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Amsterdam Liberal Art & Sciences Academy

Netherlands, Amsterdam

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Dutch, English
Fees €180 - 1,250
Ages 11 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 748
Type Co-educational
Opened 2016
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), Dutch Curriculum
Taught languages Dutch, English, Spanish, German
Typical class size 26
Strengths Visual and Creative Arts, STEM, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Community and Service, Cultural and Language
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Amsterdam Liberal Art & Sciences Academy (ALASCA) is a secondary school offering vwo+ and havo. It operates as an IB World School, delivering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme from year 5, alongside a Dutch curriculum for exit qualifications. ALASCA uses a school-wide, interdisciplinary curriculum that blends subjects such as philosophy, ethics, design, science and mathematics, with an emphasis on English and international perspectives. From the International Profile Year 4–6, students pursue core IB elements (Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Activity and Service, Extended Essay) and IB subjects including Dutch and English literature, Dutch ab initio, Psychology, Design Technology, Maths Applications and Interpretation, and Visual Arts. The school places emphasis on metacognitive skills, research, and essay writing, while maintaining traditional subject study for exams in later years. Facilities are modern, and service-learning projects foster citizenship. An international exchange with ies Manacor, and language offerings in Dutch, English, Spanish, and German, support engagement.

Geertje Wielemaplein 1, 1095 MM Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Essentials

Amsterdam Liberal Art & Sciences Academy has 748 pupils, typical class sizes of 26, instruction in Dutch, English.

Location
ALASCA is housed in a modern, light and spacious building on Zeeburgereiland in Amsterdam.

Stages
Education at vwo+ and havo levels, with the IB Diploma Programme available from 2021/22.

Type
ALASCA is a secondary school offering vwo+ and havo levels, and is part of Esprit Scholen; it emphasizes liberal arts & sciences with an international focus and offers the IB Diploma Programme from year 5.

Additional learning support
ALASCA aims to maximize every student's potential and fulfill obligations under the Act on Appropriate Education. The school has no specific care profile. The care coordinator is Ms. D. Ferkenius. It provides resources including a school support profile, absenteeism policy, development perspective plan (OPP), and uses MULTIsignaal to coordinate professionals and families.
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
ALASCA is part of Esprit Scholen and follows Esprit's governance framework, including the Board of Directors (College van Bestuur) and the Central Office; Esprit issues an Education Manifest that ALASCA implements through its school plans. There is a Medezeggenschapsraad (MR) with parent representatives (one parent serves as MR contact for four years), pupil representatives (one pupil contact for two years), and two teaching staff; the MR can be contacted at medezeggenschapsraad@alasca.espritscholen.nl. The Board of Directors is represented by the College of Bestuur and supported by the Central Office.
Fees

Annual tuition at Amsterdam Liberal Art & Sciences Academy ranges from EUR 180 to EUR 1,250 for 2026/27.

Application fees
- No separate application or enrolment fee is charged for admission to ALASCA; the school follows the Amsterdam centralised admissions procedure for placements.

Tuition / annual charges by year group (full detail)
- General note: ALASCA is a Dutch, publicly funded secondary school and does not charge regular tuition in the way private international schools do; instead the school requests voluntary parent contributions and specific programme contributions where required.

- Regular havo / vwo students (years 1–4 and standard upper years not in the IB DP): a voluntary parent contribution of EUR 180 per academic year has been set for schoolyear 2025–2026. This annual contribution is broken down as: Reizen (travel) EUR 100; Uitstapjes en excursies EUR 50; Overige kosten (schoolfeesten, trainingen, sprekers, etc.) EUR 10; Meerjarig solidariteitsfonds EUR 20. Equivalent per-term amount (the school year has four instructional periods): EUR 180 ÷ 4 = EUR 45 per period (the school issues a single annual request; the per-term figure is the simple division of the annual amount by four for reference).

- International Profile / IB Diploma Programme students (typically Years 5 and 6): a specific parental contribution is charged to cover IB membership and exam costs. That contribution is EUR 1,250 per student per year. The EUR 1,250 annual amount is itemised as: Student activities and additional learning materials EUR 650; Examination fees (total expected in DP2) EUR 350; Costs to remain authorised as an IB World School EUR 200; Multi-year IB solidarity fund EUR 50. Resit (herkansing/resit) fees are excluded from the EUR 1,250 and are charged separately at EUR 85 per subject for resits. Equivalent per-term amount (school year divided into four instructional periods): EUR 1,250 ÷ 4 = EUR 312.50 per period (the school bills this as an annual parental contribution).

- Summary of per-year and per-term figures (stated as charged amounts and simple four-period equivalents):
- Regular voluntary parent contribution (havo/vwo): EUR 180 per year (≈ EUR 45 per school period).
- IB parental contribution (DP students): EUR 1,250 per year (≈ EUR 312.50 per school period); resits charged separately at EUR 85 per subject.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- All parent contributions and trip-specific charges are billed by the school via a payment request issued to parents in good time. When parents cannot pay a trip or programme cost in a single payment, the school indicates it will discuss and arrange an alternative payment solution. The IB parental contribution is charged annually. The school's year structure is organised in four instructional periods; the published contributions are annual amounts.

