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International School of Bergen

Norway, Bergen

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees NOK 13,200 - 202,700
Ages 1 - 16 years
Pupil numbers 250
Type Co-educational
Opened 1975
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP)
Taught languages Norwegian, French
Typical class size 18
Strengths STEM, Outdoor Education, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Primary School, Secondary School, Kindergarten
Introduction

Located in Sandsli, The International School of Bergen (ISB) is a private, coeducational day school for ages 1 to 16 offering the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). The Early Childhood Centre teaches in English and blends the Norwegian Framework Plan for Kindergartens with the IB PYP. Lower School follows the PYP, while Upper School delivers the MYP. Founded in 1975 as the American School, ISB now serves a diverse community and operates from a modernised campus (renovated in 2019) that includes a welcoming library, art rooms, a science laboratory and dedicated visual arts spaces. On-site gym facilities are complemented by neighborhood swimming pool and ice rink, with Bergen's countryside used as an extended classroom. ISB maintains partnerships with the City of Bergen and local organizations, supports a wide range of ASAs, and runs the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award for Grade 9 participation.

Sandslihaugen 36, 5254 Sandsli, Norway

The Essentials

International School of Bergen has 250 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English.

Location
ISB is located at Sandslihaugen 36, 5254 Sandsli, Norway. The school provides an internationally accredited education serving the business and Bergen communities, and fosters intercultural understanding and respect for human rights toward a more tolerant, peaceful and globally responsible society. The school is organized into three sections: Early Childhood Centre (Preschool 1&2, Preschool 3&4 and Kindergarten), Lower School (grades 1–5), and Upper School (grades 6–10).

Stages
The school is divided into three sections: Early Childhood Centre; Lower School; Upper School.

Type
Private, coeducational day school offering IB programmes (Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme).

Additional learning support
Learning Services and Learning and Wellbeing Support Services (LWSS) provide support for learners and wellbeing.

School day structure
After-School Activities start at 15:05 and finish at 16:05 unless otherwise stated.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school is a day school; no boarding services are offered.

Food Options
Lunch boxes are required in the Early Childhood Centre; students bring lunch from home.

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

Annual tuition at International School of Bergen ranges from NOK 13,200 to NOK 202,700 for 2026/27.

Application / Admission fees
- Admission fee for all new students admitted to Grades 1–10: NOK 2,500 per child. If two or more children are admitted at the same time the admission fee is NOK 5,000. The admission fee is a one-off, non-refundable charge and does not apply to families who already have a child enrolled at the school.

Early deposit / acceptance
- An initial deposit is billed together with the admission fee when a family accepts an offer of placement. The early deposit is non‑refundable. Acceptance of an offered place must be completed through the admissions portal within the school's stated acceptance period.

Tuition fees (school year 2026/27) — structure and billing
- Billing structure shown below applies to invoices issued for the 2026/2027 academic year. Annual tuition, the amount if settled in August (2.5% rebate where applicable), and the invoiced monthly amount (invoices issued August through June) are shown for each category. Monthly invoicing is arranged as 11 monthly invoices (August through June); payment due dates are indicated below.

Early Childhood Centre (ECC)
- ECC (5 days): Annual tuition NOK 13,200; August settlement NOK 13,200; invoiced monthly NOK 1,200 (August through June). ECC tuition is aligned with Bergen Kommune rules and may be subject to municipal regulation. ECC before- and after-school supervision (07:30–09:00 and 15:00–16:30) is provided free of additional charge. Students who enrol after the start of a month are charged for the entire month; no tuition refunds are given for incomplete fractions of a month.

Grades 1–10 — tuition categories (annual / August settlement / monthly)
- Tuition B1 (Internationally mobile families residing in Bergen kommune, residing in Norway fewer than three years): Grade 1–10 — Annual NOK 149,044 / August settlement NOK 145,418 / Monthly NOK 13,550. Sibling reduction (second sibling) 25%: Annual NOK 111,783 / August settlement NOK 108,988 / Monthly NOK 10,163.

- Tuition B2 (Families residing outside Bergen kommune): Grade 1–10 — Annual NOK 202,700 / August settlement NOK 197,633 / Monthly NOK 18,428. No sibling reduction for B2.

- Tuition C1 (Local fee for families working for not‑for‑profit organisations; prioritized ahead of C2): Grades 1–7 — Annual NOK 84,857 / August settlement NOK 82,736 / Monthly NOK 7,715. Grades 8–10 — Annual NOK 95,935 / August settlement NOK 93,537 / Monthly NOK 8,722. Sibling reduction of 25% applies for C1 families; sibling C1 annual and monthly amounts are shown in the published schedule.

