Admissions
As a publicly funded international school, OIA currently offers education for learners aged 4 to 18 within an English-speaking environment embedded in a Dutch context.
We aim to make the admissions process clear, supportive and accessible. Whether you are joining from abroad, another international school or a Dutch school, our team will guide your family through each step — from the first enquiry to the student’s start at OIA.
Learn more or start your application via OpenApply to register interest, submit documents, and schedule an intake conversation. We look forward to welcoming you into our international learning community.
Eligibility
OIA is a publicly funded international school (IGBO/IGVO) in the Netherlands. This means that Dutch law defines who is eligible for enrolment.
We welcome applications from families worldwide who require an English-language education, ensuring continuity in the student’s educational journey.
A student qualifies for placement at OIA if at least one of the following applies:
- The student has a non-Dutch nationality and has a parent who is working in the Netherlands (or in a Dutch border region) for a limited period of time.
- The student has Dutch nationality and has lived and gone to school abroad for at least two years because a parent was stationed abroad.
- The student has Dutch nationality and has a parent (with whom the student will be living) that will be stationed abroad within two years and for at least two years. This must be proven by a written statement from the parent’s employer.
For questions or guidance about eligibility, families can contact us through OpenApply.
Group placement
Placement at OIA is based on a student’s age, prior school experience and individual learning needs. Our aim is to place each student in the year group that provides the best social, emotional and academic fit, ensuring a smooth transition for families arriving from different curricula or countries.
For secondary students, placement also considers prior schooling, language proficiency and the requirements of the international programme.
School fees
As a publicly funded international school, OIA charges an annual parental contribution to support the additional costs of our English-medium international curriculum. These funds enable us to maintain a high-quality learning environment, include specialist staff, international learning materials, and allow smaller class sizes.
This contribution is a mandatory fee for participation in international education in the Netherlands. The annual fee structure for OIA Primary and OIA Secondary will be published prior to the start of the admissions period.
We strive to ensure that our school remains accessible to a broad range of families. If the contribution presents a concern, families are encouraged to contact us to discuss available options.
Families can request the full fees document through OpenApply or download it below.
How to Apply
Starting your application at Optimist International Academy is simple and fully online. Our OpenApply portal guides families through each step for both primary and secondary admissions.
If you are applying for the first time, click here to begin your application.
If you already have an account, please Sign in here
To start the process, submit a registration of interest via OpenApply. You will then be asked to upload the required student information and documents. Please read our Admissions Policy beforehand to gain a clear overview of the full procedure.
Once your information is submitted, you can:
• Schedule an online intake appointment
• Visit us during an Open Day to explore our school in person
Our admissions team is here to support you at every stage. If you have questions or need assistance, contact us directly through your OpenApply account.
We look forward to welcoming your family into our international learning community.