International School of Beijing

ISB's Admissions: An International-Only School

ISB is unique among Beijing schools in that it exclusively admits students who hold foreign passports. Chinese nationals — regardless of international experience or language ability — are not eligible to enroll. This policy is not ISB's choice alone but a condition of its registration as an international school under Chinese government regulations.

Who ISB Serves

The school's primary target audience consists of:

• Expatriate families posted to Beijing by multinational corporations
• Diplomatic and embassy families assigned to Beijing
• Foreign government and international organization staff

This focus creates a genuinely international community: ISB's student body represents over 50 nationalities, and turnover is inherent as families rotate in and out of diplomatic and corporate postings.

Application Process

ISB accepts applications throughout the year for both August (semester 1) and January (semester 2) entry points. The school does not publish acceptance rates publicly, but demand is strong given its position as the longest-established and most reputable international school in the city.

Key fees associated with admission:

• Application Fee: RMB 2,800 (non-refundable)
• One-Time Entry Tuition Fee: RMB 18,000 (paid upon enrollment confirmation)

English Proficiency Requirements

ISB uses the WIDA English proficiency framework to assess and place incoming students. Requirements scale by grade level:

This tiered approach ensures students can access the curriculum at their grade level while still supporting language learners in the earlier years through the school's established EAL programme.

Admissions Selectivity

While ISB is not selective in the traditional academic sense (i.e., it does not publish entrance exam requirements), the practical reality is that the school is competitive due to limited places, particularly in certain grade levels. Families are advised to apply as early as possible, and waitlists are common in high-demand years.

Beijing's Pioneer International School

The International School of Beijing (ISB) holds a unique distinction in the landscape of international education in China: it was the first international school established in Beijing, opening its doors in 1980 during the early years of China's reform and opening-up period.

Historical Context

ISB was founded at a pivotal moment in Chinese history, when the country was beginning to welcome foreign businesses, embassies, and multinational organizations. The school was created to serve the children of diplomats, foreign government workers, and corporate expatriates who were arriving in Beijing as China began its transformation into a global economic player.

In its earliest years, ISB operated as a relatively small school catering primarily to embassy families. Over the subsequent decades, as Beijing's international community grew exponentially, ISB expanded its enrollment, faculty, programs, and physical campus to meet the demand.

Key Milestones

• 1980: Founded as Beijing's first international school
• 1991 (May 16): Authorized as an IB World School for the IB Diploma Programme, one of the earliest IB authorizations in mainland China
• Subsequent years: Addition of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), creating a full K–12 IB continuum
• Campus development: Construction of purpose-built facilities in the Shunyi District, transforming from a modest school into a comprehensive campus with world-class sports, arts, and academic facilities
• Accreditations: Earned dual accreditation from the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Legacy and Reputation

Today, ISB serves approximately 1,800 students from over 50 nationalities and is widely regarded as one of the premier international schools in Asia. Its longevity has allowed it to build deep institutional knowledge, a robust alumni network, and strong relationships with leading universities worldwide. The school's claim to be "the first and best" international school in Beijing reflects both its historical precedence and its ongoing commitment to academic excellence.

For families relocating to Beijing, ISB's four-decade track record provides a level of institutional stability and proven outcomes rarely matched by newer international schools in the region.

Academic Excellence Through the IB Continuum

ISB is a full IB World School, offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP) — a seamless continuum of internationally recognised education from Early Years through Grade 12.

IB Diploma Results (2024–25 Cohort)

ISB's most recent IB Diploma cohort delivered outstanding results:

An average score of 35.4 against a global mean of approximately 30.2 places ISB graduates significantly above their peers worldwide. The 100% pass rate is a remarkable achievement, and the fact that more than one quarter of graduates scored 40 or above (out of 45) demonstrates the school's capacity to nurture high-achieving students.

Curriculum Breadth

Beyond IB, ISB offers an ISB Diploma pathway for Grades 9–10 that serves as preparation for the IB DP. This pathway includes a broad range of subjects across sciences, mathematics, humanities, languages, and arts — ensuring students are well-equipped before entering the rigorous IB Diploma years.

The school also offers AP courses (including AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Statistics, AP Precalculus, and AP Human Geography) for students seeking additional academic challenge or US university preparation.

