ISB's 45th Anniversary Gala: celebrating four and half decades at the heart of Beijing

By Puchun Zhu, ISB Advancement, and Nick Yates, ISB Communications

Published on Friday, March 26, 2026

Around 400 members of the ISB community gathered for an unforgettable occasion at the ISB 45th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, March 14.

Parents, faculty and support staff, alumni, and friends of the school came together for an evening of performances, raffle draws, and auctions, celebrating ISB’s 45 years at the heart of Beijing.

The Gala honored the visionaries, educators, passionate students, and supportive families who have shaped ISB’s remarkable legacy.

In his remarks during the evening, Head of School Daniel Rubenstein reflected on the school’s unique role: “Tonight, we celebrate a school. But we also celebrate something larger.”

He spoke about how the story of ISB is deeply connected to the story of Beijing and China, highlighting the school’s role in building bridges across cultures. ISB is not simply a school located in Beijing – it is an institution that helps interpret Beijing to the world and the world to Beijing, Mr. Rubenstein said.

A night to remember

For everyone involved, the 45th Anniversary Gala was an opportunity to reconnect, renew commitment to nurturing future leaders, foster global collaboration, and celebrate a vibrant international community.

“I really enjoyed the evening and so did my children,” said alumni parent and United Family Healthcare founder Roberta Lipson. “I was so happy to see the impressive performances by the students and the professionalism of the evening’s organization. Both represent the ISB way.”

Andrew G, Grade 11, part of a student emcee team at the Gala, reflected on his experience: “We didn’t realize the scale and significance of the event. We learned a lot through the process and enjoyed being part of the celebration.”

A community effort

From the earliest planning stages, ISB families and members of the wider community demonstrated tremendous support for the Gala. ISB parents served on the organizing committee, and the community responded enthusiastically to calls for sponsorship and auction donations.

All proceeds from the Gala support ISB’s Annual Giving Program, which funds innovative initiatives that enrich teaching, learning, and student well-being.

Guests traveled from near and far to attend the Gala, many with longstanding connections to ISB. Among them were four ambassadors representing the United States, Australia, the Philippines, and Equatorial Guinea, as well as a former ISB Board of Trustees Chair (2012-2014).

Their presence reflected the global reach and lasting relationships built through the ISB community – connections that will continue to grow throughout this milestone year.

More opportunities to celebrate the anniversary with us

We are honoring ISB's 45th anniversary year for the entirety of 2025-2026. Following the Gala, there are still many opportunities for ISB community members to celebrate the anniversary with us and contribute to the festivities in small but meaningful ways.

We invite you to share your ISB memories as part of the 45 Stories project, with selected submissions to be featured in our 45th Anniversary Exhibition. We are also recognizing those who give back through our 45 for 45 community service initiative.

Visit our website to learn more and get involved in these and other anniversary activities!