ABOUT qais
Engage • Inspire • Empower

Qingdao Amerasia International School (QAIS) serves students from 18 months to 18 years old through a holistic, child-centered, inquiry-based approach. With students and staff from more than 30 different countries, students are engaged in a dynamic, culturally rich environment that fosters global citizenship and international mindedness.

Qingdao Amerasia International School (QAIS) was approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education as International School No. 110 in The People’s Republic of China in July 2011. Since that time, QAIS has executed its mission, vision, and core values faithfully to become the first school in Shandong Province to be authorized for all three International Baccalaureate (IB) programs including PYP, MYP and DP. In 2014, QAIS also became the first school in Asia to be accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS) for its Toddler and Early Childhood Programs. Additionally, QAIS has achieved accreditation with the Middle States Association (MSA) and the Council of International Schools (CIS)—the gold standard in international education. These six accreditations and authorizations are evidence that QAIS has committed to maintaining the highest level of excellence for all its programs.

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Purpose and Direction
Building a Peaceful World
OUR MISSION

QAIS strives to inspire a lifelong love of learning through a holistic, child-centered, inquiry-based approach and nurture courageous global citizens who help build a peaceful world.

OUR VISION

To help light the world by becoming the best possible versions of ourselves.

CORE VALUES

International Mindedness, Well-Being and Child Protection, Academic Excellence, Creativity, Embracing Diversity.

International Mindedness

International Mindedness is a vital concept that promotes the idea of being responsible and active citizens who contribute positively to our interconnected world. It encompasses several values, such as respect, empathy, and cultural awareness, which empower individuals to understand and appreciate diverse perspectives and deal effectively with global issues. In an International Baccalaureate and Montessori school, International Mindedness is central to our educational philosophy, allowing students to develop an international mindset and appreciate cultural differences while recognizing their shared humanity. Through promoting International Mindedness, students learn to prioritize the common good, take action on global issues, and develop the skills necessary to become leaders of positive change in their communities and beyond.

Well-Being and Child Protection

Amerasia is committed to continually seek ways to ensure the holistic well-being of the entire community. Our approach is symbolized by our special five-petal Amerasia Lotus, which provides a useful framework through which we can reflect on our wellbeing in five areas: Physically, Academically/Professionally, Socially, Emotionally, and Spiritually. Furthermore, as as an accredited Montessori school, authorized IB World School, and peace education organization, QAIS is committed to and encourages respect for human rights and dignity. QAIS believes that every child enrolled in school activities has the right to enjoy a safe environment. We embrace the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states that all children have a right to protection from harm. It is our duty and obligation to safeguard those for whom we are given responsibility.

OUR CHILD PROTECTION DECLARATION:

QAIS aims to be a safe-haven for children and is committed to developing and implementing a comprehensive set of policies and procedures that will ensure protection of their physical and emotional well-being at all times while under our care.

Academic Excellence

At Amerasia, we are committed to providing an exceptional educational experience that encourages and empowers students to strive for intellectual growth, critical thinking, and a strong foundation of content knowledge, concepts, and skills. Our dedicated team of Montessori and IB educators fosters a stimulating environment where students are inspired to continually challenge themselves and reach their full potential. Through rigorous academic programs, innovative teaching methodologies, and a focus on individualized learning, we cultivate a culture of excellence that inspires a passion for lifelong learning while preparing our students for future success at university and beyond.

Creativity

Creativity is the heartbeat of the educational philosophy at Amerasia, which is crucial for the holistic development of our students. We provide a nurturing environment that encourages students to explore their imagination, think outside the box, and express themselves in unique and innovative ways. Through various artistic endeavors, hands-on projects, and a multitude of opportunities for self-expression, we aim to nurture the creative spirit in each student. Our dedicated faculty and staff understand the importance of creativity in problem-solving, critical thinking, and promoting personal growth. We empower students to embrace their individuality, take risks, and celebrate their own creative endeavors, allowing them to develop the skills and confidence needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

Embracing Diversity

The Amerasia Diversity Pledge: We, the Amerasia community, believe in embracing and celebrating diversity as a core value of who we are. Every student, staff member, and parent deserves to be treated with dignity and respect at all times. Our school was founded on the principles of honoring differences, developing global citizenship and promoting respect for all life. As a community, it is imperative that we show solidarity and constant vigilance to ensure that our speech, gestures, and actions always include, embrace, and celebrate one’s race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical attributes, disability, age, or socio-economic status. We strive to create equitable systems, policies, and practices so that everyone in the Amerasia community can thrive, and our love and respect for one another allows us to bring our vision of a peaceful world one step closer to fruition.

