Rooted in the welcoming community of Hout Bay, we offer an International Baccalaureate (IB) education that nurtures curiosity, celebrates diversity, and inspires students to engage meaningfully with the world around them.

History of Hout Bay

Hout Bay, meaning “Wood Bay” in Dutch, is a historic coastal suburb of Cape Town, nestled between protective mountains and a rich fishing coastline. The area was named by early Dutch settlers in 1653, who discovered a heavily wooded valley behind Table Mountain. The abundance of mature Yellowwood trees made Hout Bay an important source of timber for shipbuilding and major landmarks such as the Castle of Good Hope.

By the mid-1800s, Hout Bay had developed into a small fishing village. In around 1867, German immigrant Jacob Trautmann began farming and fishing in the area, contributing to the growth of the local community. Today, Hout Bay is known for its natural beauty, strong sense of community, and rich cultural heritage.

One of the area’s most significant historical landmarks is Kronendal Farm, established in the 1670s. The homestead is one of the oldest surviving examples of Cape Dutch H-plan architecture on the Cape Peninsula. Sections of the building date back to the early 1700s, with later additions completed in the 1800s. Kronendal was declared a National Monument in 1961 and remains an important part of Hout Bay’s history.

History of Hout Bay International School

Hout Bay International School (HBIS) was founded to meet the needs of families seeking a high-quality, inclusive international education in Hout Bay. The school was established with a clear vision: to provide a world-class private education in a nurturing, caring environment that welcomes children of all nationalities, cultures, and faiths.

The school first opened its doors in 1999 and became fully independent in October 2002. In 2005, ownership and management transferred to Independent Education Systems (IES), a division of the international education group SEK. That same year, six hectares of land were purchased in the heart of Hout Bay to develop a purpose-built international school campus, located opposite the historic Kronendal homestead.

Following a lengthy planning and approval process, construction began in 2012. The High School campus relocated to the new site in December 2013 and officially opened in January 2014. Phase 2 of the development soon followed, and by January 2015, both the Primary School and High School were united on one campus for the first time. This milestone fulfilled the school’s vision of becoming a through-school for students aged 3.5 to 18, offering continuity of learning from Early Years through to graduation.

– Continued investment in the campus has resulted in outstanding facilities, including:
– A Junior Primary block with purpose-built classrooms
– A custom-designed Early Years and Nursery facility
– Dedicated outdoor play areas
– A modern school canteen with views of surrounding mountains
– A state-of-the-art Robotics Lab equipped with the latest technology

Today, Hout Bay International School is proud to be the only IB World School in Cape Town, offering the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). Set within a beautiful natural environment, HBIS combines academic excellence with innovation, community, and global-minded education.