Celebrating ISB 50 years

ISB have reached an important milestone celebrating its presence in Bergen for 50 years. What was then called the Bergen American school opened its doors in September 1975. We have come a long way since then, but our mission of providing an internationally accredited education serving the business and Bergen community is still the same.

We will be hosting different happenings and events throught our jubilee year.

At ISB, we are experts in welcoming new families, and as an IB World School we can assure families of a smooth transition into both a new social and educational community. 

Since starting almost 50 years ago, our mission has always been to cater to internationally mobile families as well as local families who are seeking an internationally accredited education for their children.

As a school, we have many years of experience looking after children from their first year of preschool, aged 1, to their graduation in grade 10 at the age of 16. Our teachers are specialised in giving support and stretching students to grow and meet the needs of an ever changing world.

ISB is a not-for-profit organisation and all fees paid are reinvested into the school, its teachers and the students.

Popcorn and pillow fights on the timetable

The International School of Bergen (ISB) celebrated its 50th anniversary last week. The school, which was established on 17 September 1975, has been located at Sandslihaugen since 2019. The whole community, including students, teachers, and others connected to ISB took part in the three-day celebration.

On the opening day, all lessons were replaced with bouncy castles, bubble football, pillow fights, fishing games, and other activities. The Lower School principal, Leanne Hagen, described the day as the children’s day.

“Our birthday celebration on Wednesday, 17 September, ISB's official birthday, was all about our students. A day off timetable was spent playing games, eating popcorn and cupcakes and creating a collaborative art piece to mark this special occasion,” she said.

Three types of celebration
On Friday, the school opened its doors and invited the whole community to the traditional Welcome Back Barbecue, one of the school’s most popular annual events, before Saturday’s more formal evening party for staff, members of the Board of Trustees, and others associated with ISB.

The school director, Peter Ledger, is pleased to participate in the celebrations taking place at the school. Having worked at ISB for nearly fifteen years, first as a teacher and Upper School principal before taking on the role of principal almost two years ago, he knows the school well.

“For any institution to make it to a 50 year milestone is a serious achievement in itself, and our history shows that it hasn’t always been easy. Now we’re aiming for another 50 years,” he said.

Still the same mission
He pointed out that the school, as a foundation, has maintained its original mission, which is to offer an internationally accredited education that serves the business community and the Bergen region, thereby fostering intercultural understanding and respect for human rights among young people, in order to promote a more tolerant, peaceful, and globally responsible society.

“These may sound like big words, but this is the common thread in everything we do. ISB has been a pioneer in many areas. We were one of the first international schools in Norway, and we were the first in the world to introduce the International Baccalaureate's Middle Years Programme,” he says.

The importance of community and support
The Director is careful to point out that the school has not achieved this alone. He highlighted the support the school has received from many.

“We do not underestimate how important the support from Bergen municipality, local businesses, and other advisors has been all along. The reason we were founded in 1975 was to provide an internationally accredited education to support the business community in the Bergen area, and that is still our most important mission,” he said.

Now it’s back to normal school days for students and staff at ISB, but the anniversary year is not over just yet.

“We will continue marking the anniversary throughout the year, and we hope to invite businesses, local politicians, and other stakeholders to a breakfast seminar during the month of October,” Ledger said.