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The International School of Brussels

Belgium, Brussels

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €22,590 - 49,715
Ages 2 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 1951
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, BTEC Qualification
Taught languages French, Dutch, Spanish, Japanese
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

The International School of Brussels is a private, not-for-profit day school in Belgium for ages 2–18. It offers IB programs (PYP, MYP, DP) along with AP, BTEC, and an American curriculum, with English as language of instruction. French begins at age 2.5, with a bilingual program from Grade 5; additional languages include Dutch, Spanish, and Japanese, and a Home Language Programme integrates languages spoken at home. ISB uses an inquiry-based, personalised learning approach across ECC to High School. Set on a 40-acre forest campus in Forêt de Soignes beside a UNESCO World Heritage site, the campus includes libraries, Arts Annex, theatre, science labs, a digital music classroom, and arts spaces. Sport and outdoor facilities include two gyms, a running track, athletic fields, a dojang, climbing walls, a tennis bubble, and a VUB swimming partnership. ISB Plus offers about 90 activities and 50+ teams, with community service, CAS, and leadership development.

Kattenberg 19, 1170 Watermael-Boitsfort, Belgium

The Essentials

The International School of Brussels has instruction in English.

Location
Kattenberg 19, B-1170 Brussels, Belgium. It is in Watermael-Boitsfort, the south‑east quadrant of Brussels. The 40‑acre campus sits within the Forêt de Soignes and offers extensive outdoor learning facilities; it is easily reachable by car, bus, train and tram.

Stages
Early Childhood Centre (Preschool – Grade 2); Elementary School (Grade 3–6); Middle School (Grade 7–9); High School (Grade 10–12).

Type
Private not-for-profit international day school.

Pupil Nationality Mix
60+ nationalities represented.

Additional learning support
Inclusion & Challenge services provide personalised support for diverse learning needs across all age groups.

Country affiliation
Belgium

Bus service
The ISB Bus Service operates with more than 30 buses serving most parts of the city and surrounding areas. It is available to students from Kindergarten to Grade 12, with BatOnRoute real‑time tracking and bus monitors. Late Bus Service is available for Middle and High School students; bus fees for 2025‑26: Return 3,140 Euro; One way 2,385 Euro.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding is available during Elite Week; beds are limited. Athletes and coaches stay at Auberge des Trois Fontaines, about 10 minutes from the ISB campus, and are supervised by coaches. A bus transports participants between the hostel and ISB; breakfast is provided at the hostel and dinner is eaten with ISB on campus.

Uniform Requirement
There is a dress code for Middle School.

Food Options
The campus includes an Elementary School Cafeteria and a Middle School Cafeteria on site.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a Board of Trustees and is a private not-for-profit international school.
Fees

Annual tuition at The International School of Brussels ranges from EUR 22,590 to EUR 49,715 for 2026/27.

Application fee

- Application fee (all grades): EUR 2,000.

Tuition fees (annual) — by year group

- Preschool (ages 2.5–3): EUR 22,590.
- Pre‑Kindergarten (4 years old): EUR 25,030.
- Kindergarten (5 years old): EUR 37,760.
- Grades 1–2 (ages 6–7): EUR 40,670.
- Grades 3–6 (ages 8–11): EUR 41,400.
- Grades 7–9 (ages 12–14): EUR 46,825.
- Grades 10–12 (ages 15–18): EUR 49,715.
- Intensive Learning Support (for ILS students): EUR 25,155 plus the relevant grade‑level tuition.

Per‑term (how fees are presented and typical payment structure)

- Fees are published and invoiced on an annual basis; the school issues invoices annually in May for the following school year. Because fees are set and invoiced annually, there is no official per‑term charge published. Families may choose the school's instalment plan, which spreads the annual tuition into monthly payments; the instalment plan divides tuition into up to 10 monthly payments (July–April). For simple budgeting, an approximate per‑term figure can be obtained by dividing the annual tuition by the number of academic terms you choose to use for your own budgeting (the school does not publish an official per‑term schedule).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Invoices for the following school year are issued annually in May.
- Invoices for students joining during the school year are issued before the enrolment date.
- Invoices are payable within 30 days of the invoice date or prior to the student's start date.
- The parent (or legal guardian) is always responsible for payment of school fees regardless of any employer arrangements.

