At this moment DIS consist of more than twenty primary schools, the Dutch International Primary Schools (DIPS) and nearly twenty secondary schools, the Dutch International Secondary Schools (DISS). The schools are located in and around larger cities throughout the country.

Students

International education in the Netherlands is meant for internationally mobile families. This includes students with Dutch passports returning from a stay abroad or are planning to move abroad as well as expats children with foreign passports who are temporarily moving to the Netherlands with their families.

The aim of DIS

The principle aim of DIS is to provide your child with such education that they are prepared optimally for either the transition to English language education abroad or a possible transition to full Dutch education. An additional aim is to provide your child with adequate knowledge of the Dutch language to enable them to participate in and be a part of Dutch society.

Quality

Dutch International Schools stand for Quality, Community and Care. Our education is of the highest quality, and we are committed to creating a safe and caring community for your child.
At DIS, we want to prepare all children for success in tertiary education and life beyond in the world. Therefore, our schools offer education of a high quality, that complies with international standards as well as the demands of the Dutch school inspection.
All children have different starting points and all parents have different expectations. Within DIS it’s not about passing a certain test or exam, rather about learning the skills to be an active and engaged global citizen who views the world around them with empathy.

We have a joint mission: to serve the international community. We do so by offering a truly international programme. By offering a curriculum with an international focus on teaching and learning, not dominated by any national system.”

Community

DIS is well aware of the fact that their students are only in the Netherlands temporarily, specifically in one school. However, it is a conscious choice that all schools and the education and support they offer, are deeply embedded in the Dutch community.
Being internationally orientated schools, but rooted in this country, DIS focus on both a global society, as well as connecting with our local Dutch community. This way students connect their own local world – by studying the Dutch language and culture – with the international world.

State funded

In the Netherlands there are two types of international education: private schools and subsidized schools, i.e. Dutch International Schools. Dutch international schools are financially supported by the Dutch government. This makes it possible to charge relatively low school fees in comparison with private international and foreign educational facilities.

Care

DIS want to be available for all children, including children with extra support needs. On the one hand because these students may not have many other options, but also because of the fact that ability differences between students (and therefore differences in needs) are simply part of going to an international school. The fact that this fits within the Dutch context of ‘passend onderwijs’ is unrelated.
The schools are very much able to serve the highly mixed student population. The education at the secondary schools is offered in small classes with all abilities together. Of course all students choose their own subjects, according to their interests, abilities and needs.

Learning environment

To realize our vision the schools of DIS have developed a very specific learning environment with additional conditions to support our student community.

The schools have:

  • The willingness and expertise to cope with students with a wide variety of cultures and native languages. Understanding and respect are important key aspects.
  • An international teaching staff.
  • A good IT infrastructure with excellent WiFi. Generally Dutch International Schools encourage students to use technology in support of learning. Students develop skills sets to take responsibility in their use of open source technology.
  • A dynamic admissions system; students come and go during the entire school year.