Dr. Lily Liu – Head of School
Introducing Our Senior Leadership Team
XLIS offers the IB-Primary Years Programme, IB-Middle Years Programme the Diploma Programme continuum from kindergarten to high school. XLIS is the only SAT and AP test center authorized by the American College Board in the northwestern region of China.
XLIS is renowned for its dedication to fostering individualism while nurturing strong student-teacher relationships, promoting academic excellence, offering a rigorous IB program, and embracing Chinese culture. Our mission is to educate students to become confident, open-minded global citizens through lifelong learning and a strong sense of community.
I am incredibly excited to begin my 11th year as Head of School in this fabulous community. As we enter our 21st year, I am filled with enthusiasm and confidence for the future. Over the past few years, we have risen to new heights in the face of pandemic challenges, embracing transformation and riding the waves of change. Our school has become more resilient, inclusive, and robust. As we are approaching the end of the 2023-2024 academic year, our student enrollment numbers have reached new records, and our diverse environment is consistently achieving outstanding results. Currently, we have over 800 students and faculty members from 54 countries and regions around the world.
XLIS, formerly known as Xi’an High-Tech International School International Department (XHIS), was founded in 2003. Our focus has always been on building a healthy campus that embodies intelligence and environmental protection. Our beautiful campus, named Liangjiatan after the Horse Pasture of the Great General Liang Huafeng from the Qing Dynasty, blends harmoniously with the stunning southern Qinling Mountains. The first-class campus facilities perfectly meet the teaching and learning requirements and the growth needs of the students. Each school year, we gather suggestions from community members and implement them on holidays, showing the power of innovation through surprising transformations on our campus.
I firmly believe that teamwork makes dreams work, and our community members are the heart and soul of our school. Our teachers are dedicated and committed to providing a differentiated and holistic education to our students. Our Class 2024 DP graduates received acceptances from many of the world’s most prestigious colleges and universities, including majors in Business Management, Computer Science, Economics, Psychology, and Fashion Design. Our parents, particularly the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), continue to be most supportive and incredibly committed throughout the year. Our administrative and logistics staff work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the smooth operation of the school and the functionality of the campus. Moreover, our community partners, including our accrediting bodies, IB and WASC, members of ACAMIS, EARCOS, and our affiliation with the local government, ensure that we adhere to rigorous international and local standards.
As the most competitive and attractive international school in Northwest China, I feel blessed by what XLIS has achieved in over 20 years. I am also proud of the connections we are making today in an ever-changing world, and confident that we will achieve further growth in the future!
I welcome you to join us on a mutual development path and invite you to explore our website (http://xalis.com) to learn more about XLIS.
Lily Liu
Head of School
Mr. Brian Lalor – Deputy Head of School
Welcome to Xi’an Liangjiatan International School, where our mission is to enable confident, open-minded, global citizens, through life-long learning and a sense of community.
My name is Brian Lalor and I currently serve as the Deputy Head of School. I have worked in teaching roles as well as a curriculum coordinator and principal. I came to the school in 2014 with a two-year-old and a one-month-old baby. I now have three daughters in the school, with one of them transitioning into middle school this year. I work for the IBO in the role of Evaluation and Program leader, where I support the development of schools in our region. I also volunteer regularly for ACS WASC in a similar role.
A lot has happened in the XLIS journey over the past years, but perhaps the most notable event for me was the school becoming fully accredited by The Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Through this process the school was able to gather input from parents, students, staffand our governing body. This community agency led us to develop our four schoolwide goals. These are the four goals we will be working on over the next five years.
XLIS Schoolwide Goals
Goal 1: Supporting students to develop their competencies in XLIS language of instruction.
Goal 2: Vertical articulation – Align curriculum between PYP, MYP & DP to ensure smooth transitions of students between the programs.
Goal 3: Implement self-study recommendations to create a cohesive organization.
Goal 4: To increase communication between parents and the school. To gradually work with our PTA to develop stronger community partnerships.
