Our Approach to Learning
At ISB, learning is both challenging and joyful. Students develop skills and abilities from Early Years to Grade 12 and will be ready for graduation into our fast-changing world. We have high expectations and provide a high level of support to meet those expectations. Our approach is based on research and what the science says about how children learn best. What characterizes an ISB education? What does it mean to be an ISB Dragon?
World Class Teachers
ISB is a destination for the world’s best educators, who know that we are one of the region’s top international schools. Helped by our non-profit model in which all proceeds go back into improving the school, we are able to recruit the best and provide ongoing professional development so that they get even better at teaching your children. We put expertise and care into designing our academic programs so that we can take diverse groups of students and help ALL of them achieve their potential and impressive outcomes. ISB's history of excellence includes students consistently outperforming their global peers in exams.
Empowerment With Purpose and Compassion
A commitment to a set of shared values unites everyone at ISB and gives us collective purpose. This is our Dragon Spirit. We set firm boundaries and expectations for our students and mentor them to have defined principles, strength of character, and be well-rounded individuals. Specialist staff supporting our classes include a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leader; a Sustainability Manager; and Deans of Students
A Vibrant International Community
At ISB, we have always worked hard to build strong relationships so that our learning is at its best. The school has around 1,800 students, one of the region’s largest and best-equipped campuses, and a far-reaching community established over four and half decades. With its quality educators, staff, and these resources, ISB can offer leading co-curricular programs that provide opportunities to identify and grow passions. ISB also values real-world learning and service – students spend time outside the classroom making an impact in the school’s own community, locally, and further a field.
Connected to China
ISB operates one of the region’s leading international school Chinese language programs, from Early Years to Grade 12. In the Elementary School, ISB’s Dual Language Program provides opportunities for students to become adept in speaking and writing in two languages – and to become at home in two cultures. We believe language proficiency is best when it comes with cultural proficiency. ISB has its own Chinese Language and Culture Center, and offers Chinese language accelerator programs for students with no or basic Chinese who want to pick up the language fast.
Equipping Thinkers and Leaders for the Future
ISB students are motivated to take ownership of their learning. The school’s programs are designed very intentionally to inspire students with a joy for learning and a drive to take on challenges and excel. Knowing that solutions to contemporary issues are complicated, they will be involved in interdisciplinary STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics) work that integrates traditional curricular areas. Our ISB Design Process is a way to help students from Early Years to Grade 12 put their critical thinking, problem solving, and reflection skills into action.
ISB's Research Based Curriculum
At ISB, we strive to make learning challenging and joyful for our students and of most benefit to them when they graduate into our fast-changing world. A lot of schools choose to follow a set curriculum that has been tried and tested by other schools and that will remain in place for a long time. We take another approach. Click to here learn more…..
ISB families can expect to see certain characteristics developing in their children. ISB students will be clear on what they need to do in their studies and how it fits into the big picture in the world around them. They will feel free to ask questions, safe in their exploring, and connected with their peers and their community. That’s what it means to be an ISB Dragon empowered with Dragon Spirit!