About ISB

As a world-class, accredited private school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, ISB is home to 540 students from age 2 through Grade 12. ISB places the development of the bilingual brain at the heart of our mission. ISB students graduate with an American high school diploma and choose between two internationally renowned diplomas, the French or the International Baccalaureate, allowing them to thrive at leading universities in the United States, France, and worldwide.

As a Center for Global Learning, ISB redefines what it means to educate for the future, ensuring our students are globally competent, globally minded, and globally aware. 

ISB’s core identity as a Center for Global Learning represents our bold and visionary commitment to preparing students for the complexities of an interconnected world.  More than just a school, ISB is a hub for global engagement, where learning is intentionally designed to develop the knowledge, dispositions, and skills students need to thrive in a multicultural and constantly evolving global landscape.

Anchored in the best of French and American educational traditions and building on proven international practices, ISB offers a comprehensive, interconnected, and reflective curriculum. Our unique multilingual programs—featuring both the International Baccalaureate and French Baccalaureate degree programs—set us apart. 

This dual approach enhances language proficiency, deepens cultural understanding, and ensures cultural fluency, equipping students to navigate and contribute meaningfully to a global community. Our commitment to intercultural and multilingual education fosters open-mindedness, empathy, and the ability to engage with diverse perspectives, traits essential for effective global citizenship.

ISB’s global learning model is rooted in intentionality and impact. We provide students with interdisciplinary and immersive learning opportunities that emphasize real-world applications. Through dynamic programs, student exchanges, and international partnerships, ISB students don’t just study global issues—they actively engage with them. This approach ensures that our students leave with the dexterity to comprehend and solve real-world challenges.

What Makes ISB Unique?

Uniquely among other independent schools, ISB’s identity as a Center for Global Learning extends beyond offering study-abroad programs or language instruction. Our emphasis on multilingual education, intercultural exchange, and a globally relevant curriculum is intentional and deeply embedded in our approach. 

We are “local by nature, global by design,” blending our New England roots with a global perspective to create a unique educational experience. At ISB, beginning as young as two years old, cultures are celebrated and used as vectors to access a deeper level of learning.

At ISB, the journey is as important as the destination. Students are academically prepared and equipped to lead with global awareness, cultural fluency, and critical thinking. Our programs are not just about preparing students for exams—they are about preparing them for life in an interconnected and dynamic world.

The Benefits of ISB’s Global Learning Approach

Through our innovative programs, students gain:

• Intercultural Understanding: Skills to engage with and respect diverse perspectives, fostering empathy and collaboration.

• Multilingual Competence: Mastery of languages that deepens cultural fluency and enhances global career readiness.

• Interdisciplinary Knowledge: Connecting concepts across fields and applying them to global contexts.

• Future Readiness: The capacity to adapt, lead, and innovate in an increasingly globalized world and fluid future.

Aligned with our Portrait of a Graduate, ISB students graduate as Critical Thinkers, Creative Problem Solvers, and Global Citizens. They embody a deep sense of global community while remaining grounded in their local roots, prepared to lead with compassion and create a positive impact wherever their journeys take them.