International School Haarlem - Upper Primary Campus vs Optimist International School

	I International School Haarlem - Upper Primary Campus Amsterdam, Netherlands	O Optimist International School Amsterdam, Netherlands
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €5,330 - 6,740	Fees / year €5,580
Age range	Age range 4 - 18 years	Age range 4 - 11 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IPC (International Primary Curriculum), IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), BTEC Qualification	Curriculum IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 228	Pupils 250
Typical class size	Typical class size 22	Typical class size 17
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Dutch
Opened	Opened 2017	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Three campuses in Haarlem: Lower Primary at Buitenrustlaan 9; Upper Primary at Schreveliusstraat 27; MYP 1-5 and DP 1 at Junoplantsoen 58. All campuses are located in Haarlem, The Netherlands.	Location The school operates across two Hoofddorp campuses in The Netherlands: Waddenweg 87, 2134 XL Hoofddorp (Group 5 and up) and Dussenstraat 34, 2134 DL Hoofddorp (Early Years to Group 4). Hoofddorp is in the North Holland Province, about 15 minutes from Schiphol Airport and Haarlem and 20 minutes from Amsterdam. The campuses are accessible by bike, public transport, and car.
Stages	Stages Lower Primary (Groups 1-3, ages 4-6); Upper Primary (Groups 4-7, ages 6-11); MYP 1-5 and DP 1 (ages 11-18).	Stages Early Years to Group 4 (Dussenstraat Campus); Group 5 and up (Waddenweg Campus).
School type	School type Day IB World School offering the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in Primary and the Middle Years Programme (MYP), Career-related Programme (CP), and Diploma Programme (DP) in Secondary.	School type Optimist International School is a co-educational day school. It serves local and expatriate families exclusively during regular school hours and does not offer any boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix Over 50 nationalities represented; over 35 languages spoken; English is the working language.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Inclusive, personalised approach with support for diverse learning needs, including those with learning difficulties, disabilities or medical needs. A learning support structure with in-class support, 1-to-1 and small group interventions, and English as an Additional Language (EAL) support; resources and ICT to enhance curriculum accessibility.	Additional learning support English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Dutch as an additional language (DAL) are provided.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation Netherlands.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure To allow travel between sites, start and end times are staggered by campus. Lower Primary (Buitenrustlaan): doors open 08:05, lessons begin 08:15, 10:15-10:30 break, 11:45-12:45 lunch, dismissal 14:30 (12:15 on Wednesdays). Upper Primary (Schreveliusstraat): doors open 08:25, lessons begin 08:30, 10:30-10:45 break, 11:45-12:45 lunch, dismissal 14:45 (12:30 on Wednesdays). MYP 1-5 and DP 1-2: doors open 08:45, registration 08:50, 11:00-11:20 break, 13:20-13:50 lunch, dismissal 15:50 (MYP) and 17:00 (DP) with occasional clubs 16:00-17:00; Wednesdays have earlier dismissal times (MYP 13:20; DP around 14:20).	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details Public transport access: Floriande Noord bus stop is a 5-minute walk from Waddenweg Campus and served by bus lines 341 and 340; Floriande Sportdorp bus stop is a 1-minute walk from Dussenstraat Campus and served by bus line 341. Free parking is available.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Registration fee - A one‑time non‑refundable registration (pre‑registration) fee of EUR 200 per student is charged at application. Deposit - A refundable deposit of EUR 500 per student is charged on the first invoice for new students. The deposit is refundable on withdrawal only if all school fees have been paid, correct notice has been given, and school property is returned in good condition; refunds may take up to 10 working weeks and any international transfer charges are applied to the recipient. Tuition fees — Primary (Groups 1–7) — academic year amount and month‑of‑start scale - Full annual tuition for Primary (Groups 1–7) is EUR 5,330 per year (100% for students enrolling in August/September). - If a child starts later in the academic year the tuition due is pro rata according to the month of enrolment as follows (amounts shown are the tuition charged for that month of enrolment): - August / September: EUR 5,330 (100%). - October: EUR 5,330 (100%). - November: EUR 4,799 (90%). - December: EUR 4,268 (80%). - January: EUR 3,737 (70%). - February: EUR 3,206 (60%). - March: EUR 2,675 (50%). - April: EUR 2,144 (40%). - May: EUR 1,613 (30%). - June / July: EUR 1,082 (20%). - An annual School Yearbook cost of EUR 20 is included in tuition and is not eligible for a late‑start discount. Tuition fees — Secondary (MYP / DP) — academic year amounts and month‑of‑start scale - MYP1–MYP4 (Middle Years Programme years 1–4): full annual tuition is EUR 6,660 (100% for August/September start). Field trip fee and the admin/deposit rules apply as below; pro rata tuition is applied by month of enrolment as listed. - August / September: EUR 6,660 (100%). - October: EUR 6,660 (100%). - November: EUR 5,996 (90%). - December: EUR 5,332 (80%). - January: EUR 4,668 (70%). - February: EUR 4,004 (60%). - March: EUR 3,340 (50%). - April: EUR 2,676 (40%). - May: EUR 2,012 (30%). - June / July: EUR 1,348 (20%). - MYP5 (final MYP year): full annual tuition is EUR 6,660 (100%), with separate E‑Assessment and field‑trip charges depending on enrolment timing as listed below. Pro rata tuition by month of enrolment follows the same percentage schedule as MYP1–4; the E‑Assessment fee is applied as shown. - MYP5 field trip fee (example values in fee schedule): typically EUR 540 (for August/September enrolments) and pro rata adjustments for later starts are listed in the fee table. MYP5 E‑Assessment fees are shown as EUR 415 (subject to the enrolment month schedule in the table). - DP1 (IB Diploma Programme year 1): full annual tuition is EUR 6,740 (100% for August/September start). Field trip fee is listed as EUR 540 and DP exam fees for DP1 in 2025–2026 are shown as EUR 0 for that year; deposit and admin fees apply as below. The last admission date for new DP1 students for the 2025–2026 year is specified as 30 September. - DP2 (IB Diploma Programme year 2, returning students only): full annual tuition is EUR 6,740 (100% for August/September start). A DP graduation fee of EUR 150 and DP exam fees of EUR 670 (for 2025–2026) are listed in the fee schedule for DP2. New DP2 transfer applications are not accepted. Additional / ancillary fees and typical charges - Field trip fees: charged per year group and vary by year and month of enrolment; amounts are listed in the fee schedules and cover transportation, entrance fees and occasionally accommodation. Example values: MYP1–4 field trip fee commonly EUR 320 (for early enrolment months) and EUR 280 for some later months; MYP5 and DP field trip fees listed as EUR 540 for August/September starts. - E‑Assessment / exam fees: MYP5 E‑Assessment fee listed as EUR 415; DP2 examination fees listed as EUR 670; DP1 exam fees are shown as EUR 0 for 2025–2026. - Yearbook: EUR 20 per student is included in tuition (no discount for late starts). - Laptop requirement for new Secondary students: new secondary students require a laptop provided via The Rent Company (details and timing communicated by the IT Team). The cost for laptop rental/purchase is arranged separately from tuition. - Company invoice fee: EUR 25 per invoice when an invoice is issued to an employer/third party or when paying in two instalments (admin fee). - Family discounts: the school applies fee reductions for large families — a 30% discount for the third (and youngest) child and a 40% discount for the fourth (and youngest) child attending the school concurrently; discounts apply to the specified child only. Billing schedule and payment terms - Invoices must be paid in advance to guarantee places. Payment options for the academic year include: (A) pay in full by the invoice date (or by 1 June for returning students), or (B) pay in two instalments (option available if enrolled before 1 October). When paying in two instalments the first instalment is 50% of tuition plus the EUR 25 admin fee (and EUR 500 deposit for new students) by 1 June (or within 14 days of invoice for new students); the remaining 50% is due by 31 October. New students starting after the year begins must usually pay the full invoice (including deposit) within 14 days of invoice date. - Payment method: payment can only be made by bank transfer to the school's account at Rabobank (IBAN: NL64 RABO 0316 370 223; BIC: RABONL2U). For international transfers the school requires the OUR instruction so that transfer charges are paid by the sender. Receipts are available via the school's Open Apply invoicing/account system. Boarding fees - The school's published materials list campus locations for Primary and Secondary and do not include any boarding provision or boarding charges; boarding fees are therefore not applicable. Refunds and withdrawal notice requirements - If a student is withdrawn before their scheduled start date, 90 days' written notice from the original start date is required to obtain a full refund of tuition and the deposit; failure to provide 90 days' notice will result in no refund. For withdrawal between August and March a 60‑day notice is required and refunds of the annual tuition are applied on a sliding