Cities / Amsterdam / IPS Hilversum
IPS Hilversum
Hilversum's only dedicated international primary school, established 1986, running the IB Primary Years Programme for ages 4 to 12.
In brief
Hilversum's only dedicated international primary school, established 1986, running the IB Primary Years Programme for ages 4 to 12.
IPS Hilversum is a partially subsidised Dutch International School that shares its licence with the Violenschool, with fees in the region of EUR 2,000 to EUR 4,900. The school is part of the Alberdingk Thijm Scholen group, which also runs IS Hilversum and the newer International School Laren, giving a clear progression route into secondary.
The campus draws on the Hilversum media and corporate community: BBC, Nike, Sony and the broader 't Gooi expat circle. The community is warm and pastoral care is a strength, with PYP working well once families settle into the inquiry-based approach. The recurring criticism centres on leadership and parent-school communication, with decisions in disputes not always transparent. Academic stretch can feel light to families arriving from a more traditional model. For 't Gooi families who want low-fee international primary, it remains the only realistic option.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition After Apr 30 entry | €1,950 | |
| Tuition Mar 1 - Apr 30 entry | €3,100 | |
| Tuition Jan 1 - Feb 28 entry | €3,700 | |
| Tuition Nov 1 - Dec 31 entry | €4,300 | |
| Tuition Aug 1 - Oct 31 entry | €4,900 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | €350 |
Reviews
A partially subsidised Dutch international primary, which is what keeps the fees down to roughly EUR 4,900 a year, a fraction of the Amsterdam private internationals. Sits inside the STIP Hilversum public-school board, runs IB PYP in English, and splits the cohort across two small campuses in the centre of Hilversum.
Positives
- Fees. Around EUR 4,900 a year, well below the Amsterdam private internationals because the school sits inside the Dutch state system.
- Curriculum. IB Primary Years Programme in English from age 4 to 12, feeding naturally into MYP at the secondary international school nearby.
- Community. Around 315 to 400 pupils across roughly 40 nationalities, small classes averaging 18, two campuses split by age.
- Availability. Places open across age ranges for 2025-26 and mid-year entry is possible, unusual for an international primary in the Randstad.
Considerations
- Setting. Hilversum, not Amsterdam. A 25 to 30 minute train from Amsterdam Centraal works for families in the Gooi but is a commit from the city itself.
- Facilities. Two repurposed Dutch primary buildings rather than a purpose-built international campus. Tight, characterful, not flashy.