The British School of Brussels vs The International School of Brussels

	T The British School of Brussels Brussels, Belgium	T The International School of Brussels Brussels, Belgium
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €20,100 - 45,550	Fees / year €22,590 - 49,715
Age range	Age range 1 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, BTEC Qualification
Pupils	Pupils 1,300	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 16	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, French	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1969	Opened 1951
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Located in the eastern suburbs of Brussels, Belgium, at Pater Dupierreuxlaan 1, 3080 Tervuren. The campus is state-of-the-art.	Location Kattenberg 19, B-1170 Brussels, Belgium. It is in Watermael-Boitsfort, the south‑east quadrant of Brussels. The 40‑acre campus sits within the Forêt de Soignes and offers extensive outdoor learning facilities; it is easily reachable by car, bus, train and tram.
Stages	Stages Primary School (ages 1-11) and Secondary School (ages 11-18).	Stages Early Childhood Centre (Preschool – Grade 2); Elementary School (Grade 3–6); Middle School (Grade 7–9); High School (Grade 10–12).
School type	School type Not-for-profit international day school.	School type Private not-for-profit international day school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix Pupils come from over 70 nationalities; the largest nationality represented is British at about 30%.	Pupil nationality mix 60+ nationalities represented.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support EAL and AEN support are provided, including an Inclusion team, Learning Assistants, and Speech and Language Therapists; an Educational Psychologist, counsellors, and nurses are available to support students.	Additional learning support Inclusion & Challenge services provide personalised support for diverse learning needs across all age groups.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation United Kingdom (UK) curriculum; British orientation for an international school in Belgium.	Country affiliation Belgium
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure The school year is divided into three terms: Term 1 runs from late August/early September to mid-December; Term 2 runs from early January to late March or early April; Term 3 runs from late April to late June or early July.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details A supervised school bus service operates on many routes across Brussels and surrounding villages for pupils aged four and above. Bus fees are listed on the Fees page. There is no bus service on Wednesday lunchtimes for Lower Primary.	Bus service details The ISB Bus Service operates with more than 30 buses serving most parts of the city and surrounding areas. It is available to students from Kindergarten to Grade 12, with BatOnRoute real‑time tracking and bus monitors. Late Bus Service is available for Middle and High School students; bus fees for 2025‑26: Return 3,140 Euro; One way 2,385 Euro.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - Main school application fee (Kindergarten/ECC – Year 13): Payable once per child: €750. - Early Childhood Centre (ECC) application fee: Payable once per child: €750. - Note: the school's online payment form shows an alternative published breakdown for application payments (Main school: €1,000 for first child and €500 for each subsequent child; ECC: €250 for first child and €125 for each subsequent child). The school's online application payment form accepts credit-card payment. Tuition fees by year group (annual and per-term amounts) - Kindergarten: Annual fee €20,100. Per-term (calculated by dividing the published annual fee by three): €6,700.00. - Reception, Years 1–2: Annual fee €35,600. Per-term (calculated): €11,866.67. - Years 3–6: Annual fee €37,400. Per-term (calculated): €12,466.67. - Years 7–9: Annual fee €44,400. Per-term (calculated): €14,800.00. - Years 10–13: Annual fee €45,550. Per-term (calculated): €15,183.33. (Note: the school publishes annual tuition amounts and invoices fees annually; the per-term figures above are straightforward equal divisions of the published annual fee for use in a per-term view and are not presented by the school as an official instalment plan.) Early Childhood Centre (ECC) daily/session fees - ECC half-day morning session: €70 per session. - ECC full day: €128 per day. - ECC application fee (payable once per child): €750. Transport (bus) fees - Annual Brussels school bus service fee: €3,550 (per year). Per-term (calculated): €1,183.33. - Annual Antwerp/SHAPE school bus service fee: €4,180 (per year). Per-term (calculated): €1,393.33. After-school care (Garderie) and other sessional fees - Kindergarten (14:00–15:50, not Wednesdays): €20.00 per session. - Kindergarten in ECC after 16:00 and from 11:50 on Wednesdays: €10.00 per hour. - Reception to Year 6 (15:50–18:00; Reception–Year 2 on Wednesdays from 11:50): €9.00 per hour. - Pre/Post-Enrichment for Years 3–6: €9.00 per whole session. What tuition does and does not include (summary of extra costs) - Included in tuition: extensive enrichment clubs, individual iPads/laptops for Years 3–9, curricular day and residential trips up to Year 9, learning resources (textbooks/exercise books), public examination entries (A Level, BTEC, IB, IGCSE) except re-sits, basic PE kit (including swimming costume on arrival), team sports kits and subsidised fixture costs, hot lunch for Kindergarten–Year 2, and specified medical checks for new starters and certain year groups. - Not included in tuition (examples of additional payable items): Garderie beyond included times, individual instrumental tuition run by external providers and instrument rental, extra PE clothing beyond