Introduction
Beijing is one of the most competitive cities in the world for education. It is home to Tsinghua University, Peking University, and hundreds of top-ranked schools. If you are an expat or international parent living there, the options can feel overwhelming. Every school claims to be the best. Not all them deliver.
Choosing a school in Beijing means thinking about more than just rankings. You need to think about curriculum, language, university outcomes, and daily life. Most parents do not know where to start. That is why this guide exists.
You may have come across Beijing BAYI School International Department. Most people call it BYID. It sits in Haidian District — the heart of Beijing's education scene. Haidian is where China's top universities cluster. It is also where some of the city's most respected international programs operate.
BYID has been running since 2013. Each year, it sends graduates to top universities in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
But is it the right fit for your child?
This guide covers everything. We look at the school's history, its American AP-based curriculum, fees, results, and the admissions steps. By the end, you will know if BYID fits your family.
The school system in China can be hard to navigate on your own. That is where Alifa Education Services comes in. ALIFA helps international families choose the right school and apply with confidence. Book a free consultation with us today to get started.
School Overview and History
Marshal Nie Rongzhen founded Beijing BAYI School in 1947. It started as a small school for military families in Hebei Province. The name BAYI means "August First." It honors the founding of the People's Liberation Army in 1927.
The school grew fast. In 1949, it became Beijing's first boarding school. By 1964, it moved from military to city control under the Beijing Municipal Education Bureau. This opened the school to more students — not children of military families.
Today the school is on Suzhou Street in Haidian District. It is close to Tsinghua University and Peking University. The campus covers 156,562 square metres. It has over 6,200 students and more than 700 staff. The school spans primary school, middle school, and high school. It holds Beijing Model High School status — the top rank for a public school in Beijing.
One of the school's most famous alumni is President Xi Jinping. He attended primary school in the late 1950s. This history shows the school's deep roots in China's story.
BYID — the international department — opened in 2013. It is an accredited Sino-American program. Its partner is the Orange County Department of Education in California, USA. This gives BYID both Chinese and American recognition.
Curriculum Details
BYID is a three-year high school program. It covers Grades 10 to 12. It mixes the Chinese national curriculum (CNC) with an American-style track. This Chinese-Western curriculum is what sets BYID apart.
All students take Chinese national courses. These include Chinese language, politics, history, and PE. Teachers teach these classes in Mandarin.
In Grades 10 and 11, students also take California Core Courses. These cover English, maths, science, and social studies. Teachers instruct them in English. These courses prepare students for AP work.
AP Electives on Offer
AP courses sit at the heart of the program. BYID offers a wide range of AP Electives through the College Board:
- AP Calculus AB/BC and AP Statistics
- AP Physics, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, and AP Engineering Design
- AP World History, AP US History, AP Psychology, and AP Economics
- AP English Literature and Composition
- AP Chinese Language and Culture
- AP Art History
Strong AP scores open doors to universities in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
Beyond the Classroom
The school also uses PBL teaching — Project-Based Learning. Students work on real problems. This builds skills that go beyond exams.
BYID also runs five key programs:
- STEAM — science and design projects using the school's STEM labs
- Humanities and Social Sciences — world literature and critical thinking
- Business and Leadership — competitions and innovation projects
- Performing Arts — music events and talent shows
- Community Service — volunteer work, job visits, and social projects
Students can also study French and Spanish. This makes BYID one of the few schools in Beijing with three languages on offer.
In 2024, Lenovo Group opened the Zero Carbon Future Lab at the school. This lab focuses on climate and clean energy. It fits with the school's One-Body-Two-Wings Strategy — top results plus innovation and character-building.
The school has dedicated STEM labs. The faculty is diverse. It includes 40 foreign staff, 6 full-time foreign teachers, 15 bilingual Chinese teachers, and 4 college counselors. The student-to-teacher ratio in BYID is 1 to 4.5. This is much lower than most schools. Your child gets real attention.
BYID holds full international accreditation. Both Chinese and American bodies have approved the program. Graduates receive a Chinese high school diploma and their AP results. This gives students more options when they apply to university.
Academic Results and Outcomes
BYID has now produced five groups of graduates. Together, they have received about 1,000 university offers. More than 50% of graduates got into a QS Top 50 university.
