British International School of Boston vs International School of Boston

	B British International School of Boston Boston, United States	I International School of Boston Boston, United States
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year $25,468 - 51,291	Fees / year $29,500 - 51,260
Age range	Age range 1 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), British Curriculum, IPC (International Primary Curriculum), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)	Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum, French Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 500	Pupils 575
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language French, English
Opened	Opened 2000	Opened 1962
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The BISB campus is in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood, on the border with Brookline. The address is 416 Pond Street, Boston, MA 02130. The campus spans 40 acres of green woodland with a purpose-built school building and dedicated year-group floors.	Location ISB is located at 45 Matignon Road, Cambridge, MA 02140. The historic Cambridge campus sits at the Cambridge–Somerville–Arlington border, minutes from downtown Boston. MBTA bus stops are within walking distance and two nearby Red Line stations (Alewife and Davis Square) are accessible on foot. ISB provides two bus options: its Private Bus Service and Cambridge Public Schools bus service for Cambridge residents.
Stages	Stages Ages 18 months–18 years. Early Years: 18 months–4 years; Lower School: 5–10; Middle School: 11–13; High School: 14–18.	Stages Preschool through Grade 12
School type	School type The school is a private day school.	School type Independent, non-profit private day school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix More than 80 nationalities represented. Approximately 75% of students are local to Boston; 25% are expatriates from England, Spain, Russia, the Netherlands, Brazil, and China. More than 20 languages spoken by families.	Pupil nationality mix Total nationalities represented: 32. Nationality breakdown: United States 68%, France 23%, other nationalities 9%.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support English-language support is available for students.	Additional learning support ISB provides Inclusive Learning and related student support services, including guidance, advisory programs, and access to health and wellness resources.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation France (French Baccalaureate program homologué by the French Ministry of Education; ISB is connected to AEFE and related French education networks)
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure The school day runs 8:20 am–3:30 pm. Early drop-off starts at 7:30 am, and after-school care runs from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm.	School day structure Upper School schedules start at 8:00 AM and end between 3:30 PM and 5:30 PM, depending on course selection.
Bus service details	Bus service details Bus transportation is offered from multiple spots in greater Boston, including downtown Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chestnut Hill, Needham, Waltham, Dedham, and Wellesley.	Bus service details ISB offers two private bus routes via a transportation partner; Cambridge Public Schools bus service is available for Cambridge residents; campus is served by MBTA bus lines 87, 88, and 89 and is near Alewife and Davis Square stations.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Summary — 2026–2027 school fees (British International School of Boston) Annual tuition by year group (2026–2027) - Toddler (5 full days): USD 37,933. - Toddler (5 half days, 8:20–11:45 am): USD 25,468. - Nursery (5 full days): USD 38,833. - Nursery (5 half days, 8:20–11:45 am): USD 25,584. - Reception (Pre‑Kindergarten): USD 41,531. - Year 1 (Kindergarten) & Year 2 (1st grade): USD 46,040. - Year 3 & Year 4 (2nd & 3rd grade): USD 47,341. - Year 5 & Year 6 (4th & 5th grade): USD 48,228. - Year 7 to Year 9 (6th–8th grade): USD 49,650. - Year 10 & Year 11 (9th & 10th grade): USD 51,291. - Year 12 & Year 13 (11th & 12th grade): USD 51,291. Per‑term tuition (three terms: Fall, Winter, Spring) — amounts rounded to nearest USD - The school operates on a three‑term academic calendar (Fall, Winter, Spring); the per‑term figures below are the annual tuition divided by three and rounded to the nearest dollar. - Toddler (5 full days): USD 12,644 per term. - Toddler (5 half days): USD 8,489 per term. - Nursery (5 full days): USD 12,944 per term. - Nursery (5 half days): USD 8,528 per term. - Reception: USD 13,844 per term. - Year 1 & Year 2: USD 15,347 per term. - Year 3 & Year 4: USD 15,780 per term. - Year 5 & Year 6: USD 16,076 per term. - Year 7–9: USD 16,550 per term. - Year 10 & Year 11: USD 17,097 per term. - Year 12 & Year 13: USD 17,097 per term. Application and one‑time fees - Application fee: USD 100 (one‑time, non‑refundable). - Contract