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Netherlands, Rotterdam
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Founded in 1923 as the Waldorf School The Hague (De Vrije School Den Haag) with the support and blessing of Rudolf Steiner, the school grew, built its own building designed around Waldorf aesthetics and philosophy, and educated generations of teachers and children while staying true to its origins. The International Waldorf School The Hague was created with that same Waldorf spirit and intention. The Hague has become an international city hosting the International Court of Justice, Eurojust and the OPCW, which aligns with the school's international orientation. In 2017 a clear demand for an International Waldorf School serving internationally mobile families was recognised, and permission (and funding) from the Dutch Ministry of Education to establish the school was granted.
Yearly Festivals are an important part of the school, helping children appreciate the rhythm of the year and build a sense of community. Some celebrations are school-wide and some are class-specific, with parents often invited to participate. The calendar includes traditional Waldorf festivals as well as festivals reflecting the diverse cultures within the school community, and the celebrations are dynamic and may vary year to year. The four festivals always celebrated together are Michaëlmas, Harvest, Mid-winter/Christmas, and Saint John, with additional celebrations such as Halloween, Día de los Muertos, Diwali, Ramadan, Saint Martin, Saint Nicolas, Advent, Epiphany, Chinese New Year, and spring festivals.
There is active parent participation at IWSTH. Parents evenings provide information about class activities and developmental phases, and class parents act as a communication bridge between families and teachers. Many activities rely on parent involvement, including trips, annual festivities, plays, craft lessons and reading support. The school also draws on parental expertise through the Participation Council, which comprises two parent representatives and two employee representatives and can have an advisory role or, on certain matters, a decisive vote. The Participation Council page confirms its formal policy-making role and current composition, and the Parent Participation page describes how parents contribute to school life.
The International Waldorf School The Hague is a non-profit international primary school offering the Waldorf Steiner curriculum for ages 4–12. Kindergarten (4–6) emphasizes imaginative play, storytelling, songs and crafts and is non-academic. Primary (6–12) teaches mathematics, language arts, science and history through an imaginative, artistic approach; arts are integrated into all subjects. Students learn to paint and draw, work with beeswax and clay, sing and play instruments, and undertake handwork and woodwork, guided by a class teacher for several years. Outdoor education and seasonal celebrations are core, tied to the Four Pillars of Wellbeing: Mindfulness, Community, Self-curiosity and Contentment. The medium of instruction is English; Dutch is taught by a specialist with EAL support as needed. The school sits near Scheveningen beach, in a campus with a gymnasium, daily outdoor play, and Kindergarten kitchens; a garden and wood structures enrich the environment. An active Participation Council supports school development and a multi-year improvement plan guides governance.
