Education and Schools in The Hague

School is compulsory in the Netherlands for children aged between 5 and 16, and while standards may vary slightly, both public and private schools provide high-quality education in The Hague.

Your children can attend public schools, provided there are spaces available. Teaching standards are high, and schools are efficiently run, albeit with a slightly more casual feel than you may be used to. As lessons are mostly taught in Dutch, public school is really only a feasible option for younger children who are in a better position to overcome the language barrier. Nevertheless, there are various routes for you to consider.

Public schools in The Hague

Government-funded primary schools (basisschool) are free to all children aged between 4 and 12. For the first year, attendance is optional and only becomes compulsory on your child’s fifth birthday. Public schools in The Hague are evolving rapidly, with an emphasis on inclusivity and multilingual education to prepare students for a globalised world.

There are three types of public secondary education, and recommendations made by primary school teachers aim to ensure your child is matched with the option that best suits their character. All three types begin with a generic curriculum for the first two years, after which they specialise in different areas. VMBO schools offer a practical and vocational programme, while HAVO and VWO are more academically inclined.

If your children do not speak Dutch, they can enter a specialised language programme in secondary school known as internationale schakelklas (ISK). These programmes have been expanded recently, integrating digital tools to enhance learning and help non-Dutch-speaking students build strong language skills for societal integration.

Select secondary schools also offer tweetalig onderwijs (bilingual education), where classes are taught in both English and Dutch. These options aim to better integrate your children into the Dutch schooling system and prepare them for future opportunities.

Read more about Schools and the Education System in the Netherlands.

Private and international schools in The Hague

International schools in The Hague take several forms: Dutch international schools, foreign schools and independent international schools. These schools are increasingly popular with expats due to their diverse curricula and flexibility.

In Dutch international schools, the language of instruction is often English, and a foreign or international curriculum is taught. The state partly funds these schools, meaning tuition fees are generally affordable. They also comply with Dutch education laws and international standards, ensuring both local and global recognition of qualifications.

The Hague also hosts foreign schools, which are usually funded by their country of origin and follow the associated curriculum, such as French or German systems.

Additionally, independent international schools are privately funded and often accredited by international education organisations. Most of these schools offer the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and A-level curriculum or the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Read more: International Schools in The Hague

Nurseries in The Hague

If you have young children, you can explore a number of childcare and education options in The Hague. While early childhood education under the age of five is not compulsory, child support benefits are available to parents working in The Hague, and daycares, preschools and after-school care facilities are all available.

Infants as young as six weeks can attend a daycare centre. Most of these are open 10 hours a day in The Hague, while preschools are designed for children from about two years old. Waiting lists tend to be long – up to six months in some cases. It’s wise to start exploring daycare options even before arriving in The Hague to ensure you secure a spot in your preferred area or suburb.

After-school care services are also available for preschool and primary school children. The Dutch government continues to invest in making childcare more accessible, with plans to increase subsidies and move towards nearly free childcare by 2027, supporting working families and enhancing early childhood education.

Special-needs education in The Hague

Special-needs education is a priority in Dutch schools, and both public and international schools offer support to students with disabilities. The Netherlands promotes inclusive education, where students with special needs are integrated into regular classrooms whenever possible. Teachers receive specialised training to adapt their teaching methods and support diverse learners effectively.

If your child has disabilities, impairments or problems, they must be evaluated to determine the level of support they need. It’s also recommended for newly arrived families in the Netherlands to visit a local healthcare professional. Dutch schools must provide services tailored to your child’s needs to integrate them into mainstream classrooms. They must also work closely with you to ensure these needs are met.

Resources like Lighthouse Special Education in The Hague and the Centre for Youth and Family are available to help expat families navigate the system and access the right support. For children needing more targeted interventions, specialised schools known as speciaal basisonderwijs (SBO) and speciaal onderwijs offer tailored solutions based on their needs, such as visual or hearing impairments or behavioural challenges.

Useful links

• Lighthouse Special Education
• Centre for Youth and Family (CJG)

Tutors in The Hague

Finding a tutor in The Hague is common and easily accessible. Extra private classes are helpful to children year-round, not just near exam time, and could also benefit your whole family. You can hire a tutor for language classes to learn Dutch and better integrate into your workplace or the environment in general.

The demand for private tutoring in The Hague covers a wide range of subjects. Mathematics and sciences are particularly sought after, especially for students preparing for challenging programmes like the International Baccalaureate (IB) or A-levels. Language acquisition is another key area, with many families prioritising English and Dutch proficiency to help children integrate academically and socially. Test preparation for exams like the SAT, GRE, and GMAT is also popular, with tutors offering specialised coaching to achieve competitive scores.

Since the pandemic, online tutoring platforms have become increasingly popular, offering flexibility and convenience for students and professionals alike. Portals such as Apprentus and MyPrivateTutor are leading services that connect learners with tutors across various subjects. Specialist providers, like Think Smart Tutoring, focus on IB-specific coaching, ensuring tailored support for the curriculum.

Useful links

• Apprentus
• MyPrivateTutor