Lifelong Learning Special
Amsterdam International Community School:
LEARNING IS AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO
At the Amsterdam International Community School (AICS), creating community both
locally and nationally. The the biggest
within the school and with the neighbourhood is central to its mission. This growing
change is that Dutch education is steadily
organization will open a new campus on Arent Janszoon Ernststraat in early 2022
moving closer to international education.”
and is looking forward to a period of strengthening its core. Principal Rynette de Villiers says there are too few hours in the day to get to all our ideas, but also that the
Less is more
whole team is brimming with positive energy and enjoying every minute.
In the Netherlands, a shift seems to be taking place at various levels of education.
AICS has been in a perpetual growth
four months and is very excited about the
According to Rynette, towards more
phase. Soon, the community school will
prospects to make a difference on a large
inquiry-based learning methods. Primary
have three campuses altogether, two of
scale. “It’s a challenge at multiple levels in
schools are doing more learning through
which are under development and will
this city that I love and have called home
play and secondary education has become
accommodate over 1,300 pupils. Rynette
for 18 years. I’ve seen many things change
more focused on compentencies. “It’s
de Villiers has been principal for just under
in the course of my teaching career, both
in the school-leaving examination that
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