International Schools in Amsterdam

The largest and most prominent international school in the greater Amsterdam area, located on a large campus in Amstelveen just south of the city. ISA offers the full IB programme from Early Years through to the IB Diploma (ages 3 to 18), with extensive sports facilities, strong arts and music programmes and a well-established expat community that has been here for decades. The most popular choice for senior corporate executives and diplomatic families, and the school most commonly referenced in company relocation packages. The campus is not centrally located; most families living in Amsterdam Zuid or Oud-West find the commute manageable by school bus or car. Apply as early as possible; ISA consistently has waiting lists, particularly for the lower primary years.

One of the most established international schools in Amsterdam itself, offering the full IB programme from Early Years through to the Diploma (ages 4 to 18). AICS sits in Amsterdam Zuid near the Zuidas business district, making it accessible for families living in the south of the city without needing to travel to Amstelveen. A diverse student body from over 60 nationalities, solid academic results and good university placement. One of the more affordable full IB options in Amsterdam. The school has a more compact, urban campus than ISA but that is not a disadvantage for families who prefer a school that feels like part of the city rather than a suburban institution.

A smaller IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 3 to 14. Amity is deliberately a smaller school: class sizes are lower, the pastoral care is stronger and the atmosphere is noticeably less corporate than the larger IB institutions. A good fit for families who find ISA or AICS too large in scale or too focused on institutional prestige. The school has a genuine sense of community and is well regarded by the families who choose it. The upper secondary gap (no IB Diploma) means families need to plan ahead for the transition at age 14, typically to ISA, AICS or the British School.

The British curriculum option for Amsterdam expat families, following the English National Curriculum from Early Years through to A-Levels (ages 3 to 18). The British School is smaller and more intimate than the large IB institutions, with a strong emphasis on pastoral care and a distinctly British educational culture: structured, academically rigorous and familiar for families arriving from the UK or other British-curriculum schools. A-Levels are the standard British university preparation qualification and the school has a good record of university placement in the UK and internationally. A natural choice for British families and those who want continuity with a British educational framework. Located in Amsterdam West, accessible from most central neighborhoods by tram or bike.

Several Amsterdam secondary schools offer tweetalig onderwijs (TTO), bilingual education where 50 to 100 percent of lessons are taught in English alongside Dutch. This is a genuinely excellent option for families planning to stay in the Netherlands long-term. Children integrate into the Dutch school system, make Dutch friends, become fully bilingual and graduate with Dutch qualifications that open both Dutch and international university pathways, at a fraction of the cost of international schools. Schools worth considering include Vossius Gymnasium, Berlage Lyceum and OSB (Open Schoolgemeenschap Bijlmer) in Amsterdam. Academic standards are high and the educational culture is more independent and discussion-led than the British or IB frameworks. Admissions are via the Dutch basisschooladvies system for children coming from Dutch primary schools; children transferring from international schools may need a placement assessment.

For expat families committed to long-term residence, Dutch state primary schools are worth serious consideration. Children under 10 adapt to Dutch remarkably quickly and are typically conversational within six months and fluent within a year. Integration into a Dutch primary school means Dutch friendships, genuine cultural immersion and a depth of belonging that international schools structurally cannot provide. Most Amsterdam basisscholen have significant experience with non-Dutch-speaking children and provide extra language support (NT2 onderwijs) as standard. Completely free to attend. The main reservation is continuity: if you leave the Netherlands before secondary school, your child re-enters the international system without an IB transcript. For families confident they are staying, it is often the best educational decision available.

Children arriving in Amsterdam without Dutch language skills can attend an international transition class before entering a mainstream Dutch school. OKAN (Onthaalonderwijs voor Anderstalige Kleuters) covers primary-age children; ISK (Internationale Schakelklas) covers secondary. Both offer intensive Dutch language instruction alongside core curriculum subjects and are designed as a bridge, typically lasting one to two years before the child transitions into a regular Dutch school. Free, run by the Amsterdam municipality and genuinely effective. A practical solution for families who arrive mid-year or without time to arrange a place at an international school, and a good pathway into the Dutch bilingual secondary system.

The nearest European School to Amsterdam is in Bergen, around 40 kilometres north of the city. European Schools operate under the European Baccalaureate system and are primarily intended for children of EU institution employees, though places are occasionally available to other families. Fees are income-related rather than fixed. The school teaches in multiple official EU languages and produces genuinely multilingual graduates. Worth knowing about for families connected to EU institutions or international organisations; commuting from Amsterdam is possible but demanding. A less commonly known option that is very strong for the families it serves.

If you are in Amsterdam for two years or fewer, an international school is almost always the right choice. Continuity of curriculum matters when your child will re-enter another school system abroad, and both the IB and British A-Level frameworks travel well internationally. If you are staying five years or more, seriously consider Dutch bilingual or state options. Children who go through the Dutch system graduate genuinely bilingual, with deep cultural integration and Dutch qualifications that open university doors across Europe. The cost saving over five years at a full-fee international school is also substantial, often exceeding 50,000 euros. See the neighborhoods guide for which areas cluster near which schools.

The most popular international schools, particularly ISA and AICS, have waiting lists that can extend to a full academic year. Apply six to twelve months before your intended start date and contact the admissions office as early as possible; even a preliminary enquiry gets your name on record. For Dutch state and bilingual schools, registration is handled via the Amsterdam municipality school placement system (the gemeente’s Basisschooladvies process for primary). Children arriving mid-year can be placed in ISK or OKAN transition classes while waiting for a permanent school place. Do not assume a school has spaces until you have written confirmation.

International school fees in Amsterdam range from around 8,000 euros per year at the more affordable end to over 22,000 at ISA. Many employers in Amsterdam, particularly multinationals, financial institutions and international organisations, include school fee allowances in relocation packages as a standard benefit. If your employer has not offered this, ask directly: it is a recognised component of international mobility packages and worth negotiating before you accept a contract. The 30% ruling (a Dutch tax facility for highly skilled migrants) does not directly cover school fees but the net salary increase it provides can offset a significant portion of the annual cost. Families with multiple school-age children should budget carefully; fees multiply quickly.

School location should factor into your choice of neighborhood before you sign a lease. ISA is in Amstelveen and most families reach it by school bus or car; families living in Amsterdam Noord or Oost face a noticeably longer daily journey. AICS and the British School are both within Amsterdam itself, accessible by tram or bicycle from most central neighborhoods. Dutch bilingual secondary schools are distributed across the city. If your child is old enough to commute independently, Amsterdam’s cycling infrastructure makes almost any school accessible within 20 minutes from most of the city. For younger children, the school run by bike or by tram is a daily commitment worth testing before committing to a neighborhood or school combination.