We welcome children in a spirit of understanding and tolerance in our diverse and multicultural school. We find ourselves to be a caring community that supports them to become a compassionate committed global citizen. We feel it’s exciting to grow by learning, which is at the core of everything we do.
We challenge children to realise their full potential and provide opportunities to discover and develop their unique talents. We support our students to be responsible for - and committed to - their own learning, so they will become lifelong learners who enjoy learning. We make learning visible and children are experiencing their growth. This inspires fun in learning and develops self-determination, self-regulation, ownership and empowerment in the learning process.
We house both the Dutch and international department. The Dutch department of De Optimist has approximately 300 students divided into 13 groups. Our international department has approximately 70 students divided into 7 groups. Our team consists of approximately 40 staff members, including specialist staff and student trainees (we are a training school for students in education).
Our classes
Class sizes are relatively small for greater personal attention to every pupil’s learning needs. We approach our students in a positive and constructive manner. We aim to act as role models to give your child the best possible guidance and education.
Teaming up with parents
We believe education is a combined effort of parents, students, teachers, and community working together. We consider parents as partners in our education. We feel it’s important to collaborate, for example to discuss the development and educational needs. There are also possibilities for parents to be active in school activities or the participation council. Involvement of parents gives a positive signal to students and a sense of belonging. We also collaborate with professionals in education and specialists, externally and internally. Externally for example with youth health care. Internally we have our own specialists, for example in math, curriculum enrichment, child coaching, behavior, reading, a talent coach and a Special Educational Needs Coordinator. Besides that we have partnerships with specialist teachers like music and singing teachers, Spanish teacher or sports.
Our international team
Our staff reflects the interculturality and international mindedness of our school with as many as 8 nationalities among our members of staff. Please meet our team.
School Board SOPOH
Our school is part of the foundation Stichting Openbaar Primair Onderwijs Haarlemmermeer, a public primary education institution - a branch of the municipality of Haarlemmermeer. This school board governs 22 schools in Haarlemmermeer. Here you can find more information about SOPOH. Unfortunately the website is in Dutch only.
Member of Dutch International Primary Schools (DIPS)
We are a member of the DIPS. Dutch International Primary Schools have two things in common:
- There is the connection with the mother school, which is Dutch education and the Dutch language. All international schools have an integration programme that is run together with the mother school.
- There is a high level of focus on international education, with English as the language of instruction. All schools are member of the either IB Primary Year Program, (IB-PYP) or the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). This gives us the opportunity to really work together in a community of Dutch International Schools.
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