scale depending on the month the student leaves. Example refund percentages (month of leaving) are as follows: - September–November: 50% refunded of the annual tuition. - December–January: 40% refunded. - February (Primary): 30% refunded; (Secondary schedule shows February–March at 20% refunded; check the relevant year‑group schedule for exact percentage). - March: 20% refunded (Primary); April–July: 0% refunded. - The deposit return is conditional on fee settlement, correct notice and return of school property; refunds can take up to 10 working weeks and international transfer charges for refunds are applied to the recipient. These notice and refund rules are stated separately for Primary and Secondary fee agreements. Consequences of non‑payment - Failure to pay invoices when due may result in a student being moved to the waiting list (placement no longer guaranteed), withholding of certificates/transcripts, suspension from participation in lessons, referral to debt‑collection, and denial of subsequent year placement until fees are cleared. Summary of key payment amounts (selected highlights) - Registration fee (one‑time, non‑refundable): EUR 200 per student. - Refundable deposit for new students: EUR 500 per student (applied to first invoice). - Primary (Groups 1–7) annual tuition (100%): EUR 5,330. - MYP (secondary) annual tuition (typical full year): EUR 6,660. - DP annual tuition (DP1 / DP2 full year): EUR 6,740. (End of fee overview.)	Fee details Application and enrolment fees - Registration (application) fee: €200 (non‑refundable). - Deposit fee to confirm a place: €500, payable within 14 days of confirmation. The deposit is refundable when a student leaves provided all financial obligations have been met; the deposit will be retained if you withdraw during the application process or in lieu of the notice period where applicable. Annual tuition and breakdown by payment frequency - Annual tuition (primary): €5,580 per student for the published academic year 2025-2026. - Payment options (explicit instalment schedules): - Option 1 — Single payment: €5,580 (one payment). - Option 2 — Two equal payments: €2,790 each, due 1 June and 1 December. - Option 3 — Four equal payments: €1,395 each, due 1 June, 1 September, 1 January and 1 May. Year‑group specific additional charges - Group 7 (and/or Group 8 where specified) compulsory school camp: additional contribution €125. - Swimming lessons (Groups 3 and 4): additional contribution €240. Billing schedule, invoicing and payment terms - All school fee payments for the corresponding school year must be completed by 1 May of that school year when paying by the published schedules. Invoices for confirmed places are issued on joining and the first instalment is due within 7 days of invoicing. Failure to meet payment obligations may lead to withdrawal of the student place. - If a place is offered from a waiting list, deposit and tuition invoices are only issued once a place becomes available; payment of those invoices is required within 7 days. Notice period and refund / withdrawal rules - Notice period when leaving the school: at least six weeks' notice is required if leaving between the start of the school year and 1 April; at least eight weeks' notice is required for leaving after 2 April until the end of the school year. The notice period must be served in school or paid in lieu (i.e., fees equivalent to the notice period). If notice of withdrawal is given during the summer holidays after confirming a place for the next academic year, the deposit will be retained in lieu of the notice period. - Application (registration) fee is non‑refundable. The deposit is refundable on exit only after all financial obligations are met and notice requirements satisfied; in other withdrawal scenarios the deposit may be retained. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable to this school: Optimist International School operates as an international primary day school and does not publish boarding fees. Other costs and routine extras - Lunch supervision, routine field trips, activities and excursions are included within the published annual tuition fee of €5,400 unless a specific additional contribution is listed (for example the items above such as camp and swimming). - Any optional external activities, special workshops, or exceptional trips (if charged) are invoiced separately as required. The school's published policy reserves the right to charge additional costs where relevant (for example external examination fees, extensions to programmes or facilities). - Uniforms (if required) and incidental personal items are not specified as included in the tuition; uniform costs and similar items are charged separately when applicable.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The school does not have a uniform; students do not wear a school uniform.	Uniform requirement No uniform is required.
