Bringing Our Community Together at the Dussenstraat
Over the past year, our school community has shown remarkable flexibility, resilience and support for one another. As many families know, Optimist International School has temporarily been operating across two locations while continuing to grow. Although this solution allowed us to welcome new students and families, we also know that being split as a school community has not always been ideal for students, teachers and parents.
We are therefore incredibly grateful for the way our community has navigated this period. The dedication of our teachers, the adaptability of our students and the ongoing support from families have made it possible to keep building a strong and positive learning environment, even during a time of transition.
Today we are very happy to share an important next step.
By Anne-Marie van Holst, Director of OIS
Moving to Dussenstraat!
Starting next school year, Optimist International School (Optimist International Academy (OIA) Primary) will be fully located at our campus on the Dussenstraat in Floriande. This means that our entire primary school community will once again be together in one building.
The move marks an exciting moment in the development of the school. We will have our own wing with our own entrance in the building. This new space will provide a dedicated and welcoming environment for our school community. The campus includes generous learning spaces, multiple large outdoor play areas, great sports facilities and shared areas that allow the school community to come together.
Another important advantage is the location itself. The new campus is situated just across the street from OIA Secondary, which is hosted at the Haarlemmermeer Lyceum. This proximity strengthens the connection between our primary and secondary programmes and creates a clearer pathway for students as they continue their educational journey within the Optimist community.
The Dussenstraat campus is conveniently located in the Floriande Centre district, making it easily accessible for both families and staff. This prime location provides the added benefit of nearby services such as child & youth care (GGD), the library and shops and ample parking, ensuring a practical and efficient solution for the school community. It’s also in close proximity to after school care provision.
Additionally, UniKidz, our partner for out-of-school care (BSO), will continue to be housed in our wing. Currently temporarily located in the corridor at Dussenstraat, they will have their own dedicated space in classrooms next school year.
Alongside the move, we are also working on an exciting next step in the development of our learning environment. Together with project facilitators Maar Bouwmanagement and interior architect De Ontwerpbar, we are currently developing a renewed look and feel for Optimist International Academy, both Primary and Secondary. The goal is to create a calm, inspiring and flexible entrance and learning environments that support curiosity, collaboration and inquiry-based learning for both Primary and Secondary students.
Over the coming months we look forward to sharing more about these plans, including visual impressions of how the spaces will develop.
We are currently considering an adjustment to the school hours for the upcoming year at the Dussenstraat campus. The Participation Council will soon be sending out a parent survey to gather feedback on this proposal. We encourage all parents to participate and share their thoughts.
For us, this move represents much more than simply relocating to another building. It marks an important step in the continued growth of our school and the strengthening of our international learning community.
We are very much looking forward to starting this new chapter together — with all students, teachers and families once again learning and growing side by side.
Further updates and visual impressions of the new spaces will be shared with the community soon. We will also be sharing more practical information, including details about the move, to keep everyone informed and prepared.