International School of Boston
- Private, Boarding
- CAMBRIDGE, MA
Private School
International School of Boston
- grade A+Overall Grade
- Private, Boarding
- PK, K-12
- CAMBRIDGE, MA
- Rating 4.45 out of 5 83 reviews
International School of Boston Reviews
Rating 4.45 out of 5 83 reviews
We are so happy to have found ISB! Our three children are in lower, middle, and upper school, so we've seen a good cross section of the entire school experience. The lower school bilingual program is a real advantage - a good balance of English and French - and it's also accredited, which is what we were looking for. Other schools offer full immersion, but at the expense of learning English and they are not accredited. The middle school does a great job of attending to well-being in addition to continuing the bilingual opportunities. Our older son chose to take more French classes in middle school when he was younger, but our middle son is opting for more English. Both have had good experiences. Our older son is currently studying for the IB diploma in the Upper School. The level of personal attention he is getting from his teachers and the new college counselor is tremendous and way more than we could have ever expected if we had put him in the local public school.
ISB competently teaches both the French and American curriculums, with the American curriculum at a level similar to an average public school in the area. In the younger grades many children do not speak fluent French and it prevents the school from teaching at a level equivalent to a French public school. Of course for people seeking French instruction, it is one of the only options in the area. Most of the teachers are very good and caring, with a few exceptions. The administration seems to be a weak point, and appears very defensive when issues (curricular, interpersonal, or other) are raised. After-school offerings are quite good and the pay-as-you-go flexible structure is really convenient but clubs fill up within minutes every trimester. There is a school lunch option that is catered and is more of an American approach to school lunch. Overall it is a good school but certainly not a perfect one, especially given the number of good private schools in the area.
My son is a 1st grader at ISB. Joining the ISB community has been a life changing experience for our family. Our son is thriving in the bilingual environment provided by this amazing school. The teachers are all so nurturing and caring providing a great environment for children to use their full potential. We had concerned about our son's transition and the school was so open to work with us that the transition was smooth and so positive for our son's academic journey. We left another private school environment (after 2 years, pre-K & K, very bad experience) and found in ISB all that we were looking for: a challenging and engaging curriculum, nurturing teachers, caring administration, and an environment for our son's great potential to flourish. My only regret is not joining sooner.
As a mom of a 3rd grader and Kindergarten students, I couldn't be more happy with this school. The teachers are extremely dedicated to serving the students and thanks to them my two children speak, read, and write English and French equally well. They are also learning Spanish at school as 3rd language it is such a gift it is for a child a bilingual education. The school community is very welcoming, diverse, and inclusive which makes the children happy and well grounded. I strongly recommend this school.
As an 8th grade student, ISB has greatly changed my life. I have greatly improved my French and English in this school since 6th grade. Also, this is a pushy school in a good way where they give lots of tests and homeworks that are at an appropriate level and challenging. So far, I learned a huge lot and the teachers are very helpful and they offer office hours if I need help. The school is very well organized, it is well maintained, and it is welcoming. This school offers a very high level of education in all subjects. Maybe one thing that isn’t so great is the athletics. The schools team in sports are that good but could be much better if some changes are made. This school offers an IB program and a French Program so it is double in some way, preparing for French colleges from the French Bac and the International Bac, offering a world wide college opportunity.
High academic standards, lovely family atmosphere, very well managed during Covid era. Highly recommended.
We are blown away by the quality, background, enthusiasm, dedication of the teaching staff. our kids are so well supported in their academic and cultural development. the community around us are authentic, collaborative, supportive. we are so lucky to have found this school
Amazing school! Great teachers, curriculum and community. Their after-school activities are great as well with many choices! My kids started this year and they couldn’t be happier. They’re in 3rd grade and started learning a 3rd language, which is what I wanted for them.
My daughter started at ISB this year and it has been a great experience for her. The French -English bilingual program is the best. I am impressed with how fast she transitions into fully bilingual, and feels very natural and comfortable switching between the two languages. The school curriculum is excellent and the teachers and faculties have done an excellent job of communicating with the parents! ISB is really a great school!
Great academics and amazing teachers! Global and inclusive community that I would highly recommend to any parent looking for a unique school experience for her/his child.
Our daughter joined ISB in Kindergarten. Despite the COVID barriers that can create a divide between parents and the school, the teachers put in an extra effort to keep parents informed on a weekly basis about their child's curriculum, including photos and videos from class. The after-school care is extremely reasonably priced, on a pay-as-you-go model. There are also unique extracurriculars offered even at the Kindergarten level -- our daughter is currently enrolled in drama club. We chose ISB as we want our daughter to be fully bilingual in French, and she's thriving there. She went from generally refusing to speak to speaking it fairly regularly and with fewer and fewer mistakes by the week. We have been very pleased with our experience so far at ISB.
We absolutely love ISB! The teachers, faculty, and staff all go above and beyond to make us feel comfortable and at home. We love the education our son is getting, the activities he has access to, and his fellow students/parents. We could not be happier!
Amazing kind, thoughtful staff and teachers. Great exposure to a diverse international set of families. Our kids love this school.
I came here and was openly greeted by everyone. All the students and teachers are very welcoming and integrating. I made friends very fast and the teachers are always open to support you in your goals. You always have a support net if you go to ISB and I have made really great experiences and there are more to come. The school has great cluba nd sports offerings and I ave discovered a whole new sport that I really love. Clubs can also be founded by students and everyone supports each other. No unhealthy competition is at this school and you discuss serious and important topics but also get to have a lot of fun with people from different cultures. We have had wonderful times and ideas come very easily at this school.Everyone contributes to a healthy, nice and open community and everyone is welcome here and no one will ever judge you. ISB is the right school for you if you want to have a great education, meet great people and discover new hobbies and things that you will absolutely love
The school is very welcoming for new students. My daughter has had a wonderful experience so far both academically and socially.
The community at ISB is absolutely irreplaceable. Additionally, the ability to communicate openly to the administration and faculty is crucial to developing the ideal experience for your student.
This is an elite school that focus on academics excellence and character. To us this is a great holistic approach to education.
Our family's experience at the International School of Boston (ISB) continues to be high quality and we believe, relatively unique, in terms of public or private education in the U.S. ISB offers bilingual, (even multilingual) learning woven into serious academics with a multicultural, international environment and the choice to earn a high school diploma combined with either the French Baccalaureate or the International Baccalaureate. In an area with a wide range of schools, once we learned of the existence of ISB and its approach and programs, we hoped that if we had kids they would attend ISB and we're pleased our children have done so since pre-K.
We like small structures, international education and theachers' dedication. We find all of that in this school.
Great school for learning and associating with others. Both US and French requirements are followed . Well managed despite this tough year