Tianjin International School

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Tianjin International School (TIS) (天津国际学校))
Location
Tianjin
China
Information
Type Private, Day School
Established 1986
Head of School Jim Belcher
Faculty 120 full-time
Enrollment 422 (May 2013)
Campus No. 4-1 SiShui Road Hexi District
Color(s) Blue and White         
Mascot Eagles
Website

The Tianjin International School (TIS) is a non-profit private school in Hexi District of Tianjin, China. Students attend from the age of three through to high school graduation. Founded in 1986, it was the first of six schools established in six Chinese cities; Qingdao, Shenyang, Chengdu, Wuxi and Wuhan.

Students from around the world attend, including Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and the United States. The school is accredited by ASC-WASC (Accrediting Commission for Schools (ACS) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges).

TIS offers an honors program, as well as providing opportunities to take the PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP exams. TIS teaches from a Biblical platform and has hired teachers from around the world. TIS employs over 120 faculty members from many countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, Africa and Asia.

In April 2013 the Hexi District Public Security Bureau proclaimed TIS the ‘safest unit’ within the Hexi District. Tianjin International School's address is: No. 4-1 Sishui Road, Hexi District, Tianjin, China, 300222.

Student Life

Students participate in several extracurricular activities, including music bands, clubs and theater programs. For the past two years, students from the honor choir and honor band participated in AMIS Festivals (The Association for Music in International Schools) held in countries such as the United Kingdom, Scotland, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, The Netherlands and China.

Elementary students participate in weekly clubs and after-school activities which help them refine skills they have already learned. Clubs include Chinese music, games, art, worship teams and handbells.

During the 2012-13 school year, 40% of the secondary students participated in The Model United Nations (MUN) program, which is hosted by TIS. High school students engage as delegates in one conference each semester and are given several choices. They include Fall semester options: THIMUN (The Hague International Model United Nations) in Singapore, or SEOMUN (Seoul Model United Nations) in Seoul.

Spring semester options include: CISSMUN (Concordia International School Model United Nations) in Shanghai, or MUNISC (Model United Nations International Schools of China) in Qingdao (a major city in Eastern Shandong province, Eastern China, formerly known as Tsingtao).

Middle school MUN students travel to one conference each year at Dulwich College, Beijing. TIS MUN gives students from grades 7 through 12 the opportunity to improve their public speaking and debating skills while traveling throughout Asia.

Student Support

Tianjin International School encourages students to engage with the cross-cultural dynamics of living in China, while attending an international school. TIS embraces students as "Third culture kids" helping them understand the uniqueness and advantages related to their position. Cross-cultural friendships are encouraged and cultural differences are celebrated.

Beyond a rigorous academic program, TIS has a student support program that begins in the Early Childhood Center, as teachers purposefully teach children to care, share, take turns, be patient, listen, communicate well and make informed choices and decisions.

In elementary grades, these skills are reinforced by Enrichment Clubs, after-school clubs and inter-school sports programs in which TIS students compete with students from other international schools. These programs are also designed to encourage friendships and camaraderie between the students outside of the academic school day.

In middle school, Advisory Teachers work with students in small groups to address and support any student's mental, emotional, social or academic needs that may arise. The school holds an orientation camp for all middle and high school students at the start of each school year so students can build friendships with other students and get to know teachers.

In high school, students participate in activities designed to develop self-awareness and prepare them for their next stage in life after graduation.

The Birkman Test is taken in grade 11. Students have regular meetings with a guidance counselor to focus on their skills and interests as they develop a career path.

Athletics

TIS competes in two sports leagues including ISAC (International School's Athletic Conference Beijing/Tianjin) and ISC (International Schools of China). TIS’s varsity, junior varsity and middle school teams participate throughout the year in volleyball, basketball and soccer. Students can also participate in badminton competitions with other international schools in Tianjin. In the 2015-16 soccer season, the 6th grade boys team won the ISAC tournament with Samuel Suen netting the most goals in the tournament.

Technology

TIS offers a 1:1 Apple laptop environment (for grades 6 through 12) with wireless access throughout the school. Students in grades 6 through 8 are issued a MacBook from the school, while all high school students are required to own a MacBook. The school utilizes a number of IT systems for education, including Moodle, PowerSchool and WordPress. Community portals for parents, students, and teachers are integrated into regular school life. At the elementary level laptop carts are available for classroom use as well as a full computer lab. The Early Childhood Center and all elementary school classrooms are fitted with interactive smart boards.

Facilities

The school is located on an 8.8 acre campus with purpose-built facilities of 21,676.81sq/m which include:

  • Two libraries (elementary and secondary)
  • Fine arts suite for band, drama, choir, jazz band including individual practice rooms
  • Separate Early Childhood Center with outdoor learning classroom and a learning kitchen
  • Four art studio spaces including a ceramics room with a kiln
  • Tennis courts
  • Track and field facilities
  • Full gymnasium and a fitness centre
  • Outdoor basketball court
  • Building optimized for 1:1 computing with wireless throughout
  • State of the art auditorium
  • 5 science laboratories
  • Specialist classrooms such as language, robotics, learning support
  • Coffee shop and cafeteria

Accreditation

  • United States - Western Association of School and Colleges (WASC)
  • China - National Center for School Curriculum and Textbook Development (NCCT)

Memberships

  • East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS)
  • International Schools of China (ISC)
  • Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS)
  • Tianjin Education Commission

External links