SDSZ International Department Overview | Generated by AI
Question: What is an introduction to the International Department of the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University (北京师范大学附属实验中学国际部)?
Answer:
Overview
The International Department of the High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University (SDSZ International Department) is affiliated with the Beijing Normal University Affiliated Experimental High School Education Group. It is an international school located in Beijing that accepts Chinese nationals.
The school was founded in 1917, originally known as the Normal University Girls’ Affiliated Middle School. It is one of Beijing’s first batch of model high schools and serves as an experimental base for middle school education reform under the Ministry of Education and Beijing Normal University.
Location & Basic Info
The school is located at No. 14 Erlonglu, Xicheng District, Beijing. Tuition is approximately 85,000 RMB per academic year. It primarily offers AP courses and admits graduates from Beijing junior high schools with Beijing household registration (hukou), as well as certain other eligible categories of students.
History of the International Department
In 2011, the school received approval from the Beijing Municipal Education Commission to launch a Sino-American cooperative high school program. Since 2010, the International Department has been qualified to admit outstanding junior high school graduates starting from Grade 10 (Senior Year 1) through an early admissions process under its Sino-foreign cooperative education program.
Educational Philosophy & Core Goals
The International Department’s core objectives for cultivating internationally-minded talent are: deep cultural grounding, solid academic foundations, and innovative and critical thinking. It encourages students to become active learners with strong curiosity, self-aware and self-challenging mature learners, and socially intelligent contributors to society.
The school’s guiding philosophy is guided by “Four Education” areas: Science Education, Humanities Education, Aesthetic Education, and Life Education — guiding students to “seek truth, pursue goodness, appreciate beauty, and serve the public.”
Curriculum System
The International Department follows a distinctive “4+4” curriculum framework, consisting of four types of academic courses and four types of project-based courses. The four academic course types include national diploma courses, Sino-foreign integrated courses, university preparatory (AP-style) courses, and general education specialty courses. The four project course types include student clubs, experiential practice, student self-directed learning, and aesthetic and creative courses.
In addition to AP courses, students can choose from nearly 50 professional and research-level subjects such as Introduction to Psychology, Financial Analysis & Decision-Making (MBA), Multivariable Calculus, 3D Printing and 3D Animation, and more.
Teaching Format
The department uses a combination of homeroom classes and elective tracking classes. Homeroom classes provide a team environment for students to showcase talents and collaborate, while differentiated elective tracking meets diverse academic development needs. The department also supports students through a mentorship system, course selection guidance, and exam planning guidance.
College Admissions Results
As of 2025, the school ranked first on the Beijing International Schools list, with an overseas university admission rate of 98% and a 70% admission rate to the top 30 US universities.
Graduates have been admitted to world-class universities including Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, Stanford, MIT, and Yale. The Class of 2024 alone received over 65 offers from top American universities, completing a full sweep of “HYPMS” and all Ivy League schools in a single graduating class.
In 2026, the school was ranked among the top three nationally in the China International School Competitiveness Rankings published by the Cuilu research institution.
Rankings
- 2025: #1 on the Beijing International Schools ranking
- 2026: Top 3 nationally in China’s International School Competitiveness Rankings
- 2020: Ranked #7 on the Hurun Top 100 International Schools in China list
References:
- Baidu Baike – SDSZ International Department
- ieduonline.cn – 2024 Admissions Info
- Zhihu – SDSZ International Department Overview
- 91zexiao.cn – School Profile