ACE of Brussels vs ISF Waterloo International School
ACE of Brussels and ISF Waterloo International School are both in Brussels, about 10 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge A Levels programmes. ACE of Brussels also offers Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary) and Cambridge International AS Levels, and ISF Waterloo International School also offers IPC. Published annual fees are €13,999 - 35,490 at ACE of Brussels and €14,020 - 23,980 at ISF Waterloo International School, which puts ACE of Brussels roughly 30% higher. ACE of Brussels takes pupils from 3 to 18, and ISF Waterloo International School from 0 to 18.
Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Curriculum
IPC (International Primary Curriculum), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils
Pupils
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Pupils
220
Typical class size
Typical class size
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Typical class size
18
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
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Opened
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Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Auderghem, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium. ACE of BRUSSELS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL is located in a château in Auderghem, near NATO and EU institutions. Trams and buses service both ends of the road, and many students walk to the school. Address: Drève du Prieuré 19, Auderghem, Bruxelles 1160.
Location
ISF Waterloo International School is located on the border of Sint-Genesius-Rode (Flanders) and Waterloo (Walloon Region) in Brussels' southern suburbs. The campus comprises five buildings, two large playgrounds with distinct play zones for different age groups, and two car parks. The buildings are named after significant people or places in the Battle of Waterloo.
Stages
Stages
Junior School and Senior School (ages 3–19).
Stages
The school has Early Years (Oranje House) for 2.5–4-year-olds, Primary School (Papelotte Wing) for Year 1–3 (4–6 years old) with Year 5–6 classrooms on the first floor, and Secondary School in the Buonaparte Centre. Blucher House houses the Media & Learning Centre and the Library, with English Language support and access to an Occupational Therapist.
School type
School type
Private Cambridge International School
School type
The school is an international day school with Early Years, Primary School and Secondary School provision, and on-site ISF International Daycare.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
ACE Rising (Reception–Year 6) with a 2:3 adult-to-child ratio; ACE Plus for Senior Students; ACE Connect for ages 3–11 with a 2:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Each child has an Individual Education Plan. Services include occupational therapy, speech therapy, and related supports.
Additional learning support
The school provides English Language support (EAL). The Social Counsellor's office and an Occupational Therapist are available on site.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Belgium
Country affiliation
Belgium
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
School hours are 9:00–15:30 for Primary (9:00–12:30 on Wednesdays) and 8:55–15:45 for Middle & High. Breaks are 10:30–11:00 and 11:30–12:15; lunch is 12:30–13:30 or 13:50–14:05. Before and after school care runs 7:45–8:45 and 15:45–17:30, with Wednesday Primary care 12:30–17:30.
Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
ISF Waterloo offers a bus service with three minibuses (one 19+1 seater and two 8+1 seaters). The tariff is distance-based: under 7 km €3,300; 7–15 km €3,500; 15–25 km €4,000, with a 10% reduction for one-way contracts; routes include Waterloo, Rhode-St-Genese, and Brussels area.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application fee - One-time application fee: EUR 750. Applications are not processed until this fee is paid. The application fee is non-refundable except where the school is unable to offer a place (in which case it will be refunded).
Tuition fees by programme / year group (annual figures and inferred per-term amounts) - ACE START (N1, N2 — ages 3–4) - Full (standard): EUR 27,750 per year. Per term (calculated as the annual fee divided equally into three terms): EUR 9,250.00 per term (derived value). - Reduced (self-funding): EUR 13,999 per year. Per term (derived): EUR 4,666.33 per term.
- JUNIORS (Reception to Year 6) - Full (standard): EUR 33,210 per year. Per term (derived): EUR 11,070.00 per term. - Reduced (self-funding): EUR 17,568 per year. Per term (derived): EUR 5,856.00 per term.
- SENIORS (Year 7 to AS/A level) - Full (standard): EUR 35,490 per year. Per term (derived): EUR 11,830.00 per term. - Reduced (self-funding): EUR 22,040 per year. Per term (derived): EUR 7,346.67 per term.
- ACE RISING (specialist Reception–Year 6 provision) - Full: EUR 50,011 per year. Per term (derived): EUR 16,670.33 per term.
- ACE PLUS (specialist senior provision) - Full: EUR 52,490 per year. Per term (derived): EUR 17,496.67 per term.
- ACE CONNECT (intensive learning support provision) - Full: EUR 52,490 per year. Per term (derived): EUR 17,496.67 per term.
