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Empoweringstudentstolead,contribute,andstepconfidently intothenextstage

Grades5-6

TheSeniorElementaryExperience

Inthesefinalyearsofelementaryschool,thechangingneedsofeleven-andtwelve-year-oldsisat the core of our approach to teaching and learning. We know that students at this age thrive when they have space to move and collaborate, so we’ve designed our learning environments to be social,activehubswheretheycanchallengethemselvesandoneanother.Itisatimeoftransition–abridgebetweenthestructuredworldofchildhoodandtheindependenceoftheyearsahead.

Whilestudentshavethesecurityofa"homebase"withtheirhomeroomteacher,theybeginmoving todifferentclassroomsfortheircoresubjects Thisallowsthemtolearnfromteacherswhoaretruly passionate about their specific fields Whether it’s a scientist who can help them navigate the complexity of an ecosystem or a mathematician who turns abstract numbers into puzzles, this specialised instruction keeps the work engaging and helps students develop the critical thinking skillsthey’llneedforhigher-levelanalysis

We also believe this is the right age for students to start having a say in their own education Through a wide selection of electives and music options – like Band, Strings, or Voiceworks –childrencanturnacasualinterestintoarealpursuit Byrotatingthroughsubjectslikecoding,digital media,andthearts,theygetto"testdrive"differentpaths Givingthemthepowertocurateevena smallpartoftheirownschedulefostersasenseofownershipthatkeepsthemgenuinelyinvestedin theirschoolday

Beyondthedailycurriculum,theGrade5and6experienceisdefinedbythechancetolookoutward. Every Grade 6 student completes a Capstone Project, which is a deep-dive inquiry into a local or global issue they care about. Rather than just writing a paper, they interview experts and design actual solutions to present to the community. Whether they are presenting that project, competing in a mathematics tournament, or playing on the basketball court, our students learn that their voices matter. These years are the pinnacle of the elementary journey, where children gain the confidencetoleadandthereadinesstotaketheirnextbigstep.

Choosing a school for your child is a very important decision. We invite you and your family to visit ISB and join us for a tour to discover the exceptional programme we offer to further every child's educationaljourney.

Welookforwardtowelcomingyou!

Sasha & Christopher HeadandAssistantHeadofLowerSchool

Personalisation in Senior Elementary is about more than just a pace of learning; it is a deep commitment to seeing each child as an individual with unique strengths, interests, and potential.

This begins with our caring and knowledgeable teachers, who act as mentors and facilitators. By building strong, authentic relationships, our educators are able to meet students exactly where they are, providing the safe space for studentstotakeintellectualrisks.

In our classrooms, learning is a social and creative act. We prioritise vibrant discussion and idea generation, where students are encouraged to debate concepts, challenge assumptions, and learn fromtheperspectivesoftheirpeers.

Thiscultureofinquirynaturallyflowsintothephysicalactofmakingandcreating Whethertheyare prototyping a solution to a community problem in our STEMLab or composing an original piece of digital music, students are given the agency to demonstrate their understanding through diverse mediums This hands-on approach ensures that abstract concepts become concrete, lasting knowledge

However, personalisation at this level also means embracing academic challenge Through targeted personal goals, teachers work one-on-one with students to identify specific areas for growth, whether that means mastering complex algebraic thinking or refiningthenuancesofpersuasivewriting.

These data-informed, individual benchmarks ensure that every student is consistently stretchedandsupported.

Byshiftingthefocusfrom"finishingthework"to "achieving personal excellence", we empower ourGrade5and6studentstotakethedriver's seatintheirownacademicjourney,fosteringa growth mindset that will serve them long after theyleaveLowerSchool

OurLearningPhilosophy

1 DevelopmentallyAppropriate

Advancing literacy, numeracy, and social–emotional understanding through carefully structured, age-appropriate challenges that promotedepthofthinkingandskillmastery

2 RootedinaContinuumof Learning

Purposefully aligned with Junior Elementary and progressively designed to ensure readiness for the academic and social demandsofMiddleSchool

3 InvestigativeandExplorative

Students engage as active investigators, deepening their understanding through purposeful exploration, questioning, and discovery that build conceptual knowledge andcognitiveflexibility.

4 PersonalisedandResponsive

Instruction is differentiated and adaptive, using observation and assessment to tailor learning pathways that extend each student’s interests, strengths, and growth areas.

5 IntentionalandReflective

Learning experiences are deliberately designed and continuously refined through reflective practice, data-informed insights, andevidence-basedpedagogy.

