T h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l
S c h o o l o f B r u s s e l s E v e r y o n e i n c l u d e d . E v e r y o n e c h a l l e n g e d . E v e r y o n e s u c c e s s f u l .
Morethan aSchool
Founded in Brussels in 1951, ISB is a private schoolforstudentsfromPreschooltoGrade12. Our international student community includes 1300+ students from 60+ different countries, makingourcampusaculturallyrichspacethat facilitates learning from and with people from allovertheworld
Set within the beautiful Forêt de Soignes and located just 10 metres away from a UNESCO WorldHeritageSite,ourfacilitiesallowstudents to benefit from an immersive learning experience, to tailor their learning path to their passions and talents, and to make the school environment a place they are eager to return toeveryMonday.
Our educational programme is as diverse as our student demographics and is carefully tailored to develop independent learners and international citizens in an environment where all students are included, challenged, and successful.
AtISBweempowerourstudentstochoosetheir own path to success by ensuring they have access to the right resources, people, and opportunities to discover their passions and to foster them into sustainable futures We focus on developing future-proof expertise, which is adaptableandtransferable
Asschoolissomuchmorethantheclassroom, we believe that enhancing creativity and fostering team spirit is imperative for developing skilled, independent learners, who are equipped to be successful in a working world without borders. Apart from our core academic programme, which is regularly reviewed by mapping and comparing standards from different national systems, ISB offers an extraordinary selection of extracurricular activities in the fields of Arts, Athletics,STEMsubject,andLanguages
ISB at a Glance
OurMission
Todevelopindependentlearnersandinternationalcitizensinanenvironmentwhereall studentsare
“Webelievethathighinclusionandhighacademicperformanceare complementary,andweshapeourcurriculaandteachingmethods toensureeachofourstudents'success.” -JamesMacDonald,SchoolDirector
OurStrategyfortheFuture
AtISB,wearefuelledbyastrongheritageandaredriventoadapttochanginganddemanding futures.Weseetechnologicaladvancementsasopportunitiestobeseizedandutilisedforour community’s progress. With our international learning environment, amazing resources, and worldclassexpertisewecanpursueevengreaterambitionsforourstudents.
Weenvisionafuturewhereeverystudent’slearningjourneyistailoredtotheiruniquestrengths, interests,andneeds,therebyfosteringadeep,personalengagementwiththeireducation.
Ourstrategyhaspersonalisedlearningattheheart,anditissupportedbythreeotherareasof focus – providing an Exceptional Education, fostering a Connected International Community, andbeingFutureFocused.
PersonalisationatISB
Personalised learning stems from a belief that all students are unique individual learners, with particularneeds,interests,andabilities.AtISBwebuildourcurriculumonthepremisethatour students are strong and interesting individuals who need an individualised approach. In practice, personalisation entails adapting teaching methods so that each student is given exactly what they need to succeed, be it in order to succeed academically, or in order to nurture what sparks their passions beyond the classroom. Through personalisation we ensure thatourstudentsarenotjustpartofasystem,butthatasystemisbuiltaroundthem.
PersonalisationisimplementedatISBthroughthefollowingfourareasoffocus:
Relationships–Strongrelationshipsarethefoundationandthelensthroughwhichweget
TheLearningJourneyatISB
The learning journey at ISB spans from Preschool to Grade 12. Our school is divided into Lower School(EarlyChildhoodCentreandElementarySchool)andUpperSchool(MiddleSchooland HighSchool),whoseprogrammesarespecificallydesignedforthedevelopmentalneedsofour students. Curricula are carefully tailored to ensure that every student is engaged, challenged, andempoweredtotestnewopportunitiesandtoconnectwiththeirpassions
EarlyChildhoodCentre (ECC):
ElementarySchool (ES):
LowerSchoolatISB
EarlyChildhoodCentre
TheISBlearningexperienceintheEarlyChildhoodCentre(ECC)isfocusedonprovidingasafe and nurturing environment in which children can explore the early stages of the various literaciesthatwillbetheirkeytoallfuturelearning.Ourdedicatedteachersprovidethemwith aplayfulandsafeenvironmentdesignedtomeettheirindividualneeds
The ECC programme is focused on supporting young learners to develop a range of inquiry skills Carefully designed to foster confidence, competence, creativity, and a love for exploration, the ECC experience at ISB equips each child with a solid foundation for learning thatwillsparktheirinterestsandtalents,andhelpthemtoflourishthroughouttheirlife
The ECC is also the place where young learners become social actors Students are helped to develop an understanding of and willingness to reflect on the impact of their actions and choices, by being guided to uphold the Big 4 Principles – Safety, Fairness, Kindness, and Respect Furthermore, from the first years at the ECC, Forest Learning is integrated into the ISB curriculum, engaging students in diverse and interactive outdoor activities aiming to promote asenseofexplorationthroughplayandrespectforone’snaturalenvironment
PreschoolandPre-Kindergarten
It is well researched that children have an amazingpotentialtolearnthroughplay.
