Every student has something extraordinary to bring to the world; the International Baccalaureate (IB) empowers teachers to find and nurture it. Students need an education for life. Not for one career, but for many. Not for one culture, but for all.
As of 2021, there are currently 32 authorized IB schools in the Netherlands. 18 are public schools, 7 are private international schools and 2 are private national schools. Please find below a breakdown of the number of IB programmes offered:
Number of Authorized schools:
For more information, contact Development Associate Manager Dolly Wanjiku via the form below.
IB Schools Association in the Netherlands. Head of Association: Mike Weston
Existing public schools can offer the IB in a specific department. However such an international department must be attached to the legal entity of an existing public school. The international department may also have its own building and management. Taking into consideration that public primary and public secondary education are separated legal systems in the Netherlands. Therefore, public primary and public secondary schools are always distinct legal entities. In Dutch terminology we talk about an IGBO (primary) or IGVO (secondary) department. Public international education has three distinctive characteristics:
In examining whether the international department offering the IB of a public school has a designation from the Dutch Ministry of Education, an accreditation organization must only assess whether the original public school has a designation. More information can be found on DUO.
Note that public schools will only need accreditation for their international departments and not for their entire schools.
Schools can offer international education autonomously. They do not need to be attached to an existing school, and can offer primary and secondary in one school. Just like a public school, a private school must be given a designation from the Dutch Ministry of Education. With such a designation, a pupil can comply with the obligation to attend school at the specific private school in question. For recognition of THE IB in Universities please visit the NUFFIC website.
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) is for students aged 3 to 12. The PYP supports students in becoming active, caring, lifelong learners who demonstrate respect for themselves and others and have the capacity to participate in the world around them. The PYP focuses on the development of the whole child.
The Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students aged 11 to 16, provides a framework of learning that encourages students to become creative, critical and reflective thinkers. The MYP emphasizes intellectual challenge, encouraging students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world.
The Diploma Programme (DP) for students aged 16 to 19, aims to develop individuals who have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge – students who flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically. The programme is respected by leading universities in Japan and across the globe.
The Career-related Programme (CP) for students aged 16 to 19, is a framework of international education that incorporates the values of the IB into a unique programme addressing the needs of students engaged in industry-focused education. The programme leads to further/higher education, apprenticeships or employment.
The IB Global Research department collaborates with universities and independent research organizations worldwide, to examine the impact and outcomes of the IB’s four programmes. Areas of inquiry include, but are not limited to student, school and systemic outcomes; programme implementation; and programme standards and alignment.
To read more in-depth summaries of the studies or the complete reports, as well as projects currently under way, please fill up the form to download all the resource packages:
This resource provides an overview from recent studies relating to the PYP, including PYP's impact on the school climate, and student well-being in PYP schools.
This resource highlights key findings from research, including skills fostered through the MYP, non-scholastic outcomes of the programme and the academic achievement of MYP students.
This resource looks at key findings from recent research on the DP core, which includes theory of knowledge (TOK), the extended essay and creativity, activity, service (CAS).
For school: Enquire to become an IBWS |
For parents and students: Find an IBWS in NL |
For officials: NUFFIC |