High School
Our high school students tailor their learning and deepen their knowledge through a wide choice of world-class subjects.
A warm welcome from our Principal
Welcome to our high school, a collective where learning, loving, and leading are built into all that we do. Because our passionate and caring educators understand that school should be something done for students, not to students, they create student-centered environments that challenge, encourage and equip students to engage this world with their heart and mind.
We educate in pursuit of developing world-class servant leaders. We seek to not only impart skills and knowledge but to also foster a healthy development of self and personal purpose. Through advanced science labs, engaging literature discussions, community service projects, extracurricular clubs, and supportive counseling services, we nurture students’ growth towards lives of meaning and purpose, lived in connection to the people around them.
For more than ten years, I’ve had the opportunity to teach internationally, and I am proud to call the International School of Qingdao my home. I hope someday it will be yours, too.
Warmly
Justin Crull
Secondary Principal of Teaching and Learning
Bringing the curriculum to life
Character and leadership
We encourage all of our high school students to participate in service projects in the school and community. This prepares the way for a leadership style in every student that prioritises the welfare of others.
Arts
Visual arts, music and drama are a crucial part of learning at Qingdao. Student life is enriched through artistic expression and learning collaboration, determination and the joy of high performance. Students will have the opportunity to perform on campus during our Drama events and Fine Art Galas, and in Tianjin for the annual Fine Arts Festival.
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.
Advanced Placement courses
Our Advanced Placement® (AP) program courses offer university-level courses and exams to our students who desire to deepen their knowledge of specific subjects to explore future university majors and careers. AP is recognized by more than 3,600 universities worldwide and 85% of selective institutions report AP experience favorably impacts admission decisions.
Electives and clubs
Student electives and clubs provide pathways for students to explore interests and work together to create, learn and grow. Clubs and electives change based on interests and schedules but often include journalism, Student Council, Model United Nations, National Honors Society, broadcast, internships and more.
University and career planning
We provide high school students with grade-specific college and career guidance, including research assistance, application support, and opportunities for students to learn from alumni and university representatives. Parents and students can discuss graduation and future plans with our university guidance counselor.
Student experiences
Excursions
Our students explore China and their place in our world. From the heights of Yunnan to the ancient walls of Xi’an; from developing a global worldview to selfless acts of service to others; our students deeply connect with China and others. Excursions and trips in high school include week-long spring trips to Xi’an, Guilin, Inner Mongolia or Hainan; StuCo Youth Retreat; Science Fair in Chengdu; sports tournaments around China; Model United Nations in Tianjin; and LifePlus Service Learning Trips around China and beyond.
Athletics
Our dedicated Athletics programs crystalized in 2002 when we came together with other international schools in our company and created our first China-wide tournament. Today our athletes have won 50 championship titles and 70 other trophies. Students in high school can join basketball, ping pong, volleyball and soccer teams throughout the year to compete locally in Qingdao—and as well as further afield in Tianjin, Wuxi and Wuhan in LifePlus tournaments.
University entrance exams
At International School of Qingdao we also provide PSAT® (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test), SAT® (Scholastic Aptitude Test) and ACT® (American College Testing) college entrance exams for students seeking college or university admission around the world.
More through partners
A world of learning opportunity is made available to our students when they elect to take other high school courses offered by our hand-picked selection of partners. For example, dive into university courses and develop your skills through our dual-enrollment initiative with Grand Canyon University; or learn with other students from around the world in additional AP courses provided by the LifePlus Online Academy.
