Elementary

international elementary school of qingdao celebrating male student birthday party

Our Elementary years give children the chance to explore the world with wonder, as they move, explore, create and learn together.

A warm welcome from our Principal

karen anderson early childhood learning and elementary principal at international school of qingdao

Welcome to the International School of Qingdao Elementary! Our Elementary’s transformative learning community places high value on every student. We celebrate both quality of work and quality of character, engaging students in challenging and joyful tasks that are relevant to building a better world.

Students flourish at our school, surrounded by models of excellence, beauty, virtue and complexity in every subject—from art and music to literature and science. Our wellbeing program creates a safe and happy environment where each child can grow into purposeful, active learners.

By establishing a culture of safety and respect, our teachers encourage students to maximize their potential through open inquiry, exploration, risk-taking, perseverance, growth and self-expression. Every day matters as we instill the academic mindsets and habits of character that develop innovative thinkers, skilled communicators and courageous leaders.

I look forward to partnering with your family and celebrating your child’s growth at the International School of Qingdao!

Warmly
Karen Anderson

ECC + Elementary Principal of Teaching and Learning

Bringing the curriculum to life

female students playing outside at international school of qingdao elementary

Character development and leadership

Guided by our teachers and the LifePlus 9 Qualities for Life, students develop maturity in handling feelings, resolving conflicts, and making healthy friendships. A strong character education program focuses on helping children to develop soft skills which are essential for becoming globally-minded individuals who learn, love and lead.

Arts

The love of performances and joy of artistic expression is nurtured during Visual Arts and Music classes. And as students discover new skills and techniques as they create their own ideas as well as sing, dance or play instruments, they discover their personal interests and find connections across life.

international school of qingdao elementary learning female student reading a book

Literacy

Children are instructed in differentiated small groups in literacy-rich classrooms beginning with explicit systematic phonics instruction and then grow in their capacity to read complex text, write at length and depth, and explore pressing issues in the world around them to become successful independent readers.

Chinese language and culture

China is an amazing stage for learning and experiences and our Chinese program is no different. Chinese classes cater to beginner, novice, advanced or native Chinese learners, with small classes to differentiate instruction and meet students at any stage in their Chinese story.

international school of qingdao elementary learning in a science classroom

Science and mathematics

Science learning begins and ends with the asking of questions. Students engage in the scientific method as they explore learning through hands-on projects, engaging activities, and guided experiments. Mathematics develops a solid understanding of the numeration system with ever-increasing problem-solving skills based on real-world applications with manipulatives and other tools.

Student experiences

five students standing outside the international school of qingdao elementary learning

After-school activities

Elementary after-school activities provide our youngest students with opportunities beyond their class to explore new interests. Activities are tailored to interests and schedules, but frequently include Student Council, cooking club, martial arts (such as taekwondo or jiujitsu) and soccer.

international school of qingdao elementary learning students arriving for class

Excursions and trips

Each year, our Elementary students will go on up to four trips; taking their learning outside our campus and into nature, ancient historical sites or local businesses. Our excursions and trips emphasize broadening our students’ worldviews, developing interpersonal skills, and teaching new concepts in a hands-on approach.

Our Elementary teaching team

karen anderson ECC + Elementary Principal of Teaching and Learning at international school of qingdao
Karen Anderson

ECC + Elementary Principal of Teaching and Learning

colleen quernemoen Principal of Student Well-being at international school of qingdao
Colleen Quernemoen

Principal of Student Well-being

june sun ECC + Elementary Principal's Assistant at international school of qingdao
June Sun

ECC + Elementary Principals' Assistant

cici dong Well-being Principal's Assistant + Co-Teacher at international school of qingdao
Cici Dong

Well-being Principal's Assistant + Co-Teacher

leah shin Elementary Teacher at international school of qingdao
Leah Shin

Elementary Teacher

nancy wangling Elementary Co-Teacher at international school of qingdao
Nancy Wangling

Elementary Co-Teacher

heather brown Elementary Teacher at international school of qingdao
Heather Brown

Elementary Teacher

elim zhang Elementary Co-Teacher at international school of qingdao
Elim Zhang

Elementary Co-Teacher

connie li Learning Support Assistant at international school of qingdao
Connie Li

Learning Support Assistant

Antonina Rahktamatova

Elementary Teacher

doris zhao Elementary Teaching Assistant at international school of qingdao
Doris Zhao

Elementary Teaching Assistant

phoebe dong Elementary Teaching Assistant at international school of qingdao
Phoebe Dong

Elementary Teaching Assistant

taylor parman Elementary Teacher at international school of qingdao
Taylor Parman

Elementary Teacher

vivian an Elementary Co-Teacher at international school of qingdao
Vivian An

Elementary Co-Teacher

joanna kolbe Elementary Teacher at international school of qingdao
Jo Anna Kolbe

Elementary Teacher

esther han Elementary Co-Teacher at international school of qingdao
Esther Han

Elementary Co-Teacher

Angel Luan

Librarian

gloria oh PE Teacher + PE HOD at international school of qingdao
Gloria Oh

PE Teacher + PE HOD

Amber Fu

ECC + Elementary Art teacher + Co-Teacher

elise prater Music Teacher at international school of qingdao
Elise Prater

Music Teacher

liza wang Chinese Teacher + Chinese HOD international school of qingdao
Liza Wang

Chinese Teacher + Chinese HOD

Amy Qi

Chinese Teacher

esther zhang Chinese Teacher at international school of qingdao
Esther Zhang

Chinese Teacher

catherine sun Chinese Teacher at international school of qingdao
Catherine Sun

Chinese Teacher

hope yang Chinese Teacher at international school of qingdao
Hope Yang

Chinese Teacher

diana wu ELS Teacher + ELS HOD at international school of qingdao
Diana Wu

ELS Teacher

rosalina lee ELS Teacher at international school of qingdao
Rosaline Lee

ELS Teacher

ilia mazurin ELS Teacher at international school of qingdao
Ilia Mazurin

ELS Teacher

margaret turauskene ELS Teacher at international school of qingdao
Margaret Turauskene

ELS Teacher

rachel zhao ELS Teacher at international school of qingdao
Rachel Zhao

ELS Teacher

sarah hu ELS Teacher at international school of qingdao
Sarah Hu

ELS Teacher + ELS HOD

nancy wangsijie ECC + Elementary Well-being Counselor + Learning Support Co-Teacher at international school of qingdao
Nancy WangSijie

ECC + Elementary Well-being Counselor + Learning Support Co-Teacher

melissa hosek Learning Support Coordinator at international school of qingdao
Melissa Hosek

Learning Support Coordinator

Recognized for excellence

Cognia logo

International School of Qingdao is accredited by Cognia, the largest education improvement organization in the world—demonstrating our commitment to learners, teachers, leaders and communities.

Grow academically and beyond

Ready to receive the highest quality education in a warm, caring and encouraging community?

Apply now…