Frequently Asked Questions

For questions about academic concerns, or issues in the classroom – please email the mentor.

For questions about organisation and daily affairs, phone 050 5340084 or email the reception info@isgroningen.com

Students do not wear a school uniform. However, we do ask them to dress respectfully and be considerate to others.

No, there is no school transport offered. Students usually travel to school using public transportation or by bike. International School Groningen is located only 10 minutes by car from the Groningen Central Station. Buses 50, 51 run regularly between the school and the city centre.

Bullying is one of the things that interferes with our golden rule at International School Groningen: Teachers should be allowed to teach, and students should be allowed to learn. The school does not tolerate bullying. If your child is a victim of bullying it is vital that he or she or you contact the mentor or school management. Then the school can take action to prevent further unhappiness. Our full anti-bullying policy is described in the school brochure.

No, we do not offer boarding facilities.

ISG is committed to helping all students no matter what their academic ability may be. However, we do have limitations as we are a small school. Parents should disclose their child’s SEN needs when applying, so we can evaluate if we are able to offer the support needed. We reserve the right to withdraw an offer of admission (or exclude the student) from the school at any future date in the event the information provided is not accurate, or if important information regarding the student has not been disclosed or has been withheld.

For the Middle Years Programme we accept applications throughout the school year. However, we do have a limit to the number of students we can admit per class (22), so the earlier the application is completed the greater the chance that the child will be offered a place.

For the Diploma Programme, applications should be completed by the end of May, in order to join the following school year in August-September. Students must be living in the Netherlands to start. We cannot accept students to the programme after it has started.

The application fee is a non-refundable fee that enables us to cover the administrative costs of the application process. It will not be deducted from the school fees should a place be offered. It will also not be refunded if you decide to withdraw your child from the application process or from the school after they have started.

International School Groningen is not able to apply for a visa on behalf of any student. The IND (Dutch Immigration Department) will not issue a visa to a minor unless they are moving to the Netherlands with a parent/legal guardian who already has a work contract in place.

Some of our students do not speak English when they arrive, and our teachers are trained in helping them adjust to their new environment. ISG provides English as an additional Language (EAL) to students who need some extra help. However, students applying for the Diploma Programme should display a high level of spoken and written English skills.

All text and literature books are provided by the school. Students should have their own dictionaries (Dutch/English and French/English). Books belonging to the school should be covered with a protective layer and kept carefully. They should be named in the label in the front of the book. Books must be returned on departure and usually at the end of each school year.

All students in MYP1-4 (2024/5) are expected to have their own laptop. These are offered at a very competitive price and can be ordered from the school. They include a comprehensive warranty.

Books that are lost or returned damaged will be replaced by the school, however, the cost of replacement will be charged to parents.

The school portal (Managebac) is an online reporting and information system. It provides parents and students a way of checking assignments and looking at grades and reports. A login can be acquired from the school. Any questions about the school portal can be mailed to  managebac@maartens.nl 

Students can be dropped off at the entrance to the Maartenscollege, on Hemmenlaan. The parking lot behind the Shell garage on the Rijksstraatweg can also be used as a drop off/collection point.

Please email the attendance officer at isgabsent@maartens.nl before 08:15 to let us know your child is sick. If your child is going to be sick for a longer period, please let us know, and also when you expect them to be back in school.

Dutch law has very specific regulations about requesting leave. Please check these carefully on the special leave form “Request for extra leave”.<link to PDF> If you wish to request leave, send the completed form to isgabsent@maartens.nl. All requests need to be approved by the head of school, or their representative, before you make further travel arrangements.

There is a special form you can complete three months prior to your departure: “The formal notification of leaving”. Please note that we are bound by specific regulations for removing the registration of your child. All of these regulations are given and explained in the school guide.