Food options	Food options The school does not operate a canteen. All students have snack and lunch at school. In Primary, parents can sign up for a paid warm lunch provided by Tommy Tomato.	Food options Food and drink are brought from home. Most students bring a small lunch box with a range of different foods. Healthy eating is encouraged and sweets, gum, party bags, chocolate spread and carbonated drinks are not sent into school. There is a morning break around 10:00am and a lunch break around 12:00pm. After-school care providers arrange a food/drink break when after-school care begins.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is a Dutch subsidised international school established by TWijs and IRIS, supported by the City Council in Haarlem; it is governed by the TWijs and IRIS boards and is a member of the Dutch International Schools (DIS) group.	Governance and ownership The school is governed by the Stichting Openbaar Primair Basisonderwijs Haarlemmermeer (Floreer).
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details International School Haarlem offers the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in Primary and the Middle Years Programme (MYP), Career-Related Programme (CP), and Diploma Programme (DP) in Secondary. The school is authorized as an IB World School.	Curriculum details Optimist International School structures its curriculum around two main learning pathways. Students in Group 1 through Group 7 can follow the International Programme, which uses the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) for early education and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) for the primary stages. To support core skill development within this track, the school applies the British National Curriculum framework specifically for mathematics and English instruction. For upper primary students in Groups 6 through 8, the school offers the Dutch Enrichment Programme (DEP) to prepare them for transition into the Dutch national secondary education system. This specific pathway combines standard IPC thematic units with intensive academic Dutch language studies. Additionally, the school provides Dutch as an Additional Language (DAL) classes to all international students to assist with daily communication and integration in the Netherlands.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression The Next Steps Programme guides students after MYP5. In DP1 and DP2, academic counsellors support university applications, including arranging Go-Abroad Fair visits in Utrecht and providing information on university Open Days, transcripts, reference letters, and predicted grades.	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented Inclusivity is provided through Learning Support. The school supports English as an Additional Language, and students who are working at a significantly higher level than age-related expectations, or identified as gifted, may be placed on the Learning Support Register with a tailored plan.	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning International School Haarlem is an inclusive school with a personalised approach to the diverse learning needs of students, including those with learning difficulties, disabilities or medical needs. A clear and responsive support structure exists where teachers, tutors and Student Support staff work together to identify and remove barriers to learning. Support provision is planned and regularly reviewed, taking into account the views of the individual student and their parents/guardians. The safeguarding team handles social‑emotional concerns for the school. The safeguarding team for social‑emotional concerns includes Janine Ric‑Hansen, Clare Peterkin, Hannah Mansbridge and Mirjam van den Berg.	Social & emotional learning The school has a school-wide Personal, Social, Health and Well-being Education (PSHE) program and actively integrates social-emotional learning into its curriculum.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) International School Haarlem operates as a mainstream school with a personalised approach to learning diversity. Admission depends on the applicant's needs and the school's ability to meet them within a mainstream setting and to enable benefit from the MYP curriculum. Learning Support includes 1‑to‑1 and small group targeted interventions, resources and ICT to support curriculum accessibility, and in‑class support by skilled support assistants. Primary Inclusion focuses on enabling all children to achieve academically, emotionally and socially through high‑quality teaching, differentiation, strategies to support neurodiversity, and access to appropriate resources. English as an Additional Language is supported with small group EAL lessons taught by a specialised EAL teacher, access to texts and vocabulary prior to lessons, and resources to support curriculum accessibility.	Special educational needs (SEN) The school provides educational support for pupils with additional needs, including motor remedial teaching and social-emotional skills training, with a School Counselor available.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language English as an Additional Language is valued and teachers are skilled in welcoming and supporting students who are new to English. Students who are new to English or developing academic English receive support in small group EAL lessons with a specialised EAL teacher, have access to texts and vocabulary prior to lessons, and benefit from resources to support curriculum accessibility in the classroom.	English as an additional language The school is Language Friendly; students can use all home languages, and English is the main language of instruction.