You will find below a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in China with fee information. It includes nursery schools, primary and secondary (high) schools and you will find the right school to prepare for International Baccalaureate, and other diploma in China. Some schools will follow the American or British curriculums with English speaking programs while others are regulated under the French or Japanese education system.

Education in China

Education in the People's Republic of China is state-run system administered by the Ministry of Education. It is the largest education system in the world. Schooling is free of charge for Chinese citizens age 6 to 15 (books and uniforms may cost a small fee). In rural parts of China, many students stop their education at age 15. The Ministry of Education estimates that 99.7 percent of the population has achieved a nine-year basic education.

Chinese public schools are required by law to accept children of legal foreign residents. Admissions requirements vary but schools may require an admissions application, health records, passport, visa information, school records, birth certificate, recommendation letters, interviews, entrance exams and language requirements. Students who cannot speak Mandarin are held at first grade until their language skills reach acceptable levels. All classes except English are taught entirely in Chinese and there is little support for families and students who do not speak Chinese.

International Schools

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in China. There are a growing number of private schools in China. These schools mostly cater to wealthy Chinese or international students. Schools usually follow a curriculum model from the US, UK, France, Canada or Australia/New Zealand. Primary instruction may be any language (and multiple languages are usually taught), but it is usually in English, French, Spanish, German, or Japanese. Many schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe, providing for an easy transition between schools whether they are in France or Vietnam. Schools often provide internationally accepted accreditation such as the international baccalaureate.

Most international schools in China will only accept Chinese who hold a foreign passport. There are over 70 schools approved by China's Ministry of Education to provide foreign instruction. Unlike local children, foreigners must pay a yearly tuition which varies but starts at about 28,000 RMB.

Admission and enrollment procedures vary from school to school. Space is often limited and preference may be given to students based on nationality. Tuition tends to be expensive based on local standards, but offers high standards of learning, boast smaller class sizes, first-rate facilities, and extracurricular. Boarding facilities are available at some schools, but most only provide day classes.

Accreditation

The CoIS (Council of International Schools) is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which provides educational accreditation, teacher and leadership recruitment services, links to higher education, governance assistance and help with founding new schools. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and the National Center for Curriculum and Textbook Development (NCCT) offer information and accreditation as well. Schools may be a member of East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS), the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS), and the International Schools Athletic Conference, Beijing-Tianjin (ISAC). The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is a faith based accrediting body.

Beijing

Full listing of international schools in Beijing.

Chongqing

Chongqing Bachuan International High School
Address: 666 Tashan Street, East Street Office,
Tongliang District, Chongqing China
Tel: 86-23-45877615
Annual Tuition Rates: Rates vary for students depending upon academic performance (scholarships and tuition reductions are available)

Chongqing Bachuan International School is an international school that offers a diverse curriculum of Chinese and US courses.  We have a seasoned staff of Chinese and foreign teachers and offer advanced courses that are college preparatory.

QSI International School of Chongqing
Address: University West Road
University Town, Shapingba, Chongqing 401331 China
Tel: 86-23-65620115
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

QSI International School of Chongqing is a non-profit institution with English instruction. The school caters to students from 3 through 18 years of age. It's curriculum is based on the American system and it offers AP classes and the SAT. Intensive English is provided for students who need help with English. Mandarin is taught as a second language.

Yew Chung International School of Chongqing

Address: No. 2, Huxia Street
Yuan Yang Town, Yubei, 401122 China
Tel: 023-67638482
Annual Tuition Rates: 138,000 - 176,000 RMB per year

One of several branches of the Yew Chung school, YCIS offers bilingual and cross cultural experience. Two fully qualified Co-Teachers, one Western and one Chinese, serve as teaching partners in each of our Early Childhood and Primary classrooms and share all responsibilities over the care and education of students in class. There is an emphasis on learning Putonghua (the local dialect).

Chengdu

Chengdu International School (CDIS)
Address: 399 Shuxi Road
Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 611731
Tel: 028-86081162
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

A Christian school sponsored by an American non-profit organization providing English-language education. Classes are held from kindergarten through Grade 12. The school offers college-preparation and provides SAT testing.

