International School Hilversum is one of the longer established names among the international schools in Amsterdam and its surrounding Gooi region. Part of the Alberdingk Thijm Scholen group, it is a Dutch international school that receives a government subsidy in return for following set admission rules, so a place costs a fraction of what private international schools charge. With the full IB continuum on a single campus, it is a strong subsidised option for families settling south east of the capital.
International School Hilversum at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | IB World School: PYP, MYP and the Diploma, plus a bilingual VWO stream. See the IB curriculum guide. |
|---|---|
| Stages | Primary to upper secondary, ages 4 to 18 |
| Founded | Not published |
| Accreditation | IB World School authorised for the PYP, MYP and Diploma; part of Alberdingk Thijm Scholen |
| Fee band | Subsidised, low for the region; published roughly EUR 1,866 to EUR 5,745 a year by programme (see Amsterdam fees) |
| Campus area | Single campus in Hilversum, Gooi region, south east of Amsterdam |
Curriculum and academics
ISH runs the full IB curriculum, from the Primary Years Programme through the Middle Years Programme to the Diploma Programme in the final years, all taught in English. Alongside the international track it offers a bilingual Dutch and English VWO stream, the Internationaal Tweetalig VWO, which lets students follow the Dutch academic pathway while building strong English. That combination of an international and a Dutch route on one campus is unusual and appeals to mixed nationality families and to Dutch families who want their children to keep a foot in both systems.
With around 700 students and staff and more than 45 nationalities, the school is genuinely international while staying smaller and more close knit than the largest city schools. It sits among the cluster mapped in our guide to the IB schools in Amsterdam and on the city's dedicated IB schools in Amsterdam hub, where its subsidised fees set it apart from the private alternatives.
Work out the full cost of a place
Use our fee calculator to bring tuition, registration and the usual extras into one annual figure before you commit.
International School Hilversum fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten 2 (age 4) | EUR 4,377 |
| Grade 1 | EUR 4,377 |
| Grade 6 | EUR 5,354 |
| Grade 12 | EUR 6,239 |
Source: International School Hilversum (ishilversum.nl). Subsidised Dutch international school; government-set low fees. Includes a small laptop contribution at upper years. Fees are the most recent published figures and exclude one-off costs such as registration, deposits and capital levies. Always confirm current fees directly with the school.
Fees are a major reason families consider ISH. As a subsidised Dutch international school it charges far below the private names tracked in our guide to international school fees in Amsterdam. Published annual tuition falls broadly between EUR 1,866 and EUR 5,745 depending on the programme, with the lower figures in the primary years and the higher ones in the Diploma. These rates are possible because the school is government subsidised as part of the Dutch education system.
Beyond tuition, budget for the usual extras such as materials, trips and Diploma examination fees in the senior years. Because subsidised rates are reviewed annually, confirm the current schedule and any one time registration costs directly with the school. Our fee calculator is the quickest way to model a full year once you have the school's own numbers in hand.
Admissions
Admission follows the rules that apply to all Dutch international schools rather than a competitive entrance examination. Places are intended for internationally mobile families: typically a child with a non Dutch nationality whose parent works in the Netherlands for a set period, or a Dutch national with international mobility such as time spent abroad or an upcoming posting. The school assesses each family against these criteria and advises on the right stage within the PYP, MYP or Diploma.
Entry follows the Dutch academic year, which begins in late August, with applications reviewed through the year as places allow. For the busier entry points apply several months ahead and have school reports and proof of eligibility ready, as demand for subsidised places can be high.
Location and who goes there
ISH occupies a single campus in Hilversum, a green town in the Gooi region south east of Amsterdam known for the Dutch media industry. Hilversum is around half an hour by train from Amsterdam and well linked to Utrecht as well, so the school draws families across the Gooi who want an English language education without a city commute. The single site keeps primary and secondary close, which suits families with children at different stages.
The community is international by design, made up of families posted to the Netherlands and Dutch families with international ties, including some drawn by the bilingual VWO route. For how Hilversum and the Gooi compare with central Amsterdam and the other commuter towns on housing, travel and school choice, the Amsterdam city hub sets out the wider regional picture.
International School Hilversum reviews
No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish parent reviews only once we can confirm the reviewer is part of the school community, and you will not find an invented star rating here. If your family has experience of International School Hilversum, please share it through our school reviews hub to help other relocating parents.
Frequently asked questions
How much are International School Hilversum fees?
As a subsidised Dutch international school, ISH charges far below the private schools near Amsterdam. Published annual fees fall broadly between EUR 1,866 and EUR 5,745 depending on the programme. Confirm the current schedule directly with the school.
What curriculum does International School Hilversum teach?
ISH is an IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme, taught in English, alongside a bilingual Dutch and English VWO stream for students following the Dutch academic track.
Is International School Hilversum a good school?
ISH is an established IB World School and part of the Alberdingk Thijm Scholen group, with around 700 students and staff and more than 45 nationalities on a single campus. We do not publish a rating, and encourage families to visit and read the IB authorisation and inspection material before deciding.
Who can enrol at International School Hilversum?
As a Dutch international school, places are for internationally mobile families, typically a child with a non Dutch nationality whose parent works in the Netherlands for a set period, or a Dutch national with international mobility. The school confirms eligibility case by case.
Where is International School Hilversum located?
ISH is in Hilversum, a town in the Gooi region south east of Amsterdam, on a single campus. Hilversum is around half an hour by train from Amsterdam and well connected to Utrecht as well.
