Choosing a school in Netherlands can feel like the most stressful part of moving with children. Online information often fails to reveal daily life, and each family’s priorities differ. This guide focuses on practical questions and a straightforward decision process — especially for families relocating to Amsterdam.
First: Define What “Good” Means for Your Family
Before you compare schools, decide what your nonnegotiables are. Most choices go wrong when families compare everything at once without a clear set of priorities.
- Commute: Daily travel time matters more than people realize.
- Curriculum: British / American / IB / local programs.
- Language environment: what your child is exposed to throughout the day.
- Support: learning support, ESL assistance, pastoral care.
- Culture fit: how the school’s structure, discipline, and communication style align with your family.
How to Decide Without Feeling Overwhelmed
A practical method that suits expatriate families well:
A straightforward process
- Prioritize a shortlist based on location first. In Amsterdam, traffic can transform a decent school into a daily grind.
- Verify availability and the admissions timeline. Waiting lists are common.
- Ask about the classroom realities. Class sizes, staff turnover, communication style.
- Inquire about support. ESL / learning support / transition assistance for new students.
- Schedule a single visit (or virtual tour) for each finalist. Rely more on what you observe than on glossy brochures.
Pro tip: Create a one-page checklist and rate each school after visiting. It helps avoid the feeling that all options are identical.
Key Questions to Ask Schools
These questions tend to uncover more than generic “tell us about your program” discussions:
- What is the usual class size for this age group?
- How do you onboard new students mid-year?
- In what ways do teachers communicate with parents (weekly updates, apps, email)?
- What does a typical day look like (start/end times, breaks, homework expectations)?
- How do you support children who are anxious or adapting to a new country?
- What is the policy on language support (ESL) if needed?
- How is heat managed with indoor/outdoor time in warmer months?
Costs & Logistics (The Part Nobody Loves)
Choosing a school isn’t only about tuition. Consider the total daily-cost of the routine:
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
- Choosing by reputation alone: the daily routine matters more.
- Overlooking commute time: it affects sleep, mood, and family life.
- Assuming “international” means the same everywhere: it isn’t.
- Not asking about support: transitions are real for kids.
- Delaying too long: admissions timelines can be stricter than you expect.
Key Takeaway
The ideal school for most families is the one that matches your actual everyday schedule: its location, the support available, and the daily comfort for your child — not the one wearing the flashiest ads.
If you’d like help sorting your priorities for Amsterdam (commute, routines, questions to ask), get in touch — or call +31 20 123 4567.