QAIS Named Top 50 Finalist for the Global Schools Prize
Qingdao Amerasia International School (QAIS) has been named a Top 50 finalist for the prestigious inaugural Global Schools Prize, awarded by the Varkey Foundation. Selected from over 3,000 applications across 113 countries, this recognition celebrates schools that are reimagining education and making a meaningful impact in their communities.
Founded in 2010 and headquartered in London, the Varkey Foundation is a global charity dedicated to improving education standards worldwide. Its mission focuses on elevating the status of teachers, expanding educational opportunities for underprivileged children, and advocating for transformative education policy. It has made a profound impact through key initiatives like the Global Teacher Prize—often called the “Nobel Prize of Education”—which awards $1 million to honor exceptional educators and boost the profession’s prestige. It is also committed to large-scale teacher training, with a goal of training 250,000 teachers and principals in underserved regions over ten years to shift pedagogy from traditional instruction to interactive innovation. Each year, it hosts the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai, a platform that brings together world leaders and scholars to address global education challenges. In partnership with organizations like UNESCO and UNICEF, it influences policy and drives innovation through projects like the 1 Million Schools initiative, which shares effective teaching methods via school-to-school collaboration. In 2026, Varkey Foundation launched the new Global School Prize to recognize and support schools advancing inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability.
QAIS has been recognized in the category of Global Citizenship and Peacebuilding, highlighting its long-standing commitment to intercultural understanding, peace education, and international-mindedness.
At QAIS, this commitment is deeply intentional. Since its founding 15 years ago, the school has been guided by a belief that education plays a critical role in shaping a more peaceful world.
Peace education at QAIS is grounded in Montessori philosophy and intentionally embedded in daily life through the school’s Amerasia Peace Education approach. From the earliest years, children are guided to develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and respectful communication using practical tools such as Peace Tables, the Peace Rose, and restorative dialogue. Conflict resolution is taught as a skill, not left to chance.
As QAIS celebrates its 15th anniversary, this recognition reflects the collective efforts of its entire community. Students, educators, parents, and staff contribute to an environment grounded in respect, inclusion, and purpose.
Being named a Top 50 finalist is both an honor and a responsibility. It affirms the school’s direction while encouraging the community to continue growing, reflecting, and deepening its impact. It also provides a global platform to share a model of education that demonstrates how academic excellence and human development can exist hand in hand.
QAIS remains committed to its mission to engage, inspire, and empower students, staff, and the wider community to foster lifelong love of learning through a holistic, child-centered, inquiry-based approach and nurture courageous global citizens who help build a peaceful world.
As QAIS celebrates its 15th anniversary, this recognition reflects the collective efforts of its entire community. Students, educators, parents, and staff contribute to an environment grounded in respect, inclusion, and purpose.
Being named a Top 50 finalist is both an honor and a responsibility. It affirms the school’s direction while encouraging the community to continue growing, reflecting, and deepening its impact. It also provides a global platform to share a model of education that demonstrates how academic excellence and human development can exist hand in hand.
QAIS remains committed to its mission to engage, inspire, and empower students, staff, and the wider community to foster lifelong love of learning through a holistic, child-centered, inquiry-based approach and nurture courageous global citizens who help build a peaceful world.
