International Schools in Beijing

Ages 5-18 · IB, American · Shunyi · ~1,200 students

Keystone is the right call if bilingual education - not just Chinese classes on the side - is genuinely important to your family. The IB results (average 36, 101 open-entry candidates, 2025) are excellent for a bilingual school. Boarding is available from Grade 9 but required from that point for boarding students. Budget for fees at the top of the Beijing market.

Ages 3-18 · IB, American · Chaoyang · ~1,319 students

WAB is the best choice for families who want genuine international diversity, a non-profit structure, and a school that treats creativity and wellbeing as seriously as exam results. Its IB scores are lower than ISB and Dulwich by design - open enrolment is a deliberate policy, not a weakness.

Ages 3-18 · IB, British · Shunyi · ~1,610 students

If your child is academically driven and you want the highest IB scores in China, Dulwich Beijing delivers - but go in with eyes open on selectivity, cost, and the competitive atmosphere. It is not the right fit for every family.

Ages 18 months - 18 · IB, British · Shunyi · ~1,500 students

BSB Shunyi is the right choice for Shunyi families wanting British-system continuity from Early Years through to IB Diploma, particularly those with German-speaking children who can join the German Primary programme. Its size, 20-year track record, and Nord Anglia MIT and Juilliard collaborations make it a serious school, not just a convenient one.

Ages 2-18 · British · Chaoyang · ~700 students

Harrow Beijing is the natural choice for British-curriculum families in Beijing - GCSE/IGCSE and A-levels are simply unavailable elsewhere in the city at international school level. If your children are on a UK track and you want continuity of British schooling, the question is less whether to consider Harrow and more whether the location and culture suit your family.

Ages 3-18 · IB · Shunyi · ~1,809 students

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.

Ages 2-18 · IB · Chaoyang · ~1,320 students

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.

Ages 18 months - 18 · IB, Canadian · Chaoyang · ~1,400 students

CISB is a solid choice for Canadian-curriculum families or those who want the IB alongside a recognised national system rather than a purely IB-only school. The Liangmaqiao location in the embassy district is one of the most convenient in Chaoyang. Worth visiting if you want a school with genuine community character - the TEDx talks, CANMUN conference, and International Festival are parent-led, not school marketing.

Ages 2-18 · IB, British · Chaoyang · ~750 students

YCIS Beijing is the standout choice for families who genuinely value bilingual education and want their children to leave Beijing fluent in both English and Mandarin. The Cambridge Award for Excellence - the only one awarded in China - is not a marketing badge; the 19-consecutive-year 100% IB pass rate and 71.4% bilingual diploma rate in 2025 back it up. The park setting is a practical bonus.

Ages 1-12 · British · Chaoyang · ~610 students

BSB Sanlitun is the best primary option in Beijing for embassy, CBD, and Sanlitun-based families - the most central international school in the city, with a strong Early Years and British primary programme. The key fact to know upfront: it is primary-only to Year 6, and almost all families then transfer their children to BSB Shunyi for secondary.

Ages 1-18 · IB, British, American · Shunyi · ~1,700 students

BIBA is the most accessible international school in Shunyi by fees - and ranked #3 most popular in Beijing on ISD in 2025. If your family is price-conscious but wants Shunyi convenience, IB, and optional boarding, BIBA deserves a serious look. The trade-off is less publicly available exam outcome data than the tier-1 Shunyi schools.

Ages 5-18 · American · Chaoyang · ~160 students

AISB-Hope is a genuine option for families who want very small American-curriculum classes and an AP-focused senior school in Beijing - but it is a niche choice. With roughly 160 students across Grades 1 to 12 and class sizes of 6 to 12, the school is closer in feel to a private tutorial centre than a traditional international school. Visit in person and ask hard questions about teacher stability before enrolling.