Dragon Tales Blog

You might remember him as the drummer of Hangzhou International School’s coolest rock band— Gummistiefel. Today, Isaac Bender has just finished his master’s degree at Western University in archaeology, all while continuing to make rock music. Isaac is also one of our many HIS alumni making a real change in the world. Working alongside local First Nations communities, his master’s thesis contributed to national efforts to refine field methods to help inform the field operations of community-led investigations into missing children at Residential Schools in Canada.

At Hangzhou International School we seek to allow students the opportunities to pursue academic excellence, the inclusion of technology in PHE is one of these opportunities for students to embark on a voyage of discovery and learning. We have developed our program to build students skills as they progress through the MYP PHE program.

At first, the idea of climbing Africa’s highest mountain came from my mother. She prepared all the equipment by herself, and planned everything together with a coach, Mr Li. For me, it was going to be a challenge, and for her, even more so. However, she still made the preparations, and she also had great trust that I could complete it. 

MYP Film at Hangzhou International School is a subject that fosters creativity, teamwork, project management, and communication. Through hands-on filmmaking and critical analysis, students develop an appreciation for storytelling, genre, and visual communication while also gaining practical experience in problem-solving, collaboration and technology skills.

The Student Support Team (SST) at Hangzhou International School (HIS) aims to fulfill the school mission to provide international learners with opportunities to pursue academic and personal excellence within a caring community. One framework we utilize to achieve this goal is Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). MTSS is anevidence-based approach that makes up both academic interventions and emotional support strategies to promote the success of all students.

A passionate creative and leader, Tina Y. is an outstanding senior at Hangzhou International School, deeply involved in the visual arts throughout her time at HIS, where she found a supportive environment to explore and develop her creativity. Following her passion for visual arts and design, she will be attending the Rhode Island School of Design in fall.

Congratulations to our Hangzhou International School Class of 2016 alumni Suki and Shane, who have just celebrated their first wedding anniversary! These high school sweethearts have been together since their senior year and were married in June 2024, where many of their classmates and friends joined from all around the world! We recently caught up with them, where Suki shared their HIS love story and reflections on their journey together.

As part of the Hangzhou International School Learner Profile, students engage in community activities that show empathy and charitable work. During the first semester, Upper School students helped lead in two activities: Movember in November, and Secret Santa the following month.

Hello everyone. My name is Naomi, and I am a ninth grader at Hangzhou International School. Last summer, during July of 2024, I received the opportunity to travel to Gao Pai Village in the mountains of Guizhou to teach a summer school with a group of other students.

Building a strong community, like we have here at Hangzhou International School, transforms education into a collaborative journey where students thrive. That’s why part of our philospohy at HIS is that learning is enhanced by fostering a sense of belonging, not only enriching academic achievement, but also nurturing social and emotional development. 

From 19-21 February 2025, Hangzhou International School proudly hosted its inaugural Lower School Science Fair, showcasing the innovative minds of our Grade 1 to 5 students. This year's theme, "Helping the Planet," inspired a flurry of curiosity, creativity and critical thinking.

At Hangzhou International School (HIS), we are lucky enough to have a vibrant combination of cultures, experiences, and talents that set our community apart. Our students possess a wealth of knowledge about the world that is both unexpected and fascinating, and it is essential that we leverage this unique understanding in our educational journey with the students. Recently, our fourth graders showcased their learning through an art exhibition that brilliantly highlighted their understanding of various cultures. 

 In my experience as a teacher and a mom, I've learned how crucial sleep is for children. It's a big deal for their health and growth – not just physically, but emotionally and mentally too. In Early Childhood Education (ECE) at Hangzhou International School, "nap time" is still important. It's not just about giving kids a break; it helps them learn to do things on their own and handle their feelings better.

In our Early Childhood Education (ECE) library at Hangzhou International School (HIS), reading is a vibrant and interactive experience that lays the foundation for lifelong literacy. These spaces are thoughtfully designed to engage our Early Years through Kindergarten students, fostering a love for books and storytelling.

As Early Childhood teachers at Hangzhou International School (HIS), we aim to provide a challenging educational environment and a quality curriculum for all students through core concepts, essential skills, enriching experiences, inquiry-based approaches, and higher-level thinking skills.