Accreditation
The accreditation process has long been recognized in international school circles as a highly effective means of initiating and maintaining school improvement and demonstrating alignment with a set of publicly stated standards. ISB is currently accredited by the following external organizations:
Purpose for Accreditation
There are a number of benefits associated with the award of accreditation to a school, but the main aim of this evaluation program is to provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the education offered at the school through a rigorous process of self-examination followed by an objective external appraisal by a team of peers. The resulting Visiting Team Report and the independent actions of the accrediting association(s) attest externally to the quality of education at the evaluated school.
Criteria for Evaluation
Each school is evaluated against two basic 'benchmarks,' these being:
- The School's own Guiding Statements. Each school is required to have clear Guiding Statements (Philosophy, Vision, Mission, Objectives, etc) and is evaluated in terms of how successful it is in meeting its own stated purposes.
- The Standards for Accreditation. Each school is required to align with a set of written standards in each area of its operations. These standards have been developed and endorsed by educational peers representing the accrediting agency.
The Standards and their accompanying Indicators can be accessed at these websites:
The Standards and Indicators are designed to reflect the characteristics of a high-quality educational experience, and they concentrate on student learning and well-being. However, they do not presuppose any specific model of excellence nor do they suggest comparing the characteristics of one school with those of another. The guiding principles of the accreditation program are that each school will be evaluated against published Standards but in terms of its own unique Guiding Statements.
ACAMIS
The Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS) was founded initially as a means for students to connect in post-season regional tournaments. Since then, the organization has evolved, adding more sports as well as other student activities, service learning grants, and professional development opportunities for staff. We are grateful for the vision of the ACAMIS founders who established a framework that was sustainable and adaptable.
Today, ACAMIS has a membership of 75 schools ranging in size from less than 300 pupils to over 2,500 in Mongolia, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. In addition to the continued connections for students through sports tournaments and cultural events, ACAMIS also helps school staff through professional development programs and networking opportunities.
AIELOC
Initiated in 2017, Association of Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC) is a global network serving hundreds of organizations and thousands of educators in 60 countries. AIELOC is devoted to amplifying the work of international educators and leaders of color with a focus on advocacy, learning, and research. In 2023, ISB joined AIELOC as a school member to support and enhance our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
APAC
The Asia Pacific Activities Conference (APAC) is an extra-curricular program for sports and performing arts participated in by 12 international schools in the Asia-Pacific area.
Duke of Edinburgh's Award
The Duke of Edinburgh's (DofE) International Award is the world's leading youth achievement award and empowers young people, ages 14 to 24, to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others, by exploring their potential, taking on new challenges, giving back to their community, and achieving success. It provides the opportunity to set goals and achieve results in fun and challenging ways. The Award is accessible to all youth, regardless of socioeconomic status, ability, ethnicity, or gender.
EARCOS
The East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) is an organization of 165 member schools in East Asia. These schools have a total of more than 138,212 PreK to 12th grade students. EARCOS also has 150 associate members — including textbook and software publishers and distributors, universities, financial planners, architectural firms, insurance companies, and youth organizations — and over 40 individual members.
Membership in EARCOS is open to elementary and secondary schools in East Asia which offer an educational program using English as the primary language of instruction, and to other organizations, institutions, and individuals interested in the objectives and purposes of the Council.
Global Online Academy (GOA)
Global Online Academy is a not-for-profit consortium of 85+ independent schools from around the world. Started by a group of independent schools looking to bring the benefits of online learning to their teachers and students, GOA prepares students for a global future by providing new, modern ways for students to learn and teachers to teach.
The schools that are members of Global Online Academy are well known for the strengths of their curricula and the excellence of their teaching. You can find out more about courses offered at ISB in our HS Course Guide.
International Baccalaureate
The IB Diploma Programme is an academically challenging and balanced course of study that prepares students for success at university and life beyond. The Programme has gained recognition and respect from the world's leading universities for breadth and depth. Students following the IB Diploma Programme study courses from a range of disciplines with a minimum of two languages. Our IB students make connections across traditional academic disciplines and explore the nature of knowledge through the Programme's unique Theory of Knowledge course. IB students also undertake in-depth research into an area of interest in one or more academic disciplines for their extended essay. The Programme seeks to not only enhance students' academically, but also to nurture their personal and interpersonal development. As part of the IB Programme, students undertake creative pursuits, physical activities, and service projects.
Visit the IB website to learn more about the philosophy underpinning the IB Diploma Programme.
ISAC
The mission of the International Schools Athletic Conference (ISAC) is to provide regular quality athletic competition in a well-structured environment for the students of the ISAC member schools in Beijing and Tianjin.
Pamoja Education
From structured teaching content to online courses taught directly by Pamoja teachers, they provide flexible and integrated online teaching solutions to schools around the world to help them solve important teaching difficulties, and help IB schools around the world by providing IB DP online courses and expand the range of subjects offered to students.
Principals’ Training Center
The PTC serves the unique professional learning needs of practicing and aspiring principals, teachers, teacher leaders, counselors, and governance members in international schools worldwide. They strive to provide world class, research-driven, practical training, designed to be put into practice in the international school setting.
VHS Learning
VHS Learning (VHS, Inc.) is a nonprofit organization providing supplemental online classes to high schools and students. They partner with schools and districts to create programs in schools, and work directly with parents and students that want to enroll in classes individually. Their vision is to prepare students for college, careers, and life.