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Wellbeing is addressed through a focus on promoting positive self‑esteem and enjoyment of learning. A safeguarding team is available to support social‑emotional concerns. Staff responsibilities include creating a safe and respectful learning environment and supporting student wellbeing. The school provides digital safeguarding guidelines and codes of conduct for ICT use, with guidance for both students and parents. Safeguarding policies include reporting procedures for safeguarding concerns, including cases of domestic violence and child abuse.	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is supported through PSHE and mindfulness practices as part of the school's approach to wellbeing.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The Wellbeing and Safeguarding Protocol establishes Codes of Conduct to safeguard against discrimination, sexual harassment and violence. A safeguarding team handles social‑emotional concerns and is responsible for safeguarding procedures. Digital safeguarding is addressed through an ICT code of conduct for students (and a signed agreement for parents), with disciplinary actions for breaches. The protocol provides reporting steps for suspected abuse and mandates reporting to authorities when required. Personal data handling follows GDPR guidance, with data access limited to what is legally required and necessary for safeguarding and education. Volunteers and staff are subject to background checks, including Certificates of Good Conduct (VOG) where applicable.	Safeguarding Safeguarding is prioritised with safer recruitment practices and pre-employment background checks; safety policies are in place.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school operates across three Haarlem locations: Buitenrustlaan 9 for Lower Primary, Schreveliusstraat 27 for Upper Primary, and Junoplantsoen 58 for Secondary. The Libraries provide fiction and non-fiction, with magazines and a multilingual selection reflecting the international student body. The Libraries serve as learning hubs with magazines, online resources, and IT equipment such as printers, iPads, cameras, headphones, and Chromebooks, and staff assist with research and referencing. In Primary, the Oxford Reading Tree system supports literacy development and the library supports language development activities. ISH is an IB World School offering the International Primary Curriculum in Primary and the MYP, CP, and DP in Secondary.	Facilities overview The school has two campuses in Hoofddorp to accommodate growing numbers. Waddenweg Campus (Group 5 and up) is at Waddenweg 87, 2134 XL Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. Dussenstraat Campus (Early Years to Group 4) is at Dussenstraat 34, 2134 DL Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. Both campuses are located in quiet neighbourhoods in Hoofddorp, about 15 minutes from Schiphol Airport and Haarlem and 20 minutes from Amsterdam. They are easily accessible by bike, public transport, and car, with plenty of free parking.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Every MYP student has a two-hour practical Physical & Health Education (PHE) lesson each week, with sessions taking place in the school hall or outside on the fields. Students need gym shoes with non-marking soles, appropriate clothing, a towel, and a gym bag for PHE/PE. The Extracurricular Programme includes Olympic Moves, where students compete against peers from other Dutch schools; in 2024 the basketball team performed very well. BSJ and Sports Days are organized to celebrate culture and share community involvement through sports activities.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The school is an IB World School, offering IPC in Primary and the MYP, CP, and DP in Secondary. Primary literacy is supported by the Oxford Reading Tree system, with the library hosting language development activities. The Libraries offer magazines, online resources, and IT equipment (printers, iPads, cameras, headphones, Chromebooks) with staff guidance for research and referencing, providing a safe space to work or collaborate. The working language is English, with English Language Acquisition and support available as needed; DP language courses and language development initiatives are described in policy materials. Secondary students are required to bring a laptop to school, and Essential information for the student experience is published in ManageBac and the ISH School Guide available to families.	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Secondary year groups go on residentials in the Netherlands and abroad, with team-building exercises to foster community. ISH hosts International Days and Sports Days to celebrate culture and sport. Students participate in Model United Nations (MUN) and Olympic Moves, with competitive events against other Dutch schools; in 2024 the basketball team performed exceptionally well. After-school clubs include language-focused activities, debate, newspaper clubs, bullet journaling, and more, all designed to support language development and diverse interests.	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History ISH opened its doors in September 2017 with a primary department. In 2018, its first cohort of secondary students began their learning journey in Haarlem. The school is an IB World School. It offers the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in Primary and the Middle Years Programme (MYP), Career-related Programme (CP), and Diploma Programme (DP) for secondary students.	History The school is an international public primary school located in Hoofddorp. Education is provided in English within a Dutch context. A secondary education pathway is planned to open in August 2026.
