As we approach the end of another school year, our community is looking ahead to an exciting new chapter.
What began in 2018 as Optimist International School has grown into an international learning community where students from around the world learn, grow and thrive together. Next school year marks an important milestone in that journey as we officially continue as Optimist International Academy (OIA).
This change reflects more than a new name. It represents the next step in our commitment to providing a continuous, high-quality international education for families living in the Netherlands.
Over the years, our community has grown alongside the international population of the Haarlemmermeer region. Many families have shared the same wish with us: the opportunity for their children to continue their educational journey within the same supportive and internationally minded environment.
From August 2026, that vision becomes a reality.
For the first time, OIA Secondary will open its doors, offering the first years of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students aged 11 to 13. Together with our Primary programme, this creates the foundation of a continuous learning pathway that will continue to expand in the years ahead.
At the same time, another important development is taking place. After a period of operating across two locations, our entire Primary community will be reunited on a single campus at Dussenstraat in Hoofddorp. Bringing students, families and staff together in one location will strengthen collaboration, create new opportunities for connection and reinforce the strong sense of community that has always been at the heart of our school.
Next year also marks the beginning of our transition to the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework. While this is an exciting step forward, it is also a natural continuation of who we already are. Inquiry, international-mindedness, multilingualism, inclusion and student wellbeing have long been central to our educational approach. The IB framework strengthens these foundations while providing one coherent learning journey from Primary through Secondary.
At OIA, we believe that education is about much more than academic success. We want students to develop curiosity, confidence, resilience and a genuine understanding of the world around them. We want them to feel known, valued and supported as individuals while learning alongside peers from many different cultures and backgrounds.
As we look ahead, we are grateful for the trust and support of our students, families, staff and partners who have helped shape our community over the years.
The future of Optimist International Academy is beginning to take shape, and we are excited to welcome both familiar and new faces into this next chapter together.