I greatly appreciated being part of the process to listen to various stakeholders, analyze student data and consider our demographics in developing these four goals. We have made much progress on these goals this year and have a plan in place to achieve them systematically in the coming years. Goals 2 and 3 have us focused on creating one cohesive learning experience as students go through our school. One area in particular is the major transition students experience as they move from PYP to MYP. Students move from having one homeroom teacher and four single subject teachers to having eight single subject teachers. Through a new homeroom system which we are developing, we are planning to improve this transition. Also, by aligning the curriculum much more closely, students will experience a seamless transition.
Finally, there are just two things I am focused on and they are the following. I desire for every child in our school to have their social-emotional needs meet, by being in a safe and supportiveenvironment. I also desire that every child will achieve his or her full academic potential while with us.
Brian Lalor
Deputy Head of School
Mr. Shameek Gosh – Secondary Principal
Dear members of our XLIS family,
I would like to welcome you to the new academic year of 2024-2025 as the new Secondary Principal. The past year, we have heavily focused on achieving part of our strategic plan by enhancing our competencies in the language of instruction in the classroom and aligning our vertical curriculum better. The intention has always been to improve student learning by enhancing access to the curriculum. We have worked extensively in setting things in motion for this by engaging in a number of professional development opportunities. This year would see our efforts continuing towards academic excellence through careful planning and execution.
The past year has seen our MYP5 students work towards their e-assessments and an improvement in the quality of the work experiences that they have gathered. Similarly, our DP1 cohort has demonstrated their zeal for knowledge by putting up their TOK exhibitions and engaging in various CAS experiences. Our meta projects from M1 and M2 and community projects from M3 gave us a glimpse of our student’s capabilities with the right guidance. It is the side of experiential learning at XLIS that makes the us strong as a learning community. All our events are aimed at improving student engagement through action. Our Week Without Walls programmes for the MYP and the retreat for the DP provided a very good platform for our students to be balanced and explore their identities in the company of their friends and teachers.
As we embark on our journey for the new academic year, my goals would be to continue the vertical articulation and strengthen the secondary curriculum, mentor teachers to improve teaching practices and improve communication and collaboration with secondary parents. I look forward to your support in achieving our mission and making our school a great one from a good one.
Mr. Shameek Gosh
Secondary Principal
Ms. Marly Song – Primary Principal
Dear XLIS Community,
Welcome to the 2024 – 2025 academic year at XLIS! This year we will continue striving to move from being a good school to a great school. We have our four school-wide goals and strategic plan for primary to lead us further in that direction. We will continue to develop and grow with our mission always at the forefront – to be a not-for-profit organization that enables confident, open-minded global citizens through lifelong learning and a sense of community. Our students will continue to have opportunities to develop their confidence through our many events, assemblies and performances. Our community connections will strengthen through our numerous parent workshops, Open Days, and collaborative events.
To highlight our first school-wide goal, it is to support our students to develop their competencies in the XLIS language of instruction – English. This goal can only be achieved when all staff see themselves as language teachers. In classrooms, English is the primary language that is heard and translanguaging is used as a tool that is planned for to help our students deepen their understanding of the concepts taught. Language acquisition, as with any skill, will only be mastered through practice. Teachers, you are the coaches. We will have focused professional development this year to develop as a team to achieve this first goal.
We have many things to be proud of at XLIS, and we will be starting the year off on the right foot as we welcome back all of our teaching staff from last year. We have an amazing team of educators who are committed to life-long learning and building a sense of community at XLIS. We have much to look forward to this year!
Have a wonderful year.
Marly Song
Primary Principal
Ms. Echo Zhao – Director of Brand Development
Dear Members of the XLIS Community,
Welcome you to the 2024-2025 academic year！
As the Director of Brand Development at XLIS, I am thrilled to introduce a dedicated team. The Brand Development Team comprises various departments supporting our diverse community of over 800 students and teachers from 53 countries and regions.
These departments include:
Administration Department
Public Relations Department
Finance Department
Our primary responsibility is to develop school policies and management systems that actively foster a flexible, cross-cultural environment. This environment is designed to be easy to understand and follow, and our core value is nurturing global citizens with an international perspective and a deep understanding of Chinese culture. To achieve this, our Brand Development team creates policy systems and manages processes that blend Chinese and international expertise, enhancing our ability to effectively serve students, parents, and the broader community.
