International School of Brussels
Encyclopedia
The International School of Brussels is an English
-language international school
that provides an international education to over 1500 students aged 2 ½ to 19 from 62 countries. The 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) secure campus lies in the Brussels
commune of Watermael-Boitsfort
, about 9 kilometres southeast of the city centre.
The 19th century Château is the first building that visitors see and houses the reception area and administrative offices. The remaining buildings, which include the four schools, the performing arts centre and the gymnasiums are scattered throughout the campus, which also has extensive sports fields, covered play areas and a brand new running track.
The campus is closely monitored by a full-time professional security team. CCTV cameras are strategically placed. Guards are on campus 24/7.
Brand new security infrastructure was funded by a generous grant from the US State Department’s Office of Overseas Schools. This includes an upgrade of existing infrastructure and the installation of an access controlled security fence around the Early Childhood Centre and Elementary School.
Instead, content at ISB is structured through a set of themes that express the common ground of human experience; the ideas and issues that have relevance for all cultures.
On a less abstract level, ISB offers the four core courses – Language Arts
, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science. In addition, ISB students take either French, English Language Development
, or Study Skills. High School Students at ISB are offered both the International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement Diploma; the school itself offers two tiers of diplomas. Unique among many international schools, ISB also offers a Special Education Diploma.
ISB also offers courses in many other languages. From beginner to mother tongue levels, Spanish, Dutch, German, Japanese, Hebrew, and many other languages are available either in-school or through the ISBPlus programme.
ISB has a wide range of sports facilities. There is an outdoor grass field, and two full-size artificial ones. Furthermore, there are two indoor tennis courts. In addition to that, there are two large gymnasiums, and an Outdoor Education Centre packed with climbing walls and mountain bikes.
The activities provide opportunities for personal development for all students by introducing them to different interests and experiences. It is a safe, non-competitive environment where students can learn new skills or perfect existing ones. Thus, students are challenged and successful in their endeavours.
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
-language international school
International school
An International school is loosely defined as a school that promotes international education, in an international environment, either by adopting an international curriculum such as that of the International Baccalaureate or Cambridge International Examinations, or by following a national...
that provides an international education to over 1500 students aged 2 ½ to 19 from 62 countries. The 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) secure campus lies in the Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
commune of Watermael-Boitsfort
Watermael-Boitsfort
Watermael-Boitsfort or Watermaal-Bosvoorde is one of the nineteen municipalities located in the Brussels-Capital Region in Belgium....
, about 9 kilometres southeast of the city centre.
Buildings and Campus
ISB is located on a 162,134.6 m2 wooded campus. Green is the predominant colour on campus. All of the buildings use new 'green' technologies, and trees planted by Middle School students dot the grounds. Surrounding the school is managed forest, with entries to the Brussels region's extensive forest trails across the campus.The 19th century Château is the first building that visitors see and houses the reception area and administrative offices. The remaining buildings, which include the four schools, the performing arts centre and the gymnasiums are scattered throughout the campus, which also has extensive sports fields, covered play areas and a brand new running track.
Academic Buildings
Most classes at ISB are housed in one of four main buildings.- Early Childhood Centre (ECC): students aged 2½ to 8, Head Caroline Nu'u
- Elementary SchoolElementary schoolAn elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
(ES): students aged 8 to 12, Head Anna Zeiders - Middle SchoolMiddle schoolMiddle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
(MS): students aged 12 to 15, Head Mike Crowley - High SchoolHigh schoolHigh school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
(HS): students aged 15 to 19, Head Felim Bolster
Additional Buildings
- The Student Activity Centre, or Annex, houses the two gymnasiums, a recently renovated theatre, and additional high school classrooms.
- The Metairie houses the extensive music program offered at ISB.
- The International Community Centre (ICC) houses the ISBPlus and Lifelong Learning programmes, as well as the International Protestant Church.
Security
ISB is a secure campus: all parents, faculty, and staff are issued bar-coded security and identification badges which enable them to access the campus and car parks. Visitors must sign in and obtain a badge at reception.The campus is closely monitored by a full-time professional security team. CCTV cameras are strategically placed. Guards are on campus 24/7.
Brand new security infrastructure was funded by a generous grant from the US State Department’s Office of Overseas Schools. This includes an upgrade of existing infrastructure and the installation of an access controlled security fence around the Early Childhood Centre and Elementary School.
Academics
Like other international schools, ISB faces a unique challenge when it comes to curriculum. Within a national system, it may be obvious that students should learn principally about the culture of that nation. The dilemma for schools like ISB can be summed up by the question, "with sixty-seven nationalities at ISB, whose history is taught?"Instead, content at ISB is structured through a set of themes that express the common ground of human experience; the ideas and issues that have relevance for all cultures.
On a less abstract level, ISB offers the four core courses – Language Arts
Language arts
Traditionally, the primary divisions in the language arts are Literature and Language, where language in this case refers to both linguistics, and specific languages....
, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science. In addition, ISB students take either French, English Language Development
ESL
ESL is a common abbreviation for English as a Second Language, see English language learning and teaching.ESL may also refer to:-Companies:...
, or Study Skills. High School Students at ISB are offered both the International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement Diploma; the school itself offers two tiers of diplomas. Unique among many international schools, ISB also offers a Special Education Diploma.
ISB also offers courses in many other languages. From beginner to mother tongue levels, Spanish, Dutch, German, Japanese, Hebrew, and many other languages are available either in-school or through the ISBPlus programme.
Athletics
ISB’s broad athletic programme offers more than 30 individual and team sports over a three-season year. These include – just naming a few, American Football, Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Golf, Swimming and Soccer. These U12, Junior Varsity and Varsity sports compete in both the International School Sports Tournament (ISST) and DoDDs Leagues. Non-competitive and intramural programs are also offered for younger children.ISB has a wide range of sports facilities. There is an outdoor grass field, and two full-size artificial ones. Furthermore, there are two indoor tennis courts. In addition to that, there are two large gymnasiums, and an Outdoor Education Centre packed with climbing walls and mountain bikes.
ISBPlus
ISBPlus is the extra-curricular programme at ISB. It offers students the opportunity, via a range of age-appropriate, in-school and after-school activities, to extend and enrich their interests in all learning areas in fun ways.The activities provide opportunities for personal development for all students by introducing them to different interests and experiences. It is a safe, non-competitive environment where students can learn new skills or perfect existing ones. Thus, students are challenged and successful in their endeavours.