Our preschool and pre-kindergarten teachers are expert question-askers who help children think through big ideas as they play. They design and structure the environment to ensure that children arechallengedandsupportedtolearnincreative, imaginative, and investigative ways. Through different types of open and structured activities, our early-childhood specialised teaching teams helpyounglearnersdevelopstronglanguageand thinking skills, while building a strong foundation inearlyliteracyandmaths.
Through investigations and inquiry projects, our young learners explore early scientific concepts andsocialroles.Thisisalldoneinanatmosphere that fosters a sense of self-esteem and perseverance, assisting them to better understandtheworldaroundthem.
KindergartentoGrade2
In these grades, the students have a dedicated and differentiated learning experience to supporttheirjourneyasreaders,writers,andmathematicians.
Our small group instructional model and specialised support teachers enable us to tailor instructiontomeetthespecificlearningneedsofeachgroup,allowingstudentstoprogressat theirownpace.Bygroupingstudentsbasedonskilllevelsandpassions,teacherscanprovide focused and goal-driven instruction in key areas, such as foundational maths concepts and literacy skills, ensuring that all students gain confidence and mastery in a personalised, supportiveenvironment
Throughinvestigationsandprojects,studentsexploredeepscientificconceptsandsocialroles, fosteringbothacademicgrowthandsocialresponsibility,whilesolidifyingtheirunderstanding of how these subjects relate to their lives and communities This tailored approach helps ensure each student achieves personal growth while building a strong and adaptable
ElementarySchool
AtthecoreoftheeducationalapproachintheElementarySchoolispersonalisedlearning, where each child's unique needs, interests, and learning styles are embraced. The ES programmeisdesignedtoprovideopportunitiesforextensionandchallenge,fosteringan environmentwherestudentscangrow,explore,andreachtheirfullpotentialthroughrigorous andinclusiveclassrooms.IntheES,studentsdon'tjustlearn,theydevelopthecriticalskillsand themindsetsneededtonavigateandthriveinaninterconnectedworld.Classactivitiesfocus onindependence,collaboration,andcreativityinallofthecorecontentareas,developingkey transferableskills,uponwhichstudentscanbuildtheirownfutureinwaysthatpositively impactthemselvesandothers.
APractical,Relevant,andFuture-FocusedCurriculum
Throughacombinationofguidedpracticeandreal-worldapplication,studentsengagein learningexperiencesthatconnectdirectlytoeverydayacademictasksandsocialsituations Thisstretchesbeyondcorecontentareas,suchasliteracy,mathematics,socialstudies,and science,intoextensiveexplorationcourses,suchasvisualarts,expressivearts,performingarts, PE,STEM,LibraryTechnology,andAdvisory TheESmathematicsprogrammeisdesignedto developadeepunderstandingofmathematicalconceptswhilenurturingcriticalthinkingskills andproblem-solvingabilities.ForstudentslearningEnglish,individualisedinstructionistailored tohelpthemsucceedbothacademicallyandsocially Throughusingtheirlanguageskills confidentlyindiversepracticalcontexts,studentsmovebeyondacquiringlanguageskills, makingthelearningprocessmeaningfulandimpactful
NurturingIndependentThinkers
Whilestudentsareencouragedtochallengeassumptionsabouttheworld,they appreciatesolidconnectionswithtrustedadultswithwhomtheycantaketheirfirst stepstowardsestablishingindependenceandidentity.
