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European School Bergen

Netherlands, Bergen

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, French, Dutch
Fees €4,196 - 7,867
Ages 4 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 600
Type Co-educational
Opened 1963
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Latin
Strengths Languages, STEM, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

European School Bergen is a day school within the European Schools network serving pupils from age 2 to 18. The curriculum follows European Schools framework, with three language sections: English, Dutch and French. All sections share the same syllabuses, ensuring coherence across language groups, while Nursery and Primary classes are taught in the mother tongue. In Secondary, a third language is compulsory from year 1, with German, Dutch and Spanish offered and a fourth option in Year 4. The language focus is complemented by cross-language learning through European Hours in Primary. The school emphasizes science, mathematics, information technology and creative arts, and integrates ICT across lessons. Native-speaking teachers support multilingual education, and distance-learning with European colleagues broadens horizons. Students have access to a well-stocked library, the Europahal sports hall, and a broad programme of cultural, educational and residential activities. The European Baccalaureate anchors the final stages of study for graduates.

Molenweidtje 5, 1862 BC Bergen, Netherlands

The Essentials

European School Bergen has 600 pupils, instruction in English, French, Dutch.

Location
Bergen, North Holland, Netherlands

Stages
Nursery, Primary, Secondary

Type
European School (day school)

Additional learning support
Educational support is available; three levels: General, Moderate and Intensive.

Country affiliation
European Schools network (EU-wide)

School day structure
Nursery and Primary: teaching time 25 hours 30 minutes per week; three language sections (English, Dutch and French); Language 2 is one of the EU working languages (English, French or German) and Language 3 begins in primary; European Hours weekly; secondary day starts at 09:00 and ends around 16:25 with 31–35 lessons per week.

Bus service
Easy transfer from Alkmaar Central train station by bus.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Dress standard policy provides guidelines for acceptable attire and final say rests with Educational Advisers and/or management. Shirts and tops must cover the midriff, shoulders must be covered, no beachwear or obscene images or words, skirts and shorts must be modest, footwear must be sensible, no headgear indoors, and sports attire is required for physical education.

Food Options
Canteen meals are available. Nursery and P1/2 may bring a packed lunch or sign up for hot lunches; P3/4/5 join the canteen for lunch, and meals may also be bought at Luna Rossa cafeteria. Canteen arrangements may be adjusted or cancelled due to Covid-19 measures.

Governance and Ownership
The Board of Governors is the supreme decision-making body for the European Schools and lays down the basic rules for organisation and functioning. Local decisions, including admissions, can be made by the school management. The Nursery/Primary Cycle is overseen by the Deputy Director for Nursery and Primary, the Secondary Cycle by its Deputy Director, and the school is led by the Director of European School Bergen.
Fees

Annual tuition at European School Bergen ranges from EUR 4,196 to EUR 7,867 for 2026/27.

Application fees
- There is no registration or application fee for enrolment at European School Bergen for the 2025/2026 school year.

Tuition fees (annual and per-term) — academic year 2025/2026
All amounts are quoted in euros.
- 1st child (full fee, per year):
- Nursery Cycle (ages 4–5): € 4,195.57 per year. Per-term/four-equal payments: 25% = € 1,048.89. Per-instalment if using the 6-month instalment option (Oct–Mar): 12.5% = € 524.45.
- Primary Cycle (ages 6–10): € 5,768.99 per year. Per-term/four-equal payments: 25% = € 1,442.25. Per-instalment (12.5%): € 721.12.
- Secondary Cycle (ages 11–18): € 7,866.78 per year. Per-term/four-equal payments: 25% = € 1,966.70. Per-instalment (12.5%): € 983.35.

- 2nd child (80% of full fee, per year):
- Nursery Cycle: € 3,356.46 per year. 25% = € 839.12; 12.5% = € 419.56.
- Primary Cycle: € 4,615.19 per year. 25% = € 1,153.80; 12.5% = € 576.90.
- Secondary Cycle: € 6,293.42 per year. 25% = € 1,573.36; 12.5% = € 786.68.

- From the 3rd child (60% of full fee, per year):
- Nursery Cycle: € 2,517.34 per year. 25% = € 629.34; 12.5% = € 314.67.
- Primary Cycle: € 3,461.39 per year. 25% = € 865.35; 12.5% = € 432.67.
- Secondary Cycle: € 4,720.07 per year. 25% = € 1,180.02; 12.5% = € 590.01.

