International School of Bergen

The International School of Bergen, founded in 1975, is a non-profit, co-educational day school which has been accredited since 1985 by the European Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and is governed by a democratically elected Board of Trustees. ISB provides an English language education, based on US/UK models, for children of expatriate families as well as local residents of the Bergen community.

Currently enrolling children from twenty-five nations, ISB's educational program, which culminates in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program, has been designed to meet the needs of its international student body. Norwegian (both native language and as a foreign language), French, computer, art and technology, music and physical education are required courses for all students in addition to the core courses of mathematics, science, social studies and language arts. ESL assistance is available.

The school, located approximately 3km from Bergen center, is a purpose-built facility and enjoys, in addition to individual classrooms, a library, a gymnasium (nearby swimming and ice skating facilities are also used), computer room, art and music rooms and a well-equipped science laboratory. Academic and recreational field trips are an important part of the ISB curriculum and full advantage is taken of the uniquely beautiful countryside which surrounds Bergen.

All teaching staff hold university degrees in education and are experienced professionals. The 180-day school year, beginning in mid-August and ending in mid-June is divided into three academic terms. Christmas, Easter and local holidays are observed.

Admission is contingent upon the school's ability to offer a program suitable to the applicant's needs. Class assignment is determined by review of past records and placement, age and a personal interview. Only limited assistance is available for children with learning problems