This is my third year working on the annual Jingkids School Choice Guide, but it’s my first year looking at all the information through the eyes of a prospective new parent. Now that I’m also in search of schools for my own daughter, I’ve come face-to-face with a special dilemma – all of these schools sound fantastic and they all offer something unique. There are so many decisions to be made.
I want the best for my child. I want to find a school where the curriculum suits her style of learning, where I agree with the school’s philosophy, where she gets individualized attention but also where her independence is encouraged, somewhere that’s within my budget, and a school where I know I won’t dread PTA meetings with other parents. Am I asking for a lot? Maybe in other cities, but not in Beijing. We’re fortunate enough to be living in a city with such a wide range of international schools that the chances of finding one that’s perfect for your family is not impossible.
Starting from page 28 of this year’s School Choice Guide, we list factual information that will give you a glimpse into what the most popular international schools in Beijing have to offer. You can also check the list throughout the year by scanning the QR code below.
But like we’ve always emphasized, you should not choose a school based on facts alone. Even if public Open Days are not as common as in pre-Covid years, schools like the British School of Beijing, Shunyi still offer private tours. When you make your appointment with any of the city’s international schools, be sure to check out the Open House Guide to ensure that all your questions and concerns are addressed.
International education isn’t just about grades anymore. It’s become more and more focused on each child’s portfolio and what extracurricular activities they’re involved with. Check out what Harrow Beijing’s college advisor, Hamilton Gregg, has to say about the topic and the extracurriculars offered at Beijing’s international schools.
Finally, we conclude this year’s School Choice Guide with photo highlights of activities from a few international schools, giving you insights into student life on campus. We also give some much-deserved recognition to the unsung heroes of our children’s schools – singing the praises of those who make our children’s lives on campus that much better.
Be sure to follow us on WeChat at beijing-kids or scan the QR code for daily family-related content. As always, we’re here as your go-to resource for all things family-related in Beijing and we’d love to hear from you. You can always reach us at editor@beijing-kids.com should you need any help finding the right school for your child.
Every weekend this month is filled with open houses. Take a look at our list to book a spot at the school you’ve been curious about.
Next month we’ll be holding our Jingkids International School Expo on Apr 10 and 11. It’s the perfect place to check out all the schools in one convenient location, and to have one-on-one chats with staff and students.
Before our latest issue makes its way around Beijing available for free at all convenient locations, you can download a digital copy by scanning the QR code below.
Images: Dave Hanssen of Dave’s Studio
This article appeared in the jingkids 2022 School Choice Guide issue
