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Curriculum IB (DP), IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), IMYC (International Middle Years Curriculum), Dutch Curriculum
Taught languages Dutch, English, Arabic, Spanish, French
Typical class size 14
Strengths Performing Arts, STEM, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction
De Nieuwe Internationale School van Esprit (DENISE) is a Dutch bilingual school for primary and secondary education with an international focus, located at Piet Mondriaanstraat 140. It serves students aged 4 to 18 and offers IPC primary (Dutch-English bilingual) and IMYC secondary (groups 9–11), with the English-language International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB-DP) in the upper years. In the Dutch system, the upper secondary track also includes VMBO-TL and HAVO exams alongside the IB-DP. DENISE has been an IB-World School since 2018 and is part of Esprit Scholen. A brugklas bridge program supports transition in lower secondary. The renovated building houses science classrooms and other modern facilities to support the curriculum, including EOA/ISK/Language classes. Bilingual instruction in primary is three days Dutch and two days English; the DP is taught in English with Dutch as a mandatory subject. Extracurriculars include Debate in theatre, DENISE Oscars Night, DENISE tree, and Participation Council.
De Nieuwe Internationale School van Esprit has 676 pupils, typical class sizes of 14, instruction in Dutch, English.
Location
DENISE is located at Piet Mondriaanstraat 140, 1061 TT Amsterdam. A subsidiary location is Orteliusstraat 28. DENISE provides education for children aged 4 to 18.
Stages
DENISE provides primary and secondary education. In the lower years of secondary education, there is a three-year brugklas program. In the upper years, the Dutch-language VMBO-TL and HAVO exam programs are offered, as well as the English-language International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB-DP).
Type
The school is a Dutch public bilingual school for primary and secondary education with an international focus. It is part of Esprit Scholen and an IB-World School since 2018.
Pupil Nationality Mix
Students from more than 70 different countries.
Additional learning support
Guidance and support are provided for students.
Country affiliation
Netherlands
Fees
Annual tuition at De Nieuwe Internationale School van Esprit ranges from EUR 225 to EUR 1,100 for 2026/27.
Application fees - No application or registration fee is charged for enrolling at De Nieuwe Internationale School van Esprit (DENISE). Enrollment is handled by the school's admissions process for students aged 4–18.
Tuition fees by school year (per term / per year group) - DENISE is a Dutch public (openbare) day school; it does not charge standard tuition fees for primary (groups 1–8) or secondary (groups 9–14) day students. Education is provided as a publicly funded school. - Voluntary annual parental contribution (applies across year groups): EUR 225 per child, charged once per school year. This contribution is collected to fund extracurricular activities and services used by the school community. You will receive a payment request from the school's financial administration at the start of the school year. - International Baccalaureate (IB) programme charges: an additional charge of EUR 400 paid twice applies to students in the IB pathway (where applicable). These additional IB charges are applied in addition to the voluntary parental contribution for students in the IB programme. The IB-related charges apply to the Pre‑DP / DP groups (group 12; IBDP 13i and 14i). - Book fund for exam classes: from the exam classes (groups 12/13/14) a books package is provided against a deposit of EUR 75. This applies specifically to the exam-year book fund arrangement.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Billing schedule: A payment request (invoice) for the voluntary parental contribution and any applicable programme charges will be issued by the school's financial administration at the start of the school year; the payment request includes an explanation of the intended spending. Payment terms (due date and accepted payment methods) are shown on that payment request. Non-payment of the voluntary parental contribution does not exclude a pupil from participating in school activities.
Boarding fees (if applicable) - DENISE does not operate a boarding / residential programme. Boarding fees are not applicable. The school is a day primary and secondary (PO/VO) bilingual school for ages 4–18.
Other costs or fees (uniforms, device, trips, insurance, etc.) - Uniform: No school uniform is specified in the school documentation. - Device / ICT: Secondary students are requested to provide their own device (Chromebook recommended). A Chromebook may be made available on loan in specific circumstances after request. This device expectation is an additional parental cost for secondary students. - Extracurricular / activity costs: The voluntary parental contribution (EUR 225) is used to pay for extracurricular activities and related services; individual trips or special activities may carry additional charges where applicable and are funded in part by that contribution. - School trips and travel insurance: The school board (Esprit Scholen) holds liability, accident and a continuous travel insurance which supplements private insurance; parents are expected to maintain their own insurance cover as the school's insurances have exclusions. Participation in some activities (for example school camp) is mandatory and may involve additional costs covered via contributions or specific charges. - Books deposit: As noted above, a EUR 75 deposit is collected for the books package in exam years (groups 12/13/14).
