School Profile

The International School of The Hague (ISH) is a leading international school for children and young people of all nationalities aged 4 to 18. A co-educational day school with boarding facilities nearby, the school is continuously developing its educational and community services, inspired by a strong international ethos. It is classified as an IB World School and is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS). The focus is very much on learning which is reflected in our curricula and facilities.  The school is located in a new, specially-designed building and is a full-service learning centre in contact with the Dutch community and in line with the 21st century. The school also has generous use of sports fields in the vicinity.  The ISH is subsidised by the Dutch Ministry of Education and subject to Ministry regulation. Thanks to this support, the school is able to offer high quality international education at highly competitive fees.  Enrolment in Autumn 2011 is 1430 students with 550 in Primary school and 880 in Secondary school. Childcare facilities are also offered.

Children in the Primary School follow the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) from the age of 4-11 years. Children are assessed against agreed outcomes through formative activities.

Students in Years 7 through 11 (age 11-16) follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP). The ISH is an IB MYP accredited school. The IB MYP involves courses in eight compulsory areas: first language, second or additional language, mathematics, science, humanities, arts (visual and performing), technology and physical education. All lessons, apart from foreign language courses, are taught in English. The study of Dutch is compulsory through to Year 11.  The ISH supports Mother Tongue education, current provision includes Dutch, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. English as an Additional Language (EAL) and support for Special Educational Needs (SEN) are available in school.

In the final two years of school students study for the full IB Diploma, an internationally recognised preparation for university. The Diploma is also an externally moderated school-leaving document. Entrance to the IB course is dependent upon MYP or equivalent academic success. The IB Diploma Programme is a challenging course that demands high performance across six subjects in addition to other components, such as Theory of Knowledge, a 4000 word Extended Essay and Creativity, Action  and Service (CAS).

Study and recreational school trips are organised for different age groups. Extra-curricular activities are offered at all age levels, including Model United Nations, school plays, sports (including International Schools Sports Tournament competitions) languages and Maths clubs, student newspaper and yearbook, Student Council, Global issues network group, music lessons, choirs, orchestra and bands.  The ISH hosts its own annual MUN conference: www.munish.nl  ISH also organises numerous school excursions, both compulsory and non-compulsory. 

The ISH Parents' Association plays an important role in the life of the school, fosters and coordinates parental involvement and contributes to the information newsletter for parents and the school community.  Some aspects of school life are organised entirely by the parents, e.g. the school bookstore and various school-wide and fund-raising events. The Parents' Association is directed by elected officers and interested parents, who meet monthly.  Representatives of the school Leadership Team attend part of these meetings.

Admission is throughout the year, by interview and after review of previous school records. Placement tests are required for entry above Year 7.

Students have an opportunity to take American SAT tests (administered by The College Board) at a nearby test facility. The CEEB school code number for ISH is 759052. The school does not rank students as a policy nor does it report GPAs.