Best International Schools in Rotterdam: 2026 Guide for Families

Last reviewed: October 2026 by David from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

Rotterdam has fewer international schools than Amsterdam or The Hague, which makes the choice easier to map but more important to get right. This guide to the best international schools in Rotterdam explains what "best" means for different families, then looks at the three English-medium options most expat parents compare in 2026.

There is no single winner here. A family on a three year posting with a full education allowance will weigh things differently from a family that has settled for good and wants to keep costs down. The aim is to show which school fits which situation, using what each school profile actually tells us.

Rotterdam for international families: districts and daily travel

Rotterdam is home to Europe's largest seaport and a growing base for logistics, energy, engineering and medical research, including the Erasmus MC hospital and Erasmus University. Those employers, plus the port companies, bring a steady flow of families on international contracts.

The three schools sit in quite different parts of the city. Nord Anglia is on Verhulstlaan in the 3055 postcode, in the green, residential north around Hillegersberg, an area popular with families for its larger houses and lakes. Rotterdam International Secondary School is on Bentincklaan in the 3039 postcode in Blijdorp, close to the zoo and Rotterdam Centraal. Harbour International is on Graaf Florisstraat in the 3021 postcode, in the dense western inner city near Middelland and Delfshaven.

Most children in Rotterdam cycle, take the tram or metro, or are dropped off by bike. Driving across the centre at rush hour is slow, and the Maastunnel and Erasmus Bridge can be bottlenecks for families living south of the river in Kralingse Veer or Kop van Zuid. Plan housing around the school, not the other way round, especially with younger children.

Curricula available in Rotterdam's international schools

• International Baccalaureate (IB): listed on the profiles of Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam and Rotterdam International Secondary School.
• English-medium international primary education: Harbour International, part of a state-funded Dutch primary school, teaches in English.
• Dutch national system: the local route for families staying long term, with Dutch as the language of instruction and free state schooling.

What makes a school "best" in Rotterdam

Curriculum fit. If your children will move again, an IB pathway travels well between countries. If you are staying, a later switch into Dutch secondary education is possible, but it gets harder after age 10 or so without strong Dutch.

Private or subsidised. The Netherlands has a network of Dutch International Schools that receive government funding and charge far lower contributions than fully private schools. In Rotterdam, Harbour International and Rotterdam International Secondary School follow this model, while Nord Anglia is fully private. Subsidised places often prioritise internationally mobile families, so check eligibility rules.

Age range and continuity. One campus from nursery to graduation suits families who want no transitions. A primary to secondary route between two linked schools can work just as well, as long as you understand how places transfer.

The shortlist: best international schools in Rotterdam

Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam

Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam, at Verhulstlaan 21, is a private, secular, coeducational school with English as the language of instruction and the International Baccalaureate listed among its programmes. Its profile covers stages from nursery and preschool through primary, middle school and high school, and lists a dining room with its own kitchen and a school transport service. It is part of the Nord Anglia Education group, which runs international schools in many countries.

Parent reviews on its profile, mostly several years old, tend to describe a welcoming, family-like community where younger children settle quickly. Who it fits: families with a corporate education allowance who want one campus from early years to the end of school, with meals and transport arranged by the school. Tip: ask how the school bus routes cover the south bank if you plan to live there.

Rotterdam International Secondary School (RISS)

RISS, at Bentincklaan 294, teaches in English and lists the International Baccalaureate on its profile. It began as a small department within the Wolfert Bilingual School more than 30 years ago and has grown into Rotterdam's main subsidised international secondary school. Its stated mission is "for every student to enjoy their youth".

Reviews on its profile are mixed, with some older comments raising concerns about staff turnover and communication in a particular year. Treat these as one family's experience, but it is fair to ask at a visit how the school handles teacher changes and how often it reports to parents. Who it fits: families who want an IB secondary education at subsidised cost and live within cycling distance of Blijdorp or the centre.