Teachersworkcloselywithstudentstobuildtheirconfidence,whileencouragingamindset oflifelonglearningOurhighlyskilledandthoughtfulteachersusecollaborativespacesto allowstudentstoexploreduringtheschooldayandbeyond.Specialisedprogrammessuch ashomelanguages,upperelementaryelectives,studentcouncil,ModelUnitedNations (MUN),socialstudiescourses,andpassionlearningallowforcreativity,independent thinking,andacademicgrowthinengagingways.
Aboveall,ourESteachersarededicatedtoensuringthateverystudentisfuture-ready, equippedwiththeskills,knowledge,andresilienceneededtosucceedintomorrow'sworld Ouracademicprogrammeisintentionallycraftingindividualisededucationalexperiences thatgrowlearnerstrengths,ensuringthatstudentsacquirethepracticalskillstheyneedas theymovetoUpperSchoolandbeyond
UpperSchoolatISB
MiddleSchool
The Middle School at ISB is a place intentionally designed to meet the unique developmental needsoftheadolescentlearner TheMSprovideshighstandardsforlearningcombinedwitha freedomtochooseone’spath Studentsareprovidedwiththeopportunitytopursuearangeof specificlearninginterestsandpassions,buildingontheexperiencesdevelopedintheECCand ES
Betweentheagesof12to15,choiceandautonomybecomeincreasinglyimportantasstudents arerapidlydevelopingonbothapersonalandanintellectuallevel.Thecurriculumisdesigned to strengthen students’ independent learning skills, while nurturing their creativity and empowering them to choose courses that are personally relevant to them and to their passions.
Ourstate-of-the-artfacilitieshavebeendesignedtosupportthesedynamicandpersonalised learning experiences and to ensure that we can meet the needs and expectations of every student at ISB. Middle School students are also offered opportunities to make a difference, by contributingtoprojectsservinglocalandglobalcommunities.
CollaborativeLearningSpaces
The custom-designed classrooms and commonspacesintheMiddleSchoolfeature an open and inviting atmosphere which encourages students to connect and collaboratewithoneanother,enhancingtheir abilitytoworktogether.Thespaceisdesigned to support personalised learning, allowing studentstolearnattheirownpaceandneeds In addition, it fosters a strong sense of community by promoting open communication between teachers and students
This setting enhances both social interactionandpersonalgrowth,making ISBagreatlearningenvironment.
Arts,Technology&DesignProgramme
The MS programme offers a comprehensive range of course options that represent our commitmenttoprovidinghigh-qualitypersonalisedlearningopportunitiesforallstudents. Studentsareencouragedtotakeinitiativethroughtheircoursechoices,byofferingawide selectionofcoursesthatblendcreativity,design,andtechnology
Spanningvisualandperformingarts,creativewritingandfilmmaking,andinnovativeSTEM subjects,theArts,Technology&DesignProgrammeisdesignedtoempowerstudentsto exploretheoverlapbetweenartandtechnologyandtoengagewithemergingtechnologies andartificialintelligence,codinganddigitaldesign,andreal-lifeapplicationsofSTEMconcepts infuture-focusedcontexts
HighSchool
HighSchoolistheplacewherelearningculminatesatISBStudentsareempoweredtodevelop theskillsandknowledgetheywillneedfortheirsuccess,astheyventureoutintoacomplex world.Tosupporteachlearnerintheirjourney,weprovidemultiplepathwaystosuccess, offeringstudentsindependence,personalchoice,andtheopportunitytoflourishbothinside andoutsidetheclassroom
OwningOne’sPathwaytoSuccess
TheHighSchooloffersadiverseprogrammetaughtbyteacherswhoareglobalexpertsintheir field.Withover120differentcourses,ourHighSchooloffersarobustrangeofflexibleand personalisedoptionsthatallowstudentstodesigntheirownpathtograduationandbeyond. Aswellastailoringtheseoptionstostudents’needs,interests,andlearningstyles,astrong emphasiscontinuestobeplacedoncharacterdevelopmentandthepersonalskillsnecessary tothriveinachangingandinterconnectedsociety.Allstudentsareencouragedtoadvocate andspeakforthemselves,tobeindependentlearners,topursuetheirpassions,andtowork towardsrealisingtheirdreams.
