Search Associates welcomes the International Leadership Academy Beijing (ILABJ) to its catalog of fine international schools. Founded by Asia International School Limited (AISL) in 2015, ILABJ is the first of an anticipated group of ten K–12 schools in China, affiliated with the prestigious and well-established Harrow International Schools, and designed to deliver a traditional British education with the aim of cultivating leaders for a better world. Schools like ILABJ have also been established in Hong Kong and Shanghai. The school’s website says,
"AISL drew upon the deep experience [within] its group of Harrow International Schools to develop the International Leadership Academy schools. Education at [International Leadership Academy] ILA schools is structured with an infused British and Chinese curriculum and orientated towards personal responsibility for learning, individual mentoring, university and career planning, and Wisdom for Life.”
This young school is conveniently located near the main site for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games, just a three-minute walk from a subway station, and easily accessible from downtown Beijing. The site—formerly a Chinese middle school—has been tastefully renovated to incorporate elements of historic Beijing architecture into International Leadership Academy's design for 21st century learning.
ILABJ’s curriculum is mainly British and includes A Levels and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), as well as additional U.S. Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Its teaching staff of seven includes two Chinese and five North American and U.K. Currently, 25 students from Grades 9–12 attend ILABJ, the majority of whom are Chinese. Plans are in place to add Grades K-8 over time. Along with the British and American curricula, the school is built around ILA’s customized approaches to learning, known as “Wisdom for Life.” One of these approaches, Wisdom in Action, is engagement in extra-curricular activities giving students opportunities to develop as artists, linguists, musicians, programmers, debaters, athletes, volunteers, adventurers, and entrepreneurs. The flexibility of the school’s curricular and extra-curricular offerings allows students take a highly personalized journey towards the university best suited to their aspirations.
ILABJ prefers to hire certified singles but will consider teaching couples. They will also consider exceptional, newly-certified teachers and those certified in a non-English speaking country. The most desirable candidates should have both U.S. and U.K. curriculum experience, a passion for curriculum development and student-driven learning, and a commitment to extra-curricular programs. ILABJ educators are expected to connect learning to values. Candidates need not hold an academic degree in the subject they will teach. China issues work visas up to the age of 60.
An ILABJ contract could allow a family of four to live on one salary, or could allow for sizeable savings for a smaller or dual-income family. The school provides a generous one-time moving and furniture allowance, and teachers receive a monthly housing stipend (as well as assistance in finding an apartment of their choosing). Full tuition is covered for two children, assuming they fall within the age range of the current student population. Additionally, round-trip airfare home is awarded every two years. Worldwide health insurance (except in the U.S.) is fully covered, and there are professional development opportunities for teachers, some offered by the school and some sponsored off-campus.
To gain access to International Leadership Academy Beijing’s full profile on the Search Associates database, including a list of all open positions, candidates can apply for membership by clicking here. Candidates already registered can easily access the school profile directly through their dashboards.
Please Note: The information presented about this school was valid on the date published. This information may change, and the most up-to-date information can be found on the school profile.
