International School of Beijing: Empowering Future-Ready Learners Through Innovation and Global Curriculum

At the International School of Beijing (ISB), a top non-profit international private school for preschool through grade 12, we are committed to making learning both challenging and joyful for every student. Our unique approach to education prepares students for a fast-changing world by giving them the tools to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

A Custom International Curriculum

Unlike many schools, ISB isn’t tied to a single, rigid curriculum. We’re free to design courses that blend the best educational standards from around the globe. Our educators are experts who continuously adapt teaching methods based on the latest research, ensuring our approach to learning stays innovative and relevant. What we know today about effective teaching is vastly different from what parents may have experienced themselves—and that’s a good thing. At ISB, we prioritize evolving alongside modern educational research to provide students with a world-class education.

Empowering Students with Purpose and Compassion

Our international curriculum is built to empower students with both purpose and compassion. By embracing innovation, we are constantly updating how we teach, focusing on the practices that inspire young learners. At ISB, students engage in interdisciplinary thinking, design-thinking projects, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) initiatives, all supported by cutting-edge educational technology that fosters creativity and critical thinking.

Real-World Learning

Learning at ISB is authentic and impactful. Students connect classroom work with real-world challenges and global issues. Whether tackling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or exploring the rich cultural history of Beijing, ISB students engage deeply with the world around them. For example, our Grade 2 students contribute to local community efforts to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle through our campus plastics recycling initiative. Meanwhile, Grade 10 students conduct action research, forging long-term relationships with villages in Beijing and Cambodia to promote sustainable service learning.

Research-Driven Instruction

At ISB, every element of our curriculum and instruction is grounded in educational research. We align all of our courses to internationally recognized standards, creating a clear framework for student progress across subjects. This approach ensures that every student is guided by worthy goals, gradually developing essential skills and deep understanding in each discipline.

Our instructional practices are shaped by brain research, which shows that students learn best when tasks are meaningful, curiosity is sparked, and students have the chance to discover key ideas independently. Inquiry-based learning is a core value at ISB, and we strive to make each lesson an opportunity for students to ask questions, explore, and make connections.

Student-Centered Learning

At ISB, learning is student-centered. We understand that each student is unique and will require different forms of support to achieve their learning goals. Our teachers know their students personally, adapting lessons to suit individual needs, interests, and learning styles. We believe in equitable access to learning for all students, providing extra support through our English as an Additional Language (EAL) co-teaching model and our specialized Learning Support team.

Interdisciplinary Design & STEM

At ISB, we recognize that the problems of the world require creative, interdisciplinary solutions. Our Design & STEM programs integrate traditional academic subjects, enabling students to work on real-world problems and develop innovative solutions. Through our ISB Design Process, students from Early Years to Grade 12 apply critical thinking, problem-solving, and reflection to complex tasks, preparing them to meet the challenges of the future.

Chinese Language Integration

Our Chinese Language and Culture Program is one of the most robust in the region, offering language instruction from Early Years through Grade 12. ISB’s commitment to bilingualism and cultural proficiency ensures that students are not only skilled in the Chinese language but also deeply connected to local and global cultures. Our Elementary School Dual Language program, for example, immerses students in both English and Chinese, helping them become adept at navigating two languages and cultures.

Standards-Based Learning Environment

ISB’s standards-based curriculum focuses on developing complex skills such as analyzing, evaluating, and creating—much more than simple fact memorization. Our curriculum is carefully designed to align instructional practices, learning experiences, assessments, and reporting, making the learning journey transparent for students, teachers, and parents. This clarity ensures that everyone involved in the learning process understands the key goals for each class and can work together to achieve them.

If you’re ready to learn more about how ISB is shaping the future of education, visit us today at at https://www.isb.cn/.  We look forward to partnering with you in your child’s educational journey!