All ISB High School Graduation Pathways – such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) DiplomaProgramme,theUSHighSchoolDiploma,theBTECProgramme,ortheAdvanced Placement(AP)Programme–opendoorstogreatfutureopportunities.OurHighSchooloffers thelargestinclusiveIBDPinBelgium,andouraveragediplomascoreisconsistentlyabove worldaverages.
HighSchoolCounselling
At ISB, we care about our students’ wellbeing at every stage of their learning journey and understand that High School can be a time of change and important decisionsaboutthefuture.
AllofourGrade10to12studentsbenefitfrom the advice and guidance of a dedicated team of counsellors who guide, support, and advocateforstudentsthroughouttheirentire HighSchooljourneys
Through our personal learning and counselling programmes, students and their families are guided and supported as they navigate the journey of adolescence, grow their academic understanding, contribute meaningfully to society, and prepare for the future that awaits them Furthermore, our counsellors proactively build relationships with universities, colleges, and employers from around the world in order to offer our studentsalltheresourcestheyneedtomake informeddecisionsabouttheirfutures
AthleticsatISB
TheAthleticsProgrammeatISBistrulyanextensionoftheclassroom,helpingtomakestudents better athletes by supporting their individual development in a holistic, caring, and joyful way. Our Athletics Programme offers 15 sports and is the only school in Belgium to offer American Football,Lacrosse,FieldHockey,Baseball,Softball,andafullprogrammeforboysVolleyball.In total, ISB Athletics has over 50 competitive teams, enabling students to test multiple activities andtryoutadifferentsporteachseason,inordertofindtheirtruepassion.
AthleticsFacilities
ISBhassomeofthefinestathleticfacilitiesamongstinternationalschoolsinEuropeFeaturing twogyms,twoathleticsfields,arunningtrack,afullyequippedfitnessroom,afullyequipped Strongboxoutdoorgym,DojangforMartialArts,aTennisBubble,indoorrock-climbingwalls, andadancestudio
ArtsatISB
At ISB, we are dedicated to nurturing each student's artistic journey, helping them find meaning,purpose,andconnectionthroughthearts Forstudentsdrawntomusic,drama,film, or visual arts, ISB offers a vibrant community and an inspiring environment to cultivate their creativetalentsandtransformthemintolastingpassionsandgoals
The ISB Arts Programme enriches students’ understanding of the world, enhances their aesthetic and creative skills, and fosters values like collaboration, focus, responsibility, and dedication. Through a diverse selection of courses, students have the chance to explore their artisticpotential,enjoycreativefreedom,anddiscovertheiruniquevoices.
Whether pursuing the arts as a career path or a hobby, students at ISB are encouraged to explore a wide range of artistic disciplines from an early age. Our curriculum, spanning from Early Childhood to High School, includes both visual and performing arts, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to engage in creative expression. Our Theatre and Film programmes inspire students to consider their message, audience, and creative process, promptingexplorationthroughexperimentationandcalculatedrisk-taking.VisualArtscourses empower students to interpret the world through various media, while Music courses deepen theirappreciationofglobalculturesandhumanity.
