Compare International Schools in Qingdao, China

Instructs in English

Ages 3 - 18 years

Fees RMB 139,400 - 225,000

Pupils 2300

Type Co-educational

International School of Qingdao (ISQ) is a private international day school in Qingdao, China, offering Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 education in English. The school follows an American curriculum with Advanced Placement (AP) courses and is Cognia-accredited, reflecting a standards-based approach to college preparation. ISQ is part of LifePlus and emphasizes character formation, leadership, and service through programs such as Model United Nations, fine arts, and service learning. The campus sits at 26 Tianshui Road in the Licang District, near the Qingdao Horticultural Expo Garden, with facilities that include science and computer laboratories, an extensive library, and athletics facilities. Average class size is 14 students, and the student body draws from a diverse, multinational community. English-language support is provided for non-native speakers. The head of school is Gabe Lee.

Location

ISQ is in Qingdao, Shandong Province, at 26 Tianshui Road, Licang District (266041). The campus sits in a residential Bijia community area near the Qingdao Horticultural Expo, with convenient road access and local transport options.

Stages

ISQ provides Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 (Early Childhood to High School) education in English. The school supports a full K-12 pathway taught in English.

Type

ISQ operates as a co-educational private international day school. It is a tuition-based international school without publicly listed boarding facilities.

Additional learning support

The school runs an English Language Support (ELS) program for non-native English speakers across Elementary and Middle School, using bi-annual WIDA testing and MAP data to tailor learning paths. A team of eight ELS staff provides push-in, pull-out and intensive support, complemented by counseling services for well-being.

Country affiliation

There is no formal country affiliation; ISQ participates in the LifePlus international network and holds Cognia accreditation (USA-based).

Religious affiliation

ISQ has no publicly noted religious affiliation.

School day structure

School days run 8:00–16:00 from Monday to Thursday and 8:00–15:30 on Fridays.

Bus service

ISQ offers a school bus service with an annual fee of 8,600 RMB. Routes and providers are coordinated through the Admissions office.

Application and assessment fees
- Registration fee for new students: RMB 10,000.
- Re‑enrollment (returning families) fee: RMB 3,000.
- Admissions/assessment fee for new students: RMB 600.

Tuition fees by year group (amounts in RMB; annual, semester and quarterly options shown)
- Early Childhood (half-day): Early‑bird annual RMB 86,000; Annual RMB 90,600; Semester RMB 45,700; Quarterly RMB 23,300. Registration: RMB 10,000 (new) / RMB 3,000 (returning).
- Early Childhood (full-day): Early‑bird annual RMB 132,300; Annual RMB 139,400; Semester RMB 70,300; Quarterly RMB 35,800. Registration: RMB 10,000 (new) / RMB 3,000 (returning).
- Elementary (Grades 1–5): Early‑bird annual RMB 202,300; Annual RMB 208,600; Semester RMB 107,400; Quarterly RMB 54,800. Registration: RMB 10,000 (new) / RMB 3,000 (returning).
- Middle School (Grades 6–8): Early‑bird annual RMB 214,700; Annual RMB 221,400; Semester RMB 114,000; Quarterly RMB 58,100. Registration: RMB 10,000 (new) / RMB 3,000 (returning).
- High School (Grades 9–12): Early‑bird annual RMB 218,300; Annual RMB 225,000; Semester RMB 115,900; Quarterly RMB 59,100. Registration: RMB 10,000 (new) / RMB 3,000 (returning).

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Early‑bird (discounted) and full annual payments are due on the dates set in the school's billing notices; the school uses a payment schedule that includes annual, semester and quarterly deadlines. Semester and quarterly payment due dates are indicated in the school billing notices.
- Specific payment timing noted in school materials: re‑enrollment and early‑bird deadlines occur in mid‑May; other tuition payment plans and fees are due in mid‑July; quarterly payments fall on the 15th of July, September, December and March.
- Registration fee and tuition must be paid to reserve enrollment according to the billing notice. Payments more than five school days past the due date are subject to a late fee of RMB 50 per school day; students may be excluded from classes if payment is more than ten business days past due.
- Late enrollment: annual tuition for late new‑student enrollment is prorated by the enrollment quarter; other payment plan arrangements for late enrollment are made with the Finance Office.

Boarding/Residence
- Boarding is not offered by this school (the school operates as a day school); there are no boarding fees.

Other costs and typical additional fees
- Transportation (bus) fee: RMB 8,600 per year. This is charged for the entire year and is payable regardless of the tuition payment plan selected.
- Lunch: ECC–Grade 1 meals RMB 28 per meal (annual example noted RMB 5,040); Grades 2–12 meals RMB 33 per meal (annual example noted RMB 5,940). Lunch deposits are managed through the school's PowerSchool account; unused lunch balances are refundable.
- Academic special needs support (if required): variable; up to RMB 75,000 depending on the level of additional services.
- Devices/technology for secondary students: family‑provided (secondary device policy applies for Grades 6–12).
- Uniforms and other personal items: variable cost (typical uniform estimates are indicated in school communications; families are responsible for uniform purchases).
- Optional trips and extra‑curricular event costs: variable. School covers 50% of some school‑sponsored activities (for example certain tournaments); non‑sponsored event costs are 100% parent responsibility.

