Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is much more than just a European metropolis. It is an international and multilingual city that plays a key role in the global diplomatic, economic, and educational landscape.
As the seat of the European Union, NATO, and many other international institutions, Brussels is at the heart of world affairs.

This international presence has led to the creation of an educational system tailored to the children of expats, EU officials, and parents seeking international education for their children.
This system is made up mainly of international schools located in and around Brussels.

In 2024/2025, the Brussels international schools network counted nearly 25,000 students enrolled in 27 international schools. These institutions offer a variety of programs and pedagogical approaches to meet the diverse needs of both international and local families.

In this article, we explore the best international schools in Brussels and surrounding areas, grouped into different categories to help you find the best match for your family.

To simplify your search for the best international schools in Brussels, we have categorized these schools by type.

Keep in mind that the definition of “best school” is subjective and depends on many factors. What one family sees as an ideal school may not suit another, as preferences and educational needs vary. Some parents may prioritize a specific academic program, while others may focus on school location or teaching methods.

School quality criteria may include academic reputation, exam results, cultural diversity, facilities, extracurriculars, class sizes, teacher quality, educational philosophy, and more.
Each of these criteria may carry a different weight depending on the family.

It is therefore highly recommended that parents consider their family’s specific needs, visit schools, speak with staff, and gather feedback from other parents before making a decision. In the end, the best international school for your child is the one that best meets their unique academic and personal needs.

These are international private schools whose curriculum is fully or partially based on the International Baccalaureate (IB).
This program leads to the International Baccalaureate diploma, recognized for higher education admission in 75+ countries and over 2,000 universities worldwide.

These schools generally teach in English while also offering French as a second language.

These private international schools follow the International Curriculum, designed for students from multicultural backgrounds. It includes IEYC, IPC, and IMYC, adapted to different age groups.
Focusing on thematic learning, critical thinking, and 21st-century skills, this program is used in over 1,000 schools in 90+ countries with a network of 15,000+ educators worldwide. It is often taught in preschool, primary, and early secondary years before transitioning to IB or Cambridge programs.

These are private international schools offering the UK National Curriculum or the Cambridge International Curriculum. These schools are not limited to native English speakers. Students whose first language is not English are supported through programs like “English as an Additional Language (EAL)”.

Graduates receive internationally recognized qualifications: International A-Levels, Cambridge A-Levels. Some schools in this category also offer the IB diploma.

European schools are primarily intended for the children of European institution staff, allowing them to learn partly in their native language.
However, a limited number of places are available for other students whose parents submit an application to the school’s administration (see conditions and pricing).

In primary school, instruction is generally provided in the child’s native language along with a second language.
In secondary school, courses continue in the student’s native language, with at least two additional languages.

European schools prepare students for the European Baccalaureate, a diploma recognized across the European Union and in many other countries. These schools provide multilingual and multicultural education at preschool, primary, and secondary levels.

Montessori international schools offer education based on the Montessori method. Most offer fully bilingual instruction (English and French).
They typically provide preschool and primary education, but fewer offer secondary programs. Those that do usually follow the International Baccalaureate at the secondary level.

These international schools offering the Belgian curriculum provide an education recognized by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
These private schools in Brussels deliver a full education based on the Belgian national curriculum while offering a multicultural and often multilingual environment.

Last year, two international schools in Brussels offered the French national education curriculum. However, as of this year, only one international school continues to provide the French curriculum in Brussels: the Lycée Français, a prestigious institution that has been present in the city for over a century (since 1907).
The curriculum at the Lycée Français is identical to the one taught in France, but with a much stronger emphasis on language learning – particularly English.

Among Brussels’ international schools, only two are Catholic. These Catholic international schools provide academic programs equivalent to those of other international schools, with the added feature of religious education that fosters a deeper understanding of the Christian faith.

In Brussels, one international school offers the German curriculum at preschool and primary level.
This is the German International School of Brussels (IDSB), located in Wezembeek near Brussels. Founded in 1803, it serves about 300 students aged 3 months to 18 years from over 50 nationalities.

In Brussels, one international school offers the American curriculum at preschool and primary levels:
the American School of Brussels (formerly Brussels American School), now called Brussels Unit School (BUS).
It provides full English-language instruction based on the official U.S. curriculum, overseen by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).

Founded in 1979, the Japanese School of Brussels is the only international school in Belgium exclusively offering the Japanese national curriculum.
Located in the Auderghem district of Brussels, it welcomes students aged 4 to 16, mostly from expatriate Japanese families.