International School of Nanshan Shenzhen

International School of Nanshan Shenzhen (ISNS) is an international school located in Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. Founded in 2002, the school serves students from early childhood through secondary education and is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). ISNS is recognized as the first IB Continuum World School in Shenzhen.

The school primarily serves expatriate and Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan students, in accordance with Chinese regulations governing international schools. Instruction is delivered in English, with additional language offerings including Chinese and French.

History

ISNS was established in 2002 to meet the educational needs of the international community in Shenzhen’s Nanshan District. Over time, the school expanded its academic offerings and became authorized to deliver the full continuum of International Baccalaureate programmes. The school follows a Canadian curriculum framework, aligned with the province of New Brunswick, implemented within the IB educational structure.

Campus and Facilities

The ISNS campus is located at the foot of Tanglang Mountain in Nanshan District and occupies approximately 14,900 square metres. Facilities on campus include:

A dedicated Early Years building for children aged 2–5

Fully equipped science laboratories, design workshops, and maker spaces

Visual and performing arts facilities, including music, art, drama studios, and a photography darkroom

Indoor and outdoor sports facilities, including gymnasiums, a basketball court, and a 200-metre track

Two libraries, a virtual reality (VR) lab, and a 300-seat auditorium

On-site nursing staff and 24-hour campus security

Academic Programmes

ISNS offers the full range of International Baccalaureate programmes:

Primary Years Programme (PYP): for students aged approximately 2–11

Middle Years Programme (MYP): for students aged approximately 11–16

Diploma Programme (DP): a two-year pre-university programme for students aged 16–18

The academic programme integrates inquiry-based learning, interdisciplinary study, and assessment practices aligned with IB standards. Graduates of the Diploma Programme receive the IB Diploma upon meeting programme requirements.

Student Life and Co-curricular Learning

In addition to classroom-based instruction, ISNS incorporates Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) into its educational approach. The school organizes an annual Week Without Walls (WWW) programme, during which students participate in service learning, cultural exploration, outdoor education, and experiential learning activities.

ISNS also offers a broad range of extra-curricular activities (ECA) across athletics, arts, technology, design, and community service. Participation in co-curricular and experiential learning activities is considered an integral part of student development at the school.

Community and School Culture

The ISNS community comprises students and staff from more than 20 countries and regions, reflecting a multicultural school environment. The school hosts a variety of annual events and themed weeks, including cultural celebrations, academic focus weeks, performing arts events, sports days, and community gatherings, aimed at supporting cross-cultural engagement and community participation.

Admissions

ISNS operates on a rolling admissions basis throughout the academic year. In accordance with Chinese education regulations, the school accepts applications from foreign passport holders and students from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The school serves students between the ages of 2 and 18.