(Per-term amounts above are calculated by dividing the published annual fee by three and are presented as derived values for term-level display.)
Billing schedule and payment terms - Invoices for school fees are issued on 1 May (or immediately after that date) for the coming school year. Payment is due in full or a payment plan must be agreed no later than 15 days after the invoice date. Acceptance of an offered place requires payment within 30 days of receipt of the invoice. Each invoice must be paid in full on or before 15 days of the date indicated on the invoice unless a payment plan is agreed. - Preferred payment methods: online payment or electronic bank transfer to the school's bank account. Any bank charges incurred are payable by the payer. Supplemental charges and additional-service invoices are issued separately and must be paid by electronic transfer. - Late or defaulted payments incur interest at 2% per month on the unpaid balance and a fixed administration indemnity of EUR 125 per unpaid invoice. The school reserves the right to withhold reports or refuse attendance while fees or supplemental charges remain unpaid.
Boarding fees - Boarding is not listed among the school's fee items and no boarding fee schedule is published. The school operates as a day provision; boarding fees are not applicable.
Other costs and additional fees - Garderie (childcare) is charged at EUR 12 per hour. Lunches, snacks, individual music/instrumental/language lessons, examination fees, Cambridge International–related costs, learning support services, uniform (optional school sweatshirts/hoodies available via the school office), trips and extra-curricular activities are not included in the published tuition fees and are invoiced separately as applicable. - Examination fees: private-candidate Cambridge/IGCSE/AS/A-level examination entries are charged per subject; published per-subject examination fees for private entries include an example rate of EUR 300 per subject (exam fees are invoiced separately and are non‑refundable except where allowed by the examination board). - Additional specialist services and therapy fees: examples published by the school include a Sensory Profile service at EUR 50 and sensory-room sessions from EUR 25 for 45 minutes. These and other specialist services are charged separately.
Refunds, withdrawals and cancellations (fee consequences) - The application fee is non-refundable unless the school is unable to offer a place, in which case it will be refunded. - Annual re-enrolment is automatic unless the school's Notification of Withdrawal form is submitted by the required deadline. Failing to submit the required notification by the stated date leads to automatic renewal of the school-fees contract for the next school year. - If a student is withdrawn and the school receives the Notification of Withdrawal on or before 31 October for a student leaving on or before 31 January, 25% of the annual fee will be reimbursed. No refund is due if Notification of Withdrawal is received after 31 October even if the child leaves before 31 January. If the student leaves on 1 February or later, no reimbursement of fees is made. Parents remain liable for fees as stated in any agreed payment plan. Final reports and documentation are withheld until all outstanding fees are paid. - Examination entries and examination fees are subject to the examination board's refund rules; Cambridge does not refund examination fees except in cases supported by approved medical evidence.
Summary of payment methods and charges to note - One-time application fee: EUR 750 (non-refundable except where no place is offered). - Annual tuition: see programme-specific annual figures above; per-term figures shown are derived by equal division into three terms. - Childcare (garderie): EUR 12 per hour. - Exam entries, specialist services, lunches, music lessons, trips and uniforms are additional and invoiced separately; example prices: IGCSE exam subject EUR 300, Sensory Profile EUR 50, sensory-room session from EUR 25. - Invoicing occurs on 1 May (or immediately after); payment due in full or a payment plan agreed within 15 days of the invoice date; preferred payment by online or electronic bank transfer; late-payment interest 2% per month and EUR 125 administration fee for unpaid invoices.
Fee details
Application / Registration Fees
- Registration (one-off): EUR 750. The registration fee is payable on submission of the application and is non-refundable except when a waiting list is in operation and the school subsequently refuses a place for the requested start date. - School Development Fund (one-off per family): EUR 1,000. This one-off fee is invoiced with the first instalment of the school fees and is payable before the student starts.
Tuition fees by year group (Personal tariff, academic year 2025/26 published amounts; annual and per-term equivalents shown)
Notes on per-term equivalents: the amounts shown as “per term” are the published annual tuition divided into three equal instalments for convenience (the school calendar and communications reference three terms per year). The per-term figures below are calculated by dividing the annual fee by three.
- Kindergarten 1 (age 3) - Annual: EUR 14,020. - Per term (annual ÷ 3 — calculated): EUR 4,673.33.
- Kindergarten 2 (age 4) and Kindergarten 3 / Grade 1 (ages 4–6) - Annual: EUR 19,430. - Per term (calculated): EUR 6,476.67.
- Grade 2 – Grade 5 (approx. Years 2–6) - Annual: EUR 20,820. - Per term (calculated): EUR 6,940.00.