Refund information - Books deposit: the books arrangement is managed via a deposit (borg) of EUR 75 for the books package in exam classes; this deposit functions as a security deposit under the books‑fund arrangement. - Voluntary parental contribution and IB programme charges: the parental contribution is voluntary and non-payment does not exclude pupils from activities; details on refunds or adjustments (for mid‑year joiners or withdrawals) are handled through the school's financial administration and by the terms shown on the payment request. Specific refund mechanics for IB charges or other programme fees will be set out by the school's financial administration when invoiced.
Fee payment options - Payment instructions and accepted payment methods (for example bank transfer or other options) are provided on the payment request issued by the school's financial administration. Parents receive the payment request at the start of the school year and should follow the payment instructions on that document.
Academics
De Nieuwe Internationale School van Esprit teaches IB (DP), IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), IMYC (International Middle Years Curriculum), Dutch Curriculum for students aged 4 to 18.
Curriculum
DENISE is a Dutch public bilingual school for primary and secondary education with an international focus. In the lower years of secondary education, a three-year brugklas program. In the upper years, the Dutch-language VMBO-TL and HAVO exam programs, as well as the English-language International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB-DP). DENISE is part of Esprit Scholen and an IB-World School since 2018.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school focuses on academic and personal learning goals, including collaboration, adaptability, and resilience.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school is a Dutch bilingual school and provides the English-language International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB-DP).
Admissions
Admissions
Enrollment at DENISE is open for all students aged 4 to 18. Children younger than 4 follow the Amsterdam Municipal Admission policy. Good to know: there is high demand for places, so inquiries are handled by email only; school visits and phone calls are by appointment; read our admission policy; the annual parental contribution is €225, and for an IB program there is an additional charge of €400 twice if applicable; many groups are full (maximum 24 students per group) and you can place your child on the waiting list.
Information sessions: - Primary (Basisonderwijs): on-site information session at the school. Dates: Thursday 30 October 2025 at 9:00; Wednesday 4 March 2026 at 9:00; Wednesday 20 May 2026 at 9:00; registration via forms.gle. - From Group 8 to Group 9 (bridge class): information session plus a sample lesson on Wednesday 11 February from 14:30 to 16:30; registration via forms.gle; information booklet available. - Secondary education (for newcomers): online information session for parents and students from abroad interested in the newcomers program and DENISE progression. The session is from 14:00 to 15:00 on the following dates: Tuesday 28 October 2025; Tuesday 13 January 2026; Tuesday 21 April 2026; Google Meet links provided.
Leerlingen jonger dan 4 jaar (Under 4): Enrollment for under-4 follows the Municipal Admissions Policy. For births between 1 May 2022 and 31 August 2022: deadline 6 November 2025; births between 1 September 2022 and 31 December 2022: deadline 12 March 2026; births between 1 January 2023 and 30 April 2023: deadline 28 May 2026; births between 1 May 2023 and 31 August 2023: deadline 5 November 2026; born after 31 August 2023: dates to be announced. Following submission, automated placements occur in March, June and November to place children at the highest possible preferred school. Priority rules: 1. if the child turning 4 has an older sibling at the first-preference school; 2) children with DENISE as first preference outside the postcode area have priority over those with DENISE as first preference but within the postcode area and with a lower ranking. To accommodate the school's popularity, please fill in at least five schools on the form so your child can be placed elsewhere if needed.
Leerlingen tussen 4 en 12 jaar (4-12 years): In primary education, classes are bilingual, three days in Dutch and two days in English. It helps if your child speaks one of the languages. We will assess whether there is space in the appropriate class and may offer a place on the waiting list. Most classes are full and the waiting list is long.
Leerlingen tussen 12 en 18 jaar (12-18 years): DENISE has a three-year bridge class (grades 9, 10 and 11). We offer VMBO-TL, HAVO and IB (International Baccalaureate) diploma programs. Dutch language is mandatory; if your child does not yet master Dutch, entry may occur via one of our language classes. Our IB diploma program is fully in English, but Dutch is a mandatory subject. Special attention is given to newcomers and to students with language gaps.
