International School of Bergen

What International School of Bergen does

International School of Bergen (ISB) is a not-for-profit private international school founded in 1975 and operated by the Stiftelsen International School of Bergen foundation, with a separate Early Childhood Centre entity (Early Childhood Centre AS). It is located at Sandslihaugen 36, Sandsli, 15 kilometers outside Bergen city center, in a facility modernized and renovated in 2019. ISB delivers a continuous educational pathway from age 1 through Grade 10 across three sections: the Early Childhood Centre (ages 1-6) following the Norwegian Framework Plan for Kindergartens, Lower School (Grades 1-5) following the IB Primary Years Programme, and Upper School (Grades 6-10) following the IB Middle Years Programme. ISB was the first school worldwide authorized to offer the IB MYP in 1987 and holds NEASC, CIS and UDIR approvals alongside Norwegian Kindergarten Act compliance. The school serves approximately 250 students representing roughly 50 nationalities and 45 languages, taught by 59-60 staff from 15-16 countries at a 1:7 teaching ratio with average class size of 18.

ISB's core product set includes the ECC, Lower School and Upper School academic programmes plus add-on modules: After-School Activities, the Community Cove library (approximately 12,500 resources on Follett Destiny), Learning and Wellbeing Support Services (school counselor, ELS and IENS coordinators), the Duke of Edinburgh International Award, a Student Internship Programme via Erasmus+, and Before/After School Supervision. The technology stack is composed of third-party EdTech integrations rather than proprietary systems: ManageBac and Toddle for curriculum and assessment, OpenApply for digital admissions, Google Education Suite for collaboration, Apple school.apple.com with 1:1 iPads/Chromebooks in Lower School and BYOD in Upper School, Follett Destiny for library, and Microsoft 365 with Fortinet for infrastructure and security.

The business model is tuition-driven and not-for-profit. ISB publishes tiered annual tuition across Guaranteed Seat Programme (Tuition A), Tuition B1 (internationally mobile in Bergen Kommune), Tuition B2 (outside Bergen Kommune at 202,700 NOK for 2026-2027), Tuition C1 (not-for-profit employees) and Tuition C2 (Norwegian citizens or 3+ years residency). Sibling reductions of 25% apply to B1/C1/C2, and a 2.5% early-settlement discount is offered. A non-refundable one-time admission fee of 2,500 NOK (5,000 NOK family rate) is charged for Grades 1-10. ECC fees are aligned with Bergen Kommune at 1,200 NOK per month. Voluntary levy donations fund annual Impact Projects. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via OpenApply and Vigilo (Bergen Kommune) with a complementary enterprise channel through Guaranteed Seat Programme contracts with international employers.

Name

International School of Bergen

Legal name

Stiftelsen International School of Bergen

Website

https://isbergen.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Not-for-profit international school in Bergen, Norway, delivering IB PYP and MYP programmes from age 1 through Grade 10 to approximately 250 students from 50 nationalities, with the world's first MYP accreditation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International K-12 Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM)

Keywords

• International education services
• IB curriculum programmes
• Early childhood education
• Primary school education
• Secondary school education

Headquarters

HQ city

Sandsli

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees (Grades 1-10): Tiered tuition structure based on family classification: Tuition A (Guaranteed Seat Programme for company-sponsored families), Tuition B1 (Internationally Mobile Families residing in Bergen Kommune), Tuition B2 (Families Residing outside Bergen Kommune), Tuition C1 (Not-for-profit company employees), Tuition C2 (Norwegian citizens or 3+ years residency). Annual tuition ranges from 80,816 NOK (C1, Grades 1-7) to 202,700 NOK (B2, Grades 1-10) for school year 2026-2027.
2. Early Childhood Centre (ECC) Fees: Preschool and Kindergarten fees aligned with Bergen Kommune tuition structure. ECC costs 1,200 NOK per month, invoiced monthly from August to June. July is free of charge.
3. Extended Supervision Fees: Before and after school supervision available for Grades 1-4 at additional cost. Morning and afternoon supervision costs 20,267 NOK annually (2026-2027). Single session (morning or afternoon) costs 12,156 NOK annually.
4. Admission Fee: One-time non-refundable admission fee of 2,500 NOK for students in Grades 1-10. Family rate of 5,000 NOK for two or more students admitted simultaneously. Does not apply to families with existing children at ISB.
5. Voluntary Levy Donations: ISB is a not-for-profit foundation that solicits annual voluntary levy contributions from families to fund additional learning opportunities beyond the operating budget. These donations support Impact Projects that enhance educational facilities and programs.
6. Sibling Reductions: Sibling reduction of 25% applies to students in B1, C1, and C2 tuition categories in Grades 1-10. Not available for B2 category.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

International School of Bergen provides internationally accredited day-school education for students aged 1-16 in Bergen, Norway, structured across three sections: the Early Childhood Centre (ages 1-6) following the Norwegian Framework Plan and the IB Primary Years Programme, Lower School (Grades 1-5) following the IB PYP, and Upper School (Grades 6-10) following the IB Middle Years Programme. The school sells tuition-based enrolment in these programmes, supplemented by extended before/after-school supervision, after-school activities, support services, and the Duke of Edinburgh International Award.

