the international school of qingdao (isq), formerly qmis, was established by international schools consortium (isc), a non-profit corporation committed to educational work in china. this includes establishing international schools for expatriate children and promoting cultural understanding and exchanges. isq was the second of seven schools to be established under the international schools consortium. isq obtained licensing from the qingdao education commission in june 1996 and the national education ministry on september 23, 1996.