STUDENTATHLETE SUCCESS AT ISB
LAUREN ANGLE CLASS OF 2026
The International School of Brussels
LAUREN ANGLE CLASS OF 2026 Lauren Angle, a multi-sport student-athlete in soccer, track, and basketball, shares how ISB’s flexibility and strong sense of community have helped her successfully balance rigorous academics with high-level athletic commitments.
ISB students often juggle rigorous academics with major commitments outside the classroom. How has ISB supported you in balancing your academic workload with your athletic training and competitions, especially during these important final years of High School? ISB has provided me with the means necessary to succeed inside the classroom, even when I am away for competitions, by being flexible with tests and assignments, aware of the sports competitions, and always being interested and supportive when I have to miss class for these events. ISB and their flexibility have allowed me to balance my school work, when I have to go away for sports competitions. Especially in the fall season when a lot of athletes compete, the teachers will always consider making adjustments for test dates that won’t work for many of the traveling student athletes. In grade 11, I was often traveling back and forth from the US competing and my teachers were more than willing to meet with me during Flextimes, or move my tests if I happened to miss class. I think ISB provides the means for the teachers to be able to provide this flexibility like study hall and Flextimes which made a huge difference for me when I had to miss classes. ISB always does a great job of advertising and acknowledging sports competitions which allows for teachers to plan ahead. With the Athletic Council shouting out teams in the community meetings, and the consistent emails from the Athletics department, teachers are sometimes aware of competitions before you even tell them. Oftentimes, I’ll have teachers ask me and my classmates if we will be traveling or missing class well in advance. This awareness and care by the teachers allows them to frequently plan tests or deadlines around Athletics schedules. ISB is the most supportive community, which makes juggling school and athletics more than worth it. My teachers consistently ask me where my team will be traveling to or who we’ll be playing. When I play at ISB, I’ve had numerous of my teachers across my two years come to support me at my games, commending me for my performances. These thoughtful acts are what get me through times where the balance between sport and school can be overwhelming.
The International School of Brussels
As you look ahead to graduation, how do you feel your time at ISB has prepared you for the next chapter academically and athletically? As I look ahead to graduation, I feel my time at ISB has prepared me adequately for my next academic and athletic chapter by challenging me to persevere and develop resilience, and by giving me the opportunity to work with a variety of individuals. Across my various sports and in my wide array of classes, I’ve worked with many coaches, students, and teachers, each with their own unique set of skills and experiences. From this, I’ve adapted to many different teaching, learning, and playing styles, which have adequately prepared me to collaborate with anyone in my future beyond ISB. Equally as important, I’ve grown to appreciate a wide variety of ideas and perspectives, which has taught me to approach group work with openness, respect, and a genuine willingness to learn from others. What advice would you give younger ISB students who hope to excel both in the classroom and in their sport the way you have? The advice I would give to younger ISB students is to manage their time well and understand that hard things are possible with sacrifice, and to be proactive with school work and progress in your sport. The key to having success in the classroom and in your sport is managing your time effectively. You actively need to set aside time to get your work done every single day because that won’t just happen without your intervention. Whether it is your study blocks, between games, on the bus, or after school, it's important to have a plan, so when you get to your competition or training, that’s what you can focus on. The best way to get better is to not only be physically engaged in your sport, but mentally engaged as well. Organisation and time management are going to make a huge difference in your performance, both in school and in your sport. In order to commit to both your education and your sport, it's vital to know things will never be easy and are going to require sacrifice. There will be times where you feel overwhelmed and stressed, but it's important to remember that these feelings are temporary and you can manage them with support from your teammates and coaches and internal resilience. It’s key to take things one step at a time. In the same way, when committing to a sport for the year or for a season, you must understand what you’ve signed up for. There will be weekends you’ll miss out on parties, birthdays, or hanging out with friends for competitions or to catch up on work from traveling. These things are worth making the sacrifice, and if you want to improve or get to the next level, these sacrifices are all part of the journey. To ensure success in both your school and your sport, you should be prepared to take control of your own journey. Only you know your schedule and what needs to be done, so only you can advocate for yourself. If you’re missing school, or leaving early, that is something your teachers need to know, so they can adjust accordingly. The same goes for sport, if you have a conflict and can’t attend a competition or training, your coach needs to know these things in advance.
STUDENTATHLETE SUCCESS AT ISB
ALEX SOLIS CLASS OF 2026
The International School of Brussels
ALEX SOLIS CLASS OF 2026 Alex Solis, a dedicated student-athlete in cross country and track, shares how ISB’s flexibility and supportive community have helped him excel both academically and athletically. ISB students often juggle rigorous academics with major commitments outside the classroom. How has ISB supported you in balancing your academic workload with your athletic training and competitions, especially during these important final years of high school? I feel as though ISB cares about its students' success, both inside and outside the classroom, for which reason my teachers have always been flexible with me. Of course, I'm expected to be responsible for balancing my time, but during difficult periods, they've helped me stay on track. I also appreciate the way many of them are involved in the Raiders programme themselves, because it brings the school closer together and builds a culture in which everyone is encouraged to pursue their passions. As you look ahead to graduation, how do you feel your time at ISB has prepared you for the next chapter academically and athletically? ISB has provided me with countless challenges, whether it be through a stimulating curriculum, a demanding training schedule, or high-level sporting competitions. Every hurdle has made me a stronger student-athlete, and I feel more than prepared for what's out there, now knowing that I can do whatever I put my mind to. What advice would you give younger ISB students who hope to excel both in the classroom and in their sport the way you have? Do as much as you can, seriously. Dedicating more time to your passions doesn't have to mean sacrificing your academic performance. There's always enough time for both, and you can make it work. Doing so will make your time at school all the more fulfilling.