Compare European Baccalaureate International Schools in Netherlands

European School The Hague - Secondary Campus

Instructs in English, French, Dutch, German

Ages 2 - null years

Fees €8,585 - 12,875

Pupils 1497

Type Co-educational

European School The Hague – Secondary Campus is at Oostduinlaan 50, The Hague, Netherlands. It is an officially Accredited European School within the European Schools network, delivering the European Baccalaureate to secondary students. The curriculum is organised in three cycles: Observation Cycle (S1–S3) with a broad common curriculum in L1; Pre-Orientation Cycle (S4–S5) with more specialist subjects and Careers Guidance; Orientation Cycle (S6–S7), the Baccalaureate cycle with core subjects and a range of options. Established in 2012 to educate children of EU institution employees, it operates within the Rijnlands Lyceum Foundation and forms part of The Hague's two-campus system (Primary and Secondary). In 2018 the Secondary building moved to Oostduinlaan and underwent a major renovation delivering science and ICT labs, a Learning and Innovation Hub, a library, theatre, large art and music rooms, and refreshed classrooms, kitchen and canteen facilities. Extracurriculars include Creative Development, Languages and Cultural clubs, and Academic and Intellectual activities, such as Debate Club and Chess.

Location

The European School The Hague Secondary campus is in The Hague, Oostduinlaan 50, 2596 JP, The Netherlands. It is housed in the historic Aloysius building. The school is part of the European School The Hague community, with the Primary campus located at Houtrustweg 2, The Hague, 2566 HA. A door-to-door bus service is provided by Achttax for the start and end of the day.

Stages

Observation Cycle (3 years), Pre-Orientation Cycle (2 years), Orientation Cycle (2 years); the cycles map to Secondary years S1–S7 and culminate in the European Baccalaureate.

Additional learning support

Learning Support is provided for students with additional academic needs. Language support is available for English, French, German, and Dutch at L1 and L2 levels where applicable. Mathematics support is offered in English and French. The Learning Support Specialist also helps students develop study skills, planning strategies and organisational habits.

Country affiliation

European School The Hague is an officially Accredited European School and is part of the European Schools network, established to educate children of European Union institution employees.

Bus service

Achttax provides door-to-door transport. Secondary arrival is 8:30 and departure is 15:55 daily. Primary arrival is 8:30 with departure at 15:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 12:45 on Wednesdays.

Application fees

- Category III (all non-Category I applicants): a non-refundable registration fee of EUR 300. Proof of payment of this registration fee is required (bank transfer).

Tuition fees — annual amounts (per pupil, invoiced per full school year)

- Early Years & Primary — Category I & Category III: EUR 8,585 per year.
- Early Years & Primary — New Category III pupils (first year): EUR 9,440 per year.
- Secondary — Category I & Category III: EUR 12,875 per year.
- Lunch time supervision (Early Years & Primary only): EUR 315 per year.

Tuition fees — per-term amounts (three equal instalments)

- Early Years & Primary (Category I & III): EUR 2,861.67 per instalment (three equal instalments of the annual EUR 8,585).
- Early Years & Primary (New Category III pupils): EUR 3,146.67 per instalment (three equal instalments of the annual EUR 9,440).
- Secondary (Category I & III): EUR 4,291.67 per instalment (three equal instalments of the annual EUR 12,875).
- Lunch time supervision: EUR 105.00 per instalment (three equal instalments of the annual EUR 315).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Invoices are issued per pupil for the full school year. The school fees must be paid in advance either in full or in three (3) equal instalments.
- Instalment due dates (when paying in three instalments):
- First instalment: no later than July 1.
- Second instalment: no later than November 1.
- Third instalment: no later than January 1.
- If admission occurs later than June 1, the full payment or payment of the first instalment must be made within the legal payment term on the invoice (21 days).
- Pro rata charges for pupils who join after the school year begins are calculated using a fixed percentage scale depending on the pupil's start month:
- August & September: 100%
- October: 90%
- November: 80%
- December: 70%
- January: 60%
- February: 50%
- March: 40%
- April: 30%
- May: 20%
- June & July: 10%.
- Parents/guardians and/or employers are responsible for timely payment of all invoices; the school may restrict access to classes/exams if payment obligations are not met.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not listed as a service or charge; there are no published boarding fees for the school (boarding provision is not applicable).

Other costs and fees (not included in the standard tuition)

- Laptop hire/purchase (charged separately).
- Residential trips (voluntary, charged separately).
- Canteen (warm lunches) — paid separately.
- Bus transport — paid separately.
- After-school activities — paid separately.
- No separate uniform charge is listed as a compulsory fee.

Refund information and withdrawal terms

- Deregistration must be submitted via the school's official withdrawal procedure. The school remains entitled to payment for the period already granted and reimbursement for costs already incurred if the agreement is terminated during the school year.
- The fee due after withdrawal is calculated up to and including the end of the month in which the pupil's last school day falls; parents/guardians should inform the school at least 30 days before the child's last school day.
- Financial consequence of early termination (percentage of the annual fee that remains payable after withdrawal, depending on last school day):
- Last school day before October 1: 10%
- Before November 1: 20%
- Before December 1: 30%
- Before January 1: 40%
- Before February 1: 50%
- Before March 1: 60%
- Before April 1: 70%
- Before May 1: 80%
- Before June 1: 90%
- After June 1: 100%.

