Learn With Us

An Inspiring and Relevant Education

Our curriculum describes a method of education infused with a spirit of inquiry, student engagement and participation. Our teaching style, or pedagogy focuses on student-centered approaches, with problem solving and critical thinking skills embedded throughout. The emphasis on innovative and independent thinking allows for academic freedom and differences of opinions are valued. What makes us different in the Shenzhen community are our truly diverse and international families and our focus on international mindedness.

We believe that our focus on the mindset of students will immeasurably enrich learning. All of our students are supported to understand themselves through the Learner Profile. This set of characteristics or dispositions has been shown to be beneficial in preparation for further education and for success in life. The elements of the Learner Profile from the International Baccalaureate are described below. Our students have a clear understanding of themselves and experience a full and rich academic program which includes both curricular and co-curricular offerings. Students feel a responsibility to family, school, community and the world, and take part in community service. Finally, all people are seen as equal in dignity and worthy of respect.

We describe our structure of classes in three levels of schooling:

Primary School (Nursery – Grade 5, ages 2 – 11)
Middle School (Grades 6 – 8, ages 11 – 14)
High School (Grades 9 – 12, ages 14 – 18)

IB Curriculum

SIS offers the Primary Years and the Diploma Programs from the International Baccalaureate (IB). These IB programs prepare students for success in higher education and life in a global society. Core to the IB philosophy is that learners strive to become inquirers, knowledgeable thinkers, communicators, principled, openminded, caring, courageous, balanced and reflective. The IB programs are academically rigorous while going well beyond just academic success. Many universities offer advanced credit for graduates of the Diploma Program and there is plenty of research showing the benefits of an IB education.

Shekou International School is a fully accredited PYP and DP school. IB World Schools share a common philosophy - a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education - that we believe is important for our students. Read more about our Primary School's Program of Inquiry here.

* Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programs: the Primary Years Program (PYP), the Middle Years Program (MYP), the Diploma Program (DP), or the Career-related Program (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programs visit here.

For more information please visit the IB's website.

IB Primary Years Program
IB Diploma Program

Learning Innovation

SIS has become internationally recognized for its contemporary practice and has been awarded Apple Distinguished School status, the "School of the Year" award and numerous other commendations.

Learning innovation is about sparking creativity and providing students with personalized, authentic, challenging experiences. SIS documents practical examples of innovation in action through its online portal and also boosts classroom transparency via our Twitter hashtag #SISRocks. All campuses have high speed wireless internet access and a variety of physical and virtual learning spaces. Students from Kindergarten onwards have access to 1:1 learning programs through iPads in Primary and Middles School and MacBooks in the High School.

When combined with effective teaching and learning, technology has the ability to transform how students connect, collaborate and create. It's an exciting time to be part of the SIS community.