Languages of Learning

Academic instruction is conducted primarily in English (approximately 85% of instructional time). Mandarin Chinese is the primary world language offering, supported by French and Spanish options at multiple levels — from beginner to IB Language B HL. Students emerge genuinely multilingual, a significant asset in an increasingly interconnected world.

A Note on STEAM Integration

ISB's academic programme is deeply integrated with STEAM principles. The campus houses dedicated Design Centers, science labs, and maker spaces that bring inquiry-based learning to life. This is not STEAM as an add-on, but as a lens through which all disciplines are explored.

Campus Life at ISB: Where Community Meets World-Class Facilities

Set in the Shunyi District of Beijing — approximately 30 minutes from the city center and 20 km from Capital International Airport — ISB's purpose-built campus is one of the most comprehensively equipped international school campuses in China.

Campus Layout and Key Facilities

The campus is organized into distinct zones encompassing academic, arts, sports, and administrative functions:

Sports Facilities:

• Olympic-size Aquatic Center — an indoor competitive swimming pool capable of hosting swim meets
• Two Indoor Sports Domes — large multi-use spaces for training, matches, and PE classes
• Fitness & Tennis Center — modern fitness suite with weightroom and four indoor tennis courts
• Gymnasium with Climbing Wall — full-size gym with high climbing wall and basketball courts

Arts Facilities:

• High School Performing Arts Center — multi-tier indoor theater with stage for productions, concerts, and whole-school assemblies
• Elementary Arts Center & Theater — dedicated performing arts wing for the younger school with theater and rehearsal spaces

Academic Facilities:

• Two Libraries / Learning Commons — separate libraries for Elementary and Middle/High School students
• Design & STEAM Labs — including 3D printers, fabrication tools, and science equipment

Community Spaces:

• ISB Commons (Dragon Spirit Commons) — a central glass atrium connecting buildings, used for events, exhibitions, and informal gatherings
• Rooftop Garden — a green space that doubles as an outdoor learning environment and sustainability demonstration
• Solar Panel Array — part of the school's commitment to environmental sustainability
• Separate Cafeterias — dedicated dining facilities for Elementary and Secondary students

Community Atmosphere

With students from over 50 nationalities, ISB's hallways buzz with a genuinely global energy. The inherent transience of an expatriate and diplomatic community means students develop remarkable adaptability and cross-cultural empathy. Simultaneously, the school works hard to build a sense of belonging and continuity despite the natural turnover of families.

The co-curricular programme reinforces community bonds through team sports, performing arts productions, service learning, and student leadership opportunities. The school's philosophy — that learning is both challenging and joyful — is visible in the energy of its spaces and the breadth of opportunities available to students.

ISB's Educational Philosophy: Challenging and Joyful Learning

At the heart of ISB's educational approach is a belief that learning should be simultaneously challenging and joyful — a balance that reflects the IB's own learner-centered philosophy while adding a distinctly human warmth to the academic enterprise.

The IB Framework as Philosophical Foundation

ISB's adoption of the full IB continuum (PYP → MYP → DP) is not merely a curriculum choice but a philosophical commitment. The IB's focus on:

• Inquiry-based learning — students asking questions, not just receiving answers
• International-mindedness — understanding and respecting multiple cultural perspectives
• The Learner Profile — developing principled, caring, knowledgeable, and reflective individuals
• Action and service — connecting learning to real-world impact

...shapes every aspect of life at ISB, from how Early Years children explore their world to how Grade 12 students craft their Extended Essays.

Whole-Child Development

ISB explicitly values the development of the whole child. Academic rigor is balanced with:

• Co-curricular programmes spanning sports, arts, drama, and student leadership
• Service learning integrated into the curriculum, particularly through the MYP Community Project and DP CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service)
• Wellbeing and safeguarding structures, including dedicated counselors and a formal Child Safeguarding policy
• EAL support ensuring language is never a barrier to participation

Faculty and Scale

With a 1:8 faculty-to-student ratio, ISB maintains an environment where teachers know their students as individuals. This ratio — considerably more favorable than many international schools — enables personalized feedback, mentoring relationships, and the kind of responsive teaching that the IB philosophy demands.

Global Citizenship in Action

With 50+ nationalities under one roof and a student body drawn exclusively from international families, ISB is not merely teaching global citizenship as a concept — it is practicing it daily. Students negotiate cultural differences in group projects, learn Mandarin alongside native speakers, perform in multilingual theater productions, and develop the cross-cultural fluency that defines genuinely global citizens.