Payment methods and terms

- All fees are due and payable in EUR. Payments can be made by bank transfer to The International School of Brussels at BNP Paribas Fortis.
- Bank transfer details (for payments by bank transfer): SWIFT: GEBABEBB; IBAN: BE71 2100 5790 1069.
- Consolidated monthly invoices (for items such as lunch, athletics, music, ISB Plus) can be paid by bank transfer or by direct debit (SEPA mandate).
- There is no published option on the fee page for credit‑card payment; available options shown are bank transfer and SEPA direct debit.

Instalment / payment plan

- A family instalment scheme is available to individuals (not open to companies paying tuition).
- Typical administrative fee: EUR 200 per family, annually.
- The instalment calculation uses the cost of tuition plus an interest rate of 1% above the current EUR Central Bank rate and may be divided into up to 10 monthly instalments (July–April).
- The instalment scheme applies only to tuition fees (does not include bus fees or other related costs).

Bus fees

- Return trip (annual): EUR 3,140.
- One‑way only (annual): EUR 2,385.
- Bus fees are charged annually; there is no reimbursement of bus fees due to an inability to use the service.
- The school offers a separate payment plan for families who would otherwise find it difficult to pay the annual bus fee.

Other costs and optional charges

- Cafeteria: daily lunch is paid through student lunch accounts; a lost lunch card carrying fee of EUR 10 will be billed if a card is lost.
- Co‑curricular activities and ISB Plus: costs for clubs, activities and ISB Plus are optional and billed through the consolidated monthly invoice.
- Musical instrument rental: EUR 210 per year (rental from the school).
- Athletics fees: billed per season/per sport; typical player fees noted are EUR 270 for JV/Varsity teams and EUR 170 for U14 teams (additional travel costs for tournaments billed separately).
- International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme: students taking the IB will be billed for IB exam and administrative fees and any external examination expenses requested by the student.
- Other potential costs (examples): school trips, seasonal team travel, specialty courses, therapy or additional student support services — these are billed as they occur via the consolidated invoice.

Refunds, adjustments and pro‑ration

- Students who leave early: for students who have paid the full tuition (and bus, where applicable) and who leave before the last day of January, 25% of the tuition (and bus) fee will be reimbursed by the school. If a student leaves after the last day of January, there is no reimbursement of fees already paid.
- Students who enrol late: the school publishes monthly pro‑rata amounts by level (the published schedule shows the reduced amounts for each month if a student starts after the academic year begins). The published pro‑rata schedule is used to calculate fees for late enrolment and for partial months; students starting within a month will be asked to pay for the full month.

Boarding

- Boarding is not provided as a standard full‑time option; the International School of Brussels operates as a day school for its student population. (Overnight/boarding arrangements may be referenced only in limited, event‑specific contexts such as camps where temporary overnight accommodation is arranged.)
Academics

The International School of Brussels teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, BTEC Qualification for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
ISB uses English as the main language of instruction. French is offered from age 2.5, with a French bilingual programme from Grade 5; additional language options include Dutch, Spanish, and Japanese. The Home Language Programme integrates languages spoken at home into the curriculum. The curriculum is flexible and inquiry-based, with personalised learning pathways across ECC to High School.

