Students of all ages participate in 150+ school-organized activities, both on- and off-campus.
Learn
A Holistic Way of Learning
International School Basel is the only school in Basel to offer an International Baccalaureate (IB) education in English for 3 - 19 year olds. The IB Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes provide a coherent educational experience that meets the needs and developmental stages of all our students.
Collaboration between students, parents and the school gives each student the best possible environment to reach their potential. By working together to create a safe and positive learning environment for each child, parents are able to extend school learning beyond the classroom, while faculty help students find a place for their life experiences in school.
Aligned with our Mission, this collaboration ensures that our students are constantly learning while having fun in a supportive and helpful community.
Resources
What our Parents Say
"Really appreciate the focus on practical work. The teachers are very friendly and take care of each child very well while maintaining the discipline."
– Grade 3 Parent (India) –
"ISB is the epitome of a community, a network of resources that are accessible and available to support the development of its students and in a caring manner. The impression given is that all of the teachers and administrators have a vested interest in the development and success of each student and are willing to go above and beyond when necessary. The lessons seek to incorporate real-world application versus just theoretical application. Certainly, it excels in helping new students assimilate with minimal issues."
– Grade 8 Parent (United States) –
"ISB's environment provides a "safe space" for students to learn more about who they are, have the ability to discuss and challenge in a respectful manner. The ongoing communication and access when needed to the Administrators allow you to know what is going on both with your child and what is going on at the school. For this age group, digital and technology are key enablers — good or bad, and ISB is clear on the expectations for the students and provides ongoing content to also keep the parents abreast of the ever changing landscape."
– Grade 8 Parent (United States) –
"Robust execution of the excellent IB curriculum. Hires great, young teachers with passion, intellectual curiosity and commitment to students (particularly at the high school level, and particularly recently). The adroit handling of Covid, distance learning and (most importantly) the organized and thoughtful approach to in-person learning during Covid. The technical under-pinnings of the curriculum, school administration and communication with the community of students and parents is incredible."
– Grade 10 Parent (United States) –
"ISB is a rigorous and well organized Educational Institution. Communications are very well organized and the Reinach facilities are best in Class. We would like to recognize our child's Grade 12 Math, Chemistry and Physics teachers! They have been very supportive to our son's success."
– Grade 12 Parent (Mexico) –
"The diversity of learning opportunities at ISB create self-confident independent learners capable of confidently presenting their work and ideas in a mature way."
– Grade 8 Parent (United Kingdom) –
"ISB has been a fantastic welcoming community, with high quality teachers and learning programs, no doubt it's on the top International Schools in Europe."
– Grade 8 Parent (Argentina) –
"ISB is a welcoming community, mindful of individualities, creating a diverse environment where kids develop at their best and parents contribute as they wish to. My daughter has shift to the MYP methodology so smoothly thanks to the engagement the approach creates but also thanks to the support of the teachers. I cannot be more grateful for seeing her blossoming in class and in the Athletics program and extra curricular activities."
– Grade 8 Parent (Spain) –
"ISB is a welcoming school and many of the teachers are extremely dedicated providing additional support to students if needed. The support to the IB DP students particularly, with regard to guidance and feedback with IA's, as well as support with the core subjects has been very impressive."
– Grade 12 Parent (United Kingdom) –
"There are many opportunities for students to collaborate in a variety of different teams and settings, be it working through complex Maths problems together, preparing for group presentations and debates in Individuals and Societies, or jointly composing music scores to go alongside a silent film. There are a good number of trans disciplinary learning projects in the MYP years at ISB which really does help to build those highly prized critical thinking skills."
– Grade 10 Parent (United Kingdom) –
"ISB was one of the highlights of our time in Switzerland. It opened our eyes to what a school could be and are incredibly sad to be leaving. We hope to return in the coming years. Everything from the kindness and responsiveness of the staff and teachers to the quality and thoughtfulness of my children's learning. I have and would, without reservation, recommend ISB to anyone. We are genuinely sad to be leaving."
– Grade 8 Parent (United States) –
"Our daughters' transition to the ISB was extremely smooth with the help of the host family who were welcoming and are now our close friends. The girls moved from a different curriculum and the teachers at ISB addressed their gaps whilst continuing to challenge them on a daily basis in the classroom."
– Grade 9 Parent (United Kingdom) –
"ISB encourage children to discover the joy of learning, reading and researching. Kids develop great presentation skills and independence. I really would like to express my appreciation for providing top quality education as well as life coaching to my two children."
– Grade 1 Parent (Italy) –
"I appreciate that the approach to learning is more about self discovery as opposed to imposing ones thoughts and opinions onto young impressionable minds."
