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Find out more about ISA and specific topics. Click on a question to display the answer.

How many children attend ISA?

We have over 950 children from 625 families that attend ISA, representing over fifty countries.


What is the average class size at ISA?

Class sizes vary in the Primary Years Programme. In nursery and preschool we enroll up to sixteen children per class, each with a teacher and a full-time teaching assistant. In the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten we enroll up to eighteen children per class with a teacher and full-time teaching assistant. In grade 1 we enroll up to 20 children per class with a teacher and full-time teaching assistant. Classes in grades 2-5 have one teacher and up to 20 students.

In the Middle Years Programme we enroll up to 23 students per class.

The Diploma Programme has an average of fifteen students per class; however, due to a greater range of individual curriculum choices some class sizes may be much smaller.


Do you offer preschool?

Yes, for children age three by August 31st, we offer three- and five-day programmes. Both are full day programmes. Children attending the three-day programme go to school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.


If my child is not three by August 31st, do they have to wait a full year to register?

No, we offer a two-day nursery programme designed for children who are ready to experience school but are not yet old enough to join the preschool programme. Children may join the nursery programme on or after their 3rd birthday. Children in the nursery programme attend school on Thursdays and Fridays. The following academic year they are enrolled in the preschool programme; parents have the option to select from the three- day or the five-day programme.


How diverse is ISA’s student body?

We have approximately 950 students representing over fifty countries. Roughly 43% are European, 20% of our student body is from North America, 11% are Japanese and 26% are from various other countries around the world.


How close to Amsterdam is the school?

We are located just over eleven kilometers south of Amsterdam city-centre and are easily accessible by bike, auto, bus and tram.


Do you offer transportation to and from school?

We organize bus services for children needing transportation to and from school. This door-to-door service is offered to families who live both close to the ISA campus and in the outlying towns. Bus routes are determined according to the addresses of the students.


Is there a waiting list?

At ISA, enrollment changes regularly. Occasionally there is a waiting list for specific grades. Priority is given to ISA siblings, international students and then by the application receipt date.


What accreditations does the school have?

ISA is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and by the International Baccalaureate.


What extra-curricular activities do you offer?

We offer an extensive extra-curricular programme that includes creative arts, athletics, student government, Model United Nations, grade level challenge trips, music, yearbook, publication, choir, language clubs, chess club, International Awards for Young People and theatre productions.


What sports activities are offered?

In addition to athletic extra-curricular activities that are available to students of all ages, ISA offers a full range of competitive sporting activities for students grade 5 and higher. Team sports include basketball, rugby, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, softball and volleyball.


Is learning to swim mandatory?

ISA follows the appropriate Dutch National Swimming Diploma Programme that focuses on water safety. Children Kindergarten through grade 3 participate in a swimming lesson once a week to train for the A, B and C diplomas. All students in these grade levels are expected to attend swimming lessons.


Do you accept children who do not speak English?

English is the language of instruction at ISA, and we offer considerable assistance for students who do not speak English or are learning to speak English as an additional language. Students who require this language learning support in Upper School take English as an Additional Language (EAL) classes, taught by specialists and simultaneously follow grade-level appropriate Adapted English classes. In the Lower School an EAL support teacher is assigned to each grade level (grade 1-5) who delivers a combination of withdrawal classes and in-class support in the homeroom class. Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten students receive EAL support as an alternative to Dutch classes if they need it. The EAL specialists also work closely with teachers in other disciplines to make sure these students have the necessary accommodations and support to ensure their learning in all subject areas. For students entering grade 10 or higher, we require an intermediate or higher level of English proficiency.


What other languages are taught?

We offer an extensive choice of language instruction, which includes Dutch, French,  German,  Japanese, and Mandarin. For students in grades 6 through 10, we offer mother tongue classes in Dutch, French, Japanese and Spanish in addition to English. Mother tongue classes in Dutch, French and Japanese are offered in grades 11 and 12 in addition to English. In the Lower School Dutch is introduced to Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students who are not in the EAL programme. All students in grades 1 -5 study Dutch; EAL beginners study Dutch Culture in English for their first year. After the first year at ISA students in grades 2-5 can opt to study French as an alternative to Dutch. Additional mother tongue language classes are offered on an extra-curricular, private tuition basis.


Are there facilities for students with special needs?

Admission can be offered to children with mild educational or physical difficulties according to the limited facilities and personnel available. The school’s Student Study Teams, composed of the Lower and Upper School Heads, Student Support Coordinator, Guidance Counselor, Counselor, Learning Support teachers and School Nurse meet regularly to discuss referrals and support strategies for students with special needs.


Is there a doctor on campus?

ISA has a full-time registered nurse on location. We also have a doctor and a dentist who visit on a regular schedule for wellness checkups.


Are there dining facilities on campus?

George’s Place, our school cafeteria, is open daily from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. Students may bring food from home or purchase from the canteen. Beverages and snacks are served all day. Lunch is served between 12:00 and 2:00 pm. Lunch and milk cards can be purchased on location or online, where the daily menus can also be viewed.


Is there a PTA (Parent Teacher Association) or advisory group at ISA?

Our parent community is actively involved at ISA. Parents play vital roles, participating in the PTA and Advisory committees, serving as national representatives for their countries, organizing events and joining the life of the school. Every parent is welcome to join and encouraged to participate in activities.

What are the school hours?

For Lower School students the school hours are 8:30 am to 3:25 pm Monday to Thursday, and 9:30 am to 3:25 pm on Friday. For Upper School students the school hours are 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday to Thursday, and 9:20 am to 3:30 pm on Friday.
   
 
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Accreditation IB CIS NEASC IB