School Profile
Founded in 1992, Nanjing International School (hereinafter "NIS") was among China's first IB World Schools authorized to offer the full IB continuum and provides a coherent IB programme from Pre-K through Grade 12. As an independently operated non-profit school for children of foreign personnel in Nanjing, NIS is also the city's only international school accredited or authorized by CIS, WASC, and the IBO.
The school is guided by an inclusive approach to learning and community, with a mission to inspire international mindedness, personal excellence, and creative thinking. Through its distinctive "Student Voice & Student Choice" and "Burst the Bubble" strategies, NIS gives students genuine agency in their learning and encourages them to move beyond boundaries and connect with the world. Its safe, inclusive environment develops strong academic capabilities while helping students become confident, composed global citizens.
Ranking Recognition
On July 15, 2026, the KingLead 2026 China International School Innovation Competitiveness Top 100 Ranking July Monthly Rating was officially released, comprising the Top 100 Private Internationalized Schools and the Top 100 Schools for Children of Foreign Personnel. Through dynamic tracking and evaluation of international schools' innovation competitiveness, the rating aims to provide families with timely, evidence-based, and effective guidance for school selection, while offering schools a current benchmark for innovative practice and helping China's international schools advance toward a new stage of high-quality development.
In recognition of its high-quality education, Nanjing International School was selected for the KingLead 2026 China International School Innovation Competitiveness Top 100 Ranking July Monthly Rating - Top 100 Schools for Children of Foreign Personnel and received a 4A rating.
University Offers Across the World
NIS has delivered strong university admissions results for many years. The 32 graduates in the Class of 2026 received offers from universities across North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia, including Purdue University, the University of California San Diego, the University of Toronto, KU Leuven, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University. The Class of 2025 likewise progressed to institutions across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, and other destinations. Many entered universities ranked in the QS World Top 50 or institutions in renowned academic groupings such as the Big Ten, Canada's U15, and the Russell Group. The outcomes of these two graduating classes demonstrate the diverse global pathways open to NIS students.
Students' academic choices are equally diverse, spanning engineering, medicine, theatre and fine art, business and data science, artificial intelligence, marine biology, industrial design, film and media, and hospitality and tourism management. From science and engineering to the humanities, and from the arts to the social sciences, every pathway reflects an individual student's interests and aspirations.
Diverse Learning Pathways within the IB Framework
As one of China's earliest schools authorized to offer the full IB continuum, NIS provides a coherent IB academic pathway for students aged 3 to 18, complemented by two distinctive programmes. Together, they create a seamless journey from early exploration to advanced academic study.
The Primary Years Programme (PYP), for students from age 3 through Grade 5, centers on interdisciplinary inquiry across six transdisciplinary themes. The Middle Years Programme (MYP), for Grades 6 to 10, develops interdisciplinary practice through eight subject groups; the Grade 10 Personal Project is a high-level piece of independent inquiry that showcases students' research capabilities and developing interests. The globally recognized Diploma Programme (DP), for Grades 11 and 12, requires students to choose courses across six subject groups and complete the three core components: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), providing thorough preparation for university study overseas.
Beyond the standard IB curriculum, the school offers the Global Citizen Diploma (GCD), which encourages students to move beyond the classroom, engage actively in their communities, strengthen leadership, and develop a global outlook. As a member of Global Online Academy (GOA), NIS also enables students in Grade 10 and above to take accredited online credit courses in subjects such as architecture, programming, and global politics. Students collaborate with learners around the world, crossing geographical boundaries and broadening their academic experience.
Comprehensive Support for Student Growth
Learning Support: Embracing Every Student's Potential
At NIS, inclusion is a shared belief: every student can learn, grow, and succeed. Learning Support Services (LSS) use collaborative instruction, co-teaching, push-in classroom support, and individual pull-out guidance to help students with different learning needs access appropriate pathways. A four-member specialist LSS team uses data to develop individualized plans with homeroom teachers and works closely with Admissions, Counselling, and the ELL team to ensure that every learner can realize their full potential.
The English Language Learning (ELL) programme provides tiered support aligned with WIDA standards. In Primary School, ELL teachers work within classrooms to support English acquisition in authentic learning contexts. In Secondary School, students are placed across five stages of language acquisition, and those in Stages 1 through 4 also take English for Academic Purposes (EAP) to strengthen academic language proficiency.
Counselling: From Social-Emotional Wellbeing to Future Pathways
The Social and Emotional Counselling (SEC) programme serves students from Pre-K through Grade 12. Through advisory guidance, wellbeing classes, and classroom counselling, it develops core capabilities including self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. The programme helps students build a positive sense of identity and contributes to a campus culture grounded in respect, understanding, and empathy.
The University and Careers Counselling (UCC) programme serves students in Grades 10 through 12 and combines cultural responsiveness with the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) to provide expert, forward-looking guidance. Beginning in Grade 10, students progressively engage with a range of exploration tools and planning strategies, developing self-efficacy and the ability to plan proactively for their futures.
A Green Campus: Learning and Growing in Nature
NIS is located in Nanjing's Xianlin University City on an 80,620-square-metre campus. The Primary School, Secondary School, and Community Centre together form an expansive, purpose-built environment for learning. The campus architecture incorporates elements of traditional Chinese culture, while its flexible, open interiors are designed around inquiry-based learning. The school has achieved LEED Silver certification, and every learning space is equipped with an advanced indoor air-filtration system. Surrounded by trees and gardens, students grow within a classroom shaped by nature.
Conclusion
Since its founding in 1992, Nanjing International School has built global pathways for every student through a complete IB educational continuum, continually evolving university guidance, and comprehensive support for growth. Students achieve strong university outcomes while gradually developing independent thinking and a global perspective. In a safe and diverse campus environment, they continue to explore who they are, engage with the world, and grow into confident global citizens ready to meet future challenges.
*Images and information in this article are sourced from the school's official website and official WeChat account.