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International Waldorf School The Hague

Netherlands, Rotterdam

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €6,850
Ages 4 - 12 years
Pupil numbers 80
Type Co-educational
Opened 1923
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IPC (International Primary Curriculum), Waldorf Steiner Curriculum
Taught languages Dutch
Typical class size 15
Strengths Visual and Creative Arts, Outdoor Education, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Kindergarten, Primary School
Introduction

The International Waldorf School The Hague is a non-profit international primary school offering the Waldorf Steiner curriculum for ages 4–12. Kindergarten (4–6) emphasizes imaginative play, storytelling, songs and crafts and is non-academic. Primary (6–12) teaches mathematics, language arts, science and history through an imaginative, artistic approach; arts are integrated into all subjects. Students learn to paint and draw, work with beeswax and clay, sing and play instruments, and undertake handwork and woodwork, guided by a class teacher for several years. Outdoor education and seasonal celebrations are core, tied to the Four Pillars of Wellbeing: Mindfulness, Community, Self-curiosity and Contentment. The medium of instruction is English; Dutch is taught by a specialist with EAL support as needed. The school sits near Scheveningen beach, in a campus with a gymnasium, daily outdoor play, and Kindergarten kitchens; a garden and wood structures enrich the environment. An active Participation Council supports school development and a multi-year improvement plan guides governance.

2e Messstraat 31, 2586 XA Den Haag, Netherlands

The Essentials

International Waldorf School The Hague has 80 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English.

Location
The International Waldorf School The Hague is located in The Hague, The Netherlands. The address is 2e Messstraat 31, 2586 XA The Hague. It serves children of the international community in The Hague and surrounding areas. It operates as a non-profit international primary school.

Stages
Kindergarten and Classes 1–6 are offered. The Waldorf approach is used for these levels, with the curriculum designed to foster intellectual, emotional, and social development.

Type
The school is a non-profit international primary school. It follows the Waldorf approach within an international context.

Pupil Nationality Mix
The pupil population is diverse with many nationalities represented. The school serves the international community in The Hague and surrounding areas.

Additional learning support
English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided—10 hours per week for students new to English. A learning support structure includes a Support Coordinator and access to external specialists. Staffing is limited and there are no teaching assistants.

Country affiliation
The Netherlands.

School day structure
The gate opens at 8:25 and the day begins at 8:40. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, dismissal is at 15:30; on Wednesday, dismissal is 12:30.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Dress code for children prohibits clothing with images of death, drugs, profanity or alcohol; branding should be avoided.

Food Options
Meals in the kindergarten: On Mondays, children bring their own healthy snack and lunch from home. From Tuesdays to Fridays, the school provides all meals (snack and lunch) for kindergarten children. Snack and lunch in the grades school: Primary school children bring their own healthy snack and lunch from home, plus a water bottle; meals are eaten in the classroom under teacher supervision, and children tidy up afterwards.

Governance and Ownership
The IWSTH is part of De Vrije School Den Haag, the Dutch Waldorf school. The Waldorf network in The Hague, Leiden and Rotterdam is governed by Stichting Vrijescholen Zuidwest Nederland (ZWN); the ZWN foundation acts as the responsible authority and employer. Management is led by a central director and overseen by a Supervisory Board.
Fees

Annual tuition at International Waldorf School The Hague ranges from EUR 6,850 for 2026/27.

Application fees
- Registration of Interest (one-time, per family): EUR 150 (invoiced when you submit the registration-of-interest form).
- Registration Fee (paid on confirmation of placement; non-refundable): EUR 250. This registration fee is payable together with Tuition Fee Module 1 to secure a confirmed place.

