Upper School
GRADES 6 - 10
Our curriculum follows the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) and we take great pride in being the first school in the world authorized to offer this prestigious programme.
With more than 30 years experience in delivering this internationally recognised inquiry-based programme for students age 11 to 16, our philosophy and practices strive to enable students to become critical thinkers, as well as confident, responsible and independant learners.
The MYP is more than just learning subject knowledge. It focuses on inquiry within globally relevant contexts, developing specific subject knowledge and approaches to learning that can be used interdisciplinarily between subject areas.
Students develop thinking, collaboration, communication, self-management and research skills. Opportunities to develop these skills are given by our experienced teaching staff, who support students in their learning journey.
We believe in giving students a chance to develop their passions and interests, whilst building relationships as well as academic and social skills for life beyond ISB.
Upper School enjoy the use of several specalised teaching areas, for teaching visual and performing arts, science and a fully resourced library. Students have access to a modern sports facilities in addition to making use for the diverse local landscape in Bergen, including bike trips, skiing, canooing, ice skating and hiking.
As a school, we consider the whole student and the social and emotional well-being is at the heart of creating a safe and inclusive learning environment. We want students to feel valued, heard and able to express themselves.
Our students are met by highly qualified, experienced and dedicated staff members with a diverse and rich background with a love of learning and teaching. Staff are empatheic, caring and supportive listeners who enjoy genuine connections to students and the wider school community.
“We are here to support our students in of their learning journey to achieve their fullest potential,”
– Joe Cook, Upper School Principal
The school balances academics with activities in our local community, within Norway and throughout Europe. Each grade have a designated trip, from the annual grade 6 Oslo cultural visit through to the grade 10 Service as Action (CAS) European trip, which they help organise independently.
These trips incur additional costs, approximate figures are available in the ISB Handbook.
In recent years, we have developed an extensive and successful exchange programme through Erasmus+, allowing students to engange in exchange visits with member school. Last school year of 2024-2025 included visits to and from Italy, Spain, France, the Netherlands and Liechtenstein.
This gives our students a taste of oversea travels and prepares them for applicaitions for Diploma programmes and the United World Colleges (UWC).