As we approach the end of another school year, we find ourselves looking ahead to one of the most significant moments in the history of our school.
Over the past few years, our community has grown, adapted and embraced change together. What started as Optimist International School has continued to develop into something even bigger: a complete international learning journey for students aged 4 to 18.
Next school year marks an important milestone in that journey.
One Primary Campus, Together Again
One of the biggest changes will be the move from our split-campus arrangement back to a single Primary location.
From August, our entire Primary community will be reunited at the Dussenstraat campus. For students, families and staff, this means learning, working and connecting together in one place again.
While operating across two locations has allowed us to continue growing, we know there is something special about being together as one community. Bringing all Primary students back under one roof will strengthen collaboration, simplify daily routines and create even more opportunities for connection across year groups.
A Renewed Learning Environment
Throughout the summer holiday, significant work will take place at Dussenstraat.
Together with Maar Bouwmanagement and interior architects De Ontwerpbar, we are transforming the spaces to better reflect our educational vision and future ambitions.
The renewed environment will feature calm and welcoming learning spaces, flexible areas for collaboration and inquiry, dedicated learning plazas and an updated library and resource centre. Natural materials, thoughtful design choices and a clear educational purpose sit at the heart of the plans.
Most importantly, these changes are not simply about creating a beautiful building. They are about creating spaces that support learning, wellbeing, curiosity and a sense of belonging.
From OIS to OIA
Another exciting development is the continued growth from Optimist International School (OIS) to Optimist International Academy (OIA).
For the first time, OIA Secondary will open its doors, creating a continuous educational pathway from Primary into Secondary education.
Located just across the street from OIA Primary, the Secondary campus will allow students to continue their educational journey within the same community, guided by the same values and educational philosophy.
This is something many families have been asking for over the years, and we are incredibly proud to see it becoming a reality.
A New Chapter in Learning
Alongside these developments, next year also marks the beginning of our transition from IPC to the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework.
This is not a departure from who we are as a school. Rather, it is a natural next step.
Over the years, OIS has built a strong foundation around inquiry, international mindedness, reflection and the development of the whole child. The IB builds on these strengths while providing one connected framework across Primary and Secondary.
It will help us create an even more coherent learning journey, with a strong focus on student agency, conceptual understanding, transferable skills and meaningful learning.
Looking Forward Together
When viewed individually, each of these developments is significant. Together, they represent something even more meaningful.
A reunited Primary school. A renewed learning environment. The opening of OIA Secondary. The introduction of the IB framework. All of these steps have one purpose: to provide the very best learning experience for our students, both now and in the future.
None of this would be possible without the support, trust and commitment of our wider community. We are deeply grateful to our students, families, staff and partners for helping shape this next chapter. There is still much work ahead, and we look forward to sharing more updates over the coming months.
For now, we are simply excited about what lies ahead.
The future of OIA is beginning to take shape, and we cannot wait to welcome our community into this next chapter together.
OIA school leaders Anne-Marie van Holst (Primary) and Jon Symmons (Secondary).