Montgomery International School Brussels

• Location: Brussels, Belgium,
• Year of foundation: 2007,
• Number of students: about 200,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of studying: mixed.

Montgomery International School is an educational institution fully accredited to teach International Baccalaureate programs in three stages: primary, secondary, and senior.

The institution, founded in 2007 by David Geron, arose from the idea that all children deserve an individual approach to learning, the comprehensive development of their personal qualities and abilities. Driven by a commitment to a more modern, student-centered approach, the school offered an alternative education system for children who did not conform to conventional norms but aspired to obtain a Belgian high school diploma. Realizing the benefits of bilingual education, the Geron family decided to be certified to teach the International Baccalaureate programs in 2015. This moment was important for students, because today they have the best conditions for obtaining academic knowledge and applied skills that are in demand at the best universities around the world. In 2023, Montgomery International School joined the French educational group ERMITAGE, along with strong institutions in France that share the same values in education.

The excellence of the school lies in the quality of the selection of the teaching team. In addition to the pursuit of academic excellence, teachers have a global mindset, are culturally and emotionally aware, and their professional and personal experience allows them to create friendships with children from different cultures,backgrounds, and backgrounds. Over the years, they develop close relationships with students, leading to a more personalized pedagogy, mutual respect.

As for academic programs, the university offers two formats of courses:

• English system – all classes are taught in English, French is taught as a second language for five hours a week,
• Advanced bilingual system – full immersion in French and English.

Students can choose a bilingual program even if they are not fluent in French, thus developing valuable academic competence in both French and English.

At Montgomery International School, Grade 10 students are offered university counseling. Their choice of direction at university should be compatible with the choice of courses chosen for final exams – under the guidance of mentors, students put together an individual academic plan that they follow in the IBDP.

To help students make the right choice, an annual events is organized, including presentations by representatives of world universities: Boston University, Vesalius College (VeCo), University of Edinburgh, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam and others. Students are encouraged to attend international higher education fairs, presentations on their chosen subject.

In the last two years of the school curriculum, students are provided with additional support, as this stage is very important for their further academic direction of studying. Personalized assistance, consultations are offered in individual meetings with the curator, in small groups during the university application process.

Montgomery International School teaches at all stages of school education:

• PYP – Grades 1 to 5,
• MYP – Grades 6 to 10,
• DP — Grades 11 to 12.

Every year, a collection of clothes is organized for the children of the village of Horodishte-Rezina in Moldova - high school students periodically visit the settlement for one week, live with Moldovan families to fully immerse themselves in the culture. The weeks spent there are always very intense: working in gardens and fields, organizing activities in schools, distributing educational resources, distributing gifts and clothes to the local population.

Montgomery International School does not provide accommodation.

On weekdays, a team of qualified chefs offers hot meals for all students from first to eighth grade. Students can bring packed lunches from home, warm them up in one of the microwaves installed in the dining room. From the age of 14, students are allowed to go outside the campus to dine in cafes, restaurants - the school is adjacent to several cafeterias, grocery stores, located within walking distance from the educational territory.

The calendar of extracurricular activities is quite rich, students have a wide range of opportunities to reveal their potential, gain new emotions and skills.

The library organizes weekly extracurricular meetings for primary school students in addition to regular visits to reading rooms as part of the educational process, a book club and various literary competitions are offered for MYP, DP students. The librarian works closely with students to help them develop important skills for conducting projects, deepening knowledge, and self-learning.

At Montgomery International School, a balanced education is valued, including the opportunity to develop artistic talents, all key skills. The performing arts class is an important part of the curriculum – from the very beginning of their studies, students attend two hours of theater rehearsals per week. In addition to developing the creative abilities of students, they strengthen their self-confidence, improve communication skills, and teach them to work in a team. All students of the PYP and MYP participate in end-of-year performances at the Brussels Theatre: they create scenery and costumes, stage classical plays, and develop original scripts. In recent years, students have staged "A Christmas Carol in Prose", "Oliver Twist", "The Lion King", "The Jungle Book", even plays written by the students themselves.

The curriculum includes many excursions where students can explore the historical and architectural sights of Scotland, enjoy the natural beauty and take a break from academic worries. In addition to frequent city tours, the staff organizes various night trips according to the level of studying.

• PYP (Grades 3-5): three days/two nights

The Primary School Trip allows students to explore the world of science and history while honing their independence by creating connections with both peers and their teachers.

• MYP: five days/four nights

In recent years, middle school students have traveled to New York, Portugal, Sicily, Poland, Florence, Paris, Geneva, Rome and Valencia, in the spring of 2024 they explored Scandinavia, visiting Copenhagen in Denmark and the Skåne region in Sweden. From mountain biking to rock climbing, this trip provided students with a great opportunity to try new hobbies, broaden their horizons.

