School Search Netherlands
Ask relocating parents what keeps them awake and it is rarely the visa. It is the school. International or Dutch? Bilingual? How long are the waiting lists, and what happens to a nine-year-old who speaks no Dutch on her first Monday? These questions deserve better answers than a forum thread.
We guide you through the real landscape: international schools, Dutch schools with newcomer classes, bilingual programs and the waiting-list realities of each. We shortlist schools that fit your child, arrange the visits and come along to them, and steer the enrollment paperwork through to a confirmed place.
Who this is for
- Families choosing between international and Dutch education
- Parents of children who will arrive speaking no Dutch
- Expats whose posting length makes the school choice complicated
- Families relocating mid-school-year and worried about placement
What is included
Education landscape briefing
How the Dutch system works, what international schools cost, how newcomer classes bridge the language gap, and what fits your posting length.
Personal school shortlist
Schools selected for your child’s age, languages and needs, matched to where you will live, with honest notes on each.
Visits arranged and attended
We book the tours, prepare the questions worth asking and join you on the visits.
Enrollment to confirmation
Application forms, prior school records and waiting-list follow-up managed until your child has a confirmed place.
How it works
- 01
Family intake
We talk about your children, their languages, their needs and your plans in the Netherlands.
- 02
Shortlist and visit
You receive a focused shortlist and we tour the promising schools together.
- 03
Enroll and start
We complete the enrollment and help your child arrive at a school that expects them.
School choice and housing choice are one decision, not two; the address determines the options. If we are also running your housing search, we plan them together.
Frequently asked questions
Should we choose international or Dutch education?
For postings under about three years, international schools offer continuity. For families staying longer, Dutch schools with a newcomer program often integrate children faster and cost far less. We help you decide based on your plans, not a general rule.
My child does not speak Dutch. How do Dutch schools handle that?
Many regions have dedicated newcomer classes where children get intensive Dutch for around a year before joining regular classes. Placement depends on age and region, and we find the actual options near your home.
How bad are the waiting lists really?
It varies enormously by city and school. Popular international schools can have long lists while an equally strong school nearby has places. Applying early and to the right mix of schools is most of the battle, and that is what we manage.
Give your children a soft landing
Tell us about your kids and we will find the school where they will thrive, then get them enrolled in it.
Thank you, your inquiry has been sent
Johanna will personally review your situation and reply within one business day, usually much sooner. For anything urgent, message us on WhatsApp.
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