Belgium · Ghent
An English-medium private day school from age 2.5, with IPC primary education and a developing secondary section. The cited pages identify ISG as an MYP candidate, not an authorised IB World School. Confirm operating year groups and the next qualification before committing to secondary entry.
International School of Ghent (ISG) is a private, non-profit, co-educational day school at De Pintelaan 258, 9000 Gent. It teaches in English from age 2.5, through primary and its developing secondary section, ISG+. It does not advertise boarding. Contact the school at info@isg-ghent.org or +32 9 221 23 00.
The main distinction for older pupils is that the cited secondary page identifies ISG as an IB Middle Years Programme candidate school, not an authorised IB World School. A future Diploma Programme is an ambition, not an established option on the 2026–27 fee schedule.
Pre-Primary is described as covering ages 2.5–6, with Lower Pre-Primary at 2.5–4 and Upper Pre-Primary at 4–5.5. These published ranges do not align exactly; ask which group fits the child’s age and development. Primary, ages 6–12, follows the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), an international primary-school curriculum.
ISG+ is described as a secondary programme from age 12 based on the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). The secondary page lists MYP Years 2–4, also called Years 7–9, and announces expansion by September 2026, including Year 10, or MYP Year 5. Because the wording combines existing provision with plans, confirm which years are actually running for the intended start.
Candidate status does not guarantee IB authorisation. The school’s disclaimer states that only authorised IB World Schools may offer the MYP. Families should not treat candidate status as completed authorisation or assume that a full IB pathway is already available. The published 2026–27 fees end at MYP Years 4–5; a proposed Diploma Programme is not a confirmed continuation route.
The primary information says there is no English admission test, and children arriving with limited English receive extra learning support. Ask what support would apply in the child’s class, especially for secondary entry. Dutch teaching is included in tuition.
The school states that enrolment is accepted year-round, without prerequisites for admission. The process includes an in-person or online meeting, followed by an Enrolment Contract and Pupil Application. It says payment of the registration fee secures the place. Confirm the year-group offer before paying.
An Open Afternoon takes place before each school year. Pre-Primary children may have transition days before starting full-time. Ask for the applicable dates and settling-in arrangements.
The fee schedule sets a one-time, non-refundable registration fee of €950 per family, payable before the child starts. Annual tuition is:
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| Pre-Primary | €17,100 |
| Primary Years 1–4 | €17,600 |
| Primary Years 5–6 | €18,200 |
| ISG+ MYP Years 2–3 | €21,700 |
| ISG+ MYP Years 4–5 | €22,800 |
Tuition includes classroom resources, textbooks, online platforms and day trips, along with Dutch, music, sport and swimming. Trips with overnight stays are excluded. After-school care, hot lunches and clubs are priced in the Parents Guide and billed each trimester; obtain these amounts before budgeting.
The published late-entry and short-stay charges are percentages of full annual tuition:
| Late-entry month | Annual tuition payable |
|---|---|
| November or December | 90% |
| January or February | 75% |
| March or April | 55% |
| May or June | 30% |
| Short-stay duration | Annual tuition payable |
|---|---|
| 1–2 months | 30% |
| 3–4 months | 55% |
| 5–6 months | 75% |
The withdrawal wording refers to a 10% penalty fee or a partial reimbursement without making the application clear in this summary. Obtain a written calculation for the proposed departure date, including the basis of any penalty. Do not assume the short-stay and late-entry schedules can be combined.
The building opens at 08:00, classrooms at 08:30, and lessons start at 09:00. The day ends at 15:30, or 12:00 on Wednesdays. After-school care runs until 17:30.
Children drink water only and wear slippers in class. The school uses Seesaw in Pre-Primary and Primary and Toddle in secondary as digital platforms for schoolwork and communication. Parent-teacher meetings are held in October and March.
De Kleine Icarus offers a different, Dutch-medium primary route in Ghent. It is relevant when comparing language and primary-school pathways, not as a substitute for secondary ISG+. Use the Ghent guide and Belgium guide for wider comparisons.
Official pages and documents we read. If a figure matters to your budget or your application, open the link and confirm it is still current.
Friendly orientation, not an application. Dates, fees, and programme details move. Confirm everything with the school.
De Kleine Icarus is a Dutch-language GO! school for preschool and primary pupils in Ghent. Its Dalton approach emphasises independence, cooperation and responsibility. Regional applications and direct enrolment for remaining places are different stages.
AntwerpAIS is a fee-paying English-medium day school in Ekeren, north of Antwerp. It offers IB programmes from the early years through secondary school. Admission and any learning support must be agreed individually; families should also review fees and withdrawal terms before accepting.
LiègeWaha is a municipal secondary school combining French-language education with Freinet methods. Families choose between an active-pedagogy route and immersion in English, Dutch or German. Confirm the child’s exact route and an available place before relying on the immersion label.
TervurenBritish School of Brussels is an English-medium international day school in Tervuren for ages 2.5–18. Its main distinctions are a French-English bilingual route through Year 9 and three different post-16 qualifications.
ISG and De Kleine Icarus solve different problems. ISG offers paid English-medium continuity and a developing secondary section. De Kleine Icarus is a Dutch-medium public primary school, so it better suits families ready to enter Flemish education.
7 minStart with the qualification your child would actually receive. Then check its subjects, language demands, and recognition in the countries where they may study next.
7 minStart with your child and the family's likely plans. Define the non-negotiables, verify the school's claims, compare three realistic options and visit with specific questions.
7 minTuition is only one line of the budget. Separate charges from advance payments, record what each figure includes, and ask the school to confirm your calculation in writing.