Dalian

Dalian American International School (DAIS)
Address: No. 2 Dianchi Road
Golden Pebble Beach National Resort, P.R. China, P.C. 116650
Tel: (86-411) 8757 2000
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

DAIS is an English language school that caters from Early Childhood programs to high school.

Guangzhou

American International School of Guangzhou (AISG)
Address: 3 Yanyu South Street
Yuexiu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510105
Tel: (8620) 87353392
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

This independent coeducational day school is based on American curriculum. It offers a full educational program from Preschool to Grade 12, divided between Preschool, Elementary School (Kindergarten to Grade 5), Middle School (Grades 6 to 8) and High School (Grades 9 to 12). AISG offers the International Baccalaureate (IB). The school is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is registered by the People's Republic of China as a School for Foreign Children. It is a member of the Council of International Schools, the East Asian Regional Council of Schools, and the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools.

Utahloy International School
Address: 800 Sha Tai Bei Road, Bai Yun District
510515 Guangzhou, PR China
Tel: +86(20) 8720 2019
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

This school is owned by the Utahloy Education Foundation (UEF), a not-for-profit organization based in Hong Kong. Utahloy is a member of the Council of International Schools and is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to provide the IB Middle Years and Diploma programs.

Guangzhou Grace Academy
Address: Number 1 Wanxingwei Gongye qu
Ju shu cun, Nanpu, Panyu, Guangzhou, 511431, China
Tel: +86(20) 8450-0180
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Guangzhou Grace Academy belongs to a worldwide family of schools using the Accelerated Christian Education curriculum. Instruction is in English and it offers SAT testing. Also provides programs for non-native English speakers.

Alcanta International College
Address: 1130 Baiyun Dadao Nan
Baiyun District, Guangzhou, China 510420
Tel: +86(20)-8618-3666/3999
Annual Tuition Rates: 80,000 RMB per semester

Grounded in Chinese culture, the school has English instruction and the IB program. There is a program for students that need to improve their English skills.

British School of Guangzhou (BSG)
Address: Tonghe Rd, Baiyun
Guangzhou, China, 510515
Tel: +86-(0) 20 8709 4788
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

BSG is a British Curriculum international school serving the expatriate community in Guangzhou. The school follows the English National Curriculum for children range from 2 to 14 years (Pre-Nursery to Year 10). BSG is governed by the British Schools Group. It is accredited by the Federation of British International Schools in South East Asia and Asia (FOBISSEA), University of Cambridge Examination board, registered with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in the UK and is fully licensed by the Chinese authorities.

Guangzhou Nanhu International School (GNIS)
Address: 55 Huayang Street
Tiyu Dong Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
Tel: (+86 20) 38866952 38863606
Annual Tuition Rates: 70,200 - 127,650 RMB per year

Offers pre-school, primary school and secondary school levels. Instruction is in English and it provides the British National Curriculum. It is authorized as an IB World School and registered with UK Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). Uniforms are required.

Canton Global Academy (CGA)
Address: No. 4 Chuangjia Road,
Jinshazhou, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, China
Tel: 020-66606886/+86 18024011757
Email: admissions@cgagz.com
Annual Tuition Rates: 60,000 - 130,000 RMB per year

Canton Global Academy is a newly-established, non-profit co-educational international school in Guangzhou, China, which offers quality British education in English at early child hood, primary and secondary levels. CGA is a member school of CIEO (Canadian International Education Oragnisation)

French school in Guangzhou

L'Ecole Française de Canton (EFIC)
Address: Favor View
Wushan, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510641, China
Tel: (+86 20) 38797324
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The French International School of Guangzhou is the only school to deliver instruction in French in Canton. EFIC is approved by the Ministry of Education with the AEFE (Association for a French Teaching Abroad).

Japanese school in Guangzhou

The Japanese School of Guangzhou
Address: Road No. 10
Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
Tel: 6139-7023 - 7025
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

This school provides instruction in Japanese and caters to Japanese expat students and families. The school works with Japanese curriculum and is approved by the People's Republic of China Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Hangzhou

Hangzhou International School (HIS)
Address: Dongxin Avenue
Binjiang, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Tel: 0571-86690045
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Hangzhou International School is a pre-school through 12th grade institution. The curriculum is based on the American standard and is taught in English. The school provides advanced courses for senior students.

