International School of BeijingVerified
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$21K - US$49K
Curriculum: IB
Age Range: 3-18
Students: ~1,809
Location: Shunyi, Beijing
Updated April 2026
In Brief
ISB is the strongest overall choice for most expatriate families in Beijing: ranked #1 in China for foreign passport holders, open IB enrolment, and a campus that genuinely competes with the best anywhere in Asia. The Shunyi commute is the main consideration.
ISB has topped the Hurun Best International Schools ranking for foreign passport holders two consecutive years (2025) and sits #2 in China on the Forbes 2025 list. The campus covers 32 acres in Shunyi and includes a professional music recording suite, a full indoor sports complex, and 25+ sports teams. With 50+ nationalities and a nonprofit structure, it draws a broad expatriate community rather than one dominated by any single passport. The IB continuum runs from EY2 (age 3) through Grade 12; every student who wants to attempt the IB Diploma can - open enrolment rather than selective entry into Year 12.
The 2025 IB results back the reputation: mean score 35.4, 85 diplomas, 22 students scoring 40 or above, and 32 bilingual diplomas. NEASC and CIS accreditation. The school sits about 30 minutes from central Beijing in the Shunyi expat corridor near Capital Airport. Fees run CNY 150,900 (EY half day) to CNY 356,000 (Grades 11 and 12), plus a CNY 15,000 entry fee paid once by new students. Expectations are high but the culture is warm; the Dragon Spirit is real, not a branding exercise.
What parents value
- –#1 in China for foreign passport holders (Hurun 2025). Open IB DP enrolment - no selective filter into Year 12. Campus covers 32 acres with professional music studio and 25+ sports teams. Nonprofit. NEASC and CIS accredited. 50+ nationalities; strong community.
Points of consideration
- –Shunyi location is 30+ minutes from downtown. Entry fee CNY 15,000 plus application fee CNY 2,800 on top of tuition. Community skews American and English despite the diverse mix. High academic expectations suit some families and concern others.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| EY2 Half Day | 3 | NaN |
| EY2 Full Day | 3 | NaN |
| EY3 | 4 | NaN |
| EY4 | 5 | NaN |
| KG | 6 | NaN |
| Grade 1 | 6 | NaN |
| Grade 2 | 7 | NaN |
| Grades 3-5 | 8 | 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.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee (non-refundable) | NaN |
| Entry Fee (new students, one-time) | NaN |
Photos
Academic Results
| IB Average (2025) | 35.4 |
| IB Diplomas (2025) | 85 |
| Scored 40+ (2025) | 22 |
| IB Pass Rate (2024) | 100% |
| Bilingual Diplomas (2025) | 32 |
ISB's 2025 IB results: mean score 35.4, 85 diplomas awarded, 22 students scoring 40 or above, 100% pass rate (2024), and 32 bilingual diplomas out of 85 - the highest bilingual diploma count of any school in China. Open enrolment means these results are not artificially filtered.
Source: ISB blog (blog.isb.cn), July 2025., July 2025
Extra Curriculars
Facilities: 32-acre campus · Professional music recording studio · Full indoor sports complex · 25+ sports teams · Performing arts theatre
ISB runs 25+ sports and an extensive activity programme across its 32-acre campus. The professional music recording studio is one of very few in any K-12 school in Asia. The 'Dragon Spirit' ethos runs through both competition and community; expect high participation expectations alongside strong pastoral support.
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
ISB enrols approximately 1,809 students from 50+ nationalities. The largest groups are American, Hong Kong, Chinese (foreign passport), Korean, and Canadian families. The non-profit governance and broad community mix mean no single nationality dominates the culture.
Leadership
Daniel Rubenstein
Daniel Rubenstein serves as Head of School at ISB.