- Tuition C2 (Local fee for families with Norwegian citizenship or families resident in Norway more than three years): Same published figures as C1 for 2026/27 (Grades 1–7 and Grades 8–10) with sibling reductions where indicated in the published schedule. Families in C2 are lowest priority for seat allocation.

Discounts and sibling reductions
- A 2.5% rebate is applied to annual tuition for Grades 1–10 if the annual tuition account is settled by the August settlement date (payment by August 15). The August settlement column shown above reflects that rebate amount. Sibling reductions (25%) apply for specified categories (B1 where stated and C1/C2 where stated) and do not apply to Tuition B2.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Invoices for annual or monthly tuition are issued for the period August through June. Annual settlement is due on August 15; monthly invoices are due on the 15th of each month (August through June). Students enrolling after the start of a month are charged for the entire month in which they enrol. No tuition refunds are given for uncompleted fractions of a month. Supervision (where charged) is billed monthly and is non‑refundable for partial months.

Supervision / before-and-after-school care (Grades 1–4)
- Extended supervision for Grades 1–4 (paid service): Morning & Afternoon — Annual NOK 20,267 (invoice per month NOK 1,843). Morning only — Annual NOK 12,156 (invoice per month NOK 1,106). Afternoon only — Annual NOK 12,156 (invoice per month NOK 1,106). Supervision hours: 07:30–08:45 and 15:00–16:30. Payment for supervision is billed separately on a monthly basis; no refunds for partial months. ECC supervision within standard hours is provided free of additional charge.

Other costs and optional charges
- After-school activities (ASAs): ASAs are run by independent providers and are charged separately. Parents sign up and pay ASA providers directly on a term‑by‑term basis. ASAs are therefore an additional, optional cost outside published tuition.

- Trips and specialist excursions: Certain school trips, expedition staffing (for programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh adventurous journey) and some extracurricular trips incur additional charges. The Duke of Edinburgh Bronze-level registration carries a registration charge equivalent to GBP 50 (the registration fee for the award). Expedition staffing and specific trip costs are charged as required.

- School supplies and kit: Parents are expected to supply standard stationery, swim kit, PE kit and appropriate outdoor clothing as listed on the supply lists published for ECC, Lower School and Upper School; these items are an additional parental cost. No mandatory school uniform or uniform fee is specified in the published supply lists; the published supply lists request that all clothing and personal items be labelled.

Refunds and non‑refundable items
- The admission fee (NOK 2,500 per child or NOK 5,000 for two or more children) is non‑refundable. Early deposit charged at acceptance is non‑refundable. No tuition refunds are given for uncompleted fractions of a month for students who depart mid‑month. Supervision fees are billed monthly and are non‑refundable for incomplete fractions of a month. These non‑refund rules apply across the published fee schedule.

Boarding
- Boarding is not available; the school operates as a day school only.

Fee payment: invoicing and how payment is processed
- The school issues invoices for the admission fee, deposits and tuition according to the billing schedule (annual August settlement or monthly invoicing August through June). An invoice for the admission fee and initial deposit is issued after an offer of placement is accepted. Specific payment methods are arranged through the invoice and the school's admissions/finance office as part of the enrolment and billing process. Parents receive invoice details and payment instructions from the school's admissions and finance offices.
Academics

International School of Bergen teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP) for students aged 1 to 16.

Curriculum
ISB uses the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum across its divisions. Lower School (Grades 1–5) follows the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). The Units of Inquiry make up ISB's Programme of Inquiry and use the IB's Transdisciplinary Themes to structure learning. Upper School (Grades 6–10) follows the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). The Early Childhood Centre blends the Norwegian Framework Plan for Kindergartens with the IB Primary Years Programme, and the language of instruction in the ECC is English.

Exam Results
Norwegian national tests are carried out in Grades 5, 8 and 9 in Numeracy, Reading and English, with ISB students exempt from English tests. ISA (International Schools' Assessment) is administered annually in Grades 3, 5, 7 and 9; ISA results indicate ISB students compare favourably with peers in other international schools and with the PISA results for individual nations.

