We Care.
We Educate.

Helderberg International School is more than a place of learning; it’s a close-knit community where every student is known, supported and inspired to reach their full potential. Our focus is on academic excellence, personal growth and global readiness.

HOW DID WE START?

The International School of Cape Town – Helderberg campus first opened its doors in January 2000, welcoming 17 pioneering students supported by a dedicated team of three teachers, one support staff member, and one administrator. The school formed part of The International School of Cape Town Foundation. It operated under the directorship of Mr Wilf Stout, with Mrs Mabel Loubser providing leadership for the Primary School.

At that time, the Helderberg campus was one of four schools within the group, alongside campuses in Cape Town, Hout Bay, and Tygerberg. All four schools operated as not-for-profit organisations, united by a shared vision of providing high-quality international education to the communities they served.

THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF HELDERBERG BECOMES INDEPENDENT:

As all four schools continued to grow, it became necessary for each campus to assume full responsibility and ownership of its own operations. In October 2002, the Helderberg campus elected its first independent Governing Body, comprising five parents and one external member, appointed to serve a three-year term.

Early in 2003, the school formally adopted the name International School of Helderberg. From January of that year, the school became independent from the other International Schools.

WHO WE ARE NOW:

Helderberg International School was acquired by International Education Systems (IES) in 2006, and has remained committed to delivering the highest academic standards through the internationally recognised Cambridge Curriculum.

Helderberg International School is proudly part of the International Education Systems (IES) group, a global network of schools dedicated to providing outstanding international education. As a member of IES, we benefit from shared expertise, global best practices, professional development opportunities, and a strong commitment to holistic, student-centred learning.

Together with the IES family of schools, we continue to uphold our promise: to care, to educate, and to equip each student for a bright and successful future.

Our staff work in partnership with IES, ensuring that education is offered at the highest level within a caring and supportive environment. We are dedicated to nurturing every student, recognising their individual needs and encouraging their personal growth. By providing a safe and supportive environment, we enable our learners to develop their full potential and thrive in an ever-changing, dynamic world.

Helderberg International School provides a welcoming setting where children are guided, supported, and encouraged to grow academically and personally in a community located in Somerset West, South Africa. Established to provide families with a world-class education, the school has grown into a respected academic institution offering the internationally recognised Cambridge Curriculum from Nursery through Year 12.

With a strong history rooted in excellence, Helderberg International School is committed to developing confident, curious, and compassionate students who are fully prepared for the global world they will enter. Our mission is to inspire a lifelong love for learning through high-quality teaching, personalised support, and a balanced programme that nurtures each child academically, socially, and emotionally.

Our vision is to empower every student to achieve their full potential, to think critically and creatively, and to embrace integrity, respect, and empathy—values that guide all aspects of school life.

IES ACADEMIC VISION 

IES schools deliver a rigorous skills-based curriculum through relevant and real-life challenges that have meaning to learners and encourage them to take responsible action from what they have learned.

Our student-centred approach allows students to build on previous learning and to demonstrate this in a variety of ways which ensures personal success for each learner.

IES graduates are confident and independent creative problem-solvers with a passion for learning. They are empathetic, open minded and resolute; appreciate their own culture and respect the cultures of others.

They are future-ready global citizens who are prepared for the real world and want to make a difference.

Sapientia Quod Faciendum Faciam – Do what you must with wisdom