American School of The Hague

American School of The Hague (ASH) is a co-educational international school for students ages 3 to 18. A leading international school in the Netherlands, we proudly welcome students from over 70 nationalities. We cultivate a student-centered community with a strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math education and a vibrant visual and performing arts program. Our students benefit from hands-on learning experiences and an extensive offering of clubs, activities, and competitive athletic teams. Unique in the Netherlands, we offer both the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and the US College Board Advanced Placement pathway, preparing our students for success in higher education.

ASH Experience

ASH Story

Empowering Voices Through History: A New Curriculum Inspired by The Ice Cream Man
Empowering Voices Through History: A New Curriculum Inspired by The Ice Cream Man
American School of The Hague (ASH) is excited to share our involvement in the development of an innovative educational curriculum inspired by writer, director, and ASH parent Robert Moniot’s powerful, award-winning short film, The Ice Cream Man.
 
The Ice Cream Man, a film currently in contention for the Academy Award for Best Live Short Film, tells the true story of Ernst Cahn, a Jewish ice cream parlor owner who became the first person in the Netherlands to be arrested and executed by the Nazis for resistance activities.
 
Supported by the proceeds of the upcoming December 12 Red Carpet Premiere of The Ice Cream Man and in collaboration with the Anne Frank Center at the University of South Carolina, the curriculum is designed to promote critical thinking and empathy among students, empowering them to advocate against hate and stand up for the oppressed. Through a multidisciplinary approach and integrated language arts, social studies, and film & media studies, the program is a testament to ASH’s commitment to excellence in social-emotional learning.
 
Corey Harbaugh, curriculum design expert, and Holocaust scholar brings a depth of expertise that fosters meaningful learning experiences. In this interview, he discusses the curriculum’s potential to inspire students and contribute to building more empathetic societies.
 
The Heart of the Curriculum
 
The Ice Cream Man curriculum aims to transform how students engage with history, emphasizing empathy, critical thinking, and personal connection. Through storytelling and testimonials, Harbaugh seeks to humanize history and help students build stronger connections to its relevance in today’s world. Harbaugh explains, “When students encounter history through personal testimony, it fosters deeper engagement and understanding.”
 
Students experience the impact of the narrative up close as they revisit specific scenes, analyzing the director’s creative choices—such as character development, historical layering, and emotional tone. This approach encourages critical thinking about how stories are told and how media shapes our understanding of history.
 
Beyond the film, students grow their knowledge of the Holocaust’s impact in the Netherlands, and uncover lesser-known stories of resistance. Through archival testimonies and guided discussions, students turn into active participants – not passive recipients – of learning.
 
Harbaugh highlights that curiosity is key: “For today’s learners, you have to ignite their curiosity. Once you do, they use tools like historians, asking questions and drawing their own conclusions.” This curriculum blends historical knowledge with emotional intelligence, media literacy, and critical analysis. It ensures students leave with more questions than answers, sparking a lifelong passion for learning and empowering them to connect the past to the present in meaningful ways.
 
Nurturing Humanity Through Social-emotional Learning
 
At ASH, social-emotional learning is central to our mission. In a world increasingly focused on metrics and resume bullets, this program offers a vital reminder of the role humanity plays in education. The curriculum taps into students’ social-emotional development, helping them engage deeply with complex historical narratives and the moral challenges they present. Harbaugh shares: “The Ice Cream Man is a reminder of humanity in education. We’ve been so focused on outcomesthat we’ve sometimes lost sight of the human stories that define us.”
 
Bridging the Film and the Curriculum
 
With scenes in Wassenaar and Amsterdam, The Ice Cream Man brings fresh perspectives to Holocaust education. While much Holocaust curriculum focuses on Eastern Europe, this program sheds light on lesser-known stories from the Netherlands. Harbaugh notes that students often know Anne Frank, but many stories about the Holocaust’s impact in the Netherlands are yet to be discovered. Harbaugh’s intention with the curriculum is to bridge that gap, using the film as a starting point to explore stories of heroism, tragedy, and resilience unique to the region.
 
The film’s layered narrative allows students to explore not just history but also the craft of storytelling. Harbaugh, who has extensive experience with Holocaust education, highlights the film’s educational value: “It’s a beautiful and powerful piece of art. Every time I watch it, I discover new layers. It’s an incredible tool to help students develop critical thinking skills and engage with media in an active, meaningful way.”
 
Collective Support
 
Parents and the broader school community play a crucial role in bringing this vision to life. Funding this curriculum means more than enhancing academic learning; it’s an investment in character development and global citizenship.
 
By supporting this initiative, the ASH community ensures that students are equipped to question, empathize, and advocate. As Harbaugh explains, the ultimate goal is for students to leave the classroom with new questions and a desire to seek deeper information and understanding. By connecting historical studies to students’ lives and the world around them, the development of this curriculum not only honors the past but also prepares young minds to shape a more compassionate future. It is a profound reminder that education is about more than academics—it’s about fostering humanity.
 
We look forward to supporting this important initiative on December 12th at The Ice Cream Man premiere and meeting and learning with director Robert Moniot and actors Noah Emmerich and Derek de Lint. Tickets available here.
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Merel van Lent: Nurturing Self-Expression and Building Empathy Through Music
Merel van Lent: Nurturing Self-Expression and Building Empathy Through Music
The American School of The Hague (ASH) warmly welcomes Merel van Lent this year as the Elementary School Music Teacher. With a rich international background in both music and education, Merel brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and creativity to her students. As she embarks on her first year at ASH, she is eager to share her love for music and the positivity it brings to the school community.
 
