What Is the International School of Beijing (ISB) and What Does It Offer?

Updated

The International School of Beijing (ISB) is an international school in Beijing serving students from Early Years through Grade 12, with an IB curriculum and a Chinese language program. It is designed for expatriate and internationally mobile families who want a continuous, internationally recognized education for their children. If your family is relocating to Beijing or already there and you are weighing international school options, ISB is one to explore — the next step is to check its admissions process and, if it fits, apply.

Who ISB Is For

ISB is built around families who move between countries and need a school that:

  • Accepts students across a wide age range, from Early Years to Grade 12
  • Teaches an international curriculum rather than a single national one
  • Supports students who may join or leave mid-way through their schooling
  • Includes Chinese language learning as part of the program

If your child will spend part or all of their school years in Beijing and you want an internationally transferable education, ISB's structure is aimed at exactly that situation.

The IB Curriculum Pathway

ISB describes its curriculum as IB-based, spanning Early Years through the IB Diploma. The International Baccalaureate is organized into programmes by age band, so a student moving up through ISB progresses through the IB continuum rather than switching systems.

Stage What it covers
Early Years (EY) The starting point of the school's pathway, for its youngest students
Primary and middle years The IB programmes that follow Early Years
IB Diploma The final stage, at the top of the school's grade range

The practical value of this structure is continuity: a student can enter at one stage and continue along the same curriculum framework toward the IB Diploma, which is widely recognized by universities internationally.

Why the IB Continuum Matters for Mobile Families

Because the IB is used by international schools around the world, a student who has studied within it can often transfer between IB schools in different countries with less disruption than switching between unrelated national curricula. For families expecting to move again, that alignment is a real consideration.

How the Chinese Language Program Fits In

Alongside the IB curriculum, ISB includes a Chinese language program. This means Chinese is not treated as an optional extra outside the academic program but as part of what the school offers. For families who want their children to gain Chinese language skills while living in Beijing, this is a distinguishing feature to ask about during admissions — for example, how Chinese is placed by proficiency level and how much time it receives at each stage.

Deciding Whether to Explore or Apply

Use these questions to judge fit before you commit time to an application:

  • Age and stage: Does ISB cover the grade your child needs, from Early Years through Grade 12?
  • Curriculum continuity: Will your child be entering, continuing, or completing an IB pathway?
  • Language goals: Do you want Chinese language learning built into the school program?
  • Family situation: Are you an expatriate or internationally mobile family planning to be in Beijing for the relevant school years?

If the answers line up, the next step is to go to ISB's website (isb.cn) and review its admissions information, then contact admissions with your child's specific grade and background. If your plans are still uncertain, note that the school's Early Years to IB Diploma range means it can serve a family across many years — which is often the deciding factor for parents choosing one school rather than moving between them.