Community	Community ISH aims to develop a community of caring, compassionate, honest, open-minded global citizens who engage with the world on local and global scales. The school provides dynamic, world-recognised teaching programmes with inquiry-based learning at the core and encourages participation in matters of worldwide interest and service activities. It emphasises positive personal and learning values, guides students to reach their potential as thinkers and lifelong learners, and maintains a welcoming and supportive environment for all members of the school community.	Community Most learning is in English and approximately 15% in Dutch. The library offers books in multiple languages. The school is located in Hoofddorp, near Amsterdam and Schiphol.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The Parent Committee is a group of volunteer parents who contribute their time, talent and passion to make a difference in the school community. Current team: Chair – Mercedes Hualli; Secretary – Nada Wouters; Treasurer – Lydia Bruwer. The committee organizes events throughout the year to bring families together, including International Day, Bake Sales, Coffee Mornings, Seasonal Event Celebrations and the Summer Feest, and helps welcome new parents and foster belonging. The Committee relies on volunteers to run these events; to get involved contact ishparentcommittee@gmail.com.	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual International School Haarlem offers the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in Primary and the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Career-Related Programme (CP), and the Diploma Programme (DP) for secondary students. The school is authorized as an IB World School. The learning philosophy centers on high-quality, challenging international education and the development of global citizens. The curriculum emphasises inquiry-based learning and the ability to think critically and act with empathy about local and global issues.	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Art and music are integral to the curriculum. Expressive arts and design is a core area of learning in Early Years, and Art and Music feature prominently in the Primary IPC framework. Primary Music develops singing, music notation, creation and recording of music, and exploration of music from around the world, linking musical learning to IPC topics. Art and music are embedded in IPC themes across the Primary curriculum.	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Language acquisition includes English, French, Spanish and Dutch. In Primary Years, English and Mathematics are taught using the English National Curriculum, while the IPC provides a thematic, multi-disciplinary approach to learning that nurtures internationally minded, globally competent citizens. The IPC aims to develop adaptability, empathy, ethics, resilience, respect, communication, collaboration and thinking across cultures.	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies The Extracurricular Programme includes International Days that celebrate culture and diversity, and Building Social Justice Days that bring in local and global communities to discuss societal issues. Students participate in Model United Nations (MUN) to practice dialogue and consensus, and in Olympic Moves to compete in various sports. Secondary students also undertake residential trips and team-building activities to develop teamwork and social skills.	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service International Days celebrate culture and diversity, reflecting the school's inclusive, international community. Building Social Justice Days engage local and global communities to address poverty, diversity and women's rights. Community engagement is a core component of the CP and is emphasized alongside other core CP elements such as language and culture studies.	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The Career-Related Programme (CP) offers a broad, flexible education with a career-related study (Business) and a career-related core comprising personal and professional skills, the reflective project, community engagement and language and culture studies. CP aims to develop higher-order thinking, practical knowledge and employability. Academic counselling supports students with Next Steps planning, university visits, and application timelines after MYP5 and during the DP years.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Health and Wellbeing is a named area within the Primary IPC framework. Physical Education is provided to all Primary students, with two hours per week of specialist time, covering Games, Athletics, Gymnastics, Health-Related Fitness and Dance. P.E. lessons are linked to IPC units to promote healthy, active lifestyles. The school also supports wellbeing through inclusive practices, including English as an Additional Language support where needed.	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English is the language of instruction for all students. English Language Acquisition (EAL) support is provided for learners who start with little or no English, and all MYP students study English and Dutch. MYP Language Acquisition courses are offered in English, Dutch, French and Spanish, and all MYP students study French or Spanish as LA in addition to English and Dutch. In the Diploma Programme, Dutch is compulsory for DP students who hold only a Dutch passport; DP offers Dutch Language & Literature and English Language & Literature, with SSST Language A: Literature and additional language options including French and Spanish.	