aics amsterdam

What aics amsterdam does

Amsterdam International Community School (AICS) is a Dutch international primary and secondary school operating two campuses in Amsterdam, Netherlands: the South Campus (a newly opened state-of-the-art building) and the Sandcastle (SE) Campus. Each campus is designed to accommodate up to 1,400 students, with classes capped at 22-23 students organized around mixed ability groupings. Founded in 2005 as part of the Esprit Schools network (14 schools), AICS delivers the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum — the first Dutch international school to do so, comprising the Primary Years Programme (PYP, authorized 2021), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and Career-related Programme (CP, authorized 2020), placing it among approximately 59 schools worldwide with this complete offering.

The school's core offering is its IB curriculum delivered in English, supplemented by Dutch language support, comprehensive student wellbeing programmes (Zones of Regulation, KIVA anti-bullying, Common Sense Digital Citizenship), and specialized support for students with complex learning profiles (Fireflies Programme, Flex 3 Class). Academic outcomes include a 93% DP pass rate, 90% CP pass rate, and an average IB score of 30.3 (2023-2024), with the Sandcastle Campus representing more than 50 nationalities.

AICS generates revenue primarily through recurring annual tuition fees set in accordance with Dutch International Primary and Secondary School Guidelines, supplemented by Dutch Ministry of Education subsidies. Applications are processed directly via the Open Apply portal with a non-refundable €200 registration fee. The school's customer segments are expatriate and internationally mobile families, Dutch families returning from abroad, and Dutch upper secondary students seeking IB qualifications. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the school's website, virtual open days, and community/ alumni channels, with no intermediary partners in the admissions process.

Name

aics amsterdam

Legal name

Amsterdam International Community School

Website

https://aics.espritscholen.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Amsterdam International Community School (AICS) is a Dutch international primary and secondary school operating two Amsterdam campuses under the Esprit Schools network, delivering the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP, CP) in English to expatriate and internationally mobile families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 International Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

Keywords

• International baccalaureate education
• K-12 international school
• English-language education
• Primary secondary schooling
• IB continuum programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: AICS generates revenue primarily through annual tuition fees paid by families. The school is officially recognised by the Dutch Ministry of Education, which contributes funds to the school. Tuition fees cover small class sizes, hiring staff internationally, modern learning environment, and membership of international organisations and accreditation services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Amsterdam International Community School (AICS) is a Dutch International Primary and Secondary School delivering the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum — Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP) — in English across two Amsterdam campuses for students aged 4–18. Tuition-funded by families and supplemented by Dutch Ministry of Education funding, the school also provides specialized learning support (Fireflies, Flex 3), wellbeing programmes (Zones of Regulation, KIVA), after-school care, and transport.