Here are some of the places BYID graduates have gone:
- United States: Carnegie Mellon University and other top schools
- Canada: University of Toronto — a global top 25 school
- United Kingdom: Russell Group universities
- Australia: Group of Eight universities
- Other: Graduates have gone to schools in more than 10 countries
In total, BYID alumni have studied at over 200 universities in more than 30 fields. They have also earned close to USD 10 million in merit-based university scholarships.
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In 2020, BYID ranked 79th in China for US-track programs. Its brand ranked 16th in the country. The school also holds the Beijing Science and Technology Education title, given in May 2020.
Students win awards too. They have taken gold, silver, and bronze at city-level science fairs. They have placed in maths and coding contests. They have also won in dance, music, and wushu. These wins help build a strong university profile.
The 4-person college counseling team is a real asset. They guide students through US, UK, Canadian, and Australian applications. They help with essays and interview prep. Few programs in Beijing offer this level of support for 60 students a year.
In 2024, BYID signed a formal deal with Beijing Information Science and Technology University. They call it a Premium Student Pool agreement. It gives BYID graduates a direct path into IT programs at that university.
Admissions Process
Who Can Apply?
BYID focuses on students from junior high schools in Beijing, particularly those located in Haidian District. About 60 students join each year. Students from other parts of Beijing may apply, but spots are few. Foreign nationals can apply too — but the team reviews each case on an individual basis. Contact Alifa Education Services Consultants to check sports, admission requirements and assess your child's situation.
What Do You Need?
- A completed Grade 9
- Results from any international STEM competitions like Math, Kangaroo, SASMO, AMC 8
- A written test in English and maths
- An interview to check English skills and character
- IELTS or TOEFL scores help but are not required
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Chinese language skills matter. Several courses are in Mandarin. Be honest about your child's level before you apply.
How Does It Work?
The process opens in early April. Students sign up online. There are two test dates — one in May and one in July. After the test, selected students come in for an interview. Places go to the top scorers.
No Boarding Available
BYID is a day school. There is no housing on campus. Your family must live in Beijing. Good areas near the school include Zhongguancun, Wudaokou, and Haidian Huangzhuang. Plan for this before you apply.
School Fees and Costs
BYID is a public school. The Beijing Municipal Education Commission sets the fees. This keeps costs well below private schools. Here is what to budget for:
Private schools in Beijing charge RMB 200,000 to 350,000 a year. Boarding schools abroad can cost RMB 400,000 to 600,000 or more. BYID's RMB 100,000 tuition is a strong value for the quality on offer.
BYID does not run its own scholarships. But high-school graduates have won close to USD 10 million in merit awards from universities. Those scholarships come from the universities that accept them — not from BYID.
Is It the Right Fit?
BYID is not for every student. Here is a simple way to decide.
It could work well if your child:
- Speaks Mandarin well
l - Wants to study in the US, UK, Canada, or Australia
- Wants a bilingual curriculum with Chinese culture and global standards
- Lives in Beijing and can travel to school each day
- Does well in structured and disciplined settings
It may not be the right fit if your child:
- Has little or no Mandarin ability
- Needs on-campus housing
- Is looking for A-level or BTEC Art and Design courses — BYID only offers AP
- Desires a school setting that embodies the principles of Western education.
BYID is a mid-range school by national rankings. But the results and value it offers are hard to beat at this price But it offers a solid and affordable path to good universities. The diverse faculty, strong counselling team, and top-class facilities make it a smart choice for the right student.
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The school has deep roots in China's military history. National defense education and character-building are part of school life. The Cultural Revolution affected the school, as it did most schools in China. Today, the focus is on achieving results. Make sure your family is comfortable with this culture before applying.
Student life is rich. The school has sports complexes, an art centre, a music programme, a counselling centre, and a library with almost 400,000 books. There are clubs, sports teams, and service programmes. Holistic development matters here — and universities notice it.
Conclusion
Beijing BAYI School International Department has a lot to offer. It has a proud history, a strong AP program, and a team that cares about results.
It is not the right fit for everyone. The day school model and Chinese courses need real thought. But for the right student, BYID can lead to top universities at a fair price.
Think about what your child needs. Visit the school. Talk to families who are already there. Ask hard questions about language, culture, and daily life.
The best school is the one that fits your child — not the one with the best ‘brand’ name.
Not sure where to begin? ALIFA Education Services helps families find the right school and apply with confidence. ALIFA works with families at every step — from the first school search to the final application.
Book your free consultation with ALIFA today. Give your child the best start possible.
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