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Taught languages English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Latin
Strengths Languages, STEM, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction
European School Bergen is a day school within the European Schools network serving pupils from age 2 to 18. The curriculum follows European Schools framework, with three language sections: English, Dutch and French. All sections share the same syllabuses, ensuring coherence across language groups, while Nursery and Primary classes are taught in the mother tongue. In Secondary, a third language is compulsory from year 1, with German, Dutch and Spanish offered and a fourth option in Year 4. The language focus is complemented by cross-language learning through European Hours in Primary. The school emphasizes science, mathematics, information technology and creative arts, and integrates ICT across lessons. Native-speaking teachers support multilingual education, and distance-learning with European colleagues broadens horizons. Students have access to a well-stocked library, the Europahal sports hall, and a broad programme of cultural, educational and residential activities. The European Baccalaureate anchors the final stages of study for graduates.
European School Bergen has 600 pupils, instruction in English, French, Dutch.
Location
Bergen, North Holland, Netherlands
Stages
Nursery, Primary, Secondary
Type
European School (day school)
Additional learning support
Educational support is available; three levels: General, Moderate and Intensive.
Country affiliation
European Schools network (EU-wide)
School day structure
Nursery and Primary: teaching time 25 hours 30 minutes per week; three language sections (English, Dutch and French); Language 2 is one of the EU working languages (English, French or German) and Language 3 begins in primary; European Hours weekly; secondary day starts at 09:00 and ends around 16:25 with 31–35 lessons per week.
Bus service
Easy transfer from Alkmaar Central train station by bus.
Fees
Annual tuition at European School Bergen ranges from EUR 4,196 to EUR 7,867 for 2026/27.
Application fees - There is no registration or application fee for enrolment at European School Bergen for the 2025/2026 school year.
Tuition fees (annual and per-term) — academic year 2025/2026 All amounts are quoted in euros. - 1st child (full fee, per year): - Nursery Cycle (ages 4–5): € 4,195.57 per year. Per-term/four-equal payments: 25% = € 1,048.89. Per-instalment if using the 6-month instalment option (Oct–Mar): 12.5% = € 524.45. - Primary Cycle (ages 6–10): € 5,768.99 per year. Per-term/four-equal payments: 25% = € 1,442.25. Per-instalment (12.5%): € 721.12. - Secondary Cycle (ages 11–18): € 7,866.78 per year. Per-term/four-equal payments: 25% = € 1,966.70. Per-instalment (12.5%): € 983.35.
- 2nd child (80% of full fee, per year): - Nursery Cycle: € 3,356.46 per year. 25% = € 839.12; 12.5% = € 419.56. - Primary Cycle: € 4,615.19 per year. 25% = € 1,153.80; 12.5% = € 576.90. - Secondary Cycle: € 6,293.42 per year. 25% = € 1,573.36; 12.5% = € 786.68.
- From the 3rd child (60% of full fee, per year): - Nursery Cycle: € 2,517.34 per year. 25% = € 629.34; 12.5% = € 314.67. - Primary Cycle: € 3,461.39 per year. 25% = € 865.35; 12.5% = € 432.67. - Secondary Cycle: € 4,720.07 per year. 25% = € 1,180.02; 12.5% = € 590.01.
- There is also a special-contract school-fee level for businesses (employees' children under a special contract): € 17,226.24 for 2025/26.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Advance payment: an advance of 25% of the annual school fee must be paid before 30 June (this advance is non-refundable and is a condition to register a pupil in the administration). - Invoicing and due dates: the remaining 75% (plus additional costs) is invoiced in September/October and must be paid within one month of the invoice date. If payment is not received within 30 days of issue, an administrative charge of €15 applies and unpaid amounts will be referred to a collection agency (costs charged to the family). - Instalment options for the remaining 75%: - Option 1: remaining 75% may be spread over six instalments (October to March) of 12.5% of the annual fee each; this option requires a signed authorisation allowing the school to deduct payments from your bank account. - Option 2: pay the remaining 75% in three instalments (second term 25% due 31 October; third term 25% due 31 January; fourth term 25% due 31 March). If using this schedule parents must arrange those payments themselves.
Boarding fees - European School Bergen does not operate a boarding programme; no boarding fees apply.
