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Montessori Curriculum International Schools in China

Edited by · B2C Marketing Manager

About international schools in China

Montessori international schools in China are defined by the Montessori pedagogy in the early years: child-centred, hands-on materials, mixed-age classrooms and an emphasis on independence, often forming the foundation of a school that later follows inquiry-based or internationally recognised primary programmes. Many of these schools operate in major cities and commonly offer bilingual English - Mandarin pathways or pair Montessori early years with curricula such as the IB Primary Years Programme as students move into primary grades. Fees vary widely by city and school type - Montessori preschools and full international schools fall anywhere from more modest local preschool charges up to the same mid-to-high international school band seen in China’s big cities, so expect significant variation and to budget for additional one-off and annual school charges. Admissions tend to centre on an August/September intake but are otherwise school-specific, with rolling offers and waiting lists common; relocating families should check each school’s age cut-offs, language profile and enrolment policy before planning a move.

Compare 10 Montessori Curriculum international schools in China. Filter by curriculum, fees (average RMB 203,381), location, and more to find the right international school now.

At a glance 10 schools · avg fee RMB 203,381
Schools listed
10
Curricula
39
Average annual fee
RMB 203,381
Fee range
RMB 49,900 – 344,900
Most common curriculum
Montessori Curriculum (11 schools)
Average school size
1,200 pupils
Largest by enrolment
Shanghai Gold Apple School
Oldest
The International Montessori School of Beijing (1990)
With boarding
6

Read our parent's guide to the Montessori Curriculum →

4 international schools in Beijing

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1 international school in Shenzhen

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1 international school in Chongqing

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Chongqing Fudi Yew Wah International Education Kindergarten (YWIEK)

Japanese Curriculum, German Curriculum · Ages 2 to 6

Fees not listed
Ages 2 to 6 years
Japanese Curriculum, German Curriculum, Korean Curriculum, French Curriculum, Dutch Curriculum, British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge A Levels, Canadian Curriculum, American Curriculum, Australian Curriculum, IB (DP), IB (MYP), IB (PYP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), IMYC (International Middle Years Curriculum), Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, Reggio Emilia Approach, Montessori Curriculum, SEN focussed, Singapore Curriculum, Swiss Curriculum, Waldorf Steiner Curriculum, British Curriculum, American Curriculum, Chinese National Curriculum, Korean Curriculum, French Curriculum, German Curriculum, Indian Curriculum, Dutch Curriculum, Islamic Curriculum, Japanese Curriculum, Malaysian Curriculum, Malaysian Curriculum, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Bespoke Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge (Primary), British Curriculum, British Curriculum, Canadian Curriculum, Canadian Curriculum, IB (DP), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge IGCSE, British Curriculum, IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), IMYC (International Middle Years Curriculum), Montessori Curriculum, Singapore Curriculum, Waldorf Steiner Curriculum
Instructs in English, Mandarin and Spanish
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1 international school in Dalian

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1 international school in Qingdao

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1 international school in Shanghai

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1 international school in Fuzhou

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FAQs for China

How does a Montessori international school in China differ from other international curricula such as IB or British programmes?
Montessori emphasises self-directed learning with specialised materials and mixed-age classrooms, especially in the early years, whereas IB and British programmes use more teacher-led, syllabus-based approaches and formal subject structures from primary upwards. In China many schools combine Montessori methods in early childhood with an IB or national/international primary curriculum later, so the classroom feel and daily routine can change as a child progresses through the school.
What ages and stages do Montessori international schools usually cover?
Many Montessori international schools focus on early childhood and lower primary, typically from around 18 months or 2 years up to age 6 for a full Montessori Casa programme, and may then continue with Montessori-influenced primary or transition children into an IB PYP or other international primary pathway. Some through-schools offer a Montessori approach across a wider age range, but provision and continuity vary by school so check each school’s age brackets and transition arrangements.
Which languages of instruction can I expect at a Montessori international school in China?
English is commonly the primary language of instruction in international Montessori settings, and many schools run bilingual or dual-language programmes that integrate Mandarin throughout the day or in dedicated lessons. The balance of English and Mandarin differs by school - some use co-teaching with one English and one Chinese teacher, while others offer immersion or Mandarin as an additional language - so review the language model and teacher profiles when comparing options.
How much should I expect to pay and what extra costs should I budget for?
Tuition levels vary widely by city and whether the provision is a private Montessori preschool or a full international school; families should expect significant variation with many international schools in major Chinese cities charging in the mid-to-high range for annual fees and preschools usually lower but still variable. In addition to tuition, budget for application and registration fees, deposits, school meals, transport, materials, extracurricular activities and occasional capital or development levies, all of which differ between schools.
What should parents look for to judge whether a Montessori school in China is genuinely following Montessori principles?
Look for trained Montessori guides with recognised Montessori qualifications, prepared classroom environments with authentic Montessori materials, clearly defined mixed-age groupings and observation-based assessment rather than only formal testing. Ask to see daily routines, how independent work cycles are structured, teacher-to-child ratios, and whether the school integrates Montessori philosophy consistently across its programmes rather than only using Montessori branding in early years.
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