A: ASH is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
At ASH we understand that moving to a new school and a new country can come with many questions, so we've compiled the most frequently asked ones below. Please contact our Admissions team if you have any further questions.
A: Although Americans do make up 28% of our student body, nearly 80 nationalities are currently represented at ASH.
A: It depends. There is no English prerequisite for children entering preschool through grade 6. Students in grades 7 and 8 should have had some exposure to English, although it is not necessary to be fluent. Students in grades 9 and 10 should be approaching grade level fluency. Students entering grades 11 and 12 must be able to manage the curriculum in place without support. Language support is limited at the high school level, so students entering grades 9 to 12 will need to take an English assessment before we are able to determine eligibility for admission.
A. Our youngest learners at the Early Childhood Center (preschool to grade 1) operate on a 8:45 - 15:15 schedule with a 14:30 early dismissal on Wednesday. Grade 2 students (also located at the Early Childhood Center) begin their day at 8:30 and finish at 15:15, with a 14:30 early dismissal on Wednesday. Grades 3 to 12 (on the main campus) operate on a 8:30 - 15:30 schedule with a 14:45 early dismissal on Wednesday.
A: There are 180 instructional days in the school calendar, which runs from mid-August to mid-June. New student orientation generally occurs the 2nd week of August.
A: On school days we provide after school care for children ages 3 to 14, beginning at school dismissal time and ending at 18:30.
A: No, although we do enforce a dress code requiring students to dress reasonably and in good taste. Further information concerning the dress codes can be found in the student handbook.
A: 77 percent of our ASH families live in Wassenaar. The remaining families live around The Hague and Leiden.
A: Our students have the option of bringing their food from home, or purchasing hot and cold meals, and snacks from the school cafeteria using their SmartCard. Eurest manages all ASH food services and provides a wide range of healthy food options following the ASH Nutrition Policy.
A: Bike riding is a way of life in the Netherlands and 72 percent of our students cycle to school, using excellent cycle paths, bike traffic lights, and signs especially for cyclists. Our campus bike sheds can accommodate up to 1000 bikes.
A: ASH provides transportation for all school-sponsored field trips. We also coordinate an optional bus service with an outside contractor for our students commuting to and from school using modern, safe and comfortable buses. Bus routes service families in most areas surrounding Wassenaar.
A: Dutch is part of the curriculum in elementary school and we offer various levels, from beginning to advanced. Middle school students may choose Dutch, French or Spanish. High school has the addition of German. There are also after-school lessons and clubs offered as part of our co-curriculars program.
A: We do not offer sibling discounts.
A: Since most parents have specific questions unique to their individual situation, we typically conduct personal appointments. The admissions office takes appointments on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. In order to experience the school in session, we host the first appointment at 9:00 and the last appointment at 14:00.
A: We have both. At ASH, we value learning diversity as a rich resource for building inclusive communities, align the learning experience with the needs of each student, and work closely with parents to support their child’s unique learning preferences. Find out more about these programs and inclusion at ASH here.
A: Yes, we do. We offer the full IB Diploma Programme in grades 11 and 12, and our students can choose to participate or construct a personalized program from a combination of courses around their interests and passions. Find out more about the IB program here.
A: ASH is proud to have AP courses in our curriculum offering and is the only international school in the Netherlands to offer this program. Find out more about the AP program here.
A: We offer a choice of 10 different sports to participate in across our three playing seasons (fall, winter and spring). Visit our Athletics section to find out more.
A: We have a range of different Arts programs on offer including: choir, string orchestra, band, theater and dance, photography and yearbook. We also offer a rich menu of co-curricular options. To learn more, visit our Arts section.
THE ASH MISSION
We build a better world as we become better human beings, hear and value every voice, keep every promise, and celebrate every achievement.
THE ASH VISION
We are determined to create a school where everyone is confident and able to take control of their own learning, and the world is our classroom.