International Schools in Amsterdam

Ages 2-18 · IB · Amstelveen · ~1,150 students

ISA is the default choice for corporate-package families arriving in the Amsterdam area - well established, strong IB results, and a door-to-door bus service that makes the Amstelveen location manageable. If you're self-funding, the total annual cost clears EUR 35K once the capital fee is added, so compare carefully.

Ages 3-18 · IB · Amstelveen · ~410 students

Amity is worth serious consideration if you want full IB in a smaller, less corporate setting - it's the most affordable of the three main Amsterdam IB options, and the Amstelveen campus is genuinely pleasant. Being a young school, it is still building its track record, so ask directly about university outcomes and teacher retention.

Ages 4-12 · Bilingual, IPC · Amsterdam South · Contact school students

Winford Bilingual is the clearest choice in Amsterdam for families who want genuine Dutch-English bilingualism at primary level - two native-speaking teachers per class and a proven immersion model. At EUR 23,800 all-in, it's not cheap, but it includes lunches, field trips, and 40 flexible holiday days, which puts it in a different category from most private primaries.

Ages 3-18 · British · Amsterdam West · ~1,000 students

BSA is Amsterdam's best option if your family is committed to British curriculum - GCSE and A-Level results are genuinely strong, and the Havenstraat campus is compact and well run. The withdrawal policy and fee structure catch families out, so read the small print before signing.

Ages 3-16 · IB, Cambridge · Other Amsterdam · Contact school students

GMIS is worth investigating if you need genuine SEN or inclusive education provision alongside a recognised international curriculum - it's one of very few schools in the Amsterdam area combining IB PYP, Cambridge, and structured support pathways at this fee level. Confirm the school's current operational status directly before applying, as the website has been inaccessible at the time of writing.

Ages 2-18 · French, BFI · Amsterdam South · ~350 students

IFS Amsterdam is worth serious consideration if your family is francophone or committed to a French-track education - it's the only AEFE-approved school in the city and the bilingual model is genuinely well structured. Being a 2021 school, it lacks the track record of older options, so ask directly about teacher continuity and secondary university outcomes.

Ages 4-18 · IB · Amsterdam South · ~2,400 students

AICS is the most affordable full-IB option in Amsterdam and the right call for families on shorter assignments who want a recognised IB school without a EUR 25K+ bill. The 2022 campus upgrade made a real difference - ask admissions which campus your child would join and visit both before enrolling.

Ages 3-11 · French · Amsterdam South · ~200 students

LFVVG is the right choice for French families who need AEFE direct management and French Ministry continuity - the EUR 7,590 flat fee is the most affordable French-curriculum option in Amsterdam. The Amsterdam campus is primary only (ages 3-11), so you need a secondary plan from day one: the linked campus is in The Hague, not Amsterdam.

Ages 6-15 · Japanese · Amsterdam West · ~200 students

JSA is the only option for Japanese families who need full Japanese national curriculum continuity in Amsterdam - if that's your situation, there's no alternative. If your children are comfortable in an international or IB environment and Japanese curriculum continuity isn't required, the major international schools are worth comparing on pastoral fit and university pathways.

Ages 4-11 · IPC, Cambridge · Amstelveen · ~200+ students

AIS is the most affordable international primary in the Amstelveen area and the right fit for families with younger children who want strong English-medium education without the fees of the private schools - but it stops at age 11 (expanding to MYP 1-3 from August 2026), so have a secondary plan ready.

Ages 4-11 · British, IPC · Other Amsterdam · ~300 students

Optimist International School is the best-value English-medium primary in the greater Amsterdam area - government-subsidised fees of EUR 5,580 per year with a solid British/IPC curriculum. The Hoofddorp location is the main trade-off; if you're based near Schiphol or Haarlem it's straightforward, but from central Amsterdam it adds a meaningful daily commute.

Ages 4-18 · IB, Dutch · Amsterdam West · ~700+ students

DENISE is Amsterdam's most distinctive school on paper - publicly funded, bilingual Dutch/English, IB Diploma, and genuinely inclusive in ethos. The entry barrier is real: children who don't already speak Dutch at a functional level need a year at a separate language school first. If your family is planning a long stay and your child can meet the language requirement, it's worth investigating seriously.