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Curriculum IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum
Taught languages Dutch, Spanish
Typical class size 17
Strengths Visual and Creative Arts, STEM, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Early Years, Primary School
Introduction
Optimist International School is an international public primary school located in Hoofddorp, Netherlands. Education is delivered in English within a Dutch context. The curriculum combines IEYC for early years, IPC for primary, and the British Curriculum for later primary years, serving students aged 4 to 11. The school operates on a two-campus model to support growth: Dussenstraat Campus houses Early Years to Group 4, and Waddenweg Campus serves Group 5 and up. Addresses are Dussenstraat 34, 2134 DL Hoofddorp and Waddenweg 87, 2134 XL Hoofddorp. Both campuses are in quiet neighbourhoods and are about 15 minutes from Schiphol Airport and Haarlem and 20 minutes from Amsterdam. A secondary education pathway is planned to open in August 2026. The English-language, international setting supports continuity across year groups and into the planned secondary pathway.
Optimist International School has 250 pupils, typical class sizes of 17, instruction in English, Dutch.
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
Early Years to Group 4 (Dussenstraat Campus); Group 5 and up (Waddenweg Campus).
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.
Additional learning support
English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Dutch as an additional language (DAL) are provided.
Country affiliation
Netherlands.
Bus service
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
Annual tuition at Optimist International School ranges from EUR 5,580 for 2026/27.
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.
Academics
Optimist International School teaches IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum for students aged 4 to 11.
Curriculum
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.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
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)
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 (EAL)
The school is Language Friendly; students can use all home languages, and English is the main language of instruction.
Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through PSHE and mindfulness practices as part of the school's approach to wellbeing.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is prioritised with safer recruitment practices and pre-employment background checks; safety policies are in place.
Admissions
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.
FAQs
What age range does Optimist serve?
Optimist International School serves students aged 4 to 11 across two campuses in Hoofddorp, with a secondary education pathway opening in August 2026.
What curriculum does the school follow?
The school combines IEYC for early years, IPC for primary and British Curriculum for later primary years, all taught in English.
How much are the tuition fees?
Annual tuition is EUR 5,580 with a EUR 200 non-refundable registration fee and EUR 500 deposit to confirm a place.
Where are the campuses?
Dussenstraat 34 for Early Years to Group 4 and Waddenweg 87 for Group 5 and up, both in Hoofddorp near Amsterdam and Schiphol.
Is there a uniform?
No uniform is required at Optimist International School.
What food options are there?
Students bring food and drink from home in a small lunch box. Healthy eating is encouraged and sweets are discouraged.
Is the school Language Friendly?
Yes, Optimist is a Language Friendly School where students can use all home languages, with English as the main language of instruction.
Is there learning support?
Yes, EAL, Dutch as an Additional Language, motor remedial teaching and social-emotional skills training are provided.
How many students attend?
Approximately 250 students across both Hoofddorp campuses.
Will there be a secondary school?
Yes, a secondary education pathway is planned to open in August 2026.
How do I apply?
Applications require non-Dutch nationality and a parent working temporarily in the Netherlands. Registration fee EUR 200 and EUR 500 deposit.
Is the school publicly funded?
Yes, Optimist is an international public primary school governed by Stichting Floreer.