6 Future-Focused

Competencies are cultivated as the building blocks for lifelong learning – developing critical thinking, effective communication, collaboration,andpersonalwell-being

PurposefulLearninginAction

EnglishLanguageArts

Students deepen their literacy by analysing diverse texts and refining comprehension strategies They transition from building foundationalskillstorecognisingauthor’scraft, consistently using textual evidence in discussions while pursuing personal reading interestsforpleasure

SpecialistSubjects

The range of specialist subjects ensures studentsarelearningfromexpertsintheirfield. Whether developing language fluency, artistic skills, awareness of global issues, or building the habits of lifelong physical well-being, students are engaged in meaningful learning, building core knowledge about how our world works and being inspired to develop their own interests and make a positive impact in our community.

STEM&EnvironmentalScience

StudentsengageinoutdoorlearningandSTEM experiences that promote curiosity, problemsolving, and real-world application. Through hands-on exploration, design challenges, and interaction with the natural environment, they develop resilience, collaboration, and an understanding of scientific and technological concepts.

Mathematics

Through hands-on activities, visual modeling, and real-world problemsolving, students develop the solid mathematical foundation and critical thinking needed as growing mathematicians This approach offers tailored support and fosters a growth mindset, emphasising that perseveranceandpracticearekey

CommunityEngagement &Leadership

Through meaningful community engagement projects and in-depth studies in the Social Sciences, students practice key leadership skills and experience the impact of making a positive change in their world

BilingualProgramme

Students in Senior Elementary can choose to take Social Studies & Science in French. Combined with theirregularFrenchclasses,students significantly improve their academic French and continue the journey towardsFrenchfluency.

WhatDoesaTypical DayLookLike?

OurCurriculum

The curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and sequential set of content, understanding,andskillprogressionsacrossallsubject areas Clear benchmarks at each grade level, closely aligned with leading curricula from around the world, guideinstructionandensureconsistentdevelopment

Teachersdifferentiatelearningtosupportstudentswho are working below the benchmark and extend opportunities for those ready to move beyond. The curriculum encompasses all traditional elements, including core literacies, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, physical education, and drama, whilealsointegratingprogressivecomponentssuchas STEMandOutdoorEducation

This balanced approach ensures that every child receives a well-rounded education that fosters both foundational knowledge and innovative thinking, preparingthemforsuccessinaglobalcontext.

ViewtheSeniorElementary AcademicProgramme

LanguageLearningPathwaystoMultilingualism

While English is the primary language of instruction, ISB places great value on fostering multilingualismthroughFrenchandhome-languagelearning.

French&BilingualProgramme

Students participate in three French lessons per week in Grade 5 & 6 The FrenchprogrammefollowstheCommonEuropeanFrameworkofReferencefor Languages (CEFR) to ensure developmentally appropriate and internationally aligned progression The programme is offered at the Foundational, Intermediate,andIndependentlevels.

In the Bilingual programme, students additionally access the academic subjectsofScience&SocialStudiesinFrenchandfollowthesamecurriculum astheEnglishprogramme.

Home(MotherTongue)Languages

ISB supports mother-tongue classes in Japanese, Dutch, Korean, Swedish, Hebrew, Mandarin, and Spanish, taught once a week by qualified teachers These classes strengthen language skills, cultural identity, and pride in multilingualism,reflectingISB’sbeliefthateverylanguageachildspeaksisan essentialpartofwhotheyareandhowtheylearn

CapstoneProject &Exhibition

The final year of elementary education culminates in a student-led "capstone" project, marking the transition from guided learning to independent thinking Students investigatereal-worldissuestheyarepassionateabout, such as environmental conservation or technological innovation, moving beyond memorisation toward true mastery

Thisrigorousprocessbuildsessentialfuture-readyskills, including critical thinking, self-management, and confident communication. By synthesising complex informationandpresentingsolutionstoadultaudiences, students demonstrate their academic and social readiness for Middle School Ultimately, this experience celebrates student growth and responsibility, proving theyarepreparedtomakeameaningfulimpactonthe world

Transitionto MiddleSchool

The Middle School Transition Programme is designedtoensureasmoothandconfidentstart in Grade 7 This extensive programme includes information sessions with Middle School counsellors, experience opportunities in Middle School classes, student mentorship, and parent information evenings and tours Through participation in this programme, families report their child is well prepared for the Middle School years.

AWorldofLearningBeginsHere

At ISB, every child’s story begins with connection We invite you to meet our team, explore our learningspaces,andexperiencetheempoweringjourneyofSeniorElementaryinGrades5&6.

Ourteamisreadytoconnectwithyourfamilyandintroduceyoutoour SeniorElementaryProgramme

SeeISBinAction:You’reinvitedtovisit,observe,andexperienceour vibrant,intentionallearningenvironment.

StayinTouch:Callus:+3226614211 Email:admissions@isb.be

LearnMore:Visitourwebsiteatwww.isb.be

FollowOurJourney:

Senior Elementary Brochure

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