Qingdao No. 1 International School of Shandong Province is a American Curriculum / Advanced Placement (AP) school in Qingdao, China. Founded in 1998. Annual tuition ranges from $15,671 to $21,698 USD.
Location & Getting There
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Key Details
Key facts
About
Qingdao No. 1 International School of Shandong Province (QISS) is a WASC-accredited day school located on a 48,000 square meter campus in the Laoshan district of Qingdao, serving foreign-resident students from Early Childhood through Grade 12. The school offers a US-based curriculum with Advanced Placement courses, an on-site AP/SAT testing center, and a comprehensive ELL program. Wellbeing is embedded across school life through the Leader in Me SEL framework, supported by a school counseling program and an on-site educational psychologist.
School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.
Why Families Choose
QISS is a WASC-accredited international school on a 48,000 square meter campus in the Laoshan district of Qingdao. It offers a US-based Core Curriculum with AP courses, an on-site AP/SAT testing center, a whole-school SEL programme through Leader in Me, and a fleet of 10 school buses. The school serves foreign-resident students and is licensed by the Laoshan District Board of Education.
Fees & Financials
| Grade / Year | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Grades 1-5 | RMB 135,000 |
| Grades 6-8 | RMB 146,000 |
| Grades 9-12 | RMB 157,000 |
| Pre-K / Kindergarten | RMB 113,360 |
Conversions to USD use exchange rates as of April 2026.
Original currency: RMB 113,360 - 157,000. Application fee: $4,145.
Admissions Process
- 1Applications are processed through an online application portal. New students pay a registration fee of RMB 30,000. Tuition and associated fees are invoiced and settled according to billing instructions.
School Day
The day includes start-of-day unstructured play, formal classes, a midday lunch with a post-lunch recess, and a cafeteria offering four daily lunch options.
Student Life
The QISS cafeteria offers four daily lunch options: two Chinese-style meals with two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes, an international meal option, and hand-pulled noodles. All food is cooked on site and sourced from reputable local distributors, prepared according to regulated food safety and sanitation standards. Lunch is an optional service costing RMB 5,200 per year.
Facilities & Programmes
Wellbeing & Safety
Wellbeing is central to learning at QISS, anchored in the Leader in Me framework and aligned with CASEL and ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors. A school counseling program is accessible to all students and staff, with workshops for parents and students and monthly PEP talks to support emotional health and balance. An on-site educational psychologist provides additional wellbeing support.
Safeguarding at QISS follows the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and ITFCP guidance. There are four designated safeguarding officers, annual safeguarding and child protection training for all staff, and thorough background checks (police clearance every two years) for applicants, with formal policies and contact points available for reporting concerns.
Student Demographics
School Background
Governed by a Board of Trustees in collaboration with the Qingdao City Construction Investment Group (QCCI) and key stakeholders.