(Nanjing)Nanjing International School

Located in Xianlin University Town, Nanjing International School is the only independent, fully accredited non-profit international school in the city, as well as the largest and most diverse in Nanjing to cater to the educational needs of foreign children. Accredited and authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), the school offers pre-school, primary, secondary, and pre-university education for expatriates aged 3 to 18. It stands as China's pioneering institution accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) for all three programs (PYP, MYP, DP, equivalent to primary, middle, and high school), as well as certified by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) for children of foreigners. The school currently boasts a faculty of 80 foreign teachers from 21 countries and regions, along with 96 Chinese staff members. With nearly 600 students hailing from 30 different countries and regions, the school spans an area of 28,107 square meters, meeting the demand for international education in Nanjing and its surrounding areas. It serves as a bridge and bond for expat families to understand Nanjing and China. As a hallmark of international education in Nanjing and a window to Nanjing's openness to the world, Nanjing International School has become an essential platform for educational cooperation and exchange, as well as a valuable infrastructure for attracting foreign investment to Nanjing. In 2009, the school was honored with the title of "Nanjing Base for Foreign Cultural Exchange." In January 2020, Nanjing International School received the "2020 International School Award," being the only award-winning school from China.
Founded in 1992 by three expat families in Nanjing, initially with a foreign teacher hired to teach five studens, the school's humble beginnings were at Dongjiao Hotel and later relocated to a classroom at Nanjing Foreign Language School. By 1996, the student population reached 22, prompting a move to Dingshan Hotel. By the year 2000, the school obtained accreditation for the International Baccalaureate (IB) programs (equivalent to primary, middle, and high school), becoming the first international school in China to achieve fully accreditation for all three programs. In 2003, construction began on the current campus in Xianlin, accommodating 300 students. Following the completion of the new campus, an activity center and a performing arts center were established. The school also received accreditation from the Council of International Schools, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), and the National Center for Curriculum and Textbook Development (NCCT) of the Chinese Ministry of Education. In 2014, the school completed all four phases of construction, unveiling a new design center, cafeteria, and gym. In 2022, NIS received accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), a globally recognized authoritative standard. By 2023, after 31 years of operation in Nanjing, the school has evolved into a hub for international education for numerous children of foreigners in Nanjing.
Nanjing International School is the only independent, non-profit international school in Nanjing, meaning all our resources go into providing the best teachers, the best facilities, and the best opportunities for our students.There are many ways that NIS fulfills its non-profit commitment to our inclusive learning community, but the most important is transparency. Parents have a right to know and understand every aspect of NIS, from education to finance and operations. They also have a right to be involved with the decision-making regarding our school’s future. Transparency is exemplified in the NIS all-volunteer Board, our annual report to parents, and the Annual General Meeting.School firmly believe that transparency builds trust with parents. For educators, this is also important with many teachers only working in not-for-profit schools which have a high reputation for fairness and respect.Unlike other international schools in Nanjing, NIS is not part of an American or British school group business run for profit to the benefit of overseas and Chinese owners or investors. We are totally independent, and so do not fund an overseas business development office which then dictates what we do. We are owned by our parents. That is why we can hire the finest teachers from anywhere in the world, build a world-class campus, and provide the best technology and resources for learning.
Our mission is to create an "Inclusive Learning Community that inspiring International Mindedness, Personal Excellence, and Creative Thinking." NIS is an IB World School and an IB Continuum School.From our personalised inquiry-based approach in Primary School to knowledge mastery in our Secondary School, we provide an innovative, student-centred international education. Our student-centred Pre-K to 12 International Baccalaureate curriculum，established by the International Baccalaureate Organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland in the 1960s, sets us apart as a leading IB World School. The curriculum has gained global acceptance and is widely recognized by many higher education institutions worldwide. The IB educational philosophy prioritizes internationalization, aiming to cultivate critical thinking, understanding of global cultural exchanges, and inclusion through the study of the IB curriculum, thereby nurturing future international talents.
Over the past 31 years, Nanjing International School has evolved from a ‘one-room schoolhouse’ to a well-established campus with a high standard of education for students. While developing its own educational style, the school serves as an essential infrastructure for enhancing Nanjing's investment promotion services, addressing the educational needs of children of foreigners, and significantly supporting the foreign investment environment in Nanjing. With a student-centered non-profit operating model, internationally competitive curriculum, experienced faculty team, and a campus blending traditional Chinese architectural features with environmental conservation concepts, the school attracts expat families to settle in Nanjing and its surrounding areas.