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Netherlands, Rotterdam
Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.
It's best to ask — circumstances can change at any time.
Step 1: When to apply. Early Years applications are accepted from age 2 but are processed later. Applications to join at the start of the school year should be submitted by April 1; after that date placement may be delayed. Applications for mid-year starts should be submitted as soon as possible.
Step 2: Attend information sessions or arrange a visit. Regular information mornings are held for Primary School and Secondary School; prospective parents can meet staff and see the school. Dates for the next sessions are available on the admissions information page. If you cannot attend, submit a Registration of Interest Form and school reports (for pupils applying to P1–S6) and contact the Admissions Office to arrange a visit.
Step 3: Application procedure. Submit the formal application through OpenApply and create a parent account to track status. In the portal, upload required documents; Category I requires a passport copy, two years of school reports, any SEN/medical documents, a statement confirming Category I status from your HR office, and the Pupil Information Request Form. Category III requires a passport copy, two years of school reports, any SEN/medical documents, proof of payment of the €300 registration fee, the Pupil Information Request Form, and, in most cases, proof of eligibility for international education in the Netherlands. Additional information may be requested as needed.
Step 4: Next steps after submission. After submission, you will receive an automatic confirmation email; the application is assessed by the directorate; you may be asked for additional information, a meeting, or a placement offer or placement on the waiting list (Category III). For Secondary School applications, language and mathematics tests may be scheduled if transferring from another European School.
Step 5: Enrolment and post-arrival arrangements. With director's approval, placement letters are sent to parents to sign; acceptance of the offer. Subsequent arrangements such as class allocation, timetables, and introduction days (Early Years) will be communicated later.
Category III applicants may be placed on the waiting list. If a place becomes available, admissions officers contact the family with a placement offer; otherwise the applicant remains on the waiting list. Updates will be provided via OpenApply after the initial assessment.
European School The Hague (ESH) Primary offers a specialized multilingual education utilizing the European Schools curriculum. The primary campus integrates students into five distinct language sections: English, Dutch, French, German, and Spanish. Instruction primarily occurs in the student's designated language section, complemented by a mandatory second language (L2) introduced during the first year. Distinctively, ESH Primary actively promotes cross-cultural integration through "European Hours," where students mix across language sections for Physical Education, Music, and Art. The campus features dedicated support programs for individualized learning, notably the ESH Plus and Challenge programs, which provide targeted compacting and enrichment projects for gifted pupils. Extracurricular options emphasize practical skill-building and civic responsibility, driven by student-led initiatives like the Eco Planet Team and Playground Buddies. By focusing on language acquisition, structured enrichment, and student collaboration, the school equips pupils with concrete tools for further education across Europe.