- There is also a special-contract school-fee level for businesses (employees' children under a special contract): € 17,226.24 for 2025/26.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Advance payment: an advance of 25% of the annual school fee must be paid before 30 June (this advance is non-refundable and is a condition to register a pupil in the administration).
- Invoicing and due dates: the remaining 75% (plus additional costs) is invoiced in September/October and must be paid within one month of the invoice date. If payment is not received within 30 days of issue, an administrative charge of €15 applies and unpaid amounts will be referred to a collection agency (costs charged to the family).
- Instalment options for the remaining 75%:
- Option 1: remaining 75% may be spread over six instalments (October to March) of 12.5% of the annual fee each; this option requires a signed authorisation allowing the school to deduct payments from your bank account.
- Option 2: pay the remaining 75% in three instalments (second term 25% due 31 October; third term 25% due 31 January; fourth term 25% due 31 March). If using this schedule parents must arrange those payments themselves.

Boarding fees
- European School Bergen does not operate a boarding programme; no boarding fees apply.

Other compulsory or typical additional costs
- School insurance: mandatory, € 5.00 per pupil per year (covers accidents/liability during travel to/from school, the school day and school-organised activities).
- Examination fees for Baccalaureate candidates: € 103.20 (extra written BAC exam: additional € 39.71).
- Processing of higher education applications: a charge of € 130 or € 260 depending on the countries involved.
- Photocopying contribution (2025/2026): Nursery € Nil; Primary € 20.03; Secondary € 40.08.
- Lockers: secondary pupils are assigned a locker; locker rent charge € 5.00.
- Books and learning materials:
- Primary: the school buys most books/equipment; contribution per pupil per year is € 75 (English/French sections) or € 120 (Dutch section). Intermath booklets and some language materials are charged separately.
- Secondary: parents order and purchase items on the electronic booklist; some subject-specific books/equipment are charged on the invoice when the school supplies them.
- School trips and excursions: contributions charged at the start of the year for planned trips. Typical charges: nursery excursions € 45; primary excursions € 75; P5 primary residential trip additional approx. € 350; various residential trips for secondary years are charged as applicable. These trip charges are invoiced with the school fees at the start of the year (other ad hoc trips are invoiced later).
- Class/participation contributions: nursery/class funds and occasional small contributions (example class fund amounts cited in the school guide such as € 40 for nursery and € 75 for primary contributions covering trips/outings, etc.).
- Extra-curricular activities: some activities are organised by the Parents' Association and carry separate fees; payment procedures and programme details are managed by the Parents' Association.

Refunds and mid-year starts or departures
- The 25% advance payment is not refundable.
- Mid-year admissions or early departures are adjusted pro rata: a 10% reduction applies for admissions in November (i.e., the family pays 90% of the annual fee), and each subsequent month attracts a further 10% reduction; pupils who start in June/July pay only 25% of the annual fee. For departures, proportional reductions are applied depending on the month of departure (the financial information provides a month-by-month percentage schedule). Other mandatory costs (insurance, photocopying, etc.) remain payable in full for the whole year.

Fee-payment mechanisms and practical notes
- Instalment payments require a signed authorisation form permitting the school to deduct instalments from the parent's bank account; the school issues invoices for the remainder of fees and additional costs which must be paid by the invoice due dates. Late-payment administrative charges apply and unpaid sums may be sent to debt collection.

Dress / uniform
- There is no compulsory school uniform. The school maintains a dress standard policy (requirements on modest, safe and appropriate clothing) rather than a mandatory uniform. Charges for a uniform are not included among the listed compulsory school fees.
Academics

European School Bergen teaches Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 4 to 18.

