The International School Hilversum ‘Alberdingk Thijm’ exists to provide a quality international education in English for 5 -19 year old students. The school welcomes applications from students regardless of gender, ethnicity or religion. The school has an International and a Bilingual Stream.

The International Stream attempts to accommodate:

1. All expatriate children (with a non-Dutch passport) for whom the school can provide an adequate educational program
2. Students who have already come from another international school (regardless of parents´ nationality)
3. Students of parents who intend to move abroad in the foreseeable future
4. Students of Dutch nationality and parents who can demonstrate a particular need for an international education or one in English language.

Admission is open to students who can profit from a challenging, international, university preparatory education offered in the English language. The International School Hilversum (ISH) aims to guide its students towards the IB Diploma. Therefore, the academic programme is demanding, with a strong languages component. Most of the students enter colleges, universities or other educational training programs after graduation. The education in grades 7, 8 and 9 is structured, however, to accommodate a somewhat wider range of academic abilities. In general, the school cannot offer programs for students with significant learning disabilities who require specialist teachers, for those who have behavioural or emotional difficulties or for those local students who have been unsuccessful in other institutions and simply want to try an alternative.

Students applying for the Diploma Programme courses will have to indicate through   previous achievement their ability to cope with rigorous academic work.

Exceptions to the age guidelines are made infrequently and only upon careful evaluation of (and an interview if necessary with) the applicant by the Head of School.

In keeping with the philosophy of international education, the International School of Hilversum does offer places to students who do not yet have fluency in English, but who can demonstrate a need for international education. This may be the case when for example parents come to The Netherlands to work and the student has little or no alternative because of the language barrier or their personal situation. To be allowed to complete the programme, the student in this case must acquire sufficient language skills within a reasonable period of time and demonstrate academic ability.

Enrolment is possible at any time during the school year providing space is available. In order to place students as accurately as possible when entering ISH a Maths and English entrance test will be administered. A fee of €150, - to cover necessary material and administration costs will be charged. Grade placement depends on an evaluation of the student´s transcript of previous academic results, his/her ability to function in English, and the result of the entrance tests.

Although English is the language of instruction and communication in the school, a limited number of students enter the school without fluency in the language. In grades 7 and 8 the needs of students with little English language base are accommodated for two periods per week in special EAL classes in addition their regular classroom work. It is the aim of the EAL teacher to bring students to a workable standard as quickly as possible.

Procedure for Parents

1. Where feasible, arrange a visit to the School by setting an appointment with the Deputy Head
2. Request application forms from the School’s Administration.
3. Complete and send in the application forms.
4. Send in a copy of transcripts and report cards from the previous two years
5. Send in a copy of birth certificate or passport
6. Arrange for student to sit entrance test
7. Pay the administration fee of  €150,-
8. After acceptance parents will receive an invoice for payment of tuition (according to current fee structure)

The Bilingual Stream attempts to accommodate Dutch students who leave Dutch primary education with a VWO-advice and a Cito-score of minimum 545. Their programme is taught in English for 75%, the remaining 25% is taught in Dutch. Latin is taught as an extra challenge. Students who apply for the Bilingual Stream will be invited (with their parents) for a personal interview to check their ambition and motivation. When accepted the student will receive a letter of acceptance. The parents will receive an invoice for payment of tuition (according to current fee structure) at the beginning of the academic year.