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable. ALASCA is a publicly funded day secondary school in Amsterdam; no boarding facilities or boarding fees are charged.

Other costs and fees (required items, excursions, exams, uniforms, etc.)
- Required personal items and learning-material costs that parents are expected to supply include: a laptop with charger (strongly recommended), gym kit (white-soled sports shoes, sports shirt and shorts), notebooks, sketch/dummy book for certain year groups, pencil case items, colour pencils, and mathematics tools (compass, set square, and a TI NSpire CX II-T graphing calculator required from Year 4 onward). The school purchases most lesson materials itself but specifies the items parents must provide; the school can offer discounts for the calculator purchase.
- International and curricular trips have separate estimated participant costs for 2025–2026 (charged in addition to the voluntary contribution); examples published for 2025–2026 are: Year 1 Terschelling ≈ EUR 195; Year 2 England ≈ EUR 385; Year 3 Ardennes ≈ EUR 355; Year 4 international profile trip ≈ EUR 550. Exact trip prices may vary year-to-year and are billed separately.
- Uniform: no school uniform fee is listed; the school does not require a formal uniform but does specify gym clothing and personal items as above.

Refund information
- No formal, detailed refund policy for parental contributions or the IB parental contribution is published in the school guide and international-profile brochure. For trips, the school notes that participation costs are billed and that if a pupil cannot participate due to force majeure the school will provide a learning‑replacement programme; specific refund rules (for example, partial refund timelines or administrative fees) are not stated in the published school documents.

Fee payment options (credit card / bank transfer / other)
- The schoolgids and international-profile brochure publish the amounts and state that parents will receive payment requests, and that the school will discuss payment solutions when needed. Specific payment methods (for example, bank transfer details, iDEAL, direct debit, or credit-card payment options) are not listed in the published school documents. Parents are directed to the school administration for payment arrangements.
Academics

Amsterdam Liberal Art & Sciences Academy teaches IB (DP), Dutch Curriculum for students aged 11 to 18.

Curriculum
ALASCA uses its own school-wide curriculum that incorporates all national core objectives and end terms. The curriculum is largely interdisciplinary, with modules that blend subjects such as astronomy, history, philosophy, design, and science. The school also includes its own learning goals in metacognitive skills, philosophy, design, technology, and art, embedded in the module structure. In the upper years, the curriculum includes more traditional subject study for exam preparation. From year 5, students may choose to participate in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). The school places strong emphasis on English and has an international focus, with some instruction and study materials in English.

Higher Education Progression
ALASCA offers the International Profile, including the International Preparatory Year and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). The International Profile runs from the IPY through the DP, with core IB components such as Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and CAS, alongside HL/SL subjects (including Dutch and English language subjects, and courses like Psychology, Design Technology, and Mathematics). A portion of the program is delivered in English to support international study, enabling entry to universities worldwide.

Gifted and Talented
Students may accelerate, broaden or deepen their studies through elective modules and accelerated examination options, available in the lower and upper years. In the upper years, they can take additional subjects and pursue earlier exam completion when appropriate. ALASCA also offers ALASKLAS, a support track to assist learners who need extra guidance, ensuring they can continue their education within ALASCA with targeted support.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
ALASCA uses a Learner Profile aligned with IB and Dutch curricula. The profile includes Thinkers, Principled, Communicators, Caring, Knowledgeable, Reflective, Inquirers, Open-minded, Balanced and Risk-takers. It emphasizes ethical citizenship, international mindedness and responsibility beyond academics. It highlights balancing intellectual, physical and emotional development to support well‑being and resilience.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
ALASCA provides care and support under inclusive education; the school does not have a specific care profile. The care coordinator is Ms. D. Ferkenius. A school support profile was developed in collaboration with the Collaboration Association VO Amsterdam-Diemen. There is an absenteeism policy, and an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) and Learning Support Profile (LSP) are available.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is taught as part of the International Profile and IB Diploma Programme, including Language A: English Language and Literature (HL/SL). The International Preparatory Year includes English alongside Dutch and Spanish or German, and the profile emphasises expressing oneself in more than one language.

Mental Wellbeing
Balanced is defined as balancing intellectual, physical and emotional aspects to achieve well‑being for oneself and others. The profile emphasises resilience in dealing with setbacks and supporting others in building resilience.