Student Teacher Ratio
7:1

Exam Results
IB Diploma results for 2025 show 160 graduates, 141 IB Exams taken, 118 Diploma candidates, 27% of IB Courses with accommodations, an average IBDP score of 35, a 100% pass rate, 49% bilingual diplomas, and an average Course score of 5.5. AP results show 84 students (Grades 9–12) completed 136 exams in 13 subjects, with an average AP score of 3.84, 90% of exams scoring 3 or higher, 103 students taking AP Exams, 19 AP subjects taught, and 44% achieving a perfect score of 5. BTEC results show a 100% pass rate with 2 pathways offered and 33 students taking BTEC, with 27 students working towards external BTEC qualifications.

Higher Education Progression
ISB offers five graduation pathways, including IB Diploma, AP, BTEC, US Diploma, and another pathway. Universities worldwide offered ISB students places in 2024-25, demonstrating strong progression to higher education globally.

Gifted and Talented
The Inclusion & Challenge Department provides High-Ability Programmes for advanced learners.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
ISB provides school-wide counselling services to support students and families. A dedicated Inclusion & Challenge Department brings together specialists in Learning Support, Counselling, Psychological Services, and Health to address academic, personal, and social needs. A Multidisciplinary Student Study Team develops tailored strategies to help students thrive. The school's approach promotes wellbeing through accessible professional support across grade levels.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
An Inclusion & Challenge Department coordinates Learning Support and High-Ability Programmes to meet diverse learning needs. The department develops tailored strategies for individual students and collaborates with families and teachers to support learning. A multidisciplinary approach ensures appropriate challenge and support across age groups.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English Language Development (ELD) supports students who are still developing English, with specialist ELD teachers providing tailored in- and out-of-class support. Home Language Programme offers seven languages in the Lower School (Dutch, French, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Swedish) and five in the Upper School, integrating language for learning and reading skills. ISB's bilingual learning pathways begin with French from 2.5 years old and may extend to core subjects taught in French or bilingual diplomas.

Mental Wellbeing
Counselling services at ISB proactively support students and parents on academic, personal, social, and career topics. Psychological Services provide personalised plans based on in‑house assessments and collaboration with external professionals, with strong links to local mental health experts. Health Services employ nurses, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists to maintain a healthy learning environment.

Safeguarding
ISB is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of students. The school has a Board‑approved Code of Conduct and Child Protection Policy aligned with international safeguarding standards. The Designated Safeguarding Lead coordinates the Safeguarding Committee and implements practical procedures. Training on child protection occurs annually, and all staff undergo vetting, including a Certificate of Good Standing from Belgian authorities.
Parent Experience

History
ISB was established in 1951 as a not-for-profit organisation and is the oldest international school in Belgium. It began as The American School of Brussels, moved to Boitsfort, and in 1953 the Château des Fougères lease was signed and the official name was changed to The International School of Brussels. The High School division opened in 1960, and the first senior graduating class occurred in 1962. The first ISB International Festival was organized by the PTA in 1977.

Community
Community engagement is a core part of the ISB learning experience, rooted in global citizenship and respect for our local environment and its people. From human rights projects and volunteering in the Lower School to the CAS programme in the Upper School, students participate in meaningful volunteer work on campus and with local organisations. This involvement fosters social awareness, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to making a difference. ISB reports 6,200 total hours volunteered, 480 students involved, 27 base community engagement partners, 6,900 meals, 500 winter care kits, 1,100 hygiene packages, and 1,100 feminine hygiene packages provided.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The first ISB International Festival was organized by the PTA in 1977. The festival ran from 1977 to 1979. In 1978 the Métairie building was acquired and added to the campus to house the music and High School French programmes. In 1979 the tennis courts were added.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The International School of Brussels sits on a 40-acre campus in the Forêt de Soignes. The campus is set in a forest setting and is steps away from a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It includes the Early Childhood Centre, Elementary School, Middle School, and High School buildings, libraries, an Arts Annex, and spaces for theatre and the arts. There are science, music, and visual arts spaces across the campus, including a digital music classroom and theatre spaces. Athletics and outdoor learning spaces complement the academic spaces, and the campus provides a safe bus service and easy access to public transport.

