Amsterdam runs on a school calendar as much as a housing calendar, and picking a home before you've locked in an international school seat is the single most common mistake relocating families make. This guide ranks the international schools that actually matter for expat families targeting Amsterdam in 2026, and ties each one to the neighborhoods where you'd realistically want to rent.
- International School of Amsterdam (ISA) is the best overall pick for relocating families in 2026, running a full IB continuum in Amstelveen.
- British School of Amsterdam wins for families who need an English National Curriculum path through A-Levels.
- Amsterdam International Community School (AICS) is the budget-friendly public option among Amsterdam's international schools.
- Lycee Francais Vincent van Gogh is the right call for French-curriculum continuity from age 3 through 18.
- Match your rental search to a school's admission zone before signing a lease -- commute time decides daily life more than square meters.
Why this matters
International schools in the Amsterdam region operate on separate admission calendars, separate waitlists, and separate physical campuses that don't cluster in one part of the city. A family that signs a lease in central Amsterdam and then gets an offer at a school based in Amstelveen or Almere ends up with a 40-minute commute for a five-year-old, twice a day.
The schools below are ranked by who they actually serve well, not by prestige. If you're still figuring out which part of the Amsterdam region to live in, read how to choose the right neighborhood as an expat before you commit to a lease near any one campus. Relocify exists to make that housing search remote and fast once the school piece is settled.
What makes the best international school for relocating families
- Curriculum continuity -- does the school's diploma track (IB, British, French, American) line up with where your kids are coming from or headed next
- Age range coverage -- can the child stay from early years through pre-university without switching schools mid-track
- Proximity to expat housing clusters -- Zuidas, Amstelveen, Amsterdam-West, and Almere all have very different commute realities
- Admission timeline and waitlist length -- some grades fill a year ahead, others have rolling admission
- Funding model -- privately funded international schools versus publicly subsidized international streams, which affects both cost and availability
- Dutch integration support -- whether the school offers Dutch-language classes for kids who might stay long-term
International schools near Amsterdam at a glance
| School | Best for | Curriculum | Standout feature | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International School of Amsterdam (ISA) | Full IB continuum, best overall | IB (PYP, MYP, DP) | Single campus, ages 4-18 | Long-established, competitive at popular grade levels |
| British School of Amsterdam (BSA) | English National Curriculum families | British curriculum, IGCSE, A-Levels | Multiple campuses across age groups | Early years and senior campuses are in different towns |
| Amsterdam International Community School (AICS) | Budget-conscious, public option | IB, publicly funded stream | Lower cost than private international schools | Admission tied to Amsterdam public school zoning rules |
| Amity International School Amsterdam | Early years and primary | IB (PYP, MYP) | Smaller cohort sizes at younger ages | No senior/diploma years on site |
| Lycee Francais Vincent van Gogh | French-curriculum continuity | French national curriculum (AEFE network) | Recognized by the French Ministry of Education | Best fit narrows if you don't plan to stay in the French system |
| International School Almere | Families settling outside central Amsterdam | IB | Shorter commute from Almere and Flevoland | Smaller school, fewer extracurricular tracks than Amsterdam campuses |
1. International School of Amsterdam (ISA): best international school for full IB continuity
ISA runs the full International Baccalaureate continuum from the Primary Years Programme through the Diploma Programme on one campus in Amstelveen. Families relocating with kids at any age can, in principle, keep them at the same school from age 4 through 18 without a transfer.
International School of Amsterdam pros:
- One school, one curriculum framework, from early years to pre-university
- Long track record serving international families in the Amsterdam region
- IB Diploma results transfer cleanly to universities outside the Netherlands
International School of Amsterdam cons:
- Popular grade levels fill up well ahead of the school year
- Single-campus model means everyone commutes to Amstelveen, not central Amsterdam
- No English National Curriculum or A-Level option for families who need one
Best for: families who want zero school transfers between early years and university prep.
If Amstelveen is on your shortlist, rentals in apartments near Amsterdam Zuidas put you within a short commute of the ISA campus without living inside it. Verdict: apply early, especially for entry-year grades.
2. British School of Amsterdam (BSA): best international school for English National Curriculum families
BSA follows the English National Curriculum through IGCSEs and A-Levels, with separate campuses handling early years, primary, and senior students across Amsterdam-area towns. It's the clearest option for families who plan to reintegrate into a UK-style system later, or who already have a British curriculum transcript.
British School of Amsterdam pros:
- Direct continuity with UK exam boards (IGCSE, A-Level)
- Age-appropriate campuses rather than one building trying to serve every age
- Recognized entry point for families moving from British curriculum schools abroad
British School of Amsterdam cons:
- Early years, primary, and senior campuses sit in different towns, which complicates sibling logistics
- Families with younger and older kids may end up doing two school runs in opposite directions
- Less useful if the family's next move is outside a British-curriculum country
Best for: families with a British curriculum background or a planned return to a UK-aligned education system.
Verdict: shortlist if curriculum continuity with the UK system matters more than a single-campus commute.
3. Amsterdam International Community School (AICS): best budget option among international schools
AICS runs as a publicly funded international stream inside the Amsterdam school system, offering an IB-aligned track without the cost structure of a fully private international school. It's the option most relocating families overlook because it doesn't market itself the way private schools do.
Amsterdam International Community School pros:
- Publicly funded model keeps costs well below private international schools
- IB-aligned curriculum with a genuine path to the Diploma Programme
- Serves families who plan to stay in the Netherlands long-term and want lower ongoing costs
Amsterdam International Community School cons:
- Admission is tied to Amsterdam public school enrollment rules, which move on a different clock than private admissions
- Less brand recognition among relocation agents and employers than ISA or BSA
- Availability depends heavily on which part of Amsterdam you're registered in
Best for: families relocating on a tighter housing and education budget who still want an IB track.
