Antwerp International School

"Antwerp International School (AIS) is a private, co-educational international school located in Antwerp, Belgium, serving students from preschool through Grade 12."

Founded in 1967, AIS has built more than five decades of experience educating the children of internationally mobile families, marking its 50th anniversary in 2017 and graduating its first senior class back in 1971. Today, the school brings together approximately 400 students and 90 staff members representing at least 35 countries, creating a genuinely diverse and globally minded community that reflects the international character of Antwerp itself. Academically, AIS offers the full continuum of the International Baccalaureate, encompassing the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for younger learners, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students in the middle grades, and the Diploma Programme (DP) at the senior secondary level. This seamless IB pathway means that students can develop within a single, coherent educational philosophy from their earliest years all the way through to university preparation, providing welcome consistency for families who value continuity in their children's learning journey. The IB framework is well recognized by universities worldwide, making it a particularly strong fit for expat families who may move between countries and need credentials that travel well. All instruction at AIS is delivered in English, which makes the school an accessible and practical choice for English-speaking families relocating to Belgium, as well as for international families who use English as their primary language of communication. The school's English-medium environment, combined with the internationally recognized IB curriculum, positions AIS as one of the more established options for expatriate and globally mobile professionals settling in the Antwerp region. The school's community is one of its most distinctive qualities. With students and staff arriving from at least 35 different countries, daily life at AIS is shaped by a genuine exchange of cultures and perspectives. Class sizes that follow from an enrollment of around 400 students across a full PK–12 span suggest an intimate setting where students are known as individuals and where families tend to develop close connections with one another and with the school. For newly arrived families, this kind of tight-knit international community can make a significant difference in the transition to life in a new country. AIS also holds the distinction of being a US State Department assisted school, reflecting its longstanding role in serving diplomatic and government-affiliated families alongside the broader expatriate population. This relationship underscores the school's credibility and its established place within the global network of international education. For relocating families considering Antwerp as their new home, AIS offers a well-rounded combination of academic rigor, cultural diversity, and community warmth. Its long history, full IB continuum, English-language instruction, and welcoming international atmosphere make it a compelling choice for parents who want their children to thrive both academically and socially during their time in Belgium.