Product overview

AICS offers a comprehensive international education through four IB programmes forming the full IB continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 4-11, Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11-16, Diploma Programme (DP) for ages 16-18, and the Careers-related Programme (CP) for vocational-track students. The school operates two campuses (South and Sandcastle SE) with specialized support programmes including the Fireflies Programme and Flex 3 Class for students with complex learning needs. All programmes are delivered in English with Dutch language support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Primary Years Programme (PYP) International Baccalaureate programme for students aged 4–11 delivered in English, using inquiry-based, constructivist learning organized around six transdisciplinary themes. Delivered as part of AICS's primary school curriculum on both campuses.
• Middle Years Programme (MYP) Five-year IB programme for students aged 11–16 that develops active learners and internationally minded people through a broad subject curriculum with Service as Action. Delivered across AICS secondary campuses.
• Diploma Programme (DP) Two-year IB programme for students aged 16–18 preparing for university admission, with reported average IB scores of 30.3 and 93% pass rate (2024–2025). Requires demonstrated English fluency for entrants from the Dutch system.
• Career-related Programme (CP) IB programme for students in the final two years of secondary school combining three DP subjects with BTEC Business and Management for a vocational pathway. Reported 90% pass rate in 2024–2025.
• Fireflies Programme Special education programme for students with complex learning profiles, providing a supportive environment with inclusion in mainstream classrooms at AICS.
• Flex 3 Class Pilot secondary class serving as an extension of the Fireflies programme for students with complex learning profiles who cannot fully access the MYP curriculum.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93% DP pass rate (2024-2025)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Esprit SchoolscoreOthersAICS is part of the Esprit Schools network consisting of 14 schools offering diverse education from primary to Gymnasium level, including international schools and bilingual havo and vwo. Esprit Schools provides organizational support, governance, and shared resources across its school network.
• Kind&Co LudenscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProfessional non-profit organization providing after-school care and after-school club activities across both AICS campuses. Kind&Co Ludens operates within the school buildings and coordinates activities such as dance, sewing, chess, art, guitar, and film. Coordinator: Iris Selderijk.
• Atlas Shuttle ServiceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShuttle service provider facilitating student commutes from pick-up and drop-off points at Amsterdam Zuid, Amsterdam Centrum, Amsterdam Oost, and Amstelveen to the South East Campus. Contact: [email protected] or +31 6 30007997.
• MULTIsignalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration platform connecting professionals involved with students who receive care/assistance. MULTIsignal enables AICS to cooperate with external support organizations to ensure coherent support plans for children and families.
• International Baccalaureate OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIB authorizes AICS to deliver PYP, MYP, DP, and CP programmes. AICS participates in IB pilot projects such as 'Inclusive Education in the MYP: Breaking Complex Barriers' and contributes to programme development.
• Stichting KolomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting development of the Fireflies Programme for students with complex learning profiles. Collaborates with AICS to align Primary and Secondary special education programmes.
• SWV Adam (Samenwerkingsverband)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership network supporting development of special education programmes and aligning primary and secondary school inclusion initiatives.
• External Confidential AdvisorsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExternal confidential advisors (Alice Vlottes and Herman van der Wind) appointed by Esprit Schools for staff members to consult regarding confidential matters including bullying, harassment, discrimination, and aggression.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• International School of Rotterdam: English-language international school in Rotterdam offering IB programmes. Regional peer with comparable curriculum and customer base but located in a different Dutch city.
• The International School of The Hague: English-language IB school in The Hague serving internationally mobile families. Comparable in curriculum and target customer but located in a different Dutch metro, serving the Randstad expat corridor.
• The Japanese School of Amsterdam: Amsterdam-based school serving the Japanese expatriate community. Regional peer addressing a niche expatriate segment in the same geography rather than competing head-to-head for IB-track expat students.
• Deutsche Internationale Schule Amsterdam: German international school in Amsterdam offering bilingual and international curricula. Comparable as an international school in the same city serving an expatriate community, but with a German-language focus.

Direct peers

• The British School of Amsterdam: English-medium school in Amsterdam serving the international and Dutch community, with British and international curricula. Direct peer in the same city competing for the same internationally mobile families.
• Amsterdam International School (AIS): English-language international school in Amsterdam serving primary and secondary students with IB programmes. Direct peer serving the same expat/International Schooling market in the same city, with overlapping DP and MYP offerings.
• The International School of Amsterdam: Long-established Amsterdam international school offering IB programmes (PYP, MYP, DP) to a globally mobile student body. Most comparable direct competitor given overlapping IB continuum, target segments, and Amsterdam location.

Broad incumbents

• United World College of the Adriatic: Selective international IB school in Italy with a global mission focused on intercultural understanding. Comparable as a premium, mission-driven IB school serving internationally mobile students, but operates under the UWC movement rather than a city-based parent network.

Others

• United Nations International School (UNIS) Hanoi: International IB school with multi-campus global footprint serving diplomatic and expatriate communities. Thematically comparable as a premium IB school serving internationally mobile families, but in a different geography.
• Esprit Scholen (parent network): Parent organization operating 14 Dutch schools, including international and bilingual havo/vwo. Comparable not as a competitor but as the organizational network providing shared resources, governance, and curriculum assets to AICS.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aics-amsterdam

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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