Belgium has a variety of childcare and educational facilities that will benefit expat families. Expats can choose to enroll their children in local or international schools. Local schools can lead to better integration into a new culture. International schools, on the other hand, enable children to continue in the same education system once they return to their home country. Here’s an overview of the best international schools in Belgium.
Antwerp International School (AIS)
This co-educational school includes preschool, prekindergarten, kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school.Founded in 1967 and located in Antwerp, it began with just 65 students. Antwerp International School, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in December 2007 has about 450 students today.
The British International School of Brussels (BISB)
Established in 2000, the British International School of Brussels is a primary school with separate infant and junior departments. Located in the south of Schaerbeek, it follows the English National Curriculum and has students belonging to more than 30 nationalities.
Brussels American School (BAS)
Situated near Brussels at Sterrebeek in the municipality of Zaventem, this school opened in 1967 and serves as a Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) private school for the dependents of US diplomatic and military personnel. It also enrolls European students from countries that are part of the NATO Partnership for Peace initiative.
British School of Brussels
The British School of Brussels is located to the east of Brussels, in the town of Tervuren. More than 1700 students from over 70 nationalities are enrolled in this school. British School of Brussels has a primary and secondary school and a bilingual English-French program.
European School of Brussels I
Located in the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium, in the municipality of Uccle, The European School of Brussels I opened in 1958 and has the reputation of being the second European school in Europe.
European School of Brussels II
The European School of Brussels II is among the 14 European schools in Belgium and among the four that are located in Brussels. Situated on Avenue Oscar Jespers, the school has about 3000 students enrolled across the nursery, primary and secondary years. It also has Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Finnish, Swedish, and Portuguese sections.
European School of Brussels III
Located in the municipality of Ixelles (Elsene), the European School of Brussels III has approximately 3000 students and is headed by principal director, Antonio Pino. Apart from the curriculum, the school also provides a range of extracurricular activities.
European School, Mol
Located in the municipality of Mol in Antwerp, the European School was started in 1960 for children of Central Bureau for Nuclear Measurements (now Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements) and Belgian Nuclear Research Centre personnel. It also enrolls children from other overseas families who live and work in Belgium.
International School of Brussels (ISB)
Approximately 1500 students between the ages of 2 ½ and 19, and belonging to 62 different countries, study at the International School of Brussels. The school has a 40-acre campus and is located at Watermael-Boitsfort.
International School Ghent
The International School Ghent located in the city of Ghent, enrolls students between the ages of 3 and 12. It shares the campus with a local partner school and the school building belongs to the University College Ghent campus. Both students and teachers at the International School Ghent represent various different nationalities.
St. John's International School
Located in Waterloo, this private day school has sections for pre-kindergarten right up to 12th grade. The school’s student body consists of members from over 60 different nationalities. St. John’s International School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma program.
SHAPE American High School
A US Department of Defense Dependents high school for students in grades 7 to 12, SHAPE American High School is situated at Casteau and imparts educated based on the United States curricular program. In 2014 – 2015, the school will be separating into the SHAPE Middle School and SHAPE High School.
World International School
The new name of this school is ISF Waterloo (ISF. It is located in Sint-Genesius-Rode and imparts international education in English. The primary years follow the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). Students of the Middle Years are prepared for the University of Cambridge International Certificate of Secondary Education.
