For families who want authentic Montessori that continues past the early years, the International Montessori Schools stand out among international schools in Brussels. Founded in 1993, the group runs several campuses concentrated around Woluwe and Tervuren in the green east of the city, taking children from around fifteen months through the primary years in a bilingual English and French Montessori environment, and then offering the International Baccalaureate to secondary students up to the age of eighteen. It is an authorised IB World School, which is unusual for a Montessori provider. This profile gathers what GlobalSchoolGuide Editorial has verified about its programme, fees and admissions.
We are independent and no school pays to be listed, so this is a reference for relocating parents rather than promotion. Where a current figure is not published, we say so.
At a glance
Curriculum and academics
The early years and primary follow the Montessori curriculum, with prepared classrooms, self correcting materials and mixed age groups in which children work independently and at their own pace. The toddler and early childhood years build practical life, sensorial, language and the concrete maths materials, while the primary years open out into the Montessori great lessons across the humanities and sciences. Teaching is bilingual in English and French throughout, so children grow up genuinely working across both languages.
What distinguishes this group is the bridge into secondary: rather than ending at primary as most Montessori settings do, it offers the International Baccalaureate for older students as an authorised IB World School, giving a recognised route to university while keeping the values of independent, inquiry led learning. For how it compares with the city's other leading schools, our roundup of the best international schools in Brussels places it in context.
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International Montessori School fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| Children's House (5 mornings) | EUR 15,050 |
| Children's House (5 full days) | EUR 25,270 |
| Primary (5 full days) | EUR 32,600 |
| IB MYP | EUR 34,980 |
| IB DP | EUR 36,120 |
Source: International Montessori Schools of Brussels (international-montessori.org). Standard full-fee, full-day option. Reduced assisted places exist; fewer-day options cost less. Fees are the most recent published figures and exclude one-off costs such as registration, deposits and capital levies. Always confirm current fees directly with the school.
International Montessori School fees sit in the independent band for Brussels, and as with most providers tuition rises with each stage, with the secondary IB years the most expensive. The group publishes a current schedule for families, so confirm the live figures for the campus and age group you are considering rather than relying on a number found second hand. Our international school fees in Brussels guide shows where it sits against the premium English medium campuses and the subsidised European Schools.
- Registration: a one off application or registration charge, normally non refundable
- Deposit: a place deposit on acceptance to secure enrolment
- Examination entry: IB Diploma entry fees in the senior years
- Extras: the school bus, lunches, materials and trips
Admissions
The schools admit to a September start in line with the Belgian academic year, with the main entry points in the toddler and early childhood years, and further places higher up where a child has Montessori experience or, for secondary, the background for the IB. Admissions usually involves a visit and an observation rather than a formal test in the younger years, since the priority is whether the child will thrive in independent work, while secondary entry considers prior schooling against the Diploma.
Demand for continuous Montessori with an IB exit is high in Brussels, so register early for the early years and ask about availability across the campuses if you are relocating mid year. Confirm the exact application window and any sibling priority with the school.
Location and who goes there
The campuses are concentrated around Woluwe and Tervuren in the green east of the Brussels area, close to the parks, the Sonian Forest and the residential communes where many international and EU families live. The east is well connected by tram and road towards the European quarter, and the spread of sites lets the group keep class sizes and age groups appropriately separated.
The community is international and bilingual, drawn from EU, diplomatic and corporate households that want a child to grow up across English and French and value the Montessori approach. For the full landscape of neighbourhoods, curricula and fees across the capital, return to the Brussels city hub.
Reviews
We do not yet have verified parent reviews for International Montessori School. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish reviews only once we can confirm they come from real families. If your child attends or has attended the school, we would value your first hand account. Share your experience through the school reviews hub and help the next relocating family decide with better evidence.
Frequently asked questions
How much are International Montessori School fees?
Fees sit in the independent band for Brussels and rise with each stage, with the secondary IB years the most expensive. The group publishes a current schedule per campus and age group. Budget for registration, a deposit, IB examination entry in the senior years and extras such as transport. Our Brussels fees guide shows the wider range.
Is International Montessori School an IB World School?
Yes. The group is an authorised IB World School, offering the International Baccalaureate to secondary students up to age eighteen, which is unusual for a Montessori provider and gives a recognised university route after the Montessori early and primary years.
When do International Montessori School applications open?
Entry follows the Belgian academic year with a September start, and the main entry points are the toddler and early childhood years. Demand is high, so register early and ask about availability across the campuses if you are moving mid year.
Is International Montessori School bilingual?
Yes. Teaching is bilingual in English and French across the early years and primary, so children grow up working across both languages, with the secondary IB taught in English.
Where is International Montessori School located?
The campuses are around Woluwe and Tervuren in the green east of the Brussels area, close to the parks and the Sonian Forest and within reach of the European quarter.
