International School of Beijing vs Yew Chung International School of Beijing

	I International School of Beijing Beijing, China	Y Yew Chung International School of Beijing Beijing, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 150,900 - 356,000	Fees / year RMB 221,000 - 334,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 19 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 1,809	Pupils 800
Typical class size	Typical class size 22	Typical class size 7
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 1980	Opened 1995
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location ISB's campus is in the Tianzhu / Capital Paradise area of Shunyi District at No. 10 An Hua Street, northeast Beijing — a neighbourhood that hosts several international schools and expatriate residential compounds. The campus is primarily accessed by car or taxi (Didi); event and visitor guidance refers people to the North Gate and notes limited on‑campus parking. It is roughly 25–35 km from central Beijing depending on route and traffic, so many families plan commute times around peak hours.	Location Main campus: Honglingjin Park, 5 Houbalizhuang, Chaoyang District, Beijing (postcode 100025). The campus is in the Chaoyang/Honglingjin Park area—central Chaoyang with straightforward road access and regular taxi/ride-hailing links; parents often reference proximity to embassy and expatriate neighbourhoods in Chaoyang. For exact directions and public-transport options check the school map or contact admissions.
Stages	Stages ISB serves Early Years through Grade 12 and is organised into Early Years, Elementary, Middle and High School divisions (EY2–Grade 12). Placement and age guidelines are set out in the school's admissions/placement information.	Stages The school enrols expatriate students aged 2–18 (K2 to Year 13) and is organised into Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary phases. Programmes include IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate Diploma at upper-secondary level.
School type	School type ISB is an independent, non-profit, co-educational day school (no boarding). It is an IB World School offering programmes through high school.	School type YCIS Beijing is a private, co‑educational international day school serving children of foreign personnel; it does not advertise boarding provision. The school is part of the Yew Chung/Yew Wah network of international schools.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support ISB runs Student Support services that include Learning Support and English-as-an-Additional-Language (EAL) provision; the school publishes Learning Support and Language Support policies and assesses individual needs as part of admissions and ongoing support. For specifics about levels of provision or complex needs, the admissions or Student Support team should be contacted directly.	Additional learning support The school operates a Student Support Services team (learning support and counselling). Admissions guidance and third‑party listings indicate YCIS accepts students with mild learning difficulties on a case‑by‑case basis and provides in‑class and withdrawal support where appropriate; more complex needs may exceed the school's provision. Parents with children who have additional needs are advised to discuss requirements with Admissions early and share assessments/reports.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation ISB does not have an official national affiliation — it operates as an international school serving an expatriate and international community. It is authorised to deliver IB programmes.	Country affiliation YCIS Beijing is part of the Yew Chung Yew Wah (YCYW) education network that originated in Hong Kong; it is not officially affiliated to a single national government.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school is non‑religious / nondenominational and does not have a faith affiliation.	Religious affiliation The school does not list any religious affiliation on its official information pages; its programme and materials describe an international, bilingual education rather than a faith‑based approach.
School day structure	School day structure A typical school day is reported to run roughly 08:20–15:20 (times can vary by division and year). ISB's academic year normally starts in early August and finishes in early–mid June; exact term dates and daily timetables are published on the school calendar each year.	School day structure Typical published schedules for YCIS Beijing indicate a morning start around 08:00 and the academic day finishing around mid‑afternoon (roughly 15:00–15:30), with co‑curricular activities running later in the afternoon on most days. The school publishes a full school‑year calendar (term dates, holidays, PD days) on its website; check the current year calendar for exact term and event times.