- IGCSE (upper middle years / Years 10) - Annual: EUR 23,600. - Per term (calculated): EUR 7,866.67.
- A‑Levels / Year 11–12 (senior secondary / Years 11–12) - Annual: EUR 23,980. - Per term (calculated): EUR 7,993.33.
Corporate tariff (where employer or corporate sponsor pays)
- The school publishes a separate corporate tariff (higher than the personal tariff). Example corporate annual rates published for 2025/26 include: Pre‑School and lower years shown at higher corporate rates (examples: Pre‑School corporate approx. EUR 18,980; various primary/secondary corporate rates range from approx. EUR 26,825 up to EUR 32,750 for A‑levels). These corporate rates are applied when an employer/corporate sponsor signs the corporate commitment.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Fees are invoiced in advance in line with the school's annual financial schedule and contractual General Conditions. The school requires payment in accordance with the invoice and the General Conditions. The school may adjust published fees with 30 days' written notice. - Contract termination / withdrawal and reductions: a parent or corporate sponsor may terminate the school‑fees contract during the school year by giving 30 days' written notice. Reduction to the annual fees on withdrawal is specified as follows: withdrawal between 1 September and 31 January results in a 25% reduction to the full‑year fees; withdrawal after 31 January provides no reduction. - Overdue payments: administrative reminder charges and interest apply to overdue invoice balances. The General Conditions specify an administrative charge per reminder (example: EUR 125 per reminder) and an interest charge on overdue balances (example: 1% per month). - Per‑term presentation: per‑term figures above are shown as equal thirds of the annual tuition for practical use; the school calendar and communications reference three school terms. Parents should note that actual invoice instalments, invoice dates and due dates are set on the school invoice/financial schedule.
Boarding
- Boarding is not applicable; ISF Waterloo operates as a day school.
Other regular costs and optional extras
- Bus service (annual, optional): daily round‑trip bus tariffs are charged per passenger and depend on distance. Current published annual bus tariff bands are: under 7 km EUR 3,300; 7–15 km EUR 3,500; 15–25 km EUR 4,000. One‑way contracts receive a 10% reduction on the tariff. - Before‑ and after‑school care (garderie): a fee structure is applied for morning and afternoon care; the detailed fee structure is handled by the school office (garderie sessions are available at set morning/afternoon times). Lunch ordering from the caterer is available for an extra charge (meals are halal/non‑pork with vegetarian options). - School wear / uniform: ISF Waterloo does not require a formal school uniform. The school provides an ISF Waterloo T‑shirt for sports; additional logoed items (polo shirts, sweatshirts, fleeces) are available for purchase at extra cost. - Extra curricular activities, trips and exam fees: many day trips and certain in‑school items are included in the annual fee for specific year groups, while some external trips, examination fees (IGCSE/A‑levels where applicable) or specific optional activities may carry additional charges invoiced separately.
Sibling discount
- A 10% sibling reduction on the tuition component is applied to the second child and any subsequent child under the Personal tariff.
Refund information
- Registration fee: non‑refundable except where a place is refused while the application is on a waiting list. - School Development Fund: invoiced with the first instalment and payable before starting; the General Conditions indicate it is a once‑only fee due on first enrolment. - Withdrawal refunds / reductions: termination requires 30 days' written notice; reduction to annual fees on withdrawal is 25% if withdrawal occurs between 1 September and 31 January, and 0% after 31 January.
Fee payment options (how families are asked to pay)
- The ISF group operates invoicing and bank‑payment procedures; ISF campus communications and ISF‑linked daycare pages describe payments made by bank transfer and invoicing arrangements. Families are routinely invoiced and bank transfer is used for payments to ISF entities (daycare enrolment pages show bank‑transfer payment for registration and monthly invoicing arrangements). Parents will receive formal invoices and the school's financial documentation states payment terms, due dates and any applicable bank/account details on those invoices.
Summary (key points for parents)
- One‑off fees on first enrolment: Registration EUR 750 (non‑refundable except in waiting‑list refusal) and School Development Fund EUR 1,000 (due with first instalment). - Annual tuition varies by year group (listed above); per‑term equivalents are shown as equal thirds of the annual fee for convenience. - Optional extras with separate charges: bus service, hot lunches, some trips, optional extra‑curricular items and logoed school wear. - Withdrawal and refund rules, and late‑payment charges, are specified in the school's General Conditions (30 days' notice to terminate; specified reductions on withdrawal; reminder/admin and interest charges on overdue accounts).
