Being accredited and authorized as an international school is very important. It proves that the content and quality of the curriculum, the teachers, the equipment and facilities have been evaluated and meet certain standards.

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) is a non-profit educational foundation, motivated by its mission, focused on the student.

The IB Mission Statement:

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

The International Baccalaureate offers four programmes of international education for students aged 3 to 19 of which BIS offer three – the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes.

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) is one of six regional accrediting associations in the United States. The Accrediting Commission for Schools, WASC, extends its services to over 4,500 schools, works with 16 associations in joint accreditation processes (including CIS), and collaborates with other educational organizations.

The ACS WASC accreditation process fosters excellence by encouraging school improvement. WASC accreditation recognizes schools that meet a level of quality, in accordance with established, research-based WASC criteria.

At BIS, CIS and WASC work in coordination with each other.

Council of International Schools (CIS)

CIS is a non-profit membership organization that provides services to both elementary and secondary schools around the world. These schools have the following in common:

  • A desire to provide students with the knowledge, skills and attributes to pursue their lives as global citizens, and
  • A commitment to high quality education

To achieve this goal, schools must infuse international and intercultural perspectives into their curricula so students can move forward with the attitudes and understandings that will provide them with a solid base wherever their studies or work may take them. Schools must commit to undertaking an ongoing quality assurance process to enhance student learning.

This is encapsulated in the process of school improvement through CIS Accreditation.

The main purpose of CIS Accreditation is to support international schools in their pursuit of educational excellence by providing a system for periodic self-examination combined with external appraisal. The award of Accreditation also assures both parents and the community at large that the school has achieved high standards of professional performance, and has a continuing commitment to their maintenance and to institutional improvement.

The East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS)

The East Asia Regional Council of Schools is an organization of 144 member schools in East Asia.

EARCOS Mission:
EARCOS inspires adult and student learning through its leadership and service and fosters intercultural understanding, global citizenship and exceptional educational practices within our learning community.

EARCOS offers many opportunities for professional growth and development for BIS students and teachers. BIS is proud to take an active role in this organization.