By Nick Yates, ISB Communications
Published on Monday, August 31, 2026
The International School of Beijing (ISB) is proud to celebrate another year of exceptional achievement, with the Class of 2026 earning an impressive set of results in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme.
ISB’s newest graduates achieved an average Diploma score of 35.9 points, beating the global average by five points. This outstanding performance continues a proud and well-established tradition: ISB students consistently achieve results significantly above the worldwide benchmark in this rigorous, internationally recognized program. Over the past 15 years, ISB’s average has exceeded the global average by as many as six points.
A particularly impressive feature of this year’s results is the strength and consistency of achievement across the graduating cohort. These figures represent many individual stories of aspiration, perseverance, discovery, and growth. Together, they reflect an ambitious and caring learning community in which students are encouraged to pursue their passions, embrace meaningful challenges, and realize their unique potential.
Recognized around the world for its breadth, depth, and intellectual rigor, the IB Diploma Programme prepares students for much more than university admission. It develops knowledgeable, reflective, and internationally minded young people with the confidence and capabilities to navigate an increasingly complex world.
The Class of 2026 approached this formidable challenge with tremendous purpose and resilience, learning, growing, and supporting one another with remarkable maturity and determination.
Almost half of the cohort – 43 students, or 49.4% – achieved between 35 and 39 points. These scores represent strong academic performance in one of the world’s most demanding secondary-school programs and sit comfortably above this year’s global average.
A further 22 ISB students earned 40 points or above out of a possible 45, with a highest Diploma score of 44. Taken together, these results mean nearly three-quarters of ISB’s IB students scored 35 points or higher, demonstrating an impressive breadth and consistency of achievement across the Class of 2026.
The graduating class was also distinguished by its impressive linguistic accomplishment. Of the 85 IB Diplomas awarded, 28 were bilingual Diplomas – an inspiring reflection of ISB’s vibrant international community and its deep commitment to language learning. More than a quarter of ISB’s IB students have now earned bilingual Diplomas in each of the past six years.
ISB also achieved a Diploma pass rate of 97.7%, significantly above the global pass rate of 82.6%. This strong outcome reflects the dedication of ISB’s students and the expert, personalized support they receive throughout the program.
Nearly 50 countries and regions are represented among ISB’s student body, with around 70 represented across the wider community of students, parents, and staff. This rich diversity of languages, cultures, experiences, and perspectives creates an authentically international learning environment in which students develop the intercultural understanding and global outlook at the heart of an IB education.
While these exceptional outcomes deserve celebration, ISB is proud of every student who challenged themselves, made meaningful progress, and completed a program aligned with their individual interests and ambitions.
At ISB, success is not defined by a single academic pathway. Students are supported in choosing a program that provides appropriate challenge while reflecting their strengths, interests, aspirations, and future goals. For many students, this is the full IB Diploma Programme; for others, a different combination of rigorous courses and learning experiences provides the strongest pathway forward.
Through thoughtful collaboration with their families, University & Career Advisors, School Counselors, and educators, students can take ownership of their learning and pursue a pathway that is both ambitious and authentic to them. The breadth of this year’s strong Diploma results is one important reflection of that highly personalized approach.
The Class of 2026’s achievements represent the culmination of far more than two years of Diploma Programme study. They have been shaped by purposeful learning experiences across Elementary, Middle, and High School, supported by expert educators who understand how to challenge, inspire, and care for every learner.
Many members of this year’s graduating class began their ISB journeys in Elementary School. Their success is a compelling illustration of the school’s ability to nurture curiosity, character, confidence, and academic growth over the long term.
Throughout their ISB experience, students benefit from exceptional teaching, carefully researched and thoughtfully designed programs, robust learning support, and comprehensive social-emotional and university counseling. Their IB results are one highly visible outcome of a much richer educational journey – one that equips students with the knowledge, skills, values, and sense of purpose needed to flourish beyond ISB.
High School Principal Natalie Harvey praised the Class of 2026 for the spirit with which they approached that journey:
“These remarkable results reflect the ambition, perseverance, and joyful sense of possibility that the Class of 2026 brought to their learning. What is particularly impressive is the strength of achievement across the cohort. We are immensely proud not only of what our graduates have accomplished, but also of the thoughtful, compassionate, and courageous young people they have become.”
“Every student’s journey through the IB is unique. Behind each result are moments of challenge, discovery, collaboration, and personal growth. Our graduates embraced those experiences with tremendous determination, supported one another generously, and continually demonstrated what it means to pursue excellence with purpose.”
Head of School Trevor Laboski said the results demonstrated the enduring strength of ISB’s inclusive and student-centered educational philosophy:
“These outstanding achievements are a powerful expression of ISB’s unwavering commitment to challenging and joyful learning. We support every student in pursuing a pathway that provides appropriate challenge and reflects their individual strengths, interests, aspirations, and future goals. This year’s results demonstrate the exceptional outcomes that can flourish within a caring, inclusive, and deeply supportive community – one in which every learner is known, valued, and inspired to reach their potential.
“We celebrate the impressive results, but we are even prouder of the curiosity, resilience, integrity, and international-mindedness our graduates will carry into the world. Those qualities will enable them not simply to succeed in their next steps, but to make meaningful and positive contributions wherever their journeys take them.”
Members of the Class of 2026 are now beginning exciting new chapters around the globe. They left ISB with offers from an impressive range of universities and with the confidence, adaptability, and enduring love of learning required to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Their achievements bring ISB’s Strategic Focus Area of challenging and joyful learning vividly to life. This defining philosophy can be seen throughout the school: in ambitious academic experiences, purposeful creativity, authentic inquiry, compassionate relationships, and abundant opportunities for students to explore who they are and how they can contribute.
Mr. Laboski emphasized that this success belongs to the whole community:
“Achievements of this kind are never created in isolation. They are made possible by the extraordinary commitment of our students; the expertise, care, and inspiration of our educators; and the steadfast encouragement of families. Colleagues across every division and area of the school have contributed to the Class of 2026’s remarkable journey.
“This is a proud and joyful moment for our entire community. I offer my warmest congratulations to every graduate and my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who helped them arrive at this exciting point. We cannot wait to see the bold, purposeful, and inspiring paths they create from here.”
With the 2026-2027 school year underway, ISB is building enthusiastically on this legacy of excellence. New and returning students have entered a dynamic, welcoming, and forward-looking community defined by curiosity, care, collaboration, and an enduring commitment to helping every learner thrive.