the basic kit, costs of certain residential sporting and other competitions, Years 10–13 school trips and visits run by external providers, and other course-related items. Bus fees are charged separately. Billing schedule and payment terms - Invoicing: Fees are invoiced annually. Fees for the following academic year are due in one single payment each May. - Reductions for students joining mid-year (applied as percentage reductions of the annual fee): November 10%; December 20%; January 30%; February 40%; March 50%; April 60%; May 70%; June 80%. (October: no reduction.) Withdrawal and refund policy - Notice requirement: A full academic term's written notice of withdrawal to the Principal is required in accordance with the school calendar. Failure to give a full term's notice will result in an invoice for a full academic term's fees in lieu of notice. - Refunds when a student leaves during the school year (reductions expressed as percentage of the annual fee by month of leaving): October 80%; November 70%; December 60%; January 50%; February 40%; March 30%; April 20%; May 10%; June/July no refund. Boarding - Boarding: The school is a day school (no boarding facilities). Application and invoice payment methods - Application fee payment: The online application/payment form uses a secure credit-card payment system and accepts credit-card payments for the application fee. Application fees are non-refundable. - Annual tuition invoice payment: The published fee schedule states that fees are invoiced annually and are due in a single payment each May. The fee schedule directs payment of the application by credit card via the online form; it does not publish a separate publicly listed, detailed list of all accepted payment methods for annual tuition on the fee schedule page. Other administrative and policy notes on fees - The school reserves the right to amend the published schedule of fees. Parents are responsible for payment of the total sums due regardless of any employer subsidy. The published fee schedule cancels and replaces previous fee schedules. Application fees are non-refundable. (End of fee overview.)	Fee details Application fee - Application fee (all grades): EUR 2,000. Tuition fees (annual) — by year group - Preschool (ages 2.5–3): EUR 22,590. - Pre‑Kindergarten (4 years old): EUR 25,030. - Kindergarten (5 years old): EUR 37,760. - Grades 1–2 (ages 6–7): EUR 40,670. - Grades 3–6 (ages 8–11): EUR 41,400. - Grades 7–9 (ages 12–14): EUR 46,825. - Grades 10–12 (ages 15–18): EUR 49,715. - Intensive Learning Support (for ILS students): EUR 25,155 plus the relevant grade‑level tuition. Per‑term (how fees are presented and typical payment structure) - Fees are published and invoiced on an annual basis; the school issues invoices annually in May for the following school year. Because fees are set and invoiced annually, there is no official per‑term charge published. Families may choose the school's instalment plan, which spreads the annual tuition into monthly payments; the instalment plan divides tuition into up to 10 monthly payments (July–April). For simple budgeting, an approximate per‑term figure can be obtained by dividing the annual tuition by the number of academic terms you choose to use for your own budgeting (the school does not publish an official per‑term schedule). Billing schedule and payment terms - Invoices for the following school year are issued annually in May. - Invoices for students joining during the school year are issued before the enrolment date. - Invoices are payable within 30 days of the invoice date or prior to the student's start date. - The parent (or legal guardian) is always responsible for payment of school fees regardless of any employer arrangements. Payment methods and terms - All fees are due and payable in EUR. Payments can be made by bank transfer to The International School of Brussels at BNP Paribas Fortis. - Bank transfer details (for payments by bank transfer): SWIFT: GEBABEBB; IBAN: BE71 2100 5790 1069. - Consolidated monthly invoices (for items such as lunch, athletics, music, ISB Plus) can be paid by bank transfer or by direct debit (SEPA mandate). - There is no published option on the fee page for credit‑card payment; available options shown are bank transfer and SEPA direct debit. Instalment / payment plan - A family instalment scheme is available to individuals (not open to companies paying tuition). - Typical administrative fee: EUR 200 per family, annually. - The instalment calculation uses the cost of tuition plus an interest rate of 1% above the current EUR Central Bank rate and may be divided into up to 10 monthly instalments (July–April). - The instalment scheme applies only to tuition fees (does not include bus fees or other related costs). Bus fees - Return trip (annual): EUR 3,140. - One‑way only (annual): EUR 2,385. - Bus fees are charged annually; there is no reimbursement of bus fees due to an inability to use the service. - The school offers a separate payment plan for families who would otherwise find it difficult to pay the annual bus fee. Other costs and optional charges - Cafeteria: daily lunch is paid through student lunch accounts; a lost lunch card carrying fee of EUR 10 will be billed if a card is lost. - Co‑curricular activities and ISB Plus: costs for clubs, activities and ISB Plus are optional and billed through the consolidated monthly invoice. - Musical instrument rental: EUR 210 per year (rental from the school). - Athletics fees: billed per season/per sport; typical player fees noted are EUR 270 for JV/Varsity teams and EUR 170 for U14 teams (additional travel costs for tournaments billed separately). - International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme: students taking the IB will be billed for IB exam and administrative fees and any external examination