Top 10 Best International Schools in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Top 10 Best International Schools in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

International Schools in Amsterdam

There are 19 international schools in Amsterdam and the surrounding area, 3 of these are British schools and 7 are International Baccalaureate schools.

About Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the capital city of The Netherlands, has a population of around 850,000 in the city and 2.4 million in the metropolitan area.  Amsterdam is well known around the world for its long, fascinating history and cultural heritage.  It is famous for its unique architecture, extensive canal network and comprehensive system of cycle routes.  Cycling is a very popular and easy way to get around the city, in fact there are actually more bikes than people in Amsterdam.  Public transport, via trains, trams, the metro, bus and ferry,  is also straightforward and convenient.  Amsterdam is a very family friendly city with hundreds of playgrounds and child friendly cafés around the city.  The Dutch, and their children, have frequently featured highly in, or topped, a variety of world happiness ratings.  Dutch families combine traditional family values with mutual respect and a desire to raise independent children.  They also have a good work life balance and parents share their child-rearing responsibilities.  One little known fact about Amsterdam is that it has beaches.  Strand Zuid, Dok and Sloterplas, around the periphery of the city, all have beach restaurants, water and sand.

Amsterdam Schools

The south of the city, Oud Zuid, with its leafy, green neighbourhoods and wealth of cafés and shops, is considered to be the most chic and expensive part of Amsterdam.  There are many residential neighbourhoods with carefully preserved older houses and well built, spacious apartments.  It is bordered by Amsterdam’s largest city park, the Vondelpark and is home to Winford Bilingual Primary School, Lycée Francais Vincent Van Gough, The British School of Amsterdam and Amsterdam International Community School.

Further south is the area of Amstelveen, quieter, greener and yet still within 15 minutes of the city and the airport.  Housing here is a little less expensive and there are more properties with their own garden.  This area contains the enormous Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest) and is home to Amity International School, The International School of Amsterdam and Florencius International School.

Further out of the city to the west is the town of Hoofddorp, leafy and green with excellent shopping, plenty of suburban housing and new developments underway.  It is becoming increasingly popular with international families and has excellent transport connections into Amsterdam, Den Haag and the airport.  Frequent trains to the airport take only 4 minutes.  Hoofddorp is home to the Optimist International School and Gifted Minds International School.

To the north of Hoofddorp is the beautiful, old city of Haarlem with its cobbled streets and traditional gabled houses.  Haarlem has excellent shopping and a great selection of cafés and restaurants.  The residential areas are within easy cycle access of both the city centre and the North Sea beaches and Amsterdam is only 15 minutes away by train.  Haarlem is home to the International School Haarlem.    

Often likened to a miniature version of Amsterdam, Haarlem has a similarly picturesque old-world charm, with cobbled streets, winding waterways and gabled houses. Though rich with historic architecture, it’s a lively city packed with culture, nightlife, dining hotspots and some of the best shopping streets in the country. All that vivid history inspires plenty of entrepreneurial vision too, with young digital businesses and agencies gravitating to Haarlem, while rejuvenation is a key characteristic (just look at the Jopenkerk, a former church in the centre, transformed into a thriving brewery, café and restaurant).

Another area that should be mentioned is Almere.  Situated across the Ij (pronounced eye) to the north east of the city, Almere is one of the newest cities in the Amsterdam area.  This area is built on reclaimed land and has a modern architectural aesthetic.  Houses are modern and spacious with gardens and are located in small, safe neighbourhoods with plenty of good cafés, restaurants and shops.  The area is very leafy and green with plenty of parks and playgrounds that many children cycle to on their own.  Transport links are good and trains to Amsterdam take only 20 minutes.  This area is home to the International School Almere and the International Primary School Almere.

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Before the ranking, check out our Featured Best Schools in Amsterdam:

The British School of Amsterdam

 My youngest son is well supported and enjoys going to school every day at BSA!  

The British School of Amsterdam logo

Ages
3 to 18

Curriculum
English

Primary Language
English

The International School of Amsterdam

 Amazing internationally minded school with great teachers  

The International School of Amsterdam logo

Ages
2 to 18

Curriculum
IB

Primary Language
English


Where Amsterdam international schools are distributed (view our List of International Schools in Amsterdam to see a live map):

Best international schools in Amsterdam

Best International Schools in Amsterdam - Rankings

Note: our rankings are based on parent, pupil and teacher reviews. If you think your Amsterdam school should be in the top 10, get reviewing - we want to hear from real people with real experiences at schools so parents, teachers and pupils get the real story when they research their next school. You can find your school in the full List of International Schools in Amsterdam, or search by name here.


The British School of Amsterdam logo The British School of Amsterdam 

5.0 from 6 reviews

Curriculum

English

Primary Language

English

Ages

3 to 18

Max Class Size

24

Description

The British School of Amsterdam The British School of Amsterdam (BSA) is the very best that British international education offers. An accredited provider of the National Curriculum used in England leading to the highly regarded GCSE and A Level qualifications to the international community in Amsterdam. In 2021, BSA students at A Level achieved 51% A*/A grades and 87% A/C, and for GCSE achieved 59% A*/A and 92% A*/C.

