International School in Amsterdam

International School of Amsterdam (ISA):
The International School of Amsterdam (ISA) in The Netherlands is a recognized leader in education for international understanding. Founded in 1964, ISA was the first authorized IB World School, offering International Baccalaureate programmes from pre-school through grade 12. Our programme is designed for today’s global student and is firmly grounded on the International Baccalaureate’s three programmes—the Primary Years, the Middle Years and the Diploma Years programmes. ISA is the very first school in the world to have been approved to offer all three of the IB’s programmes.

ISA provides accredited, dynamic academic programmes to students from three to eighteen years of age.

Preschool:
For children age three by August 31st, we offer three- and five-day programmes. Both are full day programmes. Children attending the three-day programme go to school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Primary Years Programme:
ISA’s Lower School has played a leading role in the development of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), the first curriculum framework for international primary schools, designed for students ages three to ten (grades preschool through five). Through both the curriculum and our teaching we aim to develop the intellectual, emotional and physical potential of each child, in a secure and stimulating environment.

Educating the whole child is central to the IB Primary Years Programme. Lower School students spend most of their school day with a homeroom teacher who teaches the academic core of language arts, mathematics, social studies and science. Classes in music, art, drama, Dutch / French, physical education, library and information technology are taught by single-subject teachers in purpose-designed classrooms at different grade levels. All students in preschool – grade 5 have classes in music and physical education. As the students progress through the grades additional subject areas are offered by a single-subject teacher.

Middle Years Programme:
The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is specially designed for the unique needs of children ages eleven to sixteen (grades 6 through 10), at a time when they need to develop good learning habits, self-confidence and a thorough understanding of their academic subjects. This student-centred educational approach both embraces and transcends traditional school subjects by helping students see the connections between the academic disciplines.

Students follow courses in the eight subject groups of: Language A (English or mother tongue Dutch, French, German, Japanese or Spanish); Language B (a learned language of Dutch, French, Spanish or English as an Additional Language); Mathematics (offered at Standard and Extended levels from grade 8 onwards); Sciences; Humanities (History, Geography, Economics, Global Issues); Technology (Information, Design and Food technologies); the Arts (Visual Art, Music and Drama); and Physical Education.

IB Diploma Program:
The Diploma Program (DP) is an academically focused curriculum for students ages sixteen to eighteen (grades 11 and 12) preparing to enter university. For students planning to enter most European and Commonwealth universities, the IB Diploma is usually the only guarantee for university admission available to international students.

Students study three courses at Higher Level (HL) and three others at Standard Level (SL), each of which students sit externally assessed examinations at the end of the two-year programme. Subjects include:

Language A1:
English (SL, HL)
Dutch (SL, HL)
French (SL, HL)
German (SL, HL)
Japanese (SL, HL)
Tutored Mother Tongue (SL, HL)

Languages A2, B and ab initio:
English A2 (SL, HL)
Dutch A2 (SL, HL)
English B (SL, HL)
French B (SL, HL)
Dutch B (SL, HL)
German B (SL, HL)
Spanish B (SL, HL)
Japanese (ab initio, SL)
Other Tutored Languages (SL, HL)

Individuals and Societies:
History (SL, HL)
Geography (SL, HL)
Economics (SL, HL)
Information Technology in a Global Society (SL, HL)

Experimental Sciences:
Biology (SL, HL)
Chemistry (SL, HL)
Physics (SL, HL)

Mathematics:
Mathematical Studies (SL) Mathematics (SL, HL)

Arts and Electives:
Theatre Arts (SL, HL)
Visual Arts (SL, HL)
Music (SL, HL)
Additional Choice from Groups 1 to 4 (SL, HL)