Accreditation & Non-profit Status
We are a fully internationally accredited, non-profit Pre-K to 12 school.
NIS is fully committed to external accreditation with the most highly regarded US, European and Asian based organisations. This requires NIS to reflect on practice and to maintain the excellence of our academic programme in line with the highest international standards. NIS is the only international school in Nanjing to be accredited by CIS, WASC, and the IB. Our school was recently accredited by WASC in July 2022. NIS was previously accredited by NEASC for over 15 years.
What is the difference between accreditation and affiliation?
Accreditation requires successful completion of a stringent and demanding standards-based process of evaluation. Affiliation is simply membership of an organisation. An example is that with WASC accreditation, our NIS High School diploma is accepted by all US universities as a compliment to the IB Diploma.
What are Our Accrediting Organisations Saying About NIS?
Living Our Mission
"The entire school community of NIS truly lives their Guiding Statements. Students, faculty, staff and parents are knowledgeable about the school’s Mission and the Visiting Team was impressed by how effectively NIS has become an inclusive learning community. It was clear to the Visiting Team that there Is a real commitment to inspire International mindedness, personal excellence and creative thinking. Throughout the school the Mission and the Strategy Goals 'Student Voice and Choice' and 'Burst the Bubble', drive decision-making and educational practice."
CIS, NEASC, and IB Visiting Team During Last Re-Accreditation in 2017
Positive Atmosphere for Learning
"It is clear that there are many positive things happening at the school. NIS has created an environment where students are actively engaged in learning, teachers are skilled and care about their pupils, and parents are well informed and supportive of the school."
CIS, NEASC, and IB Visiting Team During Last Re-Accreditation in 2017
School Culture and Climate
"Parents spoke highly of the school and its faculty and staff, and they consistently mentioned how happy their children are at NIS and the positive school climate. The creation of the Strategy Team to advance the Strategy Goals fosters a culture of respect for the host country, student responsibility for learning, risk-taking and innovation."
CIS, NEASC, and IB Visiting Team During Last Re-Accreditation in 2017
Student-Centred Environment
"Students come to NIS with a positive attitude toward learning. There is a polite, upbeat and healthy environment at NIS that nurtures students and provides them the confidence and skills to succeed. Teachers are enthusiastic and have created a student-centred environment that fosters an inquiry based approach to learning."
CIS, NEASC, and IB Visiting Team During Last Re-Accreditation in 2017
Community-Focused
"Students at all levels participate in a wide range of after school activities offered at NIS. In addition, the school campus is utilized by many parents and community groups. Parents informed the Visiting Team that they feel welcomed at the school and appreciate that they are encouraged to use the facility."
CIS, NEASC, and IB Visiting Team During Last Re-Accreditation in 2017
A Non-profit School
Nanjing International School is the only independent, nonprofit international school in Nanjing, meaning all our resources go into providing the best teachers, the best facilities, and the best opportunities for our students. We are owned by our parents.
All tuition fee payments are for the entire use of the school to benefit our students and their learning. This makes us unique amongst international schools in Nanjing. Since NIS is self-funded, all building projects, including loans, are paid for from tuition fees. NIS is not part of an American or British school group business run for profit to the benefit of overseas and Chinese owners or investors. We are totally independent, and so do not fund an overseas business development office which then dictates what we do. That is why we can hire the finest teachers from anywhere in the world, build a world-class campus, and provide the best technology and resources for learning.
Annual Reports
We are proud to present our school's Annual Reports. These reports are part of our commitment to our parents and community to be transparent about our use of finances and our authentic status as an independent, non-profit school.
Inclusion
We are an inclusive learning community. Inclusion is at the heart of who we are, as a school and as an international community.
School Governance
NIS is governed by a volunteer board of elected trustees that is guided by the best interests of our students, parents, and staff.
Mission, Strategy & Our Story
We don't just want to follow our mission and award-winning strategy. We want to bring them to life.