deposit: USD 2,000 (non‑refundable but applied directly to the year's first tuition payment). - New student fee (one‑time): USD 3,000 (non‑refundable). - Exam fees: USD 1,850 (charged for Year 11) and USD 1,850 (charged for Year 13). Sibling discounts - Second oldest enrolled child: 2.5% tuition discount. - Third oldest enrolled child: 5% tuition discount. - Fourth oldest (and subsequent) enrolled child: 10% tuition discount. Billing schedule and payment terms - Payment frequency choices: one payment (annual), two instalments, or monthly instalments. The first payment is due by June 1 (or upon enrollment if after June 1). For two instalments, the second instalment is due by November 1. For monthly instalments, payments are due on the first of each month beginning June 1 (or upon enrollment if after June 1) with final payments completed by March 1. - Contract deposit (USD 2,000) is applied to the year's first tuition payment and is non‑refundable. Fee payment options - Accepted payment methods: credit card, check, or wire transfer. An online payment portal is available for credit card and ACH/eCheck payments; ACH/direct bank transfers and domestic/international wire transfer instructions are provided. Other costs that parents should expect - Early care: USD 10 per day (early care is available; charges applied via the school's payment system). Aftercare (3:30–6:00 pm) and many after‑school clubs and activities carry additional charges; parents are billed for actual sign‑ups and usage. School Buddy (the school's payment system) is used for sign‑ups and payments for lunch, clubs, early/after care, and trips. - School lunch: school lunch is available for purchase; families may alternatively provide packed lunches. Lunch is signed up and paid for through the school's payment portal. - Uniform: uniforms are mandatory for Toddlers through Year 11; Lands' End is the uniform provider for general uniform items and BSN Sports supplies PE kit. Families purchase uniforms directly from those suppliers. Costs for uniforms vary by item and are paid by families. - School bus / transportation: the school operates multiple bus routes; a separate bus fee applies when families use the school bus (specific route fees and registration details are administered through the school). - Field trips, certain extra‑curricular external providers, individual instrument tuition or optional external exam fees (beyond the stated exam charges) may incur additional charges; these are billed separately when applicable. Boarding - The British International School of Boston is a private day school; boarding is not offered. Refund information (items specifically stated as non‑refundable) - Application fee: non‑refundable. Contract deposit: non‑refundable (but credited toward the first tuition payment). New student fee: non‑refundable. These non‑refundable items are applied as described above at enrollment. Notes on billing mechanics and chargeable items - Many optional services (early care, aftercare, clubs, lunch, trips) are charged through the school's payment system on an as‑used or sign‑up basis. Parents receive invoices and statements from the school's billing office; payment routing and wire/ACH instructions are supplied by the school's business office. (End of fee overview.)	Fee details Annual tuition by grade (2026–2027 academic year) - Half-Day Preschool (Toute Petite Section and Pre-K only, mornings only): USD 29,500. - Preschool (TPS, Pre-K, Mid-K) and Kindergarten: USD 36,880. - Lower School (Grades 1–5): USD 40,770. - Middle School (Grades 6–8): USD 43,000. - Upper School (Grades 9–12): USD 51,260. Application / admission charges - Matriculation fee (one-time, non-refundable, not applied toward tuition): USD 2,000 for the first new student; USD 1,500 for the second child; USD 1,000 for any additional children. - Annual re-enrollment deposit (non-refundable, applied toward tuition): USD 2,000 per student. Tuition payment schedule and payment terms (dates shown are the stated due dates for the 2026–2027 cycle) - Option 1: Payment of tuition in full by June 5, 2026. - Option 2: Two installments — 60% of the annual tuition due by June 5, 2026, and the remaining 40% due by November 5, 2026. Example amounts by grade under Option 2: - Half-Day Preschool: 60% = USD 17,700; 40% = USD 11,800. - Preschool & K: 60% = USD 22,128; 40% = USD 14,752. - Lower School: 60% = USD 24,462; 40% = USD 16,308. - Middle School: 60% = USD 25,800; 40% = USD 17,200. - Upper School: 60% = USD 30,756; 40% = USD 20,504. - Option 3: Ten monthly installments (June 2026 through March 2027). Monthly payment examples (annual tuition divided by 10) plus a yearly flat administrative fee of USD 40 billed by Veracross: - Half-Day Preschool: USD 2,950 per month (plus USD 40 annual Veracross fee). - Preschool & K: USD 3,688 per month (plus USD 40 annual Veracross fee). - Lower School: USD 4,077 per month (plus USD 40 annual Veracross fee). - Middle School: USD 4,300 per month (plus USD 40 annual Veracross fee). - Upper School: USD 5,126 per month (plus USD 40 annual Veracross fee). - All matriculation fees, re-enrollment deposits, and tuition payments are completed through the school's Veracross billing system. Methods of payment accepted include checking/savings accounts drawn on a U.S. bank, wire transfer, and credit cards. Additional and recurring charges (typical items billed separately or based on participation) - Textbooks / media (Grades 6–12) and examination fees (Grades 11–12) are billed separately. Typical estimates: Grades 6–10 average ~USD 350 per year; Grades 11–12 (French Baccalaureate) ~USD 500 per year; International Baccalaureate fees up to ~USD 1,000 covering two years. - Examination fee estimates: Grade 11 (French program) registration ~USD 280; Grade 12 (French program) registration ~USD 340 plus ~USD 270 for the Baccalauréat Français International (BFI); Grade 12 (IB DP) ~USD 750 total. - Global Learning Program (overnight and curriculum trips) anticipated fees (cover transportation and accommodations when applicable): Grades 1–2: USD 300; Grades 3–4: USD 500; Grade 5: USD 1,200; Grades 6–8: USD 1,000. Grade 9 and Grade 12 GLP costs are covered by the school; Grades 10–11 GLP fee: USD 400. - Extended day / after-school: Garderie (TPS through Grade 5) USD 14.00 per hour; Middle School study hall USD 15.00 per hour or an annual flat fee of USD 900. - Extracurricular activities and overnight trips are billed based on participation; Upper School varsity teams carry no participation cost. - Private ISB bus service and the hot lunch program are optional and billed upon participation. The hot lunch program is provided by an external catering company and is billed separately. Boarding / homestay (where offered by the school) - ISB Housing Program (host-family room and board, supervised by ISB) for Upper School international and domestic students: USD 25,000 for room and board from August 25, 2026 to June 30, 2027. This fee includes day field trips, the ISB lunch program, a monthly public transportation pass, the yearbook, and, if applicable, the new student orientation program in August. Uniforms and other school supplies - Preschool (Pre-K, Mid-K) and Kindergarten: supplies included in the listed tuition. - Lower School: all supplies included in the listed tuition. - Textbooks and media for Grades 6–12 are billed separately (see textbook estimates above). Uniform costs (where applicable) and personal supplies vary and are generally family-paid; extracurricular equipment, travel clothing, and optional program materials are billed separately when required. Refunds and non-refundable items - The matriculation fee is one-time and non-refundable. - The annual re-enrollment deposit is non-refundable but is applied toward tuition. - Other refund specifics for tuition installments or program fees are not listed in the school's tuition summary document; the only explicitly stated non-refundable items are the matriculation fee and the re-enrollment deposit. Fee payment channels and administrative notes - All matriculation fees, re-enrollment deposits, and tuition payments are processed through Veracross. - Accepted payment methods: checking/savings account drawn on a U.S. bank, wire transfer, or credit card. - The ten-month payment plan carries a yearly flat administrative fee of USD 40 billed via Veracross.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Preschool follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) of the English National Curriculum and is aligned with the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC). Learning is play-based and includes Forest School experiences; specialist French and music are delivered within the program. Lower School (ages 5–10) teaches a combination of the National Curriculum of England and the International Primary Curriculum, with a cross-curricular, thematic approach and specialist language lessons (French or Spanish). Middle School (ages 11–13) follows the National Curriculum of England, offering a broad range of subjects and an enrichment program that links to international experiences; it prepares students for IGCSEs and the IB Diploma Programme in High School. High School (ages 14–18) offers IGCSEs in Years 10–11 and the IB Diploma Programme in Years 12–13; the IGCSE is a two-year, ten-subject program, and the IB Diploma core includes service, an extended essay, and critical thinking. BISB integrates global opportunities through Nord Anglia Education, with collaborations via Global Campus and partners such as MIT and Juilliard.	