Curriculum
European School Bergen follows the European Schools curriculum with three language sections: English, Dutch and French. All three sections operate under the same curriculum; Primary and Nursery classes are monolingual. Children are taught in their mother tongue and join the appropriate language section when they join the school. In Nursery and Primary, languages are taught through the language section, while in the Secondary Cycle a third language is compulsory from the first year; languages currently offered are German, Dutch and Spanish, with a fourth-language option in Year 4. The syllabuses are the same across language sections and are drawn up by inspectors and teachers and approved by the Board of Governors, aligned with European Union standards. In the Primary cycle, activities such as the 'European Hours' bring together pupils from different language sections for cross-language learning.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The European School Bergen provides wellbeing support through the Care Team, which focuses on the wellbeing of individuals with social, psychological, physical and academic needs. The Care Team offers preventative support where possible and acts quickly when problems arise. A school nurse is on site, and first-aiders are available among staff. A psychologist is on site on a part-time basis to support pupils' mental health and wellbeing. The school emphasises safety, health and pupil care as a priority in daily life and school activities. Activities and trips provide opportunities for social development and inclusion within a multilingual community.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Opportunities exist for pupils who need extra help or who are new to the school and do not yet have all the language skills required. Pupils are evaluated at the start of the year to identify language and other support needs. Pupils with more intensive support needs follow a defined procedure. Screening tests are used to determine fit for the school, and a trial day is encouraged for new admissions. The admissions process itself includes language and support considerations as part of placement.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The curriculum is delivered in English, French and Dutch. A second language is introduced from the start of the primary cycle. In the secondary cycle, pupils begin with a third language and may later choose a fourth language and Latin, subject to numbers and availability. English is the most popular Language 2 and is expected to be at a high level by the final examinations. The European School Bergen recognises the European Baccalaureate across the European Union, facilitating university entry.

Mental Wellbeing
The safety, health and security of pupils are priorities. A school nurse is on site, and there are first-aiders among staff. A psychologist is on site on a part-time basis. The Care Team in the secondary cycle provides support for wellbeing, covering social, psychological, physical and academic issues, and offers preventative help where possible and quick response when problems arise. Pupils can access support through the Care Team when needed.

Safeguarding
Safety and safeguarding are priorities at ES Bergen. A school nurse is on site, and first-aiders are available. A psychologist is on site on a part-time basis to support pupil welfare. The Care Team provides safeguarding-related support for pupils with social, psychological, physical or academic issues. The team offers preventative help and rapid response to problems.
Parent Experience

History
On 16 October 1963 the European School Bergen opened to support the Joint Research Centre in Petten. It began in a wooden temporary building with five rooms, five nursery pupils, five primary pupils, three teachers, a secretary, a concierge and a Belgian director. The school grew to 18 classrooms as it expanded; the foundation stone for a permanent building was laid in 1976. In September 1977 the administration and secondary moved to the present site, followed by nursery and primary in December 1977. In April 1978 the school was officially opened by HM Princess Beatrix, who also opened Europahal, the sports hall built in collaboration with the local community. Numbers peaked at around 900 and, since 2000, have reduced to about 560 with the closure of the Italian and German sections. The school now has Dutch, French and English language sections.

Community
Pupils are educated in a secure, happy, relaxed yet stimulating multilingual environment. Languages are taught by native speakers and are central to preparing pupils to be aware and responsible European citizens. Pupils participate in a wide range of educational, cultural and social activities in the school, the local community and in events across Europe before they go on to study at universities across Europe and North America. The school preserves and promotes the cultural identity of pupils from more than forty countries, and emphasises creative arts, music, art and drama, as well as sport and ICT.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
ES Bergen provides a secure, welcoming, relaxed yet stimulating multilingual environment for pupils aged 4–18. Languages are taught by native speakers and sit at the core of the school's mission within a broad European curriculum that leads to the European Baccalaureate. Most pupils achieve fluency in at least two languages, and by secondary many speak three to four languages, including Dutch for non‑Dutch speakers. The school offers a wide range of educational, cultural and social activities in the school, the local community and across Europe, supporting international identity. It emphasizes the sciences and mathematics, creative arts, and ICT, and uses distance-learning with teachers across Europe to enrich learning and give a broader European flavour.

Academic Facilities
IT is well integrated into learning. Each classroom has at least one computer and a touchscreen or projector, and a fully equipped computer room supports ICT use across the school. The wireless network is fast, enabling the use of mobile laptop units from an early age. A library and media centre with books in several languages supports classroom work, and a librarian is assisted by parent volunteers. The school provides educational support in three tiers—General, Moderate and Intensive—for students needing extra help or targeted interventions.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extracurricular activities are an important part of ES Bergen. Every year, a wide range of events and projects take place, with some recurring and others varying by year; Francophonie is one example of a yearly activity. There are art projects, musical events, small plays and performances, and Christmas concerts. School trips and outings support the curriculum, with visits to museums, study centres and other places of interest; Primary 5 includes an annual residential trip to the Netherlands or Belgium.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Extracurricular activities take place after school hours on Wednesday and Friday afternoons and are organized by the Parents' Association. The activities range from typing to ceramics, IT, sports, and philosophy. The school fosters learning beyond the classroom through excursions, projects and subject competitions. Semester 2 club sign-ups remain open until Friday 31 January.

