doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
I

International School of Amsterdam

Netherlands, Amsterdam

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · Chief Marketing Officer

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €21,940 - 31,495
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1300
Type Co-educational
Opened 1964
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages Dutch, French, German, Spanish, English, Mandarin, Afrikaans, Bulgarian, Danish, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Swedish
Typical class size 18
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Leadership and Professional
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

International School of Amsterdam is an independent, non-profit IB World school for ages 2 to 18. It offers the IB continuum from Early Years through Diploma, with the Diploma Programme on site and standard and higher level courses, plus a Pamoja option for DP courses. English is the language of instruction with EAL support; language offerings include Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin, with mother-tongue support available for several languages. ISA opened in 1964 and was the first school to provide a complete IB curriculum from Pre-School to Grade 12. The campus blends indoor and outdoor spaces, from Nursery and Early Years rooms with a gym, teaching kitchen, music room and library, to flexible teaching spaces and multiple play areas. Three libraries, each with a full-time librarian, support research through Destiny, Sora and NoodleTools. ISA runs a broad NECIS sports program and a lively after-school program with clubs such as MUN, Centre Stage Drama and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Sportlaan 45, 1185 TB Amstelveen, Netherlands

The Essentials

International School of Amsterdam has 1,300 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English.

Location
The school is located at Sportlaan 45, 1185 TB Amstelveen, The Netherlands.

Stages
Nursery; Early Years; Primary Years; Middle Years; Diploma Years.

Type
It is an independent, co-educational day school. The school does not offer boarding facilities for any year groups.

Pupil Nationality Mix
The school has close to 1,300 students representing over 60 nationalities.

Additional learning support
Lower School and Upper School Learning Diversity (LD) teams provide academic support during the school day depending on need and specialist evaluation. LD teams provide general counselling for emotional, personal, social and transition issues, and an Individualised Learning Plan (ILP) is developed for students with diagnosed learning needs. English Acquisition (EA) provides English as an Additional Language support, and university/career counselling is available in Upper School.

Country affiliation
The school operates as an independent international institution and does not have an affiliation with any specific country or national government.

Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliation.

School day structure
The standard school day runs from 08:30 to 15:25 or 15:30 depending on the grade level, with a delayed start time of approximately 09:20 on Fridays. All students have a scheduled morning recess and an hour-long midday break for lunch.

Bus service
Bus service is provided through WND Services with door-to-door routes for families. Coverage zones and fees are published.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
There is no formal school uniform. Dress Guidelines apply; clothing should be appropriate and respectful, with caps, hoods or other headwear allowed only when required for medical, cultural or religious reasons; inappropriate dress includes clothing that is excessively revealing or bears offensive or unsafe content.

Food Options
Lunch is provided on campus and a Lunch Menu is available on the ISA site.

Governance and Ownership
The school is an independent, non-profit foundation guided by a Supervisory Board. The Board approves the annual budget, salaries and capital expenditures, and acts as the stewards of ISA's assets while defining the school's mission, vision and future direction.
Fees

Annual tuition at International School of Amsterdam ranges from EUR 21,940 to EUR 31,495 for 2026/27.

Application fee and enrolment deposit

- Application fee (one-time, non-refundable): € 320.
- Enrolment deposit for new students (one-time, refundable subject to the school's withdrawal conditions): € 2,500. The deposit must be paid to secure an offered place and will be refunded only when the school's conditions for refund are met; the deposit is not refunded if a student does not enrol.

Annual tuition fees by year group (school year 2025–26)

- Nursery (2-year-old): € 21,940 per year.
- Pre-school (3-year-old): € 21,940 per year.
- Pre-Kindergarten: € 23,915 per year.
- Kindergarten: € 24,285 per year.
- Grade 1 – Grade 5: € 26,645 per year.
- Grade 6 – Grade 8: € 29,690 per year.
- Grade 9 & Grade 10: € 30,670 per year.
- Grade 11 & Grade 12: € 31,495 per year.