expenses requested by the student. - Other potential costs (examples): school trips, seasonal team travel, specialty courses, therapy or additional student support services — these are billed as they occur via the consolidated invoice. Refunds, adjustments and pro‑ration - Students who leave early: for students who have paid the full tuition (and bus, where applicable) and who leave before the last day of January, 25% of the tuition (and bus) fee will be reimbursed by the school. If a student leaves after the last day of January, there is no reimbursement of fees already paid. - Students who enrol late: the school publishes monthly pro‑rata amounts by level (the published schedule shows the reduced amounts for each month if a student starts after the academic year begins). The published pro‑rata schedule is used to calculate fees for late enrolment and for partial months; students starting within a month will be asked to pay for the full month. Boarding - Boarding is not provided as a standard full‑time option; the International School of Brussels operates as a day school for its student population. (Overnight/boarding arrangements may be referenced only in limited, event‑specific contexts such as camps where temporary overnight accommodation is arranged.)
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements Boarding is available during Elite Week; beds are limited. Athletes and coaches stay at Auberge des Trois Fontaines, about 10 minutes from the ISB campus, and are supervised by coaches. A bus transports participants between the hostel and ISB; breakfast is provided at the hostel and dinner is eaten with ISB on campus.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The school does not have a formal uniform. There is a dress code and a PE kit is worn for PE.	Uniform requirement There is a dress code for Middle School.
Food options	Food options The school provides hot lunch in the Early Childhood Centre, Kindergarten, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Kindergarten and Reception eat in their classrooms and Year 1 eat in the Tintin Hall; in Year 2 lunches are in the cafeteria. The Cafeteria is available for Year 3 and upwards; meals are freshly prepared on site and paid with a prepaid card. The Cafeteria menu offers hot meals (including vegetarian options), a salad bar, and sandwich/panini stations, with allergy information published.	Food options The campus includes an Elementary School Cafeteria and a Middle School Cafeteria on site.
House system	House system The House system adds belonging; students are placed in one of three Houses – Goodman, Pantlin, or Firman – on arrival.	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is governed by a Board of Trustees and a Board of Governors. The school was founded on not-for-profit principles, and any excess proceeds from fees are reinvested back into the school. The school is The British School of Brussels vzw.	Governance and ownership The school is governed by a Board of Trustees and is a private not-for-profit international school.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The school offers a British-based curriculum up to age 16 (GCSE and International GCSE). Post-16, the school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma, A Levels, and BTEC vocational courses, including a bilingual IB Diploma in French/English or Dutch/English. A French-English bilingual programme runs across 10 Year Groups from Reception (age 4-5), and Dutch lessons start from age seven.	Curriculum details ISB uses English as the main language of instruction. French is offered from age 2.5, with a French bilingual programme from Grade 5; additional language options include Dutch, Spanish, and Japanese. The Home Language Programme integrates languages spoken at home into the curriculum. The curriculum is flexible and inquiry-based, with personalised learning pathways across ECC to High School.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Student-teacher ratio is 9:1. Maximum class size is 21 in Secondary and 14 in Post-16. Total enrolment is 1,363 (Secondary 873; Primary 490).	Student teacher ratio 7:1
Exam results	Exam results GCSE 2024: 94% pass rate with 57% of grades 7 or above. A Levels 2024: 96% pass rate with 61% of grades A-B and 34% A-A. IB Diploma 2024: 97% pass rate with an average score of 35 and a top score of 44. BTEC (Level 3) 2024: 100% pass rate with 60% Distinction/Distinction; Level 2 BTEC: 100% pass rate with 72% Distinction/Distinction and 89% Merit or higher.	Exam results IB Diploma results for 2025 show 160 graduates, 141 IB Exams taken, 118 Diploma candidates, 27% of IB Courses with accommodations, an average IBDP score of 35, a 100% pass rate, 49% bilingual diplomas, and an average Course score of 5.5. AP results show 84 students (Grades 9–12) completed 136 exams in 13 subjects, with an average AP score of 3.84, 90% of exams scoring 3 or higher, 103 students taking AP Exams, 19 AP subjects taught, and 44% achieving a perfect score of 5. BTEC results show a 100% pass rate with 2 pathways offered and 33 students taking BTEC, with 27 students working towards external BTEC qualifications.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates progress to higher education worldwide. Destinations include Imperial College London, University of St Andrews, University of Amsterdam, McGill University, University of British Columbia, KU Leuven and other universities in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, the United States and beyond.	Higher education progression ISB offers five graduation pathways, including IB Diploma, AP, BTEC, US Diploma, and another pathway. Universities worldwide offered ISB students places in 2024-25, demonstrating strong progression to higher education globally.