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
ACE of Brussels uses the Cambridge International Curriculum for students from age 3 to 19 and is a Cambridge Assessment International Education registered school and Cambridge Examination Centre, offering iGCSE, AS and A‑Level examinations. ACE Ascend Online School provides Cambridge International online courses with a flexible timetable and the option to mix IGCSE, AS and A‑Levels.
Curriculum details
The Primary School uses the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) with six IPC units each year. English is the language of instruction, with French taught as a second language. The UK national literacy and numeracy curriculum is used alongside IPC. Cambridge Secondary Checkpoint is part of the Cambridge framework used in the school. The Secondary School follows Cambridge International systems for IGCSE and A-Level, with subject offerings including English, Mathematics, Global Perspectives, Business, French, Geography, History, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
ACE Rising has a ratio of 2 adults to 3 students for Reception–Year 6; ACE Connect has a teacher‑to‑student ratio of 2:1.
Student teacher ratio
Max 18 students per class.
Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
Cambridge International A-Level certificates are widely accepted by universities worldwide. In the USA and Canada, good grades in Cambridge AS and A-Levels can result in university credit. Cambridge qualifications are recognized by universities in over 50 countries.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
ACE Rising, ACE Plus and ACE Connect provide personalised learning with Individual Education Plans; ACE Connect offers a dedicated 3–11 learning space with a 2:1 teacher‑to‑student ratio and ongoing therapies (speech, occupational, music) to support diverse learning needs.
Gifted and talented
Academic Scholarships are available: 4-year scholarships to complete Secondary and Pre-University Education worth up to 75% of annual fees, excluding Cambridge exam fees.
Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Full time education in Belgium is compulsory from the age of five. The Cambridge Primary Curriculum is for children aged 5 to 11 (Reception to Year 6) at ACE. The ACE academic year runs from 01 Sept to 31 August. The Tuition Fee schedule published on the site is the most recent and accurate version of the current school fees. If you need to withdraw your child from ACE, the information is in ACE of BRUSSELS Terms and Conditions, Section 3, paragraph (e). The application fee is 750€.
Admissions
ISF Waterloo is a non-selective mainstream school. Families expressing an interest are invited to visit the school and have an interview with the Head of School, Mrs Belinda Yates. If the Waiting List Policy is in operation for that particular class, the school will advise you immediately and explain the implications. Before enrolment the school requires a transcript from the current school and copies of the most recent school report. After enrolment and before the first day the school requires a completed medical form. To enrol, parents must download and submit an application form and pay the Registration Fee. The one-off School Development Fund fee is invoiced at the same time as the first year's School Fees and is payable before commencing. Read the General Conditions document which states the contractual basis of admission and continuing enrolment at ISF Waterloo. For information on the Admissions Policy, refer to the Admissions Policy document.
Scholarships
Scholarships
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Scholarships
The ISF Academic Scholarship Program is open to external students for two programmes: 14 to 15 year olds entering Year 1 of IGCSE 1 (Belgian Secondary Class 3 / UK Year 10) with 4-year scholarships up to 75% of annual fees (excluding Cambridge exam fees); 16 to 17 year olds entering Year 1 of Cambridge International A Levels with 2-year scholarships up to 75% of annual fees (excluding Cambridge exam fees). Scholarships are awarded based on the scholarship application (including personal statement), the past two years of school reports, the ISF scholarship exams, and an interview with the ISF panel. English is the language of instruction and assessment, so applicants must meet English language requirements to be eligible for a scholarship place. Process for applying includes: 1) complete and submit an ISF General Application Form for admission as well as a scholarship application form and provide the past two years of school reports; 2) successful submissions receive an invitation to a testing day; 3) within one week of the examination, the top-scoring 30% of IGCSE and A Level students are invited for an interview; 4) successful candidates receive a written offer including the scholarship value (50-75% reduced fee); 5) on acceptance, sign the letter and pay the registration fee; 6) student visas are the responsibility of the parents where applicable. Scholarships include: tuition fees (as stated in the letter of offer) and a waiver of the School Development Fund; Scholarships do not cover: Registration Fee (750 euro) and residential school trips; Scholarships could be withdrawn for non-payment, more than 10% non-attendance, poor behaviour as stated in ISF's behaviour policy, or significant drop in academic performance (evaluated annually).
Waitlist
Waitlist
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Waitlist
Waiting List Policy may be in operation for a class; the school will advise immediately and explain the implications.