International Baccalaureate | St John's International School

IB School in Brussels, Belgium

One of the only all-through International Baccalaureate (IB) schools in Belgium, we are proud to deliver peerless academic provision to our students in the form of the IB school continuum. The IB continuum is a meticulous, globally recognised set of international programmes for learners aged 3-18 years: the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Early Years and Elementary School, the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the prestigious Diploma Programme (DP). Renowned for their rigour, innovation and exceptional outcomes, the IB programmes equip students with a robust foundation of knowledge and a diverse skill set applicable across disciplines and real-world contexts.

The IB's objectives align perfectly with our school's mission to deliver high-quality, student-centred, international education.

As the longest-serving IB continuum school in Belgium, our record of educational excellence is unparalleled. With unwavering support and expert guidance from our qualified IB educators, St. John's students achieve top results in their final IBDP examinations and secure places at top-tier universities worldwide, setting the stage for lifelong fulfilment.

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Benefits of the International Baccalaureate Continuum

The IB continuum offers a seamless, coherent educational pathway from early childhood right through to secondary school, with each programme building upon and enhancing the previous one. This continuity fosters the development of well-rounded, internationally-minded individuals who are critical, curious and independent, and who demonstrate a lifelong love for learning.

Through an inquiry-based approach, the IB aims to instil valuable skills and personal qualities, such as problem-solving, curiosity, research and critical thinking. The three programmes within the IB form a holistic, world-class education that culminates in a globally recognised high school qualification and opens doors to unlimited opportunities.

Why Choose Our School to Study the IB?

With over four decades of experience in delivering the IB in Waterloo, we have refined our approach to create an unrivalled learning environment. Our students are taught by a dedicated team of experienced IB-certified subject specialists who guide each learner to excel in the IB continuum and final IBDP exams. Our students consistently attain outstanding IB results, surpassing the global average year on year, and attend leading universities in Belgium and overseas.

Through our IB programmes, students acquire bilingualism, adaptability, cultural awareness, effective study skills and an appreciation for collaboration – attributes that will serve them well in an increasingly global environment. As an IB World School, we inspire our students to embrace new challenges with confidence, supporting them closely at every stage of their educational journey.

As a proud member of Inspired Education, the world’s foremost group of independent schools, St. John’s offers premium opportunities for our learners to travel and pursue excellence in other countries. By taking their learning overseas, our students can extend and elevate the IB programme by engaging in practical, real-world experiences, building friendships and lasting connections with their peers at other Inspired schools globally.

The International Baccalaureate Continuum

Our IB school is accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organization to deliver three programmes for students aged 3 to 18: The Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the Diploma Programme (DP). Each of these programmes – known collectively is the International Baccalaureate Continuum – has a written curriculum or framework catering to learners at that level, including age-appropriate student assessments.

Across all three IB programmes, students are encouraged to actively engage in learning both inside and outside the classroom. The IB approach is broad and balanced: it equips students not only to understand new subjects, but also to evaluate and analyse information through inquiry. Children of all abilities are empowered to become knowledgeable, critical thinkers by exploring and participating in disciplinary and interdisciplinary learning.

Primary Years Programme (PYP)

The PYP framework is designed for primary-aged students aged 3-12 years. With lessons spanning a variety of disciplines, the PYP aims to produce knowledgeable, confident learners who take ownership of their learning. Reflection and inquiry are key elements that form the foundation of academic excellence at this stage, nurturing positive skills and attributes for future study.

The three pillars of the PYP curriculum are the learner, learning and teaching, and the learning community.

The learner: Central to the PYP framework is the view that our students are partners in the learning process. Our youngest learners have identities of their own and are quite capable of asking probing questions, inquiring and offering theories. The PYP recognises these innate abilities and seeks to build on learners’ existing knowledge and experience.
Learning and teaching: Our approaches to learning and teaching allow students to draw insights and knowledge from various sources, whether from different subjects or the real world. Knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes are conceived of as belonging to a single whole, and learning takes on practical significance when applied outside the classroom.
The learning community: The PYP learning community is comprised of our students, their families, staff, key adults in a student’s life and the broader community. The agreements and understandings born from our learning community serve to reinforce critical thinking and creativity, as well as action, inquiry and reflection.