Higher Education Progression
ISB prepares students for Diploma programmes and United World Colleges (UWC). The Erasmus+ exchange programme provides opportunities for international experience.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Learning and Wellbeing Support Services (LWSS) team provides support for every student's personal, social, emotional and educational needs. The LWSS team includes the School Counselor, the IENS Coordinator, and the English Learning Support (ELS) Coordinator, and works closely with the School Nurse. The LWSS emphasizes early contact with students and parents to discuss wellbeing and progress. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process of developing a healthy approach to school, work, and life through self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills. ISB enables students to respect themselves, others, and the learning, social, and natural environments, aims to maintain positive social relationships, develop emotional intelligence, and achieve personal success in school and life, and delivers this through the International Baccalaureate programme.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
At ISB, students may experience learning challenges or additional needs. The Individual Educational Needs Support Coordinator (IENS) works with home room and subject teachers to ensure appropriate support. This includes differentiated resources, in-class support, team teaching, and 1:1 programmes, including writing and providing Individual Student Support Plans. The IENS Coordinator acts as facilitator between the school, parents and outside services, such as Pedagogisk Psykologisk Tjeneste (PPT) and Barn og Ungdoms Psykiatri (BUP).

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is the language of instruction at ISB. Students who come to ISB without fluency in English are given the help necessary to ensure that they can fully benefit from the school programme as quickly as possible. Help may be in-class support, special ELS classes with a specialist teacher, an English Language-focused programme, or a combination of the two. English Language Support (ELS) is offered to all students who have been recognised as needing additional support in reading, writing or speaking English, and the ELS Coordinator and teachers work closely with subject and homeroom teachers to develop individualised learning plans.

Mental Wellbeing
The School Counselor provides personal counselling as well as academic and whole-class counselling support and acts as an advocate for student concerns. The LWSS coordinates Social-Emotional Learning programs with Home Room teachers. The team also supports transitioning students and their families to promote wellbeing and stability throughout school life.

Safeguarding
The Child Protection Policy places the safety and well-being of our students at the heart of ISB. It outlines procedures for child protection, legislation and guidance, and related policies, and appoints a Child Protection Officer. Staff receive ongoing training, including ECIS Level 2 Certificate in Child Protection, with robust referrals to relevant agencies. The policy recognises that some students are at increased risk, including those with SEN or English as an additional language, and commits to anti-discriminatory practices and safeguarding for all students.
Parent Experience

History
The International School of Bergen began in 1975 as the American School, known as the Little Red School House on the Fjords, with 17 students from Kindergarten through Grade 3. In the mid-1980s it changed its name to the International School of Bergen and earned international accreditation to reflect the changing, more diverse student body. Enrollment grew from 17 to about 250 students representing nearly forty nations, and the school provides instruction for ages 1 to 16 with an international rather than American curriculum; facilities are located at Sandsli. The school maintains a mission to provide internationally accredited education serving Bergen's business and local communities.

Community
The school has a Parent-Teacher Organisation (PTO) that provides additional resources and improves facilities through fundraising, funding school supplies, equipment, field trips, and enrichment programs. All ISB parents/guardians and school staff are automatic members, and the PTO meets regularly at the school. Funds raised are returned to students as field trips, enrichment programs, and other activities beyond the classroom. The PTO strengthens community through family fun events and school performances, and volunteers help in many roles. New families are supported with a Welcome Booklet, and the PTO Charter outlines its objectives: being goodwill ambassadors, fundraising for school projects, organizing events for children, parents and the community, and supporting the school when the wider community is involved.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The PTO provides resources and improves facilities through fundraising to pay for school supplies, equipment, field trips, and enrichment programs. All ISB parents/guardians and school staff are automatic members, and the PTO meets regularly at the school. Funds raised are returned to students as field trips, enrichment programs, and other activities beyond the classroom. The PTO strengthens community through family fun events and school performances, and volunteers help in many roles. New families are supported with a Welcome Booklet, the PTO Charter outlines its objectives—being goodwill ambassadors, fundraising for school projects, organizing events for children, parents and the community—and PTO events are publicized through the school calendar, weekly newsletter, and social media.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The International School of Bergen is situated in a calm residential area in Sandsli, 15 kilometers outside the city centre of Bergen. The school building was modernised and renovated in 2019. It houses the three sections: the Early Childhood Centre, Lower School and Upper School. In addition to individual classrooms, ISB facilities include an inviting library, art rooms, a well-equipped science laboratory and a gymnasium. The school uses neighborhood facilities such as a swimming pool and an ice rink, and Bergen's countryside is used as an extended classroom. The school premises are provided through a long-standing partnership with the City of Bergen and partnerships with local business organizations such as the Bergen Chamber of Trade and Commerce and Business Region Bergen.