Next steps on the learning journey
With nearly 500 graduates to date, our students have gone on to study a wide variety of subjects, such as law, medicine, engineering and business, at many universities around the world including…
Our Secondary teaching team
Julio Morales
Secondary Principal
Julio Morales
Secondary Principal
Masters of Higher Education, University of Panama TEFL certification, DP Teacher
19 years teaching
3rd year at ISQ
Justin Crull
Principal of Teaching and Learning
Justin Crull
Principal of Teaching and Learning
M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, Calvin University
B.A. Biology, Calvin University
15 years teaching
12th year at ISQ
Colleen Quernemoen
ECC and Elementary Principal
Colleen Quernemoen
ECC and Elementary Principal
Professional Masters in Education, Queen’s University
8 years teaching
3rd year at ISQ
Jane Wu
Secondary Principals' Assistant
Jane Wu
Secondary Principals' Assistant
Qingdao University of Science and Technology
M.A. Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
6 years in education
6th year at ISQ
Kevin Bates
Secondary Philosophy Teacher
Kevin Bates
Secondary Philosophy Teacher
B.A. Ancient Mesopotamian Literature, Faulkner University TESOL Certificate
21 years teaching
8th year at ISQ
Ann Liu
Secondary Physics + Math Teacher
Ann Liu
Secondary Physics + Math Teacher
Master of Education, Liberty University
Bachelor of Science, Qingdao University
17 years teaching
17th year at ISQ
Betty Zhou
Secondary Math Teacher
Betty Zhou
Secondary Math Teacher
Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language, Carson-Newman University
Licensed K-12 ESL and 6-12 Math, Tennesee, USA
14 years teaching
7th year at ISQ
Seina Kang
Secondary Math Teacher
Seina Kang
Secondary Math Teacher
BA in Mathematics Education (Honors Program), Anderson University
9 years teaching
3rd year at ISQ
Liza Wang
Chinese Teacher
Liza Wang
Chinese Teacher
M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, Regent University
B.A. English, Shandong University of Science and Technology
14 years teaching
14th year at ISQ
Catherine Sun
Chinese Teacher
Catherine Sun
Chinese Teacher
B.A. English, University of Shandong
23 years teaching
22th year at ISQ
Amy Qi
Chinese Teacher
Amy Qi
Chinese Teacher
International Economics and Trade, Shandong Normal University
16 years teaching
11th year at ISQ
Esther Zhang
Chinese Teacher
Esther Zhang
Chinese Teacher
M.Ed., Columbia International University
Bachelor’s degree in Business English, Jiamusi University
19 years teaching
12th year at ISQ
Hope Yang
Chinese Teacher
Hope Yang
Chinese Teacher
B.A. English, Yantai University
17 years teaching
12th year at ISQ
Elise Prater
Music Teacher
Elise Prater
Music Teacher
B.A. Music and Ancient Languages, Asbury University TEFL certification
4 years teaching
3rd year at ISQ
Mia Liu
Specialist Teaching Assistant-Music
Mia Liu
Specialist Teaching Assistant-Music
B.A. Music Education, Qufu Normal University
Bachelor’s degree in Business English, Jiamusi University
7 years teaching
7th year at ISQ
Kevin Yu
Secondary Visual Arts Substitute Teacher
Kevin Yu
Secondary Visual Arts Substitute Teacher
B.F.A Art Design, Qingdao University, Master of Fine Arts, Renmin University of China
13 years in education
13th year at ISQ
Eric Kang
PE Teacher
Adrian Thompson
Athletic Director, Secondary Technology Teacher
Adrian Thompson
Athletic Director, Secondary Technology Teacher
M.Ed. Educational Leadership, Temple University
B.Ed. Computer Science Hon.
3rd year teaching
3rd year at ISQ
Shine Shi
Secondary Science + Biology + Chemistry Teacher
Shine Shi
Secondary Science + Biology + Chemistry Teacher
M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction Design, Indiana Wesleyan University
B.S. Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China
25 years teaching
25th year at ISQ
Dr. John Usher
Secondary History + Economics + Psychology Teacher
Dr. John Usher
Secondary History + Economics + Psychology Teacher
Ph.D. Theology & Religion, University of Birmingham CELTA certified, FHEA (Fellow of the Higher Education Academy) (UK), Applied Social Science, University of York (UK)
14 years teaching
5th year at ISQ
Angel Luan
Librarian
Ilia Mazurin
Secondary English + Journalism + ELS Teacher
Ilia Mazurin
Secondary English + Journalism + ELS Teacher
B.A. English Language and Literature, LCC International University
TESOL Certificate
7 years teaching
5th year at ISQ
Tara Guiffredo
Secondary English Teacher
Tara Guiffredo
Secondary English Teacher
B.A. Intercultural studies, California Baptist University
7 years teaching
2nd year at ISQ
Sarah Hu
ELS Teacher
Sarah Hu
ELS Teacher
B.R.E. Teaching English as a Second Language, Davis College
TESOL Certificate
17 years teaching
3rd year at ISQ
Melody Lee
Learning Support Coordinator
Dori Linscott
Music Teacher
Dori Linscott
Music Teacher
B.M. Music Education (K-12), Faith Baptist Bible College
1 years teaching
1st year at ISQ
Jacob Huang
Secondary Specialist Teaching Assistant
Jacob Huang
Secondary Specialist Teaching Assistant
Master of Accounting - Holmes Institute, Master of Bussiness Administration - Holmes Institute.
1 years teaching
1st year at ISQ
Mar Muniz
Secondary Physics + Robotics Teacher
Mar Muniz
Secondary Physics + Robotics Teacher
MS in Engineering, Texas A&M
15+ years teaching
1st year at ISQ
Recognized for excellence
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?