Netherlands · Amsterdam
AICS is a state-funded Dutch international day school for internationally mobile families. It offers the full IB continuum in English across two Amsterdam campuses. Statutory eligibility, available places and support capacity all matter before a place can be offered.
Amsterdam International Community School, or AICS, is a state-funded Dutch international school within the Esprit group. It is coeducational, English-medium and non-boarding. Families still pay annual school fees despite the public subsidy.
The official IB record confirms authorisation for all four International Baccalaureate programmes. These are the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP).
The practical attraction is straightforward. AICS offers an English-medium IB route at a much lower fee than many independent international schools. The main constraints are equally important: statutory eligibility, campus allocation, programme fit, English readiness and support capacity.
AICS is not open to every family living in Amsterdam. Its current admissions FAQ and March 2026 policy set four routes:
The school rechecks the planned-relocation route when a child moves from Group 7 to MYP1. Eligibility allows an application; it does not guarantee a place.
Dutch-only nationals entering the Diploma Programme must take Dutch as a Group 1 language, the IB category for language and literature. Native or near-native Dutch is required. AICS may advise against DP when the applicant has not studied mathematics in the previous programme.
Applications use OpenApply. The family first submits a Registration of Interest and then pays the €200 non-refundable registration fee. AICS processes complete applications in order of payment when space is available.
If demand exceeds capacity, the published priority order is:
The school says some year groups or campuses may have a waiting list. An application rolls into the next school year until a place becomes available or the family withdraws it.
All primary applicants have an intake. Groups 1–3 attend an in-person play session; an online intake is not available. Groups 4–7 meet a deputy head, either in person or online when the applicant is abroad.
Secondary applicants may be invited to an interview or language assessment. Previous reports, the present curriculum and subject availability inform placement. Disclosed learning needs can lengthen the review because the support team must assess provision and capacity.
Primary and MYP entry can occur during the year if a place exists. Group 1 entry closes after 30 April. DP1 and CP1 starts after 1 October are exceptional and may require the pupil to repeat the year.
Entry to DP2 is exceptional. The previous DP1 record, completed internal assessment work, subject compatibility and AICS capacity all matter. AICS does not enrol pupils for individual DP or CP courses; they must follow a full programme.
For children not yet four, AICS normally allocates places four to six months before the relevant school year. The age guide is four by 1 November for Group 1. For Groups 2–7, the child is normally five to ten by 1 October respectively.
Primary covers Groups 1–7 through the PYP. Secondary continues with MYP1–MYP5, followed by the two-year DP or CP. MYP5 includes IB eAssessment and the Personal Project.
The CP is offered only at South Campus. It combines selected IB Diploma courses and the CP core with the Pearson BTEC International Level 3 Diploma in Business. Successful pupils receive an IB CP certificate, not the IB Diploma.
The CP core develops personal and professional skills, language and cultural understanding, and community participation. It also includes a reflective research project exploring a career-related dilemma. The BTEC is the programme’s vocational business qualification.
English is the language of instruction. Primary pupils study English and Dutch. Secondary language provision includes English, Dutch, French, Spanish and German, although German is limited to certain MYP levels.
PYP and MYP1–MYP4 applicants do not need fluent English at entry. MYP pupils with little English may enter English Language Immersion before moving fully into the curriculum. Language Acquisition continues until the appropriate proficiency is reached.
DP requires fluent English. The admissions policy recommends at least Common European Framework of Reference level B2 (CEFR B2) for MYP5, CP and DP. AICS may recommend a different year group if English would prevent access to the programme.
AICS operates as one school on two sites:
Both sites contain primary and secondary sections. Families state a preference, but AICS decides the placement. Siblings are placed together where possible.
Pupils remain on the assigned campus through PYP and MYP. Transfers between campuses are not allowed. This matters for commuting, after-school care and later CP access.
Primary runs from 08:20 to 15:15 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday ends at 12:00. The standard secondary day is 08:30–15:45, although DP and CP timetables can differ.
Kind&Co Ludens runs separate after-school care inside both campuses for children aged 4–12. It also coordinates primary clubs. A private shuttle serves South-East from various locations, while both sites are near public transport.
AICS does not publish the care or shuttle tariffs on the pages reviewed. Ask the provider for hours, waiting lists, holiday cover, notice terms and a complete price before relying on either service.