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented Enrichment and outdoor learning are central to the programme, with around 200 clubs and activities, including sport, music, drama and creative pursuits. Enrichment opportunities are complemented by service learning and broader personal development experiences.	Gifted and talented The Inclusion & Challenge Department provides High-Ability Programmes for advanced learners.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Pastoral care is integral to BSB's offering. The school has an educational psychologist, two counsellors, speech and language therapists, and four nurses on site to support students' social and emotional needs. In Primary, the class teacher, supported by Learning Assistants and the Inclusion and Leadership team, is the first port of call for pastoral support. In Secondary, pastoral care is delivered through the tutors and Heads of Year, as well as the Access to Learning department which includes BSB's counselling service. Academically, students with English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Additional Educational Needs (AEN) are supported by dedicated departments staffed by expert teams, with help including homework clubs, a Learning Mentor, intensive English immersion programmes and working with parents. [Source: Student Support page]	Social & emotional learning ISB provides school-wide counselling services to support students and families. A dedicated Inclusion & Challenge Department brings together specialists in Learning Support, Counselling, Psychological Services, and Health to address academic, personal, and social needs. A Multidisciplinary Student Study Team develops tailored strategies to help students thrive. The school's approach promotes wellbeing through accessible professional support across grade levels.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) BSB provides extensive provision for Additional Educational Needs (AEN) and English as an Additional Language (EAL). In Primary, each Year Group has a dedicated Inclusion Teacher responsible for supporting children who may have EAL, AEN and Extension and Enrichment (E&E). In Secondary, support is delivered via the Access to Learning department and targeted interventions. Academic support is bespoke, underpinned by dedicated systems and processes tailored to individual needs. AEN and EAL learners receive interventions designed to enable progress across the curriculum. Enrichment and extension opportunities are integrated into the support framework. [Source: Primary Support; Student Support page]	Special educational needs (SEN) An Inclusion & Challenge Department coordinates Learning Support and High-Ability Programmes to meet diverse learning needs. The department develops tailored strategies for individual students and collaborates with families and teachers to support learning. A multidisciplinary approach ensures appropriate challenge and support across age groups.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language EAL support is provided through dedicated departments staffed by expert teams. In Primary, each Year Group has a dedicated Inclusion Teacher who supports students with EAL, AEN and Extension and Enrichment (E&E). Help includes intensive English immersion programmes and working with parents. In Secondary, EAL support continues through the school's dedicated learning support structures. The process is bespoke and tailored to individual needs. [Source: Student Support; Primary Support]	English as an additional language English Language Development (ELD) supports students who are still developing English, with specialist ELD teachers providing tailored in- and out-of-class support. Home Language Programme offers seven languages in the Lower School (Dutch, French, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Swedish) and five in the Upper School, integrating language for learning and reading skills. ISB's bilingual learning pathways begin with French from 2.5 years old and may extend to core subjects taught in French or bilingual diplomas.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is prioritised as part of pastoral care. The team includes an educational psychologist, counsellors, speech and language therapists and four nurses on site to support students' wellbeing. In Secondary, counselling is provided through the Access to Learning department. Support is tailored to age and need, and is integrated with academic support to help students manage challenges. [Source: Student Support]	Mental wellbeing Counselling services at ISB proactively support students and parents on academic, personal, social, and career topics. Psychological Services provide personalised plans based on in‑house assessments and collaboration with external professionals, with strong links to local mental health experts. Health Services employ nurses, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists to maintain a healthy learning environment.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare, both physical and emotional, of every student. Roles and responsibilities are defined, including Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) for Primary and Secondary and required safeguarding training for all staff. The policy includes online safety measures with filtering and monitoring systems, and clear procedures to identify and escalate safeguarding concerns and to handle incidents. Staff undergo safeguarding and child protection training at induction and at least annually; the school maintains processes and contacts with local safeguarding agencies. [Source: Safeguarding Policy PDF]	Safeguarding ISB is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of students. The school has a Board‑approved Code of Conduct and Child Protection Policy aligned with international safeguarding standards. The Designated Safeguarding Lead coordinates the Safeguarding Committee and implements practical procedures. Training on child protection occurs annually, and all staff undergo vetting, including a Certificate of Good Standing from Belgian authorities.