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International School of Iceland

Secular

Updated July 2026

6–16Ages
Co-edGender
Non-profitOwnership

Curriculum

IB MYP

Accreditations

Middle States AssociationIBCIS

Languages

English flagEnglishArabic flagArabicFrench flagFrenchJapanese flagJapaneseKorean flagKoreanHindi flagHindi

The International School of Iceland is a private, not-for-profit institution in Garðabær that provides an international education for the children of the diplomatic and business community, as well as local residents. It is an accredited IB World School that combines international curricula with local Icelandic standards.

Teaching approach

The school fosters a supportive and stimulating environment focused on developing creativity and resilience in students. It utilizes a Positive Discipline approach to build respectful relationships, effective communication, and personal responsibility. The institution emphasizes a partnership between home and school, aiming to prepare students to be active and contributing members of society.

Programmes

The school offers a Primary School program (grades 1–6) using the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) alongside AERO Common Core Plus standards or the Icelandic national curriculum. Subjects include English, mathematics, science, technology, engineering, art, music, theater, design, coding, and STEAM. For grades 7–10, the school is an authorized IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP).

Student support

EAL support
Unknown
Learning support
Dedicated department

Learning support

A dedicated Learning Support Team, including the head of school and a Learning Support Coordinator, manages resources for students, staff, and parents. The committee oversees the identification and assessment of students needing additional support, develops personalized learning plans, and implements policies such as the Anti-bullying Action Plan. They also facilitate counseling services and maintain parent-school relationships.

Frequently asked questions(5)
What curriculum does International School of Iceland offer?
International School of Iceland offers IB MYP.
What ages does International School of Iceland teach?
International School of Iceland enrolls students aged 6 to 16.
What accreditations does International School of Iceland hold?
International School of Iceland holds accreditations including Middle States Association, IB and CIS.
Is International School of Iceland co-educational?
International School of Iceland is a co-ed school.
Where is International School of Iceland located?
International School of Iceland is an international school in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Tuition & fees

No published fee schedule was found for this school.

Admissions

The school accepts students throughout the academic year, provided space is available. Applications are reviewed weekly by an admissions team, which considers each candidate on their individual merit to ensure they will benefit from the school's environment. The school offers two primary streams: an English Stream for families temporarily located in Iceland, and a Bilingual Stream for permanent residents proficient in Icelandic.

Calendar

The school operates on a standard academic year, with a calendar available for download on the school's website. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 08:00 to 15:30 and Friday from 08:00 to 14:30.

Facilities

Swimming poolArt roomMusic roomTheatre / auditoriumDesign & technology workshopSTEM lab

About the campus

Located in Garðabær, the school is situated at Þórsgrund 2. The campus facilities support a diverse range of subjects, including dedicated spaces for art, music, and theater, as well as access to swimming facilities. The school also utilizes outdoor spaces for learning, supported by staff trained in forest school and outdoor education methods.

  • Hanna HilmarsdóttirPrincipal

    Hanna has been with ISI since 2007, serving as Assistant Headmistress before becoming Headmistress in 2013. She holds an MA in Education Administration and Leadership from the University of Iceland and has extensive experience in both the private sector and educational leadership.

  • Elisa Ósk LinadottirVice Principal

    Elísa Ósk holds a Masters degree in Special Education and a B.Sc. in psychology. She has worked as a behavioral instructor for children with special needs since 2012.

  • Berta FaberCurriculum & Instruction

    Berta founded the International School of Iceland in 2004. She holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and has extensive international teaching experience.

  • Pamala HansfordMiddle School Leader and Librarian

    Pam has been teaching at ISI since 2004 and has served as the High School coordinator since September 2016. She holds a Diploma in Educational studies and B.A. degrees in Icelandic for Foreigners and English from the University of Iceland.

  • Rachael GlasserIB Coordinator and Homeroom Teacher, On Leave

    Rachael holds a master's degree in English and a second master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston University. She has worked in K-12 education in various contexts and teaches English and Humanities at ISI.

  • Kirsten KummerfeldP.D. Coordinator, Homeroom Teacher - Skógafoss

    Kirsten has more than 20 years of teaching experience in Europe and the United States and holds an MA in Elementary School Education. She is also the Art Department Head at ISI and a certified Forest School teacher.