In anticipation of the Beijing International School Expo on January 24-25, we will be highlighting local and international schools around Beijing from the upcoming 2015-2016 beijingkids School Choice Guide, which comes out on January 20.
The International School of Beijing (ISB) is an independent, co-educational day school offering an international curriculum for children of expat families. Established in 1980, ISB was the first international school in Beijing and continues to embrace the challenges and rewards of the future of education. The school maintains its reputation for academic excellence as it explores innovative models of teaching and learning. Through a tailored, connected, real-world curriculum known as Learning21@ISB, experienced and passionate teachers provide students with exceptional opportunities to grow as individuals, as scholars, and as contributing members of the community. ISB nurtures confidence and intellectual curiosity through experiential learning and innovative applications of knowledge and skills. For high school students, ISB offers the full IB Diploma Program or IB Course options for students in grades 11 and 12, as well as AP courses in grades 11 and 12 in Calculus and Chinese.
Founding date: January 1980
Age range: 3-18
Grades offered: PreK3 to Grade 12
School type: International school
Total area: 133,500sqm
Number of students: Over 1,700
Is the school accredited by the Ministry of Education? Yes
Accreditations: ISB is accredited by CIS, NEASC, NCCT, and as an IB World School (since 1991, with full IBDP and IB course options for students in Grades 11 and 12). ISB is also an active member of EARCOS and ACAMIS, and participates in ISAC, APAC, and the Global Online Academy.
Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes or a foreign residence permit (subject to applicable legal requirements)
Local Chinese students accepted? No
Tuition fees (2014-2015 academic year):
• Application fee: RMB 1,950
• PreK3 (half-day): RMB 79,050 plus RMB 12,010 capital levy fee
• PreK3/4 (full day): RMB 144,540 plus RMB 12,010 capital levy fee
• Kindergarten: RMB 169,390 plus RMB 14,490 capital levy fee
• Grades 1-5: RMB 169,390 plus RMB 34,720 capital levy fee
• Grades 6-8: RMB 181,760 plus RMB 34,720 capital levy fee
• Grades 9-12: RMB 199,900 plus RMB 34,720 capital levy fee
• Transportation: RMB 9,420-15,270 (depending on distance)
• Deposit: RMB 30,000
• Lunch: RMB 17-25 per day
Lunch offered: Range of western, Chinese, and vegetarian meals
Nationality of students: US, South Korea, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, and more
Primary teaching language: English
Other languages taught: Chinese, French, and Spanish
Average class size: 12-22
Average teacher/student ratio: 1:9
School hours: 8.15am-3.25pm
After-school activities: Athletics, choir, orchestra, film, photography, theater, debate club, Model United Nations, service clubs, wushu, arts and crafts, and more
Extra help offered? English (ESOL)
School facilities: Thirty-two acre campus in Shunyi located close to popular residential compounds, with two purpose-built sports domes sitting side-by-side over 8,500sqm. Campus includes four fully-equipped gymnasiums (one with a climbing wall); baseball and softball diamonds; two full-sized turf soccer fields and an aquatics center with a 25m pool with diving boards. Also includes 12 state-of-the-art science labs in Elementary, Middle and High School, a student cooking lab, a dedicated visual arts wing in Middle School and High School and art studios in Elementary School. The Performing Arts wing consists of a 600-seat theater, black box theater, rehearsal space, and studio stage. The campus also houses two library-media centers with more than 82,000 volumes and over 160 magazine subscriptions. ISB supports a one-to-one MacBook laptop program for each Grade 2-12 student with wireless network and internet available throughout the school. A pharmaceutical grade (H-14) air filtration system is effective throughout the campus.
School nurse or doctor available? Yes, available for each school division
Contact: 10 Anhua Lu, Shunyi District (8149 2345ext 1047, admission@isb.bj.edu.cn) www.isb.bj.edu.cn 顺义区安华街10号
Word from a Parent:
“We chose ISB for its cutting-edge technologies that create a vibrant learning community. These include its air filtration system in all indoor learning areas, state-of-the-art facilities, and an emphasis on tech infusion in education. ISB offers a diversified platform for our multicultural student body to discover their unique potential through individualized learning opportunities that optimize their skills and talents.”
– Ming Xie (Australia), mother of a Grade 9 and a Grade 11 student
Photo: Courtesy of ISB
