Bogaerts International School is an, independent, English language international school that provides education to students aged 3 to 18 from over 45 different nationalities.
Academics
Currently, B.I.S. is the only fully accredited IB world school in Brussels, offering a continuum of three programmes of education: IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the IB Diploma Programme (DP). B.I.S. also offers an early years programme which is a part of the PYP for the tiny tots aged between 3 and 6 years.
Early Years
During the early years, the four-unit curriculum is based upon transdisciplinary and inquiry methods, but is primarily based upon play-learning, life-skills learning, and social-skills learning. This is a programme inspired by the Montessori method of education, and that influences the day-to-day and big-picture activities within the learning environment. Literacy skills that include basic reading and handwriting skills are also developed by the end of Early Years 3 class aged 5 years.
Primary Years Programme
Transdisciplinary approach: A unified learning goal which includes language, mathematics, social studies, art, and/or science principles, is set out for the students in way where they can approach one topic through various subjects at once thus, helping them build a strong foundation.
Inquiry based approach: In all parts of the curriculum, B.I.S. focuses on the asking and answering of questions. These questions, the natural curiosity of our students, are thus used to drive the direction of education.
Conceptual approach: Approaching learning as a conceptual process, rather than an information recitation process. B.I.S. develops a student’s ability to think critically and creatively using challenging and relative ideas, and these ideas are used to help students understand their own decision-making power in the world.
Knowledge based approach: On the more practical side of the curriculum, and in order to encourage a rigorous and competitive academic standard within the school, B.I.S. also utilizes content maps to ensure the students succeed to their fullest potential.
Middle Years Programme
Contextual approach: Learning approach based on connections between [students’] studies and the real world, as well as striving towards the development of skills for communication, intercultural understanding, and global engagement is what the MYP focuses on. Thus, curriculum in the MYP is developed with the learner and his or her needs and goals.
Service based approach: Students, as part of the curriculum and their extra-curricular time, will be responsible for not just learning more about what it means to be a member of a community, but to act on that understanding for the betterment of others.
Conceptual approach: The MYP approaches learning from a conceptual perspective – “big ideas that have relevance within specific disciplines and across subject areas“. Learning without the restrictions of strict subject study is encouraged and learning through reinforcement and revision is supported.
Knowledge based approach: Specific subject study is equally encouraged at the secondary level, and students will find themselves focusing on languages, mathematics, sciences, humanities, current affairs, digital design, art, and performing arts within the structure of the programme.
Diploma Programme
Contextual approach: Students are required to study one subject from each of the five subject groups (Language & Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Experimental Sciences and Mathematics), along with an arts subject from group 6, or a second subjects from groups 1 to 5. All DP students must choose three courses at Higher Level (HL) and three courses at Standard Level (SL).
Knowledge based approach: In addition to disciplinary and interdisciplinary study, the Diploma Programme features three core elements that broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills: the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and Creativity, Action, Service (CAS).
Besides the IB programme the school also offers language courses from beginner to advanced levels for students in languages like French, Spanish and Italian.