The International School of Beijing, known as ISB, is one of the most established names among international schools in Beijing. Founded in 1980 when the United States embassy joined with the British, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand embassies, it was the first international school in the city and grew from eight students in a diplomatic apartment to a school of roughly 1,700 today. It teaches an English medium, broadly American style international curriculum from Early Years through to grade 12, and authorises the IB Diploma in grades 11 and 12.
International School of Beijing (ISB) at a glance
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | English medium international curriculum, US style pathways, with the IB Diploma in grades 11 and 12 |
| Stages | Early Years (from EY2, age 2) through to grade 12 (to age 18) |
| Founded | 1980, the first international school in Beijing |
| Roll | Approximately 1,700 students, around 50 nationalities |
| Campus | Shunyi District, north east Beijing, a large single campus of roughly 32 acres |
| Languages | English medium, with a Dual Language English and Chinese pathway in elementary |
Curriculum and academics
ISB teaches an English medium curriculum that blends a United States style framework with international approaches, and it authorises the International Baccalaureate Diploma for students in grades 11 and 12, who may take it alongside the school's own high school diploma. In the elementary years the school runs a Dual Language pathway in English and Chinese, which sets it apart from the city's purely Anglophone schools and reflects the long settled, mixed expatriate community it serves. Learning is organised across distinct early years, elementary, middle and high school divisions on one site.
The school presents a broad co curricular programme spanning performing arts, athletics and service, supported by facilities built up over four decades on the Shunyi campus. To see how ISB sits against the other established names in the city, read our international schools in Beijing fees and rankings guide, and ask the school directly for its most recent Diploma results and university destinations rather than relying on any league table, since we do not publish rankings we cannot verify.
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International School of Beijing (ISB) fees
ISB sits at the upper end of Beijing's premium tier, where the city's longest established Anglophone and IB schools cluster. Our Beijing international school fees guide sets out the band by tier, and ISB's senior grades are among the most expensive places in the city. Tuition rises grade by grade, with the Diploma years at the top, so treat any single figure as indicative rather than a quote for a particular year.
Beyond tuition, plan for a one off registration fee, a refundable deposit, and optional charges such as the school bus and meals that premium schools carry. Because tuition is set in renminbi while many families are paid in another currency, model the full annual figure with our school finder and the fee tools before you apply, and always confirm the current published schedule with the admissions office.
Admissions
The academic year begins in August and the main intake aligns with it, with rolling admission where places remain. As an international school in China, ISB primarily serves families holding a foreign passport, so confirm eligibility and the supporting documents early. Admission considers prior school reports and an age appropriate assessment, and for the Diploma years a record that shows a student can take on a demanding programme.
With provision running from the youngest Early Years classes through to grade 12, the entry points around early years and the start of high school can be competitive, so apply ahead of your move and ask the admissions team about current availability for your child's grade.
Location and who goes there
ISB is in Shunyi District in the north east of Beijing, the area where much of the city's diplomatic and corporate expatriate housing concentrates, which is one reason the founding embassies placed it there. The single large campus keeps every division on one site, and bus routes connect it to the residential compounds nearby.
The community is internationally mixed, with around fifty nationalities represented, and reflects the diplomatic and multinational families who have long made Shunyi their base. To weigh ISB against other options, start with the Beijing city hub, or compare it with Dulwich College Beijing, the Canadian International School of Beijing and Keystone Academy.
International School of Beijing (ISB) reviews
We do not yet hold any verified parent reviews for International School of Beijing (ISB). GlobalSchoolGuide is an independent guide and no school pays to be listed, so we publish a rating only once we have collected enough verified first hand accounts to be fair to both the school and to families reading them. We would rather show nothing than show an invented score.
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Frequently asked questions
How much are International School of Beijing (ISB) fees?
ISB sits at the top of Beijing's premium fee band, and its senior grades are among the most expensive places in the city. Tuition rises grade by grade, with the Diploma years at the upper end. See our Beijing international school fees guide for the band and confirm the current schedule with the school.
What curriculum does International School of Beijing (ISB) follow?
ISB teaches an English medium international curriculum in a United States style, and authorises the International Baccalaureate Diploma in grades 11 and 12. In elementary it also runs a Dual Language English and Chinese pathway.
When was the International School of Beijing founded?
ISB was founded in 1980 by the United States embassy together with the British, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand embassies, which makes it the first international school in Beijing.
What ages does International School of Beijing (ISB) teach?
The school takes children from Early Years, including an EY2 class for two year olds, through to grade 12, covering ages from the early years to eighteen on one campus.
Where is the International School of Beijing?
ISB is on a single large campus in Shunyi District in the north east of Beijing, close to the expatriate residential compounds and accessible by school bus routes.
