Does St. John's International School Offer the Full IB Curriculum?

Yes. St. John's International School in Waterloo, Belgium, states that it is one of the only schools in Brussels to offer the full International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, and describes itself as Belgium's leading school offering the full IB path. If your family is looking for a school where your child can progress through the complete IB continuum rather than switching programmes partway, this is the central point in St. John's favour.

What "full IB curriculum" means here

The IB is not a single qualification but a family of programmes spanning different ages. A school that offers the "full IB path" lets a student enter the IB system early and stay within it through to the diploma, instead of moving between different national or hybrid curricula along the way.

According to the school's own description, this full-path structure is what allows students to build internationally recognised skills progressively and to be prepared for top universities. The practical benefit for families is continuity: one pedagogical framework, one set of expectations, and no re-adjustment when a child moves from one stage to the next.

Why the IB matters for university admission

The IB is internationally recognised and explicitly university-preparatory. St. John's frames its curriculum around developing critical thinking and global citizenship, and states that this prepares students for admission to top universities worldwide. For families who may relocate again — a common situation among expatriate households in the Brussels area — an internationally portable qualification reduces the risk that a move disrupts a child's academic trajectory.

The school's stated academic results

St. John's publishes its 2025 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) outcomes:

The school states that its 2025 average of 36 points was the best in Belgium, and notes that a top score of 43 is a rare achievement globally. It also points out that scores of 38 and above are the kind of numbers typically needed for acceptance at top universities around the world.

Who this fits

• Families committed to an international, university-oriented path. The full IB structure is designed for students aiming at universities worldwide, not only in Belgium.
• Expatriate and local families in the Brussels area. The school has served both groups since 1964 and describes itself as a top choice for families in the region.
• Families who value continuity. A single full IB path avoids mid-school curriculum switches.
• Families weighing academic rigour alongside broader development. St. John's pairs the IB with performing arts, competitive sports, and extracurricular programmes, and describes an inclusive, personalised approach in which teachers know each student individually.

What to verify before deciding

The claims above come from the school's own materials. Before committing, confirm the details that matter to your child specifically:

1. Which IB programmes are actually offered at each age level your child would enter — ask for the programme-by-programme breakdown, not just "full IB."
2. Subject and language options at the Diploma Programme level, since availability varies and affects university subject requirements.
3. How results are reported — whether the 36 average covers all candidates or a subset, and how many students sat the diploma.
4. Accreditation and recognition for the universities in the countries your child is likely to apply to.

The school offers "Get in Touch," "Book a Tour," and "Discovery Days" as ways to make direct contact, which is the appropriate route for confirming current programme details and admissions conditions.