The Beijing IB landscape
Beijing's IB Diploma scene is one of Asia's most established. WAB has run IB Continuum for decades. ISB delivers strong IB Diploma alongside AP. Dulwich Beijing operates as IB Continuum. BSB and Daystar provide additional IB options. Foreign passport regulations apply (Chinese passport-holders are restricted to bilingual Chinese internationals).
The 2026 top 6 IB schools in Beijing
Western Academy of Beijing (WAB)
Beijing's IB benchmark. Full IB Continuum from PYP. Three-year average around 36 points. Beautiful campus. Strong cohort outcomes; deep faculty. Strong destinations across the UK, US, China and Asia. Default first choice for IB-committed Beijing families.
International School of Beijing (ISB)
Premier American-curriculum school with strong IB Diploma alongside AP. Three-year IB average around 35-36 points. Strong faculty across all areas. Best for American families wanting US-style high school with IB option for global portability.
Dulwich College Beijing
British heritage school operating as full IB Continuum from PYP. Three-year average around 35 points. Strong cohort outcomes. Particularly suited to families wanting British school heritage with IB-only pathway.
British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi
British heritage school with dual A-Level/IB pathway. IB cohort smaller than A-Level. Strong outcomes. Particularly worth considering for British-curriculum families wanting IB optionality.
Daystar Academy
Bilingual IB school with English-Mandarin focus. Smaller cohort than the major flagships. Modest fees by Beijing premium standards. Particularly suited to families wanting Mandarin proficiency alongside IB.
Harrow Beijing
UK independent school heritage; IB Diploma alongside A-Level. IB cohort smaller. Beautiful campus. Best for British-curriculum families wanting UK independent school feel with IB optionality.
What didn't make the list
Several Beijing schools offer IB Diploma but with cohort averages below 32 or insufficient post-pandemic outcomes data. Embassy schools (American Embassy School Beijing, French International) operate alongside but on different terms.
The post-pandemic context
Beijing's IB cohorts contracted more sharply than Shanghai's during 2020-2023. WAB and ISB both reduced enrolment substantially. Recovery has been gradual. For families relocating to Beijing in 2026, premium IB Diploma placement is meaningfully more accessible than pre-pandemic. waitlists are short or non-existent at most ages and most schools.
Fee context
Premium IB places in Beijing cost RMB 290,000-340,000 per year (USD 40,500-47,500). Upper-mid IB schools come in at RMB 220,000-280,000. See our full Beijing school fees report.