What's NEW at ISB?

By Angel Jin, ISB Communications

Published on Tuesday, August 27, 2024

The start of school is always an exciting time at the International School of Beijing (ISB), and this year is no exception. We are excited to have over 1800 Dragons enrolled, this brings our numbers back to pre-pandemic times! We're thrilled to have such a healthy sized student body that is thriving and diverse. With also 50 new faculty and staff, we are beginning the year strong and proud to be ISB Dragons. But that’s not all... check out what else is new at ISB, that will help us continue to provide challenging and joyful learning to EVERY student in the 2024-25 school year. 

Around campus, the facilities team worked tirelessly over the summer on upgrades, which include... 

The ISB Commons

This brand-new space will act as the school’s main entrance and be a community hub used for teaching, learning and recreation that students, parents and staff can all enjoy. The Commons is a welcoming space for parents on campus, that still allows us to uphold our child safeguarding practices. It features a new Theater Reception, a Learning Staircase, two projectors, an adjacent patio deck in the Fountain Courtyard, and coffee and snacks served by Jamaica Blue. The ISB Commons is also aligned with our sustainability efforts, with live bamboo and trees, and sustainable bamboo patio deck. This project was a true labor of love and a great example of how ISB values parents as partners, as the architect for the ISB Commons is an ISB parent. Most importantly, this space highlights the importance we put on community, we look forward to the ISB Commons bringing more people together on campus.

New EY2 Classroom and EY Art Classroom

This year marks the exciting launch of our EY2 program, which follows our early years philosophy and is designed to serve our existing families and new ISB families who may need support for their youngest learners. The new EY2 classroom will help us continue to provide challenging and joyful learning to our youngest Dragons, while the new EY art room across the hall will allow EY learners to continue their creative exploration and artistic expression.

New Floor for Multi-Purpose Dome

This refresh supports our co-curricular program, as the repainted track and courts for basketball and badminton provide a clean, new look. 

On Sustainability

At ISB, we are empowered with purpose and compassion, that is why in addition to the above campus updates, we have also made several changes that further support our sustainability goals. This includes adding electric car charging stations in the parking lot, starting a shared bike program, introducing green staircases, and installing more solar panels (for a total of 1323!). 

Schoolwide Book Study 

This year, Head of School Daniel Rubenstein, aims to engage all ISB community members in challenging and joyful learning. This school-wide book study, on the Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, intends to strengthen our community, while also placing ISB as a leader in this important conversation, regarding the impact of cell phones, social media, video games and other technology on students and schools. This book study is a great opportunity for us to engage in self-reflection as individuals and as a wider community that includes students, parents and staff, on the impact of technology on mental health, and what we as a school can do to further facilitate healthy and productive growth and learning.  

So, as you can tell, from campus upgrades to our updated sustainability initiatives, to a school-wide book study, we’re prepared for a school year filled with challenge, joy, togetherness and success. ISB Dragons are READY for all the wonderful things the 2024-25 school year has in store. #CANYOUFEELIT?DRAGONSPIRIT!

Supporting strong, lifelong peer relationships and creating a community filled with Dragon Spirit is one of three main Strategic Focus Areas for the school. Many of our news articles like this one look at aspects of ISB that are examples of the three Focus Areas in action. To find out more, click here.