The International School of Brussels (ISB), founded in 1951, is an independent, nonprofit day school, which offers an international education for students from age three to 19 for students of all nationalities.
Organization: The board of trustees has approximately 14 members and three to four ex-officio members. There are also a number of honorary trustees. All the trustees are volunteers. To ensure continuity and an institutional memory in a population with a 25% turnover each year, the board strives for a balance of long-term and short-term members. Board members are appointed for three-year renewable terms, with a maximum length of service of nine years. The board has representation from different nationalities to reflect the school’s international population. Each member serves on one of the standing committees or on an ad hoc committee, depending on his or her area of expertise.
Curriculum: The school has an international curriculum that aligns with its mission, “Everyone Included, Everyone Challenged, Everyone Successful,” and aims to develop independent learners and international citizens. While the language of instruction is English, ISB also has an extensive home language program and host country languages such as French are taught from the age of five. In addition, there is an extensive English-as-a-Second-Language program. All students who complete our high school program receive a U.S. high school diploma, which may consist of our own accredited courses as well as a mix of our flexible pathway offerings by the International Baccalaureate (Courses, Diploma Program or Career-Related Program), College Board (Advanced Placement) or Pearson (BTEC). Students in our Individualized Learning Support program receive the ISB Individualized Diploma. 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 education in the arts, with extensive programs in the visual and performing arts. ISB offers a summer camp and a wide range of extracurricular activities, including an outdoor-education international award program. The school is also highly committed to learning through technology with all students from grade 3 provided with mobile devices. ISB is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council of International Schools.
Faculty: In the 2022-2023 school year, ISB has 278 total staff including 188 teachers, 52 of whom are U.S. citizens, 40 host-country nationals, and 96 third-country nationals.
Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, enrollment was 1,300. Of the total, 245 were U.S. citizens, 227 were host-country nationals, and 828 were third-country nationals, representing 65 nationalities.
Facilities: ISB occupies an outstanding campus comprising 45 acres of woodland situated in the southeast end of Brussels. The campus houses the four school divisions, from early childhood center to high school and the school’s administrative hub, the Chateau de Fougères. ISB has excellent facilities, including two multipurpose gyms, two all-weather sports fields, an athletic track, a fitness center, an indoor climbing wall, and covered tennis courts. Vehicle access is strictly controlled, and all adults wear security badges. The campus is fenced and 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 2022-2023 school year, annual tuition ranges from €19,955-€43,065. (All fees quoted in euros.)
Special Needs: Download the Special Needs Profile (2023 Special Needs Profile- Belgium, Brussels) for this school to learn more about their capability to support students with exceptionalities.
This Fact Sheet is intended to provide general information. Prospective users of the schools may wish to inquire further of A/OPR/OS or contact the school directly for more specific and up-to-the-minute information. Information and statistics are current as of September 2022 and are provided by the school.