We are committed to compiling comprehensive handbooks for parents, primary and secondary students, and staff. These documents and our Whole School Policies support our mission and vision, optimize school procedures, and foster a shared understanding and commitment to our school culture.
We are proud to report a 96.2% student retention rate this year, reflecting our growing reputation and the trust placed in us by families worldwide. Our experienced and qualified teachers and administrative staff will continue to build on the strong foundations established over XLIS’s 20-year history.
We warmly invite everyone to actively participate in our vibrant community. Your ideas and contributions are not only welcome but also invaluable to our ＢＤ efforts, including parent workshops, school open days, promotional activities, and articles. Your involvement is what makes our community thrive.
Let us make the 2024-2025 academic year a remarkable success.
Warm regards,
Echo Zhao
Director of Brand Development
Mr. Alex Rambaud – Director of Whole School Cultural Activities & Dormitory
Dear XLIS Community Members,
My name is Alex Rambaud, Director of Whole-school Cultural Activities and Dormitory Director at XLIS. Welcome to the 2024-2025 Academic Year! The school Staff Handbook and its carefully compiled contents are an excellent guide for all members of the XLIS academic and administrative bodies. I invite you to refer to it often as you embark on another journey of learning as a cherished member of our community.
In my role I have the immense pleasure to oversee a team of specialists in charge of implementing a caring culture of inclusion, a love of reading, a passion for the sports and our students’ personal interests, and a unique dormitory program.
Our team looks forward to supporting you to achieve our school’s mission and vision and to have another memorable year at XLIS!
Mr. Alex Rambaud
Director of Whole School Cultural Activities & Dormitory
Mr. Kriss Parker – Director of Logistics & Child Protection Officer
Welcome to XLIS! My name is Kriss, and I am honoured to serve as the Director of Logistics. It is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome to all our new and returning staff members for the 2024-2025 academic year.
At XLIS, our mission is to cultivate confident, open-minded global citizens within a safe and positive learning environment. This year brings exciting changes and new opportunities for growth, and I am thrilled to collaborate and work with you all to support our school’s mission and vision.
As the director of logistics, my role is to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of our school campus. This includes overseeing the health and safety of all staff and students, as well as providing leadership and support to our resource, IT departments, and health centre. My team and I are passionately dedicated to creating a vibrant educational environment where both students and teachers can thrive, achieve their fullest potential, and experience tremendous growth and success. Together, we aim to make XLIS a dynamic and enriching place for everyone.
Whether you are continuing your journey with XLIS or joining us for the first time, the logistics department is here to support you. It is a privilege to work alongside such passionate and committed educators, and I am excited about the wonderful possibilities this year holds.
Together, let’s make this academic year a memorable and successful one for everyone at XLIS.
Regards,
Mr. Kriss Parker
Director of Logistics & Child Protection Officer
Kathy Wei – Director of Human Resources & All Staff Well-being
Dear All,
As I enter my seventh year at XLIS, I want to extend my gratitude to the entire community for another year of collaborative efforts. I also want to extend a warm welcome to the new staff joining us for the 24-25 academic year. It has been an honor to be part of this ongoing journey.
As Director of HR, I am committed to closely collaborating with our dedicated and professional HR team to consistently deliver high-quality HR services to all staff.
As the Director of Staff Wellbeing, I actively coordinate various events to promote both physical and mental health. These include Staff Swimming, Family Mountain Climbing, Women’s Day, Teacher’s Day, and Staff Celebrations, among others. Recognizing the importance of a healthy work-life balance, we are committed to fostering a supportive environment that continuously enhances the overall well-being and development of our staff members.
In my role, I also oversee the entire school Exchange Program, which has been particularly successful this year. We’ve provided a variety of enriching experiences, including sleepover camps, on-campus summer camps, and international camps in Singapore, the UK, and the US. Furthermore, we have hosted visits from schools around the world, offering excellent opportunities for cultural exchange and growth. We are committed to continuing our efforts to these mutual visiting opportunities in the future.
Best regards,
Kathy Wei
Director of HR and Staff Wellbeing