Wahaha International School Hangzhou (WIS)
Address: 5 Yaojiang Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, China 310008
Tel: +86-571-8780-1933
Annual Tuition Rates: Kindergarten: RMB100K; G1-5: RMB120K; G6-8: RMB150K

The school is providing an international education for students in grades K-8 that celebrates the richness of Chinese culture. WIS borders the Qiantang River to the south and the Yuhuang Mountains to the west. It is easily accessible by public transportation.

Kunming

Kunming International Academy
Address: Hu Pan Zhi Meng Xiaoqu
Guang Fu Lu, Kunming, Yunnan, 650228, P.R. China
Tel: 86 (871) 412 6887
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Kunming International Academy is a K-12 International School dedicated to serving the educational needs of the International community of Yunnan Province. KIA serves children age 4 through grade 12. Instruction is in English, and there is an English Language Learner (ELL) program for students learning English.

Nanjing

Nanjing International School (NIS)
Address: Xianlin Ave Qixia
Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, 210046
Tel: 86 25 8589 9111
Annual Tuition Rates: 147,400 - 193,200 RMB per year

Nanjing International School was founded informally in 1990. The school offers pre-kindergarten to grade 12. Instruction is in English. It offers the IB.

The British School of Nanjing
Address: Building 2, Jinling Resort, Jiahu Dong Lu
Jiangning District, Nanjing, China 211100
Tel: 86 25 5210 8987
Annual Tuition Rates: 98,598 - 182,520 RMB per year

This is a British Curriculum international school serving the expatriate community in Nanjing for children aged 2 to 12 years (Pre-Nursery to Year 7). The school follows the British National Curriculum, allowing graduates to continue their education anywhere. Instruction is in English, with comprehensive Chinese second language programme.

EtonHouse International School
Address: 6 Songhua River West Street
Jianye, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, 210019
Tel: 025-86696778
Annual Tuition Rates: 80,800 - 112,900 RMB per year

Eton House is headquartered in Singapore with schools spread across Asia. The school offers English instruction and the IB program.

NingBo

Ningbo International School
Address: No.151 Lamei Road
NingBo, ZheJiang Province, China
Tel: (+86) 574 87611005
Annual Tuition Rates: 27,000 - 74,700 RMB per year

NBIS is the biggest international school in Ningbo and are about to become the largest in the greater Ningbo area. This co-educational school uses the Australian curriculum in the elementary school and Cambridge in the senior school.

Access International Academy Ningbo (AIAN)
Address: No. 1 Ai Xue Road
Beilun District, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China 315800
Tel: 86-574-8686-9999
Annual Tuition Rates: 79,400 - 119,700 RMB per year

The school offers programs from Nursery to Grade 12. The school is based on the American system with English instruction. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS) and East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS).

Shanghai

Full listing of international schools in Shanghai.

Qingdao

International School of Qingdao (ISQ)
Address: Dongjiang
Shazikou, Laoshan District Qingdao, Shandong Province, China 266102
Tel: 86-532-8881-5668
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

This is a private coeducational international school. Grades from pre-kindergarten through 12 are offered. The school provides an American, college-preparatory curriculum with English as the language of instruction.

Shenzhen

Shekou International School (SIS)
Address: 1007 Nanhai Avenue
Nanshan, Shenzhen, China
Tel: 0755-26693669
Annual Tuition Rates: 38,000 - 159,000 RMB per year

The school caters to nursery school through 12th grade (ages 2-18). SIS is governed by International Schools Services (ISS) of Princeton, New Jersey with a curriculum based on the American system. Shekou International School is the only school in the Shenzhen area that is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) from the U.S., and the Center for School Curriculum and Textbook Development (NCCT) (Chinese accreditation).

