Dutch high schools
The Netherlands are the first non - English- speaking country which has been offering an international oriented education. In principle, international schools are regular schools that have both a Dutch stream and an international stream from primary to secondary education.
The wide range of the presented international programmes beneficially distinguishes the Netherlands from the English- speaking countries where the national based curricula is prevailing.
In the Netherlands students can follow programmes based on the curricula of other countries (UK, US) or the specially developed international curricula: International Baccalaureate (IB). All programmes are internationally recognized and enable students to gain access to universities worldwide.
The IB programme can be pointed as a mostly prevalent programme that is widely represented in the Netherlands. It generally allows students to fulfill the requirements of their national or state educational systems, incorporating the best elements of them without being based on any one.
The programme was born in 1968 during efforts to establish a common curriculum and university entry credential (diploma) for students moving from one country to another. IB diploma holders are admitted to universities in more than 110 countries including the most selective.
At middle years level the so-called Dutch International Secondary Schools offer either the IBMYP or the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education).
There are two types of school in Holland which offer International programmes: ones which are subsidized by the Ministry of Education and schools which are privately run.
All of them are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), the European Council of International Schools (ECIS) and International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).
Admission is granted on the basis of an interview with the applicant and the evaluation of a report from the previous school. Special departments (English as a Second language - ESL) provide intensive support for non - English - speaking pupils throughout the school
