The SHAPE School (1951-1965)

In 1951, NATO created a military organisation, the SHAPE ( Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Powers in Europe).  Its founders - including Eisenhower- wanted to establish a community joining the 1500 international officers and their families in the Village d’Hennemont. 
Therefore, with René Tallard at its head, a school was established in 1954 as part of the program for unity.  In 1962, its name was changed from the SHAPE School to the Lycée International of NATO. 
French being the main language, the officers’ children nonetheless, received an education in their mother tongue in literature and history courses.  Thus, the Lycée International distinguished itself as a center for cultural and linguistic exchange. 
 

The transition (1965-1968)
 

In March 1966, France left NATO so that a year later SHAPE had to be moved to Belgium. In 1965, the new headmaster, Edgar Scherer, had to reorganise the Lycée with only half of the students and two national sections left.  It became a state school which aimed at receiving foreigners and French students whose families returned to France from foreign countries. It also welcomed French students from St Germain-en-Laye who were interested in studying languages.  
By 1968, there were 6 sections (American, Danish, Dutch, English, German and Italian) and the school counted 2239 students of which one third were foreign.  
 

Expansion since 1968
 

The recognition of a specific certificate, the Baccalaureate with the International Option (OIB), enabled the Lycée to distinguish itself as an International school.  
Furthermore, steps were taken to expand the Lycée: 
-the Lycée grew from 6 to 10 sections (Swedish in 1972, Portuguese in 1973, Spanish in 1981, Japanese in 1993) 
-the Lycée diffused its particularity and enabled more children to receive international education through the implantation of these sections in nearby schools 
-efforts to increase the Lycée’s capacity were taken in May 1992 with the opening of a new building (Theatre, library, self-service and cafeteria), the opening of a primary school building in November 1993, the embellishment of the park and the renovation of the Chateau d'Hennemont.