Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam

Educational Philosophy

Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam (NAISR) has built its educational identity around a clear conviction: every student deserves learning experiences that are individually tailored, rigorously challenging and genuinely holistic. Founded in 1959, the school has evolved over six decades into a fully authorised IB World School offering the complete International Baccalaureate continuum.

The IB Framework

NAISR offers all three IB programmes:

• IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) — for students aged 3–11, developing inquiry-led learning habits from the earliest years
• IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) — for students aged 11–16, encouraging interdisciplinary thinking and self-management
• IB Diploma Programme (DP) — for students aged 16–18, culminating in internationally recognised qualifications accepted by universities worldwide

Alongside the IB, the school also incorporates the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC), broadening the academic offer during the middle school years.

Small Classes, High Support

One of NAISR's most distinctive features is its deliberately small scale. With approximately 260 students in total, classes average just 17 students, and the school maintains an exceptional 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio. This structure ensures that teachers can adapt the pace and depth of instruction to each learner's needs — a philosophy the school describes as 'adapting learning to each student'.

Whole-Child Balance

The school's philosophy extends beyond academic performance. NAISR explicitly values a balance of academics, arts and athletics, reflecting a commitment to developing well-rounded individuals. Core values of care, support, attention and challenge underpin daily school life, and the school's stated vision is to "help every student to realise their full potential."

Accreditation and Quality Assurance

NAISR holds accreditation from both the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) — two of the most respected international accreditation bodies — providing independent validation of its educational standards.

Outcomes

The philosophy bears measurable fruit: the school reports a 100% university placement rate, with all graduates accepted to their first-choice universities. In 2021, 30% of IB Diploma candidates scored 40 points or above (out of 45), significantly above the global IB average of approximately 20%.

Admissions at NAISR

NAISR's admissions process is designed to accommodate the realities of internationally mobile families, who rarely relocate according to a school's preferred academic calendar.

Rolling Admissions

Unlike many schools that admit only at fixed entry points (September or January), NAISR accepts applications throughout the academic year, including mid-term entry. This is a significant advantage for expat families receiving relocation assignments at short notice. The school does, however, operate with limited places at each year level, and families are encouraged to enquire about availability as early as possible.

Application Process

The admissions process is straightforward:

• Submit an inquiry and check current availability
• Complete an application with supporting documents
• Attend a school visit (and assessment where appropriate for secondary students)
• Receive a placement decision

An application fee of €300 is payable at the time of application.

Fee Transparency

NAISR publishes its fee schedule clearly and in full — a practice not universal among international schools. Key fees for 2026–2027 include:

• Tuition fees: €16,300 (Foundation 1, age 3) to €24,500 (Years 12–13, age 16–18)
• Annual Re-registration Fee: €1,600 (payable by returning families each year)
• Capital Development Contribution: €3,000 (one-time, non-refundable)
• Application Fee: €300 (one-time, payable at application)
• School transport (optional): €3,500–€5,450/year depending on distance zone

EAL and Learning Support Fees

NAISR is transparent about additional support costs:

• EAL support is provided free of charge in Primary
• In Secondary (Years 7–9): €1,200/year; in Years 10–11: €2,400/year
• LEAP learning support: Pathway 1 at €6,000/year, Pathway 2 at €12,000/year

This transparency allows families to accurately budget for the full cost of attendance, including support services that may not be obvious from headline tuition figures alone.

Scholarships

The school confirms that scholarships are available, with families encouraged to call for a confidential consultation. The criteria and value of scholarships are not publicly disclosed.

A Genuinely International Community

NAISR's community reflects Rotterdam's position as one of Europe's most diverse cities. Approximately 260 students from 36 different nationalities attend the school, creating a daily lived experience of multiculturalism that enriches learning across every subject and grade.

Expatriate and Local Families Side by Side

Unlike many international schools that serve an almost exclusively expatriate population, NAISR draws from two distinct groups:

• Approximately 70% of students come from non-Dutch speaking international backgrounds — children of expatriates, diplomats and internationally mobile families
• Approximately 30% come from Dutch-speaking local families who choose an English-medium, internationally-focused education for their children

This blend creates a community that is both globally minded and locally rooted, giving children genuine cross-cultural friendships rather than a bubble of one nationality.

