The Amsterdam school context
Amsterdam's international school market is structurally different from most. Alongside private international schools, the Dutch state funds "international school" streams within mainstream Dutch schools (DENISE, Hyperion, Esprit, AICS) charging only modest contribution fees. These deliver IB Diploma outcomes equivalent to the private alternatives at 5 to 15% of the fees. Many expat families with longer-term Amsterdam commitments choose this route.
The 2026 top 10
International School of Amsterdam (ISA)
The premier private international school in greater Amsterdam. PYP through DP. Strong outcomes, balanced cohort. Amstelveen location with strong housing catchment. The default for IB-bound corporate-relocation families.
Amsterdam International Community School (AICS) - Multiple campuses
State-funded international school with IB MYP and DP. Multiple campuses across Amsterdam. Outstanding value: IB Diploma at near-zero fees. Open to children of families with international background. Apply through Dutch admissions process.
British School of Amsterdam (BSN)
The largest British school in the Netherlands. Strong A-Level outcomes, UK university pipeline. Multiple campuses (junior and senior). Particularly strong for British-curriculum-bound families.
Amity International School Amsterdam
Newer private IB school (2018) with strong faculty quality from launch. Modern campus, balanced cohort. Often easier admissions than ISA with comparable academic outcomes.
DENISE (De Nieuwe Internationale School Esprit)
Central Amsterdam state-funded international school. Strong IB Diploma outcomes. Smaller cohort than AICS but equally excellent value. Particularly suited to central-Amsterdam families.
Hyperion Lyceum
State Dutch gymnasium with bilingual English stream (Tweetalig Onderwijs). Excellent academic outcomes at near-zero fees. Selective admissions. The strongest value play for academically-strong children with Dutch-language capacity.
Lycée Vincent Van Gogh - The Hague Campus
French school serving Amsterdam and The Hague expat families. French Baccalauréat. Strong academic outcomes. Daily commute possible from Amsterdam suburbs.
European School The Hague
State-funded European school with European Baccalauréat. Multiple language sections. Subsidised for EU-institution staff families. Outstanding value for eligible families.
International School Haarlem
Newer state-funded international school 20 minutes from Amsterdam. Growing reputation, strong faculty quality. Good fit for families based in Haarlem or western suburbs.
Amsterdam International Primary School (AIPS)
State-funded primary international school. Strong PYP programme. Children typically transition to AICS or ISA at secondary. Excellent value for primary years.
What didn't make the top 10
Optimist International School, Florencius International School, several IB primaries within Esprit Scholen network. Several state-funded options serving smaller catchments warrant consideration depending on family circumstances.
Fees and the Dutch international school advantage
Amsterdam's distinctive feature is the gap between private (EUR 22K to 30K) and state-funded international (EUR 5K to 7K) fees for comparable IB outcomes. For families with children of "international background" (meeting Dutch eligibility criteria) the state-funded route is genuinely transformative on family economics. Read our 2026 fee report for the full city comparison.
Neighbourhoods
- Amstelveen: ISA, Amity. Premium expat suburb, school-bus catchment.
- Zuid (Amsterdam South): BSN. Premium central residential.
- Centrum: DENISE, AICS central. Urban, canal-belt, premium.
- Noord: Hyperion. Cheaper, growing residential, ferry to centre.
- Haarlem / Heemstede: International School Haarlem. Lower density, lower cost.
Free download
City handbooks with Amsterdam school analysis. Part of our city handbook collection.