Tuition fees (per pupil) — academic year 2025–2026
- Full-year tuition (10 months): EUR 6,850 per pupil (standard annual charge for the 2025–26 school year).
- Tuition is billed in three successive modules for the school year (each module is invoiced separately):
- Tuition Fee Module 1 (start of school year — first 3 months): EUR 2,850 (equivalent to EUR 950 per month for months 1–3).
- Tuition Fee Module 2 (next 3 months — December through February): EUR 2,400 (equivalent to EUR 800 per month for months 4–6).
- Tuition Fee Module 3 (final 4 months — March through summer vacation): EUR 1,600 (equivalent to EUR 400 per month for months 7–10).
- Shorter enrolments are charged pro rata according to the number of months attended; sample totals published for 1–10 months (for example: 9 months EUR 6,450; 8 months EUR 6,050; 6 months EUR 5,250). Weekly start-in-July rates are published for July starters (e.g., EUR 250 per week for July starts in 2025–26). Full month-by-month and short-enrolment totals are itemised in the school's published fee structure.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Each Tuition Fee Module is invoiced separately; you must register your payment choice for each invoice in the school's payment system (WIS Collect). You may pay the invoice within the payment term or create a personal instalment plan in WIS Collect (the exception is Tuition Fee Module 1 for new pupils, which must be paid in accordance with the school's condition for starting). The tuition for the next month is expected to be paid by the end of the previous month at the latest. Employer invoicing can be arranged; to invoice an employer for the annual tuition the school requests notification to the financial administration before 1 June and allows a 30-day payment term for employer invoices.

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable. The International Waldorf School The Hague provides primary day education and uses external providers for out-of-school care; there is no boarding provision or boarding fee.

Other costs and fees
- After-school care and holiday care: after-school and holiday care are offered through external partner providers (examples include Amforça and Basker); those services carry separate fees set by the external providers and are not included in the tuition invoices. Parents who use these services will be charged by the chosen provider according to that provider's rates and terms.
- Food: kindergarten meals (Tues–Fri) are provided by the school; primary pupils bring their own snack and lunch. No separate school lunch fee for primary pupils is published.
- Uniforms and classroom materials: no compulsory school uniform fee or mandatory uniform charges are itemised in the published fee documents. Classroom materials and standard in-class resources are provided as described in the school guide; any elective activities or third-party services may carry additional charges at the provider's or school's discretion (such additional charges are not published as part of the standard tuition module invoices).

Refund information and cancellation rules
- Registration fee: the EUR 250 family registration fee is non-refundable.
- Trial-period refund: if a trial period is used and the school determines the child cannot continue, Tuition Fee Module 1 will be refunded.
- Cancellation / de-registration notice: a one-month notice period applies for cancellation. For the new school year you must notify the administration no later than 31 May (the policy requires at least one-third of Tuition Fee Module 1 to be paid by the end of June for September education). Cancellation after 31 May leads to retention of one month's fee; cancellation with less than one month's notice during the school year will result in one month's fee being retained. When a pupil leaves during the school year, credit is processed according to the charged month rate in the module to date; the school bills whole months (no pro rata for partial months), and credit is handled per the module in which the de-registration occurs.

Fee payment options
- All invoicing and payment choices are handled through the school's payment platform, WIS Collect; through that system you register whether you will pay within the payment term or schedule a personal instalment plan. The school can issue an annual invoice to an employer where required (notify financial administration in advance). Specific payment instruments accepted (bank transfer, SEPA direct debit, iDEAL, credit card, etc.) are those supported by WIS Collect and the school's payment service provider; payment method selection and instalment setup are made inside WIS Collect for each invoice.
Academics

International Waldorf School The Hague teaches IPC (International Primary Curriculum), Waldorf Steiner Curriculum for students aged 4 to 12.

Curriculum
The International Waldorf School The Hague follows a Waldorf curriculum. Kindergarten (ages 4–6) emphasizes imaginative play, artistic activity, crafts, language, verses, songs, puppetry, fairy tales and storytelling to nurture the whole child; the program is non-academic. The Primary School (ages 6–12) teaches mathematics, language arts, science, history, and more in an imaginative, artistic way to engage both feeling and intellect. Arts are integral: students learn to paint, draw, work with beeswax and clay, sing and play instruments, and pursue handcrafts and other crafts, with a class teacher guiding the same group for several years. The program includes outdoor education, seasonal celebrations and a focus on citizenship and wellbeing guided by the Four Pillars of Wellbeing: Mindfulness, Community, Self-curiosity and Contentment. The medium of instruction is English; Host Country Dutch is taught by a specialist, with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support as needed.

