Our School History
The International School of Tianjin (formerly TEDA International School, Tianjin) opened the doors of a converted downtown Tianjin villa to some 20 children in Grades 1 to 4 on 5 September 1994. In 2001 IST relocated to purpose built facilities on a 7.2-hectare campus in Weishan Lu in the city’s southeast. Student enrollment currently averages between 400 and 500 students.
| YEAR | EVENT |
|---|---|
| 1994 | Founding of TEDA International School, Tianjin (TIST) at original Mu Nan Dao downtown campus. |
| 1997 | Facilities expansion with Grade 5 and the new Grade 6-8 Middle School located at Da Li Dao downtown campus. |
| 1998 | Initial accreditation granted by Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). |
| 2000 | Initial application and implementation of IBMYP and IBDP. |
| 2001 | Inauguration of new 12,000m2 purpose built Qin Building at current Weishan Lu campus. |
| 2002 | IBMYP and IBDP authorization granted by the IB. |
| 2003 | Initial application and implementation of IBPYP. |
| 2004 | School name changed to International School of Tianjin (IST). |
| 2005 | IBPYP authorization granted by the IB. |
| 2005 | Joint accreditation granted by both WASC and the Council of International Schools (CIS), making IST the first and to this day only doubly-accredited international school in Tianjin City. |
| 2005 | Graduation of Class of 2005, the first IST/IB Diploma Grade 12 class. |
| 2007 | Adoption of IST Board of Governors Constitution and Administrative Structure. |
| 2010 | Successful re-evaluation of all three IB programs by the IB and re-accreditation of all facets of the school's curriculum and operations by WASC and CIS. |
| 2011 | Inauguration of new 18,000m2 purpose built Han Building. |
| 2012 | Completion of Qin Building renovations. |
| 2014 | Installation of school-wide clean air filtration system. |
| 2015 | Successful re-evaluation of all three IB programs by the IB and re-accreditation of all facets of the school's curriculum and operations by WASC and CIS. |
| 2016 | Opening of new Design Centre and associated re-landscaping of all Qin internal gardens. Installation of new 7-a-side Polytan soccer pitch. |
| 2017 | Installation of new 400m running track and new full size Polytan soccer pitch. |
| 2018 | Installation of solar panels on the Han Building roof (a student initiated service project); re-cladding of the exterior of the Han building. |
| 2019 | Upgrading of the Han Theater and ECC playground; new school entrance and exit established on Weishan Lu. |
| 2020 | COVID-19: School campus closed from February through May, with all classes provided online; Installation of new Tang Fitness Center |