Sports Facilities
ISB has extensive athletics facilities including two gyms, two athletics fields, a running track, a fitness room, and a Strongbox outdoor gym. A dojang for martial arts, a tennis bubble, indoor rock-climbing walls, and a dance studio are also on site. The forest setting provides trails for training in nature. ISB offers swimming courses through a partnership with Brussels University (VUB) in facilities provided by the partner university. Swimming is available from Grade 3, and track, cross country, and tennis begin from Grade 5.

Academic Facilities
The campus includes Middle School Science Laboratory and High School Science Laboratory. There are digital music classrooms and dedicated arts spaces, including a theatre, an arts annex, and visual arts classrooms. Middle School Library and High School Library provide learning spaces for students. The campus also features the ICC studio and high school atrium and commons. Library, science, music, and arts facilities are integrated across the school's departmental buildings.

Extra Curricular Facilities
ISB offers after-school activities through the ISB Plus Programme. The Athletics Programme includes over 50 competitive teams across 15 sports. Swimming, track, cross country, and tennis are available at various grade levels. Camps are run in English and are open to both ISB and non-ISB participants. The ISB Plus and camps programs provide a broad range of activities beyond the classroom.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
ISB Plus Programme of after-school activities helps students discover passions outside the classroom. The co-curricular programme offers around 90 activities across three seasons for all grade levels, providing opportunities for personal development beyond the curriculum. It provides a safe, inclusive space for students to learn new skills, refine existing ones, and explore their passions.

Arts & Creative
ISB Plus offers arts and creative activities including Arts & Crafts, Drama, Ballet, Modern Dance, Textile Design, Digital Discovery, Comic Book Discovery, Creative Photography, and Filmmaking. Activities renew each season to keep students engaged, with Upper School offerings expanding into additional creative options. Through theatre, film, music, and visual arts, ISB students explore their imagination and develop their unique artistic voice.

Cultural & Language
English is the main language of instruction. French lessons are offered from age 2.5, with a bilingual French programme from Grade 5 onward. Additional language options include Dutch, Spanish, and Japanese, and ISB offers a Home Language Programme that integrates languages spoken at home into the curriculum.

Social & Hobbies
ISB Plus includes a wide range of after-school activities to suit varied interests. The Supervision Programme provides a safe, fun space with board games, drawing, and puzzles for younger students, plus monthly activity themes such as story time, sing-a-longs, and crafts. Lower and Upper School activities include Arts & Crafts, Badminton, Ballet, Basketball, Chess, Climbing, Digital Discovery, Drama, Fencing, Modern Dance, Move & Explore, Tennis, Textile Design, and more.

Community & Service
Community engagement is a core part of the ISB learning experience, including human rights projects and volunteering in the Lower School and a CAS programme in the Upper School. Students participate in meaningful volunteer work on campus and with local organisations. Current ISB projects include supporting homeless, low-income, elderly, and refugee communities; organizing monthly activities for refugee children and for children living in social care; serving meals and providing kits to those in need; and engaging with local Red Cross and other service activities.

Leadership & Professional
The school runs a CAS programme in the Upper School for creativity, activity, and service experiences. ISB also maintains a Leadership Team led by the Director, with Heads of Elementary, Middle, and High School and senior directors overseeing curriculum, inclusion, and student life. The Director of Athletics and Activities leads sports and activities, reflecting the school's emphasis on leadership and co-curricular opportunities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
ISB Athletics offers over 15 sports and more than 50 competitive teams, enabling students to try multiple activities and often become three-sport athletes. The facilities include two gyms, two athletics fields, a running track, a fitness room, a Strongbox outdoor gym, a dojang for martial arts, a tennis bubble, indoor rock-climbing walls, and a dance studio. The school also partners with Brussels Sports Association for swimming courses at state-of-the-art facilities.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the primary teaching language. The Home Language Programme offers seven languages in the Lower School: Dutch, French, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Swedish, and five languages in the Upper School. The English Language Development (ELD) programme supports multilingual learners to access the curriculum.

