By Nick Yates, ISB Communications
Congratulations to our students who will graduate this month! The International School of Beijing (ISB) is proud of its Seniors, who have received offers from universities worldwide. Despite disruption due to Covid-19, college acceptance notifications have been flooding in for our students as they prepare for their next steps beyond ISB.
At this time of year, our students would usually be at the start of a month-long series of examinations as part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), the results of which are published in early July. As announced by the IB Organization back in March, the global situation with Covid-19 forced the cancellation of the exams, and students will be awarded diplomas reflecting their achievement over the two year of IBDP classes.
ISB students will celebrate at a Graduation Ceremony on May 21. After a long period of campus closure because of Covid-19, ISB was granted permission to welcome Grade 12 students back to campus from April 30. Many of our graduating students will be able to attend the Graduation Ceremony on campus, with others incorporated through video conferencing and a livestream. The event will display a huge amount of pride in the students, who have had offers from a wide range of institutions.
ISB prides itself on ensuring its students find the college and course that is most appropriate for them based on their passions and talents. The wide scope of university offers and the subjects ISB graduates will be studying signals that our students are pursuing their passions at many of the world’s finest educational institutions.
ISB Head of School Patrick Hurworth said, “This is particularly pleasing news. The period of campus closure and eLearning has challenged us all, and our Seniors have managed this transition and associated challenges in an exemplary fashion. Colleges around the globe have recognized the quality of the students, their resilience, the excellence of our programs, and they have faith in the high degree of professionalism of our teachers and counselors. Each student will attend a college which matches their ambitions and aspirations, and I couldn’t be happier for them.
“This time of year is very important in celebrating the accomplishments of the Senior Class. With campus closed these past few months and many community members in isolation around the world, Covid-19 has deprived Seniors of many joint experiences and they – like all members of the ISB community – have had to be resolute through some tough times. Of the many consequences of the virus, what it has taken from our Senior Class makes me sad for them. They have represented themselves, their families, and our school so positively, on campus and away from school. As members of teams, service groups, and in their academic pursuits, they have been the best of ISB, setting an example to us all.
“Providing for their health and safety has been of fundamental importance. But it also seems unjust for them to miss out on some final challenges, fun, and the chance to make lasting memories. So I’m delighted that we can make up for lost time by providing a Graduation Ceremony that these outstanding members of our community can enjoy before stepping into the next stage of their lives. What an exciting time you have ahead of you!”
While Seniors are still finalizing their commitments, below is a list of college and university acceptances as of April 30, 2020. Many students are still submitting applications to universities in places including South Korea and Australia and therefore may not be included in the list of acceptances thus far.
