AN ELITE CO-ED SCHOOL IN WATERLOO WITH AN INTERNATIONAL APPROACH

Location:

Located just half an hour from the centre of Brussels, historic Waterloo is the site where Napoleon was defeated in 1815. Today, this bustling town features a large population of ex-pats (over 20%), lending it a vibrant international air.

The school resides in a safe residential zone about three minutes from Waterloo town centre.

Brussels Airport is a 15-minute drive away.

Overview:

For over 50 years, St John’s International School has been providing top-quality education to high achievers in Waterloo. The prestigious co-ed school starts with an early learning programme for toddlers as young as two and a half and encompasses the International Baccalaureate primary, middle, and high school programmes.

St John’s is a member of Inspired, a group of co-educational and non-denominational premium independent schools. The distinctive philosophy provides a fresh approach to education by re-evaluating traditional teaching methods and adapting them to the challenges of the modern world.

Forty years’ experience with the International Baccalaureate programme ensures your child will graduate with a passion for inquiry, outstanding study skills and a global outlook.

St John’s boasts a reputation for academic excellence that sits well above the global average. In 2019, 98% of students passed the IB Diploma Programme. In the Advanced Programme (AP), the only school to offer this US qualification in Belgium, students scored an average of 4.43 on the 1 – 5 AP scale.

The caring and inclusive boarding house at St John’s features first-class comfortable accommodation as well as a team of dedicated resident house parents.

St John’s is the only IB school with boarding in the country that offers full-boarding, weekly, or flexible plans.

Core Values:

St John’s fosters a stimulating and nurturing learning environment where students engage in their studies and perform at their academic best. The broad and balanced curriculum has been designed to encourage students to explore and learn in an engaging and dynamic manner.

St John’s strives to create lifelong learners who are curious and mentally agile as well as open-minded and creative. Alumni leave St John’s capable of facing the challenges of the future with enthusiasm.

As the only all-through International Baccalaureate School in Brussels, St John’s aims to mould global citizens through three core values: cultural diversity, an international approach to education, and values of companionship, integrity, and respect.

Academics:

St John’s offers educational programmes from the Early Learning School right up to Grade 12. Students can transition seamlessly into each school at any time.

The early learning programme caters for students from 2.5 to 6 years old and follows the Reggio Emilia approach, which focuses on using the environment as a third teacher. In the Primary School, specialist teachers follow the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) to emphasise holistic development: intellectual, social, emotional, and physical. The inquiry-based approach to education encourages children to question and analyse the world around them.

The Middle and High School focuses on experimental learning and develops language skills in both English and the mother tongue. Students are encouraged to explore their passions and interests through music, arts, and sports programmes.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

St John’s renowned Athletic Department promotes the physical and emotional wellbeing of students through athletic competition. The rewarding programme offers students the opportunity to compete against other schools around Europe.

St John’s also has the most extensive performing arts school in Belgium, creating a dynamic environment to express creativity through drama, dance, art, music, or design. Participation in artistic exhibitions, theatrical performances, and musical concerts foster a sense of achievement and self-worth. In addition, an innovative partnership with the Berklee College of Music provides further inspiration for St John’s students.

University Destinations and Careers:

Given the outstanding academic pedigree, it is no surprise that St John’s alumni progress to top universities and colleges around the world, including Ivy League in the US, Oxbridge and Russell Group in the UK.

Their in-house university guidance counsellor coupled with an Inspired partnership with Crimson Education ensures that students receive a high level of advice and support as they plan and execute their university and college applications. Graduated pursue a wide range of careers, often making the most of their global outlook and linguistic agility.