The Only School in Colorado Combining IB Excellence with Bilingual Education Through Language Immersion
Families looking for world-class education for their children don’t need to look any further than the International School of Denver. What sets ISDenver apart? We’re the only PreK-12 IB continuum private school in the state that delivers bilingual education through authentic language immersion in Chinese, Spanish, and French—with classes taught by native speakers from around the world. This powerful combination gives students an unmatched competitive edge.
There’s now another opportunity to become part of the International School Denver community. ISDenver purchased the Bishop Machebeuf High School property and is welcoming our first-ever ninth-grade class this fall, making us Colorado’s only PreK-12, independent, International Baccalaureate continuum school offering bilingual education through language immersion.
You don’t have to travel far for world-class education. Located in the Lowry neighborhood, ISDenver is the only secular private IB high school in the city—easily accessible from everywhere in the metro area. While other independent schools may require long commutes to distant suburbs, we bring the world to your backyard with convenient city access.
A Holistic Approach: From Early Years to Global Citizens
Founded in 1977, the International School of Denver strives to make the world a more
compassionate place by investing in the whole student experience. Our competitive advantage is clear: while other schools offer either strong academics OR language programs, ISDenver delivers both through our unique blend of IB rigor and bilingual education through language immersion, taught by native speakers from our vibrant global community. This combination creates neural pathways that enhance critical thinking, cultural competency, and global readiness in ways that traditional programs simply cannot match.
Nurturing Our Youngest Learners
While ISDenver is thrilled to announce its high school expansion, our commitment to foundational learning begins even earlier. Our Early Childhood Education (ECE) program is rooted in International Baccalaureate (IB) principles and inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, believing that children are naturally capable, curious, and full of potential.
Through full language immersion, purposeful play, hands-on exploration, and inquiry-based learning delivered by native speakers, we nurture each child’s innate sense of wonder and discovery. Our unique approach to early childhood education develops foundational skills, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning through a warm and supportive environment that celebrates creative problem-solving and exploration.
This diverse global community prepares our youngest learners not just for academic success, but for a future as confident, culturally aware global citizens ready for seamless transition into our rigorous middle and high school programs.
Groundbreaking High School: Where IB Meets Immersion Excellence
This fall marks a historic milestone: ISDenver becomes the first and only PreK-12 IB continuum private school in Colorado to offer bilingual education through language immersion. Our expansion creates an unbroken educational pathway from PreK through Grade 12, where students master both academic excellence and authentic multilingual fluency through instruction by native speakers within our diverse global community.
Students joining ISDenver High School in these first years will do more than just attend—they’ll have unprecedented influence on shaping what the school becomes. These initial students across all high school grades will help define the culture, traditions, and character of our program. From influencing extracurricular offerings to contributing to school policies, students in our early years will leave their lasting mark on ISDenver High School and enjoy a level of input and impact that simply won’t be possible once the program is fully established.
ISDenver will roll up one grade at a time, continuing the Middle Years Programme curriculum framework through grade 10. We’ll then add the IB Diploma Programme for grades 11 and 12, requiring students to study six subjects in addition to the DP Core. Students can earn the IB’s prestigious Bilingual Diploma—recognized worldwide and certifying proficiency in at least two languages—giving them a distinct advantage in college admissions and global career opportunities.
Proven Results: Our Data Shows the Difference
The numbers don’t lie—our model works. Our most recent MAP Assessment data (Spring 2024) for Grades 2-8 shows that ISDenver students significantly outpace the average student in both public and private schools in language usage, reading, and math at every age level. What makes this even more remarkable? Our students achieve these exceptional results while learning in two languages.
Our assessment data demonstrates that students can master skills in two languages at appropriate grade levels, with our unique approach to bilingual education promoting them strongest transfer of concepts between languages. As our academic leadership notes: “Our children’s achievements ultimately validate the power and difference of our unique approach to bilingual education—bottom line, our education model is effective and impressive.”
Why Choose International School of Denver? The Competitive Edge
Students who graduate from ISDenver don’t just succeed—they lead. Here’s why our proven combination creates unmatched advantages:
Academic Superiority & Proven Results: Our students learn to think creatively, critically, and independently in multiple languages while consistently outperforming public and private school peers in math, reading, and literacy.
University Success: Students are exceptionally prepared for higher education through superior skills and multilingual thinking. According to The Global College, IB students like ours are up to 18% more likely to be accepted into Ivy League universities.
Global Citizenship: Through bilingual education delivered by native speakers within our diverse global community, students become culturally fluent global citizens ready to engage with our interconnected world.
Travel Built into the Curriculum
ISDenver’s teaching extends far beyond the classroom. Our comprehensive travel program
begins with overnight trips around Colorado starting in Grade 3, building students’ independence and connection to their local environment.
Starting in Grade 5, students embark on international trips to immerse themselves in different countries’ cultures and practice their language skills in authentic settings. In the new ninth-grade year, students will have an opportunity to travel within the United States to learn how government structures and processes work.
In 10th grade, students will participate in a service trip, teaching them the transformative power of service. For the last two years of the ISDenver program, grades 11 and 12, students will have options to take domestic and international Action & Service trips, earning credit for the Diploma Programme’s Community Action and Service (CAS) requirement while applying their multilingual skills in real-world contexts.
Experience ISDenver: Join Us for an Open House This Fall
See our unique approach in action! We invite families to attend one of our upcoming Open House events, designed specifically for different age groups:
Ages 3 – Grade 3:
● September 30
● November 4
● January 15
Grades 4 – 10:
● September 16
● November 11
● December 4
During these events, you’ll observe our bilingual education model firsthand, meet our
native-speaking faculty from around the world, and discover why our students consistently
outperform their peers while mastering two languages. For high school families, this is your opportunity to learn about the unprecedented influence students in our early years will have on shaping the program. Reserve your spot today – register at isdenver.org/admissions.
Discover Your Child’s Future at ISDenver
Don’t settle for ordinary when extraordinary is available. As Colorado’s only PreK-12 IB continuum private school delivering bilingual education through language immersion with native speakers, ISDenver offers something no other institution can match.
Our expansion marks an exciting new chapter where proven results meet groundbreaking
opportunities. With rigorous curriculum, unique travel opportunities, and our authentically diverse global community, ISDenver students graduate with both exceptional academic skills and the global perspective that sets them apart in college admissions and beyond.
For families seeking measurable academic excellence combined with authentic global competency, we invite you to explore our vibrant school community. Learn more about our admissions process, schedule a visit, and discover how your family can join Colorado’s most competitive educational advantage by visiting isdenver.org/admissions or contacting our admissions team at admissions@isdenver.org or 303-340-3647.
The future at ISDenver is bright, proven, and uniquely advantageous.