Amsterdam International Community School - South Campus vs International School Laren
Amsterdam International Community School - South Campus and International School Laren are both in Amsterdam, about 26 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes, and Amsterdam International Community School - South Campus also offers IBCP. Published annual fees are €6,025 - 9,168 at Amsterdam International Community School - South Campus and €5,355 - 7,020 at International School Laren, which puts Amsterdam International Community School - South Campus roughly 23% higher. Amsterdam International Community School - South Campus takes pupils from 4 to 18, and International School Laren from 11 to 18. Amsterdam International Community School - South Campus is the larger school, with around 725 pupils to International School Laren's 125.
The AICS operates two campuses in Amsterdam: South Campus at Arent Janszoon Ernststraat 1179, 1081 HL, Amsterdam, and Sandcastle (SE) Campus at Bijlmerplein 1000, 1102 MK Amsterdam. The two campuses form one Dutch international school, served by one team; the curriculum, school values and philosophy are the same across campuses. The Amsterdam International Community School offers international education in English.
Location
Langsakker 4a, 1251 GB Laren, Netherlands. The school is on the grounds of Laar & Berg in the Het Gooi region, near Hilversum, about 30 minutes southeast of Amsterdam and Schiphol airport.
Stages
Stages
Primary and Secondary
Stages
Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP).
School type
School type
The Amsterdam International Community School is a co-educational day school. It does not offer boarding facilities for any age groups, as it is designed to support international and local families residing in the Netherlands.
School type
IB World School
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
The school serves students of all nationalities living in The Netherlands; international student body.
Pupil nationality mix
More than 30 nationalities represented.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
In-class student support led by teachers and mentors to meet diverse student needs.
Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The Netherlands (Dutch international school).
Country affiliation
Netherlands
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
Primary day: Arrival 08:10; Registration and lessons start at 08:30; Story time and snack – 15 minutes; Morning break 30 minutes; Lunch break 30 minutes; Play time 30 minutes; End of day 15:15 (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri); 12:00 (Wed). Secondary timetable varies; all lessons on Thursdays start at 11:00; DP timetables differ by subject; students may be required to start at 10:15.
School day structure
The school day starts at 8:30am and ends no later than 3:30pm.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school offers a dedicated shuttle service to assist families with the daily commute to and from the South Campus. This service is operated by an external partner, Atlas Shuttle. Parents can contact the provider directly via phone or email to inquire about routes and arrange transportation for their children.
Bus service details
A bus stop is located outside the school.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application fees
- Registration fee: EUR 200 per student. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid to process the application; payment is taken via a credit-card payment link during the application.
Annual tuition and itemised charges (school year 2025–2026)
For new students starting in August 2025 the annual school-fee totals and the component breakdowns are as follows (amounts shown in EUR):
(These component totals produce the annual Total School Fees shown above.)
Deposit and registration summary
- Deposit: EUR 500 per student. The deposit is payable with the first instalment and is refundable subject to the school's withdrawal conditions.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Invoicing: Families will receive invoices via the school's invoicing system (WIS Collect); the finance team issues one invoice at the latest by the beginning of June each school year. Parents/caregivers receive an email with a link to view and pay invoices.
- Existing (returning) students payment schedule (2025–2026): - First instalment due by 1 July. - Second instalment due by 31 October. - The two instalments are equal halves of the full annual amount. A student may be excluded from school and transcripts withheld if fees remain unpaid.
- New students starting in August/September 2025: the annual fee may be paid in two instalments (first instalment includes the EUR 500 deposit). New students starting in October or later are required to pay the prorated/full amount for their start month in full (no instalment option for October onwards). A detailed prorating schedule per starting month is applied.
- Prorating (examples for new students starting after August 2025): - August: 100% of annual fee - September: 100% of annual fee - October: 90% of annual fee - November: 80% of annual fee - December: 70% of annual fee - January: 60% of annual fee - February: 50% of annual fee - March: 40% of annual fee - April: 30% of annual fee - May: 20% of annual fee - June: 10% of annual fee - July: 10% of annual fee.
Refunds, cancellations and withdrawal
- Cancellation for new students: If a new student cancels after acceptance and after payment of the deposit and first instalment, the family must give one month's notice (excluding school holidays). Without one month's notice the EUR 500 deposit is retained; the tuition fee itself will be refunded.
- Withdrawal by enrolled families: A 30‑day written notice is required to receive a refund of remaining tuition, deposit and costs; a 60‑day notice applies for students leaving at the end of the academic year. Refund percentages are prorated by month (for example, August 75% refund; March 10%; April–July 0%) and the exact refund amount depends on the month of exit and full payment of fees. The deposit is refundable only when withdrawal conditions are met (notice given, fees paid in full, school property returned). Refund processing typically takes 4–6 weeks; if withdrawal occurs around winter or summer break it may take up to 10 weeks. The school also applies specific rules for students who withdraw within 30 days before the planned start date.
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable; the AICS operates as a day school and no boarding fees are listed.
Other costs and incidental charges
- IB / examination items excluded from the standard fee: IB exam retakes for CP2 & DP2, E‑Assessment retakes for MYP5, and remarks on request are excluded from the school fee and are payable separately.
- MacBook provision (secondary students): MacBooks and chargers are loaned to secondary students; parents are financially responsible for negligence, maintenance, repairs, loss and theft. If a MacBook is not returned or is damaged, the replacement/repair cost will be charged and may be deducted from the deposit.
- Locker card replacement: EUR 5 for a replacement secondary locker card.
- School supplies / uniform: The school provides basic school materials and the first AICS T‑shirt is provided by the school for primary students; additional AICS T‑shirts may be purchased. Parents must supply certain personal items (book bag, lunch box, indoor gym shoes, specified stationery, graphic calculator for higher secondary levels, etc.).
Fee payment options and practical payment details
- Registration fee payment: taken via a credit‑card payment link during the OpenApply application process.
- School fees payment: invoiced through WIS Collect; parents receive an email with a link to view invoices and to pay via the iDEAL payment link offered in WIS Collect. Companies/employers can be invoiced directly on request; company invoices carry 30‑day payment terms from the invoice date. Parents receive reminders from WIS Collect three days before payment due dates.
- Instalment deadlines and consequences: first and second instalment due dates are indicated above; missed payment deadlines can result in delayed start, forfeiting the student place, referral to collection agencies and withholding of transcripts and reports. All costs from debt collection and legal proceedings are charged to the parent/caregiver.
Summary
- Annual Total School Fees 2025–2026 (new students starting August 2025): Primary Group 1–5 EUR 6,025; Primary Group 6 EUR 6,309; Primary Group 7 EUR 6,230; Secondary MYP1–MYP4 EUR 7,178; Secondary MYP5 EUR 7,628; DP1 & CP1 EUR 8,318; DP2 & CP2 EUR 9,168. Deposit EUR 500 (held with first instalment). Registration (application) fee EUR 200 non‑refundable (credit card). Payment is administered via WIS Collect (iDEAL link); instalment and prorating rules apply as described above.
Fee details
Application / Registration fees and deposit
- Registration fee: €150 per applicant (one-off, non-refundable). - Deposit: €500 per student (one-off, refundable).
Tuition and related annual charges by year group (2025/2026 academic year)
- Grade 6: - School Fee: €4,930 per year. - Annual MacBook costs: €425. - Total School Fee (current students): €5,355. - Total Invoice on enrolment (School Fee + MacBook + registration + deposit): €6,005.
- Grade 7: - School Fee: €5,132 per year. - Annual MacBook costs: €425. - Total School Fee (current students): €5,557. - Total Invoice on enrolment: €6,207.
- Grade 8: - School Fee: €5,132 per year. - Annual MacBook costs: €425. - Total School Fee (current students): €5,557. - Total Invoice on enrolment: €6,207.
- Grade 9: - School Fee: €5,132 per year. - Annual MacBook costs: €425. - Total School Fee (current students): €5,557. - Total Invoice on enrolment: €6,207.
- Grade 10: - School Fee: €5,132 per year. - MYP/DP costs where applicable: (MYP/DP costs apply for upper-year programmes as shown below). - Annual MacBook costs: €425. - Total School Fee (current students): €6,170. - Total Invoice on enrolment: €6,820.
