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International School of Qingdao

China, Qingdao

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees RMB 139,400 - 225,000
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 2300
Type Co-educational
Opened 1996
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum
Taught languages English, English, Mandarin
Typical class size 14
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, STEM
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

International School of Qingdao (ISQ) is a private international day school in Qingdao, China, offering Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 education in English. The school follows an American curriculum with Advanced Placement (AP) courses and is Cognia-accredited, reflecting a standards-based approach to college preparation. ISQ is part of LifePlus and emphasizes character formation, leadership, and service through programs such as Model United Nations, fine arts, and service learning. The campus sits at 26 Tianshui Road in the Licang District, near the Qingdao Horticultural Expo Garden, with facilities that include science and computer laboratories, an extensive library, and athletics facilities. Average class size is 14 students, and the student body draws from a diverse, multinational community. English-language support is provided for non-native speakers. The head of school is Gabe Lee.

26 Tianshui Road, Licang District, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China, 266041

The Essentials

International School of Qingdao has 2,300 pupils, typical class sizes of 14, instruction in English.

Location
ISQ is in Qingdao, Shandong Province, at 26 Tianshui Road, Licang District (266041). The campus sits in a residential Bijia community area near the Qingdao Horticultural Expo, with convenient road access and local transport options.

Stages
ISQ provides Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 (Early Childhood to High School) education in English. The school supports a full K-12 pathway taught in English.

Type
ISQ operates as a co-educational private international day school. It is a tuition-based international school without publicly listed boarding facilities.

Additional learning support
The school runs an English Language Support (ELS) program for non-native English speakers across Elementary and Middle School, using bi-annual WIDA testing and MAP data to tailor learning paths. A team of eight ELS staff provides push-in, pull-out and intensive support, complemented by counseling services for well-being.

Country affiliation
There is no formal country affiliation; ISQ participates in the LifePlus international network and holds Cognia accreditation (USA-based).

Religious affiliation
ISQ has no publicly noted religious affiliation.

School day structure
School days run 8:00–16:00 from Monday to Thursday and 8:00–15:30 on Fridays.

Bus service
ISQ offers a school bus service with an annual fee of 8,600 RMB. Routes and providers are coordinated through the Admissions office.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are supplied through Cre8te Uniforms starting in 2025–2026, with polo items included in the standard dress. Orders ship directly to homes, and families access the ISQ uniform store by logging in with the QDISQ account; the order window begins July 21.

Food Options
ISQ provides on-site lunch with charges per meal: 28 RMB for ECC–G1; 33 RMB for G2–G12. Lunch deposits are managed via PowerSchool, and a current lunch menu is available for viewing.

Governance and Ownership
ISQ is part of LifePlus, a network of international schools, and Cognia accreditation is held across LifePlus schools. LifePlus operates five international schools in China.
Fees

Annual tuition at International School of Qingdao ranges from RMB 139,400 to RMB 225,000 for 2026/27.

Application and assessment fees
- Registration fee for new students: RMB 10,000.
- Re‑enrollment (returning families) fee: RMB 3,000.
- Admissions/assessment fee for new students: RMB 600.

Tuition fees by year group (amounts in RMB; annual, semester and quarterly options shown)
- Early Childhood (half-day): Early‑bird annual RMB 86,000; Annual RMB 90,600; Semester RMB 45,700; Quarterly RMB 23,300. Registration: RMB 10,000 (new) / RMB 3,000 (returning).
- Early Childhood (full-day): Early‑bird annual RMB 132,300; Annual RMB 139,400; Semester RMB 70,300; Quarterly RMB 35,800. Registration: RMB 10,000 (new) / RMB 3,000 (returning).
- Elementary (Grades 1–5): Early‑bird annual RMB 202,300; Annual RMB 208,600; Semester RMB 107,400; Quarterly RMB 54,800. Registration: RMB 10,000 (new) / RMB 3,000 (returning).
- Middle School (Grades 6–8): Early‑bird annual RMB 214,700; Annual RMB 221,400; Semester RMB 114,000; Quarterly RMB 58,100. Registration: RMB 10,000 (new) / RMB 3,000 (returning).
- High School (Grades 9–12): Early‑bird annual RMB 218,300; Annual RMB 225,000; Semester RMB 115,900; Quarterly RMB 59,100. Registration: RMB 10,000 (new) / RMB 3,000 (returning).