Middle Years Programme (MYP)

Building upon the foundation of the PYP, the MYP strives to promote excellence in both academics and personal growth while encouraging learners to draw links between traditional subject learning and the world around them. It also prepares learners for the rigorous requirements they will face upon moving to the IB Diploma Programme.

Developed for students aged 11-16 years, the MYP framework is intellectually challenging. Students explore issues of significance at the local, national and global levels, becoming critical, creative and reflective learners.

The MYP curriculum has eight subject groups, for which the minimum teaching time per year is 50 hours per subject: Language and literature, language acquisition, mathematics, sciences, individuals and societies, physical and health education, design and arts.

IB Diploma Programme (IBDP)

The IB Diploma is the culmination of the IB continuum. Followed by students in Years 11-12, it is a challenging and rigorous programme in which students learn how to apply themselves rigorously across subjects and develop a strong work ethic for success beyond school. IBDP graduates demonstrate the ability to perform at a high academic level across subjects. Recognised in over 150 countries, the IBDP opens doors to limitless opportunities for further study.

Students choose courses in six subject groups, taking three or four at Higher Level (HL) and two or three at Standard Level (SL). The six subject groups are: Studies in language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics and arts. Alongside their HL and SL courses, IBDP students complete the IBDP Core, which includes creativity, activity, service (CAS); theory of knowledge (TOK); and a 4000-word extended essay (EE).

Learn More About the International Baccalaureate

IB Teachers

Our exceptional IB teachers, from PYP to DP, prepare students to become confident, multi-skilled learners with the tools and attributes needed to contribute positively to society. At the MYP and IBDP level, our teachers are trained to deliver the International Baccalaureate Programme, bringing detailed knowledge and expertise to each lesson. Armed with outstanding credentials and a wealth of relevant experience, our teachers not only guide students to excel in the IB continuum and final IBDP exams but also prepare them for success in university and their future careers.

IB Learner Profile

Throughout the IB continuum programmes, students will gain an understanding of and become familiar with the IB learner profile. At St. John's International School, we embrace the ten attributes that form the foundation of the IB profile. These qualities – inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk-takers, knowledgeable, principled, open-minded, caring, balanced and reflective – align seamlessly with our school's core values and inspire our entire learning community. By embodying these attributes, our students develop a truly international mindset and the skills to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

How is the IB Diploma Beneficial?

Upon completing the IBDP, students receive certificates for the prestigious IB Diploma. IB qualifications are globally recognised, demonstrating to prospective universities that students have acquired the competencies and tools needed to flourish in higher education. Graduates of this programme will have proven their ability to work independently to a high academic standard across several subject areas, with excellent time management and organisational skills.

IB Assessment

At the conclusion of the IBDP, each student's abilities are evaluated through external, internationally standardised assessments. In addition to examinations, all subjects include coursework components that are internally assessed by our experienced IB teachers.

The IB grading system is consistent across all subjects, providing a standardised and dependable method to assess student performance. Each of the six subjects taken in the Diploma is graded from 7 (the highest) to 1 (the lowest), and the overall sum is combined to give a total score that incorporates further points earned in Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay.

To earn the IB Diploma, students must achieve a minimum of 24 points out of a possible 45, across six subjects and the DP core. A score of 36 is considered roughly equivalent to 3 A grades at A Level.

Entry Requirements for the IB Programmes

The Primary and Middle Years Programme are open to all students at St. Johns from Grades K-10. The programme is inclusive by design: students of all interests and academic abilities can benefit from participation with appropriate stretch and challenge for all.

St. John’s International School operates an inclusive admissions policy and encourages all students to attempt the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. St. John’s also offers the possibility for students to follow individual, or a selection of IB Diploma Programme courses, as well as Advanced Placement (AP) courses, if the full IB Diploma is not suitable. All candidates will meet with the admissions department, IBDP Coordinator and/or Counsellor, and Support Team (if needed), to help guide the candidate in their choices relative to the course selection. Acceptance and access to the IBDP diploma, courses, and AP courses, will be at the discretion of the High School principal and will be based upon the student’s ability to access and benefit from the challenging international curriculum and programmes offered by the school.

Discover how our IB programme can equip your child with the skills, knowledge and global perspective needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

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