Safeguarding
The school has a safeguarding policy with a mandated Meldcode and Meldplicht to address suspected domestic violence, child abuse and sexual abuse in education.
Parent Experience

Community
ALASCA has a modern, evidence-informed and value-driven approach to facilitating learning. It supports students to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed for success in further studies and careers. The school emphasizes ethical citizenship and international mindedness, with courses in philosophy and ethics and yearly service-learning projects. The IB Diploma Programme and Dutch curricula shape a learner profile that includes Thinkers, Principled, Communicators, Caring, Knowledgeable, Reflective, Inquirers, Open-minded, Balanced and Risk-takers.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
ALASCA is a modern, ambitious school for education at the highest level: vwo+ and havo. It is an IB World School and offers the IB Diploma Programme. Education is innovative and challenging. It works across disciplines; topics such as philosophy, ethics, design, art, English and technology receive extra attention.

Academic Facilities
ALASCA offers a broad liberal arts and sciences curriculum with strong attention to inquiry-based learning within interdisciplinary modules and projects. The school aims to prepare students to analyse complex academic problems and real-life situations. The educational approach includes courses in philosophy and ethics and yearly service-learning projects to develop a moral compass for local and international citizenship. The curriculum focuses on essay writing, debating, coding and programming, research skills, (digital) design and art, and conceptual thinking. The program emphasizes metacognitive skills to help students understand and manage their own learning over time. The International Profile Year 4–6 leads to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), with core components such as Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Action and Service, Extended Essay, and Diploma subjects including Dutch and English language and literature, Dutch ab initio, Psychology, Design Technology, Maths Applications and Interpretation, and Visual Arts.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Philosophy and ethics courses and yearly service-learning projects support students' moral citizenship and international engagement.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
ALASCA provides broad academic development within a liberal arts and sciences framework, with interdisciplinary modules and projects. An inquiry-based approach develops students' ability to analyse complex academic problems and real-life situations. The Diploma Programme core includes Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS), Extended Essay, and a range of HL/SL subjects. Within the International Profile, students follow an English-language curriculum and can pursue an IB Diploma, complemented by an exchange with ies Manacor in Mallorca.

Arts & Creative
Visual Creativity and Tech Craft (Arts | Technology) is part of the International Profile, along with Design Technology in the Diploma Programme. Students engage in digital design and art projects across interdisciplinary modules. Art and design are emphasized as essential components of liberal arts education to develop creative problem solving.

Cultural & Language
ALASCA offers Dutch and English as core languages, with Spanish or Independent German study available for external admissions. During the International Preparatory Year, students follow an English-language curriculum and may study Spanish or German, supporting bilingual international education. The school collaborates with ies Manacor in Mallorca, Spain for an international exchange program.

Community & Service
ALASCA places emphasis on developing a moral compass and responsible citizenship. Yearly service-learning projects are part of the curriculum, complemented by courses in philosophy and ethics. These projects provide opportunities to engage with local and international communities and apply learning in real-world contexts.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
ALASCA emphasizes a balanced approach to intellectual, physical and emotional well-being. Physical Education / PE is included in the International Preparatory Year. The learner profile highlights resilience, well-being and responsible international-mindedness as core attributes for future leaders and global citizens.
Languages

Language Provision
ALASCA is an IB World School offering the International Profile with an International Preparatory Year (IPY) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). IPY subjects include Dutch, English, and Spanish or Independent German study with school guidance for external admissions, plus Eras of Inquiries (History | Philosophy), Applied Economic Principles (Economics & Business), Perspectives on Societal Studies (Social Studies | Philosophy), Mathematics Levels: Fundamentals to Advance (Dutch equivalents to A/B/D), Living Systems and Behavioural Dynamics (Biology | Psychology), Visual Creativity and Tech Craft (Arts | Technology), and Physical Education (PE). International Profile Year 5 and Year 6 proceed to the Diploma Programme, whose core requirements are Theory of Knowledge (ToK), Creativity, Action, Service (CAS), and Extended Essay (EE); Diploma Subjects include Language A: Dutch Language and Literature (HL), Language A: English Language and Literature (HL/SL), Language Acquisition: Dutch ab initio (SL), Psychology (HL), Design Technology (SL), Maths Applications and Interpretation (SL/HL), and Visual Arts (SL/HL).
Admissions

Admissions
1. IPY admissions (International Profile Preparatory Year, age 15-16). The IPY pathway is open to students with a 3 vwo report card eligible for Year 4, students with a havo report card under special circumstances such as English spoken at home, and other students proficient in English with an academic record sufficient to enter Year 4 of pre-university education. An admission interview with the DP Coordinator and/or Career counsellor is part of the IPY process.

2. IB DP admissions (International Profile IB DP, age 16-18). IB DP admissions are open to: Students who have successfully finished IPY at ALASCA, students admitted to 5 vwo, students with a 5 havo Diploma, and Dutch or expatriate students at international schools abroad who are proficient in English and have an academic record sufficient to enter Year 5 of vwo. The IB Diploma Programme is a rigorous, academic programme requiring academic ability combined with commitment and resilience for students aged 16-18. An admission interview with the DP Coordinator and/or Career counsellor is part of the IB DP process.
School Events
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