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QISS is located in the Laoshan District of Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. The campus address is 232 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101. The 48,000 square meter campus sits in the Laoshan area near the Laoshan mountain range.
The school provides education from Early Childhood through High School, with divisions for Early Childhood, Lower School, Middle School and High School.
The school operates as an international school licensed by the Laoshan District Board of Education and designated for foreign-resident students. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
The English Language Learner (ELL) program supports students' English language development with scheduled classes, push-in and pull-out services taught by certified ELL teachers, and regular language assessments. An on-site educational psychologist provides wellbeing support.
There is no formal country affiliation stated. The school serves students from many countries and is designated for foreign residents.
No religious affiliation is stated in official materials.
The day includes start-of-day unstructured play, formal classes, a midday lunch with a post-lunch recess, and a cafeteria offering four daily lunch options.
QISS operates a fleet of 10 school buses to transport students to and from campus, with a bus monitor on each vehicle for safety.
The QISS cafeteria offers four daily lunch options: two Chinese-style meals with two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes, an international meal option, and hand-pulled noodles. All food is cooked on site and sourced from reputable local distributors, and meals are prepared according to regulated food safety and sanitation standards.
The school is governed by a Board of Trustees. The Board works in collaboration with the Qingdao City Construction Investment Group (QCCI) and key stakeholders to provide first-rate western-style international education. Its objectives include strengthening the school's connection to society, improving efficiency, and ensuring stable long-term development.
QISS offers Pre-K through 12 education with a US-based Core Curriculum aligned to the Common Core and College Board/AP standards, an on-site AP/SAT testing center, and a College Counseling program. Lower School (Kindergarten–Grade 5) uses four units of inquiry with authentic, performance-based assessments and language development in English and Mandarin. Middle School (grades 6–8) provides a fixed, inquiry-based program with courses in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Chinese, Physical Education, Visual Art, Music, Drama, Information Technology, Health and Communications Skills. High School (grades 9–12) centers on core classes based on US Common Core, College Board, and AP standards, with electives and a menu of AP courses including AP Calculus AB, AP Chinese Language and Culture, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Biology, AP Physics, AP Computer Science, AP Statistics, and more. The English Language Learner (ELL) program provides push-in and pull-out services, with WIDA screening and exit criteria to help students access mainstream classes.
QISS implements a whole-school Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program through the Leader in Me framework, which is based on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and emphasizes leadership for every student, a culture of student empowerment, and the development of the whole person; SEL is embedded across daily lessons, routines, and school life and is measured against CASEL competencies and ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors, with related parent workshops and wellbeing-focused activities.
Public information on specific SEN provision or whether QISS operates as a specialist SEN institution is not disclosed; the school emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion as part of its community culture.
QISS provides English Language Learners (ELL) support with scheduled classes, push‑in and pull‑out services, and collaboration between ELL and content teachers; the ELL program is taught by certified ELL teachers and uses a WIDA screener at enrollment with annual progress assessments to determine placement and exit criteria.
Wellbeing is central to learning at QISS, anchored in Leader in Me and aligned with CASEL and ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors, with a school counseling program accessible to all students and staff, workshops for parents and students, and monthly PEP talks to support emotional health and balance.
Safeguarding at QISS follows the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and ITFCP guidance; there are four designated safeguarding officers, annual safeguarding and child protection training for all staff, and thorough background checks (police clearance every two years) for applicants, with formal policies and contact points available for reporting concerns.
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.
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.
ISQ operates as a co-educational private international day school. It is a tuition-based international school without publicly listed boarding facilities.
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.
There is no formal country affiliation; ISQ participates in the LifePlus international network and holds Cognia accreditation (USA-based).
ISQ has no publicly noted religious affiliation.
School days run 8:00–16:00 from Monday to Thursday and 8:00–15:30 on Fridays.
ISQ offers a school bus service with an annual fee of 8,600 RMB. Routes and providers are coordinated through the Admissions office.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ISQ Qingdao does not publish a scholarship program within its admissions materials.
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.
QAIS is located at the Baishan Campus, Dongjiang, Shazikou, Laoshan District, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China 266102. The campus is in the Baishan area of Qingdao and is accessible via local transport within the city. The school operates as an international campus serving families from multiple nationalities.
QAIS serves students from 18 months to 18 years old. The school delivers Montessori programming for toddler and early childhood, and IB programs for the primary through secondary years, including IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). Lower School and Upper School structures align with these programs.
QAIS is a co-educational day school. It does not operate boarding facilities.
QAIS provides a dedicated Student Support team, including Learning Support, an English Language Support program (English Foundation Program), and multilingual counseling services. The school uses MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Support) to address academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs. Parents and teachers can refer students to the support programs as needed.
QAIS is not affiliated with a specific country; it operates as an international school in China and holds approval from the Chinese Ministry of Education as International School No. 110.
