School Profile

2010-2011

The Community
The International School of Tianjin (IST) is a not for profit college preparatory day school for Nursery to 12th grade students of the international community in Tianjin, a major industrial and commercial center in China with a metropolitan population of over 10 million. Founded in 1994, IST currently has over 500 students from 27 different countries and regions, with French, German, American, Danish and Korean students making up the largest percentage.

The School
IST is accredited by both the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in the USA and the Council of International Schools (CIS) in Europe. The school is an IB World School authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (Grades 11-12), the Middle Years Program (Grades 6-10), and the Primary Years Program (Grades NPK-5). The school year is divided into two semesters. The school year begins on August 11 and ends on June 10, with 180 student contact days. There are 8, 40-minute class periods per day with double periods in most academic subject areas. IST graduated its first class in 2005.

The Faculty
There are 73 full-time and 4 part-time faculty members. 33 of the faculty have advanced degrees. Teachers are supported by 29 Chinese teaching assistants, all of whom have university degrees. The faculty has previously taught at 43 different international schools around the world and has an average of 15 years teaching experience.

Co-curricular
IST offers a wide variety of co-curricular activities, including drama, choir, strings, band, yearbook, chess, translation services, community and service, Model United Nations, and leadership conferences. Through the Student Council and other student-initiated activities, students have the opportunity to assume and develop leadership roles. IST is a competitive member of the Beijing-Tianjin ISAC Sports League, as well as a participant in the China-wide ACAMIS Sports, Culture, and Arts Leagues. Students also participate in ‘Week Without Walls’, a program that offers our students an oppurtunity to learn about - and meaningfully interact with - our host country China.

The Curriculum
The IB Middle Years Program curriculum provides a set schedule for all 6th-10th grade students with a full course of eight subjects per semester. English is the language of instruction, with French, German, Danish, Chinese and Korean also offered as mother-tongue courses. The majority of the students study Chinese as a second language.

Grades 11 and 12 students have three options:

• Full IB Diploma with six courses of which three are Higher Level (HL) Courses and three are Standard Level (SL) Courses
• Some IB subjects (certificates) and some IST High School Diploma subjects
• IST High School Diploma

24 – 26 credits are required by all students. Each credit is a full year course.

All students are required to complete TOK (Theory of Knowledge), CAS (Creativity, Action, Service), and Extended Essay programs. The minimum expectations for IST Diploma are: Language A, 4 credits; Language B, 3 credits; Social Studies, 3 credits; Science, 3 credits; Mathematics, 3 credits; Physical Education, 1 credit; Arts 2 credits; Information Technology, 1 credit; and Electives, 4 credits. We also give one credit to TOK and CAS.

Students who satisfactorily complete the IB Diploma program or IB Certificates also earn the IST Diploma.

Grading and Ranking
All secondary students are assessed according to the IB system. We do not provide a specific class ranking of our students. GPAs are not calculated, nor is extra weight given to IB courses, higher level or standard level.  

Grade Descriptor-International Baccalaureate:

7 - Excellent performance
6 - Very good performance
5 - Good performance
4 - Satisfactory performance
3 - Mediocre performance
2 - Poor performance
1 - Very poor performance

IST graduates who have completed the full IB Diploma have received final scores ranging from 26 to 44. IST has consistently achieved 100% pass rate in the IB Diploma. The average IB diploma score of Class of 2009 is 34. The world average is approximately 30.

IB Diploma Courses Offered

College Matriculations - Class of 2005-2010