Quick summary of key school information
All the details about this school in their own words
Nationalities
Number of students |
Over 1300 |
Number of nationalities represented in the school |
More than 65 |
Most common nationality |
North American (25%) |
Ratio of local students to international students |
16% Belgian students. A number of our Belgian students are repatriates and attended international schools elsewhere before moving back to their home country. |
Languages
Native English speaking teachers |
Yes |
Language support for students not fluent in English |
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. |
Additional language classes offered by the school |
French, Dutch, Spanish, Japanese.
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Classroom
Max. number of students per class |
22 |
Average number of students per class |
19-20 |
Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes, we have teaching assistants in our Preschool through Kindergarten classes. |
Use of technology in the classroom |
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 are available for use in every classroom.
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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) |
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. |
Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
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. |
How does the school accommodate non-religious students or students of a different religion? |
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. |
Academics
External examinations or assessments available |
MAP testing, IB |
Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
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. |
Approximate hours of homework given |
It varies by grade level. |
Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
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. |
Student support
Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
ISB accepts students with a broad range of learning and developmental disabilities. |
Learning support offered |
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. |
The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
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. |
Student access to education psychologist |
Yes. We have one Educational Psychologist, five School Counselors and four College and Careers Counselors. |
Admissions
Entry evaluation for students |
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. |
Waiting list |
We sometimes have waiting lists for certain grades. The grades with waiting lists will change depending on the demand for that particular school year. |
Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
We run a rolling admission with no deadlines to apply. |
Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes |
School day
School start time |
Between 8:35 and 8:45 depending on the grade level. |
School finish time |
Between 15:20 and 15:40 depending on the grade level. |
Supervised care before/after school |
ISB provides an extended after school care programme for its students (ages 3-12 years) until 18:00 from Monday to Thursday. |
School bus service available |
Yes, we have close to 30 school buses servicing the southeastern part of Brussels and surrounding areas. |
School provided lunches |
Yes, the school has 2 cafeterias. |
Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Yes |
Uniform required |
No |
Extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
A wide range of extra-curricular activities are offered for all grades. Activities fall under five general categories: Art, Outdoor, Active, Interest and Language. Activities include Art, Chinese, Chess, Climbing, Coding, Cooking, Dance, Drama, Fashion and Textile, Fencing, Home Language, Math, Martial Arts, MUN, Music, Robotics, Science, Soccer, Speech and Debate, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga ... |
Sports activities included |
American football, badminton, baseball, basketball, dance, cross country, field hockey, fitness club, golf, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball |
Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Yes. We have one of the largest international school athletics programme in all of Europe, offering 15 sports and 53 competitive teams. The competitive sports teams are cross country, field hockey, American football, soccer, tennis, volleyball, basketball, rugby, swimming, lacrosse, baseball, softball, track and field and golf. |
Facilities
Facilities at the school |
Two Libraries; a Theatre with a Lights booth and several rooms for rehearsal, classes, costumes; Science Labs in the Upper School; several Music rooms; 5 Visual Arts rooms, and 2 Design & Tech rooms. |
Sports facilities at the school |
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. |
About the school
Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
With over 1300 students aged 3-18 and 70 years of history, ISB is widely regarded as one of the world’s premier international schools. |
Teaching approach of the school |
ISB believes that everybody can learn.
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