‘ISB a high-performing school,’ say accreditors

By Nick Yates, ISB Communications

Published on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 

“ISB is a high-performing school committed to high standards and supporting all students to be successful learners by addressing their individual needs, interests, and abilities with a focus on student-centered holistic education. There is strong evidence of purposeful teaching and learning that is research-driven led by dedicated, caring, and supportive staff.”

Members of the International School of Beijing (ISB) community know how good the school is, and new praise like the above from independent accreditors proves it.

ISB is accredited by prestigious organizations including the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Accreditation lasts five years. ISB is forging towards being reaccredited by CIS and NEASC, having recently received very positive feedback following a report the school filed for the process.

ISB also emailed enrolled families and other community members this morning with an opportunity to take part in a consultation that will inform the reaccreditation process.

Accreditation allows a school like ISB to reflect, be advised, and think about how it can further improve. Securing accreditation takes several years, and ISB is currently in the “self-study” phase. This involves consulting the entire community to review ISB operations and gauge how the school is perceived by stakeholders. The data gathered from students, parents, staff, alumni, and the Board of Trustees will be used for ISB’s self-study report.

The ISB leadership team is looking forward to hearing the community’s views! ISB expects to finally achieve reaccreditation by CIS and NEASC in the summer of 2023.

Other feedback in the CIS/NEASC preparatory evaluation report included:

• “In the school’s efforts to provide high-quality education and positive outcomes for students, ISB is committed to continuous improvement guided by the CIS standards and best practice in contemporary teaching and learning. The school engages in reflective practice and has sophisticated systems and processes in place to achieve its Mission and Vision.”
• “There is a robust focus on action through service learning aligned with the school Mission to ‘serve others.’”
• “ISB is characterized by happy engaged students, [attesting] to the school’s Mission to provide ‘challenging and joyful learning.’ There is much pride in the strong community spirit that permeates the school resulting in a warm, welcoming, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. There is a robust focus on social-emotional well-being and a strong culture of care is evident that supports academic achievement.”
• “Students and parents hold the teachers and staff in high regard. The school makes concerted efforts to keep parents informed, actively seeks their feedback, and provides opportunities for them to be involved in the life of the school.”