Introduction
Xi'an Liangjiatan International School (XLIS) is the top-ranked international school in Northwest China. The school has operated since 2004. XLIS holds full IB authorization across all three programs. That covers the IB Primary Years Programme, the IB Middle Years Programme, and the Diploma Programme. No other school in the region holds all three.
You're a professional parent. Your employer is sending your family to Xi'an. School choice is one of your first decisions.
Xi'an is not Shanghai or Beijing. Many parents worry about finding good international education in China's interior. That concern makes sense. But XLIS has built a solid record over 20 years. Its rankings, faculty, and university results match those of schools in China's top cities. The tuition is much lower, too.
"Good school" means different things to different families. You need facts. What does the IB curriculum look like? What is the campus like? What does it cost? How do you apply?
This guide answers all that.
Xi'an Liangjiatan International School and Its Unique Background
Xi'an Liangjiatan International School (XLIS) started in 2004. It began as the international division of Xi'an Gaoxin International School. In 2013, XLIS became its own school. That change was key. XLIS became a non-profit public school. The school now controls its own curriculum, hiring, and design.
XLIS runs under the Xi'an Municipal Government and the Hi-Tech Zone Administrative Committee. The builders constructed the school to serve families in the Shaanxi Free Trade Zone and the High-Tech Zone. These zones attract global firms in aerospace, tech, and biotech.
That government link has benefits. The school gets steady funding. All surplus goes back into the school.
By 2017, XLIS earned full authorization from the International Baccalaureate Organization. XLIS was the first school in Northwest China to do this across all three programs.
The school also holds:
- WASC accreditation
- Council of International Schools (CIS) membership
- SAT/AP testing center status, granted by the American College Board — first in northwest China
- UNESCO Green Education Partnership Status
- Child Safeguarding Certification
XLIS serves about 700 to 800 students from over 54 countries. The faculty has 74 international teachers from 21 countries. Teacher retention is above 90% each year. That is one of the best rates in China's international school sector.
How Does Xi'an Liangjiatan International School Rank Nationally?
Rankings matter when you're choosing a school from abroad. XLIS performs well across every major ranking system in China.
KingLead Rankings
KingLead is one of China's most cited school ranking bodies. In 2026, XLIS earned a national ranking of 10th among foreign national children's schools. It earned a 5A rating — the top tier. In 2025, XLIS achieved a national ranking of 14th in the same category, earning a 4A rating. That made it the highest-ranked school in all Northwest China. It was also the only school from the region in the national top 30.
Forbes China Rankings
Forbes assessed over 3,000 schools using 40 metrics in 2025. XLIS ranked 39th among the top 50 foreign nationals' high schools in China. In 2024, XLIS placed in the Forbes Top 100. It was the only school from Shaanxi Province to do so.
Hurun Bai Xue Rankings
The 2026 Hurun Bai Xue report positioned XLIS 25th nationally among the 148 assessed foreign personnel schools. XLIS was the only school from central or western China in the top 30. Over 560 education experts took part in that survey.
These three systems use different methods. XLIS ranks well in all of them. That consistency tells you something real about the school's quality.
IB Curriculum at Xi'an Liangjiatan International School
XLIS offers a full 15-year IB path. A child can start at age 3 and finish at 18. No school changes. No curriculum switches. Fewer than 10% of IB World Schools worldwide offer all three programs.
IB Primary Years Programme — Early Years to Grade 5
The IB Primary Years Programme uses inquiry-based learning. Young students explore six cross-subject themes. The goal is to build curiosity. Class sizes stay small. The student-to-teacher ratio is about 5 to 1.
IB Middle Years Programme — Grades 6 to 10
The IB Middle Years Programme covers eight subject areas. Students link core subjects to real-world problems. The classroom environment builds critical thinking at each stage. In grade 10, students complete a personal project. This builds research and planning skills. Those skills matter in the Diploma Programme.
Diploma Programme — Grades 11 and 12
The Diploma Programme is the most demanding stage. Students take six subjects. Three are at a higher level. Three are at the standard level. Students also complete the Theory of Knowledge, an extended essay, and a Creativity, Activity, and Service project.
XLIS students scored a perfect 45 out of 45 in both 2022 and 2024. The school's average DP score is around 38. The global average is 30 to 31. The pass rate is 100%.
All students must study the Chinese language, history, and culture. That is not common in international schools. XLIS is set in one of China's most historic cities. The curriculum reflects that.
XLIS is also an SAT and AP testing center; students take those exams on campus.
Xi'an Liangjiatan International School Campus and Community
The campus is in Chang'an District. It sits within the Xi'an International Community. They built that zone for international residents. The site covers 103 mu, about 17 acres. The Qinling Mountain range rises to the south. The Fenghe River runs close by.
