Looking for a school in Beijing, one of the most important aspect certainly the know what is the curriculum offered by the school, it is probably even more important than any other consideration.
For expatriate children, there is a specific UNESCO curriculum usually refered as «IB» the International Baccalaureate.
As a reminder, here is the list of schools that have this curriculum for the school year 2013-2014 (the list is up to date when the article is written, but some schools are still on the process of getting the IB certification, if you have doubts about a school which is not in the list below, you may call them to check):
So, now that you know that these schools have an IB Curriculum? It was designed specifically to answer the need for children of mobile families. Their parents are diplomats, work in international organizations or in relocated companies, they have to be able to attend a consistent curriculum.
Most of the IB schools in the world are teaching in English, but the program exists worldwide in Spanish and French languages, albeit not in Beijing so far.
The purpose of the programme is best summed up by its mission statement:
« The International Baccalareate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations, to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their difference, can also be right.»
The program is sub-divided:
The IB Diploma is designed to qualify for post secondary education. This program is recognized by universities and is delivered currently by more than 2,000 schools in the world.
The student has to choose 6 courses to study at higher level. There is 5 groups of courses and the student has to choose one course in every of the groups, ensuring a wide scope of topics and to prevent over-specialization, Then, the student can choose a art subject in a 6th group or prefer to choose another academic course from group 1-5.
In addition to that, there is strong incentive to creativity and selef expression.