List of 11 Best Schools in Belgium (2026 Fees)

Besides being the smallest and most densely populated country in Northwest Europe, Belgium offers a well-organized education system. There are three types of schools in Belgium (المدارس في بلجيكا), namely:

Subsidized public schools
Subsidized free schools
Community schools

According to the law, education is compulsory for all children between the ages of six to 18 years. Although the federal government is the overall governing body in education-related matters, local authorities are responsible for setting their time table, curriculum, and teaching methods.

Before starting compulsory education, most children enroll for pre-school at 2 ½ years, although it’s not mandatory. At this stage, the children mostly engage in a basic curriculum that involves reading, writing, and learning basic mathematics. From age six, children begin primary education, which lasts for six years. After completion, the pupils are awarded a certificate (Getuigschrift van Lager Onderwijs) and proceed to the next level of education, secondary school.

Secondary education takes place for six years and is divided into six stages, which include:

General secondary
Artistic Secondary
Vocational or technical secondary

Typically, the 1st phase provides the students with a solid foundation, while the 2nd and 3rd phases are more specific. In general, the secondary school system is designed to prepare students for an academic career. However, the alternative stages (artistic, vocational/technical) prepare students for an alternative profession. Additionally, vocational education and training offer a solid basis for further education as well as a second chance at adult education.

Facts About Schools in Belgium

Belgium has the 3rd best education system among the 35 OECD countries. The country is internationally recognized as having the highest pre-school attendance, good teachers, and a flexible, extensive education system.
Subsidized free schools are majorly affiliated with the Catholic Church.
The oldest Flemish university is the Ghent University, which was established by King William the 1st of the Netherlands in 1817.
The Belgium community is divided between Dutch in the Flemish region and French in Wallonia and Brussels. As a result, the official language used in schools depends on the area. Nonetheless, the official languages are Dutch, German, and French. However, in Brussels, it is compulsory to learn Flemish in French-speaking schools, and French in Flemish-speaking schools. This learning is obligatory from the third-grade of primary school, onwards.
In secondary school, there are immersion classes that offer specific courses in Flemish.
The country has a decentralized education system. As a consequence, it is difficult to generalize the terms of enrollment. For instance, in the French-Belgium region, enrollment takes place between March and April, while in the Flemish region, enrollment is all year round.
The country is home to a variety of international organizations. As a result, there’s a high number of international schools, especially in Brussels, the city of Antwerp, and Mons.
Private schools that receive government funding offer little or no tuition fees, while those without government funding offer high tuition fees.
Home-based schooling is permitted in the country.
Children at every entry-level, from primary to secondary school, sit for a mandatory exam. This is done to determine whether they are ready for the next stage of education. If the student qualifies for university education, they may have to undertake an entrance exam, especially if they are enrolling in civil engineering, medical and dental sciences, architecture, nautical sciences, or fine arts programs.

Edarabia showcases all private schools in Belgium through which parents can filter by tuition fees, curriculum, rankings & ratings. There are many public, private and charter schools near you that cater to both expat and local students.

Depending on the level of education; kindergartens (pre-schools), primary, secondary and high schools will all have varying tuition fees. Most K-12 schools offer different curriculums and extra-curricular activities to support the intellectual and physical wellbeing of students. Admissions for the top international schools in Belgium tend to have waiting lists so it is recommended that parents apply well in advance to secure a spot for their children. Additionally, each school has ratings based on parent reviews and are ranked below accordingly.

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