Senior Elementary Brochure

The International School of Brussels

LOWER SCHOOL:

SENIOR ELEMENTARY LEADING FORWARD

Empowering students to lead, contribute, and step confidently into the next stage

Grades 5 - 6

Table of Contents

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The Senior Elementary Experience

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Personalisation in Senior Elementary

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Our Learning Philosophy

6

Purposeful Learning in Action

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What Does a Typical Day Look Like?

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Our Curriculum

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Language Learning Pathways to Multilingualism

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Capstone Project & Exhibition

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Transition to Middle School

10 Next Steps

Building Skills, Building Confidence

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The Senior Elementary Experience In these final years of elementary school, the changing needs of eleven- and twelve-year-olds is at 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, active hubs where they can challenge themselves and one another. It is a time of transition – a bridge between the structured world of childhood and the independence of the years ahead.

While students have the security of a "home base" with their homeroom teacher, they begin moving to different classrooms for their core subjects. This allows them to learn from teachers who are truly 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 skills they’ll need for higher-level analysis.

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 – children can turn a casual interest into a real pursuit. By rotating through subjects like coding, digital media, and the arts, they get to "test drive" different paths. Giving them the power to curate even a small part of their own schedule fosters a sense of ownership that keeps them genuinely invested in their school day.

Beyond the daily curriculum, the Grade 5 and 6 experience is defined by the chance to look outward.

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 confidence to lead and the readiness to take their next big step.

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 educational journey.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Sasha & Christopher Head and Assistant Head of Lower School

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THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF BRUSSELS

Personalisation in Senior Elementary 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 students to take intellectual risks.

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 from the perspectives of their peers.

This culture of inquiry naturally flows into the physical act of making and creating. Whether they are 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 refining the nuances of persuasive writing.

These data-informed, individual benchmarks ensure that every student is consistently stretched and supported.

By shifting the focus from "finishing the work" to "achieving personal excellence", we empower our Grade 5 and 6 students to take the driver's seat in their own academic journey, fostering a growth mindset that will serve them long after they leave Elementary School.

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Our Learning Philosophy 1

Developmentally Appropriate Advancing literacy, numeracy, and social– emotional understanding through carefully structured, age-appropriate challenges that promote depth of thinking and skill mastery.

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Rooted in a Continuum of Learning Purposefully aligned with Junior Elementary and progressively designed to ensure readiness for the academic and social demands of Middle School.

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

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

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Intentional and Reflective

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Future-Focused

Learning experiences are deliberately designed and continuously refined through reflective practice, data-informed insights, and evidence-based pedagogy.

Competencies are cultivated as the building blocks for lifelong learning – developing critical thinking, effective communication, collaboration, and personal wellbeing.

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THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF BRUSSELS

Purposeful Learning in Action English Language Arts

Mathematics

Students deepen their literacy by analysing diverse texts and refining comprehension strategies. They transition from building foundational skills to recognising author’s craft, consistently using textual evidence in discussions while pursuing personal reading interests for pleasure.

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 perseverance and practice are key.

Specialist Subjects The range of specialist subjects ensures students are learning from experts in their field.

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 & Environmental Science Students engage in outdoor learning and STEM 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.

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Community Engagement & 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.

Bilingual Programme Students in Senior Elementary can choose to take Social Studies & Science in French. Combined with their regular French classes, students significantly improve their academic French and continue the journey towards French fluency.

What Does a Typical Day Look Like?

Sample Senior Elementary Timetable MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

8:40-9:00

Morning Meeting

Morning Meeting

Morning Meeting

Morning Meeting

Morning Meeting

9:00-10:10

Mathematics

Science (French or English)

Mathematics

English Language Arts

Social Studies (French or English)

10:10-10:20

Brain Break

Brain Break

Brain Break

Brain Break

Brain Break

10:20-11:25

Music Specialization & Drama

English Language Arts

Electives

Music Specialization & Drama

Mathematics

11:25-11:55

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

11:55-12:20

Recess

Recess

Recess

Recess

Recess

12:20-13:20

Languages

Art

English Language Arts

Home Languages

English Language Arts

13:20-14:20

English Language Arts

Physical Education

Languages

Outdoor Education & Environmental Science

Languages

14:20-14:35

Recess

Recess

Recess

Recess

Recess

14:35-15:35

Social Studies (French or English)

Mathematics

Library & Technology / Advisory

Mathematics

Physical Education

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THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF BRUSSELS

Our Curriculum The curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and sequential set of content, understanding, and skill progressions across all subject areas. Clear benchmarks at each grade level, closely aligned with leading curricula from around the world, guide instruction and ensure consistent development.

Teachers differentiate learning to support students who 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, while also integrating progressive components such as STEM and Outdoor Education.

This balanced approach ensures that every child receives a well-rounded education that fosters both foundational knowledge and innovative thinking, preparing them for success in a global context.

View the Senior Elementary Academic Programme

Language Learning Pathways to Multilingualism

While English is the primary language of instruction, ISB places great value on fostering multilingualism through French and home-language learning.

French & Bilingual Programme Students participate in three French lessons per week in Grade 5 & 6. The French programme follows the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) to ensure developmentally appropriate and internationally aligned progression. The programme is offered at the Foundational, Intermediate, and Independent levels.

In the Bilingual programme, students additionally access the academic subjects of Science & Social Studies in French and follow the same curriculum as the English programme.

Home (Mother Tongue) 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, reflecting ISB’s belief that every language a child speaks is an essential part of who they are and how they learn.

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Capstone Project & Exhibition The final year of elementary education culminates in a student-led "capstone" project, marking the transition from guided learning to independent thinking. Students investigate real-world issues they are passionate about, such as environmental conservation or technological innovation, moving beyond memorisation toward true mastery.

This rigorous process builds essential future-ready skills, including critical thinking, self-management, and confident communication. By synthesising complex information and presenting solutions to adult audiences, students demonstrate their academic and social readiness for Middle School. Ultimately, this experience celebrates student growth and responsibility, proving they are prepared to make a meaningful impact on the world.

Transition to Middle School The Middle School Transition Programme is designed to ensure a smooth and confident start 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.

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A World of Learning Begins Here At ISB, every child’s story begins with connection. We invite you to meet our team, explore our learning spaces, and experience the empowering journey of Senior Elementary in Grades 5 & 6.

Our team is ready to connect with your family and introduce you to our Senior Elementary Programme.

See ISB in Action: You’re invited to visit, observe, and experience our vibrant, intentional learning environment.

Stay in Touch: Call us: +32 2 661 42 11 Email: admissions@isb.be Learn More: Visit our website at www.isb.be Follow Our Journey:

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Notes

Notes

Leading Forward

The International School of Brussels WWW.ISB.BE