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Jacques Rogge Sports Centre includes a 25m indoor swimming pool, a gymnastics arena, a dance studio, a fitness suite and a multi-purpose sports hall. Outdoor facilities were renewed in 2020 and include two competitive football pitches, a full-size rugby pitch, three ring-fenced tennis courts, a 100 metre sprint lane with a long jump pit, four multi-surface areas for basketball and netball, a 300 metre track and floodlit facilities. The Brel Theatre seats 240 and includes a workshop, a green room and a dedicated costume department. There are 12 music practice rooms, a music recording studio and film-editing facilities, drama rehearsal rooms and fully equipped art studios. Three computer suites including a dedicated Apple suite, campus-wide wifi and main classrooms with interactive whiteboards, plus devices such as iPads and laptops; a CAD suite with a 3D printer; and dedicated spaces for textiles, food and nutrition are available.	Facilities overview The International School of Brussels sits on a 40-acre campus in the Forêt de Soignes. The campus is set in a forest setting and is steps away from a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It includes the Early Childhood Centre, Elementary School, Middle School, and High School buildings, libraries, an Arts Annex, and spaces for theatre and the arts. There are science, music, and visual arts spaces across the campus, including a digital music classroom and theatre spaces. Athletics and outdoor learning spaces complement the academic spaces, and the campus provides a safe bus service and easy access to public transport.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Jacques Rogge Sports Centre comprises a 25m swimming pool, gymnastics arena, dance studio, fitness suite and multi-purpose sports hall. Outdoor facilities include two competitive size football pitches, a full-size rugby pitch, three ring-fenced tennis courts, a 100 metre sprint lane with a long jump pit, four multi-surface areas for basketball and netball, a 300 metre track and floodlit facilities. BSB is the only international school in Belgium to have its own swimming pool. A traverse bouldering wall is the largest of its kind in an international school in Europe. The school also organises over 120 sports clubs per week for both primary and secondary students.	Sports facilities ISB has extensive athletics facilities including two gyms, two athletics fields, a running track, a fitness room, and a Strongbox outdoor gym. A dojang for martial arts, a tennis bubble, indoor rock-climbing walls, and a dance studio are also on site. The forest setting provides trails for training in nature. ISB offers swimming courses through a partnership with Brussels University (VUB) in facilities provided by the partner university. Swimming is available from Grade 3, and track, cross country, and tennis begin from Grade 5.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Three computer suites include a dedicated Apple suite, campus-wide wifi and main classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards; devices such as iPads and digital cameras are available, and secondary students are provided with laptops. There are specialist Design & Technology facilities including a CAD suite with a 3D printer, and workshops with machinery and woodworking tools. Textiles Technology workshops and fully equipped Food & Nutrition kitchen classrooms support practical learning. Fully equipped art studios provide spaces for drawing, painting, sculpture, digital art and design. Music recording studios and film-editing facilities support creative work across the arts and Technologies.	Academic facilities The campus includes Middle School Science Laboratory and High School Science Laboratory. There are digital music classrooms and dedicated arts spaces, including a theatre, an arts annex, and visual arts classrooms. Middle School Library and High School Library provide learning spaces for students. The campus also features the ICC studio and high school atrium and commons. Library, science, music, and arts facilities are integrated across the school's departmental buildings.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities The British School of Brussels offers extracurricular activities across sport and the arts. Over 120 sports clubs are run weekly for primary and secondary students. There are three sport pathways: Academy Sport (tier 1), Competitive Sport (tier 2) and Recreational Sport (tier 3). The school has partnerships with West Ham United, Swim Swift Elite and the Special Olympics Belgium. Students compete in ISST and SCIS tournaments, complementing on-campus arts and performing arts opportunities supported by the on-site facilities.	Extra curricular facilities ISB offers after-school activities through the ISB Plus Programme. The Athletics Programme includes over 50 competitive teams across 15 sports. Swimming, track, cross country, and tennis are available at various grade levels. Camps are run in English and are open to both ISB and non-ISB participants. The ISB Plus and camps programs provide a broad range of activities beyond the classroom.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History BSB was officially created in 1969 and opened in 1970 on the present site, following the vision of Sir Dick Pantlin and a group of like-minded businessmen. The first Principal was Alan Humphries, and the founders emphasized approachable communication by having staff and students on a first-name basis. In 1981 King Baudouin attended the official opening of the auditorium, now known as the Brel Theatre. In 2016 the Jacques Rogge Sports Centre was opened, and new facilities made BSB the only international school in Belgium to offer an indoor swimming pool. BSB celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020.	History ISB was established in 1951 as a not-for-profit organisation and is the oldest international school in Belgium. It began as The American School of Brussels, moved to Boitsfort, and in 1953 the Château des Fougères lease was signed and the official name was changed to The International School of Brussels. The High School division opened in 1960, and the first senior graduating class occurred in 1962. The first ISB International Festival was organized by the PTA in 1977.
