2026 International School Institute
International School of Amsterdam
45 SportlaanAmstelveen, Noord-Holland 1185
Netherlands
Our commitment to supporting international admission and enrollment professionals has never been stronger. That’s why we are excited to offer an Institute intentionally designed for those working in and with international schools. Whether you are a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey in admissions, you will find professional learning experiences tailored to your needs.
We are delighted to invite you to the AISAP International School Institute, taking place October 19-20, 2026 at the prestigious International School of Amsterdam. This two-day experience offers a unique opportunity to engage in high-quality, globally relevant professional development while connecting with a dynamic community of peers from international schools around the world.
Through thoughtfully designed sessions, collaborative discussions, and shared experiences, participants will explore the opportunities and challenges unique to international enrollment, leaving with practical strategies and meaningful connections to support their work.
Registration Options
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Registration Options
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Price |
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AISAP Member Registration
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$495.00 |
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Non-Member Registration
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$595.00 |
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Additional Attendee Registration
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$375.00 |
Amstelveen Grand Hotel – This hotel is located quite close to the school in the suburb of Amstelveen. There is a shuttle bus (based on availability) for a limited fee to (AM Only) the school on weekdays if you book directly with them on check-in. Discount only available when booking directly with the hotel.
Cityden - Stadshart Amstelveen - 89 fully equipped Apartments & Studios with all hotel facilities: gym, sauna, Restaurant & Bar Lucia’s, minimart & 3 modern meeting rooms. Located next to the (shopping center) Amstelveense Stadshart, Cityden Stadshart is located very centrally and next to the Amsterdam Forest. The neighbourhood is well connected with the rest of the city. With a bus and tram stop just around the corner, guests are only a couple of minutes away from Amsterdam Zuidas, Amsterdam’s De Pijp and the old city centre of Amsterdam and Amstelveen. Discount only available when booking directly with the hotel, please use our Cityden promo code (2026ISA)!
Cityden - Zuidas Amsterdam - Located on the border between Amstelveen and Amsterdam. 134 fully equipped Apartments & Studios with all hotel facilities: gym, sauna, Restaurant & Bar Lucia’s, minimart & rooftop terrace. Located on the border of Amsterdam south, Cityden Zuidas in Amstelveen is near the high-rise buildings of Amsterdam’s financial district and the greenery of the Amsterdam Forest. With a tram stop just a stone’s throw away and several parking spots behind the building guests are just minutes away from Amsterdam Zuidas, Amsterdam’s De Pijp and the old city centre of Amsterdam and Amstelveen. For reservations, please use our promo code with Cityden (2026ISA)!
De Ware Jacob Hotel – This delightful 19-room boutique hotel in the cultural heart of Amsterdam elegantly blends classic with contemporary design. The ornate building dates back to 1910 and is the former home of nobles and dignitaries. The hotel is located in the museum quarter of Amsterdam, close to the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
Holiday Inn – The Holiday Inn is just on the outskirts of Amsterdam and has easy access to public transportation.
IBIS Budget Hotel – This hotel is right on the border of Amsterdam & Amstelveen and just a couple of stops away from ISA.
Julia True
Head of Admissions and Advancement
International School of Amsterdam
With over twenty years of experience in admissions and enrollment management, Julia serves as the Admissions & Advancement Director at the International School of Amsterdam. In this role, she oversees enrollment, communications, and alumni relations while supporting the school’s mission to educate for international understanding.
Julia previously spent six years on the Education Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS) Special Interest Group for Admissions, serving four as Chair. Through partnerships with the AISAP, she helped deliver International Schools Admissions Institutes in Europe and led cohort groups for AISAP events.
A certified CAEP professional and ISM International Advancement Professional, Julia received AISAP’s 2022 Vision and Values Award for outstanding leadership. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and practicing hot yoga.
Kathleen Visconti
Head of School
Tessa International School
Kathleen has a BA in Special Education and K-8 Education and began her career as a special needs teacher in Florida, focusing on emotional and learning differences. She has her MA in Administration and Supervision, and principal’s certification in NY. Kathleen is a recent graduate fellow of The Klingenstein Heads of School at Columbia University. Kathleen moved to Europe and taught in a small international school in Genoa, Italy and at The University of Genoa.
She moved to Silicon Valley, CA, and continued as Admissions Director before moving to DC as the Enrollment Director at Washington International School, which had both the IB and immersion in Spanish, French, and Dutch. She has led in two of the biggest international schools in the USA and has been in senior leadership for over 30 years. In 2024, Kathleen was appointed as a global ambassador for the National Association of Independent Schools International Global Leadership Board. She is proud to serve NAIS, of which she is a member.