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Early‑bird (discounted) and full annual payments are due on the dates set in the school's billing notices; the school uses a payment schedule that includes annual, semester and quarterly deadlines. Semester and quarterly payment due dates are indicated in the school billing notices.
- Specific payment timing noted in school materials: re‑enrollment and early‑bird deadlines occur in mid‑May; other tuition payment plans and fees are due in mid‑July; quarterly payments fall on the 15th of July, September, December and March.
- Registration fee and tuition must be paid to reserve enrollment according to the billing notice. Payments more than five school days past the due date are subject to a late fee of RMB 50 per school day; students may be excluded from classes if payment is more than ten business days past due.
- Late enrollment: annual tuition for late new‑student enrollment is prorated by the enrollment quarter; other payment plan arrangements for late enrollment are made with the Finance Office.

Boarding/Residence
- Boarding is not offered by this school (the school operates as a day school); there are no boarding fees.

Other costs and typical additional fees
- Transportation (bus) fee: RMB 8,600 per year. This is charged for the entire year and is payable regardless of the tuition payment plan selected.
- Lunch: ECC–Grade 1 meals RMB 28 per meal (annual example noted RMB 5,040); Grades 2–12 meals RMB 33 per meal (annual example noted RMB 5,940). Lunch deposits are managed through the school's PowerSchool account; unused lunch balances are refundable.
- Academic special needs support (if required): variable; up to RMB 75,000 depending on the level of additional services.
- Devices/technology for secondary students: family‑provided (secondary device policy applies for Grades 6–12).
- Uniforms and other personal items: variable cost (typical uniform estimates are indicated in school communications; families are responsible for uniform purchases).
- Optional trips and extra‑curricular event costs: variable. School covers 50% of some school‑sponsored activities (for example certain tournaments); non‑sponsored event costs are 100% parent responsibility.

Refund information and finance policies
- Assessment fee and registration fee are non‑refundable.
- Tuition and transportation fees are refundable for remaining full quarters not attended if a student withdraws; unused lunch account balances are refundable.
- No portion of tuition is refundable for students dismissed for disciplinary reasons or expelled.
- Grade‑12 students who graduate in December are required to pay 60% of the annual tuition for that year.

Fee payment options and instructions
- Primary methods for tuition payments: bank transfer (domestic RMB account and a US USD account are available). When making a bank transfer, include the student's full name and grade and email proof of payment to the Finance Office to ensure correct crediting. All bank charges for transfers are to be borne by the remitter.
- Registration fee and transportation fee: payable by bank transfer or WeChat.
- Lunch deposit/top‑up: managed through PowerSchool and can be paid using WeChat Pay as instructed in the school's lunch payment process. Unused lunch balances are refundable.
- Finance Office contact for payment confirmation and receipts: finance@isqchina.com (use this contact to send payment proof and to request family‑specific invoices or confirm US account details).

Academics

International School of Qingdao teaches American Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
ISQ offers Pre-K through 12 education in English with an American college-preparatory program and AP coursework, and is Cognia-accredited. In High School, students take Advanced Placement courses across disciplines, with electives and clubs, and receive university and career planning support, including PSAT/SAT/ACT testing and options for dual enrollment with partners such as Grand Canyon University and LifePlus Online Academy. Middle School emphasizes character development and leadership as part of the LifePlus framework, with a balanced curriculum that integrates arts, Chinese language and culture, and technology through Canvas and Apple-based digital learning. Elementary builds on character development and leadership, with arts and Chinese language and culture as core components, and a focus on social-emotional growth alongside academic learning. ISQ's campus operates as a Cognia-accredited LifePlus international school, emphasizing character, leadership and global citizenship across all levels.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
ISQ supports social and emotional learning through a holistic wellbeing program and dedicated student wellbeing initiatives; the school has its own counselling team and wellbeing‑focused programs, including Model United Nations and fine arts, and it emphasizes that every child is loved, valued, and capable.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school has a Learning Support Coordinator (Melody Lee) for 2025–2026 who will work part‑time to support students with learning needs across all grades, and she is certified in special education; ISQ does not publicly disclose whether it is a specialist SEN institution or the full list of SEN categories.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The English Language Support (ELS) department provides additional support to non‑native English speaking students across elementary and middle school to enable participation in the full curriculum.

