Nanjing International School

Nanjing International School is located at Xue Heng Lu 8, Xian Lin University City, in the Qi Xia District of Nanjing, PRC 210023. The campus sits in Xianlin University City, across from international restaurants and nearby residential areas. The school occupies a large, purpose-built site of about 80,620 square metres and holds LEED Silver certification.

NIS offers Pre-K to 12 education within an IB Continuum. The Primary School covers Pre-K to Grade 5 and the Secondary School covers Grades 6 to 12.

NIS is co-educational and operates as a fully inclusive, non-profit international school. It is an IB World School offering the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP).

The Learning Support Services (LSS) team comprises four specialists who work with classroom teachers to provide targeted interventions, accommodations, and individualized learning plans. English Language Support and Counselling are also available to support learners with diverse needs.

There is no formal country affiliation.

NIS has no religious affiliation.

Early Years follow a full-day schedule with a start at 8:00 a.m. and a finish at 3:00 p.m. Primary School schedules are issued by the homeroom teacher, and Secondary timetables are managed by the school leadership as part of the IB continuum.

Bus transport is provided through HomeCaught to cover routes serving most international compounds in Nanjing. Buses are supervised, GPS-tracked, and driven by trained staff; parents pay the bus fees and coordinate with a dedicated buses manager for pickups and drop-offs.

Nanjing International School (NIS) is an IB World School offering an IB Continuum Pre-K to 12 curriculum. The IB programmes at NIS are PYP for Pre-K to Grade 5, MYP for Grades 6–10, and DP for Grades 11–12. The PYP focuses on the development of the whole child through transdisciplinary inquiry, while the MYP includes service learning as a core element. The Diploma Programme lasts two years (Grades 11–12) and comprises six subject groups plus the DP Core (Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay); the school also recognises a Global Citizen Diploma for activities beyond academics. English is the language of instruction; language offerings include a German Mother Tongue programme and IB-integrated language courses. NIS emphasises inquiry-based, student-centred learning with inclusive practices and provides university counselling to support DP students.

Step 1: Enquiry and/or school tour. Begin by making an enquiry or arranging a tour to learn about NIS and determine if the school fits your child's needs. Tours can be booked through the Book Tour option in the Admissions area, or you can contact the admissions team for more information. This step helps families decide whether to proceed with the online application. If you decide to move forward, you proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Online application. The OpenApply online form is how your family introduces themselves to NIS. All applications are completed online, and each child requires a separate application. The system allows you to return to the application later, and all necessary supporting documents are uploaded during this process. Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance.

Step 3: Admissions interview. After the online application and documents are received, the Admissions Team will schedule an interview to determine if NIS is a good fit for your family and your child's learning needs. The interview includes an in‑person session with your child, and they can ask questions about the school. Students in Grade 3 and above will be assessed on reading, writing, maths, and language during or after the interview, and initial online interviews may be conducted for families outside Nanjing; a second interview may be arranged if more information is needed.

Step 4: Assessment. Admissions testing is diagnostic and does not affect eligibility. All applicants for Grade 3 and above will take a MAP assessment to gauge maths and literacy against grade‑level standards. If English is not the home language, Grade 9 and above will take the WIDA English language test to determine if English Language Learning (ELL) support is needed.

Step 5: Interview with Principal. The Primary or Secondary Principal will meet with the family, and they may be accompanied by a Learning Support specialist if relevant. In Primary, the Deputy Primary Principal is also present. This interview provides a final opportunity to discuss learning needs and fit.

Step 6: Final decision. Following the Principal Interview, the Admissions Committee reviews the application package and interview results and makes a recommendation to the School Director, who makes all admissions decisions. Families are notified of the admissions decision through an OpenApply email generally within one week of the Principal Interview. Grades are then placed according to the school's guidelines: Primary (Early Years to Grade 5) and Secondary (Grade 6 to Grade 12) with age guidelines by August 31.

No discounts or scholarships are offered.

If a grade level reaches capacity, students are placed in a waiting pool (waitlist). The school operates a diversity policy, and the maximum number of any one nationality group at any grade level is 30%.