We have three school sections, the Early Years School for children aged 3 to 6 years old, the Junior School for 6 to 11 year olds and the Senior School for 11 to 18 year olds. Each has their own distinctive character that offers a stimulating environment where pupils benefit from small class sizes and truly talented teaching staff. Classes for the Early Years and Junior Schools do not exceed 24 and for the Senior School, we do not exceed 22 in a class. A high proportion of our teachers have experience in the UK and we can proudly say have been with the BSA for a long time, some exceeding over 20 years with the school. As well as an academic focus, our teachers recognise your child as an individual and know not just their names but their hopes, anxieties, their quirks and enthusiasms.

Our school building has some of the finest educational facilities in the city of Amsterdam including a magnificent sports hall, beautiful playgrounds, a large theatre, fully equipped science laboratories and music rooms. The school is located in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid near several green spaces, and is easily accessible for families commuting from different parts of the city and surrounding areas.

 Read The British School of Amsterdam reviews

Florencius International School 

5.0 from 5 reviews

Curriculum

International

Primary Language

English

Ages

5 to 12

Description

Florencius International School is an independent private primary school (3-11) and is situated in leafy surroundings close to Amsterdam. At Florencius we follow the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and British standards. Our focus lies both with the academic and the social/emotional development of our students.

We offer small classes, individual attention and a warm and safe environment.
Because of our holistic approach, children at Florencius International School develop into positive but critical, self-confident global citizens. High ambitions also ensure we know how to get the best out of each student.

Our close collaboration with the Florencius Dutch primary school means that our school is an excellent choice for children and families who are interested in an international education, but also want to feel at home in The Netherlands or already have a home in The Netherlands. We are also the best choice for children who need a safe, small and familiar environment in order to develop and flourish.

 Read Florencius International School reviews

De Nieuwe Internationale School Esprit 

5.0 from 4 reviews

Curriculum

IB, Dutch, International

Primary Language

English

Ages

4 to 18

Description

De Nieuwe Internationale School van Esprit (DENISE) offers widely accessible international education of high quality standing in present society with broad awareness of the collective responsibility for the world we live in.

De Nieuwe Internationale School van Esprit wants to achieve this by offering a broad international curriculum as well as an anchor for life in The Netherlands. DENISE uses five different programs so every student can be served at their own needs and personal choices. Besides the academic learning goals DENISE also puts great emphasis on the students’ personal development. Qualities such as cooperation, thoughtfulness, resilience and adaptability are fostered in a systematic way. Finally, DENISE wants to be a place where parents actively participate and help form the program’s international profile.

DENISE stands for high quality international education, as well as an anchor for life in the Netherlands. It does so by offering an English-Dutch Dual Language program based on the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) for Primary education and on the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC) for Middle Years education.

Through the IPC students learn to engage with the material in meaningful and exciting ways, such as inquiry-based learning and learning through discovery. Thanks to the flexible structure of the IPC, every child can develop according to their own pace and learning style. Besides the academic learning goals, the IPC also puts great emphasis on the students’ personal development. Qualities such as thoughtfulness, resilience and adaptability are fostered in a systematic way.

Our aim is to ensure that our students receive high quality Dual Language education from the first year on. Our Dual Language Program helps develop our students’ speaking, reading and writing skills building on their existing (first) language skills. With the help of an Dutch class teacher on three days and a English class teacher on two days, students are enabled to explore and learn in both languages.

 Read De Nieuwe Internationale School Esprit reviews

The International School of Amsterdam logo The International School of Amsterdam 

4.8 from 4 reviews

Curriculum

IB

Primary Language

English

Ages

2 to 18

Max Class Size

25

Description

The International School of Amsterdam The International School of Amsterdam (ISA) is a globally-recognised leader in educating for international understanding. Founded in 1964, ISA was the first school in the world to offer all core IB programmes from the age of 2 to 18.

ISA offers a programme of extracurricular activities to add diversity to the learning experience and an important social element to the lives of the students from Pre-School to Grade 12.

Fine Arts
Art, Ballet, Building and Construction, Chess, Cooking, Dance Mix, Drama, Forest School, Kufara Marimba and Yoga.

Sports
Basketball, Cross Country Running, Field Hockey, Fitness, Fun & Gym, Golf, Gymnastics, Judo, Karate, Sailing, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis and Volleyball.

Music Academy
Piano, voice, violin, viola, cello, harp, guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, recorder, flute, clarinet, oboe, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, marimba, drums and songwriting

Language Academy
French, Spanish, Hebrew, Turkish, Mandarin, Hindi, Korean and German.

At ISA, we want our students to be strong – in both mind and body. Starting from grade 5, students can try out to become a team member on one of several seasonal ISA teams. While students compete to win, the main focus is to learn about sportsmanship, teamwork, dedication and leadership – all valuable life skills.

ISA is a member of the Northwest European Council of International Schools (NECIS), a sports organisation consisting of 11 international schools in Northwest Europe that focus on healthy competition, sportsmanship and full participation from student-athletes.