Fee payment options

- The registration fee for Category III applicants is paid by bank transfer (proof of payment required).
- School invoices are administered through the Rijnlands Lyceum finance arrangements; invoices include the payment details and must be paid within the invoice terms. Correspondence about invoices may be directed to the finance/invoice contact.

Notes for parents

- The published annual amounts above apply per pupil and are for the stated school year fees; additional optional or compulsory charges (canteen, trips, laptop, transport, extracurricular activities, examination fees where applicable) are invoiced separately.

Curriculum

ESH Secondary offers seven years of the European School curriculum in three cycles: Observation Cycle (S1–S3) with a broad, common curriculum (most subjects taught in the mother tongue language, L1); Pre-Orientation Cycle (S4–S5) with more specialist subjects to prepare for the Orientation Cycle, supported by Careers Guidance; Orientation Cycle (S6–S7) which is the European Baccalaureate cycle, with a core set of compulsory subjects and a wide range of options.

Exam Results

2019 results: 20 candidates, 20 graduates; highest 91.2; average 77.8. 2020 results: 35 candidates, 34 graduates; highest 93.84; average 78.1. 2021 results: 55 candidates, 55 graduates; highest 96.04; average 76.18.

Higher Education Progression

The European Baccalaureate is accepted for university entrance across the European Union and beyond. Graduates study at universities around the world, including Canada, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. ESH provides university application support via UCAS (UK), Studielink (NL) and Parcoursup (France) with Careers Counsellors, Mentors and teachers.

Gifted and Talented

Gifted and Talented provisions adopt an inclusive, student-centered approach with a Talent Coach assigned to identified students and opportunities in the Emerging Talents and Limitless programmes. There is in-class provision, access to extracurricular clubs, university projects and cross-curricular project days.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Mentors lead social and emotional development in every secondary class. In the Observation Cycle, mentors follow Leefstijl, a social-emotional programme used in all language sections. The programme covers age-appropriate topics such as communication, making difficult decisions, and healthy life choices; it also includes discussions about society and you. In S3, external providers run workshops on topics including addiction, social media awareness, and anti-bullying.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Learning Support provides assistance for students with additional academic needs, including language support in English, French, German, and Dutch at both L1 and L2 levels where applicable; mathematics supports are offered in English and French. The Learning Support Specialist helps students develop study skills, planning strategies, and organisational habits to succeed independently.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Language support is available for English, French, German, and Dutch at both L1 and L2 levels, where applicable.

Mental Wellbeing

The Student Wellbeing Team can provide support and advice to parents and teenagers on their path to adulthood.

Safeguarding

The Safeguarding Protocol commits to providing a safe, collaborative and caring environment and to protecting the physical and mental health of all students. All adults on campus who work with or around students obtain a certificate of good conduct (VOG). Safeguarding education is developmentally appropriate, and staff are trained to respond to concerns. Safeguarding concerns are reported through the Safeguarding app in Edukey; the school designates safeguarding leads (DSLs) to coordinate action, which may involve external agencies such as Veilig Thuis or the Crisis Intervention Team. If safety is compromised, the DSL can prevent a child from leaving the school grounds.

History

European School The Hague was established in 2012 to educate children of employees of European Union institutions in the political and international heart of the Netherlands. In the same year, it became an officially Accredited European School, administered and partly financed by the Dutch education system. The school follows the European Schools curriculum to provide a multilingual and multicultural education for Early Years, Primary and Secondary students, culminating in the European Baccalaureate. The Hague campus system comprises two campuses, one for Primary Education and one for Secondary Education, and the school is part of the Rijnlands Lyceum Foundation, which operates several international and local schools in the region.

Community

ESH offers a vibrant, multicultural, and multilingual community across its Primary and Secondary campuses. Since opening in 2012, the school life provides opportunities for the community to engage physically, socially, and mentally through programs such as Student Leadership and various school activities. A medezeggenschrapsraad (MR) exists under Dutch law to involve parents in governance, and the Secondary Parent Teacher Association connects parents with staff and students. The Secondary Participation Council and PTA organize networking, social events, and support activities such as the Winter and International Markets.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The Secondary PTA is an active association in the school. Parent Representatives act as a community link between the Mentor teacher, the PTA, and other parents in the class. The PTA organizes networking and social events for parents and supports events such as the Winter and International Markets. The PTA contributes to social activities including European coffee mornings and fundraising events such as book, bake, and balloon sales. Parents may also participate in additional committees such as a canteen committee and a playground committee, coordinated through the PTA. The school maintains governance with a medezeggenschrapsraad (MR) that involves parents in leadership decisions.

