The International School of Amsterdam is the best known name among the international schools in Amsterdam and one of the most historically significant international schools anywhere. Founded in 1964, it was the first school in the world authorised to offer all of the core IB programmes, the first IB World School in Europe, and the first school in the Netherlands cleared to run the Diploma. Unlike the subsidised Dutch international schools in the region, ISA is a private, full fee school, and its premium price buys a long track record and a genuine choice of senior pathways.
International School of Amsterdam at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | Full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, Diploma) plus an accredited American curriculum High School Diploma. |
|---|---|
| Stages | Early years to upper secondary, ages 3 to 18 |
| Founded | 1964; first school in the world to offer all core IB programmes |
| Accreditation | IB, Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges |
| Fee band | Premium, private; published day tuition roughly EUR 13,875 to EUR 21,450 a year (see Amsterdam fees) |
| Campus area | Modern campus in Amstelveen, south of Amsterdam |
Curriculum and academics
ISA is built on the International Baccalaureate, running the Primary Years Programme from age 3, the Middle Years Programme to age 16, and the Diploma in the final two years. Its place in IB history is unusual: it was the first school in the Netherlands authorised for the Diploma in 1979 and for the Middle Years Programme in 1992, and the first in the world authorised for the Primary Years Programme in 1997. In the Upper School, students can take the IB Diploma or an accredited American curriculum High School Diploma, a flexibility that suits families who may move on to the United States.
Both routes are recognised internationally, and the school is accredited by the IB, the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the same body that accredits many American schools. Families weighing ISA against the alternatives will find it set out in our guide to the best American schools in Amsterdam, where its dual pathway and long pedigree stand out. For how the American track itself differs from the IB, the American curriculum guide explains the structure.
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International School of Amsterdam fees
ISA is a private school and its fees reflect that. It sits in the premium band of our guide to international school fees in Amsterdam, well above the subsidised Dutch international schools in the region. Published day tuition runs broadly from around EUR 13,875 a year in the early years to around EUR 21,450 in the senior years, with the precise figure depending on the stage. The school publishes its schedule by year group, and rates are revised annually, so confirm the current figure directly with the school.
Beyond tuition, budget for a registration or application fee, any deposit on acceptance, and the usual extras for trips, materials and Diploma examination fees in the final years. Many ISA families are supported by an employer relocation package, which can cover part of the cost. Our fee calculator is the quickest way to bring tuition and extras into a single annual figure.
Admissions
Admission is non selective, so ISA does not run a competitive entrance examination. The process draws on prior school reports, an assessment of English where relevant, and a conversation about where a child fits within the IB pathway or the High School Diploma route. As a large school with close to 1,200 students, ISA can usually place children at most stages, though popular entry points fill early.
The main intake aligns with the August start of the school year, but the school accepts applications through the year as places allow, which helps families relocating partway through. Senior applicants discuss whether the IB Diploma or the American style High School Diploma suits their plans, so the right pathway is in place for the final two years.
Location and who goes there
ISA occupies a modern campus in Amstelveen, a leafy suburb just south of Amsterdam that has long been a base for international families, including a large Japanese community and many employees of multinationals. The location gives quick access to the city and to Schiphol airport, which matters to globally mobile families. With close to 1,200 students from more than sixty nationalities, the school is large and cosmopolitan.
The intake is drawn from corporate and diplomatic families on assignment in the Netherlands, many of whom value the choice between the IB and an American diploma and the school's long standing reputation. For how Amstelveen compares with central Amsterdam and the commuter towns on housing, travel and school choice, the Amsterdam city hub sets out the wider map of the region.
International School of Amsterdam reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much are International School of Amsterdam fees?
ISA is a private, full fee school in the premium band for the region. Published day tuition runs broadly from around EUR 13,875 in the early years to around EUR 21,450 in the senior years. Rates are revised annually, so confirm the current schedule with the school.
Is the International School of Amsterdam an IB school?
Yes, and a pioneering one. ISA was the first school in the world to offer all core IB programmes, runs the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma programmes, and is accredited by the IB, the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Does ISA offer an American diploma?
Yes. In the Upper School, students can take the IB Diploma or an accredited American style High School Diploma, giving families a choice of two recognised routes to university in the final years.
What ages does ISA take?
ISA is a non selective school for children aged 3 to 18, covering the Primary Years from age 3 to 11, the Middle Years from 11 to 16 and the Diploma or High School Diploma years from 16 to 18.
Where is the International School of Amsterdam located?
ISA is on a modern campus in Amstelveen, a suburb just south of Amsterdam that is a long standing base for international families. It is well connected to the city and to Schiphol airport.
