St. John's International School
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$15K - US$49K
Curriculum: IB
Age Range: 1-18
Students: ~500
Location: Waterloo, Brussels
Updated April 2026
In Brief
St. John's is worth serious consideration for families who want the full IB continuum from early years through Diploma in a smaller, more personal school - and it is the only option in Belgium for families who need boarding. The Waterloo location is a genuine consideration if you are based in Brussels proper.
With around 500 students on a 12-acre campus in Waterloo - 20 minutes south of Brussels city centre - St. John's is the most personal of the three schools in this list. It is the only school in Belgium offering all three IB programmes (PYP, MYP, and Diploma) and the only one with a boarding option, which makes it the default choice for families on postings who need that flexibility or whose children are joining mid-year. Part of the Inspired Education group since 2016, it benefits from shared curriculum resources and teacher recruitment across a global network.
The 2025 IB Diploma average of 35.7 points places St. John's at the top of the Belgium ranking - ahead of BSB and ISB in that particular year - and graduates regularly gain entry to Oxford, Cambridge, MIT, Yale, and KU Leuven. The school's size creates a community feel that families consistently describe as warm and genuinely international, with 50+ nationalities in 500 students. One-on-one academic support is easier to access at this scale than at the larger schools. Boarding is available for weekly and full boarders.
The campus in Waterloo is the main practical consideration. For families based in the EU quarter, Ixelles, or north Brussels, the daily commute adds real logistics. The bus network is more limited than at BSB or ISB. Fees at the senior level are EUR 44,600/year - somewhat below BSB's peak - but the food and supervision charges are listed separately (EUR 1,550/year for Grades 3-12), and boarding adds EUR 16,200-18,340 on top of tuition. The school is smaller, which in turn affects the range of IB subject options available in any given year; worth asking at admissions about sixth-form subject availability.
What parents value
- –Belgium's only school offering the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, Diploma) and the only one with boarding - essential for some families and a real differentiator.
- –IB Diploma average 35.7 points in 2025 - best in Belgium that year. University destinations include Oxford, Cambridge, MIT, and Yale.
- –Small school scale (500 students) creates a personal community feel; pastoral care and individual support are easier to access than at the larger schools.
Points of consideration
- –Waterloo campus is 20+ minutes from central Brussels and the EU quarter. Bus coverage is less extensive than at BSB or ISB; assess your commute before committing.
- –Smaller sixth form means IB subject choice may be more limited than at larger schools; confirm subject availability in your child's graduation year at admissions.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Early Years 1-2 (Day Care & Timbertops) | 1 | 16,376 |
| Early Years 3-4 (Pre-K) | 3 | 22,489 |
| Early Years 5 (Kindergarten) | 5 | 32,061 |
| Grade 1 | 6 | 42,325 |
| Grades 2-5 | 7 | 43,017 |
| Grade 6 | 11 | 45,900 |
| Grades 7-8 | 12 | 48,668 |
| Grade 9 | 14 | 49,475 |
| Grades 10-12 | 15 | 51,436 |
Fees converted from EUR. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Enrolment Fee (new students) | 1,153 |
| Campus Development Fee | 807 |
Academic Results
| IB Diploma average (2025) | 35.7 points |
Key results: IB Diploma average (2025) 35.7 points.
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities and facilities. Ask what a normal week looks like outside lessons for your child's interests.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Brussels's international schools serve a highly diverse student body drawn from the EU institutions, NATO, multinational companies, and local families. Contact the school for current enrolment details.
Leadership
School leadership
Contact the school for details.