Facilities Overview

ESH Secondary is housed in a historic building. It moved to the Oostduinlaan premises in 2018 and underwent a major renovation to modernise the facilities while preserving the building's historic integrity. The renovation delivered new science and ICT labs, a Learning and Innovation Hub, sports facilities, a library, theatre, new classrooms, large art and music rooms, and new kitchen and canteen facilities.

Sports Facilities

The school has sports facilities as part of the renovated building.

Academic Facilities

The school has science and ICT labs, a Learning and Innovation Hub, a library, theatre, large art and music rooms, and updated classrooms, along with kitchen and canteen facilities.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Extracurricular Activities include Creative Development (Yarn Crafts Club, ESH Opera and Ballet Club, Drama Club, Magic Club, Gardening Club), Dance (Hip-Hop), Language (Spanish Book Club, English Book Clubs), Music (String Instruments, Wind Instruments, Piano and Drums, Ensemble, Singing, Music Production), Sports, and Student Initiatives. Activities can start at any time during the year and are coordinated by Extracurricular Activities Coordinators.

Academic & Intellectual

The Extracurricular Activities programme offers opportunities from the sciences and technology to performance and publishing. Students can engage in activities that foster academic and intellectual growth, such as Debate Club, Chess Tournament, and the Student Library Council. Activities do not run on fixed terms; students can join at any point during the school year. A wide range of offerings is available, including Creative Development, Language, Music, Sports, and Student Initiatives.

Arts & Creative

Creative Development includes Yarn Crafts Club, ESH Opera and Ballet Club, Drama Club (S1-S4), Magic Club, and Gardening Club. Dance lessons include Hip-Hop. Music opportunities cover String Instruments, Wind Instruments, Piano and Drums, Ensemble, Singing, and Music Production with specialist lessons such as cello, guitar, clarinet, flute, and more. These activities support creative expression and performance throughout the year.

Cultural & Language

Language offerings include Spanish Book Club and English Book Clubs. These clubs support language development within ESH's multilingual framework. Participation is integrated with the broader Extracurricular Activities programme.

Social & Hobbies

Student Initiatives include Student Library Council, Debate Club, Student Newspaper (The Nest), Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA), and ESH Green Club. Bingo and Chess Tournament are part of the activities offered to provide social and recreational opportunities. Under the guidance of the Student Council, students can form new committees to organize social events or fundraising initiatives. Debate Club and The Nest offer forums for discussion, writing, and student expression.

Community & Service

Student Initiatives include acts of service and charity fundraising through committees formed with guidance from the Student Council. Students can volunteer and engage with local community groups as part of school life. Community involvement is encouraged through student-led service projects.

Leadership & Professional

Student Leadership operates through the Student Council, enabling students to form new committees and lead social or fundraising initiatives. Extracurricular Activities Coordinators manage the programme and coordinate with activity leaders. Participation develops leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Physical Education fosters health and regular physical activity. Residential Trips and other school life activities support well-being and teamwork. Sports teams compete in tournaments, with opportunities for gifted athletes through Top Sport. The extracurricular programme promotes physical and mental well-being across the student body.

Admissions

1. Priority for admission at ESH is given to Category I pupils (children of employees of European institutions and agencies, including the European Commission, European Parliament, ECB, EIB, and others). Category I pupils have a reserved place. All other applicants are Category III and may be admitted subject to eligibility under international school regulations and availability. 2. Applications are submitted through OpenApply. Applicants create an account to track status and upload documents. Standard documents include a copy of the pupil's passport and school reports from the past two years; Category III applicants may need proof of eligibility for international education and a Pupil Information Request Form from the current school; a non-refundable €300 registration fee is payable with the application. 3. After submission, the directorate reviews the application. Via OpenApply, applicants receive an update that may include a placement offer, a request for more information, a meeting request, or placement on the waiting list (Category III). For Secondary applications, language and mathematics tests may be scheduled for pupils not transferring from another European School. 4. If a place is offered and accepted, enrolment letters are issued to sign. Class allocation, timetables, and introduction days (where applicable) are communicated later. 5. When to apply and processing times: Early Years applications are accepted from age 2; to start at the beginning of the school year, apply by April 1. Applications after April 1 may be delayed, and joining during the year should be submitted as soon as possible. Processing typically takes up to 2-3 weeks after documents are submitted for the current year; Category III applications may take longer depending on availability and testing requirements.

Waitlist

Category III pupils may be placed on the waiting list if a place is not available.

View Full Profile

Compare European Baccalaureate International Schools in Netherlands

Location

Stages

Additional learning support

Country affiliation

Bus service

Food Options

Governance and Ownership

Curriculum

Exam Results

Higher Education Progression

Gifted and Talented

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Mental Wellbeing

Safeguarding

History

Community

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

Facilities Overview

Sports Facilities

Academic Facilities

Extra Curricular Facilities

Academic & Intellectual

Arts & Creative

Cultural & Language

Social & Hobbies

Community & Service

Leadership & Professional

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Language Provision

Bilingual Teaching

Accreditations

Admissions

Waitlist

Filters

Currency

Annual fees

Children's Ages

Curriculum offered

Brand

Preschool

Primary

Secondary

Pre-University

National Curriculums

Other Approaches

Language of instruction