Community	Community Family Day brings together families, staff and students for games, food stalls and activities, reinforcing a sense of belonging beyond the classroom. The event features a relaxed, social atmosphere with opportunities for parents to connect with one another and with school staff. Volunteers from staff and the Families of BSB help run activities and welcome newcomers and alumni as part of a vibrant school community.	Community Community engagement is a core part of the ISB learning experience, rooted in global citizenship and respect for our local environment and its people. From human rights projects and volunteering in the Lower School to the CAS programme in the Upper School, students participate in meaningful volunteer work on campus and with local organisations. This involvement fosters social awareness, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to making a difference. ISB reports 6,200 total hours volunteered, 480 students involved, 27 base community engagement partners, 6,900 meals, 500 winter care kits, 1,100 hygiene packages, and 1,100 feminine hygiene packages provided.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association FoBSB is the Families of BSB, the parents' association of The British School of Brussels. It is run entirely by parent volunteers and offers a wide range of events, activities, groups and information and support services. Parents have their own Cavell House on campus, a drop‑in lounge with WiFi, Cavell Café and an information centre, plus rooms for social activities. Cavell House hosts language conversation classes, a book club, first aid courses, cookery demonstrations, a craft club, talks, pilates and more, as well as trips and off‑campus activities. FoBSB provides a welcoming space for new families and acts as a support network for all BSB parents.	Parent teacher association The first ISB International Festival was organized by the PTA in 1977. The festival ran from 1977 to 1979. In 1978 the Métairie building was acquired and added to the campus to house the music and High School French programmes. In 1979 the tennis courts were added.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school offers around 200 clubs and activities. The school includes tennis, tag rugby, choir, and creative writing. The school provides enrichment and outdoor learning opportunities that extend learning beyond the classroom.	Academic & intellectual ISB Plus Programme of after-school activities helps students discover passions outside the classroom. The co-curricular programme offers around 90 activities across three seasons for all grade levels, providing opportunities for personal development beyond the curriculum. It provides a safe, inclusive space for students to learn new skills, refine existing ones, and explore their passions.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The school offers choir and creative writing as enrichment activities. The school includes sustainable, creative arts projects in outdoor learning that merge artistic expression with ecological awareness. The school provides enrichment opportunities for artistic expression beyond the classroom.	Arts & creative ISB Plus offers arts and creative activities including Arts & Crafts, Drama, Ballet, Modern Dance, Textile Design, Digital Discovery, Comic Book Discovery, Creative Photography, and Filmmaking. Activities renew each season to keep students engaged, with Upper School offerings expanding into additional creative options. Through theatre, film, music, and visual arts, ISB students explore their imagination and develop their unique artistic voice.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The school offers a bilingual French-English programme for Primary students. The school has English and French mother-tongue teachers delivering a 50/50 mix of French and English for ages four to 11. The school's bilingual classes follow the same broad curriculum as the English section.	Cultural & language English is the main language of instruction. French lessons are offered from age 2.5, with a bilingual French programme from Grade 5 onward. Additional language options include Dutch, Spanish, and Japanese, and ISB offers a Home Language Programme that integrates languages spoken at home into the curriculum.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies The school provides a wide range of clubs and activities. The school offers examples including tennis, tag rugby, choir, and creative writing. The school's enrichment program emphasizes learning beyond lessons and includes outdoor learning opportunities.	Social & hobbies ISB Plus includes a wide range of after-school activities to suit varied interests. The Supervision Programme provides a safe, fun space with board games, drawing, and puzzles for younger students, plus monthly activity themes such as story time, sing-a-longs, and crafts. Lower and Upper School activities include Arts & Crafts, Badminton, Ballet, Basketball, Chess, Climbing, Digital Discovery, Drama, Fencing, Modern Dance, Move & Explore, Tennis, Textile Design, and more.
