For the coming weeks, we will be highlighting local and international schools around Beijing from our upcoming 2014-2015 School Choice Guide, which comes out in early February 2014. Scroll down for more information on how to participate in our annual school choice fair in March 2014.
Now in its 20th year Beijing BISS International School is a progressive multi-cultural school, offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum to all students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. BISS applies a “21st Century Learning” approach to all of its grade levels by integrating “research-based technology” to its curriculum, which includes the Optimal Learning Centre, Mother-Tongue Programme, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs. BISS also emphasizes its “unique and extensive extra-curricular and field-education programs” and the strong record of university admissions for its graduates.
Founding date: September 1994
School type: International school
Grades offered: Pre-kindergarten-Grade 12
Is the school registered with the Ministry of Education? Yes
Accreditations: BISS was the first international school to be licensed by the Beijing Education Commission, as well as the first international school in Beijing to be authorized by the International Baccalaureate (IB) as an IB World School offering all three IB programs. BISS is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Council of International Schools (CIS), as well as the National Centre for Curriculum and Text Book (NCCT) in China. It is also a member of the East Asian Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS), the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS), and the Council of International Schools (CIS).
Tuition fees (2013-2014 Academic Year):RMB 104,100 – 187,000 from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12
Refundable deposit: Elementary School – RMB 18,000 / Secondary School – RMB 23,000
Application fee: RMB 3,800
Age range: 3-18
Number of students: 300
Nationalities of students: Korea, United States, Japan, India, Hong Kong
Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes
Local Chinese students accepted? No
Primary teaching language: English
Languages taught: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish
Class size: 20
Teacher/student ratio: 1:7
School hours: 8.15am-3.15pm
After school activities: Mixed sports activities, performing arts, languages, robotics, graphic design and more (visit the website for a complete list).
Special needs programs offered? Yes
Extra-help offered: In-Class / Pull-out ESOL Support
School facilities: Over 30 classrooms; two libraries; music, drama, and art studios; science labs; design technology lab; multimedia classroom; multi-purpose auditorium; cafeteria; medical clinic; running track; multi-purpose courts; rock-climbing wall; playgrounds; regular access to the Olympic Stadium and Hilton Crowne Plaza swimming pools for sports. Campus-wide Wi-Fi coverage.
Total area of campus: 5,000 sqm
School doctor: Yes
Lunch offered: On-site campus carter provides a variety of Oriental and Western-style food with vegetarian options and healthy diet considerations.
Contact: Bldg 17, Area 4, Anzhen Xili, Chaoyang District (6443 3151, admissions@biss.com.cn)
www.biss.com.cn 朝阳区安贞西里4区17楼
Word from a Parent:
“Our daughter has been going to BISS since 2006 and we have seen her develop both academically and personally in a manner with which we are more than satisfied. It is a school with a human touch where nobody gets lost. BISS impresses most with its very high standard of teaching and an emphasis on developing social skills and responsibility of their students in a warm and caring environment rather than with fancy facilities. Academic and administrative staffs are very committed and always have an open ear for students and parents alike.”
Suzan Brans-Brabant (Netherlands), mother of Arun Brans-Brabant (13) and Manu Chandra Brans-Brabant (7)
For more information on the 2014-2015 School Choice Guide e-mail editor@beijing-kids.com and click here to view the 2013-2014 School Choice Guide on ISSUU. For more information on our upcoming School Choice Fair on March 1-2, 2014, please e-mail schoolchoicefair@truerun.com.
Photo courtesy of BISS