17
Yearlyfestivals,symposiums,and fieldtripsinvolvingArt,Music,and Theatrestudents
studenttechnicians LowerSchoolstudentsparticipate invisualandperformingarts classes
Performances&Exhibitions
Studentartworksandperformancestakecentrestageinaseriesofschoolwideexhibitionsand eventsthatbringtogetherourcommunityofstudents,parents,faculty,andalumni.Our studentartistsengageinawiderangeofcreativeoutlets,fromtheatreproductionsand musicalstotechnicaltheatre,orchestra,bandandchoirperformances,heldbothoncampus andatvenuesthroughoutBrussels.Theseeventsprovidevaluableopportunitiesforstudentsto connectwithaudiences,refinethemessageoftheirart,andgaininsightfulfeedback,helping themdeepentheirunderstandingoftheirartisticaspirationsandpersonalvision
Excursions&Trips
ISBisalongstandingmemberofAMIS(TheAssociationforMusicinInternationalSchools)and ISTA (International Schools Theatre Association), and our students attend AMIS and ISTA festivalsandsymposiumsthroughouttheyear,wheretheystudyandcollaboratewithstudent artistsfromotherinternationalschools.
ISBPlus
The ISB Plus Programme of after-school activities enables all students to discover their passionsoutsideoftheclassroom Ourco-curricularprogrammedirectlysupportstheschool’s mission, introducing students to a range of interests that provide opportunities for personal developmentbeyondthecurriculum
Theprogrammeincludesapproximately90differentactivities,whichruneveryday,overthree seasons. The range of activities fall under five general categories – Arts, Outdoor, Active, Interests, and Languages – meaning there is something suitable for all grade levels and all preferences.ISBPlusisasafeandinclusiveenvironmentwherestudentscanlearnnewskills, perfectexistingones,anddiscovertalentsandpassions.
ISBPlusSupervision
Tosupportourparentsandstudents,ISBalsooffersaflexible,safe,andfunafter-school SupervisionProgrammeforallstudentsfromPreschooltoGrade6.Arangeoffunandrelaxing activitiesareavailableduringSupervisionwithboardgames,drawing,andpuzzlesforolder students,andamonthlyactivitythemefortheyoungerstudents,whichincludesstorytime, sing-a-longs,andcrafts.
CommunityEngagement
At ISB, we pride ourselves on being part of a connected international community while simultaneouslyvaluingoursurroundingenvironment,itstraditions,anditspeople.
OurCommunityEngagementProgramme(CAS)isagreatwayforourHighSchoolstudentsto get involved in the local community and to nurture their social awareness through a range of diverse and rewarding projects The previous 2023-24 school year was full of exciting and meaningful opportunities for our students to make a difference and to discover possible directionsfortheirpost-ISBfutures
TheCommunityPartners
5,500
PathwaystoExcellence
Pathways to Excellence is a programme that focuses on students with extraordinary talents, passions, and ambitions in the fields of Athletics, Arts, or STEM, by supporting them with the resources and flexibility they need in order to excel at their passion while maintaining high academic standards The programme ensures that student athletes, artists, or scientists who areoftenfollowingdemandingtrainingorcompetitionschedulesbenefitfromatailoredschool programme that allows them to keep up with all the important areas of their education while they are following their passions As this is a newly introduced programme, ISB is currently piloting Pathways to Excellence with three student-athletes during the 2024-25 school year Next year, we are planning to expand this pathway to students focused on Arts or STEM subjects, to enable more and more students to benefit from personalised learning opportunities, adapted teaching methods, and schedules that allow them to fully commit to theirpassions
STEM Programme
The entire ISB curriculum, from ECC to HS, focuses on nurturing students’ unique abilities and interests We aim to provide meaningful and engaging learning experiences in STEM topics to all students from an early age, so that they become innovative thinkers ready for a quickly evolving world Being ready for the future is vital for both our students and for ISB as an institution, and we are committed to empowering our students with the knowledge and skills theyneedtobecomeinnovativeleadersaspartoftheirpost-ISBfutures.Fromparticipationin STEM Labs in the Lower School, to a rich STEM curriculum in the Upper School, our academic programme aims to foster scientific curiosity for all of our students and to nurture students’ ambitionsthroughawideandexcitingselectionoftopicsthatblendtheuseoftechnologywith creativityandpurposefulness.
Inclusion&ChallengeServices
AtISB,weembracetheuniquenessofeverylearnerandbelievethatlearningdiversityenriches the school community and provides mutual benefits for everyone. Our Inclusion & Challenge Department has an established multidisciplinary team-based approach, providing the best tailoredsupportforeachstudent,basedonlearners’uniqueprofiles,individualcircumstances, andlearninggoals.