Chinese and international architects designed the campus. You'll find science labs, arts studios, a black box theater, an Olympic-sized pool, and sports fields. This is a green and modern campus. The school follows a community-driven approach to school life. The school builds parental involvement into its operations.
Students come from 54 countries; teachers come from 21. The school demographics reflect a diverse international mix.
Xi'an Liangjiatan International School Fees
Tuition at XLIS is well below IB schools in Shanghai or Beijing. Here is the full fee list for 2024 to 2025:
- Kindergarten: RMB 133,300 per year
- Grades 1 to 2: RMB 133,300 per year
- Grades 3 to 5: RMB 138,600 per year
- Grade 6: RMB 172,000 per year
- Grades 7 to 8: RMB 179,000 per year
- Grades 9 to 10: RMB 206,000 per year
- Grade 10, MYP Year 5: RMB 215,000 per year
- Grades 11 to 12, Diploma Programme: RMB 215,300 per year
- Boarding, Grades 6 to 12: RMB 60,000 to 80,000 per year extra
- Bus service: RMB 12,500 per year
Shanghai IB schools charge RMB 320,000 to 400,000 per year at the DP level. XLIS charges RMB 215,300. That annual saving tops RMB 100,000 in tuition alone. Xi'an's cost of living is lower too. The total gap over two DP years is large.
XLIS runs the XLIS Silk Road Scholarship for top students. Contact the school for details.
What Extracurriculars and Holistic Development Does XLIS offer?
XLIS prioritizes the whole-child idea. The DP needs creativity, activity, and service hours. Students have real ways to meet those hours at XLIS.
Sports include swimming, basketball, and ACAMIS tournament play. In 2024, XLIS hosted a swim meet. It drew 500 students from 24 schools across 9 cities.
Arts spaces include a digital art studio, a photo lab, pottery rooms, music production, and a gallery. Students work toward real shows and exhibitions.
All teachers complete IB training. In 2024, XLIS hosted an IB Asia Pacific workshop. It brought 265 teachers from 9 countries. Strong professional development for teachers leads to better outcomes for students. XLIS uses a clear international education management system and fair hiring policies. These conditions attract top-tier applicants for jobs for international teachers. Strong teachers mean better results for your child.
XLIS also runs the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. That credential carries weight at UK and Commonwealth universities.
The learning journey at XLIS goes beyond the classroom. "Week Without Walls" sends students on travel and service projects. Xi'an's cultural treasures are part of the curriculum. The Terracotta Warriors, the ancient city wall, and the Silk Road heritage are not day trips; they are learning tools.
Xi'an Liangjiatan International School Admissions Process and Eligibility
XLIS enrolls children of foreign nationals. Families from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan are also eligible. Mainland Chinese passport holders without eligible status cannot enroll. Check your status before you apply.
Admissions are rolling. The school takes applications all year. Joining at a transition point helps. Good entry points are kindergarten, grade 6, and grade 11.
The standard steps:
- Contact Alifa Education Services. We will guide you on submitting an online application
- Student assessment — academic and English testing
- Parent and student interview
- Enrollment and document submission
You’ll need
- valid passports
- house permits
- past school records with certified English translations
- vaccination records
- any learning support reports
Scholarship deadlines may fall before the general window.
University Counseling at XLIS starts in Grade 10. The team covers the full college application process. That includes the Common App for the USA, UCAS for the UK, and direct systems for Canada, Australia, and Asia. XLIS has a 100% university placement rate over the past 10 years. Graduates hold offers from Cambridge, UCL, NYU, UCLA, the University of Toronto, Tsinghua, and the University of Hong Kong.
The school welcomes active candidates from all eligible nationalities.
Is Xi'an Liangjiatan International School the Right Choice for Your Child?
Be honest about the trade-offs. Xi'an is not a first-tier city. You will not find the same range of international services as in Shanghai or Shenzhen.
But XLIS delivers results that match China's top international schools. The full IB path, high DP scores, and 90% teacher retention are facts, not claims.
Ask yourself three questions. Do you want a clear IB path from early years to university? Do you value a close, diverse community? Are you open to a city with lower costs and a rich history? If yes to all three, XLIS is worth serious thought.
Conclusion
Xi'an Liangjiatan International School is the top choice for international families in Northwest China. The facts make a clear case.
Here are the key points
- Full IB path from age 3 to 18
- Average DP score of 38 with a 100% pass rate
- Tuition ranges from RMB 133,300 to RMB 215,300 per year
- 100% university placement rate over 10 years
- Graduates at Cambridge, UCL, NYU, Tsinghua, and more
- Lower tuition than first-tier city IB schools
Choosing a school in China takes time. Most families don't have the inside knowledge when they first arrive. That's where Alifa Education Services comes in. Alifa works with families across Southeast Asia and India. The team makes school placement in China simple. They shortlist schools, manage applications, and handle the details. You focus on your family.
Book a free consultation with us today. Make your school decision with confidence.
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