Beijing City International SchoolVerified
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$34K - US$47K
Curriculum: IB
Age Range: 2-18
Students: ~1,320
Location: Chaoyang, Beijing
Updated April 2026
In Brief
BCIS is the most practical choice for families based in or near the CBD - the only major IB school without a Shunyi commute. It is non-profit, full-continuum IB from age two, and notably less expensive than ISB or Dulwich. The IDEATE pathway offers something the other Beijing schools do not.
BCIS sits in Baiziwan, south Chaoyang, roughly 15 minutes from Guomao and the CBD. That location alone makes it a different school to live with day-to-day for families not based in Shunyi. Founded in 2005 as a non-profit, it runs the full IB continuum: PYP from Toddler (age 2), MYP through Grade 10, and the Diploma Programme at Grades 11 and 12. CIS and WASC accredited. Tom Egerton leads the school.
The 2025 IB results: mean 34.0, 52 candidates. The university class of 2025 collected more than 760 offers from 10 countries, 95% of students applying outside the US received offers from global top-100 universities, and the cohort generated approximately US$20 million in scholarships. The IDEATE pathway - a Grade 11 to 12 specialism in arts, design, and technology - runs alongside the standard Diploma Programme and is one of the few genuinely distinct post-16 options in Beijing's international sector. Fees run CNY 244,000 (Toddler) to CNY 343,500 (Grades 11 to 12).
The honest trade-offs: BCIS's IB average (34.0) sits below ISB (35.4) and well below Dulwich (38.6), though the admissions policy is inclusive rather than selective. The south Chaoyang campus, while convenient for CBD families, is urban rather than a sprawling campus. Parents who want a large sporting infrastructure or the Shunyi expat community feel should look elsewhere.
What parents value
- –Central Chaoyang location - the only major Beijing IB school accessible from the CBD without a Shunyi commute. Non-profit governance. Full IB continuum from age 2 through Grade 12. IDEATE arts/design/tech pathway at Grades 11-12 - unique in Beijing.
- –Class of 2025: 760+ university offers, ~US$20M scholarships, 95% top-100 global university placement for non-US applicants. CIS and WASC accredited. Inclusive admissions.
- –Fees notably lower than ISB, Dulwich, and Keystone: CNY 298,000 for Grades 1-5, CNY 343,500 for Grades 11-12. No one-time fees found in the official 2025-26 schedule.
Points of consideration
- –IB DP average 34.0 (2025) - solid but below the top Beijing schools. IB DP pass rate 83% in the most recently published data; ask admissions for the current figure.
- –Urban campus - does not have the extensive outdoor and sports facilities of ISB or WAB. Smaller DP cohort (52 candidates in 2025) than ISB.
- –South Chaoyang location (Baiziwan) suits CBD and Guomao families well but adds commute time for those in northern districts or Shunyi.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Toddler | 2 | NaN |
| Nursery | 3 | NaN |
| Pre-KG | 4 | NaN |
| KG | 5 | NaN |
| Grades 1-5 | 6 | NaN |
| Grades 6-8 | 11 | NaN |
| Grades 9-10 | 14 | NaN |
| Grades 11-12 | 16 | NaN |
Fees converted from CNY. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Photos
Academic Results
| IB Average (2025) | 34.0 |
| IB Candidates (2025) | 52 |
| IB DP Pass Rate (2024) | 83% |
| University Offers (2025) | 760+ |
| Scholarships (2025) | ~US$20M |
BCIS's 2025 IB cohort of 52 candidates achieved a mean of 34.0. The class of 2025 received more than 760 university offers from 10 countries, with approximately US$20 million in scholarships awarded. 95% of students applying outside the US received offers from global top-100 universities.
Source: BCIS Class of 2025 university results (bcis.cn)., 2025
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities and facilities. Ask what a normal week looks like outside lessons for your child's interests.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Beijing's leading international schools draw students from across the expatriate community and a growing number of Chinese families with foreign passports. Contact the school for current enrolment details.
Leadership
Tom Egerton
Tom Egerton serves as Head of School at BCIS.