Bus service details	Bus service details ISB coordinates an optional, contracted school-bus service for families; routes, door‑to‑door coverage and annual fees vary by distance and are arranged through the school or its transport contractor. Bus places are optional, subject to route availability, and require parent sign-up and payment — families should check the current routes, fees and sign-up process with ISB Admissions or Transport.	Bus service details YCIS Beijing provides a school‑bus option for families; bus arrangements are confirmed during the enrolment process and bus/meal options are referenced in admissions materials and third‑party school guides. Routes and vendor details are managed by the school (or an appointed provider) and parents normally register for stops and schedules through Admissions/School Services. Contact the admissions office for current route maps, stops and fees.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - Non-refundable Application Fee: RMB 2,800 (applies for the academic year of application only). One-time and prepayment fees - One-time Entry Tuition Fee (new students): RMB 15,000. Due at the same time as Tuition Fees. - Non-refundable Tuition Prepayment Fee: RMB 30,000 required to secure a place; this prepayment is applied against the annual tuition. Due dates: re-enrolling students on or before March 20, 2025; newly enrolled students within 7 calendar days of the invoice date. Tuition fees (annual) by year group - Early Years (EY2) Half Day: RMB 150,900. - Early Years (EY2) Full Day: RMB 245,900. - Early Years (EY3): RMB 246,900. - Early Years (EY4): RMB 249,900. - Kindergarten (KG): RMB 292,300. - Grade 1: RMB 297,500. - Grade 2: RMB 299,900. - Grades 3–5: RMB 303,900. - Grades 6–8: RMB 322,900. - Grades 9–10: RMB 345,000. - Grades 11–12: RMB 356,000. Billing schedule and payment terms - Annual tuition invoices: re-enrolling students due on or before June 1, 2025; newly enrolled students due within 20 calendar days of the invoice date. - Installment plans (available on a needs basis and subject to conditions): Two-Installment Plan — payments due June 1 and October 1, 2025; Four-Installment Plan — payments due June 1, August 1, September 1, and October 1, 2025. Application to use an installment plan must be submitted by May 20, 2025. A late payment surcharge of 2% per month, compounded monthly, applies to overdue fees. - Pro-rated fees for late entry are applied by quarter (minimum one quarter charged): Quarter 1 = 100%; Quarter 2 = 75%; Quarter 3 = 50%; Quarter 4 = 25% of annual fees. Boarding - ISB operates as a day school; no boarding fees are published for ISB. Other costs - Annual optional bus/transportation: RMB 16,500 to RMB 26,800 depending on distance (2025–2026). The Transportation Fee applies only to students who register for the service. - The publicly posted schedule does not list set amounts for uniforms, daily lunch, specific co-curricular or instrument hire fees; such ancillary charges may be invoiced separately. Refund information - Application Fee and Tuition Prepayment Fee are NOT refundable. Tuition refund deadlines: full-year tuition (less the non-refundable Tuition Prepayment Fee) refundable if withdrawal is received on or before July 1, 2025; tuition for the second semester refundable if withdrawal is received on or before November 1, 2025. Entry Tuition Fee refundable only if withdrawal is received by July 1, 2025 for Semester 1 starters or by November 1, 2025 for Semester 2 starters. Transportation refunds follow a short-window scale; fapiao must be returned for refunds. Fee payment options - Payments must be made by bank transfer (invoices are issued in RMB only). No cash payments are accepted. USD payments are converted to RMB at the Bank of China middle rate at time of receipt; all bank charges are the payer's responsibility. Bank details are printed on invoices and are available from the Business Office.	Fee details Application and one‑off fees - Application fee: RMB 2,500 (non‑refundable). - Placement / security deposit: RMB 20,000 (one‑time; refundable subject to the school's Departure & Refund procedures). Tuition fees — per term and annual by year group (day students) - K2 (Kindergarten) – Half day: Semester 1 RMB 49,200; Semester 2 RMB 73,800; Annual RMB 123,000. - K2 (Kindergarten) – Full day: Semester 1 RMB 80,400; Semester 2 RMB 120,600; Annual RMB 201,000. - K3 & K4 (Full day): Semester 1 RMB 92,000; Semester 2 RMB 138,000; Annual RMB 230,000. - Primary (Years 1–6) typical breakdown: Semester 1 RMB 110,800; Semester 2 RMB 166,200; Annual RMB 277,000. (Year‑by‑year variation applies within Primary—see next item). - Lower Secondary (Years 7–9) typical breakdown: Semester 1 RMB 121,200; Semester 2 RMB 181,800; Annual RMB 303,000. - Upper Secondary (IGCSE / IB — Years 10–13): Semester 1 RMB 128,400; Semester 2 RMB 192,600; Annual RMB 321,000. Note that annual tuition increases by year band; published annual amounts for different year groups range from approximately RMB 221,000 up to RMB 334,000 depending on grade. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school issues invoices and accepts payments by semester or annual arrangements as shown on invoices; semester payment amounts are commonly used (see semester figures above). The placement deposit is held against the student account and may be used to settle outstanding fees. - The school requests that bank transfers include the invoice or student reference number to ensure correct allocation of funds. Boarding - YCIS Beijing operates as a day school; there are no boarding charges for this campus. Other costs and optional fees - Bus service fees charged per route/distance (examples: RMB 15,000–RMB 18,500 annually depending on route). - Uniforms, lunches, some co‑curricular activities, individual instrumental lessons or external exam fees are additional and billed separately. - Sibling discounts on tuition only: commonly published at 15% for second child and 25% for third (applies to younger siblings). Refunds and deposit handling - The placement deposit is refundable after deductions for outstanding charges; standard processing timelines cited include refund within 45 days after completion of required departure procedures. The school may use the deposit to settle unpaid account balances. Fee payment options - Bank remittance (RMB or USD accounts), in‑person cash (RMB only), credit/debit card payments in person (service charges may apply), and online payment portals (examples cited: YooPay and WeChat) are accepted. The school provides bank account details for wire transfers. Personal cheques are not accepted. If you require these figures presented in a different format for your database, use the amounts above directly; the figures are given in Chinese yuan (RMB).