Language provision The languages taught are English and Dutch. The school follows the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). Specialist teachers provide English and Dutch as a language (DAL) support. Dutch language learning is enhanced through the Dutch Enrichment Programme (DEP) and dual pathways for staying international or going Dutch.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The school provides international primary education in English and Dutch.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs The Dutch Enrichment Programme (DEP) offers Dutch language learning experiences.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations IB World School (authorized to offer the IB Middle Years Programme, Career-related Programme and Diploma Programme).	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions International School Haarlem offers primary and secondary education in an English-speaking environment and welcomes applications from students worldwide who need international education. Admission follows national regulations for the Dutch International School. A student is admitted if they meet at least one of these conditions: the student has a non-Dutch nationality and a parent working in the Netherlands for a limited time; the student has Dutch nationality and has attended an international school abroad for at least two years because a parent was stationed abroad; or Dutch nationality and a parent who will be stationed abroad within two years of admission for at least two years, confirmed in writing by the employer. Prospective families submit a pre-application via Open Apply; completing the pre-application is required before requesting a school visit. For 2025-2026, there are no spaces left in MYP and DP; there are some spaces in Primary. The school will respond within 10 working days if eligible for admission, and a start date and visit can be arranged. A school visit can be scheduled once the application is complete and the registration fee has been paid; visits are on Tuesday 9:00-11:00 (Primary and MYP1-5), Thursday 9:00-11:00 (Primary and MYP 1-5), and Friday 12:20-13:20 (CP/DP). School visits are available throughout the year, with a 2–3 week waiting time to book a visit. Phone bookings are not accepted. The school offers the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in Primary and the Middle Years Programme (MYP), Career-Related Programme (CP) and Diploma Programme (DP) in secondary, and is IB World School authorized.	Admissions 1. Making Contact The admissions journey officially begins when parents submit an enquiry through the school's online Open Apply portal. This portal is the only accepted method for submitting an application, as the school does not process applications or registrations via phone call or email. After registering their initial interest online, parents can use the portal to arrange an in-person campus tour or schedule a call with the admissions team. Parents should note that applications can be initiated from the moment their child turns three years old. 2. Introductory Meeting The school invites prospective families to an introductory meeting to discuss the student's educational needs and the family's relocation plans. For families currently living overseas who are unable to visit the campus, the admissions team will arrange a video call via Google Meet instead. During this conversation, the school evaluates the child's academic suitability and alignment with the school's pedagogical approach. The school also requests that children join at least a portion of this meeting to facilitate a better understanding of their readiness. 3. Admissions Application If both the family and the school determine that Optimist International School is an appropriate fit, parents are asked to complete the formal application. At this stage, parents must upload all necessary educational documentation to the Open Apply portal, including previous school reports and any existing educational or psychological assessments. Parents must explicitly disclose any prior academic or specialist support the child has received, as failing to report existing learning challenges can impact the enrolment status. Finally, parents must pay a non-refundable registration fee to proceed with the application. 4. Confirmation and Placement Once all documents are uploaded and the registration fee is paid, the admissions manager will send an email detailing the student's acceptance, anticipated year group, and start date. To officially secure the place, parents must reply with a confirmation email and pay a refundable deposit fee within 14 days of receiving the offer. After the child starts school, they will undergo an initial assessment period during their first few weeks. This allows the teaching staff and school counsellor to evaluate the student's progress and recommend any adjustments to their final group placement if necessary.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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