Student Teacher Ratio
Kindergarten class sizes are 15 students (up to 18 temporarily) and Class 1-6 sizes are 15 students (up to 17 temporarily). In 2024 the school planned to become a complete primary school with three Kindergartens and separate Classes 1-6.

Higher Education Progression
At the end of primary, some pupils move to other international schools. If families stay in the Netherlands and attend international schools, graduates typically earn the International Baccalaureate.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school emphasises a holistic education where physical education, handicrafts, the arts, respect for nature, and respect for others are as important as mathematics and literacy; this is described as learning with head, heart and hands.
Parent Experience

History
Founded in 1923 as the Waldorf School The Hague (De Vrije School Den Haag) with the support and blessing of Rudolf Steiner, the school grew, built its own building designed around Waldorf aesthetics and philosophy, and educated generations of teachers and children while staying true to its origins. The International Waldorf School The Hague was created with that same Waldorf spirit and intention. The Hague has become an international city hosting the International Court of Justice, Eurojust and the OPCW, which aligns with the school's international orientation. In 2017 a clear demand for an International Waldorf School serving internationally mobile families was recognised, and permission (and funding) from the Dutch Ministry of Education to establish the school was granted.

Community
Yearly Festivals are an important part of the school, helping children appreciate the rhythm of the year and build a sense of community. Some celebrations are school-wide and some are class-specific, with parents often invited to participate. The calendar includes traditional Waldorf festivals as well as festivals reflecting the diverse cultures within the school community, and the celebrations are dynamic and may vary year to year. The four festivals always celebrated together are Michaëlmas, Harvest, Mid-winter/Christmas, and Saint John, with additional celebrations such as Halloween, Día de los Muertos, Diwali, Ramadan, Saint Martin, Saint Nicolas, Advent, Epiphany, Chinese New Year, and spring festivals.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
There is active parent participation at IWSTH. Parents evenings provide information about class activities and developmental phases, and class parents act as a communication bridge between families and teachers. Many activities rely on parent involvement, including trips, annual festivities, plays, craft lessons and reading support. The school also draws on parental expertise through the Participation Council, which comprises two parent representatives and two employee representatives and can have an advisory role or, on certain matters, a decisive vote. The Participation Council page confirms its formal policy-making role and current composition, and the Parent Participation page describes how parents contribute to school life.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Located near the Scheveningen boulevard and the beach, the International Waldorf School The Hague occupies a former Catholic school building. The campus is accessible by public transport or bike, with parking about 50 meters away. All classes take regular walks to the beach and through nearby parks, and students play outside daily on the school playground. The building has its own gymnasium for Physical Education and Eurythmy, and every Kindergarten classroom is equipped with a kitchen to prepare fresh meals. The schoolyard features wood play structures, a sand pit, benches, and a garden with fruit, vegetables and flowers.

Sports Facilities
The building has its own gymnasium, where the children take Physical Education and Eurythmy. The schoolyard allows daily outdoor play on the playground, and the yard includes wood play structures, a sand pit, and a garden area.

Academic Facilities
Kindergarten classrooms are equipped with a kitchen to prepare fresh meals. Arts are an integral part of the Waldorf curriculum, with students learning to paint and draw, work with clay, stone and metal, and sing, play instruments such as the recorder or lyre; practical crafts like handwork and woodwork are also part of the program. All subjects—mathematics, social studies, language arts, science, music and foreign languages—are taught imaginatively and artistically.

