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Netherlands, Amsterdam
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.
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.
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.