Classroom support can include differentiated teaching, learning-diversity specialists, counsellors, a dyslexia coach and a secondary school psychologist. Formal examination arrangements require current evidence and approval by the relevant awarding body. A diagnosis does not guarantee a particular arrangement.
The Student Support Centre offers enhanced provision for a limited number of pupils with complex learning profiles. Its small groups follow modified outcomes focused on literacy, numeracy, communication and life skills.
Primary support-centre groups operate on both campuses. The current guide still calls the secondary provision a 2024–26 pilot and gives inconsistent age descriptions. Confirm the current campus, age range, curriculum and progression route directly.
AICS can place an otherwise eligible applicant on a support waiting list when it cannot meet the child’s needs. It may instead recommend Dutch practical, vocational or special education. Families should send reports early and request a written support plan before accepting.
The inclusion policy mentions suitable toilets, changing spaces and trip adjustments where possible. It is not a campus accessibility audit. Ask to test the complete route your child would use, including lifts, specialist rooms, evacuation and transport handovers.
Group 2 speech screening is funded by the school. Individual speech, occupational or physical therapy is normally external. The policy advises families to check whether Dutch health insurance covers those services.
These are the annual school fees for an August 2026 start. They exclude the €200 registration fee and €500 deposit.
| Year group | Annual school fee |
|---|---|
| Primary Groups 1–5 | €6,025 |
| Primary Group 6 | €6,309 |
| Primary Group 7 | €6,230 |
| MYP1–MYP4 | €7,178 |
| MYP5 | €7,628 |
| DP1 or CP1 | €8,318 |
| DP2 or CP2 | €9,168 |
The totals combine these published components:
| Component | 2026–27 amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition, Groups 1–7 | €5,505 |
| Tuition, MYP1–MYP5 | €6,531 |
| Tuition, DP or CP | €7,671 |
| Excursions and activities, Groups 1–5 | €138 |
| Excursions and activities, Group 6 | €422 |
| Excursions and activities, Group 7 | €343 |
| Excursions and activities, all secondary years | €628 |
| Primary lunch supervision | €363 |
| Yearbook | €19 |
| MYP5 examination fee | €450 |
| DP2 or CP2 examination fee | €850 |
The €500 deposit is paid with the first instalment and may be refundable under the withdrawal terms. The total first-year commitment for an August-starting Group 1 pupil is €6,725 before external services.
The annual fee covers normal educational costs and textbook use. IB retakes in CP2 or DP2, MYP5 eAssessment retakes, requested remarks and replacement losses are extra. A replacement locker card costs €5; unreturned books can cause a €50 administration deduction.
Secondary pupils borrow a school MacBook. Parents are liable for loss or negligent damage at the depreciated value. The school does not insure the device for the family.
AICS offers no scholarships. After-school care, clubs and the South-East shuttle are separate arrangements without a published AICS tariff. The school may also change fees if state funding or external examination charges change.
Later-start fees are not a simple percentage calculation because fixed components remain. The school guide gives exact amounts for each month and year group. Obtain the invoice before accepting.
For an enrolled pupil, notice must be submitted through the OpenApply withdrawal form. The normal period is 30 days excluding school holidays. Year-end withdrawal requires 60 days; the dated 2026–27 guide gives 10 May 2027 as the deadline.
AICS is a day school and provides no boarding or residential guardianship. A parent or legal guardian must arrange housing, supervision and a valid Dutch residence basis.
The school states that it is not recognised by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) as a sponsor and cannot assist with visa applications. The IND secondary-study route requires a recognised educational sponsor to submit the application.
Do not assume an AICS offer creates a student-residence route. Confirm the child’s and resident parent’s immigration position independently before paying non-refundable charges or ending another school place.
Use our Amsterdam guide for the local search and the Netherlands guide for the wider system.
Official pages and documents we read. If a figure matters to your budget or your application, open the link and confirm it is still current.
Friendly orientation, not an application. Dates, fees, and programme details move. Confirm everything with the school.
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7 minStart with the qualification your child would actually receive. Then check its subjects, language demands, and recognition in the countries where they may study next.
7 minStart with your child and the family's likely plans. Define the non-negotiables, verify the school's claims, compare three realistic options and visit with specific questions.
7 minTuition is only one line of the budget. Separate charges from advance payments, record what each figure includes, and ask the school to confirm your calculation in writing.