Admissions

Admissions Policy

At International Primary School (IPS) Hilversum, we know that choosing the best educational setting for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make for your family. Established in 1986, IPS is a top choice for education in Hilversum. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, we offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP) from Early years through Group 8. Whether you are currently living in the Hilversum area or relocating from another city or country, we are here to help you through the inquiry and application process. Members of the Admissions Team have a wide and diverse knowledge of the local area and the Dutch international and state-funded school systems, and are able to advise you on the best choice for your child.

There are currently places available in all age ranges for the 2025-2026 school year. However, this situation does change regularly, so we advise that you contact the school directly for the most up-to-date information.

We have two locations:

At IPS Hilversum we are permitted to:

  • Enrol children aged from 4 to 12 years old.
  • Accept children of non-Dutch nationality who are temporarily resident in the region.
  • Accept children of Dutch nationality, if written proof is provided that their future education and location is expected to be in a country other than the Netherlands, and they will attend another international or English-speaking educational establishment within one to two years. Any extension to this period must be discussed with the Principal.
  • Accept children of Dutch nationality who are returning to the Netherlands having already attended international education or received education in English for a number of years.

ADMISSION PROCESS

  • Step 1

    First Contact

    The admission process begins when you first contact the school. We are always happy to answer any specific question you may have, either by email admissions@ipshilversum.nl or telephone (+31) 035-6216053 and/or we can organise an appointment to visit the school.

    Read our Admissions Policy

  • Step 2

    Admission Application

    Once you have decided that IPS Hilversum is the right school for your child, please start an application through our online admissions portal.

    It is a very straightforward process, during which you will be prompted to provide us with the following documents:

    • A copy of your child’s passport
    • Copies of your child’s school reports of the last two years
    • Confidential recommendation completed by the current teacher submitted directly to us (or by parents in case of an Early Years child who has not yet attended school)
    • Proof of temporary residence, preferably a confirmation letter from your employer
    Admission portal

  • Step 3

    Application review

    Once we have received all requested documents, our Admissions Team will meet to determine whether we are able to offer your child the education they require. The decision of the Admissions Committee is based on the information you provide, so please forward any additional information you think may support your application. In some cases, we may contact a child’s current school.

    As soon as a decision is reached, we will contact you to confirm the outcome. If a place is offered, we will send you the invoice for the application fee of €350. Please note that this fee is non-refundable.

  • Step 4

    Confirmation

    Once our Finance Department has received the confirmation of payment, we will reserve placement for your child.

    When your child  joins IPS Hilversum, it is school policy to place the student according to age.  There may be exceptions made, but any subsequent decision to place a student in a different year group will only be made if it is in their best interest.

Annual Tuition Fees

IPS Hilversum is a partially-subsidised Dutch International School. Legally, the school shares the licence of the Violenschool and therefore receives subsidies from the Dutch government. As these subsidies represent only a part of the costs needed to run the international department, the school charges tuition fees.

School Fees for 2025-2026

Partial attendance entering during the academic year Partial attendance departing during the academic year
First day of attendance Tuition fee Final day of attendance Tuition fee
1 August – 31 October €4900 Up to October 31 €1950
1 November – 31 December €4300 1 November – 31 December €3100
1 January – 28 February €3700 1 January – 28 February €3700
1 March – 30 April €3100 1 March – 30 April €4300
After 30 April  €1950 After 30 April  €4900

IPS Standard Terms and Conditions 2025-2026

Please contact the school office for additional information regarding IPS Terms and Conditions, fee structures and payment options.

Tel: 035-6216053
Email: finance@ipshilversum.nl

Terms & Conditions

Group (class) placement

At  IPS Hilversum, classes are organised in a way that will meet our school’s philosophy and goals. From our international perspective and given the transitional community that we serve, we use single-age grouping. We recognise the importance of children being surrounded by peers of the same age and consider their developmental stages and socialisation as important to their holistic education as academic results. However,  a student may be placed in an alternative group (lower or higher) after an initial evaluation period of three weeks and after a conference with the student’s parents. In specific cases, an alternative educational placement may be recommended.  

We recognise that every student comes from a diverse background and has different and diverse needs. Therefore, the table below is used as a guideline for Groups 2 to 8. As each child is unique, placement is based on the table in the first instance, and also individual  academic achievement and social emotional development alongside consultation with parents.

GROUP EXPECTED AGE RANGE
Early Years Children may enter the Early Years group as soon as they are 4 years of age (provided there is a space available and the child demonstrates school-readiness). Children turning 4 years old after 31 October 2023 will continue in the Early Years group for the remainder of the school year and continue through the school year 2025-2026.
Group 2 5 to 6 years old

A child in Group 2 turned 5 years old before 1 November 2025
Group 3 6 to 7 years old

A child in Group 3 turned 6 years old before 1 November 2025
Group 4 7 to 8 years old

A child in Group 4 turned 7 years old before 1 November 2025
Group 5 8 to 9 years old

A child in Group 5 turned 8 years old before 1 November 2025
Group 6 9 to 10 years old

A child in Group 6 turned 9 years old before 1 November 2025
Group 7 10 to 11 years old

A child in Group 7 turned 10 years old before 1 November 2025
Group 8 11 to 12 years old

A child in Group 8 turned 11 years old before 1 November 2025

Comparison Guide to IPS Groups

Admission to IPS requires that students attain the minimum age requirements as stated below. Chronological age is calculated from the date of birth. Please refer to the chart below to determine your child’s placement at IPS (compared to other national school systems).

Age  IPS Year Group UK equivalent US equivalent Indian equivalent Dutch equivalent
4-5 Early Years Reception Pre-kindergarten Kindergarten Groep 1
5-6 Group 2 Year 1 Kindergarten Standard 1 Groep 2
6-7 Group 3 Year 2 Grade 1 Standard 2 Groep 3
7-8 Group 4 Year 3 Grade 2 Standard 3 Groep 4
8-9 Group 5 Year 4 Grade 3 Standard 4 Groep 5
9-10 Group 6 Year 5 Grade 4 Standard 5 Groep 6
10-11 Group 7 Year 6 Grade 5 Standard 6 Groep 7
11-12 Group 8 Year 7 Grade 6 Standard 7 Groep 8
Link to: Contact us

IPS Hilversum

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