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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.
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.
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.
FAQs
What age range does ALASCA serve?
ALASCA is a secondary school for students aged 11 to 18, offering vwo+ and havo levels with the IB Diploma Programme available from year 5.
What curriculum does the school follow?
ALASCA uses its own interdisciplinary curriculum blending philosophy, ethics, design, science and mathematics, meeting all national core objectives. The IB Diploma Programme is available from year 5 alongside Dutch exam qualifications.
Is ALASCA a private school?
No, ALASCA is a Dutch publicly funded secondary school. It does not charge standard tuition fees. Voluntary parent contributions and specific programme fees apply, with the International Profile costing approximately EUR 1,250 per year.
What is the International Profile?
The International Profile runs from Year 4 to 6, beginning with the International Preparatory Year (IPY) and continuing through the two-year IB Diploma Programme, with English as the main language of instruction.
What languages are taught?
The IPY includes Dutch, English and Spanish or German. In the Diploma Programme, students take Language A: English Language and Literature alongside other language courses. The school emphasises expressing oneself in more than one language.
Where is the school located?
ALASCA is housed in a modern, light and spacious building on Zeeburgereiland in Amsterdam.
How much do I need to pay?
ALASCA is publicly funded so there is no standard tuition. A voluntary general contribution of about EUR 180-225 per year is requested, plus EUR 1,250 per year for the International Profile programme.
Is there provision for gifted students?
Yes, students may accelerate, broaden or deepen their studies through elective modules, accelerated examination options and additional subjects. ALASCA also offers ALASKLAS, a supplementary programme.
What learning support is available?
The school provides care under inclusive education with a care coordinator. Individual Educational Plans and Learning Support Profiles are available, developed in collaboration with the local education authority.
What is the school's approach to wellbeing?
ALASCA emphasises balancing intellectual, physical and emotional development. The IB Learner Profile attributes of being balanced, caring, principled and reflective are embedded in the school culture.
How do I apply for the International Profile?
The IPY pathway is open to students with a 3 vwo report card eligible for Year 4, havo students under special circumstances, and other English-proficient students with suitable academic backgrounds.
Who runs the school?
ALASCA is part of Esprit Scholen and follows its governance framework, including the Board of Directors (College van Bestuur). The school has 748 students and was founded in 2016.