Sports Facilities
The on-site gymnasium supports physical education. Students also access neighborhood facilities including a swimming pool and an ice rink, as well as other local sports venues. Bergen's countryside is used as an extended classroom for outdoor and experiential learning. The school maintains a long-standing partnership with the City of Bergen to provide premises and facilities.

Academic Facilities
The school is organised into three sections: the Early Childhood Centre, Lower School and Upper School. On-site facilities include a welcoming library, art rooms, a well-equipped science laboratory and dedicated visual arts rooms for both Lower School and Upper School. The building was modernised and renovated in 2019. The school uses neighbourhood facilities for additional learning spaces.

Extra Curricular Facilities
ISB offers a diverse range of after-school activities, including drama, coding, robotics and art. ASAs start after school at 15:00, except on Wednesdays when they start at 14:00. Parents sign up and pay for courses directly with the ASA provider on a term-to-term basis. ASAs are run by independent providers who provide a police certificate and sign the child protection policy. The schedule includes clubs such as Guitar Lessons, Drawing Class, STEAM Robotic with Lego Education Spike, YoungCoderz Coding, Chess (to return), Basketball, Origami, Kids Art Club and Math & Technology Club. The Duke of Edinburgh International Award is offered to all students in grade 9 at ISB with Bronze level; progress is logged in Online Record Book and includes an adventurous journey with training, with a registration fee of £50.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
ISB offers the Duke of Edinburgh International Award to all Grade 9 students; the award has four sections including an adventurous journey, and progress is logged in an Online Record Book. The Bronze Award is offered at ISB, with the option to continue to silver and gold at other institutions. The program emphasises independence, personal interests and service.

Arts & Creative
ISB provides after-school activities in drama, coding, robotics and art. Examples include Guitar Lessons for Grades 1–4, Drawing Class for Grades 1–7, STEAM Robotics with LEGO Education SPIKE, Origami Class, Kids Art Club and a Math & Technology Club.

Cultural & Language
ISB hosts cultural events such as UN Night and International Food Night. The Community Cove library supports learning with around 12,500 resources and access to Destiny, NewsBank, Britannica Online and Google.

Social & Hobbies
After-school activities include Chess Club, YoungCoderz coding clubs, Basketball for various grades, Origami, Kids Art Club and more, offering opportunities for social and hobby interests.

Community & Service
The Parent-Teacher Organisation raises funds for field trips and enrichment programs; Community Cove relies on volunteers; ISB conducts Impact Projects and partnerships to support learning outside the classroom.

Leadership & Professional
Duke of Edinburgh International Award fosters leadership, resilience and planning; ISB hosts student and university internships through its internship program and Erasmus partnership; ISB has a Board of Trustees and an active PTO that supports school life.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sports facilities include gym space and basketball; Support Services provide social-emotional learning, counselors, English as a Second Language support and learning support; ISB hosts community events such as Welcome Back BBQ and International celebrations to promote wellbeing and community.
Languages

Language Provision
English language learners receive support from a dedicated Learning and Wellbeing team. All students learn Norwegian with a differentiated approach that yields positive results reflected in Norwegian National Tests. ISB delivers aspects of the Norwegian National curriculum and has been approved by UDIR. ISB uses the Norwegian Framework in our ECC.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Application Process: Pre-school and Kindergarten admissions are in collaboration with Bergen Kommune's central database; parents apply using the ISB application form at isbergen.openapply.com in addition to the Bergen Kommune application forms; if Norwegian is difficult, information is available in other languages or contact the School Office; Grades 1–10 must complete the ISB application form in addition to submitting school records for two complete years showing evidence of formal schooling, including any available Individual Education Plans; ISB Admission Fee: new students in grades 1–10 accepting a place for the school year 2023–2024 or later will be charged 2500 NOK; admission and enrolment fees are non-refundable; if two or more students are admitted at the same time, the admission fee is 5000 NOK.

2. Placement Process: The Placement Process determines the grade a student will enter, based on learning needs, social development and chronological age, using an age-to-grade mapping. A formal offer of enrolment may be made after information from Steps 1 and 2 is received and validated. For placement, required items include samples of student work/portfolio (which can be brought on the day of the visit), information about previous placement and anticipated length of stay in Norway, standardised test results if available, and for students in grades 2–10 the specified form will be sent electronically to the previous school through Open Apply.

3. Welcome and Transition: Once assigned to a class, ISB informs the teacher about the new enrolment and appoints a buddy to help the student adjust to the new environment.

Scholarships
ISB does not offer scholarships. In Grade 1–10 a sibling reduction of 25% is offered for families who pay Tuition C.
School Events
The school has not added events
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