What Oslo International School does

Oslo International School (OIS) is a not-for-profit foundation established in 1963 in Bekkestua, Norway, operating as the country's oldest international school. It delivers an English-language educational programme spanning Pre-School (ages 3-5) through Upper Secondary (ages 15-18), with a curriculum built on the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (authorized since 1989), the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), and supplementary literacy and mathematics schemes (Pathways, Stepping Stones). The school is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS), the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), and approved under Norwegian Education Act §22-1, serving approximately 600 students representing more than 50 nationalities with an average class size of 12-20.

The school operates a single campus including classroom buildings, a 300+ square metre library, an Innovation Space (laser cutter, 3D printer), multi-purpose and sports halls, and playgrounds. Support services include English as an Additional Language (EAL), Support for Learning, university counselling, and SAT preparation. The school supplements its academic offering with a Skills for Life co-curricular programme covering co-curricular trips, global citizenship, science and innovation, language and literacy, create and perform, and fitness and sport, plus seasonal after-school activities and optional bus transport covering Oslo, Bærum, and Asker.

OIS is funded 100% by school fees and receives no Norwegian government subsidies. Revenue streams comprise annual tuition (288,700 NOK per student for Year 1 through IB2 in 2026-27), a 5,000 NOK application fee, a 25,000 NOK non-refundable new student registration fee, a 10,000 NOK enrolment fee applied toward tuition, optional bus service (25,800 NOK round trip / 15,100 NOK one-way), seasonal after-school activities from 850 NOK, and an optional hot lunch programme. The Pre-School is fee-regulated at 1,200 NOK per month over 11 months by Stortinget. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer through an OpenApply digital admissions portal, personal school tours, and orientation meetings, with an admissions cycle tied to annual re-enrolment in March. Governance is provided by a 9-member Board of Trustees chaired by Paul Jenkins, with current Head of School Thale Herbertson appointed in 2024.

Name

Oslo International School

Legal name

Oslo International School

Website

https://oslointernationalschool.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Oslo International School is a not-for-profit foundation operating Norway's oldest international school in Bekkestua, delivering an English-language IB curriculum to approximately 600 students aged 3-18 from over 50 nationalities, funded entirely by tuition fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

International Curriculum Early Learning Academies (e.g., IB Early Years) (EDACADAK)

Keywords

• International school education
• IB Diploma Programme
• Primary secondary education
• Private school tuition
• University preparatory education

Headquarters

HQ city

Bekkestua

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Primary revenue stream from tuition fees paid by parents or sponsoring organizations. OIS is a fully independent not-for-profit school that invests all fees back into educational offerings. No government subsidies received.
2. Application Fee: Non-refundable 5,000 NOK application fee per student for processing and review of applications
3. Registration Fee: Non-refundable 25,000 NOK new student registration fee for Year 1 and above
4. Enrolment Fee: 10,000 NOK enrolment fee invoiced upon acceptance, applied toward annual tuition
5. School Bus Service: Optional bus service with annual fees: 25,800 NOK round trip or 15,100 NOK one-way
6. After School Activities: Optional after-school activities including sports, music, science, art, cooking, and clubs starting from 850 NOK per activity per season
7. Hot Lunch Programme: Optional catering service offering hot lunches up to three times per week through local catering supplier

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Oslo International School is an independent, not-for-profit international school delivering English-language education from Pre-School (ages 3-5) through Upper Secondary (ages 15-18), culminating in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. The school delivers a full academic curriculum (Primary School via the International Primary Curriculum, Lower Secondary, and Pre-IB to IB2) supported by English as an Additional Language (EAL), learning support, university counselling, and a broad after-school activities programme on its Bekkestua campus.

Product overview

Oslo International School offers a comprehensive educational program as a single unified offering, spanning Pre-School (ages 3–5) through Upper Secondary/IB Diploma (ages 15–18). The core academic portfolio includes the Primary School Program (using the International Primary Curriculum), Lower Secondary Program, Pre-IB preparation year, and the IB Diploma Programme as the culminating qualification. Support services include EAL (English as an Additional Language), Support for Learning, and University Counselling. The school enriches its academic core with Skills for Life co-curricular programs, After School Activities (sports, arts, technology clubs), and campus facilities including a Library and Innovation Space. Auxiliary services include optional bus transportation and hot lunch programs. The school is accredited by CIS, NEASC, and is an IB World School.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pre-School Program (Ages 3–5)

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% IB Diploma pass rate (2025) vs 81.3% global average
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.

• Council of International Schools (CIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIS accreditation ensures OIS meets rigorous international education standards. The accreditation demonstrates commitment to quality assurance, continuous improvement, and international-minded education.
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEASC accreditation validates that OIS meets high educational standards comparable to those in the United States. Students graduating with IB Diploma also receive NEASC accredited high school diploma.
• International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIB World School status authorized to offer IB Diploma Programme since 1989. IBO sets curriculum standards and assessment criteria that OIS follows for Upper Secondary programme.
• Norwegian Educational AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOIS is approved under Norwegian Education Act § 22-1, providing official recognition within Norwegian education system while maintaining independent status.
• Norwegian Kindergarten AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOIS Pre-School operates under Norwegian Kindergarten Authority regulations, with fees subject to Stortinget approval.
• Nordic Network for International Schools (NNIS)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional network connecting international schools across Nordic countries, facilitating collaboration, competitions, and shared resources.
• Educational Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational schools organization providing competitions like Maths Quest, professional development, and networking opportunities.
• Private Kindergarten Association (PBL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association representing private kindergartens in Norway, providing advocacy and standards development.
• Abelia & Forum for FriskolerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry organizations representing private schools and educational institutions in Norway.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Peers

• Stockholm International School:

Regional players

• International School of Stavanger: International school on Norway's west coast serving the Stavanger expat community with IB curriculum; comparable in mission and IB-focused offering but operating in a different Norwegian city.
• Norsemont International School: International school located in Asker (greater Oslo region) offering IB programmes to expat and Norwegian families; direct geographic and curricular competitor to OIS in the same catchment area.

Broad incumbents

• GEMS Education: One of the world's largest operators of international K-12 schools, with premium fee-based campuses in Europe and globally; an established incumbent whose scale and brand compete for the same expat family segment that OIS targets.
• Nord Anglia Education: Global operator of premium international schools including IB programmes across multiple countries; represents the broader, for-profit competitive backdrop against which OIS competes for expat family demand.
• Cognita Schools: Global K-12 group operating premium international schools across Europe, Asia, and Latin America; comparable as a large-scale operator in the premium international school market where OIS operates.

Direct peers

• Copenhagen International School: Non-profit international school in Copenhagen offering IB programmes from Pre-School through IB Diploma to a multicultural expat community; closest functional peer to OIS in the Nordic region.
• Dwight School London: IB-continuum international school serving expat families in a major European city, sharing the IB curriculum, small class sizes, and international family target market as OIS.

Others

• United World Colleges (UWC): Global movement of IB Diploma schools with a strong emphasis on international-mindedness and scholarships; thematically aligned with OIS's IB mission and multicultural community, though primarily a boarding-school network.

Emerging players

• Red Cross Nordic United World College: IB Diploma-focused boarding school in Flekke, Norway offering the IB Diploma to Nordic and international students; shares the IB mission and Norway footprint but operates as a residential UWC rather than a day school.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oslo-international-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/oslois

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 Oslo International School