AMERASIA INSPIRATION
  • OUR SYMBOL

    The Illuminated Five-Petal Lotus Flower

  • OUR MASCOT

    The Rising Phoenix

  • OUR MOTTO

    ENGAGE. INSPIRE. EMPOWER.

CURRICULAR FOCUS

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) form the core of our Real-World Accomplishment-Based Education

Director’s Welcome

Welcome to Amerasia! As we begin another school year it is a good time to reflect on the nature of our past success while we continue to strive toward our collective future.

The journey of Amerasia has been one of phenomenal growth and achievement. Our community continues to expand, attracting students from 18 months to 18 years old, and staff from approximately 30 different nations. About 80% of our exemplary teachers hold master’s or doctoral degrees and all are certified in either Montessori or IB pedagogy for their relevant age levels and subject areas. Additionally, our staff have teaching experience in over 60 different nations, providing insights into a true “global perspective”. This international mindedness is one of the tenets that underlie the IB philosophy and remains one of our greatest strengths as we strive to instill the attributes of the Learner Profile, grace, and courtesy in all our students. We look forward to this global collaboration and sharing of best practices as we continue our search for “more right answers.”

While the Amerasia community has become more global, it has also demonstrated a commitment to excellence that has enabled us to take our place as the first AMS-accredited Montessori school in all of Asia, the first IB World School in Shandong Province, and the 17th IB continuum school in China offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). We are also grateful for our partnership with ACAMIS (Association of China and Mongolia International Schools) and accreditation with the Middle States Association (MSA) and the Council of International Schools (CIS)—the “Gold Standard” in international education. We should celebrate these accomplishments and take pride in such monumental achievements.

Although these accreditations and authorizations symbolize a full school effort to raise our standard of academic excellence, the measure of our success lies not in whether we have achieved these “end goals,” but rather, how we got there. I continue to stand proud of a community that faces all challenges with great optimism, a deep faith in one another, and a love for life and learning that has become the hallmark of the Amerasia family.

In the end, we have been called to partake in a great journey of transformation. Our child-centered, inquiry-based, holistic approach aims for each student to self-actualize; for when individuals begin to discover their true nature and lift themselves toward their highest potential, they learn to value and cherish one another, live without prejudice, create more democratic communities, and use their powers of reason and creativity to solve the multitude of complex challenges that currently face the human race. And as we strive to develop courageous, internationally minded leaders, we allow our students to express themselves freely while surrounding them with unconditional acceptance and love. In the words of Maria Montessori, it is precisely this freedom to discover the nature of the Self that will allow our children to “penetrate life’s secrets, and win its rewards, not only for themselves but for all.”

I would like to thank all staff, parents, and students for their support of the Amerasia mission and vision and look forward to our journey of continued collaboration throughout the school year.

Warm regards!

Dr. Chris Vicari Director
ACCREDITATION & AUTHORIZATION TIMELINE
Celebrating more than a decade of excellence
  • March

     AMS Re-accreditation for our Montessori Toddler and Early Childhood Programs.

  • April

     IB Continuum Evaluation Five-Year Review.  Authorization renewal for PYP, MYP, and DP.  

  • January

    Council of International Schools (CIS) accreditation

  • November

     ACAMIS (Association of China and Mongolia International Schools) Membership gained

  • July

    IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) authorization

  • November

    Middle States Association (MSA) accreditation

  • July

    IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) authorization

  • May

     American Montessori Society (AMS)  Accreditation for our Toddler and Early Childhood Programs

  • May

    IB Diploma Programme (DP) authorization

International Mindedness

Developing International Mindedness is a core value of the Amerasia community. We strive to nurture international mindedness through multilingualism, intercultural understanding, and global engagement. Students at Amerasia study at least two languages, recognize and reflect on their own perspectives, as well as those of others, and explore issues of local and global significance through their units of inquiry. Each year, Amerasia staff write a written reflection on the multitude of ways in which International Mindedness is developed through their curriculum. These reflections are then assembled and published in our annual International Mindedness magazine.

SCHOOL PROFILE
Amerasia Statistics
Self-Actualize. Self-Transcend.

... and help light the world by becoming the best possible versions of ourselves.

(+86 532) 8388-9900 info@QingdaoAmerasia.org Baishan Campus, Dongjiang, Shazikou, Laoshan District, Qingdao, China 266102
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