Beijing's international schools hold most of their autumn open days in October and November. Several also run private tours on weekdays, and a few publish dates only once registration opens. If a school you like hasn't posted a date yet, it's worth emailing admissions directly.
An open day gives you a few hours to see how a school really works. Here's how to use that time well, followed by the dates confirmed so far.
Which kind of visit is right for you?
- Open morning or open day. A welcome from school leaders, then a guided tour. The best first look at a school you're seriously considering.
- Early years session. Designed for families with toddlers and young children. Watch how staff settle little ones and talk to parents.
- Private tour. One family at a time, on a weekday. Slower and more personal, and good for a second visit.
- Online information session. A quick way to narrow your list before you cross the city.
Before you go
Check eligibility. Some Beijing international schools only admit children with a foreign passport, or a Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan residence document. Others are bilingual schools that admit Chinese nationals. Ask admissions which applies before you book, so you don't spend a morning at a school your child can't attend.
Think about distance. Many international schools sit in Shunyi and Chaoyang, and the drive between districts can take well over an hour at rush hour. Plan which school bus routes or metro lines would serve your home.
Shortlist three to five schools. Use the NovaEd directory to filter Beijing schools by curriculum, age range and district.
Plan for the season. By December, air quality and cold weather shape daily school life. It's reasonable to ask how the school handles both.
Write your questions down, and decide in advance whether your child comes with you.
On the day
- Watch the corridors, not just the stage. How do adults and students speak to each other between lessons?
- Look at student work. Is it the children's own, and does it show thinking, not just neat presentation?
- Ask to see an ordinary classroom for your child's age, not only the showcase spaces.
- Talk to current parents if you get the chance. Ask what surprised them after their first term.
The NovaEd Campus Culture Check gives you eight things to look for and a simple way to rate each one as you walk around.
Questions worth asking
- How big are classes in my child's year, and how many adults support each class?
- How long do teachers usually stay, and what was turnover this year?
- What support is there for children still learning English, and how is Chinese taught?
- How do you manage indoor air quality, and what happens on high-pollution days?
- What does admissions involve: assessment, interview, school reports? When will we hear back?
- Which costs sit outside tuition: application fee, deposit, building fee, bus, lunch, uniform, trips?
- Is there a waiting list for my child's year?
Afterwards
Write down your impressions the same day. Compare schools on the same points, not only on overall feeling. Then check application deadlines: many schools are already accepting applications for August 2027.
Confirmed open days in Beijing, October to December 2026
| Date | School | Campus | Who it's for | How to book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 14 Oct, 9:00–11:30 | British School of Beijing, Sanlitun | 5 Xiliujie, Sanlitun | Early Years, ages 1 to 4 | Register on the school's open day page |
| Sat 17 Oct | Harrow Beijing | Hegezhuang | Lower School and Upper School | Register on the school's open day page |
| Wed 21 Oct | Canadian International School of Beijing | Liangmaqiao | Prospective families | Registration opens nearer the date |
| Wed 11 Nov | Canadian International School of Beijing | Liangmaqiao | Prospective families | Registration opens nearer the date |
| Wed 2 Dec | Canadian International School of Beijing | Liangmaqiao | Prospective families | Registration opens nearer the date |
We'll add more Beijing dates here once schools confirm them on their own websites.
Free NovaEd guides for your visits
- NovaEd School Visit Guide: what to do before, during and after a school visit, with a question list you can print.
- NovaEd Campus Culture Check: eight things to look for on campus, with a simple rating sheet.
- International schools in Beijing: browse and compare schools on the NovaEd directory.
Dates are as published by each school on 27 September 2026. Schools do change dates and sessions do fill, so please confirm with the school before you go. NovaEd doesn't organise these events.