Mary Hastings Moore
Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
Washington International School
Mary Hastings Moore is the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Washington International School. She holds a B.A. and M.A. art history from George Washington University. Before joining the WIS staff in 2003, she worked for over 12 years in marketing and sales for two telecommunications service companies. She also worked for five years in the membership office of the American Association of Museums.
Eleanor Shaw
Associate Director of Admissions & Financial Aid
Washington International School
Eleanor has worked in independent schools in the United States for over 15 years. Beginning her career as an early childhood educator, she has spent the last 7 years working with families applying to the Primary School and for financial aid as part of the Admissions Team at Washington International School in Washington, D.C. Eleanor holds a MA in Education from the University of Virginia and a BA from The College of William and Mary.
Christopher R. Tompkins
Principal
Horizon Private School
Christopher R. Tompkins is Principal of Horizon Private School – American Branch in Abu Dhabi, a PK–12 school of 1,800 students within the Alephya Group of Schools. In his 36th year in education, he has led independent, international, boarding, and Episcopal schools across North America, Latin America, and the Middle East, with consulting in Asia and Africa. Previously, as Founding Executive Director of EC-12 Education at NEOM in Saudi Arabia, he designed and launched NEOM Community School and NEOM Oxagon School, building innovative programs in AI, personalized learning, and International Baccalaureate education.
Before NEOM, he served as Head of School at The Tatnall School, Episcopal Collegiate School, and The Perkiomen School. A Partner at Educational Directions, founder of Hunterbrook Education Services, and a Klingenstein Center Fellow, Tompkins is a graduate of Colby College and Syracuse’s Maxwell School. Guided by the question his mother asked him after school—“What questions did you ask your teachers today?”—he speaks widely on school design, innovation, enrollment, and financial aid.
Patrick Shuermann
Innovative Programming Strategist
Strategic Compensation Partners
Patrick Schuermann is fortunate to have a 30-year career cultivating leadership in individuals and organizations that span Kindergarten through Doctoral level initiatives in both the public and private sectors. He has worked with high-level international leaders on programs to support leadership development in educators, schools, and students across the globe. Patrick has authored numerous articles, commissioned reports, books, and documentaries on leadership. A commitment to capturing the nuance of context, and to building programs with deep respect for local cultures and expertise, have been a hallmark of Patrick’s career as a professor, practitioner, and professional development program designer and facilitator.
Presently, Patrick serves as the Chief Academic Officer and VP for Strategic Partnerships at OptimaEd– a team dedicated to developing leading-edge immersive learning experiences for educators and students by leveraging VR & spatial computing platforms. Originally from Winter Park, Florida, Patrick holds B.S. and M.A. degrees from Furman University and a Doctorate in Education Leadership and Public Policy from Vanderbilt.
Christina Adamopoulou
Head of Admissions and Marketing
The British School of Amsterdam
Christina is a seasoned marketing leader with expertise in marketing strategy and digital marketing practices across both B2B and B2C organizations. With extensive experience crafting marketing strategies and executing digital campaigns, she has led high-performing teams to successfully deliver campaigns focused on business growth. She has held leadership roles in various organizations throughout her career, demonstrating her versatility and proficiency in brand proposition development, customer experience design, brand awareness, sales process optimization, and reputation management.
Christina brings eight years of experience in the education sector, where she played a pivotal role in collaborating with Admissions teams and senior stakeholders, orchestrating successful events that prioritize customer experience, and facilitating the conversion of prospective families into enrollments. Her approach involves executing highly effective marketing campaigns, meticulously focused on delivering tangible results and driving enrollment growth.
Tina Bittendorfer
Admissions Office Coordinator
The International School of Amsterdam
Hi! I’m Tina Bittendorfer, the Admissions Office Coordinator at the International School of Amsterdam. I’ve been with the school since 2007, managing day-to-day office operations, refining our enrollment processes, and working alongside our Admissions Officers and school divisions to welcome new families. Before joining the world of education, I worked as a certified chef—so when I'm not in the admissions office, you'll usually find me trying out new restaurants or cooking up a feast for family and friends!
Alina Dorner
Admissions Officer
The International School of Amsterdam
My name is Alina and I have been part of the ISA community for 14 years, serving the last four in the Admissions Office. Having relocated with my husband and two young children 16 years ago, ISA quickly became a second family to us. Prior to moving, I worked as an in-house legal counsel for a bank. Today, I apply that same analytical rigor and attention to detail to guide new families through the application process and ensure a smooth transition into our vibrant school community. In my free time I enjoy traveling, reading and keeping up with my adult children.
