International School of Beijing

What International School of Beijing does

International School of Beijing (ISB) is a non-profit, privately operated international day school located on a 32-acre purpose-built campus in Shunyi District, Beijing. Founded in 1980 by the U.S., British, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand embassies as the first international school in the city, ISB serves approximately 1,700-1,800 students from over 50 nationalities spanning Early Years 2 through Grade 12. The school is governed by a 12-member Board of Trustees elected from the parent community, and all operating revenue is reinvested into programming and facilities rather than distributed as profit.

ISB's core academic product is a four-division continuum (Early Years Learning Community, Elementary School, Middle School, High School) culminating in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, which posts a 100% pass rate. The curriculum is supplemented by a Dual Language English-Chinese program, a STEAM-integrated EdTech & Design track, English as an Additional Language support, Learning Support Services with 14 dedicated specialists, and a co-curricular program offering more than 200 activities. Technology infrastructure includes a pharmaceutical-grade H-14 air filtration system, a 1:1 iPad/laptop program for Grades 2-12, 12 science labs, 82,000+ library volumes, and a portal ecosystem (Dragons' Gate SSO, PowerSchool, SchoolsBuddy, Vidigami). Faculty composition features a 1:8 teacher-student ratio with 75% holding advanced degrees.

The school's business model is annual recurring tuition-based, with fees ranging from RMB 155,800 (EY2 Half Day) to RMB 361,800 (Grade 11-12) for the 2026-2027 academic year, supplemented by RMB 2,800 application fees, RMB 18,000 one-time entry fees, capital fees, and optional bus service. Enrollment is restricted by Chinese regulation to foreign passport-holders and Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan permanent residents. The go-to-market is direct: a dedicated Admissions Department manages campus tours, virtual tours, family introduction meetings, and a committee-reviewed application process year-round. Customers are acquired primarily through expat community referrals, embassy channels, and a multi-channel content presence spanning Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, WeChat, and the school's blog.

Name

International School of Beijing

Legal name

International School of Beijing

Website

https://isb.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

International School of Beijing is a non-profit international day school serving ~1,700-1,800 students across 50+ nationalities from Early Years through Grade 12 on a 32-acre campus in Beijing's Shunyi District, offering the IB Diploma Program and full supplementary programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

Keywords

• International education
• IB Diploma Program
• K-12 day school
• English-medium instruction
• Expatriate student services

Headquarters

HQ city

Beijing

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: As a non-profit institution, ISB generates revenue through tuition and fees which are fully reinvested into the school. Tuition ranges from RMB 155,800 (EY2 Half Day) to RMB 361,800 (Grade 11-12), plus application fees, entry fees, capital fees, and optional bus services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

International School of Beijing operates as a non-profit, English-medium international day school offering a complete Early Years through Grade 12 educational continuum on a single 32-acre purpose-built campus in Beijing's Shunyi District. The school delivers the IB Diploma Programme alongside US-aligned and ISB Pathways high school curricula, complemented by Dual Language (English-Chinese), STEAM, EAL, Learning Support, and Social-Emotional Learning programs. All tuition revenue is reinvested into the school's programs, facilities, and faculty.

