European school in Brussels
European school Brussels IV Laeken
The European School Brussels IV (EEB4) opened in 2007 and moved to its current site in Laeken in 2012. It offers high-quality multilingual and multicultural education, preparing students to become responsible European citizens with a global perspective.
The school hosts 3,182 students, representing 74 different nationalities, supervised by 443 staff members. With a teacher-student ratio of 1 to 9.6, EEB4 guarantees personalized educational support.
3182
STUDENTS
74
NATIONALITIES
443
EMPLOYEES
Educational programme of European school Brussels IV Laeken
Academic Curriculum
> Ages 4 to 18
European School Brussels IV provides a structured curriculum divided into three cycles:
- Nursery School (ages 4-5) – EEBIV
- Objective: Develop children’s personalities, learning abilities, respect for others, and environmental awareness.
- Primary School (ages 6-10) – EEBIV
- Objective: Emphasis on mother tongue, mathematics, and a first foreign language, integrated with artistic, physical, and exploratory activities.
- Secondary School (ages 11-18) – EEBIV
- Objective: Advanced knowledge in languages, humanities, mathematics, experimental sciences, and philosophy, with elective subjects like economics or a third foreign language.
Upon completion of the seventh secondary year, students obtain the European Baccalaureate, recognized throughout the EU and internationally, opening pathways to universities and international careers.
8 language sections
+ additional languages taught
EEB4 encourages linguistic and cultural diversity, allowing students to flourish in a multilingual environment.
Available language sections:
🇩🇪 German | 🇬🇧 English | 🇧🇬 Bulgarian | 🇪🇪 Estonian | 🇫🇷 French | 🇮🇹 Italian | 🇳🇱 Dutch | 🇷🇴 Romanian
This education fosters international openness and intercultural cooperation, while enabling students to maintain and develop their mother tongue.
Parents’ association (APEEE)
An active and supportive community
European School Brussels IV is supported by the Parents’ Association (APEEE), an independent association managed by volunteer parents.
The APEEE represents parents before the school on essential matters such as education, administration, and student welfare. It also supports the school community through a community fund, financing school projects and events.
The APEEE Services manages several essential services at the Laeken campus:
- Canteen – School meals with various options and cafeterias for secondary students.
- School Transport – Home-school routes and occasional transport options.
- Extracurricular Activities – Around forty sports, artistic, and language activities.
Thanks to parent and staff involvement, the APEEE actively contributes to school life and student well-being.
Admission Requirements | European School Brussels IV Laeken
Admission to European Schools is based on a category system (I, II, and III), defining admission priorities and fees. Students not falling into any category cannot be enrolled.
Category I: Priority and Free Admission
Children of employees of EU institutions and affiliated organizations (European Commission, European Parliament, EIB, etc.) have guaranteed spots and exemption from tuition fees.
This includes:
- EU institution officials and contract agents
- National experts seconded to institutions
- European School teachers and staff
- Staff of the EIF Secretariat and other approved bodies
Category II: Admission under Special Agreements
Students in this category are admitted based on specific agreements between European Schools and certain organizations or companies. These agreements specify rights and financial contributions towards tuition fees.
Category III: Admission Subject to Availability
Students not falling into Categories I or II. Admission depends on available places and requires tuition fees set by the Board of Governors of the European Schools.
Priority for Category III:
- Children of diplomats and national officials stationed in Brussels.
- Children of diplomatic personnel returning to their home country where integration is difficult.
- Children of staff from non-EU permanent representations.
- Children of diplomatic status staff based in Brussels and Luxembourg.
- Children from families whose mother tongue or previous instruction language doesn’t match national education languages.