Since 1951, the International School of Brussels (ISB) has delivered high quality education to students from countries around the world. Today, with 1350 students aged 3-18, it is widely regarded as one of the world’s premier international schools.
Driven by a powerful mission - Everyone included, Everyone challenged, Everyone successful - ISB looks back with pride at its history, it’s uncompromising commitment to teaching quality, and the values of inclusion and diversity that make it what it is today.
It also looks forward and is constantly looking for new ways to ensure that students have the opportunity, the choices, and the right level of challenge and support to flourish.
Students graduating from ISB attend a range of leading universities around the world.
ISB is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges.
We have organised the information available for this school into 10 sections and 39 questions. Click or tap on the name of each section to read more.
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Number of students
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1350
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Number of nationalities represented in the school
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70
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Most common nationality
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American (21%)
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Ratio of local students to international students
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16% Belgian students. A number of our Belgian students are repatriates and attended international schools elsewhere before moving back to their home country.
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Native English speaking teachers
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Yes
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Language support for students not fluent in English
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English is the main language of instruction and communication at ISB. It is therefore important that all students become proficient in the academic language of the classroom. ISB offers an ELD programme (English Language Development) to enable students to acquire the level of literacy in English needed to access the curriculum in all subjects. An assessment is done upon entry and students will then receive the appropriate ELD programme (Intensive, Intermediate and Advanced). Ongoing assessments allow students to move between levels as their English language skills improve.
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Additional language classes offered by the school
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French, Dutch, Spanish, Japanese.
In addition to the above languages, ISB is offering an expanded range of languages as part of the home language programme after school. The home language programme is designed to support students in maintaining the language and culture of their home country.
Students taking the IBDP have an option to take their native language as a Tutored Language. There are up to 13 Tutored Languages on offer.
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Max. number of students per class
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22
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Average number of students per class
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19-20
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Does the school employ teaching assistants?
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Yes, we have teaching assistants in our Pre-school through Kindergarten classes.
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Use of technology in the classroom
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Every child, from age 3 to 18, is provided with access to age appropriate technology. In the Early Childhood Centre, this means digital cameras, educational games and tablet computers available for use in every classroom.
From grades 3 to 5, students are engaged directly in one to one computing, meaning every student has their own tablet computer for use in the classroom, integrating technology and research skills into the curriculum to complement all units of study.
Students in grades six and above are given their own laptops. These are used in class and at home, bridging the gap between home and classroom ensuring students can be independent in their learning which can occur at any time and in any place.
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Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures)
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Yes, distance learning was implemented for all grade levels during the countrywide lockdown of spring 2020. Currently, it is being used for students needing to quarantine and will be implemented if a lockdown is once again required. Students experience both synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities.
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Do students practice religion at the school? What religion?
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No, we are an international and inclusive school that is made up of students from around the world with all different types of religious and non-religious beliefs.
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How does the school accommodate non-religious students or students of a different religion?
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We are an international and inclusive school that is made up of students from around the world with all different types of religious and non-religious beliefs.
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External examinations or assessments available
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MAP testing, IB
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Do teachers assign homework to their students?
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Yes, as of 2nd grade and the expectation is students complete their work independently. However, as students are kept engaged and busy throughout the school day, the school believes it's more important for students to spend time in the evenings connecting with their families and pursuing activities in which they're passionate.
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Approximate hours of homework given
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It varies by grade level.
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Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation
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Close to 100% will attend higher education. Having a gap year is becoming increasingly popular with some of our students. The school is well equipped to support students wishing to have this experience before going on to their higher educational studies.
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Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs
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ISB accepts students with a broad range of learning and developmental disabilities.
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Learning support offered
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Multidisciplinary teaming is a well-established best practice in the field. Within the team there are experienced professionals with specialized expertise in pedagogical support and mediation of learning and cognitive disabilities, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and counseling.
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The school supports gifted, able and talented students
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Our programme of education is differentiated as of Kindergarten. We have standards and norms we expect students to reach for each grade level. However, there is no ceiling and many of our students perform and work well beyond the grade level expectations.
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Student access to education psychologist
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Yes. We have one Educational Psychologist, five School Counselors and four College and Careers Counselors.
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Entry evaluation for students
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The Head of School evaluates an application along with supporting documents. Placement tests are conducted for High School students after acceptance to determine the best program of study.
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Waiting list
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We sometimes have waiting lists for certain grades. The grades with waiting lists will change depending on the demand for that particular school year.
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Deadline for registration (new academic year)
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We run a rolling admission with no deadlines to apply.
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Students can join after academic year begins
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Yes
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School start time
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Between 8:35 and 8:45 depending on the grade level.
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School finish time
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Between 15:20 and 15:40 depending on the grade level.
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Supervised care before/after school
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ISB provides an extended after school care programme for its students (ages 3-12 years) until 18:00 from Monday to Thursday.
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School bus service available
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Yes, we have close to 30 school buses servicing the southeastern part of Brussels and surrounding areas.
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School provided lunches
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Yes, the school has 2 cafeterias.
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Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc)
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Yes
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Uniform required
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No
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Sports facilities at the school
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Outdoor grass field, and two full-size artificial ones as well as a track for running and field events. Furthermore, there are two indoor tennis courts. In addition to that, there are two large gymnasiums, and an Outdoor Education Centre packed with climbing walls and mountain bikes.
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Qualities and characteristics best defining the school
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With 1350 students aged 3-18 and 70 years of history, ISB is widely regarded as one of the world’s premier international schools.
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Teaching approach of the school
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ISB believes that everybody can learn.
ISB is committed to developing Independent Learners and International Citizens in an environment where all students are included, challenged and successful.
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Learning
We believe that everybody can learn. We are committed to developing Independent Learners and International Citizens in an environment where all students are included, challenged and successful. The ISB learning journey supports students from preschool to grade 12. The school is divided into four Divisions, each of which is specially designed to provide an environment in which students can engage, connect, innovate and be empowered.
Campus
With a 40-acre Campus, set within the Forêt de Soignes, we are also uniquely positioned to offer outstanding learning opportunities in a safe, secure and spectacular environment.
Athletics
ISB provides excellent and varied facilities for our athletes. There are two fields, 'upper' and 'lower', the lower field boasting a baseball diamond and the upper field being sprung for American football, as well as having an athletics track around the outside. There are two indoor gyms and an indoor climbing wall - used for both lessons and ISB Plus - and a tennis bubble with two courts. There is a Raiders Shop where supplies can be bought, and a Raiders cafe which is open on home game days and is staffed by parent and student volunteers. As well as these is our state-of-the-art Fitness Center, which students can use after school once they have completed training.
ISB Plus (Co-curricula)
ISB Plus is the name of our after school co-curricular activities programme, which directly supports the school's Mission. The activities provide opportunities for personal development for students by introducing them to different interests and experiences. It is a safe, inclusive environment where students can learn new skills or perfect existing ones.
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