Our Story

MLES opened its first school in Dalian, China in 1995 with 14 students. This school represented the vision of Dr. Sherman Jen, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, to operate a high quality, externally accredited, international, private school in China. The educational system Dr. Jen introduced was a blend of the educational model he had witnessed while living in British Columbia, Canada, with the strengths and cultural richness that exist in the Chinese educational system.


Today MLES operates over 100 schools from preschool to high school in more than 25 cities globally, including one in Canada, one in Malaysia, and one in Singapore, serving over 40,000 students.

Our History

2023

  • In March, Chinese Testing International Co., Ltd., an official organization of the Ministry of Education of China, awarded MLES with a certificate for the MLES Chinese series of textbooks. The MLES Chinese series of textbooks are recommended to be used by Chinese language learners in primary and secondary schools in various countries.
  • In April, MLES released a report on Maple Leaf English Enhancement Program research and launched PPPS.
  • In May , UK Ecctis released the summary report of Maple Leaf World School Program, which points out that: Holders of the Maple Leaf World School Program Grade 12 diploma may be considered to meet the general entry requirement of undergraduate admission in the UK, Canada and the US; The Maple Leaf World Program graduation diploma is considered to be consistent with the graduation standards of GCE AS/ A Level in the UK, graduation diplomas in Canada ( British Columbia), and graduation diplomas in the United States ( New York).
  • From June 17th to 18th, the International Conference on the Construction of High-Quality Schools with Chinese Characteristics was held at the Maple Leaf Educational Systems in Shenzhen. Experts and scholars in international education gathered to explore the development path of high-quality schools with Chinese characteristics.
  • In July, the first batch of students of the Maple Leaf World School Program graduated with impressive admission results. The first batch of graduates has 1,145 students, who have received admission letters from 236 universities in 18 countries and regions. 80% of them were admitted to the world's top 100 universities ranked by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). Among all the graduates of MLES, 86% of them were admitted to the world's top 100 universities.
  • On August 16th, the opening ceremony of the MLES-ASU “1+3” Program was held at MLES Buiding in Shenzhen.
  • On September 10th, MLES - Xiangyang was established, which is the second educational park of MLIS after Chongqing Park.
  • In October, MLES officially launched the“The Honorary Zhou Enlai Class Educational Plan”.
  • On November 26th, the opening ceremony of Maple Leaf Educational Systems - North Maple Leaf Educational School District was grandly held at Maple Leaf International High School - Dalian.
  • On December 8th to 9th, the International Education Branch of Hainan Society of Education was established in the Maple Leaf Educational Systems - Hainan Maple Leaf Educational District and Headmistress Wang Jinying was elected as the first chairman of the International Education Branch of Hainan Society of Education.

2022

  • In January, Maple Leaf World School Program was mentioned in the annual observation report of China Education Daily.
  • In March, Blue Book on International Curriculum with Chinese Characteristics——The Maple Leaf World School Program & Standards was published.
  • In April, MLES and NewCapec held a signing ceremony for the "Smart Campus" project.
  • In May, MLES demonstrated excellence in meeting the Cognia Performance Standards during the annual accreditation review , achieving the highest overall score(IEQ 370)in the world.
  • In May, MLES and Maple Leaf schools celebrated their 27 th anniversary . The Maple Leaf Education Building was completed.
  • In September, Maple Leaf Online Education “Touché” was officially launched, offering the first batch of AP courses.
  • In September, MLES was awarded Cognia’s 2022 Schools and Educational Systems of Distinction.
  • In November, MLES Building Ribbon Cutting Ceremony & MLES International Education Fair Opening Ceremony were held.

2021

  • A new journey of innovation and pioneering was started with the settlement of Shenzhen startup team.
  • The roadshow team led by Sherman Jen visited domestic universities,  opening up the domestic and international "Double Graduation Exits".
  • MLWS Program Forum was held in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Yiwu and Hainan.
  • MLWS signage was officially released.
  • The 2-week roadshow in Beijing, Sherman Jen and the team made a significant progress in promoting MLWSP accreditation.
  • Student enrollment number was 45,829.

2020

  • MLES acquires the Kingsley International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a K-12, high-quality, UK A-Level private school with 1,000+ students.
  • Due to pandemic restrictions, MLES effectively launches online educational delivery using its Canvas Learning Management System.
  • MLES completes the acquisition of the Canadian International School, one of the largest, premium, top-tier, IB, private schools in Singapore, with approximately 3,500 students.
  • ML implements its MLWS Curriculum in grade 10 (grade 11 will be implemented in September 2021 and grade 12 in 2022).

2019

  • ML international schools ranked by Knowledge Review as one of the Top 10 International Schools in China.
  • Cognia (formerly AdvancED) accredits all ML Elementary and Middle Schools.
  • MLES opens a World School on the campus of the University of South Australia in Adelaide.
  • Cognia (formerly AdvancED) accredits ML’s World School Curriculum and based upon ML’s continued satisfactory inspections, agrees to stamp its endorsement on all MLWS grade 12 graduation diplomas.
  • Dr. Sherman Jen named one of China’s Top 10 Most Influential Educational Leaders.
  • MLES opens a World School on the campus of Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
  • MLES opens an elementary school in Xiangyang.
  • MLES opens an elementary school in Tianjin Nankai.
  • MLES opens an elementary and middle school in Jinan.
  • MLES purchases a future ML World School site in Brockville, Ontario, Canada, a beautiful historic school campus on a 27-acre site overlooking the St. Lawrence River.