Mental Wellbeing
Counselling services support a range of personal, academic, and social issues in group and individual settings, focusing on healthy relationships, resilience, mental health, and emotional well‑being.

Safeguarding
Child safety is prioritized through a Director of Child Safety, two designated Child Safety Specialists at each school, and policies including a Code of Conduct and LifePlus Safety and Security Code; regular staff and student training and confidential reporting mechanisms are in place.
Parent Experience

History
ISQ opened in 1996 as QMIS with eight foreign students. In 2005, it earned its first accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges in Qingdao and Shandong, graduated its first class of six students, and became a founding member school of the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools. In 2017, the school moved to the Licang district and established a dedicated Early Childhood Center on its new campus. In 2021, at the end of its 25th anniversary, ISQ exceeded 400 high school graduates and transferred its accreditation to Cognia; ISQ is part of LifePlus Worldwide Learning.

Community
ISQ provides an English-language PreK–12 education with an American AP curriculum and serves a multinational community (23 nationalities) with class sizes around 14 and a teacher–student ratio of about 1:5. The school hosts a range of community events and cultural activities, often organized or supported by the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), such as the Spring Celebration at a local hotel. Newsletters and event reports show ongoing activities including campus picnics, leadership events, and festive fairs that engage students, families, and staff. These events and communications reflect a lively, close-knit community that values family involvement and student life.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
ISQ has a Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) that coordinates parent involvement and community events. The PTO hosted the Spring Celebration at the Shangri-La hotel in March 2023, drawing over 350 attendees including parents, staff, and alumni. High school clubs contributed to the event by selling snacks and raffles to raise funds for student projects. In May 2023 the PTO organized a campus-wide Spring Picnic with games, food, and family activities, and the Christmas Fair in December 2023 featured vendors, a food court and a major raffle, with proceeds supporting TongXing and student service initiatives. PTO volunteers have also supported campus improvements, including playground upgrades and lobby/café renovations, in collaboration with the administration and LifePlus.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
ISQ Qingdao's campus is located in Licang District, near the Bijia community and the Qingdao Horticultural Expo, set in a natural surroundings. The school operates a dedicated Early Childhood Center (ECC) designed to support play-based learning and development for young children. Academic facilities include science and computer labs and an extensive library to support inquiry and independent study. A performance-oriented auditorium hosts school events, while play and sports facilities provide spaces for physical education and teamwork, including outdoor basketball courts and a soccer field, plus a recreation room for fitness and wellbeing. The ECC features an outdoor classroom and regular excursions that connect indoor learning with the outdoors.

Sports Facilities
Play and sports facilities include outdoor basketball courts and a soccer field, as shown in campus imagery. The campus also includes a recreation room dedicated to fitness, health and wellbeing.

Academic Facilities
The Early Childhood Center provides concrete learning experiences in literacy, numeracy, creativity, and social and physical development, with play-based activities and an outdoor classroom. Science and computer labs support hands-on inquiry and digital learning, and the extensive library serves as a knowledge hub for students and staff. A PowerSchool portal provides digital access to grades, assignments, scores, attendance and announcements.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Auditorium spaces support performances and events. The school emphasizes arts and wellbeing programs, including dedicated fine arts activities, and has a history of programs such as Model United Nations and fine arts festivals in Qingdao. ECC students participate in art, music and drama, with regular Fine Art Galas and China Week celebrations.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered to provide university-level study. In high school, students can choose electives and participate in clubs such as journalism, Student Council, Model United Nations, National Honors Society, broadcast, internships, and more. A Science Fair is part of the student experience, and the school provides university and career planning guidance through dedicated counselors.

Arts & Creative
Visual arts, music and drama are central to ISQ's arts program across middle and high school. Students have opportunities to perform on campus during Drama events and Fine Art Galas, and may participate in the annual Fine Arts Festival in Tianjin. The Arts program is supported by qualified teachers and includes exhibitions and performances as part of student life.