• DP

In the fall, high school students travel to a place where they can attend the university fair, enjoy cultural events, and spend time with their fellow students, teachers. Past trips have included visits to Barcelona and Paris.

Community service is a core value at Montgomery International School – service activities are provided for students both inside and outside the school:

• In school activities,
• Cross-class learning,
• Planning and implementing special student life events such as Spirit Days,
• Student ambassadors during admission visits,
• Volunteering at events such as the International Food Festival.

To give students the opportunity to participate in real-life situations, the school organizes two full days dedicated to service activities. They are usually conducted by professionals and experts in a specific field of global importance, such as human rights, climate change, totalitarianism, or in a community-based organization, such as a refugee center, homeless shelter, or nursing home.

• International Baccalaureate (IB) ACCREDITATIONS: PYP, MYP, DP,
• Possibility of bilingual education,
• A diverse student community with representatives of 50 nationalities,
• Teaching in small classes,
• 100% achievement rate is reached six years in a row,
• In 2022, students earned the best IBDP scores in Brussels, exceeding the global average by five points,
• An individual approach to each pupil, laid down in the traditions of the institution,
• An extensive list of areas for extracurricular development.

The campus is located in the heart of Brussels, close to European institutions and NATO offices. The classrooms are located in the former Hôtel de Maître, built in 1907, preserving the historical architecture, combining it with modern equipment. The infrastructure includes:

• Scientific laboratories,
• Bilingual library offering books in English and French,
• Lecture classes for small groups, large halls for collective seminars, lectures by invited specialists,
• Computer Lab with PC, Printing Equipment,
• Creative studios with 3D printer, materials and equipment for the visual and performing arts,
• A study area for high school students where they could focus on projects, self-study,
• A theater hall, in which events are performed.

In January 2020, Montgomery International School purchased an additional 500 square meters of space, located 50 meters from the main building. It provides an educational ground for students completing the IBDP program.

Given its central location, students benefit from the resources around them: physical education classes are held at the university's sports center nearby, some seminars are organized at the University of Brussels Library, and theatrical performances are held in a professional theater in the capital.

The transport infrastructure of Brussels is quite developed, so students from different regions have access to quality education at Montgomery International School. Students can use either public transport or the Montgomery International School bus depot to get to the academic buildings and home.

The academic calendar consists of several semesters and lasts from the beginning of September to the end of June. High school students who complete their final year of study attend classes until April, and then begin the examination period.

Classes are conducted on weekdays, followed by extracurricular activities and excursions. Rest is provided on weekends, on national and international holidays: November 11, May 1, May 29-30 and June 9. Classes are not held during the holidays:

• Autumn: October 28-November 4,
• Winter: December 19-January 5,
• February: February 21-28,
• Spring: April 7-21,
• Summer: June 20-August 31.

The cost of the annual studying includes the full academic program, textbooks, online resources, mandatory trips, some school uniform items (sweatshirt, two T-shirts), exam fees for high school students. In addition, you will have to pay:

• Registration fee,
• Some off-site events,
• Nutrition
• Individual preparation,
• Extracurricular Supplementary Care Club,
• Personal expenses.

From the 6th grade, students should have their own laptop with a version of MS Office and Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Before applying, parents of a prospective student are advised to schedule a virtual or in-person meeting with the admissions committee to ask questions and get acquainted with the school's academic system.

When deciding to apply to Montgomery International School, applicants must fill out a detailed application form, provide the required documents and a receipt for payment of the application fee. The teaching team will review reports and recommendations to best assess the candidate's potential, and then invite the applicant to entrance tests in English, mathematics, and general skills. Based on the results of all stages, candidates are selected, to whom the admission committee will send official letters of acceptance.

The academically strong curriculum of the IB programs gives graduates advantages when applying to university. In recent years, the high school students decided on entering the following universities:

• University College of London,
• University of Glasgow,
• King's College London,
• University of Edinburgh,
• University of Saint Andrews,
• Science Politique Grenoble,
• Université Libre de Bruxelles,
• Delft University of Technology,
• Erasmus University Rotterdam,
• Bocconi University, Milan.

The family of the future student needs to collect a full package of documents for submitting an application:

• Personal data of the child: identity card, health insurance, visa or residence permit,
• Academic report cards from the last two years of study, assessment certificates,
• A letter of recommendation from a teacher from a previous place of study,
• Individual achievements.

Teaching at Montgomery International School is conducted in English or English and French, so applicants entering middle and high school must have a sufficient level of language proficiency.

The institution offers discounts for the education of several children from the same family:

• 10% - for the second child,
• 20% - for the third,
• 50% - on the fourth.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision