When choosing a school for your children, you’re laying the first stepping stone on their educational journey. As an international parent in the Netherlands, how can you be sure you’re making the best decision when you’re unfamiliar with the local school system?
It’s actually easier than it seems! At least, if you choose a school that not only helps kids obtain great academic results but is also experienced in tailoring its teaching to international families.
Introducing: Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam
As a school with 60-plus years of experience, the Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam (NAISR) offers classes for 3 to 18-year-olds. 👨🎓
All students follow an international curriculum, from Early Years through Primary and Middle Years to the final International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
Wait, first things first: what is the IBDP? The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year, internationally renowned graduation programme for students aged 16-19. It’s taught at over 5,700 schools in 159 countries and counts almost 2 million students!
While NAISR is a small private school, it is part of Nord Anglia, a global network of 84 schools across 33 countries, with over 74,000 students and 9,000 teachers.
This way, NAISR can draw on the expertise of thousands of outstanding teachers worldwide — and offer unique chances to each student.
A school with an international reach and unique opportunities
So, now that you’ve made your first acquaintance with NAISR, let’s take a closer look at what makes this school so special. 👇
Collaboration with MIT: preparing students for the future
In Years 1 to 11, students at NAISR benefit from a partnership with the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which enhances their learning opportunities in the field of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Maths).
This year, for example, year 9 students had a particularly exciting project, based on designing solutions with AI. In the words of NAISR’s STEAM teacher, “students took an everyday or recyclable item, and tried to improve the design of the item using AI. Then, if possible, they made prototypes.”
“In the middle of the year, we entered the MIT trip Competition and two of our Year 9 students were put forward for the final round. One project was ultimately chosen, and she will be attending workshops at MIT in Boston in November 2025.”
Collaboration with UNICEF: projects for change
Through a formalised partnership with UNICEF, students of NAISR also have the opportunity to work on projects aiming towards real-world change.
At 2023’s UNICEF Student Summits in New York City, for example, students learned about the complexity of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They agreed that taking real action is the only way to ensure progress.
This experience gives them not only enhanced opportunities to become global citizens but also a chance to create a network for their future careers. 🤝
A chance to network through the Global Campus platform
Another benefit of Nord Anglia Education is that its students can expand their network through the Global Campus platform.
From targeted university planning with counsellors at their desired universities to personal development courses and mental health resources, the Global Campus helps NAISR’s students make connections and draw on knowledge from across the globe.
In the words of Danielle Mashon, IB Diploma Programme Coordinator: “The benefit of being part of Nord Anglia education is that, while we have a small cohort in school, we are part of an expansive global network.”
An advanced “Power of Three Sciences” track
NAISR isn’t just prepping their students for university, as their latest IB diploma programme provides a solid foundation for careers in medicine, engineering, or scientific research.
Dubbed “The Power of Three Sciences“, it allows students to follow three IB science tracks: Biology, Physics, and Chemistry.
“Taking three sciences in the IB is a bold choice,” IB Coordinator Bradley Gooding admits, “it’s for ambitious students with clear university goals, strong academic ability, and the resilience to manage a demanding workload.”
How NAISR supports learning and development — from learning to read to finding the dream university
At NAISR, teachers use a personalised approach that makes every student feel supported. With carefully crafted curricula and engaging co-curricular activities, your child’s years at NAISR will prepare them for the academic world and success far beyond it. 💪
We spoke to some of NAISR’s teachers to find out more.
NAISR’s Early Learning Programme: setting your kids up for success
The Early Years Learning Programme at NAISR introduces children from the age of three to school life in a fun, active, and (most importantly) child-led way — and it’s vastly different from putting them in a regular nursery.
How? The dedicated teachers follow the students’ interests to create meaningful topic-based experiences, which are then tied to traditional school subjects such as literacy or maths.
This child-led approach cultivates the young students’ curiosity, teaches them to love school, and even makes them better at regulating their emotions!
The IB and pre-IB Programmes at NAISR
Next, we spoke with one of NAISR’s passionate IB teachers and immediately saw that there are a few main things that make completing the IBDP at NAISR a unique experience.
So, what makes NAISR stand out?
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A close-knit community: With two classes doing the IBDP at a time (Year 12 and Year 13), the small class groups allow for a true sense of community.
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Small student-to-teacher ratios: With a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:8 to 1:10, teachers can give their students the attention and support they need to succeed.
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High academic outcomes: Having completed the IBDP myself (and knowing how challenging it is), I’m in awe of the grades that NAISR graduates obtain. Not only do they have a 100% pass rate, but their students’ IB points exceed the global average, year after year.
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Additional courses offered online: If a course isn’t offered at the school in Rotterdam itself, students can simply follow it online. Handig!
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Year-round admissions: With a flexible admissions process, NAISR tailors its education to internationally mobile families. Unlike many other schools in the Netherlands, admissions are open year-round!
Is Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam the right choice for me and my children?
If you’re looking for a school with a personalised approach to learning that will celebrate each student’s success and support them through every challenge, you should definitely be looking into NAISR!
Plus, with Virtual Open Days held every few months, you can always register on the NAISR website and tour their Rotterdam campus from the comfort of your home couch.
Want to get in touch with NAISR? You can!
Do you have any questions about the school or want to discuss your children’s potential future at NAISR? No problem! You can easily contact them or follow their social media.
What do you think about NAISR? Tell us in the comments below!