The Brussels school context

Brussels has the highest density of multilingual international schools in continental Europe, driven by EU institutions, NATO and a deep corporate base. The European Schools network (state-funded, fee-subsidised for EU staff) sits alongside dedicated international schools at every fee tier. Capacity remains tight; apply 9 to 12 months ahead for popular year groups.

The 2026 top 10

1

International School of Brussels (ISB)

IB + AmericanWatermael-BoitsfortEUR 28K to 36KPre-K-12

Brussels's flagship IB school (founded 1951). Strong learning support, balanced cohort. Outstanding faculty stability. The default Tier 1 choice and consistently ranked among Europe's top international schools.

2

British School of Brussels (BSB)

British + IBTervurenEUR 25K to 32K1-18

The flagship British school in Belgium. A-Level and IB Diploma. Strong UK university pipeline alongside diverse cohort outcomes. Tervuren campus with school-bus catchment from across Brussels.

3

St John's International School

American + IBWaterlooEUR 24K to 32K3-18

American curriculum with IB Diploma at sixth form. Catholic mission-led culture. Strong US Ivy and top liberal-arts pipeline. Waterloo location south of Brussels with strong family-village feel.

4

European School Brussels I to IV

European BacMultipleEUR 0 to 5K4-18

State-funded European Schools network. European Baccalauréat. Multiple language sections. Heavily subsidised for EU-institution staff. Outstanding value for eligible families. Selective for non-eligible families.

5

Le Verseau (ELOR)

Bilingual + IBBiergesEUR 8K to 14K2-18

Bilingual French-English school with IB Diploma at sixth form. Materially lower fees than dedicated international schools. Strong for families committed to bilingual French-English outcomes.

6

Lycée Français Jean Monnet

FrenchUccleEUR 7K to 12KMaternelle-Terminale

French Lycée serving Brussels's francophone community. French Baccalauréat. Good fit for French families and bilingual French-English outcomes.

7

Brussels American School

American + APSterrebeekEUR 22K to 28KPre-K-12

American curriculum with AP. Strong cohort balance, particularly NATO-family heavy. Sterrebeek campus with school-bus catchment.

8

International Montessori School

Montessori bilingualTervurenEUR 14K to 20K2-12

The strongest Montessori provision in Brussels. AMI-accredited. Strong primary years. Children typically transition to ISB or BSB at age 12.

9

EEB Mons (European School Mons)

European BacMonsEUR 0 to 5K4-18

State-funded European School in Mons (60 minutes from Brussels). NATO-eligible families particularly. Strong European Baccalauréat outcomes.

10

Deutsche Schule Brüssel

GermanWezembeek-OppemEUR 10K to 16KK-13

German Abitur curriculum. Strong for German-speaking families and trilingual outcomes. Wezembeek-Oppem location near BSB.

Neighbourhoods

  • Tervuren / Wezembeek-Oppem: BSB, German School. Premium expat hub.
  • Watermael-Boitsfort: ISB. Forest-adjacent, family-friendly.
  • Waterloo: St John's. Family-village feel south of Brussels.
  • Uccle / Stockel: Lycée Français, central residential.
  • Ixelles / EU Quarter: European Schools accessible, central.

Free download

City handbooks with Brussels analysis. Part of our city handbook collection.