Celebrating Cognia Accreditation with Distinction

This recognition reflects the We are proud to share that International School of Qingdao, as part of the LifePlus system of schools, has earned Cognia Accreditation with Distinction—the highest possible level of accreditation awarded by Cognia.

Cognia is a globally-respected accrediting organization with more than 130 years of experience evaluating and supporting schools and educational systems around the world. Today, Cognia serves over 41,000 institutions across more than 100 countries, representing approximately 17 million students and 5 million educators.

Each year, Cognia reviews about 1,400 schools and systems worldwide. In 2025, only 35 received Accreditation with Distinction—and only five of those were international schools or systems, as we are.

This recognition reflects the shared commitment of our students, staff, families and leadership team to creating a learning community where students are known, supported, challenged and encouraged to grow.

As part of the review process, Cognia representatives visited some of our schools during the first week of May, and they engaged with members of our school community through classroom visits, meetings, interviews and conversations. At ISQ, members of our school community shared their experiences and perspectives with the review team through meetings, classroom visits, and discussions. The process highlighted the strong partnerships, caring culture, and commitment to continuous improvement that define our school community.

The review team’s feedback affirmed the strength of our school culture and the meaningful work taking place across our campus and the wider LifePlus system.

At ISQ, the review team commended our strong sense of community, positive relationships, and commitment to student growth. They recognized the alignment between our mission, leadership, and daily practices, highlighting ISQ as a school demonstrating high standards of educational excellence. As one of the schools contributing to the review, ISQ played a role in LifePlus receiving Cognia Accreditation with Distinction, an honor awarded to only a small percentage of schools worldwide.

Most importantly, this recognition reflects our continued commitment to helping students grow not only academically, but also in character, resilience, leadership and purpose. At International School of Qingdao, we believe education should prepare students to learn deeply, serve others well and make a meaningful difference wherever life takes them.

We are grateful to every student, staff member and family who helped make this recognition possible.