How to Choose an International School in Rotterdam: 2026 Family Guide

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

Choosing a school is usually the first big decision a family makes after accepting a job in the port city, and in Rotterdam it is a smaller field than people expect. This guide on how to choose an international school in Rotterdam is built around one fact: there are only a handful of English-medium schools inside the city, and they sit in two very different funding models. Getting that distinction right early saves months of second-guessing.

We walk through the questions that actually separate the options: which curriculum your child needs now and in five years, how much you can spend without an employer package, where you will live, and whether the school can take your child all the way to graduation. Then we look at each school on the shortlist, what it costs, and what to ask on the tour.

Rotterdam for international families: where schools sit and how people get around

Rotterdam draws families through the port, logistics, maritime engineering, energy, finance and the university and medical centre. Many arrivals are on two to four year contracts, which is why continuity and easy transfer between systems matter more here than in a city where most expats settle for good. The city rebuilt itself after 1940 and is laid out generously, with the river Maas splitting it into a northern half, where all three schools on our list are located, and the southern districts around Kop van Zuid and beyond.

The schools are spread across the northern side. Harbour International is in the west, on Graaf Florisstraat close to the Middelland and Nieuwe Westen neighbourhoods. Rotterdam International Secondary School is on Bentincklaan in Blijdorp, a short ride north of Rotterdam Centraal. Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam is on Verhulstlaan in Hillegersberg, a leafy residential area in the north east. Families who want short school runs tend to look at Kralingen, Hillegersberg, Blijdorp and the Old North, while those on a tighter budget consider Schiedam or Capelle aan den IJssel and accept a longer commute.

Commutes are rarely about distance. Cycling is the default for many older pupils, and a 15 to 25 minute ride across the north is normal. Trams and metro are reliable, but crossing the river at rush hour or relying on the car can easily double journey times. If you work in The Hague or commute to the port areas at Maasvlakte, think about which direction your household travels every morning before you commit to a neighbourhood. The Hague is only 25 to 30 minutes by train, and some families widen the search to schools there, which makes sense if one parent works in that city anyway.

Curricula available in Rotterdam

• International Baccalaureate (IB): both secondary options teach IB programmes, and the profiles of Rotterdam International Secondary School and Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam list the IB. This is the main route to an internationally portable diploma in the city.
• English-medium international primary: Harbour International teaches primary pupils in English inside the Dutch state-funded system, preparing children to move on to any international secondary school.
• Dutch national schools: local Dutch schools are free apart from small voluntary contributions, and young children often adapt quickly. This route suits families staying long term, especially with children under seven.

There is no full British GCSE and A level school or American high school diploma programme on our verified Rotterdam list, so families committed to those routes should check carefully what each school offers or look further afield.

The Rotterdam shortlist: three schools and who each suits

Harbour International Primary School In Rotterdam

Harbour International describes itself as part of a state-funded Dutch primary school in the heart of Rotterdam, teaching in English to pupils from many countries. It sits at Graaf Florisstraat 56 and holds a 5.0 rating from 6 ratings on its profile, with families mentioning caring teachers and a diverse mix of cultures. After primary, pupils can move to any international secondary, and the school points families staying in Rotterdam towards Rotterdam International Secondary School. Tip: because it is state-funded, the parental contribution is far lower than at a private school, but places are limited, so contact the school as soon as you have a likely start date.

Rotterdam International Secondary School

Rotterdam International Secondary School (RISS) grew out of a small department within the Wolfert Bilingual School more than 30 years ago and now teaches in English with IB programmes, according to its profile. It is on Bentincklaan 294 in Blijdorp, within easy cycling or tram distance of Centraal station. Its profile shows a rating of 3.0 from 7 ratings, which is a reason to visit and ask current parents direct questions rather than a reason to rule it out. Tip: ask how the school supports pupils who arrive midway through the IB years and what Dutch language teaching is offered, since it suits families who may stay several years.

Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam

Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam is a private school at Verhulstlaan 21 in Hillegersberg with a verified profile. It teaches in English, lists IB programmes, and offers a dining room with its own kitchen and school transport. Its published monthly cost is in the range of 1,000 to 2,000 USD, and it holds a 5.0 rating from 6 ratings. It is the only fully private option on our list, which means one campus from the early years through secondary. Tip: if your employer is paying, ask HR whether transport and meals are inside the package, because these add up quickly at a private school.

Fees: what international schooling in Rotterdam costs

The single biggest factor in your budget is the funding model. Under the Dutch Compulsory Education Act (Leerplichtwet), children must attend school from the first school day of the month after their fifth birthday; government-funded Dutch international schools charge much lower parental contributions than fully private ones. In practice that means:

Government-funded primary (Harbour International): roughly 3,000 to 5,000 EUR a year in parental contributions, depending on the year and what is included. Confirm the current figure with the school.

Government-funded secondary (RISS): roughly 4,500 to 7,000 EUR a year, often slightly higher in the IB Diploma years.

Private (Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam): the published range of 1,000 to 2,000 USD a month works out at roughly 11,000 to 22,000 EUR a year over ten months, with the higher end typically applying to older pupils. Many families here have an employer contribution.

Extras to budget for:

• Application or registration fee: usually a few hundred euros, often non-refundable.
• Enrolment deposit: mainly at private schools, to secure a place once an offer is made.
• Development or capital levy: some private schools charge a one-off or annual sum; ask whether it applies.
• School trips and residentials: overseas trips in secondary can cost several hundred euros each.
• Meals and transport: lunches and bus services are often billed separately.
• Devices and exam fees: laptops for secondary pupils and IB Diploma registration fees in the final years.
• Uniform or dress code: modest compared with UK schools, but check.

Practical advice: a decision framework for Rotterdam families

Curriculum and continuity first. Ask where your child will be in three years and in seven. With only one English-medium primary, one subsidised secondary and one private all-through school, the classic Rotterdam route is Harbour International for primary followed by RISS, while Nord Anglia offers a single campus all the way through. If you expect another posting, the IB is the most portable choice; if you are likely to settle, a Dutch school with extra English support deserves a serious look, particularly for children under seven.

Budget and who pays. Write down the full annual cost per child, not the headline fee. A family with two children at a subsidised school may spend roughly what one child costs at a private school. If your employer pays, check whether the allowance covers private fees in full or only up to a cap, and whether it continues if you change roles.

Location, language and community. Choose the school before the flat when you can. The three campuses sit in different parts of the north of the city, and a daily cross-city journey wears families down by the second winter. On visits, ask about Dutch language lessons, how new arrivals are welcomed, how many pupils leave each year, and whether there are active parent groups. Waiting lists can form at subsidised schools, so having a second option, such as a school in The Hague or a Dutch school, is sensible.

See how Rotterdam schools compare across the province

If you want to compare these schools with options elsewhere in the region, including The Hague, Delft and Leiden, see our Best international schools in South Holland ranking, which brings together family ratings and profile details in one place.

More guides to schools in Rotterdam

• International school admissions in Rotterdam
• International school fees in Rotterdam
• Bilingual schools in Rotterdam
• Best international schools in South Holland ranking

Frequently asked questions

Are there free international schools in Rotterdam?

No school is completely free, but Harbour International primary and Rotterdam International Secondary School are government-funded, so parents pay a contribution of roughly 3,000 to 7,000 EUR a year rather than full private fees. Dutch national schools cost little beyond voluntary contributions and suit families planning to stay several years, particularly with younger children.

At what age must a child start school in the Netherlands?

Under the Leerplichtwet, school becomes compulsory from the first school day of the month after a child's fifth birthday. Most Dutch and international primaries accept children from age four, so families arriving with a four year old should apply early. Harbour International and Nord Anglia both take primary-age pupils in English.

Should we look at schools in The Hague instead of Rotterdam?

It can make sense if one parent works in The Hague or if Rotterdam schools have waiting lists. The train between the two cities takes 25 to 30 minutes, and The Hague has a wider choice of international schools. Weigh the daily journey for your child, though, since a long commute every day is tiring by secondary age.