QSI International School of Shekou
Address: Bitao Centre 8 Taizi Road
Shekou, Shenzhen, China 518067
Tel: 86 755 26676031
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

QSI provides the Advanced Placement Program (AP) and the International Baccalaureate. The school is a Quality Schools International School, accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA), member of Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS) and East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS).

Shenmei American International School (SAIS)
Address: Meishalanshan Garden Building #116, Wenxin Er Road
Nanshan District, Shenzhen, China
Tel: (86)755 8605 5328
Annual Tuition Rates: 84,000 - 155,000 RMB per year

SAIS relies on American curriculum. All instruction at SAIS is in English, and all teachers are American teachers, trained in American methodologies and philosophies.

Concord College of Sino-Canada
Address: 166 Nanguang Road
Nanshan District, Shenzhen, China
Tel: (86-755)26568886
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

This school works with a partnership between Canada and China. Instruction is in English, with classes available to learn Chinese.

French School in Shenzhen

École française EDF-MLF Daya Bay
Address: Expatriate Daya Bay Village
Shenzhen 518124 PRC
Tel: 86755844 77994
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

This school provides instruction in French with a curriculum approved by the Ministry of Education with the AEFE (Association for a French Teaching Abroad).

Suzhou

Dulwich College Suzhou (DCSZ)
Address: 360 Gangtian Road
Suzhou, China, 215021
Tel: 86 (512) 6295 9500
Annual Tuition Rates: 58,000 - 180,000 RMB per year

This is a private international school for toddlers to Year 13. There are several Dulwich schools throughout Asia. Instruction is in English.

Tianjin

International School of Tianjin (IST)
Address: Weishan Nan Lu
Jinnan, Tianjin 300350, P.R. China
Tel: 86 22 2859 2001
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

IST is a not-for-profit, college-preparatory school. This school offers the IB program. It is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Council of International Schools (CIS). The school is an IB World School authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12), the Middle Years Programme (Grades 6-10), and the Primary Years Programme (Grades NPK-5).

TEDA International School
Address: No. 72 Third Ave.
Teda, Tianjin, China 300457
Tel: 86 22 66226158
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

WASC accredited school offering pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. In grades 10-12, the program is taught in English and certified by British Columbia, Canada's Ministry of Education and by Chinese Education Authorities. English as a Second Language (ESL) and Chinese as a Second Language (CSL) options are available. It is part of the Maple Leaf schools - an extension of the Canadian school system.

Wuhan

Wuhan Yangtze International School (WYIS)
Address: San Jiao Hu Xiao Xue
Wuhan, China 430056
Tel: 86-27-8423-8713
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

WYIS is an international school with a Christian base. The school is recognized by the North Central Association Commission of Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA-CASI), National Recognition (PRC), and is licensed by the Ministry of Education of the PRC.

Xiamen

Manila Xiamen International School (MXIS)
Address: No. 735 Long Hu Shan Lu
Zeng Cuo An, Shi Ming District, Xiamen 361005 PRC
Tel: (86-592) 2516370 2516375
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

MXIS was founded in 1993 and was the first international school in Xiamen. The school offers pre-school, lower school, middle school, and upper school. Non-English speaking students are supported with special English as a Second Language (ESL) program, while Mandarin is taught at every grade and level by Chinese teachers. It also has the International Baccalaureate.

Xiamen International School (XIS)
Address: 262 Xingbei San Lu
Xinglin, Jimei, Xiamen, Fujian, China
Tel: 86-592-6256581
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Xamen International School is an independent, co-educational day school offering an English language Pre-kindergarten to Grade 12. It provides university preparatory international curriculum. XIS is authorized for all three International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs: the Primary Years (grades Pre-k through 5), Middle Years (grades 6 through 10) and Diploma (grades 11 and 12). English is the language of instruction throughout the school and students must be able to function at an appropriate level in English. A language support program for students, primarily in the lower school.

Xian

Hanova International Department of Bodi School
Address: 188 Yudou Road
Yanta District, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710077, PR China
Tel: (86) 02988693780
Annual Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Hanova is a community-driven, independently owned and operated organization backed by the Hanova Company and Bodi School. Instruction is in English with a Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) curricula.