The International School of Amsterdam, almost always shortened to ISA, is the best known of the international schools in Amsterdam and has taught the children of expatriate and globally mobile families since 1964. Based in Amstelveen, the residential suburb just south of the city, it runs the complete International Baccalaureate continuum from a nursery stage through to the Diploma Programme and prepares students for universities worldwide. ISA holds a notable place in the country's education history: it was the first school in the Netherlands authorised to offer the IB Diploma, in 1979, and the first authorised for the Middle Years Programme, in 1992.
International School of Amsterdam at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | Full IB continuum: PYP, MYP and Diploma Programme (International Baccalaureate) |
|---|---|
| Stages | Nursery to Grade 12 (roughly age 2 to 18) |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Accreditation | IB World School; accredited by the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges since 1983 |
| Languages | English medium, with extensive mother tongue and Dutch provision |
| Fee band | Premium, at the upper end of the Amsterdam range |
| Campus area | Sportlaan, Amstelveen, greater Amsterdam |
Curriculum and academics
ISA teaches the International Baccalaureate from start to finish, one of the few schools anywhere to run all three core programmes alongside a nursery stage. Children move from the Primary Years Programme through the Middle Years Programme and into the Diploma Programme in the final two years, an inquiry led pathway that keeps the same educational philosophy from age 2 to 18. For how the IB works in detail and how it compares with national systems, our IB curriculum pillar sets out the framework, assessment and university recognition.
The school is large, well resourced and deeply experienced in the IB, with a long record of Diploma results and graduates progressing to universities across Europe, North America and beyond. English is the language of instruction, supported by strong mother tongue programmes and Dutch, which suits families who move between countries and want continuity of curriculum. Families comparing ISA with other IB options will find the city's wider IB schools in Amsterdam listing useful for shortlisting.
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International School of Amsterdam fees
International School of Amsterdam fees sit at the upper end of the Amsterdam international school fees range, in the city's premium band. Tuition rises by stage, with early years lower than the secondary and Diploma years, and the school publishes its current rates by year group, which is the figure to rely on, as fees are reviewed annually. As a guide to scale, recent published tuition spanned roughly the high teens to high twenties of thousands of euros a year, but confirm the live numbers before applying.
Beyond tuition, plan for the costs a parent must budget separately. At ISA these have included a one off capital fee charged on entry, an application fee, and a parent association contribution, with further charges for items such as trips, lunches and any bus service. There is no boarding option. Because every figure changes year to year, treat published bands as a planning guide and confirm the exact tuition and ancillary charges with the admissions office.
Admissions
ISA admissions run to a rolling cycle built around an August start, with mid year entry accepted where places are available by year group. Families apply through the school's admissions team, submitting recent school reports and references, and younger applicants may have an informal assessment of readiness rather than a competitive examination. Demand is strongest at the main entry points, so early application is advisable once an Amsterdam move is confirmed.
The school is used to the timelines of corporate relocation and international transfers, and can advise on availability stage by stage. Overseas families should factor in the residence documentation needed to settle in the Netherlands. Because the campus is single site and places are finite, ISA encourages families to make contact as soon as a posting is known.
Location and who goes there
ISA occupies a purpose built campus on Sportlaan in Amstelveen, the green, low rise municipality immediately south of Amsterdam that has long been the heart of the area's international community. Amstelveen, along with the Zuidas business district, Buitenveldert and the southern canal neighbourhoods, is where many ISA families live, drawn by family housing, parks and quick links into the city and to Schiphol airport.
The community is genuinely international, spanning many nationalities tied to multinational employers, the legal and financial sector and the diplomatic presence in the region, with a smaller cohort of Dutch and dual nationality families. For how Amstelveen and the southern districts compare with the rest of the region, the Amsterdam city hub maps where the main expatriate communities settle and which schools serve them.
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much are International School of Amsterdam fees?
ISA sits in the premium band for Amsterdam, with annual tuition that rises by stage from the early years to the Diploma Programme. The school publishes current tuition by year group, alongside a one off capital fee, an application fee and a parent association charge. Confirm the live figures with the admissions office before applying.
Does the International School of Amsterdam offer the IB?
Yes. ISA runs the full International Baccalaureate continuum, the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme, plus a nursery stage for its youngest children. It was the first school in the Netherlands authorised for the IB Diploma.
Is the International School of Amsterdam a good school?
ISA is a long established, fully accredited IB World School with one of the deepest IB track records in Europe. We do not publish a star rating without verified parent reviews, so we set out its programme and accreditation rather than score it.
When do International School of Amsterdam applications open?
ISA runs a rolling admissions cycle around an August start, and accepts mid year entry where places exist. Families relocating to Amsterdam should apply as early as a posting is confirmed, as demand at popular entry points is high.
Where is the International School of Amsterdam?
It is on a single campus at Sportlaan in Amstelveen, the leafy international suburb directly south of central Amsterdam where many expatriate families settle.
