QSI International School of Chengdu

What QSI International School of Chengdu does

QSI International School of Chengdu is a non-profit K-12 international school founded in 2002 and located within the American Garden residential compound in Chengdu, China. It operates as part of the global Quality Schools International (QSI) network, which spans 31 countries, and serves approximately 200-300 students from 25-31 nationalities with a staff of roughly 23. The school delivers an American-style curriculum built around QSI's proprietary Mastery Learning model, supplemented by Advanced Placement (AP) courses and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme at the secondary level. It has held MSA (Middle States Association) accreditation since 2008.

The institution serves primarily expatriate families and affluent local Chinese households seeking Western-style education in Chengdu. Its core revenue mechanism is tuition, supplemented by ancillary paid services including a daily lunch program (priced at 25-31 RMB per day) and student transportation. The school is led by Director Dr. Clare McDermott, who has held the role since the school's founding, and is supported by a faculty of which approximately 25% hold master's degrees. The student-to-staff ratio of roughly 5:1 supports the individualized instruction central to the Mastery Learning approach.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through tuition and ancillary fees, with no publicly disclosed financial figures available. The school's positioning within a recognized global network, its external accreditation, and its location within an expatriate-popular residential compound together support demand stability, though the small absolute student base limits growth ceilings absent capacity expansion or new program launches.

Name

QSI International School of Chengdu

Website

https://chengdu.qsi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Short description

QSI International School of Chengdu is a non-profit K-12 international school founded in 2002, serving 200-300 students from 25-31 nationalities with an American curriculum featuring AP and IB programs under the global QSI network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAJABAG

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

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/Private & Independent K–12 Schools

SECONDARYEDACABAM

Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools

Education/Early Childhood Education/Preschools & Pre-K Programs

Keywords

• International K-12 education
• American curriculum school
• Mastery learning program
• IB diploma programme
• AP courses secondary

Headquarters

HQ city

Chengdu

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: Primary revenue from student tuition fees. The school operates as a non-profit educational institution under the Quality Schools International umbrella. Tuition supports educational programs, facilities, and staff.
2. Ancillary Services: Additional revenue from lunch programs (25-31 RMB per day), transportation/bus services (paid per term with tuition), and other student services. These are optional add-on services for enrolled families.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

QSI International School of Chengdu is a non-profit K-12 international school offering an American curriculum through a proprietary Mastery Learning educational model. The school enrolls students from preschool (age 3) through grade 12 across four program levels, with advanced diploma pathways including AP courses and the IB Diploma Programme. Core offerings include Intensive English support, social-emotional learning through Success Orientations, university counseling, and ancillary services such as lunch programs and transportation for enrolled families.