Community & service	Community & service The school offers the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award. The Award is structured across Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels and includes volunteering, physical recreation, and skill development, plus adventurous journeys. Expeditions and service projects broaden horizons and build independence and teamwork.	Community & service Community engagement is a core part of the ISB learning experience, including human rights projects and volunteering in the Lower School and a CAS programme in the Upper School. Students participate in meaningful volunteer work on campus and with local organisations. Current ISB projects include supporting homeless, low-income, elderly, and refugee communities; organizing monthly activities for refugee children and for children living in social care; serving meals and providing kits to those in need; and engaging with local Red Cross and other service activities.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The school runs BSB Futures, a careers programme that supports post-16 pathways. The school delivers career talks, workshops on CV writing, networking, and mentoring through the Futures team, and provides one-to-one guidance with advisers. The school builds external partnerships for events, internships, and leadership opportunities such as the Futures Captain.	Leadership & professional The school runs a CAS programme in the Upper School for creativity, activity, and service experiences. ISB also maintains a Leadership Team led by the Director, with Heads of Elementary, Middle, and High School and senior directors overseeing curriculum, inclusion, and student life. The Director of Athletics and Activities leads sports and activities, reflecting the school's emphasis on leadership and co-curricular opportunities.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school uses outdoor learning to support wellbeing and environmental stewardship. The school's Learning without Walls extends across age groups and aligns with Units of Discovery. Time spent outdoors fosters curiosity, resilience, and lifelong learning.	Lifestyle & wellbeing ISB Athletics offers over 15 sports and more than 50 competitive teams, enabling students to try multiple activities and often become three-sport athletes. The facilities include two gyms, two athletics fields, a running track, a fitness room, a Strongbox outdoor gym, a dojang for martial arts, a tennis bubble, indoor rock-climbing walls, and a dance studio. The school also partners with Brussels Sports Association for swimming courses at state-of-the-art facilities.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English is the main language of tuition. A French-English bilingual programme and a Dutch language option exist for younger students. Dutch, German or Spanish are taught as additional languages in later years. Post-16 pathways include the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, A Levels, and BTEC, with the option of a Bilingual IB Diploma in French/English or Dutch/English.	Language provision English is the primary teaching language. The Home Language Programme offers seven languages in the Lower School: Dutch, French, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Swedish, and five languages in the Upper School. The English Language Development (ELD) programme supports multilingual learners to access the curriculum.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The school offers a French-English bilingual programme across 10 Year Groups starting in Reception (age 4-5). A mother-tongue Dutch programme is provided for younger students. Students can study for a Bilingual IB Diploma in French/English or Dutch/English.	Bilingual teaching ISB offers multiple pathways to bilingualism. French is introduced at 2.5 years old. From Grade 5, students who have reached an appropriate level of French proficiency (as well native speakers) can study some core curriculum subjects in French. In High School, a significant number of students graduate with a bilingual diploma, studying language and literature in either their Home Language and English or French and English. Bilingual learning opportunities exist up to Grade 10 and are supported by the Home Language Programme.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs In the Primary School, subjects are taught in both English and French in bilingual classes, reflecting an immersion approach. English as an Additional Language (EAL) and immersion support are available to help students access the curriculum, with progression from immersion into mainstream classes as they gain proficiency.	Immersion programs ISB provides immersion through bilingual learning pathways and the Home Language Programme. From Grade 5, some core curriculum subjects can be studied in French. The Home Language Programme offers seven languages in the Lower School and five languages in the Upper School, integrated into weekly timetables.