AANMELDEN NIEUWKOMERS (Newcomers): Newcomers start in our newcomer program; their age on arrival in the Netherlands is between 12 and 17 years 10 months. Based on these assessments, they are placed at Mundus College (VMBO-B/K/TL and practical education) or at DENISE (from VMBO-TL to IB). The newcomer group is located at Van Hallstraat 621 in Amsterdam. If a student may join DENISE (the level permitting), they start in a language class to learn Dutch as a second language to reach approximately B1 level; once Dutch is at the required level, they transfer to the regular bilingual classes or to English-language IB education (with Dutch as a mandatory subject).
AANMELDEN GROEP 8 (Grade 8 admissions): For the transition from primary to secondary, DENISE participates in the Amsterdam municipal placement policy. Grade 8 students can apply to participate in the Central Lottery & Matching. For more information, see schoolkeuze020.nl. The central admission period runs from 20 to 31 March. Enrollment via ELK parent portal is possible after you have the final primary school advice, by 22 March. Detailed information about central admission is available at schoolkeuze020.nl.
AANMELDEN ZIJ-INSTROOM (Lateral entry) en andere situaties: Students already in the Netherlands at a secondary school or those who speak Dutch but do not yet have sufficient Dutch to attend a regular Dutch secondary school fall under zij-instroom. Places in regular groups are limited because groups are generally full. For additional information on entry requirements, please consult our admission policy. We will assess possibilities and inform you of the next steps.
Bezoek van de school en telefonisch contact kan alleen op afspraak. School visits and phone contacts are by appointment only.
Waitlist
Waitlist overview: When spaces are filled, DENISE maintains a waiting list. If more applications exist than available places, a lottery is used to allocate places in order of the applicant's preferred schools. Priority is given to 4-year-olds with an older sibling at the first-preference school and to applicants who have DENISE as their first preference outside the postcode area over those with DENISE as first preference but within the postcode area. Because DENISE is highly sought-after, applicants are asked to list at least five schools in the application. Registration for the waiting list is by emailing admin@denise.espritscholen.nl. Automated placements occur in March, June and November when places become available.
FAQs
What age range does DENISE serve?
DENISE serves students aged 4 to 18, covering both primary and secondary education on one main campus in Amsterdam.
What curriculum does the school follow?
DENISE offers IPC for primary (Dutch-English bilingual), IMYC for secondary groups 9-11, and the English-language IB Diploma Programme in the upper years. Dutch VMBO-TL and HAVO exam programmes are also available.
Is DENISE a private school?
No, DENISE is a Dutch public school and does not charge standard tuition fees. Voluntary parent contributions may be requested but education is publicly funded.
What languages are used for instruction?
DENISE is a Dutch bilingual school teaching in both Dutch and English. The IB Diploma Programme is taught in English, while VMBO-TL and HAVO programmes are in Dutch.
Where is the school located?
DENISE is located at Piet Mondriaanstraat 140, 1061 TT Amsterdam, with a subsidiary location at Orteliusstraat 28.
How diverse is the student body?
The school has students from more than 70 different countries, reflecting its international focus within the Dutch public education system.
When was the school established?
DENISE was founded in 2014 and became an IB World School in 2018. It is part of the Esprit Scholen group.
What are the tuition fees?
DENISE is a publicly funded Dutch school with no standard tuition fees. Voluntary contributions range from approximately EUR 225 to EUR 1,100 depending on the programme.
What exam qualifications can students obtain?
Students can obtain Dutch VMBO-TL or HAVO qualifications in the Dutch-language track, or the International Baccalaureate Diploma in the English-language track.
How do I apply?
Contact the school by email to enquire. There is high demand for places, so school visits and phone calls are by appointment only. If more applications than places are available, a lottery system is used.
Is there a waiting list?
Yes, when spaces are filled DENISE maintains a waiting list. If demand exceeds available places, a lottery allocates positions in order of preference.
What extracurricular activities are offered?
The school hosts debates in its theatre, the annual DENISE Oscars Night, and has a School Participation Council. The campus focuses on academic and personal learning goals including collaboration and resilience.