Product overview

International School of Bergen is an IB World School offering a unified educational programme from preschool (age 1) through Grade 10 (age 16). The core offering comprises three interconnected sections: the Early Childhood Centre (ECC) for ages 1-6, Lower School (Grades 1-5) following the Primary Years Programme, and Upper School (Grades 6-10) following the Middle Years Programme. Supporting modules include Learning and Wellbeing Support Services, the Community Cove library, After-School Activities, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The school integrates with educational technology platforms including ManageBac, Open Apply, Google Education Suite, and Toddle for curriculum and admissions management. As a not-for-profit institution accredited by NEASC and CIS, ISB serves approximately 250 students from 50 nationalities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Childhood Centre (ECC) Preschool and Kindergarten programme for children aged 1-6, delivered under the Norwegian Framework Plan for Kindergartens combined with the IB Primary Years Programme. Includes dedicated facilities such as an art room, gross motor room, and performing arts room, with fees aligned to Bergen Kommune at 1,200 NOK per month (August-June, July free).
• Lower School (Grades 1-5) Primary education programme following the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for students in Grades 1-5, with a 1:1 iPad/Chromebook device programme, small class sizes (average 18), and a 1:7 teaching ratio. Included in tiered annual tuition ranging from 80,816 NOK (C1) to 202,700 NOK (B2) for school year 2026-2027.
• Upper School (Grades 6-10) Secondary education programme following the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students aged 11-16, with inquiry-based learning in globally relevant contexts and a BYOD laptop policy. ISB was the first school worldwide authorized to offer the IB MYP in 1987. Included in tiered annual tuition from 80,816 NOK (C1) to 202,700 NOK (B2) for school year 2026-2027.
• Before and After School Supervision Extended supervision service for students in Grades 1-4, available mornings (7:30-8:55) and afternoons (15:00-16:30, or 14:00-16:30 on Wednesdays) at additional cost. Morning and afternoon combined costs 20,267 NOK annually; single sessions cost 12,156 NOK annually for school year 2026-2027.

Quantifiable outcome

• ISB students in Grade 9 generally score well above local averages in Norwegian national tests
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stiftelsen International School of Bergen (Foundation)coreOthers · 1 January 1975ISB is owned and operated by Stiftelsen International School of Bergen, a not-for-profit foundation established to provide internationally accredited education serving the Bergen business community.
• City of BergencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with the City of Bergen for school premises provision. ISB's premises are provided through this partnership, with facilities located in Sandsli residential area.
• Bergen Chamber of Trade and CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal business organization partnership supporting ISB's role in the Bergen business community.
• Business Region BergenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Business Region Bergen supporting the school's connection to the regional business ecosystem.
• Erasmus+ ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU education programme partnership allowing university students to complete international internships at ISB. Erasmus internships typically last 3-6 months with teacher trainees fully integrating into classroom activities. Annual exchanges include visits to and from Italy, Spain, France, the Netherlands, and Liechtenstein.
• GooglecoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology integration for student email, document storage and collaboration through Google Suite for Education.
• Faria System (ManageBac and OpenApply)coreTechnology or IntegrationCurriculum management, assessment, reporting, class attendance through ManageBac; admissions processing through OpenApply platform.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International School of Stavanger: Private international school in Stavanger serving oil and gas expatriate families with IB curriculum; mirrors ISB's founding rationale, customer base, and reliance on Norwegian energy-sector employers.
• Copenhagen International School: Nordic private international school offering IB PYP, MYP and DP with a similarly internationally mobile student body; comparable as a regional English-language IB school targeting globally mobile families in a Nordic capital city.
• British International School of Stavanger: Stavanger-based international school following the English national curriculum alongside IB elements; competes for the same internationally mobile families and corporate-sponsored expat students in the Norwegian energy corridor.
• Stockholm International School: Privately operated IB World School in Stockholm serving international and Swedish families; shares ISB's IB curriculum focus, corporate-sponsored enrolment model, and reliance on Nordic international business communities.
• Oslo International School: Norway-based private international school offering IB PYP, MYP and Diploma programmes in Oslo; directly comparable as the country's other flagship English-language IB school serving internationally mobile and corporate-sponsored families.

Regional players

• UWC Red Cross Nordic: Nordic-based UWC boarding school offering IB Diploma Programme; comparable as a Norway-headquartered international IB school but with a boarding model and scholarship-driven intake rather than tuition-driven.
• International School of Helsinki: English-language IB school in the Helsinki region with similar mission and accreditation profile; comparable as a Nordic international school but serving a different national market.

Broad incumbents

• International School of the Hague: Larger established Dutch international school offering full IB continuum (PYP/MYP/DP); overlaps with ISB's IB offering and expat target market but at materially greater scale.
• Dwight School: Global network of IB-focused private schools; comparable as an IB continuum operator serving internationally mobile families, though operating at a different scale and on multiple continents.

Others

• Faria Education Group: Provider of ManageBac and OpenApply, the curriculum management and admissions platforms ISB uses; a key technology partner and ecosystem enabler for international IB schools rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCRLN12EenmPUOHwI5Jt-x4A
• Facebookfacebook.com/InternationalSchoolBergen
• Instagraminstagram.com/_isbergen_
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-school-of-bergen

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International School of Bergen