Language as Community Glue

NAISR takes language education seriously as a tool for community cohesion:

• English is the primary language of instruction across all subjects and year groups
• Dutch is taught both as a foreign language and as a mother-tongue maintenance subject for local Dutch students — an unusual and thoughtful provision
• Spanish is offered as a foreign language option at secondary level

The school serves students from 36 nationalities, and its language programme acknowledges that maintaining heritage languages alongside English is important for identity and belonging.

House System and Student Leadership

The school operates a House System that creates sub-communities within the broader school, fostering friendly competition and cross-year-group relationships. Students also have meaningful leadership opportunities through the Student Council, and the school's exclusive collaboration with UNICEF gives students a platform to engage with global issues at a level that feels authentic rather than tokenistic.

A Safe and Caring Environment

The school's stated values of care and support are reflected in the physical and relational environment. The principal's welcome emphasises that NAISR provides "a safe and caring environment" — language that resonates for families navigating relocation and the challenges of settling children into a new country.

Academic Outcomes at NAISR

NAISR's academic culture is defined by high expectations, personalised support and consistently strong outcomes. The school's small size and intensive teaching model produce results that stand comparison with much larger international schools.

IB Diploma Results

In the most recent published results (2021 cohort):

• 100% pass rate — every IB Diploma candidate earned the full diploma
• 30% of candidates scored 40 or more points (out of a maximum 45) — a benchmark that represents genuinely high achievement, given the global IB average of around 29-30 points

University Destinations

NAISR's Class of 2025 was accepted to a wide range of respected universities across Europe and beyond, including:

• Netherlands: Erasmus University Rotterdam, University of Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology, Maastricht University, Leiden University
• United Kingdom: City University London, Regent's University London, Brunel University London
• Spain: IE University
• France: ESSEC Business School

The school reports a 100% university acceptance rate, with all graduates admitted to their first-choice institutions — a remarkable outcome that reflects both the quality of preparation and the guidance provided by the school's university counselling team.

Academic Structure

The IB Diploma curriculum at NAISR is delivered across the standard six subject groups:

• Language and Literature
• Language Acquisition (English B, Dutch B, Spanish A/B)
• Individuals and Societies (Economics, History, Geography, Psychology)
• Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems)
• Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches at HL and SL)
• The Arts (Visual Arts, Music, Drama)

All students also complete the IB core requirements: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), an Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS).

Support for All Learners

Strong outcomes are not achieved by selecting only the most academic students. NAISR offers robust learning support through its LEAP programme (two pathways: €6,000/year and €12,000/year), and EAL support for students whose first language is not English. This commitment to inclusive academic support means that a diverse range of learners can thrive in the IB environment.

The Nord Anglia Advantage

Being part of the Nord Anglia Education (NAE) global family gives NAISR students access to opportunities that would be impossible for a standalone school of 260 students to provide independently.

Exclusive Global Partnerships

NAE has established formal collaborations with some of the world's most prestigious institutions, and NAISR students benefit directly:

• UNICEF collaboration: Students engage with real-world global challenges through UNICEF's educational frameworks, giving authentic meaning to the IB's CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) requirement
• Juilliard partnership: Performing arts students access curriculum content and expertise from one of the world's leading performing arts conservatories
• MIT collaboration: STEM-focused activities and challenges draw on Massachusetts Institute of Technology resources, exposing students to cutting-edge scientific thinking

Model United Nations

NAISR has a strong Model UN (MUN) tradition. In January 2025, a group of 10 students travelled to Madrid to represent the school at the NAE Regional MUN Conference, competing alongside peers from Nord Anglia schools across Europe. MUN develops skills in diplomacy, debate, research and cross-cultural communication — all highly valued by top university admissions teams.

Extracurricular Breadth

Despite its small size, NAISR offers a remarkably wide extracurricular programme:

Sports:

• Softball, basketball, swimming, athletics, volleyball, football

Arts and Performance:

• Orchestra, choir, music performance, drama club, visual arts, photography

Academic and Service:

• Model UN, mathematics club, newspaper club, eco club
• UNICEF club, Kindness Club, Student Council

Technology and Other:

• Robotics, chess club, library club

The Shark

The school's sports teams compete under the identity of The Shark — a mascot that reflects the school's spirited competitive culture within inter-school fixtures and Nord Anglia-wide events.

Size as a Feature, Not a Limitation

NAISR's small enrolment of around 260 students means that individual students are genuinely visible. It is far easier for a student to take a leadership role, perform on stage, represent the school in sport or contribute meaningfully to student governance at a school of this size than at a school of 1,000+. The school actively positions this as a strength rather than a limitation.