Twenty years of dedication, one unwavering original aspiration. From the Schweitzer Medal to dual recognitions by Forbes, Principal Li has passed on the torch of role models and culture, illuminating the dream paths of 5,000 children.
On December 10, the 2025 Forbes China International School Principal Awards Ceremony was grandly held at the headquarters of Forbes China Group. Ms. Li Mei, Executive Principal of Shenzhen American International School, stood out from more than 100 candidate principals and was awarded the title of "Forbes China Outstanding Principal of International Schools".
Meanwhile, with its outstanding strength, Shenzhen American International School took the lead in this selection, winning the first place in the total score of the 2025 Forbes China Foreign Nationals School Primary School Annual Ranking in Shenzhen, the fourth place in junior high school, and the fifth place in senior high school, becoming a dual honor winner in this selection.
A Moment of Glory, A Beacon of Education
The 2025 Forbes China International School Principal Awards Ceremony brought together numerous experts in the education sector and principals of international schools. Hosted by Forbes China, this event was an industry grand gathering focusing on leaders in international education.
Principal Li stood out from a group of outstanding educators and was awarded the title of "Forbes China Outstanding Principal of International Schools". This honor is not only a recognition of her personal educational philosophy and leadership, but also an affirmation of Shenzhen American International School's 20-year adherence to its educational original aspiration.
"I have transformed from a recipient of awards into a heritage inheritor. I firmly believe that true education does not lie in textbooks, but in the passing on of role models and culture," Principal Li said in her acceptance speech.
Five-Dimension Evaluation, All-Round Excellence
The evaluation criteria for the Forbes China International School Principal Awards cover five dimensions: educational capability, management capability, international school-running achievements, industry influence, and comprehensive leading value. Principal Li and Shenzhen American International School have demonstrated outstanding performance in all aspects.
In terms of educational capability, Principal Li has a clear and mature educational philosophy, can accurately grasp the development trends of international education, and effectively implement them in school management and educational reform. With over 20 years of in-depth experience in the education sector, she has continuously received high-quality training and accumulated rich professional experience.
In terms of management capabilities, Shenzhen American International School (SAIS) pioneered a unique East-West integrated education model among international schools that balances diligence with mindfulness. SAIS’s curriculum system is both international and forward-looking, featuring the city’s one-of-a-kind ParkLab. Meanwhile, the development of the teaching faculty is continuously refined: we have built a team of teachers with master’s and doctoral degrees, the proportion of faculty members with international backgrounds keeps rising, and our international cooperation programs are rich and diverse.
In terms of international school-running achievements, the students of Shenzhen American International School (SAIS) have made remarkable progress. 100% of high school graduates gain admission to top-tier universities worldwide, including the top 5 institutions in the UK such as the University of Cambridge and University College London (UCL), the top 30 universities in the US, and the top 5 universities in Hong Kong, with a 100% graduation rate. Our graduates are realizing their dreams of studying at world-class universities. Meanwhile, the school’s enrollment scale keeps expanding, and the student profile is continuously optimized.
Twenty Years of Accumulation, Unchanged Original Aspiration
Principal Li has been engaged in international education for more than twenty years, helping 5,000 students realize their dreams.
“Why were we able to stand out among more than a hundred outstanding candidate principals and numerous renowned schools?” In the face of this dual recognition from Forbes, Principal Li Mei shared her insights on winning the award with a simple yet profound answer: “It all comes down to that most authentic original aspiration — believing that every child has a unique spark, and the mission of education is to let that spark shine brightly.”
A Path of Public Welfare, Education with Warmth
The educational philosophy of Principal Li and Shenzhen American International School not only focuses on academic achievements, but also attaches great importance to cultivating students' sense of social responsibility. She has persisted in public welfare for more than 20 years, donating 27 cancer surgeries for children with leukemia and establishing the first "Joy Reading Room" for left-behind children. "This is the kind of international education with warmth, and it is also the foundation for our school to top the rankings," emphasized Principal Li.
Upon learning of the award, Principal Li immediately attributed the joy to all members of the Shenzhen American International School community: "This double highlight belongs to every teacher, child and parent of the school. It is the accumulation of twenty years, and also a story jointly written by us." At Shenzhen American International School, education is the inspiration in the classroom and the exploration in the park; it is the excellence on the report card and the smile when donating books; it is the gateway to world-renowned universities and the journey back to the kindness in one's heart.
From the Schweitzer Medal to the dual recognitions by Forbes, Principal Li and Shenzhen American International School have proven through their actions that true education is not only about imparting knowledge, but also about igniting dreams, inheriting culture and shouldering social responsibilities. This honor is not only an affirmation of the past, but also an incentive to keep moving forward in the future.
繁体