Other compulsory or typical additional costs - School insurance: mandatory, € 5.00 per pupil per year (covers accidents/liability during travel to/from school, the school day and school-organised activities). - Examination fees for Baccalaureate candidates: € 103.20 (extra written BAC exam: additional € 39.71). - Processing of higher education applications: a charge of € 130 or € 260 depending on the countries involved. - Photocopying contribution (2025/2026): Nursery € Nil; Primary € 20.03; Secondary € 40.08. - Lockers: secondary pupils are assigned a locker; locker rent charge € 5.00. - Books and learning materials: - Primary: the school buys most books/equipment; contribution per pupil per year is € 75 (English/French sections) or € 120 (Dutch section). Intermath booklets and some language materials are charged separately. - Secondary: parents order and purchase items on the electronic booklist; some subject-specific books/equipment are charged on the invoice when the school supplies them. - School trips and excursions: contributions charged at the start of the year for planned trips. Typical charges: nursery excursions € 45; primary excursions € 75; P5 primary residential trip additional approx. € 350; various residential trips for secondary years are charged as applicable. These trip charges are invoiced with the school fees at the start of the year (other ad hoc trips are invoiced later). - Class/participation contributions: nursery/class funds and occasional small contributions (example class fund amounts cited in the school guide such as € 40 for nursery and € 75 for primary contributions covering trips/outings, etc.). - Extra-curricular activities: some activities are organised by the Parents' Association and carry separate fees; payment procedures and programme details are managed by the Parents' Association.
Refunds and mid-year starts or departures - The 25% advance payment is not refundable. - Mid-year admissions or early departures are adjusted pro rata: a 10% reduction applies for admissions in November (i.e., the family pays 90% of the annual fee), and each subsequent month attracts a further 10% reduction; pupils who start in June/July pay only 25% of the annual fee. For departures, proportional reductions are applied depending on the month of departure (the financial information provides a month-by-month percentage schedule). Other mandatory costs (insurance, photocopying, etc.) remain payable in full for the whole year.
Fee-payment mechanisms and practical notes - Instalment payments require a signed authorisation form permitting the school to deduct instalments from the parent's bank account; the school issues invoices for the remainder of fees and additional costs which must be paid by the invoice due dates. Late-payment administrative charges apply and unpaid sums may be sent to debt collection.
Dress / uniform - There is no compulsory school uniform. The school maintains a dress standard policy (requirements on modest, safe and appropriate clothing) rather than a mandatory uniform. Charges for a uniform are not included among the listed compulsory school fees.
Academics
European School Bergen teaches Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 4 to 18.
Curriculum
European School Bergen follows the European Schools curriculum with three language sections: English, Dutch and French. All three sections operate under the same curriculum; Primary and Nursery classes are monolingual. Children are taught in their mother tongue and join the appropriate language section when they join the school. In Nursery and Primary, languages are taught through the language section, while in the Secondary Cycle a third language is compulsory from the first year; languages currently offered are German, Dutch and Spanish, with a fourth-language option in Year 4. The syllabuses are the same across language sections and are drawn up by inspectors and teachers and approved by the Board of Governors, aligned with European Union standards. In the Primary cycle, activities such as the 'European Hours' bring together pupils from different language sections for cross-language learning.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The European School Bergen provides wellbeing support through the Care Team, which focuses on the wellbeing of individuals with social, psychological, physical and academic needs. The Care Team offers preventative support where possible and acts quickly when problems arise. A school nurse is on site, and first-aiders are available among staff. A psychologist is on site on a part-time basis to support pupils' mental health and wellbeing. The school emphasises safety, health and pupil care as a priority in daily life and school activities. Activities and trips provide opportunities for social development and inclusion within a multilingual community.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Opportunities exist for pupils who need extra help or who are new to the school and do not yet have all the language skills required. Pupils are evaluated at the start of the year to identify language and other support needs. Pupils with more intensive support needs follow a defined procedure. Screening tests are used to determine fit for the school, and a trial day is encouraged for new admissions. The admissions process itself includes language and support considerations as part of placement.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The curriculum is delivered in English, French and Dutch. A second language is introduced from the start of the primary cycle. In the secondary cycle, pupils begin with a third language and may later choose a fourth language and Latin, subject to numbers and availability. English is the most popular Language 2 and is expected to be at a high level by the final examinations. The European School Bergen recognises the European Baccalaureate across the European Union, facilitating university entry.
