such, are partially funded by the Dutch government. Community schools have an emphasis on students connecting and integrating into Dutch society and your child will receive Dutch language classes to help them do so. Due to the fact that Amsterdam is a dynamic city with many international companies, there are a great number of international schools for you to choose from.
The following International schools are all located in Amsterdam:
International School of Amsterdam (3-18 yrs.)
The International School of Amsterdam (ISA) offers a stimulating and creative educational experience for its students within a safe and caring environment. ISA is a fully accredited International Baccalaureate Programme that allows students to make a smooth transition from other national and international schools. The school’s campus is located in a quiet residential suburb of Amsterdam. The school runs buses to outlying areas within a 50 km radius, which allows families to live to in urban or suburban settings. The majority of students come from The United States, Japan, Korea, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia. There are also students from over 50 different nationalities.
Website: www.isa.nl
Email: admissions@isa.nl
Address: Sportlaan 45, 1185 TB Amstelveen
The British School of Amsterdam (2-15 yrs.)
The British School of Amsterdam offers a high quality academic environment for students ages two to fifteen. It is an independent co-educational school with a high teacher student ratio that assists students to develop skills and confidence for a fulfilling and responsible life in a changing society. All teachers have qualified in the United Kingdom and have worked in schools in England for a minimum of two years. In addition, a Gifted, Able and Talented program ensures that the social and educations needs of every pupil are met. The British School of Amsterdam welcomes children of all nationalities, and children for whom English is an additional language. Children may enter at any point during the school year, whether for a short term or on a more permanent basis.
Website: www.britams.nl
Email: info@britams.nl
Address: Jan van Eijckstraat 21, 1077 LG Amsterdam
Amsterdam International Community School (4-19 yrs.)
The Amsterdam International Community School (AICS) belongs to the group of Dutch International Primary and Secondary Schools. These form the ‘Esprit Scholengroep’ It is both for international students who are living in The Netherlands and for Dutch students seeking an international education. The main language of instruction is English. AICS offers primary and secondary school for ages 4-16, as well as an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma programme for students 16-19. At the primary and middle school levels (ages 4-16yrs), the school covers all the traditional subjects while offering an experiential, holistic approach to learning. At the secondary level (16-19) AICS offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Students acquire an IB Diploma upon graduating, which allows them to entrance to worldwide universities and institutions.
Website: www.aics.esprit-sg.nl
Email: info@AICS.esprit-sg.nl
Address: Prinses Irenestraat 59, 1077 WV Amsterdam
Ecole Française d’Amsterdam (3-11yrs)
Email: dir-prim@bart.nl
Address: Uiterwaardenstraat 60-A, 1079 CB Amsterdam
Tel: +31 20 644 65 07
Europese School (4-13 yrs.)
The Europese Schools are official educational institutions controlled jointly by the government of all member states of the European Union. They were established for children of staff working in EU institutions, but other students are welcome if there are available spaces. Most courses are taught in English, French or Dutch and some group courses may be available in German or Italian. The Europese School starts with a Nursery programme, which continues through, to the European Baccalaureate. This diploma allows entrance to universities in the student’s respective countries.
Website: www.europesechool.nl
Email: snca@eursc.org
Address: Molenweidtje 5, 1862 BC Bergen (NH)
The Japanese School of Amsterdam (6-15 yrs.)
Tel: + 31 20 611 8136
Fax: +31 20 611 81 96
Address: Karel Klinkenbergstraat 137, 1061 AL Amsterdam
International School Almere (11-16yrs)
The International School Almere is a non-denominational, English-language school for students between the ages of 11 to 16. The school offers a stimulating academic environment with small class sizes. It also provides an educational programme in accordance with the standards of the International Baccalaureate Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland.
Website: www.internatinalschoolalmere.nl
Email: info-isa@hetbaken.nl
Telephone: +31 36 54 89 525
Fax: +31 36 53 03 953
Address: Elegast 5, 1185 AA Amstelveen
Other International Schools in the Netherlands
- Deutsche Internationale Schule Den Haag, Van Bleiswijkstraat 125, 2582 LB Den Haag
- International School Hilversum 'Alberdingk Thym', Emmastraat 56, 1213 AL Hilversum, email:ish@klg.nl
- Stichting Beverweerd Internationale School, Kasteel Beverweerd, 3985 RE Werkhoven
- The American School of The Hague, Rijksstraatweg 200, 2241 BX Wassenaar
- The British School in the Netherlands, Voorschoten/ The Hague
Violenschool International Department, Violenstraat 3, 1214 AL Hilversum, email: info@violenschoolintdept.nl
Important Resources and Contact Details
The Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science
Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap. For all your questions about the Dutch school system: www.minocw.nl/english/index.html
Telephone: +31 70 308 1985
PO Box 16375
2500 BJ Den Haag
The Netherlands
Educaide
Educaide advises parents, students, teachers, schools, and authorities in a wide range of issues pertaining to International and Bilingual Education in the Netherlands. Educaide is the professional Helpdesk for International and Bilingual Education in the Netherlands
PO Box 969 11, NL-2509 JH The Hague
Tel.: +31 (06)5 598 8998
Fax: +31 (0)70 326 2252
E-mail: info-educaide@xs4all.nl
- www.expatica.com - Expatica lists international schools in its A-Z Listings.
- www.iamsterdam.com - IAmsterdam information site offers articles on Education
- www.justlanded.com - Justlanded provides information, products and services to make survival easier for expats in the Netherlands.
- www.access-nl.org - Access provides free information and advice via their helpdesk and personal consultation services.