Per-term billing (standard invoicing pattern used by the school)

- The school's published payment schedule uses an invoicing pattern where families may pay the full invoice early or use a three-stage payment pattern: 25% due by the first deadline, 50% due by the second deadline, and 25% due by the third deadline. Per-term amounts below are calculated from the published annual tuition using that 25% / 50% / 25% split (these per-term figures are derived from the published annual tuition and the school's standard split).

- Nursery / Pre-school (Annual € 21,940):
- Term I (25%): € 5,485.00
- Term II (50%): € 10,970.00
- Term III (25%): € 5,485.00.

- Pre-Kindergarten (Annual € 23,915):
- Term I (25%): € 5,978.75
- Term II (50%): € 11,957.50
- Term III (25%): € 5,978.75.

- Kindergarten (Annual € 24,285):
- Term I (25%): € 6,071.25
- Term II (50%): € 12,142.50
- Term III (25%): € 6,071.25.

- Grade 1 – Grade 5 (Annual € 26,645):
- Term I (25%): € 6,661.25
- Term II (50%): € 13,322.50
- Term III (25%): € 6,661.25.

- Grade 6 – Grade 8 (Annual € 29,690):
- Term I (25%): € 7,422.50
- Term II (50%): € 14,845.00
- Term III (25%): € 7,422.50.

- Grade 9 & Grade 10 (Annual € 30,670):
- Term I (25%): € 7,667.50
- Term II (50%): € 15,335.00
- Term III (25%): € 7,667.50.

- Grade 11 & Grade 12 (Annual € 31,495):
- Term I (25%): € 7,873.75
- Term II (50%): € 15,747.50
- Term III (25%): € 7,873.75.

One-off and supplementary annual charges

- Capital fee (annual, contributes to campus, technology and capital costs): listed for 2025/26 (example amounts in published schedules show the capital fee in the range reported around € 3,245 for first-year calculations); this fee is charged in addition to tuition.
- Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) fee (annual, per student): € 35.
- Administration fee (applies to split-payment arrangements or processing of split invoices; historical schedules show administration fees in the region of € 375–€ 415 where applicable).
- IB examination fees: charged in addition and determined by the IB Organisation; these exam charges are invoiced separately where applicable for Diploma candidates.
- Bus service: door-to-door bus service is offered (fees vary by route and are invoiced separately).
- Additional costs that may be invoiced separately: extracurricular activities, after‑school care or vacation care programmes, specific specialist support or therapy, instrument rental/lessons, school trips, and certain course materials—these items are billed in addition to tuition when used.
- On-campus stationery / small shop items are available for purchase; no compulsory uniform fee is published in the school's fee schedules.

Boarding

- Boarding is not offered. ISA is a day school; boarding facilities are listed as DAY in the school's IB profile and school listings.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Standard invoicing/payment options reported in the school's fee schedules include the following patterns: pay the full invoiced amount by the early deadline (no split), or use a three-stage payment schedule: 25% by the first deadline, 50% by the second deadline, and 25% by the third deadline. Alternative instalment plans may be available only by written agreement; interest can apply to instalment plans. The administration fee for split payments may be deducted if the invoice is settled within an early-payment window in the schedule.

Refunds and withdrawal

- The enrolment deposit is refundable only under the school's stated withdrawal conditions; the deposit is not refunded if a student does not enrol. Tuition refunds after enrolment are governed by the school's withdrawal and refund rules and depend on the date of formal withdrawal and whether contractual and financial obligations have been met; partial refunds and administrative conditions are set out in the school's fee schedule and withdrawal policy.

Fee payment methods and practical notes

- Bank transfer is the standard payment method shown in published fee schedules and invoices (IBAN and bank details are provided on school invoices). Historical fee schedules show ABN AMRO bank details for euro payments. Families should follow the invoice for exact payment instructions and the billing reference to ensure correct posting of payments.

- Split-payment administration charges and interest on instalments are specified in the school's schedule of fees; bank charges for international transfers are the payer's responsibility.