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations The school is accredited by the International Baccalaureate, the Council of International Schools, and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions BSB is inclusive and non-selective with an international student body. Tours are available and new students are welcome at any time of the year. Joining at the start of the academic year in September is encouraged, but the school welcomes new students throughout the year. Year groups are assigned based on a child's calendar age against the September 1 to August 31 academic year; students coming from other systems may be placed a year above or below to stay with their peers. The Admissions team is available to help, and the school provides an application form for prospective families. Languages are taught in English with bilingual options: a French/English bilingual programme runs for children aged 4 to 14; French is taught from Kindergarten, Dutch is taught from age seven, and additional languages such as Spanish and German are available; secondary students may also learn these languages. Exam options include GCSEs and iGCSEs in Years 10–11, and in Years 12–13 students can choose the International Baccalaureate Diploma, A Levels, or BTEC. The school is located at The British School of Brussels vzw, Pater Dupierreuxlaan 1, 3080 Tervuren, Belgium. Admission enquiry can be made via the Admissions section of the site. Fees and financial information are provided on the Fees page, and the school's admissions process outlines how and when to apply.	Admissions 1. Submit the ISB admissions application with the required application fee. The application form must be accompanied by the application fee, and applications will not be processed until the full application fee is paid. If the application is withdrawn, 50% of the fee is refunded; if a Financial Aid application is denied or the family does not accept the offer and withdraws, 75% is refunded; if a completed application is placed in a waiting pool for 60 days and the family cancels, a full refund is available. 2. After the completed application is received, an admission decision is typically issued within 7 to 10 working days. A decision may be delayed if additional information is needed or during school-holiday periods. 3. Students can join ISB at any point during the school year, typically before 1 May. A suitable start date is determined in collaboration with the family and approved by the Head of School. IB Diploma students cannot begin after the beginning of October if their courses are not transferable to ISB. 4. Grade-level placement is based on the prior educational experience and the student's age. In some cases, a placement test may be given to accurately place a student. 5. The ISB Bus Service is the most popular transport for commuting to and from school. Some students may use public transportation, ride a bike, or be dropped off and picked up by their parents. 6. ISB runs waiting lists when necessary. When classes are full, a waiting pool for the affected class is opened, and the Admissions Team explains how waiting pools are managed. 7. ISB offers a limited number of financial aid opportunities each year based on eligibility criteria. ISB also provides an English Language Development Programme at all levels to support non-English-speaking students. 8. ISB has an Inclusion and Challenge Programme to meet learning needs and ensure appropriate placement. 9. The school day hours vary by section: ECC Preschool 08:40–15:30 (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri) and 08:40–12:30 (Wed); ECC Pre-Kindergarten 08:40–15:30 (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri) and 08:40–12:30 (Wed); ECC Kindergarten–Grade 2 08:40–15:35; Elementary School 08:40–15:35; Middle School 08:35–15:40; High School 08:35–15:40.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships ISB offers a Financial Aid Programme to assist families experiencing temporary financial hardship; the aid is primarily designed for existing families and is available for a maximum of two consecutive years. Applications for Financial Aid must be submitted with the regular ISB application and supporting materials, and are considered up to March 31 until the budget is exhausted. ISB also offers a Scholarship Programme for merit-based scholarships open to students of all nationalities; these scholarships are offered for two consecutive years for Grades 7–12 and are designed to provide access to ISB for students not currently in the ISB community; scholarship criteria include English skills, high achievement in English, alignment with ISB's values and mission, overall academic achievement, and demonstrated talents. All scholarship applicants must complete the Scholarship Programme Form and attach supporting materials. Applications for the next school year should be received by March 31. The Scholarship Committee includes the School Director, the Director of Advancement, the Director of Finance and Operations, the Finance Manager, and an Academic Panel. For further questions about scholarships, contact the Admissions Office.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Yes, ISB runs waiting lists when classes are full. A waiting pool is opened for the affected class, and the Admissions Team explains how waiting pools are managed. Waiting lists help accommodate students when space becomes available.
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