- Diploma Programme (DP1 / Grade 11): - School Fee: €5,745 per year. - DP/MYP programme costs (DP specific charge): €613 (MYP/DP cost shown for applicable years) and for later DP year shown as €850 where applicable. - Annual MacBook costs: €425. - Total School Fee (current students): €6,170. - Total Invoice on enrolment: €6,820.
- Diploma Programme (DP2 / Grade 12): - School Fee: €5,745 per year. - MYP/DP programme costs: €850 where applicable. - Annual MacBook costs: €425. - Total School Fee (current students): €7,020. - Total Invoice on enrolment: €7,670.
MacBook and technology costs
- Annual MacBook contribution shown: €425 per student per year (applies to Grades 6–12). The published new MacBook purchase price is €1,275; a 3‑year payment plan is offered for the MacBook.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Fees are presented as an annual Total Invoice on enrolment (the published amounts above list the Total Invoice including registration fee and deposit). - Proration when starting or leaving during the school year is applied according to month. The published schedule sets the percentage of the Total School Fee payable depending on the month of starting and the month of leaving (e.g., starting in August = 100% payable; starting in November = 80% payable; leaving in August = 50% of the year charged; leaving in February = 70% charged; leaving in May–July = 100% charged). - Refunds and non‑refundability: - A refundable deposit of €500 is charged on enrolment; the registration fee of €150 is non‑refundable. - For students leaving during the academic year, 50% of the total School Fee is non‑refundable. - Refund of examination costs after 15 December is not possible. A surcharge may be imposed on exam students if an error in registration is discovered after signing the registration form; exams re‑taken in November incur an additional standard fee.
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not listed as a provision for International School Laren; no boarding fees are published. The school's published admissions and school information present it as a day school offering the IB MYP and DP programmes without boarding options.
Other costs and compulsory items
- PE/Sports kit: The PE/Sports kit is compulsory for all students in Grades 6–11. New students receive their first kit order (blue t‑shirt & shorts only) free of charge using a promo code provided during admissions; additional sports kit items (hoodies, leggings, pants, etc.) are at parental cost and are ordered through a third‑party webshop. Contact details for the kit supplier are published. - Examination surcharges: Additional fees are charged for exam registration errors and for resit exams (including November re‑sit fees). Refund of exam costs is not possible after 15 December.
Refunds and cancellations (summary)
- Registration fee: non‑refundable. - Deposit: refundable, subject to the school's refund handling. - If a student leaves during the academic year, 50% of the total School Fee is non‑refundable; the published month‑by‑month proration schedule determines the payable portion when starting or leaving part‑way through the year. - Exam fee refunds are not available after 15 December.
Fee payment options
- The publicly published fee pages and admissions information list the fee amounts, registration and deposit requirements, proration and refund rules, and provide school contact details for queries, but they do not specify the accepted payment methods (for example, whether payment by bank transfer, SEPA, credit card, or direct debit are accepted). For payment method details, contact the school using the published admissions contact (email: islaren@atscholen.nl; phone: +31 35 206 2202).
Notes about price adjustments
- The published prices are subject to indexation.
(Brief note on any publicly unavailable fee details)
- The published admissions and fees material provides detailed annual charges, registration and deposit amounts, MacBook costs, exam refund rules and a month‑by‑month proration schedule. The published material does not specify invoicing frequency beyond the annual Total Invoice presented on enrolment nor the specific accepted payment methods; those details are handled through the school's admissions/finance contact.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) has been implemented for students aged 4–11. It is a transdisciplinary, inquiry-based framework in which traditional subjects are taught in multi- or interdisciplinary units around six transdisciplinary themes: Who we are; Where we are in place and time; How we express ourselves; How the world works; How we organize ourselves; Sharing the planet. The PYP provides horizontal alignment across both campuses and vertical articulation with the Secondary School. The school has strengthened the arts in Primary and publishes the Programme of Inquiry for 2025/26. The Fireflies Programme supports learners with complex learning profiles, with differentiated curriculum and collaboration with Stichting Kolom and the samenwerkingsverband to support development of the programme and aligning Primary and Secondary. Specialist lessons include English Language Acquisition, Dutch Language Acquisition, Dutch Language and Literature, Physical & Health Education, and Performing Arts. Outdoor learning is part of the curriculum. AICS is an IB World School offering the full International Baccalaureate Programme.