“I try to combine as many elements as possible in one class to engage the kids,” Merel explains. From group singing to handing out instruments, her dynamic and interactive approach to teaching music encourages students to take ownership of their learning by giving them different instruments or methodologies to explore, and even responsibilities. "I want them to come up with ideas on how to work together to improve things - whether it’s a musical rhythm or melody," she adds, creating a classroom environment where students collaborate, share ideas, and grow together.
 
When asked about the importance of music for young children, Merel’s enthusiasm shines through. Beyond being a form of emotional expression, she sees music as a powerful tool for interdisciplinary learning. “Music can teach so much about philosophy, history, and geography because of the music around the world.
 

 

 
It can also teach about working together, problem-solving, and even understanding other subjects - like math.” For Merel, teaching music is also about helping students make links across a wide range of subjects, cultivating a broader and more integrated understanding of the world. Music has always been a central part of Merel’s life. Growing up in a musically rich environment, she found music to be her way of expressing herself. With an MA in Musicology from Oxford University, Merel’s thesis explored how cultural interactions between Senegal and the Netherlands can create new ways of learning and understanding. She hopes to mirror these insights in her international classroom, where creativity and cross-cultural connections are at the forefront.
 
Historically, the need for self-expression has always been present and has been used to relate better to each other. In an increasingly globalized world, it has become an invaluable skill to help us celebrate differences and diverse perspectives, as well as build empathy and respect for each other. As an international school that welcomes students and families from a diverse range of backgrounds, abilities, and experiences, she shares that music is indeed a great way to help us connect and learn more about each other.
Read More about Merel van Lent: Nurturing Self-Expression and Building Empathy Through Music
Jake Courlang ‘14: Turning Music Passion Into A Thriving Career
Jake Courlang ‘14: Turning Music Passion Into A Thriving Career
Meet Jake Courlang ‘14, who has taken his passion for music and turned it into an amazing career. He came back to visit recently and shared his experiences with us and how his passion for music took root at ASH.
 
What are you doing today?
I am currently living in Los Angeles, California, working as a full-time musician and music educator. I am the musical director and touring bass player for “Save Ferris,” a renowned Orange County-based ska-punk band popularized by their appearance and musical contributions to the hit movie “Ten Things I Hate About You” and their rendition of the popular Dexy Midnight Runners hit, “Come On Eileen.”
 
Additionally, I work as a background musician supporting contestants on the show “America’s Got Talent,” where I have worked for eight seasons. And if that doesn’t make me seem busy enough, I’m also the Instrumental Coordinator and music teacher at Bishop Conaty - Our Lady of Loretto High School, where I teach ensemble and music production.
 
What is your background at ASH?
I was one of the very few ASH students who completed their entire education at the school. I came to ASH in kindergarten with Ann Pleij as my teacher and graduated with the Class of 2014. My father worked for IKEA, which brought my family to the Netherlands and kept us there for nearly eighteen years. I truly couldn’t have asked for a better place to grow up and go to school. Wassenaar and Den Haag were fantastic towns for kids and teenagers to safely bike around and socialize with their friends and family outside of school.
 
What is one of the most valuable things that you took from your time at ASH?
Being an international school, ASH exposed me to a vast array of cultures and perspectives. It taught me that, no matter how “different” people may seem, we’re all very much the same. Having moved and traveled a lot after school, this understanding really helped me when meeting new people and forming new relationships, whether personal or professional, in a new place.
 
Are there any standout moments or people from your time at ASH?
I owe a lot to the amazing faculty at ASH, Mr. Yarnell in particular, who helped and encouraged me to grow, not only as a musician, but also as a young person. I was often challenged, but also guided throughout my academic journey, after-school activities, and clubs. ASH provided me with numerous leadership opportunities that built the foundation for the skills I bring to my professional career today.
 
In terms of memorable moments, there are too many to count. Being a part of the Jesus Christ Superstar production was truly special and is a memory I hold dearly. Additionally, being able to travel to Disneyland Paris every year with the Concert Band and playing music in countries like India, Malaysia, and Switzerland through the AMIS Honor Jazz Band, these are experiences that amaze my current peers when I share them, as most people from other schools never had opportunities like those.
 
How did ASH help shape your path in life?
In my experience, ASH was a school with endless opportunities and activities to get involved in. I was fortunate to discover my interest and love for music at a young age, and my teachers, family, and friends immediately encouraged me to pursue and explore it further.
 
The ASH Arts department was vast and inviting, helping me find my passion and my path after ASH. Furthermore, the arts department prepared me for college. When I enrolled at Berklee College of Music, I was able to skip most freshman classes because of the knowledge and skills I gained through the ASH music department beforehand.
 
I might sound like a broken record when I say all this, but it’s true. All of my teachers took the time to get to know who I was and what my goals were, and they wholeheartedly supported me in reaching them. I remember once having to skip a math class my senior year because I was invited to play bass for the 7th-grade choir’s upcoming performance. They met during my math period, and when I asked my teacher for permission to miss that specific class, he replied, “Jake, I’m not going to stop you from doing what you do best and love the most. Come in during lunch to catch up on what you missed.” Though a small gesture, it meant a lot that my teachers, even outside the music department, were supportive and encouraged me to pursue my passions.
Read More about Jake Courlang ‘14: Turning Music Passion Into A Thriving Career
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