Curriculum details ISB is a bilingual French-English school. From Maternelle through Upper School, the curriculum offers two internationally recognized diplomas: the French Baccalaureate or the International Baccalaureate (IB) taught in English. The Elementary/Maternelle program teaches in French and English; in Maternelle the French Ministry of Education curriculum is combined with Massachusetts Common Core Preschool and Kindergarten standards; Lower School has accreditation from the French Ministry of Education. In Middle School, classes are taught in French and English, with options to emphasize either language and to pursue IB or French Baccalaureate tracks. In Upper School, students choose between the French Baccalaureate or IB, with additional language options including Spanish, German, and Mandarin.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio 1:5	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results IB Diploma results for Class of 2025: 96% pass rate; average 34.4 points; 16% of students achieved 40+ points. These results significantly exceed global averages.	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates go on to attend leading universities around the world, including Harvard University, the University of Oxford, McGill University, and University College London, among others.	Higher education progression ISB's College Counseling Office supports students with higher education planning across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and parts of the Middle East and Asia. ISB students matriculate to many of the nation's and the world's top colleges and universities, with geographically diverse matriculation the most in New England.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Contact BISB. Submit the inquiry form online, email the Admissions team, or call the Admissions office to begin the process. The Admissions team is available to answer questions and guide families through BISB's admissions process. They will help you understand the documents required and what happens next. 2. Discover our school. Visit BISB in person or join a Virtual Discovery Meeting with the Director of Admissions, who will share BISB's personalized approach to learning and answer your questions. You'll tell BISB more about your child, your family, and what you're looking for. The Director will provide details about BISB's programs and admissions steps. 3. Apply for a place. Submit the online application form and the required supporting documents for your child. These documents include your child's report cards and evaluations, and, for Middle and High Schoolers, standardized test results. There are key admissions dates for 2026-27: Application Deadline January 15, 2026; Admissions Decisions Released March 10, 2026; Enrollment Deadline April 10, 2026. We also continue accepting applications throughout the school year to fill spaces that remain open.	Admissions ISB has four steps in its admissions process: Inquire, Visit, Apply, Enroll. Step 1 Inquire: complete a brief inquiry form to join the mailing list and hear about upcoming ISB events. Step 2 Visit: ISB offers campus tours, on-campus and virtual Open House events, Secondary School Shadow Days, and virtual campus visits; local families are encouraged to participate in on-campus programming. Step 3 Apply: applications are submitted online through Ravenna with no application fee; priority review is given to applications received by January 15; siblings of current students receive priority if their application is submitted by December 15; January 15 is the application deadline for priority review and the financial aid deadline. Step 4 Enroll: decisions are released by March 10; enrollment confirmations are due by April 10; ISB accepts applications year-round depending on space and student qualifications; applicants admitted after April 10 will have one week to respond to an offer of admission. Application materials vary by grade (Preschool & Kindergarten, Lower School, Middle School, Upper School) with language considerations and testing requirements as described.
Scholarships	Scholarships BISB's 2025 graduating class received offers from more than 100 top universities and was awarded $2.53 million in scholarships.	Scholarships ISB offers financial aid based on demonstrated need. The financial aid application is separate from the admission application and uses Clarity; deadlines are returning families December 15, 2025 and new families January 15, 2026. Awards are grants (not loans) and are based on demonstrated need and available funding; awards may cover tuition and other costs such as books, transportation, clubs, and exam fees. Returning families' aid is typically released with reenrollment in February 2026; new families' aid is released with the admissions decision and enrollment contract on March 10, 2026. Financial aid awards are renewable with annual reapplication. Financial aid is not available for students requiring an I-20 or who participate in ISB's homestay program. ISB may offer French government scholarships (Bourses Scolaires Françaises) for eligible French citizens, and the ISB Financial Aid Program may supplement government funding. The school also offers a ten-month payment plan for families in the financial aid program.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
	View full profile →	View full profile →