– Grade 9 Parent (United States) –
"The focus on progress, the extent of collaboration among students, the flexibility of the teaching staff to accommodate different learning needs, the effort to develop other non-academic skills in the children (organization, community engagement, etc), genuine concern for the well being of our children, the school-wide efforts to evolve and improve - all of these factors have made for a fantastic educational and personal experience for our children."
– Grade 6 Parent (Canada) –
"For this age group, digital and technology are key enablers - good or bad, and ISB is clear on the expectations for the students and provides ongoing content to also keep the parents abreast of the ever changing landscape."
– Grade 8 Parent (United States) –
"The work at the ISB is age appropriate and engaging for students. As a result, kids are able to manage their own assignments without parent intervention. Kids are allowed to make mistakes without it being "the end of the world", and I trust the teachers to contact me when my child needs extra support, correction, or consequence at home for their actions at school. Bottom line, I think the ISB does an AMAZING job teaching ownership, personal responsibility, and self-management."
– Grade 7 Parent (United States) –
"Fabulous assessments, collaboration and building of executive function. As a professor of curriculum and instruction (and former K-12) teacher, I can say that ISB places best practices at the center of their instruction. The students are going about the business of learning by doing and social interaction."
– Grade 10 Parent (United States) –
"ISB is a great international school that welcomes students in a smooth manner and provides a lovely education system where global students from all over are able to interact well and learn from amazing teachers."
– Grade 5 Parent (United Kingdom) –
"We were particularly impressed with support provided (digital learning) during the pandemic. The learning experience during this period was quite seamless. We like the way ISB promotes holistic thinking by way of various Units of Enquiries where a particular theme is chosen, and it is touched upon from various angles & subjects. ISBX activities, after school care/support (ASPIRE), and the Veracross portal are great value additions. The libraries are well stocked (and luckily also provide access to the parents)."
– Grade 7 Parent (India) –
"ISB has a warm and friendly atmosphere that makes expat families settle in swiftly. The teachers are well experienced and skilled. The school employs innovative ways of learning and gamified experience that is so much fun for kids. ISB also has activities happening regularly that involves both kids and parents keeping the engagement so lively. We sure recommend ISB for incoming families."
– EC 3 Parent (India) –
"ISB does well in engaging students' diverse interests and creating a comfortable and empowering environment for students to express themselves and to learn."
– Grade 11 Parent (United States) –
"Very open community to facilitate induction with great staff and well-equipped facilities. There is a complete calendar of social activities for parent networking. There is a focus on building self-autonomy of children through diverse experiences and responsibilities."
– EC 2 Parent (Spain) –
"Outstanding development of our child's communication skills (writing, speaking, debating) and development of project management skills. ISB's scientific program is outstanding. I have yet to meet an ISB kid that doesn't have a love for science."
– Grade 10 Parent (United States) –
"The Early Years are fabulous. Waldkinder is a wonderful way to foster learning at a young age. I think the EC years are very strong. Also, ISB is very welcoming to new families arriving to the Basel area."
– EC 3 Parent (United States) –
"ISB welcomes kids very well and works on their "soft skills" with a high focus on each individual."
– Grade 2 Parent (Italy) –
"Students love school and don't want to leave the ISB family and that is the best award that can be ever given to the school. Combination of very warm and friendly atmosphere with strong academic program gives a very strong base for the child's future. We are very thankful to ISB for happy first 6 years at school!"
– Grade 5 Parent (Russia) –
"Qualified and caring teachers, very conscious of child's overall wellbeing. Guides the child to progress at their own pace. Great use of outdoor learning."
– EC 3 Parent (New Zealand) –
"ISB and the ISB Community did an incredible job welcoming and onboard our 5th grader who arrived at the beginning of the Spring semester. ISB has a very personalized approach to education and dedicated the time up front to understand our son's needs and followed up with the attention and support he needed."
– Grade 5 Parent (United Kingdom) –
"The school provides a friendly environment for new students to adjust to the curriculum. The teachers are knowledgeable and helpful. The school also encourages sports activities which helps kids in building friendship and team-spirit. The school provides overall development of the students based on their choice whether its theater, music, sports, academics etc."
– Grade 6 Parent (India) –
"It's a great learning place during the formative days of students. Both my kids really love studying at ISB. The teachers are excellent and provide constructive feedback. Other than academics, the school also provides ample extra-curricular activities like theater/ music/ sports and helps in the overall development of the kids. The school provides world-class facilities."
– Grade 10 Parent (India) –