Curriculum details
ISL delivers the International Baccalaureate curriculum, offering the Middle Years Programme (IBMYP) and the Diploma Programme (IBDP). In the IBMYP, eight subject groups are taught: Language and Literature (English and Dutch); Language Acquisition (Spanish and Dutch); Individuals and Societies (Humanities); Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics); Mathematics (including Extended Mathematics from Grade 9); Arts (Theatre and Music); Physical and Health Education; and Design, with the Personal Project completing the year. In the Diploma Programme, six subjects across Language and Literature, Language Acquisition (Dutch B), Individuals and Societies (Business Management, Economics, Global Politics), Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sport, Exercise and Health Science), Mathematics (Analysis & Approaches or Applications & Interpretations), and Arts (Film) are offered, with a DP core of Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE) and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS). A bilingual Diploma may be awarded. The Diploma Programme is designed for students aged 16–19 and enables entry to universities worldwide, including Dutch universities and top North American universities such as Harvard and Yale. ISL emphasises small classes and has highly qualified staff.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
Small class sizes and highly qualified staff.
Exam results
Exam results
Secondary School exam results (DP/CP): 2024–2025: DP pass rate 93% (133/143); CP pass rate 90% (18/20); All CP students will also receive their BTEC diplomas; highest DP score 43. 2023–2024: DP/CP pass rate 93%; one student achieved a DP high score of 45; CP students received BTEC diplomas. 2022–2023: DP pass rate 96% (87/91).
Exam results
The Diploma Programme requires six subjects plus the core components—TOK, EE and CAS—across the six groups. A minimum of 24 points must be earned to be awarded the IB Diploma, with a maximum of 45 points. TOK and the Extended Essay are graded A–E and contribute to the diploma score. A bilingual diploma is possible if criteria are met; results are issued by the IB and official certificates are sent to the school in September.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Graduates go on to universities in the Netherlands and internationally, including Leiden University (School of Law), University of Amsterdam, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Maastricht University, TU Delft (Architecture and Aerospace Engineering), Open University, and international institutions such as Parsons the New School for Design, Florida International University, University of Miami, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and University of Virginia School of Architecture.
Higher education progression
The Diploma Programme enables entry to universities worldwide, including Dutch universities and top North American universities such as Harvard and Yale. A Career Counselor guides university admissions.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Verify Eligibility and Availability First, check the school's Open Apply page to see current availability for new students. You must also review the specific entry criteria to ensure your child qualifies, as the school primarily caters to students spending a temporary period in the Netherlands or returning Dutch students.
2. Gather Required Documentation Before applying, prepare mandatory documents including valid passport copies, a digital photograph, and school reports from the previous two years provided in English. Families must also upload a BRP document from their local municipality and proof of temporary residence or a statement of intent to relocate.
3. Submit Application and Registration Fee Submit your formal application through the school's online portal. To complete the submission and secure your place in the processing queue, you are required to pay a non-refundable registration fee.
4. Await Processing and Placement For mid-term starts where a place is available, the process takes a minimum of two weeks. For the upcoming academic year, place allocations begin in May, with the Head of Campus determining final grade placements primarily based on the student's age.
Admissions
1. ISL accepts students in Grades 6-11 (DP1). Include all relevant documents concerning special needs; a reference letter from the current school may be requested if applicable. Failure to disclose special needs may result in withdrawal.
2. Once all documents are submitted, the school invites the applicant to an online interview. The interview assesses the applicant's English language ability and fit for ISL's program. The school may request additional information or documents if needed.
3. Based on the intake interview, feedback from the applicant's current school, and the academic results, a student may be accepted at ISL. English language proficiency is considered as English is the language of instruction. Applicants entering Grade 9 or Grade 10 must take an English test before a place can be offered.
4. There is a non-refundable registration fee of €150 per applicant, charged when ISL confirms definite entry to the school. Only when this fee is paid on time can a place at ISL be guaranteed. The school does not provide visa application support; students are responsible for applying independently for their study visas.
5. Enrollment is possible at any time during the school year. The admissions form can be downloaded, and inquiries can be directed to Ms. Eva Goossens (MYP Middle School Coordinator) and Mrs.