Arts & Creative
There are regular school events, musicals, plays and competitions, as well as a programme of educational trips and visits. Art, Music and Sport are taught in open language groups, so all language sections are blended. The Parents' Association offers extra-curricular activities that include creative and performing arts beyond the classroom. These activities enable students to participate in the arts as part of school life.

Cultural & Language
The curriculum is delivered in English, French and Dutch. Language 1 is normally the language of the pupil's section, and Language 2 is one of the EU working languages (English, French or German) and must be different from Language 1. Language 3 is chosen as a beginner's course in S1, with options including German, English, French, Dutch, Italian and Spanish; Language 4 is an option in S4. Latin can be studied from S2, and the Latinum Europaeum examination is available for some university applications.

Social & Hobbies
Extra-curricular activities include IT and sporting activities, offered through the Parents' Association. The school also hosts regular events such as musicals, plays and competitions, along with a programme of educational trips and visits. The activities published each year by the Parents' Association include IT and sporting clubs, as well as other hobby-based activities. Students can broaden their interests beyond academics through these clubs and events.

Community & Service
There are residential trips and day visits that focus on particular subjects or are multidisciplinary. The school participates in events and projects organized by the European Schools and provides opportunities for pupils to participate in larger events across the European Union. There are other events and projects within the school and in the local community. These activities foster community engagement and cultural exchange.

Leadership & Professional
Pupils are encouraged to take a full and active part in all aspects of life in school. Every class has a pupil representative, and the pupil committee elects a President and Vice-President at the beginning of each school year. Pupils participate in the strategic planning and management of the school through meetings such as the School Administrative Board, the School Advisory Council and the Secondary Education Council. Careers advisers provide guidance across language sections, and a two-week work experience programme is run for S5 students.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Health, safety and pupil care are priorities; a school nurse is on site and first-aiders are available. A psychologist is on site on a part-time basis to support wellbeing. The Care Team offers preventative help and swift support for social, psychological, physical and academic issues. The canteen provides hot meals and drinks with pre-order options, supporting healthy nutrition.
Languages

Language Provision
The school has English, French and Dutch language sections. Language 1 is the section language and is compulsory throughout the secondary cycle. Language 2 languages are the three EU working languages: French, German or English, and must differ from Language 1; Dutch can be studied as Language 2 in S6 and S7 for the European Baccalaureate. Language 3 is chosen as a beginner's course in S1 and includes German, English, French, Dutch, Italian or Spanish, compulsory until the end of S5. Language 4 is an optional beginner's language in S4 that can continue to the European Baccalaureate.

Bilingual Teaching
Pupils are taught in Language 1, the section language, with mother tongue tuition. Language 2 is one of the EU working languages (English, French or German) and must differ from Language 1. Most subjects are taught in Language 1, while Art, Music and Sport are taught in "open" language groups to blend sections. Starting in S3, Human Sciences are studied in Language 2.
Admissions

Admissions
European School Bergen is an international school in the Netherlands. To apply, complete the Enquiry for Admission Form and we will contact you as soon as possible. Admission criteria: pupils must be four years old, or turn four during the starting calendar year; screening tests determine fit based on age and level; a trial day is encouraged for Nursery, Primary, or Secondary entrants. Dutch pupils: special rules apply; all Dutch applications require approval by inspectors from the Ministry of Education; we can advise on whether a place is feasible. Fees for 2025-26: Nursery (4-5) €4,195.57; Primary (6-10) €5,768.99; Secondary (11-18) €7,866.78. For the creche (2-3), contact Little Europe. Second child (80% of full fees): Nursery €3,356.46; Primary €4,615.19; Secondary €6,293.42. Third child (60% of full fees): Nursery €2,517.34; Primary €3,461.39; Secondary €4,720.07. If you already have a child enrolled at the school before September 2013, contact us to check the fees. Special contract for businesses allows the mother tongue to be Language 1; the annual fee under this contract is €17,226.24. Scholarships (bourses scolaires) are available for families with low incomes for children enrolled in AEFE schools; scholarships are awarded based on financial and patrimonial situation, family composition, and the burden of tuition on the family budget; these funds are paid directly to the school.

Scholarships
Scholarships are available for families with low incomes for children enrolled in AEFE schools. They are awarded based on the financial and patrimonial situation of families, their composition and the financial burden of tuition on the family budget. They are paid directly to the school.
School Events
The school has not added events
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