Product overview

QSI International School of Chengdu operates as a non-profit K-12 international school offering an American curriculum with a mastery learning educational model. The core academic structure comprises four program levels: Preschool (ages 3-4), Elementary (ages 5-10), Middle School (ages 10-14), and Secondary School (grades 9-12). The school provides two advanced academic pathways—Advanced Placement (AP) courses and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme—alongside specialized programs including the Empower social-emotional learning curriculum, Intensive English support, Fine Arts, Athletics, and Week Without Walls experiential education. Student services include university counseling, library resources with over 18,000 volumes, and transportation. The school serves over 200 students from 25+ nationalities and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preschool Program Early childhood education for 3 and 4-year-old students using the Frog Street curriculum, focusing on play-based learning, social-emotional development, and school readiness across multiple domains including literacy, math, science, and motor development. Class sizes of 6-20 students with two dedicated educators per class.
• Elementary Program K-5 equivalent program (ages 5-10) delivering mastery learning in core subjects (reading, writing, mathematics, science, cultural studies) plus specialist subjects including art, music, physical education, technology, and world languages. Class sizes of 10-14 students with lead teacher and assistant.
• Middle School Program Grades 6-8 equivalent (ages 10-14) using a block schedule with alternating A/B days, offering eight courses including mathematics, literature, writing, cultural studies, science, world languages, and enrichment activities. Class sizes of 12-16 students with specialist teachers per subject.
• Secondary School Program Grades 9-12 program preparing students for global university admissions through academic diploma tracks, AP courses, IB program, and mastery learning with individualized support for college preparedness. Class sizes of 12-16 students.
• Advanced Placement (AP) Program College-level courses for secondary students including AP Seminar, AP Research, and subject exams in European History, Physics, French, Spanish, and various AP Art courses, enabling students to earn university credit.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme Comprehensive IB Diploma Programme for students aged 16-19 requiring six subject courses across groups, Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and CAS requirements, recognized by universities worldwide in 157 countries.
• Intensive English Program Accelerated English language acquisition program for non-native speakers focusing on speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills to enable success in mainstream age-appropriate classrooms.
• Week Without Walls Experiential education program for middle and secondary students offering off-campus activities including diving, cycling, rock climbing, service learning, and cultural exchanges to develop leadership and team-building skills.
• Athletics Program Physical education and competitive sports program featuring Lifetime Sports, Team Sports, and In-Depth Sports units, with opportunities for local and regional athletic competitions.
• Fine Arts Program Comprehensive music and visual arts education from elementary through secondary levels, including instrumental music, vocal music, visual arts, dramatic arts, and opportunities for performances and exhibitions.
• University Counseling Services Comprehensive post-secondary planning including interest surveys, PSAT preparation, guidance on college platforms (College Board, UCAS, CommonApp), and annual career fair connecting students with industry professionals.
• Transportation Services Bus and van transportation service for enrolled students with multiple routes, coordinated by the Transportation Coordinator. Fees paid per term along with tuition.
• Lunch Program Cafeteria meal service for enrolled students priced 25-31 RMB per day depending on child's age. Operates through a card system with parent-funded accounts across two cafeterias on campus.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 students accepted to universities worldwide annually, with 2026 graduates receiving acceptances to multiple global institutions
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA)coreOthers · 1 January 2008QSI Chengdu has been accredited by the Middle States Association since 2008. MSA is a worldwide leader in accreditation and school improvement with over 130 years of history. Accreditation validates that the school meets internationally recognized standards of quality and is recognized across the U.S. and around the world for university admissions and eligibility for certain grants and scholarships.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Chengdu International School: Direct local competitor operating an international K-12 program in Chengdu with similar expatriate-family focus. Comparable in scale, location, and target market, making it the most directly head-to-head peer for QSI Chengdu.
• Léman International School Chengdu: Premium international school in Chengdu serving preschool through secondary with American-influenced curriculum and IB pathways. Competes for the same affluent expatriate and Chinese-family segment in the same geographic market.
• Western International School of Shanghai: Non-profit, MSA-accredited international school in China offering American curriculum from preschool through Grade 12 with AP and IB pathways. Highly comparable operating model and accreditation profile, differing mainly in geography (Shanghai vs. Chengdu).
• Concordia International School Shanghai: Non-profit American-curriculum international school in China with AP courses and similar masterylearning-influenced philosophy. Targets comparable expatriate and internationally-minded Chinese families, serving as a strong model comparator for QSI Chengdu's pedagogy and operating structure.
• Shanghai American School: One of the largest and oldest American international schools in China, offering AP programs and serving a predominantly expatriate community. Comparable in curriculum framework, accreditation profile, and target segment, representing a benchmark for premium positioning in the China market.
• Yew Chung International School (Chengdu): International school in Chengdu offering IB PYP/MYP/DP pathways alongside bilingual curriculum. Direct geographic competitor pursuing overlapping expatriate and affluent Chinese families seeking global university credentials.
• Keystone Academy: Non-profit international school in China offering IB continuum with Chinese cultural integration. Comparable as a premium non-profit IB-offering school pursuing similar university-preparatory positioning and bilingual education model.

Regional players

• QSI International School of Shenzhen: Sister QSI school in southern China sharing the same Mastery Learning model, MSA accreditation, and curriculum framework. Sister-school rather than direct competitor, but provides useful internal benchmarking on tuition, enrollment, and operational practices within the QSI network.

Broad incumbents

• Dulwich College International: Premium international school group operating multiple China campuses with British curriculum and IB pathways. Serves as a benchmark for premium international school positioning and represents an aspirational competitive threat in the China market.
• Nord Anglia International School: Large international school group operating premium campuses across China and globally. Represents a well-capitalized incumbent competitor with broader resources, illustrating the strategic ceiling facing independent non-profit operators like QSI Chengdu.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/qsichengdu

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 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 QSI International School of Chengdu