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details ISB delivers an International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum from Early Years through Grade 12: Primary follows the PYP, Middle School follows the MYP (typically Grades 6–10), and Grades 11–12 offer the IB Diploma Programme. High school students may pursue the full IB Diploma in Grades 11–12 or take individual IB courses alongside ISB's own High School Diploma; graduation requires a minimum of 24 credits. ISB's High School Diploma is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Council of International Schools (CIS) and is recognized by China's NCCT. In Grades 9–10 students follow a broad academic program (English, mathematics, sciences, individuals & societies, world languages/EAL, PE) with room for electives to prepare for DP pathway decisions. Across all stages the school integrates Chinese language learning, STEAM, arts, service learning and extensive co‑curricular options, and the high school offers a Pathways program allowing combinations of DP and non‑DP courses with microcredentials/Impact Certificate opportunities.	Curriculum details Yew Chung International School of Beijing provides a bilingual English–Chinese programme from Early Childhood (around ages 2–4) through Upper Secondary (Year 13). Early Childhood follows the Early Years Foundation Stage and classrooms use a co‑teaching model with Chinese and international teachers; Primary (Years 1–6) follows the National Curriculum for England adapted with a bilingual focus. Lower Secondary (Years 7–9) continues the school's international/Yew Chung curriculum framework, while Years 10–11 prepare students for Cambridge IGCSE examinations. Years 12–13 offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Chinese language and culture are compulsory across secondary with staged ability groupings (CFL/CAL); the school also provides EAL/IEP support, co‑curricular programmes and character education alongside the academic qualifications.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Start the online application and create an account: Begin by clicking the school's Apply Now link (the application is managed through ISB's online application portal). When you create your account and submit the online application you will be assigned a dedicated Admissions Officer who will be your main contact through the process. Parents should review ISB's School Age Placement Guide first so they understand which grade the child will be considered for before submitting materials. 2. Speak with your Admissions Officer and check required documents: Before or immediately after you submit the application, schedule a call or email exchange with your assigned Admissions Officer to confirm which documents are required for your child (transcripts, passport/visa documentation, proof of residency or visa status where applicable). For high school applicants note that original sealed transcripts will be required on arrival to finalize course scheduling and to confirm credits-to-graduation. Keep scanned copies ready (translated if necessary) so you can upload them promptly when asked. 3. Request confidential school recommendation form(s): In the application platform there is a section to provide teacher names, school names and email addresses so ISB can send Confidential School Recommendation Forms to current/previous teachers. Inform the nominated teachers to expect an email from ISB and to complete the recommendation promptly — missing or late recommendations slow the admissions review. This step is required for most applicants and is used together with transcripts and assessments during the committee review. 4. Pay the application fee and any entry fee invoiced: After submitting the online application you will receive an invoice; ISB's non-refundable application fee for the academic year is RMB 2,800 and (for new students in the 2025–2026 year) there is also a one-time entry tuition fee (listed on the Tuition & Fees page). These payments must be completed to move the application forward — keep proof of payment for your records. If your employer will be paying fees, mention that to the Admissions Officer early so the finance/agreements process can be coordinated. 5. Language testing and placement assessments: ISB arranges English language proficiency testing for non-native English speakers and Chinese testing for applicants to the Dual Language Program; these assessments are used for placement and to determine EAL support needs. Expect the Admissions Officer to schedule tests or to request recent assessment results; additional academic assessments may be requested by the Admissions Committee in order to ensure an appropriate placement. Families should be ready to provide past assessment reports and to allow time for any ISB-administered tests. 6. Family Introduction Meeting and committee decision: The final step before a decision is a Family Introduction Meeting (on campus or virtually via Microsoft Teams) with your Admissions Officer or a member of the team — this meeting gives the school context about the student and family. Once ISB has the completed application, recommendations, testing/assessments and the family meeting, the Admissions Committee typically completes its review approximately two weeks from the date the application is fully complete; the Committee may request extra documentation or assessments if needed. If admitted, the Admissions Office will issue offer details and invoicing; if a place is not immediately available the application may be placed in the school's wait pool in accordance with ISB admissions policies. Additional practical points parents should be aware of: ISB uses priority categories and visa/documentation rules (for example, Chinese nationals permanently resident in mainland China are not eligible under current regulations), so you should confirm your family's priority status with Admissions early. Sibling status, returning families and strong English proficiency can affect priority within categories; if you are applying for a start in August aim to complete steps early in the admissions cycle and, for sibling priority in some cases, complete the application by March 15 of the intended year of entry. Always keep originals (sealed transcripts) for arrival and be prepared for placement differences when moving between systems.	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry & online application. Parents should be prepared to provide basic details about the child (date of birth, current year level, nationality) and to ask about current space availability for the child's year group. 