Internationaal Georiënteerd Onderwijs (IGO) is offered in special departments, affiliated to regular Dutch schools for Primary Education (IGBO) and Secondary Education (IGVO), and within the Dutch educational programme. The education is intended for specific ‘international’ target groups. All DIS are affiliated to regular Dutch schools. The schools offer international education in English, according to the international curricula; The British Curriculum, IPC, IB-PYP, IGCSE, IB-MYP and IB-DP.

Our goals

First and foremost, international education aims to meet the needs and wishes of the Dutch and international business communities and their employees, and to provide fitting education for children with a Dutch or foreign nationality, who, after a stay in The Netherlands, will leave the country again and will then attend English language education. International Education is also meant for children who have settled permanently or temporarily in The Netherlands after a stay abroad. But there are more possibilities and requirements students (can) have to enrol in DIS.

A significant part of our goal is to provide these children 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 them with adequate knowledge of the Dutch language to enable them (either temporarily or permanently) to participate in Dutch society.

We focus on integration. Thanks to our strong links with the Dutch government, we are state subsidised. The result is that we have very stable boards. This enables us to be consistent in our policies, which is important to serve our mission.”

State funded Dutch education

In the Netherlands there are two types of international education: private schools and subsidized schools, i.e. Dutch International Schools. DIS are financially supported by the Dutch government, which makes it possible to charge relatively low school fees in comparison with private international and foreign educational facilities, making DIS affordable to nearly anyone.
Because of government funding, DIS operate within the framework of the Dutch educational system and differ in this way from private international and foreign educational facilities. But we also possess a number of distinguishing qualities, such as the active international character and that we are subject to the inspection carried out on a regular basis by the Dutch authorities. This encourages us to work on quality programs and quality management.

English language of instruction

English is the language of instruction in Dutch International Schools. The use of English is not an aim in itself (as it is in bilingual education), but rather the means of educating specific groups for internationally recognised qualifications. All DIS schools value and support the importance of a student’s mother tongue. Each DIS school has a language policy, which describes the language pathways supported at the school.

Community connected

DIS find it very important to connect with our local 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.

English language of instruction

English is the main language of instruction. The use of English is not an aim in itself (as it is in bilingual education), but rather the means of educating specific groups for internationally recognised qualifications.