Harbour International Primary School

Harbour International, at Graaf Florisstraat 56, is part of a state-funded Dutch primary school in the heart of Rotterdam and offers education in English to pupils from many countries. After primary, pupils can move on to an international secondary school of their choice, continue at Rotterdam International Secondary School if the family stays in the city, or join a Dutch secondary school.

Families on its profile mention dedicated teachers and a diverse mix of cultures. Who it fits: primary-age children of internationally mobile families who want English-medium schooling at a fraction of private fees, with a clear route into RISS at 11 or 12. Tip: apply early, because subsidised primary places in English can fill up well before the school year starts.

Fees at Rotterdam's international schools in 2026

Only rough planning figures are possible, as none of the three profiles lists a fee schedule. Nord Anglia's profile gives a monthly cost band of roughly $1,000 to $2,000, which is a coarse signal rather than a published fee.

• Private IB school (Nord Anglia), early years and primary: roughly €15,000 to €21,000 a year (about $16,000 to $23,000).
• Private IB school, secondary and IB Diploma years: roughly €19,000 to €25,000 a year.
• Subsidised international secondary (RISS): roughly €5,000 to €8,000 a year in parental contributions.
• Subsidised international primary (Harbour International): roughly €3,500 to €6,000 a year in contributions.

Age rules matter when you plan the move. In the Netherlands compulsory education (leerplicht) starts on the first day of the month after a child turns 5, under the Leerplichtwet 1969. Many Dutch schools accept children from age 4. International primaries in Rotterdam usually follow the same pattern, so a four year old can often start school straight away.

Extras to add to the budget:

• Application and registration fees: one-off, usually non-refundable.
• Deposit or capital levy: common at private schools, sometimes refundable.
• Lunch: charged separately where a hot lunch is offered.
• Transport: Nord Anglia lists a school bus service, billed on top of tuition.
• IB Diploma exam fees, trips and devices: often extra in the final two years.

Practical advice for choosing in Rotterdam

Check eligibility before you fall for a subsidised school. Dutch International Schools generally give priority to children of families on international assignments or who expect to move on. Have your employer letter and residence details ready, and ask each school which documents prove eligibility.

Visit on a normal school day. Open mornings show schools at their best. A visit on an ordinary day tells you more about class sizes, how English learners are supported and how teachers manage a very mixed intake. Ask to see a primary class and, for older children, a lesson in the IB years.

Think about the next move. If another posting is likely within three years, an IB school keeps transitions simple. If you may stay, consider Dutch lessons from the start, as many families eventually move children into Dutch secondary schools or university.

See how Rotterdam compares across the province

Many Rotterdam families also consider schools in The Hague, Delft or Leiden, all within commuting distance by train. To compare options across the province, see our ranking of the best international schools in South Holland.

More guides to schools in Rotterdam

• How to choose an international school in Rotterdam
• International school admissions in Rotterdam
• International school fees in Rotterdam
• Bilingual schools in Rotterdam
• Best international schools in South Holland

Frequently asked questions

Is there a cheaper alternative to private international schools in Rotterdam?

Yes. Rotterdam has subsidised Dutch International Schools that teach in English but charge much lower parental contributions than private schools. Harbour International covers primary age and Rotterdam International Secondary School offers an IB pathway for older children, often for roughly €5,000 to €8,000 a year. Eligibility usually depends on the family being internationally mobile.

At what age can my child start school in Rotterdam?

Many Dutch schools, including international primaries, accept children from age 4, and education becomes compulsory on the first day of the month after a child turns 5. Nord Anglia also has nursery and preschool stages, so younger children can join earlier at a private fee. Apply several months before your planned start date.

Which Rotterdam international schools offer the IB Diploma?

Both Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam and Rotterdam International Secondary School list the International Baccalaureate on their profiles. Confirm which IB programmes run at each stage and the exam fees for the Diploma years. Families living in the north of the city often compare the two on commute, cost and class sizes.