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Eindhoven’s international school provision has grown substantially in response to the continued expansion of ASML, Philips, NXP, and the broader Brainport ecosystem, which has brought tens of thousands of international families to the region. The flagship International School Eindhoven serves over 1,400 students from 60 nationalities and offers education from age four through to the IB Diploma. SALTO International School provides a bilingual Dutch-English option for families planning a longer stay. Newer and smaller options are emerging to meet growing demand. Competition for places is significant, particularly at the ISE, and families are strongly advised to apply as early as possible, ideally before confirming a move to Eindhoven. This guide covers the main options and the practical considerations for choosing between them.
The ISE has waiting lists that can run to several months for popular year groups. Apply before you have a confirmed start date if possible. The Holland Expat Center South can advise on current waiting times and alternative options for families who need a school place quickly. ASML and some other major employers have arrangements that can assist with school placement for new hires.
International Schools
3 schools
01International School Eindhoven (ISE)Ages 4 to 18
Oirschotsedijk 14b, Eindhoven · View on Google Maps · isecampus.nl
The main international school in Eindhoven, a non-profit Dutch International School with over 1,400 students and 200 teachers representing 60 nationalities. ISE has been educating the children of Philips and ASML employees since 1965 and operates across two campus locations in the Brainport region. The school offers three educational pathways: the Primary International Department (ages 4 to 11) following the English National Primary Curriculum; the Primary Dutch Bilingual Department (ages 4 to 12) with approximately 30 percent of lessons in English; and the Secondary Department (ages 11 to 18) offering the IB Middle Years Programme and the IB Diploma Programme. EAL support, Dutch Additional Language provision, and a Home Languages Programme serve the school’s genuinely diverse student body. Strong links to ASML, Philips, Signify, and the Van Abbemuseum are woven into the curriculum. The most comprehensive and well-established international school option in Eindhoven.
02SALTO International SchoolAges 4 to 12
Two sites: I-St@rt near the airport and RISE in the city centre · View on Google Maps
A bilingual primary school offering equal split Dutch and English instruction for children aged four to twelve, well suited to international families who are planning a longer-term or permanent stay in the Netherlands and want their children to develop genuine Dutch language proficiency alongside English. The school operates at two sites: the I-St@rt campus near Eindhoven Airport in the Meerhoven area, convenient for families living in that neighbourhood, and the RISE campus in the city centre. SALTO is an accessible and practical option for families who find the ISE over-subscribed or who specifically want bilingual rather than purely English-medium education. Integration into the Dutch school system after SALTO is more straightforward than from a purely English-medium programme.
03Sondervick International SchoolSecondary age
Eindhoven region · View on Google Maps
Part of Sondervick College, offering international students the opportunity to learn in a Dutch-supported environment at secondary level. An alternative pathway for international students who want exposure to the Dutch educational system alongside international programme elements. Suitable for families where integration into Dutch secondary education is a goal, or where the ISE’s IB pathway is not the preferred option. Worth investigating alongside the ISE for secondary-age children, particularly for families who expect a multi-year stay rather than a short rotation.
Newer Options
1 school
04Seeker Bilingual Montessori SchoolAges 4 to 6, opening September 2026
Eindhoven · View on Google Maps
A new private bilingual Montessori primary school opening in September 2026 for children aged four to six, offering a calm and structured Montessori environment with instruction in both Dutch and English. A smaller and more intimate option than the ISE or SALTO, targeted at families who prioritise the Montessori educational philosophy alongside bilingual language development. As a new school it does not yet have the track record of the established options, but the Montessori approach and small class sizes will appeal to specific families. Worth contacting directly for current admissions information as the school opens its doors for the first time in autumn 2026.
Practical information
Applying to the ISE: Apply directly via isecampus.nl as early as possible. The ISE has waiting lists for popular year groups, particularly in the primary years where ASML family demand is highest. Families who apply months before a confirmed move date are in a stronger position than those applying after arrival.
ASML and employer support: ASML and several other major Brainport employers have arrangements with the ISE and the Holland Expat Center South to assist new international hires with school placement. Ask your employer’s relocation team about school placement support as part of the relocation package before finalising a move.
Dutch state schools: For families planning a permanent or very long-term stay, Dutch state schools (basisschool for primary, middelbare school for secondary) are free and of high quality. Integration takes time and Dutch language support is available. The Holland Expat Center South can advise on the right transition point and approach for children moving from an international to a Dutch state school.
The Holland Expat Center South: The HECS at the High Tech Campus provides education navigation support for new arrivals, including current waiting time information, introductions to school admissions teams, and advice on the Dutch school system. Contact them as a first step if you are uncertain which option is right for your family: hollandexpatcenter.com/south.
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