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China, Beijing
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Beijing No.55 High School is a leading high school in Beijing, located at No.12 Xinzhong Street, Dongcheng District. For diplomatic needs, it was opened to foreign students in 1975, designated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Beijing Municipal Government as an international open school, and the International Students Section was established in 1989. Since 1975, more than 4,000 international students from over 110 countries and regions have studied here. In 1994, the International Students Section was approved by the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer the International Baccalaureate curriculum, becoming the first IB school in Mainland China and a flagship IB institution in the Asia-Pacific region. The school focuses on training comprehensive, globally oriented, creative and reflective lifelong learners, combining IB education with the strengths of Chinese education and exposure to diverse cultures to meet modern society's needs. The International Students Section uses the IB curriculum, including the Middle Years Programme (grades 7–10) and the Diploma Programme (grades 11–12), and emphasizes foundational education with a global perspective. Language preparation classes are available for students starting from zero Chinese; teaching languages are Chinese and English; classes are small and differentiated by level, taking into account students' backgrounds, abilities, and language skills. In addition to required courses, the section offers rich extracurricular programs such as sports clubs (football, basketball, etc.), arts clubs (dance, painting, etc.), language clubs (French, Spanish, etc.), and traditional Chinese culture clubs (calligraphy, diabolo, Beijing Opera) to meet students' diverse interests and provide cultural experiences. The International Students Section has access to high-quality educational resources and a faculty with extensive international education experience, including IB trainers, moderators, and examiners. Thirteen teachers have served as IB trainers and on-site translators at Asia‑Pacific IB workshops and conferences; fifteen teachers have participated in developing and translating new IB guides and assisting in authoring teacher reference materials used in Mainland China; twelve teachers serve as moderators and examiners for humanities, English, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and the DP programme; since 2000, hundreds of teachers have participated in IB evaluations and marking. The facilities include an advanced comprehensive laboratory building, a library, and various specialized classrooms; a basketball gym, a badminton hall, a football field, a tennis court, and a golf course, meeting learning and activity needs. To encourage students to become proactive, creative, empathetic, and socially responsible global citizens, the school offers a broad range of extracurricular activities, including annual cultural trips, social practice, and social learning experiences; cultural festivals, charity bazaars, student council elections, Christmas performances, talent shows, and debates enhance international exchange and help students develop compassion and responsibility as international citizens. The school's International Students Section has created an environment that supports the growth of outstanding students; graduates have been admitted to world-renowned universities such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, Ivy League universities, Oxford University, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, Waseda University, Seoul National University, and the University of Hong Kong. Beijing No.55 High School will continue to align with modern international education theory, promote cross‑cultural understanding, and cultivate lifelong learners who are diverse, rooted in Chinese culture, curious, and globally engaged.
Founded in 1954, Beijing No. 55 High School is a public school located in Beijing's central Dongcheng District. In 1975, it became the first public school in Beijing authorized to enroll international students, later becoming China's first local member of the International Baccalaureate Organization in 1994. The international division serves students in grades 7 through 12 across two tracks: the IB path (offering the Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme) and a Chinese-medium track preparing students for domestic higher education. The urban campus spans 50 mu and includes a two-story gymnasium featuring a dedicated gymnastics hall and basketball court, alongside specialized biology and physics laboratories. A signature initiative is the school’s integration into the UNESCO China Education for Sustainable Development project, alongside regular cultural immersion tours across the country that enrich language development and community friendship for its multi-national student body. Extracurricular options include a student council and specialized astronomical observation programs.
