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Clubs Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies, Leadership and Professional
Stages Primary School
Introduction
Theodore International Startup Academy (TISA) in Leiden is an international primary school catering to students aged 3 to 12. Following an English and Dutch bilingual approach, TISA is a candidate school for the IB Primary Years Programme. The school uniquely integrates the TISA MBA program—a 24-module business curriculum where students design entrepreneurial projects and pitch them at the school’s startup fair. Students also choose between specific professional tracks: STEM, focusing on robotics, coding, and 3D modeling, or CAD, emphasizing graphic design, drama, and music. The campus features distinctive resources, including an on-site petting zoo with alpacas, goats, and rabbits to teach animal care. Additionally, the school provides a branded Tesla transfer service for students commuting from nearby areas. Daily schedules feature organic meals prepared by an in-house cook and mandatory sports sessions like jiu-jitsu, ensuring students engage directly with practical skills and hands-on projects.
Annual tuition at Theodore International Startup Academy ranges from EUR 9,800 for 2026/27.
Application fees and registration deposit
- Registration deposit: EUR 500 to confirm an application and secure a place. The deposit is paid at the time of submission of the admission application.
Tuition fees (by year group and per term/month)
- Annual tuition (all primary year groups): EUR 9,800 per academic year. The school lists this single tuition figure for its primary programme (no differentiated tuition by year group is published).
- Monthly instalments: the school bills in monthly instalments; the equivalent monthly instalment shown on the school's grade page is EUR 816 per month.
- Per term (calculation): the school does not publish a formal per-term fee, but for reference EUR 9,800 per year is equal to approximately EUR 3,266.67 if divided into three equal academic terms (EUR 9,800 ÷ 3 = EUR 3,266.67). This is a straight arithmetic division of the published annual tuition.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- School fees must be paid in advance and are collected in monthly instalments. Admission and continuation of education require timely payment. A signed School Fee Agreement is required during the admission process and creates the contractual obligation to pay school fees.
- The registration deposit of EUR 500 is used to confirm registration and the school notes that the deposit counts as payment for the first month once a place is reserved. Hold on a place is maintained for two weeks pending signing of the School Fee Agreement.
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not offered as part of the primary programme; the school operates as a day school with an after-school (BSO) programme. No boarding fees apply.
After‑school care / additional hourly services
- After‑school / BSO fee: EUR 11.69 per hour (the after‑school offer is listed separately from the core tuition and is subsidised under the Dutch BSO system). The after‑school programme is charged on an hourly basis.
Other costs and optional fees
- Lunches: daily healthy, organic warm meals are provided by an in‑house chef; specific meal prices are not published in the core tuition summary. Lunch provision is listed as an available service.
- Extracurricular programmes and clubs (optional): music school lessons, instrument tuition, summer camps and special programmes have separate published prices (for example, the school's music school and summer camp pages list fees for those programmes). These optional programme fees are charged in addition to tuition when selected.
- Uniform and branded merchandise: a school shop / uniform shop is available; uniform and merchandise are sold through the TISA Shop. Specific uniform item prices are listed in the shop at the time of purchase.
- Transfers (optional): school transfer/transport from surrounding areas is offered for an additional cost; families are asked to contact the school for details.
Refund information and withdrawal
- A signed School Fee Agreement is required and governs obligations to pay school fees; the school states that admission requests will only be processed when the School Fee Agreement is signed. The School Fee Agreement sets the contractual terms for fees, withdrawals and any refunds. Specific refund terms and any conditions for refunds are set out in the School Fee Agreement (parents are required to sign that agreement as part of admission).
Academics
Theodore International Startup Academy teaches IB (PYP), Dutch Curriculum for students aged 3 to 12.
Curriculum
TISA Leiden offers three stages: Primary stage (3-12 years) started August 2022; Middle stage (12-16 years) planned start August 2026; Diploma stage (17-18 years) planned start August 2030. The Core programme runs 08:30–13:00 and includes Math, English, Science, Sports, Literature, Dutch, Social Studies, Chess, Languages, Jiu Jitsu, and Choreography; Arts and Craft, Music (Choir & Solfedjio), Drama; Extra: Swimming Lessons. The TISA MBA is a 24-module business education programme for children aged 4–18 that builds 21st-century skills, creativity, entrepreneurial thinking, and leadership; modules include My First Project, Economics through Fairy Tales, Financial Literacy, My Company, Customer Development, Internet of Things. In the afternoon, 13:00–17:30, Professional tracks cover Track 1 STEM and Track 2 CAD. The school emphasises an entrepreneurial mindset and 21st-century skills and combines best practices from education systems across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Events include TISA MBA Conference, STEAM Fest, theatre performances, Jiu-Jitsu tournaments and Assessment Week.