Product overview

International School of Beijing operates as a single-campus, non-profit educational institution offering a comprehensive Early Years through Grade 12 program. The core educational offering spans four divisions: Early Years Learning Community (ages 2-Kindergarten), Elementary School (Grades 2-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), and High School (Grades 9-12) featuring the IB Diploma Programme. The school supplements its core academic programs with specialized offerings including a Dual Language Program (English-Chinese), STEAM curriculum with dedicated Design Centers, English as an Additional Language (EAL) support, Learning Support Services, and a Social-Emotional Learning program. The school operates an extensive co-curricular program with over 200 activities including athletics, performing arts, and clubs. Additional services include transportation (bus service), food service (Sodexo), and the Dragons' Gate parent/student portal. The People, Planet, Purpose initiative integrates sustainability, diversity/equity/inclusion, and purpose/compassion across the educational experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Years Learning Community (EYLC) Program for students aged 2 years (EY2) through Kindergarten, featuring play-based and inquiry-based learning approaches with flexible learning spaces. It serves as the foundation of ISB's educational continuum.
• Elementary School Grades 2-5 program focused on developing foundational academic skills, social-emotional learning, and exploration of interests. Includes literacy, math, science, and co-curricular activities.
• Middle School Grades 6-8 program designed for early adolescent development, emphasizing academic challenge, social-emotional growth, leadership development, and preparation for high school. Offers diverse course selection including world languages.
• High School Grades 9-12 college preparatory program offering IB Diploma, ISB Pathways Program, and over 180 courses. Prepares students for university admission worldwide.
• IB Diploma Programme International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) offered in High School, providing globally recognized university entrance qualification. Features rigorous curriculum including theory of knowledge, creativity activity service (CAS), and extended essay. Achieves 100% pass rate.
• Dual Language Program Elementary School program providing instruction in both English and Chinese, enabling students to become proficient in two languages and cultures through an integrated curriculum.
• STEAM Program Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics integrated curriculum across all grade levels emphasizing interdisciplinary problem-solving, design thinking, and hands-on project-based learning using state-of-the-art facilities.
• English as an Additional Language (EAL) Language support program for English language learners from Early Years to Grade 12, providing academic and social language support through co-planned instruction with classroom teachers using SIOP model.
• Learning Support Services Comprehensive support for students with diverse learning needs including learning disabilities, communication disorders, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and intellectual disabilities, delivered by 14 learning support teachers, 2 speech-language pathologists, a school psychologist, and 10 instructional assistants.
• Co-Curricular Program Over 200 activities including Athletics, Performing Arts (theater, music, dance), Aquatics, Clubs and Service Groups, providing opportunities for students to explore passions, develop leadership skills, and engage in community service.
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Comprehensive SEL curriculum integrated across all divisions focusing on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making to support student well-being and character development.
• Transportation Service Optional bus service coordinated with an external contractor for student transportation to and from school, with annual fees ranging from RMB 16,800 to RMB 27,300 depending on distance traveled.
• Food Service (Sodexo) Optional hot lunch program provided by Sodexo, offered every school day. Lunch is not included in tuition and is charged separately.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% IB Diploma pass rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• SodexominorOthersSodexo provides food service at ISB, offering hot lunches every school day through their catering operations. Lunch is optional and not included in tuition.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Western Academy of Beijing: Beijing-based international school serving foreign-national families with IB and US-style programming from Early Years through Grade 12. Direct competitor for the same expat family segment in Shunyi-adjacent Beijing neighborhoods.
• Dulwich College Beijing: Premium British-curriculum international school in Beijing serving the foreign-national expat segment from Early Years through Grade 13. Operates in the same Shunyi corridor and competes directly for enrollment and tuition pricing.
• Keystone Academy: Beijing-based non-profit international school offering IB curriculum with Chinese cultural integration, serving foreign-national and globally mobile families in the K-12 segment. Comparable in mission, curriculum mix, and target demographic.
• Yew Chung International School of Beijing: International school in Beijing offering Early Years through Year 13 with bilingual (English-Chinese) focus. Competes for the same expat and globally mobile family segment with a similar dual-language and international curriculum model.
• Harrow International School Beijing: Premium British-curriculum international school in Beijing serving foreign-national families through Grade 13. Operates with a similar premium positioning and competes for the same upper-tier expat demographic.
• Nord Anglia School Beijing: Beijing campus of the global Nord Anglia network offering IB and bilingual programming. Direct competitor for internationally mobile families seeking premium K-12 education with global network affiliation.
• Tsinghua International School: Beijing-based international school affiliated with Tsinghua University, serving foreign-national students with US-style and IB curricula. Competes in the same K-12 segment with university-name brand recognition.
• Dehong Beijing Chinese International School: Beijing-based bilingual international school combining Chinese national curriculum with international elements, serving both Chinese national and foreign-passport families. Adjacent competitor in the premium Beijing K-12 international segment.
• The British School of Beijing (BSB) - Shunyi: British-curriculum international school with a Shunyi campus in the same Beijing corridor as ISB. Direct competitor for foreign-national families seeking English-medium K-12 education with international curriculum.

Broad incumbents

• Beijing National Day School International Division: Large established Beijing K-12 school with an international division offering foreign-curriculum pathways. Serves a broader student body including domestic Chinese families in its main school, with the international division overlapping ISB's foreign-national focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ISBeijing
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCibsDX0l-MdPBoTyjBMvKfw
• Facebookfacebook.com/ISBChina
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-school-of-beijing
• Instagraminstagram.com/isb_beijing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International School of Beijing