Optimist International School
International School in Amsterdam
Quick answer
Key facts
- Curriculum: IB taught at Optimist International School.
- Tuition: $8,000–$12,000/yr published in EUR, US$ equivalent.
- Avg class size: 22 (max 22) Amsterdam international school · 290 students total.
- 40 nationalities top: We have a great mix of nationalities, around 40, including South Africa.
- Ages: 4-12 school day starts at 8:15.
- Accreditations: IBO listed accreditations.
290
40 (We have a great mix of nationalities, around 40, including South Africa, New Zealand, Japan, S-Korea, India, Poland, Israel, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Austria, Spain, Romanian, Turkish, Russian)
22 avg / 22 max
Rolling
IBO
About Optimist International School
Optimist International School is a public international primary school in the Netherlands offering a happy, safe and encouraging learning environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. Surrounded by nature, our location in Hoofddorp (Haarlemmermeer) is 15 minutes from Schiphol Airport and the city of Haarlem, and only 20 minutes from Amsterdam.
Learning & language support (SEN / EAL)
This school states some support, but key details aren't published — confirm the gaps below before applying.
Why this matters
Special-needs provision at international schools varies widely and is rarely guaranteed by the school itself — and local legal duties differ by country. Confirm what this school provides, in writing, before you commit.
- Learning support: limited
- In-house specialist staff listed
- Educational psychologist available
- EAL/ESL support listed
Questions to ask the school
- What in-house learning-support specialists do you employ (SENCo, learning-support teachers, speech & language therapist, occupational therapist), and what is each one's caseload?
- Can you support a child with my child's specific need (e.g. dyslexia, ADHD, autism), and have you done so this year? Ask for concrete examples.
- Is there an additional fee for learning support or EAL — and how much per year?
- Is learning support guaranteed for the full enrolment, or can it be withdrawn later?
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual tuition (USD) | $8,000–$12,000 |
| Annual tuition (EUR) | 5580-5580 |
| Fee year | 2025-2026 |
| Est. all-in cost (modeled)how we calculate | $10,500(+5%) |
| Est. first-year total (modeled) | $12,000 |
| Cost position in Amsterdam | 43th percentile(mid-range) |
Hidden costs & fee notes
IB PYP. Smaller, community-focused school. More affordable option. Registration €500. Materials fee €300/year. After-school care €2,000-3,000/year. Primary only — secondary transition needed.
IB
There is not an assessment or external test before starting our school or to enrol in secondary education. Assessment is on an ongoing process of observing, collecting and analysing evidence to decide where the students are in their learning, where they need to go, what the next step is and how they can get there. This includes standardized assessments.
Dutch
If a student’s needs falls outside of the basic support, a consultation with the School counsellor is planned to discuss the support required by the student. When a student has a learning and or educational difficulty the school will try and meet the needs of that child. Besides expertise we have within our team, we also have a network of external support (e.g. school doctor/nurse, external school counselor, behaviour specialist). If the needs of a student are no longer able to be met within the school, alternative solutions will be recommended and implemented.
Yes, for example an English as Additional Language (EAL) specialist, School counsellor, speech therapist.
English as an Additional Language is taught to all children who do not have English as a mother tongue and whose command of the English language is not sufficient for them to access the curriculum with ease. Children from all classes can be eligible for EAL.
8:15 – 14:30
No
No
Recommended neighborhoods
Oud-Zuid, De Pijp, Rivierenbuurt, Zuid
Reviewed by WhereNext against a named source — some fields may be approximate.
At a Glance
Fee Position in Amsterdam
Budget-friendlySchool Profile
Class Size
Student Diversity
Highly diverse
Common: We have a great mix of nationalities, around 40, including South Africa, New Zealand, Japan, S-Korea, India, Poland, Israel, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Austria, Spain, Romanian, Turkish, Russian
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Disclaimer: School profiles are source-backed decision aids, not endorsements or official rankings. Tuition figures are approximate and may not include registration fees, uniforms, transport, or exam costs. Always verify directly with the school before applying. WhereNext is not affiliated with any school listed. This is not admissions consulting, legal advice, or official school placement guidance.