2. Submit application form + required documents and pay application fee. After completing the online form you will be asked to upload supporting documents (commonly: passport, recent school reports, and proof of residency/visa and health/immunisation records) and to pay the non‑refundable application fee; published external listings report an application fee of around RMB 2,500. Parents should confirm the exact document checklist and fees with Admissions before submitting because requirements can vary by age and nationality and because official amounts and accepted document formats may change. 3. Assessment / interview and placement check. For most applicants YCIS Beijing carries out age‑appropriate assessments and/or interviews (these can include classroom observations in Early Childhood, literacy/numeracy checks in Primary, and subject/English assessments or interview for Secondary) and reviews previous school records to recommend the correct placement. For IGCSE and IB entry the school notes that acceptance can be limited at particular times in the academic calendar because placement depends on prior subject coverage; parents should ask Admissions which subjects and levels can be taken mid‑year. Expect communications from the admissions team about scheduling the assessment and any language or learning‑support arrangements the school may offer. 4. Offer letter, placement deposit and invoice. If the school offers a place you will receive an offer letter and invoice; third‑party fee summaries for YCIS Beijing show a refundable placement/security deposit (commonly quoted as RMB 20,000) in addition to the first term/year tuition. Parents should check the payment deadline on the offer (deposit deadlines commonly secure the place) and confirm whether the deposit is refundable and under what conditions. Also ask about the school's published sibling discounts, early payment discounts, bus fees and other recurring charges so you can budget the full cost of attendance. 5. Registration, visa documentation and start planning logistics. After deposit payment the school will confirm registration and provide joining instructions (start date, orientation, uniform and supply lists, bus enrolment, medical/insurance requirements). International families should coordinate visa/residency documentation and any medical checks or local registration the school requires; contact Admissions early if your child will need English language support or has additional learning needs so the school can advise on available services. Finally, confirm the academic calendar and welcome/orientation sessions so your child's first week is planned in advance.
Scholarships	Scholarships ISB's public materials do not advertise a general, school-wide tuition scholarship or need-based financial-aid program on the Admissions or Tuition & Fees pages. The school does operate advancement-funded programs — for example, the Student Empowerment Fund (SEF) and the Annual Fund — which provide grants for student projects and for targeted program support, but these are project/initiative grants rather than tuition scholarships or bursaries. If you need information about any occasional donor-funded opportunities or specific support, contact the ISB Advancement or Admissions offices directly; Advancement runs the SEF (for student project grants) and the Annual Fund which supports programs and grants. Parents needing tuition-assistance options should discuss this directly with Admissions so the school can confirm whether any limited, case-specific arrangements exist.	Scholarships YCIS Beijing participates in the YCYW Scholarship Programme and publishes scholarship rounds and winners on its site and news pages. The programme is merit‑based, open to both current and prospective students entering Years 7–13 (as announced for the 2024–2025 cycle), and includes multiple award streams—examples listed by the school are the Madam Tsang Chor‑hang Memorial Scholarship, IGCSE/IB/A Level awards, and subject & talent awards (academics, arts, music, sport and community service). The school's scholarship announcements and the scholarship application notice state that one online application can be used to apply for multiple awards, that candidates are assessed on academic record, leadership, contribution to the school community and demonstrated talent, and that there are published application deadlines (for the 2024–2025 round the deadline was published as 16 February 2024). Parents should check the current scholarship announcement or contact the Scholarships/Admissions team for the latest eligibility rules, deadlines, the scope of fee remission (partial vs. full), and whether awards are renewable year to year.
Waitlist	Waitlist ISB operates a wait pool (sometimes described as a wait pool rather than a formal ranked “waiting list”) for applicants who meet the school's admissions criteria but for whom no place is immediately available. A student can be placed in this wait pool after the Admissions Committee has reviewed the application; when places open they are offered according to ISB's Admissions Policies and priority categories. The FAQs note a specific practical point: siblings of enrolled students who have completed the application process prior to March 15 of the intended year of entry are given priority in times of limited places. If you are placed in the wait pool, stay in contact with your Admissions Officer and ensure the school has up-to-date documents and contact details so they can offer a place quickly if one becomes available.	Waitlist YCIS Beijing's public admissions pages emphasise rolling admissions and advise families to contact the Admissions Office about specific enrolment availability, but the school website does not publish a formal waitlist policy or a detailed waitlist procedure. Because space can be limited—especially for particular secondary programmes or popular year groups—the usual practice is to contact Admissions to ask whether a place is available or whether your child can be placed on a holding list; Admissions can explain current availability, expected timelines and any priority categories (for example, internal YCIS transfers). If you need a definitive statement about waitlist placement, position, or how offers are released, request that information in writing from the Admissions Office so you have the school's current procedure and timelines.
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