International Schools

Top International Schools

ALASCA – Amsterdam Liberal Arts & Sciences Academy

Geertje Wielemaplein 1, 1095 MM Amsterdam

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Secondary IB World School run by Esprit Scholen on Zeeburgereiland in Amsterdam-Oost, combining Dutch havo/vwo tracks with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Its interdisciplinary curriculum spans philosophy, science, design and the arts, with a strong...

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Amity International School Amsterdam

Amsterdamseweg 204, 1182 HL Amstelveen

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IB World School in the green De Braak area of Amstelveen, offering the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma programmes for children aged 3 to 18. Teaching is in English within an international community, as...

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Amstelland International School

Asserring 93, 1187 SM Amstelveen

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International primary school in Amstelveen welcoming children aged 4 to 11 from all nationalities. It teaches an inquiry-based, English-language programme blending the International Early Years and International Primary Curriculum with Cambridge Primary pathways, on Asserring...

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Amsterdam Fashion Academy B.V.

Nieuwe Herengracht 103, 1011 RZ Amsterdam

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A private international fashion academy in Amsterdam offering a boutique approach to creative education. Teaching is highly personalised, covering fashion design and the business of fashion.

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Amsterdam International Community School (AICS) – South Campus

Arent Janszoon Ernststraat 1179, 1081 HL Amsterdam

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English-language international school run by the public Esprit Scholen foundation, offering all four International Baccalaureate programmes (PYP, MYP, DP and CP) for students aged roughly 4 to 19. The South campus sits on Arent Janszoon...

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Amsterdam International Community School (AICS) – Southeast Campus

Bijlmerplein 1000, 1102 CP Amsterdam

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Southeast campus of the Amsterdam International Community School, housed in the former ING 'Sandcastle' building at Bijlmerplein in Amsterdam-Zuidoost. Like the South campus it delivers the International Baccalaureate programmes in English for primary and secondary...

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De MozaiekAcademie

Vinkenstraat 71, 1013 JM Amsterdam

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De MozaiekAcademie is a international school in Amsterdam.

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DENISE – De Nieuwe Internationale School Esprit

Piet Mondriaanstraat 140, 1061 TT Amsterdam

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Bilingual international school in Amsterdam-West offering combined international and Dutch education for students aged 4 to 18, with instruction in both English and Dutch. Run by the public Esprit Scholen foundation, it emphasises inclusive, internationally...

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iDealFuture

Pr. Irenestraat 25, 1077 WM Amsterdam

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iDealFuture is a international school in Amsterdam.

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International French School Amsterdam

Anthonie van Dijckstraat 1, 1077 ME Amsterdam

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French school with an international dimension (part of the Globeducate network), teaching the French national curriculum through bilingual French and English classes with weekly Dutch, for pupils aged 2 to 18. Its primary site is...

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International School of Amsterdam (ISA)

Sportlaan 45, 1185 TB Amstelveen

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Private international school founded in 1964 in Amstelveen, just south of Amsterdam. It was the first school in the world to offer all IB programmes from the Primary Years through the Diploma Programme, teaching students...

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Lycee Vincent van Gogh (Amsterdam)

Rustenburgerstraat 246, 1073 GK Amsterdam

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French school following the French national curriculum under the AEFE network, part of the Lycee Vincent van Gogh The Hague-Amsterdam. The Amsterdam site in De Pijp provides kindergarten and primary education (roughly ages 2.5 to...

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How to choose an international school in Amsterdam

The first fork in the road is not curriculum, it's funding. Dutch International Schools (DIS) are partly funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education and charge a subsidized parental contribution, while fully private international schools run on tuition alone and set their own fees. That single distinction can be the difference between a five-figure and a much larger annual bill, so confirm which type a school is before comparing anything else.

Eligibility for the subsidized DIS rate is not automatic. Families generally qualify when a parent works in the Netherlands on an international-type contract, the family has been living abroad and is returning for a limited period, or the child's mother tongue or prior school language was not Dutch; schools check this at admission and re-check it periodically. If none of those apply, expect to pay the full private tariff, so ask each school directly how it verifies eligibility and what happens if a family's status changes partway through the school year.

Curriculum and language pathway matter as much as fee type. Amsterdam's international schools mostly teach in English and offer one or more of the IB, British, American, or French Éducation Nationale tracks, each with different entry points, exam years, and onward routes to university; our Amsterdam International Schools Guide For Families walks through how those pathways compare. Families planning ahead should also ask each school about waiting lists, mid-year admission, and how Dutch is taught as a second language alongside the main curriculum.

Questions people ask

What is the difference between a Dutch International School and a private international school in Amsterdam?

A Dutch International School (DIS) is partly funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education and charges a subsidized parental contribution, while a fully private international school is funded entirely by tuition and sets its own fees. DIS places are generally reserved for children of internationally mobile parents, and eligibility is checked at admission.

Am I eligible for the subsidized Dutch International School rate?

Eligibility typically requires that a parent works in the Netherlands on an international assignment, that the family has lived abroad and is returning for a set period, or that the child's home or prior-school language was not Dutch. Because schools verify this individually and rules can be specific to a family's situation, ask the school's admissions office directly rather than assuming eligibility.

Can my employer help pay international school fees?

Some multinationals in Amsterdam include international school fee support as part of an expat package, and this is a point worth raising explicitly when negotiating an assignment letter. Separately, education costs can interact with Dutch tax rules for eligible expatriates, so confirm the current treatment with your employer's HR team or a Dutch tax adviser rather than assuming a blanket exemption.

Beyond tuition, what other costs should I budget for?

International schools commonly charge extra for items such as application or registration fees, an enrollment deposit, and optional add-ons like lunch programs, school transport, uniforms, and school trips. Ask each school for its full fee schedule in writing, including which charges are refundable or offset against later tuition invoices.

Does living close to the school actually matter in Amsterdam?

Yes: several of the city's international schools are based in Amstelveen or on the western and southern edges of Amsterdam, so a longer commute is common if you live centrally. Weighing school location against neighborhood choice early can meaningfully cut daily travel time, and it is worth doing before signing a lease.

When should I apply, and does timing affect cost or availability?

Places at popular schools and year groups can fill and generate waiting lists, so starting the admissions process early gives more options for both entry and any available family discounts. Some schools also allow admission mid-year, which can help families relocating outside the usual September start.