The International School of Amsterdam: A Pioneer in Developing Minds, Character and Community

ISA was the first school in the world to offer a complete International Baccalaureate curriculum from Pre-School to Grade 12. Today, ISA has close to 1,300 enrolled students, representing over 60 different nationalities who are dedicated to the mission ‘To Educate for International Understanding’. As an independent, non-profit foundation, all efforts are focused on creating a vibrant, global community of lifelong learners. 

ISA offers an Early Years programme (ages 2-3), the IB Primary Years Programme (ages 3-12), IB Middle Years Programme (ages 12-16) and the IB Diploma Programme (ages 16-18).

ISA has been a pioneer in international education for decades. Teachers, parents, students and staff don’t just enter a building where teaching and learning happens day-to-day but join a tradition of international understanding and IB education that has flourished over generations. ISA’s educational philosophy is centred around “Developing Minds, Character and Communities”.

Academic Excellence

Over the past years, ISA IB Diploma students have consistently passed their examinations and ISA’s average grade is 5.6, higher than the world average of 5.0. ISA graduates feel academically and personally prepared for post-graduation and are admitted into a wide range of higher education programmes in institutions of their choice.

A Culture of Thinking

For almost 20 years, ISA has collaborated closely with the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Project Zero and its Visible Thinking Network. Through this innovative, research-based approach to learning and teaching ISA seeks to develop not just students’ skills, but their thinking routines and dispositions.

The Centre for Development, Learning and Technology was designed to provide educators with opportunities for professional development and collaboration across schools. Located within the International School of Amsterdam (ISA), the centre arose from ISA’s longstanding commitment to professional development and reputation as a leading international school in Europe. 

International Community

ISA is a place where people from a wide variety of backgrounds can come together in Amsterdam to find a home away from home; it’s somewhere to make friends and to make teammates, to be inspired and to inspire, and most of all, to feel valued as an individual within a new community. 

As the first accredited Eco-School first school in the Netherlands, sustainability is at the core of the ISA community. Through projects organised by the ISA Green Team, students, parents and staff come together to contribute locally and globally to the betterment of the planet.

State-of-the-art Facilities

One campus, purposefully built to facilitate learning. Located in the city of Amstelveen, ISA’s green and spacious campus includes many state-of-the-art facilities:
    •    Early Childhood-devoted Facilities
    •    144m2 Theatre
    •    3 Gymnasia
    •    3 Libraries
    •    Playgrounds and Outdoor Learning Spaces
    •    Art and Design Studios
    •    Subject Area Collaborative Learning Spaces
    •    Professional Development Centre

‘ISA focuses on allowing its students to grow and find themselves through collaboration and initiative with the various community service and extracurricular activity opportunities. The strong bonds the teachers provide make this school a safe and caring environment where we can explore all possibilities on the path of becoming unique international individuals.’ - Karly, Grade 12 Student