International recognition has recently arrived: in its fourth year of operation, the school has been awarded the International Baccalaureate (IB) accreditation for all three of its educational programmes: the Primary Years Programme (from kindergarten to Grade 5), the Middle Years Programme (secondary school) and the Diploma Programme (last two years before graduation).

Director Tom McLean explained, that the aim all along has been to create an IB education in Debrecen from kindergarten to graduation.



ISD opened its doors to students four years ago in the heart of the Great Forest, in Debrecen. Over the past four years the foundations have been laid of an innovative international education system.

“ISD attained Primary Years Programme authorization in May, 2022, Diploma Programme in April 2023, and the Middle Years Programme this June. In addition, ISD is on track to be authorized by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) in Spring 2025.

Thus, our first graduating class will also graduate with a United States high school diploma. On the back of our accreditation success ISD is currently experiencing an explosion in student numbers and a rapidly internationalizing community with approximately 50% of our students coming from nations other than Hungary.” – Tom McLean explained.



To gain IB authorisation schools must demonstrate that they meet rigorous standards and practices. They must have a clear mission, values, and strategy; outstanding physical, digital, and human resources; a robust policy framework; and a curriculum grounded in best practices in approaches to teaching, learning and assessment.

As an IB Continuum school, ISD can attract top quality teachers from all over the world and guarantee the highest quality of international education.

The school has a constantly growing, outstanding and dedicated team of international and Hungarian teachers, with an additional 20 international and 10 Hungarian teachers joining in the 2023-24 academic year.



"The IB's core mission is to make the world a better place," said the Director. Teachers are learner-centred, collaborative and strive for growth - which is why they teach using a collaborative, inquiry-driven methodology rather than just study the given material.

Students need to become ethical, critical thinkers so they can make their own decisions and become part of a community rather than isolated individuals. We teach them to creatively generate new and important insights."

For more information about ISD visit isd.debrecen.hu