About us
We inspire and challenge our students every day. Not just to memorize books, but to live them; not just to study science, but to experiment with it.
A warm welcome from our Head of School
Welcome to Chengdu!
Thank you for your interest in Chengdu International School (CDIS)! We are here to help and happy to support you as you explore our school. Chengdu International School is the oldest international school in Chengdu as we just celebrated our 25th year of operation. We are proud of the learning culture and atmosphere we provide for students of all ability levels.
We strongly believe that it is our duty to support student growth in all areas of life. We offer high quality international education that will provide students with the tools they need to succeed at the university level and in their careers. We have a full staff of highly qualified and experienced teachers. We also believe that it is essential to prepare students holistically. In addition to rigorous academic standards, we also value and prioritize character development, social connection, and emotional growth.
We are truly an international school with teachers and students from many different countries, cultures, and backgrounds. We believe that this diversity is one of our strengths. Students at our school will be exposed to cultures, customs, and thought processes from around the world and will learn to understand the world from an international perspective. As an international school, we understand that transition is difficult for students. Therefore, we provide training for our teachers and space for our students to process transitions and grow as they navigate the challenges they are facing. Students and staff will speak English throughout the day other than foreign language classes so that students from all language groups will be able to communicate and grow as a community.
At Chengdu International School we emphasize student growth. From athletics to STEAM education to classroom projects and career preparation, we place student needs above everything. Through this focus on student needs we continually refine our practices to ensure that we are providing the highest quality international education. We hope that you will consider our school for your child and we would love to have you join our community. As you explore our website and school we are happy to connect with you and answer any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Dr. Will Hatten
Head of School
Our values
Conviction
Our school is most successful when we all work as a team! Our collaborative approach to education intentionally gives parents, staff, and students a voice in the education process. Our 2024 theme, You Belong, is here to remind each member of the Chengdu International School community that they are welcomed and valued—not only in the school building but in each other’s lives.
Service
Students at Chengdu International School use their learning to serve others in impactful ways. Whether it’s helping out around campus, participating in local service projects, or volunteering at local organizations, our students apply their knowledge and skills to real-world challenges. All of our people—students and staff alike–develop a sense of purpose and responsibility and learn to make a positive difference in their communities.
Transformation
There’s more to learning than gaining knowledge. Learning stretches who we are, challenges us, and offers us a fuller life. At Chengdu, we center our focus on nurturing students’ overall development through a holistic approach to education. We help students grow not just academically, but also socially, emotionally, and physically, by providing opportunities for them to explore their interests, develop their talents, and build their self-confidence.
Impact
Learning gives us the knowledge and skills to get out of our comfort zone and contribute something of worth. Each of our students has their own distinctive talents and skills they can use to impact the world around them. Our courses develop and celebrate leadership qualities in our students through critical and creative thinking, while highlighting the traits that make each student unique. Our program prepares students to be global citizens; with many of them going on to world-class universities and successful careers around the world.
A brief history
Small beginnings
The very first international school in Chengdu, we started in 1997 with just 18 students and four full-time teachers. Within three years we’d grown to 72 students and had expanded our secondary program to include Grades 7–10.
Moving with the times
Our growth continued, and we moved to the Jinguan Xincheng School. This was our first opportunity to offer Pre K-12 programs. Three years later, we were on the move again, relocating to the Zhonghai International Community campus.
Recognized for excellence
We became the first international school in western China to receive
accreditation by the US-based Western Association of Schools and Colleges. We were also the first school to be certified to teach foreign students by the Ministry of Education, and shortly after were accredited by China’s National Center for School Curriculum and Textbook Development.
Rooted in the city
We outgrew our facilities yet again, and relocated to Tonggui Road in Jinjiang district for five years. In 2018 we moved closer to the bustling heart of the city of Chengdu, settling into our current campus located on Shuinianhe Nanlu.
Your next step
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In this section
Our qualities
There’s more to learning than gaining knowledge. To bring transformation from the inside out, we stay true to our values and invite everyone to join in.
Staff
Receive the highest-quality education from world-class teachers using the latest and leading standards, practices and innovations.
Campus
Our campus was built to enhance learning. Every detail is intended to foster growth while maintaining a safe and secure learning environment.
Safety + well-being
We’re proud to be a safe and caring community with our own counselling team, support specialists, and on-site health office.
A special encounter
Book a personalized tour of Chengdu International School and experience this life-changing community for yourself.