IPS Hilversum

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.

• Public parent reviews are sparse and split. iSchoolAdvisor aggregates 4.2 of 5 across five reviews, with three Google parents praising teachers and the school administration's handling of language adjustment. One parent rated very low of 5, calling the school director very bad and saying parents have no voice when conflicts arise between staff and pupils.
• A more recent September 2025 parent review on the same platform rated teachers, academics, facilities and atmosphere as fantastic. There is no Mumsnet thread specific to IPS Hilversum, only general references to the school being cheaper and well-regarded among Hilversum expat families.
• Glassdoor employee reviews lean positive on culture and management with one teacher rating culture and work-life balance 5 of 5. The same review noted teacher salaries are not as competitive as other Dutch international schools.
• The school keeps classes small at an average of 18 pupils and is the only dedicated international primary in Hilversum. The community covers around 50 nationalities and 45-plus languages, and tuition sits at around 4,600 euros per year, well below the wider Amsterdam international school market.