Qingdao Amerasia International School (QAIS) is a private, non-profit international school located in Qingdao, China, offering Montessori education from ages 1.5-5 and an inquiry-based curriculum up to age 18. QAIS has over 200 enrolled students representing 25 countries. Qingdao Amerasia International School is an International Baccalaureate World School, offering the full IB Continuum: the IB Primary Years Programme, IB Middle Years Programme, and IB Diploma Programme. Its Montessori Toddler and Montessori Early Childhood Programs are the only programs in Asia to be accredited by the American Montessori Society.
The language of instruction is English with Mandarin Chinese as an additional language taught daily.
History
Qingdao Amerasia International School began its first classes on September 4, 2006 as Qingdao American International School. This new school was the result of the rapidly growing foreign community in Qingdao and the need for a learning environment that provided a solid education comparable to a typical American K-12 school.
In August 2011, the school became licensed by the Chinese Government as an International School #110, and re-opened with a new philosophy of international mindedness, as well as a new name – Qingdao Amerasia International School.
Curriculum
QAIS curriculum follows both IB and Montessori programmes of study.
Montessori Toddler (18 months – 3 years) Montesori Early Childhood (3–6) IB Primary Years Program (grades 1 through 6) IB Middle Years Programme/IB Diploma Years Programme (grades 7-12)
The Middle Years Programme (grades 7-10) includes the following eight curricular areas:
Group #1: Language and Literature (English and Mandarin) Group #2: Acquired Language (English and Mandarin) Group #3: Humanities (Individuals & Societies, History, Economics, Politics, etc.) Group #4: Integrated Science (Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics) Group #5: Mathematics Group #6: Music, Art, Drama, Film Group #7: Design Technology Group #8: Physical and Health Education
The Diploma Programme grades 11-12 includes three ‘core’ components (Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and Creativity/Action/Service) in addition to the following six curricular areas:
Group #1: Language and Literature (English and Mandarin) Group #2: Acquired Language (English and Mandarin) Group #3: Individuals and Societies Group #4: Biology Group #5: Mathematics Group #6: Music or Film
The arts
Art and Drama are taught at Qingdao Amerasia International School, as well as Music, including Band, Violin, and Orchestra.
Outdoor activities
Qingdao Amerasia International School is located less than 1 km from the beach, about 5 km from downtown, and a 30 minute drive from Laoshan Natural Reserve. Guoxin Stadium, with two Olympic-sized swimming pools, diving pool, gym, spinning room, fitness classes, and basketball and volleyball courts, is walking distance from the school, while biking and hiking trails of Fu Shan Mountains are just across the road. QAIS students learn to sail at Qingdao International Sailing Center, hike and camp in Asia's highest coastal mountains at Laoshan, and go skiing in the winter.
Student life
Qingdao Amerasia International School has many extracurricular activities, which are offered to students from 3:40 to 4:40 on designated days. The list changes throughout the year, but there is a range of activities offered by internal staff and external companies, such as:
Cooking & Baking
Ballet
Soccer
Basketball
Chess Club
Math Club
3D printing
Minecraft
Calligraphy
Trampoline and Aerobics
Lego Club
Art Club
Drum Club
Guitar
Band
Secondary has its own student government, known as Student Council, and many of its members also join the Model United Nations (MMUN) student group. The school also has a Youth Club.
Regional and international trips
Every year, QAIS Secondary students take a trip to major regional and international destinations. In 2012, students spent a week in Beijing, working in groups to produce travel documentaries about the Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Great Wall of China, and Tian'anmen Square. In April, 2014, QAIS secondary students spent six days in London, England, and in 2015 went to Paris, France, Chengdu, China, and Seoul, South Korea.