Cities / Amsterdam / Gifted Minds International School
Gifted Minds International School
English-medium IB PYP and Cambridge Primary and Secondary school in Hoofddorp (20 minutes from Amsterdam Zuid by free shuttle bus), with three learning pathways including inclusive and intensive SEN support. Fees for 2025-26 run from EUR 14,883 (Nursery half-day) to…
In brief
A small IB Primary Years school in Hoofddorp, the first international school in that town, run as a private operation and serving the Amsterdam metro from the southwest.
Nursery to around age 12 or 13, in a converted office building. The pitch is small classes with a 1:12 ratio cap, free shuttle from Amsterdam Zuid via Amstelveen, and lunch included. It became an IB World School in 2019 and pairs PYP with American Common Core. Fees sit around 17,000 to 24,000 EUR.
Reviews split. Some parents praise warm, hands-on teachers and a family feel. Others flag turnover among good teachers, transport issues and a commercially driven management style. The Hoofddorp location works for Schiphol-area families and against anyone living in central Amsterdam. Visit and meet the current teaching team before committing, because staff stability is the variable that matters here.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursery (half-day) | 3 | Annual | €14,883 |
| Nursery (full-day) / K1-K2 | 4 | Annual | €17,281 |
| Grades 1-6 | 6 | Annual | €17,941 |
| Inclusive Support Pathway (Rembrandt) | 6 | Annual | €24,000 |
| Grades 7-10 | 13 | Annual | €17,941 |
| Registration Fee (non-refundable) | One-time | €450 | |
| Security Deposit (refundable) | One-time | €1,000 |
Reviews
- Parents describe rapid English progression, gentle teachers and a small, nurturing primary that helps newly arrived expat children settle.
- The school is IB PYP authorised and combines that with American Common Core, with art, drama, music, swimming and bus transport included rather than charged as extras.
- A counter-current flags management as money-driven, teacher departures and uneven transport reliability.
- The campus sits in Hoofddorp near Schiphol rather than central Amsterdam; convenient for some commuter families, less so for others.
Head of school
Ramesh Mahalingam
Ramesh Mahalingam has served as the Director of Gifted Minds International School since November 2014. He brings a strong background in finance, strategy, and management excellence to the school. He is the founder of Ideal Capital Management Consultants and holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. His professional experience includes a focus on leadership and operational integrity, which he applies to fostering a 'child-first' environment at GMIS. His leadership philosophy emphasizes integrity, empathy, and nurturing the individual potential of every child.