Cultural & Language
ISQ provides a Chinese language and culture program across elementary, middle and high school, with classes that differentiate for beginners through native speakers. In addition, electives and clubs introduce international perspectives, including Model United Nations. Excursions and trips deepen cultural understanding and connections with local and broader communities.

Social & Hobbies
Elementary after-school activities include Student Council, cooking club, martial arts (taekwondo or jiujitsu), and soccer. Across levels, athletics and a variety of clubs form part of ISQ's student-life offerings to promote social interaction and teamwork. Students also take on leadership roles through Student Council and other clubs.

Community & Service
Community service plays a key role in ISQ's high school program, with students encouraged to participate in service projects in school and the wider community. LifePlus provides service-learning opportunities and trips around China and beyond. These experiences foster social responsibility and community engagement.

Leadership & Professional
Middle School includes Character Development classes to cultivate worldview, identity and leadership. Elementary also emphasizes leadership through its LifePlus Qualities for Life and character development. High School offers leadership opportunities via electives and clubs, including Student Council, Model United Nations, National Honors Society, journalism and broadcast, along with internship options.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
ISQ provides facilities that support wellbeing, including an auditorium, play and sports facilities, a recreation room, and an extensive library. The safety and wellbeing program includes on-site counseling, English Language Support, and a Health Office to address students' physical and emotional needs. ISQ also maintains safety policies and trained staff to support the school community.
Languages

Language Provision
ISQ provides PreK–12 education in English and follows an American curriculum. Chinese language and culture is offered at multiple levels (beginner to native) with small class sizes to differentiate instruction. An English Language Support (ELS) program is available for non-native English speakers, focusing on speaking, reading, writing and listening; it uses bi-annual WIDA assessments and MAP data, with in-class push-in and pull-out supports, and students graduate to mainstream classes as proficiency improves.
Reputation

Awards
2025 LifePlus High School Soccer Tournament – Boys' championship title and Girls' Sportsmanship Award (awards won by ISQ's teams competing as the school). 2023 LifePlus Volleyball Tournament – Boys' and Girls' Sportsmanship Awards (team awards earned by ISQ's volleyball teams). 2022 Qingdao International Schools Network Volleyball Tournament

– Women's Volleyball Sportsmanship Award (team award to ISQ's girls' team). 2023 Qingdao International Schools Network Ping Pong Tournament – Sportsmanship Awards for both boys' and girls' teams (team awards earned by ISQ).

Accreditations
Cognia accreditation (2021–present). Cognia is the world's largest education improvement organization; ISQ's Cognia accreditation superseded its previous WASC accreditation in 2021, providing a global framework for evaluating and improving teaching and learning across LifePlus schools.
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1: Submission. ISQ Qingdao maintains rolling admissions and accepts applications for new students throughout the year. First, you should complete the online application form provided on the admissions page. After you submit, the admissions team will acknowledge your inquiry and begin reviewing your materials. This step sets the stage for the rest of the process and signals that your family is in the queue for consideration.

Step 2: Paperwork. The school reviews supporting documents for both the applicant and the child. Typical documents include copies of the applicant's passport and visa or residence permit, the child's immunization record, and previous school records or transcripts. Preparing these documents promptly helps keep the process moving. If additional documents are needed, the admissions team will request them.

Step 3: Assessment. An interview with a Teaching + Learning Principal is conducted to get to know the student. If the child's native language is not English, an age-appropriate admissions assessment is also conducted to evaluate language and aptitudes. The admissions office will arrange any tests as needed and share next steps once testing is complete.

Step 4: Decision. After completing the application and assessments, ISQ Qingdao will notify you within one week about whether your child is accepted, declined, or placed in the waiting pool. If accepted, you will be asked to pay the enrollment deposit and prepare for the start of the school year. If there is no immediate place, the child may be placed in the waiting pool for a future opening.

Scholarships
ISQ Qingdao does not publish a scholarship program within its admissions materials.

Waitlist
ISQ Qingdao uses a rolling admissions approach, meaning applications are reviewed as they come in throughout the year. If there isn't an available place when a file is reviewed, the child's name may be placed in the waiting pool.
School Events
The school has not added events
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