Bilingual Teaching
ISB offers multiple pathways to bilingualism. French is introduced at 2.5 years old. From Grade 5, students who have reached an appropriate level of French proficiency (as well native speakers) can study some core curriculum subjects in French. In High School, a significant number of students graduate with a bilingual diploma, studying language and literature in either their Home Language and English or French and English. Bilingual learning opportunities exist up to Grade 10 and are supported by the Home Language Programme.

Immersion Programs
ISB provides immersion through bilingual learning pathways and the Home Language Programme. From Grade 5, some core curriculum subjects can be studied in French. The Home Language Programme offers seven languages in the Lower School and five languages in the Upper School, integrated into weekly timetables.
Reputation

Accreditations
The school is accredited by the International Baccalaureate, the Council of International Schools, and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Submit the ISB admissions application with the required application fee. The application form must be accompanied by the application fee, and applications will not be processed until the full application fee is paid. If the application is withdrawn, 50% of the fee is refunded; if a Financial Aid application is denied or the family does not accept the offer and withdraws, 75% is refunded; if a completed application is placed in a waiting pool for 60 days and the family cancels, a full refund is available. 2. After the completed application is received, an admission decision is typically issued within 7 to 10 working days. A decision may be delayed if additional information is needed or during school-holiday periods. 3. Students can join ISB at any point during the school year, typically before 1 May. A suitable start date is determined in collaboration with the family and approved by the Head of School. IB Diploma students cannot begin after the beginning of October if their courses are not transferable to ISB. 4. Grade-level placement is based on the prior educational experience and the student's age. In some cases, a placement test may be given to accurately place a student. 5. The ISB Bus Service is the most popular transport for commuting to and from school. Some students may use public transportation, ride a bike, or be dropped off and picked up by their parents. 6. ISB runs waiting lists when necessary. When classes are full, a waiting pool for the affected class is opened, and the Admissions Team explains how waiting pools are managed. 7. ISB offers a limited number of financial aid opportunities each year based on eligibility criteria. ISB also provides an English Language Development Programme at all levels to support non-English-speaking students. 8. ISB has an Inclusion and Challenge Programme to meet learning needs and ensure appropriate placement. 9. The school day hours vary by section: ECC Preschool 08:40–15:30 (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri) and 08:40–12:30 (Wed); ECC Pre-Kindergarten 08:40–15:30 (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri) and 08:40–12:30 (Wed); ECC Kindergarten–Grade 2 08:40–15:35; Elementary School 08:40–15:35; Middle School 08:35–15:40; High School 08:35–15:40.

Scholarships
ISB offers a Financial Aid Programme to assist families experiencing temporary financial hardship; the aid is primarily designed for existing families and is available for a maximum of two consecutive years. Applications for Financial Aid must be submitted with the regular ISB application and supporting materials, and are considered up to March 31 until the budget is exhausted. ISB also offers a Scholarship Programme for merit-based scholarships open to students of all nationalities; these scholarships are offered for two consecutive years for Grades 7–12 and are designed to provide access to ISB for students not currently in the ISB community; scholarship criteria include English skills, high achievement in English, alignment with ISB's values and mission, overall academic achievement, and demonstrated talents. All scholarship applicants must complete the Scholarship Programme Form and attach supporting materials. Applications for the next school year should be received by March 31. The Scholarship Committee includes the School Director, the Director of Advancement, the Director of Finance and Operations, the Finance Manager, and an Academic Panel. For further questions about scholarships, contact the Admissions Office.

Waitlist
Yes, ISB runs waiting lists when classes are full. A waiting pool is opened for the affected class, and the Admissions Team explains how waiting pools are managed. Waiting lists help accommodate students when space becomes available.
School Events
The school has not added events
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