LearningSupportServices
At ISB, learning support is available for any students with learning differences, including studentswhoexhibitagreaterneedforchallengeorextensionopportunities.Servicesinclude SpeechandLanguageTherapy,OccupationalTherapy,EducationalPsychology/Educational Testing,SchoolCounselling,CollegeandCareersGuidanceCounselling,EnglishLanguage DevelopmentClasses,andHomeLanguageClasses.
InclusiveLearningEnvironments
Studentsaresupportedintypicalclassroomsettingsbyteacherswhodifferentiateinstruction and provide necessary accommodations and modifications Additional to differentiated teachingpractices,studentsarealsosupportedviathefollowingfacilities:
In the MS and HS, there are Learning Support Centres equipped as a suite of small classroom spaces and offices separated by large windows that allow for testing accommodationstobeadministeredwhiledirectinstructionisdeliveredinanotherareaof thecentreIntheECCandES,eachLearningSupportTeacherhasasmallclassroomwhere theyprovidein-classsupportinacollaborativemodel,whichisestablishedthroughflexible groupingopportunities.
Studentswithmoderatesupportneedsaresupportedthroughco-teachingandinsmall groups,intheLearningSupportClassroomsorCentresdescribedabove.
Six specially designed Intensive Learning Support classrooms equipped with adapted workingspaces,sensoryintegrationspaces,andsomewithsharedkitchenspacesforlifeskillsteaching
StudentsmaybeservedinSpeechLanguageTherapyroomsinsectionalspaces,withinthe classroom,orothersocialenvironmentsorcollaborationspaces
OurFamilyAssociation
As soon as your child becomes a student at ISB, your family becomes part of the ISB Family Association (FA). Led by parents in our community, the Family Association has a mission to build a well-informed school community where all families are welcomed, encouraged to participate, and all nationalities are celebrated Our parent volunteers dedicate their time, energy, and heart to the school and organise more than 200 events each year, including the annualISBInternationalFestival
OurAlumni
For almost 75 years ISB has been a second home to so many individuals who left their mark andhelpedusbecometheschoolwearetoday Ouralumniareattheheartofoursuccessas an institution, and they will pave the way for the future that we envision at ISB Currently we have over 25,000 alumni around the world, and we cherish every opportunity we get to celebratethemandtowelcomethembackhome
OurFaculty
We currently have more than 215 teachers, teaching assistants, and teaching interns. Our topic-expert faculty bring in a multitude of diverse global perspectives which shape our students into future global citizens, possessing cultural understanding and celebrating both the differences that make us all unique and our shared common humanity. Our teacher-tostudent ratio of 1-to-7 allows our teachers to form deep meaningful relationships with their studentsandtodeveloplearningandassessmentsystemsthatarebasedonstudents’unique needs,passions,andabilities.
Governance
As the oldest international school in Belgium ISB’s long history of success is underpinned by
ISBDirector&LeadershipTeam
The Director is responsible to the Board of Trustees for all aspects of school life, and is supported by a strong Leadership Team of Sectional Heads and Department Directors, each withstrategicresponsibilitiesfordifferentareasofourschool
Our Campus
Setinanoasisofnaturalbeauty,ourcampusoffersourstudentsanexcitingandsafelearning environment in which to explore diverse learning activities From spacious athletics fields to forestpaths,ourstudentshavemanyopportunitiestobeinspiredbyoursurroundings
OurForeverHome
Lastschoolyear,afteralmost70yearsofleasing,weannouncedthatourcampus-ourhomeisofficiallyours.Thismarkedoneofthemostsignificantmilestonesinthehistoryofourschool, asitnotonlyassuresthefutureofISBonourhomegrounds,butitalsoopensnewpossibilities to further develop our campus so as to provide even more learning opportunities for our students.
Kattenberg19,B-1170Brussels,Belgium +3226614211 communications@isb.be www.isb.be