The British School of Brussels

In Brief

If you want the best IB results in Belgium with no development levy and a genuinely international campus, BSB is the standout choice. The location in Tervuren is 20 minutes from central Brussels - assess whether that commute works for your family before committing.

BSB is the school other Brussels international schools are measured against. Founded in 1969 and operating as a not-for-profit governed by its parent community, it holds the No. 1 IB ranking in Belgium and consistently sits in the top 1% of IB schools globally. The campus at Pater Dupierreuxlaan in Tervuren - next to the Royal Arboretum and a short drive from the city - is purpose-built and spacious in a way that city-centre campuses simply cannot match. Facilities include dedicated arts and STEM spaces, sports pitches, and a swimming pool that was in development for years but is now operational.

BSB is the only school in Belgium offering three post-16 routes: A-Levels, IB Diploma, and BTEC vocational qualifications. That breadth matters for families who need curriculum flexibility across postings. The IB Diploma average hovers around 35 points with a 99%+ pass rate - well above the world average - and university destinations span the UK, US, and Europe. Fees include over 100 enrichment clubs, all curricular trips to end of Year 9, and exam entries across all three qualifications, which is unusual in the international school market and keeps total costs more predictable than at comparable schools.

The catch is geography for families based in central Brussels or north of the city. Tervuren sits in the Flemish periphery; the school bus network is extensive but route-specific. A family in Ixelles faces a different daily reality than one in Tervuren itself. Fees also run to the top of the Brussels market at the senior end - EUR 45,550 for Years 10-13 - though the absence of capital levies and the fee inclusions offset this somewhat against competitors charging separately for enrichment and trips.