Choosing a school in Stavanger: ISS or the public IB route

Stavanger’s two featured international routes serve different ages. International School of Stavanger, or ISS, is a private day school in Hafrsfjord. St. Olav videregående skole is a county upper-secondary school in central Stavanger.

A younger child who needs English throughout the school day belongs on the ISS enquiry. St. Olav becomes relevant around Vg1, the first year of Norwegian upper-secondary school, and for the two-year International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in Vg2–Vg3.

ISS: English continuity from the early years

ISS teaches mainly in English from Early Years through Grade 12. Its secondary route includes Cambridge IGCSE in Grades 9–10 and the IB Diploma in Grades 11–12. Every high-school pupil also works toward the school’s own diploma.

English proficiency is not an admission requirement. The school can provide English as an Additional Language after assessment. It also supports mild to moderate learning needs, but admission depends on available staff and resources. Dedicated one-to-one support carries an unpublished additional fee, so any support plan should be agreed before accepting.

Norwegian is taught from Kindergarten through Grade 9. That is useful, but a family expecting to remain in Norway should still ask how the child’s Norwegian will compare with local-school expectations.

Applications are accepted throughout the year, subject to space. As of 4 September 2026, the admissions FAQ showed the Early Years programme as waitlisted. Placement uses age, completed schooling and records rather than age alone.

ISS fees and funding questions

For 2026–27, most new Kindergarten–Grade 12 pupils enter Category 1, with annual tuition of NOK 277,680. A new pupil also pays a NOK 5,000 application fee and a NOK 25,000 one-time entry fee. The first-year compulsory total is therefore NOK 307,680 before transport, meals, childcare, trips or additional support.

A limited number of lower-fee Category 2 places are awarded to unsponsored families after a financial assessment. Do not budget that rate until the school confirms the award. Eligible pupils in Grades 10–12 may apply separately to Lånekassen for support; an award is paid to the pupil and is not an automatic deduction from the school invoice.

Early Years uses the Norwegian maximum-price system. The current school policy lists NOK 1,200 per month, plus a NOK 1,000 application fee. Because that price can change in January, request the amount covering the full intended attendance period.

St. Olav: Norwegian Vg1, then an English IB Diploma

St. Olav’s Internasjonal klasse in Vg1 is not a fully English-medium foundation year. It follows the same content and examinations as ordinary studiespesialisering. Some themes use Norwegian and English, and there is one weekly Critical Thinking lesson in English.

The full IB Diploma follows in Vg2 and Vg3, with teaching and assessment in English. Applicants may come from Vg1, MYP 5, IGCSE or an equivalent course of at least ten years of schooling. The school also looks for adequate English, suitable mathematics and an available subject combination.

The published policy requires a Norwegian residence permit and a Rogaland address. Families moving into the county may receive a conditional offer. Rogaland county makes the formal admission decision after the school assesses the application.

Applicants register through Vigo, complete the school form and send the requested grades to St. Olav. The policy gives 1 March as the deadline. Some applicants with education from abroad may fall under the county’s earlier 1 February individual-treatment route, so confirm the correct category with the intake office.

The official IB pages do not publish a pupil tuition or examination charge. Do not transfer ISS’s private-school fees to this public programme, but ask St. Olav which books, devices, examinations or trips the family must pay for.

The main building on Jens Zetlitz gate is being upgraded. Some teaching uses temporary rooms at Kannikgården on Engelsminnegata. The project page aims for main handover in October 2027. Confirm the pupil’s teaching location during the proposed year.

A sensible search order

The Norway guide explains Vg1 and county admissions. The language guide helps compare English continuity with Norwegian integration.

The Stavanger city hub links both detailed profiles.

Friendly orientation, not formal admissions advice. Always confirm dates with the school.