- Basketball
- Cross-Country
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball

 Read The International School of Amsterdam reviews

Amity International School Amsterdam 

4.8 from 8 reviews

Curriculum

International

Primary Language

English

Ages

3 to 16

Max Class Size

24

Description

Amity International School Amsterdam is a young and vibrant school based in Amstelveen. The school opened in February 2018 and is continuing to grow and flourish.

We pride ourselves in supporting and challenging every student to achieve excellence in their behaviour, academic work, sport, the arts, culture, citizenship, spirituality and relationships. We place particular emphasis on providing the students with opportunities to develop leadership and collaborative skills, as well as finding ways for them all to serve others and contribute to the wider community. 

Amity International School Amsterdam is a fully international school with students and staff from 39 different countries. Being such a diverse school allows us to learn from each other and helps your child to gain a better understanding of what it means to be a global citizen and internationally minded. 

 Read Amity International School Amsterdam reviews

Optimist International School 

4.8 from 13 reviews

Curriculum

English,International

Primary Language

English

Ages

4 to 11

Description

Optimist International School Amsterdam is a primary school for children 4 - 11 years old.  Our wonderful new school building in Floriande, Hoofddorp (metropolitan region of Amsterdam) is well-equipped to offer a rigorous and inspiring international curriculum.

The beautiful Haarlemmermeerse bos and area around us provides our school with many opportunities for outdoor learning. We are a caring international community that guides children to become compassionate, committed global citizens.

We provide our pupils opportunities to discover and develop their unique talents. 

 Read Optimist International School reviews

International Primary School Almere 

4.6 from 6 reviews

Curriculum

International

Primary Language

English

Ages

4 to 11

Description

At International Primary School Almere (IPS) learning is our core business and International Mindedness is central to our school. Located centrally in The Netherlands, close to Amsterdam, we offer an opportunity for your child to learn and develop with a strong and balanced learning programme.

Within a 25 minute drive from Amsterdam, you will find International Primary School Almere. A diverse, international community of students, parents and educators, forging covenants in learning and teaching for the success of all learners. Our school fully believes and commits itself to integrate individual diversity and cultures.

In a safe and inspiring environment, our students discover the pleasure of learning and are challenged to become real-world citizens.

 Read International Primary School Almere reviews

The Japanese School of Amsterdam 

4.6 from 5 reviews

Curriculum

Japanese

Primary Language

Japanese

Ages

6 to 16

Description

The Japanese School of Amsterdam (JSA) is a Japanese language school founded in 1969. It is a medium sized school with around 200 students situated in the western part of Amsterdam.

In order to improve communication skills, Dutch and English conversation classes are held from the first grade of elementary school. In addition, in order to enhance local understanding, education exchanges with local schools and off-campus learning are conducted. Through these activities, JSA will improve the international sense of students.

 Read The Japanese School of Amsterdam reviews

Gifted Minds International School 

4.1 from 9 reviews

Curriculum

International

Primary Language

English

Ages

3 to 12

Description

Gifted Minds International School (GMIS) is the first international school to be located at Hoofddrop that has approximately 2000 sq meters of a former office building with 4 levels ,has been converted to a school learning environment for international students.GMIS has raised the global bar for our students learning to golden international standards with our eclectic teaching approaches and pedagogical practices. Our current research based curriculum that caters to each individual child’s needs.

At GMIS,teachers and students invent,rethink,co-construct and innovate ideas for teaching and learning processes which are combined in excellence with equity for the paradigm of international education.All students and staff at GMIS have meaningful targets and measurable goals to achieve, for the pillar of primary school international education.

 Read Gifted Minds International School reviews

Lycée Francais Vincent Van Gogh 

4.1 from 6 reviews

Curriculum

French

Primary Language

French

Ages

3 to 12

Description

The Lycée Français Vincent van Gogh High School in Amsterdam is a school that is part of the network of the AEFE (direct management). The lessons are in accordance with the schedules, instructions and official programs of the French Ministry of National Education.  It prepares students for French secondary school exams (brevet, baccalauréat).

 Read Lycée Francais Vincent Van Gogh reviews

Other International Schools in Amsterdam

There are 9 other international schools in Amsterdam that didn't make it into our Top 10, either because they didn't have enough reviews or its review rating was too low. If your school is one of those and you think it should make the Top 10, make sure you add your review and tell your story via the school links below.

School Curriculum Rating
International School Laren IB 5.0 / 5
Winford Bilingual Primary School IPC, Dutch, English 4.0 / 5
International Primary School Hilversum IB 3.8 / 5
International School Haarlem English,International 3.8 / 5
Amsterdam International Community School IB 3.7 / 5
International French School of Amsterdam French 3.0 / 5
International School Almere IB 3.0 / 5
International School Hilversum Alberdingk Thijm IB 2.9 / 5
European School of Bergen European Baccalaureate 2.5 / 5

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Juliet Ryder

My family and I are originally from the UK but have also lived in Australia and Spain. We have always wanted to make sure that our 3 boys have the best possible experience living abroad and that our travels have a positive impact on their education.


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