Extra Curricular Facilities
After School Care and Holiday Care are offered through partnerships with Amforça and Basker International Childcare. Amforça provides after-school care for children aged 4–12 with regular sports programs and meals, with pick-up until 18:30; holidays are organized at Amforça's Scheveningen location. Basker International Childcare offers after-school and holiday programming, with facilities and arrangements tailored to IWSTH schedules, including care at their venue The Elms and related benefits. During school holidays, the out-of-school program may include sports camps and field trips.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school follows the Waldorf curriculum and links subject matter to the developmental stages of the children. Literacy, mathematics and reading are taught in daily lesson periods and in Waldorf main‑lesson blocks; teachers develop many lessons themselves and also use published schemes. The medium of instruction is English, with the Host Country Language (Dutch) taught if their level of English is deemed proficient; an EAL teacher supports pupils new to English. The curriculum emphasizes developing cognitive, physical, emotional and social skills and aims to cultivate independent problem‑solving and imaginative thinking.

Arts & Creative
The Waldorf curriculum includes handwork, music, eurythmy, form drawing and painting. These arts are integrated with other lessons and used to connect subject matter with creative expression. Artistic education is a core part of the Waldorf approach, and the school emphasises an artistic dimension in learning.

Cultural & Language
The medium of instruction is English; Dutch is taught as Host Country Language (HCL) if the student's English is deemed proficient. An EAL teacher supports pupils who are new to learning English. Annual celebrations and the cycle of nature are common threads in the curriculum, reflecting both seasonal rhythms and cultural diversity.

Social & Hobbies
Citizenship forms an integral part of the curriculum and is integrated into narrative material, history and nature studies, as well as social‑emotional wellbeing (Four Pillars) lessons. The curriculum supports social and emotional development and prepares pupils to participate responsibly in society. Festivals and school activities foster community and collaboration among students.

Community & Service
The school has a Participation Council that monitors improvement actions tied to a multi‑year plan. A five‑theme improvement agenda runs 2023‑2027, with annual targets and accountability. The school plan is published and accessible to stakeholders, and parents are engaged through sharing resources and participating in school life.

Leadership & Professional
Teachers differentiate the curriculum to meet the needs of all children, with learning support and EAL assistance. Staff policy emphasizes professional development and pedagogical‑didactic actions, and the school maintains a quality culture with ongoing staff development. The school plan outlines targets and is regularly updated to guide instructional and organizational improvement.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
All pupils and employees work on the Four Pillars of Wellbeing: Mindfulness, Community, Self‑curiosity and Contentment. The curriculum weaves in annual celebrations and cycles of nature to support wellbeing and a sense of belonging. Wellbeing is reinforced through social and emotional learning, community events and collaborative activities.
Languages

Language Provision
Curriculum is primarily taught in English. Dutch culture and traditions are incorporated into the curriculum. The school celebrates many international holidays, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Diwali, as well as cultural events such as Chinese New Year and the Japanese cherry blossom festival.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Admission criteria are set by the Dutch government. A child may enroll if the following conditions are met: the child has a nationality other than Dutch and at least one parent works in The Netherlands for a period of time; or the child has Dutch nationality and was educated abroad for at least two years because a parent worked abroad; or the child has Dutch nationality and at least one parent will be working abroad in the foreseeable future for at least two years, as confirmed in writing by an employer. Children can start formal education at age four. By parents we mean parents, guardians or caregivers.

2. The medium of instruction is English, and English language support is provided by an English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher for non-native English-speaking students.

3. To initiate the registration process, fill out the Registration of Interest form. The admissions team will follow up with a request to send your child's reports from their current school (except Kindergarten) and will arrange a meeting with the teacher. Shortly after the call or meeting, the admissions team will contact you to answer any remaining questions and provide the application form.

4. If you have younger children, register them on time (one school year prior to the desired entry date). Siblings receive priority enrollment, but they must still be registered by the parent on time. If a place has not been reserved in advance and class capacity is reached, your child will be placed on a waitlist. Tuition details are available on the Fee Policy page and the School Equivalents chart shows the appropriate class for your child.

Waitlist
If a class is full and a place has not been reserved in advance, the child will be placed on a waitlist. Siblings receive priority enrolment.
School Events
The school has not added events
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