Mental Wellbeing
The safety, health and security of pupils are priorities. A school nurse is on site, and there are first-aiders among staff. A psychologist is on site on a part-time basis. The Care Team in the secondary cycle provides support for wellbeing, covering social, psychological, physical and academic issues, and offers preventative help where possible and quick response when problems arise. Pupils can access support through the Care Team when needed.
Safeguarding
Safety and safeguarding are priorities at ES Bergen. A school nurse is on site, and first-aiders are available. A psychologist is on site on a part-time basis to support pupil welfare. The Care Team provides safeguarding-related support for pupils with social, psychological, physical or academic issues. The team offers preventative help and rapid response to problems.
Admissions
Admissions
European School Bergen is an international school in the Netherlands. To apply, complete the Enquiry for Admission Form and we will contact you as soon as possible. Admission criteria: pupils must be four years old, or turn four during the starting calendar year; screening tests determine fit based on age and level; a trial day is encouraged for Nursery, Primary, or Secondary entrants. Dutch pupils: special rules apply; all Dutch applications require approval by inspectors from the Ministry of Education; we can advise on whether a place is feasible. Fees for 2025-26: Nursery (4-5) €4,195.57; Primary (6-10) €5,768.99; Secondary (11-18) €7,866.78. For the creche (2-3), contact Little Europe. Second child (80% of full fees): Nursery €3,356.46; Primary €4,615.19; Secondary €6,293.42. Third child (60% of full fees): Nursery €2,517.34; Primary €3,461.39; Secondary €4,720.07. If you already have a child enrolled at the school before September 2013, contact us to check the fees. Special contract for businesses allows the mother tongue to be Language 1; the annual fee under this contract is €17,226.24. Scholarships (bourses scolaires) are available for families with low incomes for children enrolled in AEFE schools; scholarships are awarded based on financial and patrimonial situation, family composition, and the burden of tuition on the family budget; these funds are paid directly to the school.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for families with low incomes for children enrolled in AEFE schools. They are awarded based on the financial and patrimonial situation of families, their composition and the financial burden of tuition on the family budget. They are paid directly to the school.
FAQs
What age range does European School Bergen serve?
European School Bergen serves pupils from age 2 to 18 across Nursery, Primary and Secondary cycles.
What curriculum does the school follow?
The school follows the European Schools curriculum with three language sections: English, Dutch and French. All sections share the same syllabuses. The European Baccalaureate is the leaving qualification.
How much are the tuition fees?
Fees for the first child range from EUR 4,196 for Nursery to EUR 7,867 for Secondary per year. Sibling discounts of 50% for the second child and 75% for the third apply.
What languages are taught?
Pupils are taught in their mother tongue section (English, Dutch or French). A second EU working language is introduced in Primary, a third language in Secondary Year 1, and a fourth language option is available from Year 4. Latin is also offered.
Is there an application fee?
No, there is no registration or application fee for enrolment at European School Bergen.
What are the school hours?
Nursery and Primary have 25 hours 30 minutes of teaching time per week. The school is accessible by bus from Alkmaar Central train station.
What learning support is available?
Educational support operates at three levels: General, Moderate and Intensive. Screening tests are used at admission to determine language and support needs, and new pupils may have a trial day.
Is there a school psychologist?
Yes, a psychologist is on site on a part-time basis. The Care Team supports pupils with social, psychological, physical and academic needs. A school nurse and trained first-aiders are also available.
What extracurricular activities are offered?
Activities take place on Wednesday and Friday afternoons, organised by the Parents' Association. Options include sports, ceramics, IT, typing and philosophy. Regular musicals, plays and competitions are also held.
When was the school founded?
European School Bergen opened on 16 October 1963 to support the Joint Research Centre in Petten. It began in a temporary wooden building with five nursery and five primary pupils.
How do I apply?
Complete the Enquiry for Admission Form. Admission requires pupils to be aged four or turning four during the starting calendar year. Screening tests determine fit based on language and support needs.
Are there canteen facilities?
Yes, canteen meals are available. Nursery and younger Primary pupils may bring packed lunch or sign up for hot lunches. Older Primary pupils use the canteen, and meals can be bought at the Luna Rossa cafeteria.
