Among the international schools in Brussels, ISB is one of the oldest and best known names. Founded in 1951, it grew alongside the post war diplomatic community and the arrival of the European institutions, and today enrols more than 1,300 students from over 60 nationalities on a large green campus in the south of the city. What sets it apart from most of its peers is choice at the top of the school, where students can graduate by four different routes rather than one. This profile sets out what GlobalSchoolGuide Editorial has verified about its curriculum, 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 fact could not be confirmed, we mark it as not published.
At a glance
Curriculum and academics
ISB runs a continuous international programme from Early Years through to Grade 12, built around inquiry based learning and a broad set of languages. Its distinguishing feature is the range of graduation routes at the top of the school. Students can complete the IB Diploma Programme, which the school has been authorised to deliver since 1977, the US High School Diploma, individual Advanced Placement courses, or the more applied BTEC qualification. Few schools in the region offer this much choice in one place, and it lets families match the pathway to a child's strengths and to the universities they are aiming for, whether in North America, the United Kingdom or continental Europe.
The school is accredited by the Middle States Association and the European Council of International Schools, with reaccreditation completed in 2024, and it holds authorisation to award the US High School Diploma. It keeps a staffing ratio of around seven students to each teacher across the school. For the wider market, our roundup of the best American schools in Brussels sets ISB against its peers.
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International School of Brussels fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| Preschool (ages 2.5 to 3) | EUR 22,995 |
| Kindergarten (age 5) | EUR 38,440 |
| Grades 3 to 6 | EUR 42,145 |
| Grades 7 to 9 | EUR 48,135 |
| Grades 10 to 12 | EUR 51,105 |
Source: International School of Brussels (isb.be). Annual tuition. A one-time application fee of EUR 2,000 per family applies. 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 School of Brussels fees sit in the premium independent band for the city, the tier our Brussels school fees guide places at the top of the local range alongside the British School of Brussels and St John's International. Tuition rises with each stage and is highest in the senior diploma years, which reflects the small classes, the breadth of the programme and the cost of running four graduation routes at once. The school publishes a current schedule each year, so treat any figure found second hand with caution and confirm the live numbers with admissions before you budget, and use our fee calculator to weigh ISB against the city's other independents on cost.
- Registration: a one off application or registration charge, normally non refundable
- Deposit: a place deposit on acceptance to confirm enrolment
- Examination entry: IB Diploma, Advanced Placement and BTEC entry fees in the senior years
- Extras: the school bus, lunches, trips and after school activities
Admissions
ISB admits for an August or September start in line with the northern hemisphere academic year, and considers applications through the year where places exist. The admissions team reviews previous school reports and reference, sets assessments suited to the year group, and in the senior grades weighs a child against the demands of the diploma route they intend to follow. Because the school runs several pathways, the conversation at entry often turns on which route will suit the student best.
Demand is steady at the early stages and around the secondary transition, and places in popular year groups can be tight. Register early if you can, and ask about occasional places if you are relocating outside the standard cycle, as turnover in the diplomatic and EU institution community opens spaces through the year.
Location and who goes there
The ISB campus sits in Watermael-Boitsfort in the south east of Brussels, a leafy residential commune on the edge of the Forest of Soignes, which gives the school generous outdoor space rare in a capital city. The setting draws families from the green southern communes such as Uccle, Boitsfort and Auderghem, and the daily commute is manageable for households across the southern half of the city.
The community is strongly international, shaped by the diplomatic missions, the European institutions and NATO, alongside Belgian families who want an English medium international education. For the full picture of districts, curricula and fees across the capital, see the Brussels city guide.
Reviews
We do not yet have verified parent reviews for the International School of Brussels. 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 ISB, 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 School of Brussels fees?
The International School of Brussels sits in the premium independent band for the city, the tier our Brussels fees guide places at the top of the local range. Tuition rises with each stage and is highest in the senior diploma years, and registration, a deposit and extras such as transport and examinations sit on top, so confirm the current schedule with the admissions office before you budget.
Does the International School of Brussels offer the IB?
Yes. ISB has been an authorised IB World School offering the IB Diploma Programme since 1977. It is unusual in the region for running four graduation routes side by side: the IB Diploma, the US High School Diploma, Advanced Placement and BTEC, so students can choose the pathway that fits their strengths and university plans.
When was the International School of Brussels founded?
The International School of Brussels was founded in 1951, which makes it one of the oldest and largest international schools in the Belgian capital. It is accredited by the Middle States Association and the European Council of International Schools, with reaccreditation completed in 2024.
Where is the International School of Brussels located?
ISB occupies a large green campus in Watermael-Boitsfort in the south east of Brussels, beside the Forest of Soignes, which draws families from the leafy southern communes and the wider expatriate community working with the EU institutions and NATO.
How many students attend the International School of Brussels?
ISB enrols more than 1,300 students drawn from over 60 nationalities, with a consistent staffing ratio of around seven students to each teacher across the school.
