At which location will my child be?
Your child’s location depends on their age. At the Rembrandt we have Early Years to Group 4 students who are 4-8 years old. Mondrian is for students in Group 5-8, who are 8-12 years old.
Can I visit the school?
Yes, of course! It is possible to visit the school in person and meet with a member of our team to discuss any questions regarding the admissions process. For families not yet in the Netherlands, we aim to support this part of the process virtually using Google Meet.
How diverse is the school?
The school accepts students without discrimination of gender, religion, race or nationality.
Our school community represents approximately 50 different countries, and speaks 45+ languages.
How does my child move to secondary school after Group 8?
At the age of 12, after successfully completing the Primary Years Programme (PYP) at IPS Hilversum, a student may progress to:
Our Primary Years Programme (PYP) offers a prerequisite for the MYP, since the philosophy, styles of learning and teaching and overall goals are consistent. An MYP certificate can be obtained after four years, to be followed by the two-year course, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (16–18 years old), if accepted into that programme.
Together with IS Hilversum, IS Laren and Groot Goylant IS, we organise an introductory programme for students and parents. During their final year with us, Group 8 students are invited to spend a day at both ISH and ISL. In January/February, the Secondary schools invite parents to information evenings. Staff at IPS Hilversum will advise and support families as much as possible to make the right choice.
Our Group 8 students do not take the Dutch CITO examinations but are accepted to secondary school on the basis of our school assessments and reports.
How much does it cost for my child to attend IPS?
There are two fees involved. The application fee is €350; however, you will not be charged unless a place is offered. The tuition fee for 2023-2024 is €4600.
How much homework will my child have?
We expect every child to read, or be read to every night at home. In addition to this, connected to each unit of inquiry, class teachers will share some suggested home learning activities with you that your child may wish to engage with. This is not mandatory. In Group 7 and 8 there is an expectation that each student learns more about time-management skills and they are guided in this learning by the teachers in preparation for the move to secondary school.
How quickly can I expect a response to my admissions questions?
We always aim to answer emails regarding the admission process within 24 hours and during school holidays within 72 hours.
Is there a canteen where my child can buy snacks or lunch?
Like most Dutch schools, we do not have a canteen. Children bring a small snack (i.e. a piece of fruit) to eat at morning break time and a packed lunch to eat in their classroom at lunch time.
In which group or class will my child be placed?
Class placement is based on the student age as of the school cut-off date, which is October 31. In the exceptional case that a student’s age, development, or previous school experience or performance supports compatibility with a grade outside of that determined by the school cut-off date, this decision is evaluated by the school leadership team.
Applicants who meet all admissions criteria are admitted for that year group, class size permitting.
All Early Years students must be fully toilet-trained before they begin school. They must be able to feed and dress themselves reasonably independently.
There is no general admissions test or required interview for applications. However, in order to ensure that IPS Hilversum can meet a student’s learning needs, additional information may be requested and an interview or language assessment may be part of the admissions review process.
What about after school care?
We do not offer after school care, however there are a number of after-school care facilities in Hilversum. This is called BSO (Buiten Schoolse Opvang). IPS is affiliated with BINK https://binkkinderopvang.nl/en/
The after-school care program, Bink Kinderopvang Hilversum, has exclusive use of three rooms inside the building in addition to the preschool accommodation.
What does it mean that IPS Hilversum is also a Dutch international School?
As a Dutch International Primary School (DIPS), IPS Hilversum is permitted to:
Accept students of Dutch nationality who are returning to the Netherlands having already attended international education or received education in English for a number of years
What does PYP stand for and what does it mean?
PYP stands for Primary Years Programme. The PYP is an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary curriculum framework that builds conceptual understanding. It is a student-centred approach to education for children aged 3-12. It reflects the best of educational research, thought leadership and experience derived from IB World Schools.
What if my child doesn’t speak English?
After Group 2, students requiring additional support for developing their English skills may be tested using WIDA (an assessment screening tool) and may be placed into an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme in order to support age-group proficiency in the four language skill areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
What is the school mission statement?
The IPS Hilversum mission statement is:
At International Primary School Hilversum, we inspire all students to flourish as internationally-minded global citizens. Through an inquiry-based approach, we provide each student with a safe, supportive and nurturing environment that promotes self-management, agency and academic excellence in learning.
What is the school motto?
Our school motto is: we learn, we experience, we inspire
Our motto was developed by students and is representative of what students at IPS Hilversum feel our school stands for and values.
What is the admissions process?
Admission to the school is determined by the school principal with the advice of the school leadership team, based on the information obtained with respect to:
We accept applications any time throughout the academic year, up to one year in advance (beginning September 1). Placement is made with the intention of moving up a year at the end of the academic year a student joins.
Our admissions process is managed through OpenApply, our online admissions portal. Our Admissions team will liaise with families to support them through this process and ensure that all application requirements are met. The documents needed are outlined below:
There is no specific policy regarding siblings and placement. All applications are considered separately.
Applications for admission for the current school year will be considered in order of priority and date of application, as places become available.
What is the application fee?
The application fee for the enrolment of a student is €350 and is non-refundable.
What if my child requires learning support?
Details of your child’s requirements may need to be clarified and discussed with a Student Support Team Coordinator prior to admission. Internal assessment may be required before admission to the school. If assessment indicates additional support is needed, the school will evaluate whether the necessary support can be offered and how it will be provided. These decisions will be influenced by the degree and balance of existing extra support throughout the school, or a specific year group.
What is the admission process?
Our admission process is quite simple, and can all be done online via Open Apply. You can read all about the steps in the admission process here.
What is the IB?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a global leader in international education – developing inquiring, knowledgeable, confident, and caring young people. The IB programmes empower school-aged students to take ownership in their own learning and help them develop future-ready skills to make a difference and thrive in a world that changes fast. Read more about there IB here: https://www.ibo.org/about-the-ib/
What if my child doesn’t speak English yet?
About 92% of our students do not speak English as a first language. As an international school we embrace multilingualism. We support the use of home and family languages in school. These languages form an integral part of the learning landscape that shapes our school and the learning community. Students are encouraged to draw from their prior linguistic knowledge to help them find similarities and differences between their own languages and the language of instruction (English). Students are encouraged to continue reading in their home language, and the school library carries books in many languages.
English as an Additional Language (EAL) is offered to students after Group 2, who have little or no English language skills. This specific type of support is provided by a specialist language teacher.
One school, two campuses
✆0356216053 ✉info@ipshilversum.nl
This school belongs to the local education board Stip Hilversum
To find more Stip Hilversum schools CLICK HERE