(End of fees overview.)
Academics

International School of Amsterdam teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
ISA provides an IB continuum from Early Years through Diploma. The school offers an Early Years Programme, the IB Primary Years Programme, IB Middle Years Programme and the IB Diploma Programme. ISA was the first school in the world to offer a complete IB curriculum from Pre-School to Grade 12. Lower School follows the Primary Years Programme with inquiry-based, transdisciplinary learning and an international perspective. Upper School delivers the Diploma Programme on site, with a range of standard and higher level DP courses, and an option to complete DP courses through Pamoja; English is the language of instruction with EAL support, and ISA offers language options including Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin, with mother-tongue language support available for several languages.

Exam Results
The Class of 2025 IB results were above global averages. The results reflect ISA's long-standing record of academic excellence in the IB programme.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates have offers from top universities and institutions across the globe, including destinations in Amsterdam and worldwide.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The health, mental health and wellbeing of ISA students is of the utmost importance. Every student should feel safe, cared for and advocated for. Lower School Counselling and the Learning Diversity (LD) teams provide support for emotional, personal, social and transition needs, in consultation with parents. The Personal, Social and Emotional Curriculum is delivered through counselling and integrated with Units of Inquiry. Upper School Counselling and LD teams work with students, families and staff to support wellbeing and transitions; student voice helps shape safeguarding and wellbeing initiatives.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Lower School Learning Diversity (LD) teams provide academic support during the school day based on need and specialist evaluation. The LD team offers general counselling for emotional, personal, social and transition issues. An Individualised Learning Plan (ILP) is developed for students with documented learning needs, outlining strengths, challenges, classroom strategies and accommodations. External testing and specialised support are privately funded by families and can include psycho-educational evaluations, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, play and drama therapy, and tutoring. Assistance with external testing accommodations can be provided through the counselling/LD team.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is the language of instruction. English Acquisition (EAL) support is available for students who join ISA with limited English. In Lower School, EAL is delivered in small groups or within homeroom until proficiency allows independence. In Upper School (grades 6-10), specialised EAL classes support listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and presenting; intake testing determines level (Elementary, Intermediate, Transition). Home Language development is supported through a Home Language Programme and a Lower School Language Academy; multiple languages are offered as part of the regular program and language policy guides development.

Mental Wellbeing
The health, mental health and wellbeing of ISA students is a central priority; every student should feel safe, cared for and advocated for. The Safeguarding Leadership Team oversees policies and practices to create a culture of safety, with annual child-protection training for staff. A designated safeguarding lead and counsellors support student wellbeing, with a Response Team formed around safeguarding concerns as needed. External helplines and mental health resources are available to students and families.

Safeguarding
ISA adheres to ITFCP principles and standards set by accreditation agencies, with a safeguarding leadership team and safeguarding committee overseeing policies and procedures. Staff receive annual training in child protection and recruitment follows checks on identity, employment history, education qualifications, references and criminal background; these checks are renewed regularly. Child safeguarding covers protecting children from abuse, preventing harm, ensuring safe environments and supporting best outcomes, and includes education about rights and safety. The school follows the Dutch Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Reporting Code Act and uses a formal reporting code with steps to identify signs, consult with colleagues, talk with the student and parents, assess risk, and decide on actions, including reporting to Veilig Thuis when required (police involvement only in extreme cases).
Parent Experience

History
The International School of Amsterdam opened in January 1964 to educate expatriate children, following collaboration between the City of Amsterdam and local business leaders led by IBM executive A. Uyttenbroek. It began with 13 students in two classrooms and grew as Amsterdam's international business community expanded. In the early 1970s the city enabled ISA to move from its original classrooms to five temporary wooden buildings in Amsterdam-Osdorp, and in 1977 it moved to a purpose-built facility in Buitenveldert. ISA became the first school in the world to offer the complete IB curriculum (PYP, MYP, DP), and by 2024 had grown to over 1,200 students on a modern campus.