QAIS does not have a religious affiliation. The school emphasizes a diverse, inclusive, non-denominational community, with a diversity pledge that includes all faiths.
A formal public listing of exact daily start and end times is not published on public pages; QAIS maintains a school calendar with sessions and activities. The school calendar confirms an ongoing, structured program across the academic year.
QAIS offers a school bus service with routes organized as part of enrollment. Details about specific bus routes and arrangements are provided during enrollment, and families receive information about bus options through the admissions process.
QAIS requires a school uniform for students. A School Uniform Catalog Order Form is available on the QAIS site to guide uniform purchases; details on sizes and ordering are included in the catalog.
QAIS is part of the Baishan Education Group, a private Qingdao-based education group that operates multiple schools, including Qingdao Baishan School. The school is an IB World School (PYP, MYP, DP) and AMS-accredited, and it is approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education as International School No. 110.
QAIS offers Montessori Toddler and Early Childhood programs accredited by the American Montessori Society and is an IB World School providing the full IB Continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). The school serves students from 18 months to 18 years, with PYP implemented in the lower/elementary years, MYP for ages 12-16, and DP for ages 16-18. In PYP, students engage with a Program of Inquiry consisting of six transdisciplinary units each year. In MYP, Language and Literature is offered in English, Chinese, and Korean, while Language Acquisition covers English and Chinese; core subject groups include Individuals and Societies, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical and Health Education, and Design Technology. The Diploma Programme provides the IB DP curriculum for the final two years, enabling university admissions worldwide. QAIS also features the Dream Lab robotics program, robust arts and athletics, and extensive after-school activities as part of its Beyond the Classroom offerings.
QAIS supports social and emotional learning through a multilingual counseling team and a MTSS-based student support system that addresses students' social, emotional, and behavioural needs.
The school offers Learning Support and English Language Support through MTSS, but it does not specify which kinds of Special Educational Needs it can support, nor whether it is a specialist SEN institution.
The English Language Support Program includes the English Foundation Program, a six-week intensive language development course for newly enrolled students who are two or more years below the grade-level standard in English.
Counseling services, offered in multiple languages, support students' mental wellbeing as part of QAIS's social-emotional framework.
QAIS maintains a Child Protection Team and safeguarding policies to protect students' physical and emotional well-being, follows the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and requires staff to report suspected abuse.
1. Application Submission: Begin by completing the online application form at qais.openapply.cn or via the school site. If you have trouble filling out the form, call the admissions team at +86 532 8388-9900 for assistance. This step starts your admissions file and initiates the process of scheduling next steps.
2. Documents Submission: Submit the documents listed at this stage, including a recent passport photo, photocopies of the student's and parents' passport information pages, visa information page, a Medical Form with up-to-date immunization records, and academic records in English. If records are not in English, provide them with a certified English translation if requested. Include any available standardized test scores and documents related to any special needs testing or IEPs.
3. Application Fee Payment: Pay the application fee of 3,000 RMB via bank transfer, cash, or AliPay. A receipt is issued upon payment, and the fee is non-refundable. After payment, the receipt can be brought to the accounting office for official processing.
4. Assessment & Interview: After completing the documents and fee steps, an admissions officer will schedule your child's academic assessment and an interview. Acceptance is determined through a holistic review of the application materials, the assessment results, and the interview performance. English proficiency is specifically assessed to ensure access to the curriculum, and language placement may be considered if needed.
5. Tuition Payment: If your child is offered a place, the Financial Department will issue an invoice for tuition and fees. Payable within two weeks, during which time a health examination form should be completed. Tuition and fees details appear in the Tuition & Fees policy. QAIS can accept payment in US dollars to the designated account, but the amount withdrawn in RMB must align with the balance due.
6. Orientation & Enrollment: A school representative will schedule your enrollment date and invite you to an orientation to review policies, bus routes, email addresses, school uniforms, and other procedures. For Lower School enrollments, a parent–teacher meeting is arranged before the student begins.
QAIS offers scholarships and merit-based awards. The Scholars of Promise Award for DP 1 & 2 is a holistic selection process considering academic achievement, teacher references, an internal examination, and a personal essay, with awards granted based on overall merit. The Amerasia Global Youth Scholarship is designed to attract academically gifted international students from outside China and to support their experience in QAIS and in completing the IB Diploma Programme; inquiries are directed to the school's contact channels. These programs reflect QAIS's commitment to international mindedness and access to high-quality IB/Montessori education.
QAIS uses a Waitpool when a grade level reaches capacity. Applicants in the Waitpool are considered for admission only when an opening emerges and are not guaranteed a place based on the order of application; instead, admissions are determined by the school's priority ranking. The Admissions Office will notify a family immediately if a place becomes available.