2018

  • MLES opens a new school in Shenzhen.
  • MLES opens 8 new Pre-Schools in Xiangyang.

2017

  • MLES opens Maple Leaf Schools – KPU in Richmond (Vancouver), BC, Canada.
  • MLES opens attains AdvancED Systems Accreditation.
  • MLES opens pre-school, elementary, middle and high schools in Haikou.
  • MLES opens pre-school, elementary and middle schools in Weifang.
  • MLES opens pre-school,elementary and middle schools in Chongqing Liangping.
  • MLES opens elementary and middle schools in Yancheng.
  • MLES opens high school in Xi’an.
  • MLES earns Systems/Corporate Accreditation from AdvancED (USA).

2016

  • MLES opens first school outside of China – Maple Leaf School – TRU opened in September on the campus of Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia, Canada.
  • MLES opens Yiwi Foreign Nationals School.
  • MLES opens elementary and middle schools in Pinghu.
  • MLES opens elementary and middle schools in Huai’an.
  • MLES opens pre-school, elementary and middle schools in Xi’an.
  • MLES high schools in China earned AvancED accreditation from the USA.

2015

  • MLES opens new Elementary School, Middle School and BC High School in Yiwu in September.
  • MLES opens a new Elementary School and Middle School in Jingzhou in September.
  • MLES celebrates its 20th year anniversary.

2014

  • MLES opens new Elementary School and Middle School in Pingdingshan in September.
  • MLES opens new Elementary School and Middle School in Tianjin-Huayuan in September.

2013

  • MLES receives BC Ministry approval to deliver BC high school curriculum at MLIS – Luoyang and MLIS – Shanghai.
  • Sherman Jen received Honourary Doctorate of Laws from Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC Canada.
  • Maple Leaf Orca Centre opens to manage SAT training and assist MLES most gifted students with university preparation.
  • MLIS – Shanghai school opens in historic Fengjing Town, Jinshan District, Shanghai.
  • MLIS – Wuhan opens new Middle School and Elementary School, establishing Maple Leaf Education Park – Wuhan.

2012

  • MLES signs agreement with the Educational Authority in Inner Mongolia, Ordos to establish a new school – Maple Leaf International Elementary/Middle School – Ordos.
  • Maple Leaf International High School – Ordos opens.
  • Maple Leaf International High School – Luoyang opens.
  • MLES signs a partnership agreement with the Henan Provincial Government to operate a Maple Leaf International Elementary/Middle School in a newly constructed, government owned facility in Luoyang.
  • Groundbreaking ceremony for the newest MLIS campus in Shanghai.

2011

  • Maple Leaf International School – Zhenjiang opens on the newly built campus.
  • Maple Leaf Elementary and Middle Schools open in Tianjin offering an enhanced Chinese program from K – 9.


2010

  • MLES celebrates its 15th year anniversary.
  • Daheishi Middle School moves to new facilities at the Dalian campus in Jinshitan.
  • MLES Headquarters relocates to Jinshitan, leading to the establishment of the Maple Leaf Educational Park – Dalian.
  • The Maple Leaf Foreign Nationals School – Dalian moves to a new location in downtown Dalian.

2009

  • The fourth BC High School program opens in Chongqing – Maple Leaf International School – Chongqing Campus.
  • A second campus opens in Dalian allowing the creation of separate gender campuses. Maple Leaf International High School – Dalian, with boys’ and girls’ Campuses, opens.

2008

  • The third MLES BC high school program opens in Tianjin – Maple Leaf International School – Tianjin (TEDA).

2007

  • Maple Leaf English is established to provide high quality ESL instruction and materials through the MLES system of schools.
  • Two new campuses open in Wuhan – Maple Leaf Foreign Nationals School – Wuhan and Maple Leaf International High School – Wuhan.

2006

  • The newly renovated campus for the Maple Leaf Foreign Nationals School opens in Dalian.
  • Expansion throughout Dalian of Maple Leaf Pre-Schools.

2005

  • Maple Leaf Educational System (MLES) celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of Maple Leaf International School (MLIS) – Dalian.

2003

  • Maple Leaf Educational Systems Main Office opens in downtown Dalian.
  • The first middle school campus of opens – Maple Leaf Middle School – Daheishi (Black Mountain) Campus.

2001

  • The first Maple Leaf Elementary School opens in the Dalian Development Zone, Kaifaqu.
  • The first Maple Leaf Foreign Nationals School opens in Dalian.

1999

  • The first graduating class from Maple Leaf International School – Dalian receive their high school diplomas and head off for colleges and universities in Canada, USA, UK and Korea.

1998

  • Maple Leaf International School – Dalian is inspected and certified as British Columbia’s first Offshore School program.

1995

  • Mr. Sherman Jen, Founder and Headmaster opened Dalian Maple Leaf International School, with 14 high school students enrolled.
  • Jinshitan campus location secured.

1994

  • Maple Leaf Educational Systems Main Office opens in downtown Dalian
  • The first middle school campus of opens – Maple Leaf Middle School – Daheishi (Black Mountain) Campus
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