By Nick Yates, ISB Communications
Published on Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Congratulations to our students who graduated on Saturday! The International School of Beijing (ISB) is proud of its newest alumni, who have exciting futures ahead of them after discovering their passions, excelling academically, and growing socially and emotionally at the school. These students have received offers from universities worldwide, having identified the best-fit courses for them, while some are looking forward to other options including gap years and military service.
Late spring is a momentous time of year for students eyeing graduation. They enjoyed the usual Seniors Parade around campus on April 22, with younger classes, faculty, and staff lining the corridors to celebrate their achievements. Covid-19 restrictions threw up challenges including limited campus access soon after that, but the Seniors were still able to complete their exams as planned.
Preparing for the International Baccalaureate (IB) tests, the world’s toughest college entrance exams, is demanding enough without all the uncertainty and practical issues with which the Class of 2022 and ISB community have had to contend. The students’ achievements are even more laudable after they weathered pandemic disruption in the crucial later stages of their school careers.
It was very disappointing not to be able to hold an in-person Graduation Ceremony. But the online version, which Grade 12 students joined simultaneously via video conferencing, allowed them to celebrate with their families and went some way to giving them the recognition they deserve.
While IB exam results are only due in July, college acceptance notifications have been flooding in for the Class of 2022. They have had offers from a wide range of institutions.
ISB prides itself on ensuring its students find the option that is best for them after school. If applying for further study, they will be attending 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.
Approximately 75 percent of the Class of 2022 have set a firm plan for life post ISB. Around 5 percent are either engaged in national military service or taking a gap year to pursue their interests, reflect, and assess their options.
This is the second academic year in which a restructured ISB High School Counseling Department has increased student access to social-emotional services while simultaneously providing support for career and university planning. The Counseling Department now has more personnel and is split into two complementary teams of School Counselors and University and Career Advisors. ISB students looking for their perfect college have benefited from working with a dedicated University and Career Advisor.
ISB High School Principal Julie Lemley said, “What a joy it was to see our oldest students graduate this weekend. We’re all proud of their achievements. Our students have worked so hard this past year finishing their studies, while fully engaged in the university application process. They are going to diverse programs around the world or are choosing other exciting pathways, such as a gap year or military service. We are thrilled for what the future holds for our newest alumni.
“At ISB, we are committed to understanding each student, how they learn best, what their passions are, and what initial ideas they have on their profession. Our University and Career Advisors and faculty work to help students and families identify their best options for after school, considering academic, cultural, and geographic factors in their decision. Our students are going to a lot of amazing universities and programs around the world. Well done to the Class of 2022!”
Head of School Daniel Rubenstein added, “Colleges around the world have once again recognized the quality of ISB students, and it’s exciting to see this class set to pursue such a diverse range of interests and passions in the coming years.
“The ISB community has shown amazing resilience through this challenging period in Beijing and the world, and our Seniors have come through it all with the capability, calm, and good grace we can expect from ISB students. They are a great credit to themselves, to their families, and to our school. Congratulations!”
