Getting started
Begin by registering your interest through our admissions portal, OpenApply. Our team will help you check your family’s eligibility and discuss your child’s previous schooling, language background and learning needs.
You can also book an online appointment to ask questions before continuing. When you are ready to apply, OpenApply will guide you through the required documents and next steps.
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
OIA is a publicly funded international school. Annual tuition fees support the additional costs of our international education, including specialist staff, international learning materials and smaller classes. Our school fees for 2026–2027 are:
Primary: €5,765 per student per year
Secondary: €7,500 per student per year
A one-time, non-refundable application fee of €200 and a refundable deposit of €500 also apply. The deposit is refunded when your child leaves, provided all financial obligations have been met.
Fees are calculated proportionally for students joining during the school year. Payment in instalments is available.
If school fees are a concern for your family, please contact our admissions team to discuss the available options.
Please read our Admissions Procedure and Tuition Fees document for full details of payment options, what is included and any additional charges.
Our Admissions Process
Step 1: Showing Interest
Our application process is open to children who are 3 years old at the time of application. Applications for younger children can be submitted once they turn 3. Families begin by registering their interest through our Open Apply portal; phone calls or emails do not count as an official application.
After registering, families may book a school tour, schedule a call with the Admissions Team, or attend one of our Open Days. These moments are intended to answer initial questions and help families understand the next steps in the process.
Step 2: Introductory Meeting
We encourage families to visit the school. For those living abroad, we offer a virtual meeting via Google Meet. This conversation focuses on your family background, expectations, possible relocation plans, and an introduction to our academic programme and school community.
If both sides feel Optimist International Academy is a good fit, you will be invited to continue with the application. At this point, the non-refundable admissions (application) fee is paid.
Step 3: Application Process
Families complete the full application in Open Apply using a step-by-step checklist. Where relevant, previous schools may be contacted.
Students applying for Group 2 and above attend a taster day, while Early Years applicants join a “come and play” session. Once all required documents have been uploaded, parents confirm completion by email so the application can move to final review.
Step 4: Confirmation
After reviewing the documentation, the Admissions Manager will communicate the final decision. If your child is accepted, you will receive a formal acceptance email including the anticipated class or year placement.
To secure the place, a €500 deposit must be paid within 14 days. This deposit is refundable when leaving the school, provided all financial obligations have been met. If no place is immediately available, your child will be placed on a waiting list; tuition fees are only invoiced once a place becomes available.
Step 5: Ready
Once the place is confirmed and the deposit received, you will receive the official start date, practical campus information, and a welcome message to help you prepare for the first school day.
Tuition fees are invoiced once your child starts school, with the first instalment payable within 14 days. We look forward to welcoming your family to our school community.
Questions about applying to OIA
As a publicly funded international school, OIA follows Dutch government eligibility requirements. These generally cover international families temporarily working in the Netherlands, Dutch families returning after a qualifying period of schooling abroad, and Dutch families preparing for an overseas posting.
You can find the full criteria in the Eligibility section above. If you are unsure whether your family qualifies, our admissions team will help you check.
For the 2026–2027 school year, annual tuition fees are €5,765 per student for Primary and €7,500 for Secondary. A one-time, non-refundable application fee of €200 and a refundable deposit of €500 also apply.
Payment in instalments is available, and tuition fees are calculated proportionally for students joining during the school year. Please see the School fees section above and our Admissions Procedure and Tuition Fees document for the full conditions.
tudents join OIA with different levels of English. In Primary, children can begin while still developing their English, with classroom support and specialist English as an Additional Language (EAL) support where needed.
For Secondary, we consider English proficiency alongside previous schooling and the requirements of the programme. Our admissions team will discuss your child’s language profile and support needs with you. Across both schools, we value and support students’ home languages.
Joining during the school year is possible, subject to eligibility, available places and our ability to meet your child’s educational needs. Our admissions team will discuss a suitable placement and start date with you.
If a place is not immediately available, your child may be placed on a waiting list. Contact admissions for current availability in your child’s year group.
Yes. You can book an online appointment with our admissions team to discuss Primary or Secondary, ask questions and explore the next steps for your family. This is also a useful option if you are still living abroad.
If you would prefer to visit in person, contact our admissions team to discuss the available options.