Antwerp International School, English-medium IB education in Ekeren

Antwerp International School (AIS) is a co-educational day school at Veltwijcklaan 180 in Ekeren, north of Antwerp. It teaches in English and offers International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes.

AIS is worth considering for a family seeking continuity in English-medium education while living in the Antwerp region. Families must arrange housing and daily care: the school does not offer boarding.

The important questions are whether the child’s curriculum and language needs match the available programme, what support can be provided, and whether the commute and full cost are manageable.

Who it is for

AIS suits families living in the Antwerp region who want English-medium education from the early years through the IB Diploma.

The published admissions categories distinguish corporate and local applicants, scholarship recipients and pupils requiring learning support:

• Students affiliated with international corporations / expats are given guaranteed places, subject to standard admissions criteria.
• Students from local families are admitted first-come first-serve, subject to the same criteria.
• AIS Seeks Talent is a scholarship for families who find the usual fees a challenge. The school admits a maximum of 50 students into the programme.
• AIS offers a limited number of places in each grade for students with special education or learning-support needs. Those files are reviewed individually.

Founded in 1967, the school reports more than 40 pupil nationalities. Its programme pages describe broad age ranges of 3–12 for primary, 11–16 for middle years and 16–19 for the Diploma.

For French-medium education in Antwerp, compare Lycée Français International d’Anvers. That is a different curriculum choice, not a substitute for checking AIS’s individual course and support offer.

Programmes and languages

The Primary Years Programme (PYP) uses shared themes to connect subjects and develop independent inquiry. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) covers eight subject groups and includes a personal project completed in Grade 10.

The IB directory confirms Diploma authorisation since 1 January 1975, MYP since 10 January 2017 and PYP since 28 June 2017. These authorisations apply to different programmes, not a single qualification.

The Diploma Programme (DP), in Grades 11–12, combines six subjects with Theory of Knowledge, a research essay and Creativity, Activity and Service. These requirements are assessed; participation alone does not confer the Diploma.

AIS says a course requires at least six pupils to run. Confirm the actual subject choices for the intended cohort. Tutored languages cost extra.

The FAQ also refers to a separate High School Diploma. It says Benelux universities may require entrance examinations from its holders. Ask the intended university to assess the exact qualification and subjects.

English-language support combines small-group teaching, help within ordinary lessons and collaboration with classroom teachers. The public language page does not set a precise English entry threshold for each grade or publish a complete support tariff.

AIS publishes four Dutch lessons weekly from Starter class to Grade 5 and four French lessons weekly from Grade 6. The Diploma programme adds beginner Spanish. Confirm whether Dutch continues in the proposed secondary timetable.

First-language teaching is listed for English and Dutch from Starter through Grade 12, German from Grade 1, and French from Grade 6. Other languages may be arranged at additional cost.

Campus and visits

The Ekeren location makes the journey from the intended home an important part of the decision. Check transport availability before choosing housing.

The school’s STEMzone brings together science, technology, engineering and mathematics facilities, including laboratories and practical design spaces. It opened in August 2021 following a project costing more than €2 million, according to the school.

Use the school’s visit form to arrange a tour. Ask to see the classrooms and support facilities the child would use, rather than relying on a general campus description.

The current campus page contains only a “coming soon” notice. AIS does not publish a current accessibility statement, step-free route or evacuation arrangements for disabled pupils.

Classes run from 08:25 to 15:30. Half-day Pre-School finishes at 13:00. Grades 1–12 can buy lunch in the Bistro or bring food; AIS describes the campus as nut-free.

How a child actually gets in

Start with the school’s admissions form. Applications are considered throughout the school year. The non-refundable application fee covers administration and any necessary assessments and is charged once per family.

The admissions FAQ describes these assessment requirements:

• Primary and secondary applicants provide writing samples.
• A non-verbal reasoning assessment may be required.
• Secondary applicants take mathematics and English assessments. A separate English as an Additional Language (EAL) assessment may also be required.

The school also supplies a health-record form. Parents sign it and attach the child’s immunisation record as part of admission.

Placement considers age, ability and previous schooling. Applicants transferring from a different school-year calendar may repeat the corresponding grade; exceptions are considered individually. Confirm placement before assuming progression to the next grade.

AIS describes support for mild or moderate learning differences. Submit the child’s reports and agree the actual provision before accepting. The existence of a support programme does not confirm capacity for an individual pupil.

The fee page’s corporate-place assurance remains subject to standard admission criteria. The FAQ also says waiting lists may operate when a grade is full. Obtain confirmation of the child’s place rather than relying on a general category description.

Scholarships

AIS Seeks Talent accepts applications from prospective and current pupils, from Kindergarten (age 5) to Grade 12 (age 17). Its total capacity is 50 places, not 50 new awards each year.

Applications must come from individual families, not corporate fee-paying clients, groups, organisations or missions. Families must demonstrate financial need and be unable to obtain alternative educational support from an employer, the state or another party.

Selection considers academic achievement or promise, behaviour, contribution, motivation and attendance. Evidence of particular sporting, artistic or academic talent may also receive consideration.

Published reductions range from 10% to 60%, exceptionally up to 85%. Complete general admission first, then request the scholarship forms after acceptance. Confirm which charges the award covers and its renewal conditions before budgeting.

Children of former AIS pupils receive a published 20% tuition reduction. This excludes application, capital and other fees. Ask admissions for the terms and whether it can be combined with other assistance.

The FAQ separately mentions a limited budget for grants and scholarships. It publishes no grant scale, eligibility rules or application timetable.

Published fees and payment terms

The live fee page’s invoice dates and payment reference identify 2026–27, although the tuition table itself has no year heading. Confirm the applicable quotation, particularly because the school reserves a right to adjust fees.

Application fee: €1,000 — per family, one time, non-refundable, by bank transfer when the application is submitted.

Capital building fee: €525 — per student, per year, non-refundable, capped at €1,050 per family.

Tuition, per student, per year, as the table prints:

Level	Annual
Starter & Pre-School, half day	€13,580
Starter & Pre-School, full day	€18,320
Pre-Kindergarten	€21,640
Kindergarten	€30,710
Grades 1–4	€33,600
Grade 5	€34,310
Grades 6–8	€37,580
Grades 9–12	€39,530

Re-enrolment deposit: €1,000 per student, deducted from the first tuition invoice.

The FAQ also refers to a school bus, public transport, cycling and car travel. The fee page does not explain whether the school bus and its “taxi transportation” are the same service. Obtain the proposed route, supervision and price in writing.

Actual activity costs depend on participation and travel. Most class field-trip costs and some IB programme costs are included in tuition.

Withdrawal and late entry

For departure between 1 July and 31 December 2026, the initial 70% tuition payment is not refunded. A family that paid the full year receives 30% back.

For departure between 1 January and 30 June 2027, the page provides no refund of fully paid tuition. Ask how liability is calculated after a late start and whether any notice deadline applies.

Residence and daily care

AIS is a day school. A place does not include accommodation, a host family, guardianship or immigration permission.

Belgian residence requirements depend on nationality, length of stay and purpose. EU and EEA free-movement rules are more flexible than the rules for third-country nationals.

Registration deadlines depend on residence status. For EU citizens staying over three months, EURES, the EU employment service, gives three months from arrival to apply at the municipality. Registration requires an actual local address.

A child’s residence may depend on a parent’s status or a family-reunification route. Ask the municipality or Belgian consulate which arrival formalities and deadlines apply to each family member before relying on the school offer for relocation.

The Antwerp school guide places AIS among the other local options.

Friendly orientation, not an application. Dates, fees, and programme details move. Confirm everything with the school.