Community
ISA is an international community of learners from over 52 countries. The community includes students, faculty and staff, and alumni, with active involvement from parents through the PTA and groups such as the Green Team. ISA hosts cross-cultural events and community activities, including Global Village Day and cultural coffee mornings, to bring people together. The school is located at Sportlaan 45, Amstelveen, where the community connects.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) brings together parents, teachers and staff to foster connection and meaningful community engagement. Throughout the year, the PTA organises events designed to unite our vibrant community, including cultural coffee mornings featuring dishes from around the world, community-building events, and a range of themed social groups. The PTA Committee comprises dedicated members, both elected and appointed, with elections held annually. The Bear Necessities School Store is run entirely by parent volunteers and stocks school supplies and ISA-branded merchandise, with the profits supporting PTA-sponsored events. There are plenty of ways to get involved and contribute to our thriving school community, and the PTA is located at Sportlaan 45, Amstelveen, The Netherlands.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
ISA's campus offers indoor and outdoor learning environments. The Nursery and Early Years spaces include an Early Childhood gym, a teaching kitchen, a music room and a library. Nappy/diaper changing facilities and sleeping cots support the youngest learners. Indoor and outdoor play areas and playgrounds form part of flexible teaching spaces. Part-time Nursery and Pre-School options provide additional learning spaces with a kitchen, library, gym and music room.

Sports Facilities
ISA offers a broad athletics program across Fall, Winter and Spring seasons. Starting from grade 5, students can try out for ISA teams. Teams are organized in four age groups and practice twice a week, with tournaments at season end. Available sports include Football, Basketball, Tennis, Volleyball, Swimming, Cross Country, Track & Field, Softball and Golf. The program emphasizes sportsmanship, teamwork and leadership as part of NECIS competition.

Academic Facilities
ISA Libraries provide reading and research instruction for Early Childhood through Upper School. Each library has a full-time librarian and a library assistant. The libraries' instructional programs are integrated into ISA's PYP, MYP and DP curricula, and resources include print and digital materials accessible across the campus. The three library facilities are student-centered instructional hubs that welcome diverse texts, languages and viewpoints. The Destiny library catalogue, Sora ebooks and audiobooks, periodical databases and NoodleTools support student research.

Extra Curricular Facilities
ISA offers a comprehensive after-school program with activities, sports, music and languages. Activities and sports run after school and focus on enjoyment, participation and personal improvement. The program features Art, Ballet, Basketball, Building & Construction, Centre Stage Drama, Coding Club, Chess Club, ISA Music Academy and numerous other clubs, as well as music ensembles and choirs. A Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is available for students in Grades 9–12, and a wide range of clubs includes MUN, Debate, Entrepreneurship, STEM and more.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school was the first in the world to offer a complete International Baccalaureate curriculum from Pre-School to Grade 12. The Diploma Programme is offered for Grades 11–12 and comprises six academic groups plus the core elements: Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and Creativity, Activity, Service. IB credentials have been offered since 1980, with a range of DP courses available on-site and additional courses offered through the online Pamoja platform.

Arts & Creative
Arts at ISA include Music, Drama, Visual Arts and Film for Kindergarten through the Diploma Programme. Music programs include Lower and Upper School ensembles and choirs, with private lessons through the ISA Music Academy. Drama explores expression in Lower and Upper School, with DP Theatre Arts options at SL/HL. Visual Arts and Film are offered across the levels, with DP components and opportunities to study media and exhibit work.

Cultural & Language
English is the language of instruction. ISA supports additive bilingualism and home language development; English Acquisition (EAL) provides language support in Lower and Upper School; Home Language Programme helps maintain students' home languages; Lower School Language Academy offers after-school language development; Language A in Middle Years and Diploma Programmes includes Dutch, English, French, German and Spanish, with tutoring for additional languages.

Social & Hobbies
The school offers after-school activities for Pre-School to Grade 12 that emphasize enjoyment, participation and personal development. Offerings include Art Class, Ballet, Basketball, Centre Stage Drama, Music Academy and a range of clubs. Learners can join student-led clubs such as Debate Club, Chess Club and other groups, and there is a Duke of Edinburgh's International Award from Grade 9. MUN is available to Grades 6–12 and sign-ups are organized by season.

Community & Service
ISA is a diverse international community with students, faculty and staff from over 66 countries; ambassadors help new students and national representatives welcome families. The community bridges cultures and promotes sustainable futures through service projects and eco-initiatives, with strong connections among students, alumni and partners. The DP emphasises community through CAS, and the school highlights international understanding and service in its mission and publications.