Exam Results
Cambridge Exams are part of the assessment framework, covering G0: Language and Math Development; G1: Literacy and Mathematics; Personal, social and emotional development; and G2/3, G4/5, G6/7: Mathematics, Arithmetic, Reading, Spelling, and Developed Ability. Academic achievements include World Robotics Olympiad podium finishes (e.g., 5th place for Alexander H. and Egor I. in Robosport; 8th place for Fedor K. and Miroslav P.) and WRO Business Projects outcomes, along with rankings in the International Math Olympiad and Leiden chess events.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school runs the TISA MBA program for children aged 4–18 aimed at developing 21st-century skills, creativity, entrepreneurial thinking, and leadership potential. The MBA consists of 24 modules, and students work in teams to develop projects and present them to business experts at startup fairs at the end of each module (December and May). The curriculum includes modules such as My First Project, Creative Thinking, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership, Economics through Fairy Tales, Financial Literacy, My Company, Customer Development, and Internet of Things. The school emphasizes an entrepreneurial mindset and collaboration as core elements of its learning approach. The program also emphasizes social-emotional development through its focus on emotional intelligence and teamwork.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school has a Special Needs Care Group. It provides individualized support for neurodiverse children aged 4–7. The program is designed to support neurodiverse learners within the early years.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Submit the Application. Prospective families must submit the online Admission Application Form and pay a €500 deposit to confirm registration; this deposit serves as payment for the first month's tuition. Applications should ideally be submitted three months prior to the start of a new school year, though they are accepted throughout the academic year. Earlier applications increase the likelihood of enrollment. The TISA academic year runs from September to mid-July. For mid-year entries, student placement is based on the grade most recently completed at the previous school.
2. School Tour/Meeting. The Admission Team carefully reviews each application and schedules a school tour and meeting with the prospective family. The purpose of this meeting is for the school and the family to become acquainted and to address any questions. Tours can be scheduled via the provided calendar link.
3. Sign the Agreement. Following the meeting, the school reserves the applicant's spot—including any applicable discounts—for a period of two weeks, pending the signing of the School Fee Agreement. Once the document is signed, families receive a formal placement confirmation and onboarding instructions for new TISA students. Signing the School Fee Agreement officially confirms the obligation to pay the associated school fees.
FAQs
What age range does TISA serve?
Theodore International Startup Academy serves children aged 3 to 12, with plans for Middle stage (12-16) from 2026 and Diploma stage (17-18) later.
What curriculum does the school follow?
TISA delivers the IB Primary Years Programme and Cambridge Primary framework, with a unique TISA MBA programme developing 21st-century entrepreneurial skills.
How much are the tuition fees?
Annual tuition is EUR 9,800. A EUR 500 registration deposit is required to confirm a place, counting as the first month's payment.
Where is the school located?
TISA is at Lorentzkade 15a, Leiden, in the heart of the city.
What is the TISA MBA?
A 24-module business education programme developing 21st-century skills, creativity, entrepreneurial thinking and leadership for all students.
What is the daily schedule?
Core programme runs 08:30 to 13:00, followed by professional tracks from 13:00 to 17:30 in STEM or CAD (Creative Arts and Design).
Is there SEN support?
Yes, a Special Needs Care Group provides individualised support for neurodiverse children aged 4-7.
Is there a uniform?
Yes, the school has a uniform available through the TISA Shop with delivery to the Leiden campus.
What facilities are available?
The campus includes classrooms, a gym, swimming pool, cafeteria, library, play areas and an outdoor space.
What extracurricular activities are offered?
Activities include Music School on Saturdays with piano, violin and guitar, Jiu Jitsu, dance, drama, swimming lessons and the TISA Math Olympiad.
When did the school open?
TISA Leiden opened in August 2022 for the primary stage and is an IB World School. Owned by Teddy Kids BV.
How do I apply?
Submit the online application and pay the EUR 500 registration deposit. Cambridge assessments are part of the admissions framework.