Verdict: apply through the public enrollment process as soon as your Amsterdam address is confirmed.
4. Amity International School Amsterdam: best for early years and primary age children
Amity runs IB Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes in Amstelveen, built for families relocating with younger children who don't yet need a diploma-track secondary school. Smaller cohorts at the younger ages are the main draw here.
Amity International School Amsterdam pros:
- Smaller class sizes at early years and primary levels than the larger Amsterdam-area international schools
- IB framework from the start, which sets up an easy transfer into a diploma-track school later
- Amstelveen location overlaps with ISA's catchment, useful if you're comparing both
Amity International School Amsterdam cons:
- No senior school or Diploma Programme on site, meaning a transfer is required eventually
- Smaller school means fewer extracurricular options than the larger campuses
Best for: relocating families with kids under 14 who aren't ready to commit to a K-12 school yet.
Verdict: strong shortlist option, plan the secondary-school transfer two years ahead.
5. Lycee Francais Vincent van Gogh: best international school for French-curriculum families
This is the option for families who need continuity with the French national curriculum, accredited through the AEFE network and serving students from age 3 through 18 in Amsterdam. It's a narrower fit than the IB or British schools, but it's the strongest one for its specific audience.
Lycee Francais Vincent van Gogh pros:
- Direct alignment with the French Ministry of Education curriculum
- Serves the full age range on the French system, from maternelle through the baccalaureat
- Clear fit for French nationals or families planning a future move to a Francophone country
Lycee Francais Vincent van Gogh cons:
- Limited value if your next relocation isn't to a French-curriculum country
- Smaller applicant pool than ISA or BSA, so fewer peer families outside the French-speaking community
Best for: French national families or anyone committed to staying inside the French education system.
Verdict: apply directly if French curriculum continuity is non-negotiable, otherwise skip.
6. International School Almere: best for families settling outside central Amsterdam
Almere sits a short train ride from Amsterdam and has grown as an alternative for relocating families priced out of, or simply uninterested in, central Amsterdam housing. International School Almere runs an IB track on a smaller scale than the Amsterdam-area schools.
International School Almere pros:
- Shorter, more predictable commute for families housed in Almere and Flevoland
- IB curriculum without the competition for seats seen at ISA
- Generally more available housing stock nearby than in central Amsterdam or Amstelveen
International School Almere cons:
- Smaller school means fewer extracurricular and language-support tracks
- Further from the corporate and expat hubs clustered around Amsterdam Zuidas
Best for: families prioritizing housing space and cost over proximity to central Amsterdam.
Verdict: solid backup if Amsterdam-proper housing or admissions don't work out.
“If a school's waitlist runs a full term ahead, plan the housing search around the admissions calendar, not the other way around.”
How this ranking was built
Each school was scored against the six criteria above: curriculum continuity, age range coverage, proximity to where expats actually rent, admission timeline, funding model, and Dutch integration support. Schools that force a mid-track transfer or that sit far from established expat housing clusters ranked lower even when their academic reputation is strong.
Line up housing near your target school
Compare corporate housing options across Amsterdam before you sign a school contract.
Which international school should you choose?
For most relocating families arriving in 2026 with kids across a wide age range, International School of Amsterdam is the default pick -- one campus, one curriculum, no mid-track transfer. Families anchored to a British or French education system should go straight to British School of Amsterdam or Lycee Francais Vincent van Gogh instead of trying to force an IB fit. If cost is the constraint, Amsterdam International Community School is the one worth investigating before ruling out international education altogether.
Whichever school you land on, confirm the admission offer before signing a Dutch lease. A remote-viewing platform makes it possible to secure housing near the right campus without a scouting trip first.
FAQ
What is the best international school near Amsterdam for expat families in 2026?
International School of Amsterdam (ISA) is the best overall pick for 2026 because it runs a full IB continuum from early years through the Diploma Programme on one Amstelveen campus. Families who need a British or French curriculum instead should look at British School of Amsterdam or Lycee Francais Vincent van Gogh.
Is British School of Amsterdam better than International School of Amsterdam?
Neither is universally better -- BSA fits families who need English National Curriculum continuity through A-Levels, while ISA fits families who want a single-campus IB track from age 4 to 18. The right choice depends on the curriculum the family is already following.
Are there affordable international school options in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam International Community School (AICS) is a publicly funded international stream that costs less than private international schools while still offering an IB-aligned track. Admission runs through Amsterdam's public school enrollment process rather than a private application.
How far in advance should families apply to international schools in Amsterdam?
Popular grade levels at schools like ISA and BSA fill up well ahead of the academic year, so applications should go in as soon as a relocation date is confirmed. Housing decisions should follow the school admission timeline, not precede it.
Which international school is closest to central Amsterdam housing?
British School of Amsterdam and International School of Amsterdam both sit close to Amsterdam-Zuid and Amstelveen, which are common expat housing clusters. International School Almere is the better fit for families settling outside central Amsterdam.
Do international schools near Amsterdam teach Dutch?
Most international schools offer Dutch-language classes alongside the main curriculum, particularly useful for families planning to stay in the Netherlands beyond a short assignment. The level of Dutch integration support varies by school and should be confirmed directly with admissions.
Can a family switch between international schools in Amsterdam mid-year?
It's possible but depends on space availability at the receiving school, since most international schools in the Amsterdam region run near capacity. Confirming space before committing to a new lease avoids being locked into housing tied to a school that has no open seat.
One last thing
The school decision usually gets made months before the housing decision, yet most relocating families do it backward -- they sign a lease, then discover the school they wanted has no seat in the right zone. Confirm the school admission first in 2026, then search housing around that campus, not the other way around.
