Belgium, Brussels: International School of Brussels
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The Office of Overseas Schools
Washington, DC
International School of Brussels
Web: www.isb.be
2008-2009
The International School of Brussels (ISB), founded in 1951, is an independent, non-profit day school which offers an international education for students from age 2 ½ to 19 for students of all nationalities.
Curriculum: The School has developed a coherent international curriculum designed to develop independent learners and international citizens, the two outcomes which are the heart of the School’s mission statement. The language of instruction is English with French being taught from the age of five. There is an extensive English-as-a-Second-Language program. Other languages include Dutch, Spanish and Japanese. High School prepares students for the International Baccalaureate Diploma, the Advance Placement International Diploma, the ISB Academic and General High School Diplomas and the ISB Individualized Diploma for students graduating from the schools graduating from the school’s special education program. Ninety-five percent of ISB graduates continue on to higher education in colleges and universities around the world. ISB has developed a model learning support program, driven by its mission of inclusion, challenge and success for every individual. The program serves students with mild to severe cognitive and developmental disabilities and has been substantially supported by the Office of Overseas Schools. The School has the largest competitive athletics program in Europe, including the only American Football program in a European international school. It is equally committed to aesthetic education, with extensive programs in the visual and performing arts. ISB offers a Summer School and a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including an outdoor education program that offers the International Award, as well as adventure trips during vacations.
ISB is deeply committed to environmental education and is a ‘vision ‘partner’ with major organizations in developing environmental policy. The school is also highly committed to learning through technology, with all middle and high school students provided with tablet PC’s and the whole campus operating as a wireless environment. ISB is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council of International Schools.
Faculty: In the 2008-2009 school year, there are 157 full-time faculty members and 44 part-time faculty members representing 20 nationalities. Of the total, 67 are US citizens.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2008-2009school year, enrollment was 1,462. Of the total, 346 were U.S. citizens, 133 were host-country nationals and 983 were third-country nationals, representing 62 nationalities. Of the U.S. total, 81 were dependents of U.S. government direct-hire employees.
Facilities: ISB occupies an outstanding campus comprising 45 acres of woodland situated in the south east end of Brussels. The campus houses the four school divisions, from Early Childhood Center to High School, together with the International Community Centre which offers a range of adult learning options, and the school’s administrative hub, the Chateau de Fougères. ISB has outstanding facilities, including two multi-purpose gyms, two all-weather sports fields, an athletic track, a fitness center, an indoor climbing wall and covered tennis courts. The school has recently upgraded its security systems with support from the Department of State. Vehicle access is strictly controlled and all adults wear security badges. The campus is supervised by an efficient security team and monitored by cctv. This upgrade is purely preventive, and has not affected the welcoming atmosphere of the school or physical beauty of the campus.
Finances: In the 2008-2009 school year, annual tuition ranges from €12,400-€27,500. (All fees are quoted in euros.)
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