School Choice in Amsterdam

"As a parent brand new to the Dutch education system, this workshop gave me a better understanding of how to choose a school and what to prioritize. Isabel was a very caring and insightful facilitator. I learned a lot!" 

"Hearing other parents' thoughts, concerns and considerations when deciding on schools I found really valuable, especially coming from a range of backgrounds. It brought up things that I hadn't thought of and things I should take into consideration and also helped to confirm my own views on certain aspects."

"You were a fantastic facilitator and you created a safe and open space." 

This workshop aims to demystify the school choice process and empower families of young children who are entering primary school. Some of the content is specifically geared towards parents of children ages 2-3 but all ages are welcome. In this workshop, we will discuss the following topics:

• Deciding between international, public/state (Dutch), and bilingual schools
• Defining educational philosophies (Montessori, Vrije etc.)
• Explaining the Amsterdam school lottery system
• Assessing your family's values and needs (diversity, special services etc.)
• Confronting the narrative of “good” schools and “bad” schools
• School tours (questions to ask and tips)

About the presenter: As a parent, teacher, and educational consultant, Isabel understands the challenges of navigating school systems from all angles. She moved to Amsterdam from the US in 2017 when her child was 4 years old. Two weeks after arriving, her child began attending their local basisschool with almost no knowledge of the Dutch language. Isabel has been an educator for 20 years and teaches and consults at international schools in Amsterdam and the surrounding area.