Leadership & Professional
Model United Nations is open to Grades 6–12, developing leadership, diplomacy and teamwork. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is available from Grade 9, offering Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. Ambassadors support new students and families, and the school engages students in leadership and community initiatives through clubs and organizations. The DP's CAS component also fosters creativity, activity and service as components of student leadership development.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
ISA promotes wellbeing through sport and physical education as a NECIS member, focusing on healthy competition, sportsmanship and participation. Starting in Grade 5, students may try out for ISA teams, with fall, winter and spring seasons and multi-team structures; seasons end with regional tournaments and competitions. The athletics program supports physical and mental well-being through teamwork, dedication and leadership as part of a balanced school experience.
Languages

Language Provision
ISA offers a broad language program aligned with the IB continuum. Dutch is taught as an additional language from the Lower School, with three sessions per week for Grades 1 to 5, and EAL support for students who are not proficient in English. Language A classes are offered in Dutch, English, French, German and Spanish in the Middle Years Programme, and the Diploma Programme provides Language A in Dutch and English with a school-supported self-taught option. A Home Language Programme and the Lower School Language Academy support home-language maintenance in languages including Afrikaans, Bulgarian, Danish, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Russian, and Swedish.

Bilingual Teaching
ISA promotes additive bilingualism, enabling students to acquire a second language with little to no detriment to their first language. English is the language of instruction, and students are encouraged to study their home language in addition to English wherever feasible. In the Lower School, regular classroom lessons are in English, Dutch and/or French, with the Lower School Language Academy supporting home language development. Mother-tongue language classes are offered across the programme, including Afrikaans, Bulgarian, Danish, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Russian, and Swedish.
Reputation

Accreditations
The school is accredited by the Council of International Schools and by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges since 1983, and it is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering the IB Diploma Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Primary Years Programme. The IBDP authorization dates back to 1980, with MYP authorized in 1992 and PYP as the first world to offer it in 1997.
Admissions

Admissions
1. ISA's application process is online. New families should start by completing an online inquiry form to receive information, then use the online application portal to submit an online application. An application is considered started when the application fee is paid and the Student Application and Household Information sections are completed, and this date is used to prioritise space in each grade level.

2. Review and admissions decision. Once an applicant's file is fully complete, it is reviewed by key faculty and staff, including the Admissions Office and the Head of Lower or Upper School. Families receive an email with notification of the admissions decision and information regarding space availability. The school reserves the right to refuse admission for reasons considered relevant by the school. Grade placement is evaluated based on previous school records and other supporting documents, with input from the family but the final decision resting with the appropriate Head of School.

3. Grade placement and criteria. Admissions decisions are based on a committee review of each candidate's previous school experience, social-emotional development and behaviour, and linguistic background. Priority consideration is given to applicants with siblings currently enrolled at ISA, to international families, and to applications received earlier. The Admissions Committee comprises the Director of Admissions, the Admissions Officer, the Head of School, counsellors, learning support specialists, grade level coordinators, the school nurse and/or other faculty as appropriate.

4. English proficiency requirements. ISA seeks to serve an international community and English is the main language of instruction, so the school supports students' English development to access the programmes offered. English proficiency requirements: students may join without any prior English language proficiency until Grade 9; students entering Grade 10 must demonstrate a minimum of intermediate proficiency, and students entering Grade 11 must demonstrate advanced proficiency. English as an Additional Language support is not available for students in Grades 11 and 12.

5. Entrance to Grades 11–12 (IB Diploma Programme). Applicants wishing to enter ISA in Grade 11 undertake placement assessments to determine suitable pathways through to graduation. Students wishing to enter the IB Diploma programme must join Grade 11 by October 1, as two years are required to complete the courses; entrance criteria for the full diploma programme and IB Diploma courses are contained in the IB Diploma Course Descriptions Guide. ISA offers the Diploma Programme with courses across Groups 1–6 and also provides the option of online DP courses through Pamoja.
School Events
The school has not added events
Compare International School of Amsterdam with
vs Amity International School Amsterdam
Search for more schools
Search schools in Netherlands View all schools in Amsterdam View all schools in Netherlands IB curriculum schools in Netherlands Open days & tours in Amsterdam What is the IB curriculum? View all schools Search all schools