Refund information and finance policies
- Assessment fee and registration fee are non‑refundable.
- Tuition and transportation fees are refundable for remaining full quarters not attended if a student withdraws; unused lunch account balances are refundable.
- No portion of tuition is refundable for students dismissed for disciplinary reasons or expelled.
- Grade‑12 students who graduate in December are required to pay 60% of the annual tuition for that year.

Fee payment options and instructions
- Primary methods for tuition payments: bank transfer (domestic RMB account and a US USD account are available). When making a bank transfer, include the student's full name and grade and email proof of payment to the Finance Office to ensure correct crediting. All bank charges for transfers are to be borne by the remitter.
- Registration fee and transportation fee: payable by bank transfer or WeChat.
- Lunch deposit/top‑up: managed through PowerSchool and can be paid using WeChat Pay as instructed in the school's lunch payment process. Unused lunch balances are refundable.
- Finance Office contact for payment confirmation and receipts: finance@isqchina.com (use this contact to send payment proof and to request family‑specific invoices or confirm US account details).

Uniform Requirement

Uniforms are supplied through Cre8te Uniforms starting in 2025–2026, with polo items included in the standard dress. Orders ship directly to homes, and families access the ISQ uniform store by logging in with the QDISQ account; the order window begins July 21.

Food Options

ISQ provides on-site lunch with charges per meal: 28 RMB for ECC–G1; 33 RMB for G2–G12. Lunch deposits are managed via PowerSchool, and a current lunch menu is available for viewing.

Governance and Ownership

ISQ is part of LifePlus, a network of international schools, and Cognia accreditation is held across LifePlus schools. LifePlus operates five international schools in China.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

ISQ supports social and emotional learning through a holistic wellbeing program and dedicated student wellbeing initiatives; the school has its own counselling team and wellbeing‑focused programs, including Model United Nations and fine arts, and it emphasizes that every child is loved, valued, and capable.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school has a Learning Support Coordinator (Melody Lee) for 2025–2026 who will work part‑time to support students with learning needs across all grades, and she is certified in special education; ISQ does not publicly disclose whether it is a specialist SEN institution or the full list of SEN categories.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The English Language Support (ELS) department provides additional support to non‑native English speaking students across elementary and middle school to enable participation in the full curriculum.

Mental Wellbeing

Counselling services support a range of personal, academic, and social issues in group and individual settings, focusing on healthy relationships, resilience, mental health, and emotional well‑being.

Safeguarding

Child safety is prioritized through a Director of Child Safety, two designated Child Safety Specialists at each school, and policies including a Code of Conduct and LifePlus Safety and Security Code; regular staff and student training and confidential reporting mechanisms are in place.

Admissions

Step 1: Submission. ISQ Qingdao maintains rolling admissions and accepts applications for new students throughout the year. First, you should complete the online application form provided on the admissions page. After you submit, the admissions team will acknowledge your inquiry and begin reviewing your materials. This step sets the stage for the rest of the process and signals that your family is in the queue for consideration.

Step 2: Paperwork. The school reviews supporting documents for both the applicant and the child. Typical documents include copies of the applicant's passport and visa or residence permit, the child's immunization record, and previous school records or transcripts. Preparing these documents promptly helps keep the process moving. If additional documents are needed, the admissions team will request them.

Step 3: Assessment. An interview with a Teaching + Learning Principal is conducted to get to know the student. If the child's native language is not English, an age-appropriate admissions assessment is also conducted to evaluate language and aptitudes. The admissions office will arrange any tests as needed and share next steps once testing is complete.

Step 4: Decision. After completing the application and assessments, ISQ Qingdao will notify you within one week about whether your child is accepted, declined, or placed in the waiting pool. If accepted, you will be asked to pay the enrollment deposit and prepare for the start of the school year. If there is no immediate place, the child may be placed in the waiting pool for a future opening.

Scholarships

ISQ Qingdao does not publish a scholarship program within its admissions materials.

Waitlist

ISQ Qingdao uses a rolling admissions approach, meaning applications are reviewed as they come in throughout the year. If there isn't an available place when a file is reviewed, the child's name may be placed in the waiting pool.

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Qingdao Amerasia International School

Instructs in English

Ages 1½ - 18 years

Fees RMB 150,000 - 239,000

Pupils 200

Type Co-educational

QAIS (Qingdao Amerasia International School) is a private, not-for-profit international school in Qingdao that serves students from 18 months to 18 years old. The school operates at the Baishan Campus in the Laoshan District, with the campus buildings and facilities designed to support Montessori programs and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum. QAIS offers the IB Primary Years Programme, IB Middle Years Programme and IB Diploma Programme, and is also accredited by the American Montessori Society for its Toddler and Early Childhood programs. The school moved to the Baishan Campus in 2018 after starting in 2011, and the campus includes Montessori classrooms, science laboratories, a library, a technology lab, and spaces for music, drama and the arts. Beyond classroom learning, QAIS runs a robust after-school program with activities in athletics, arts, robotics, and other clubs, and it organizes regional and international trips for students. The language of instruction is English, with additional language studies integrated into the IB framework. QAIS emphasizes international mindedness, global citizenship, and a student-centered, inquiry-based approach, supported by a diverse staff drawn from many countries. The school also maintains multiple accreditations (IB World School for PYP/MYP/DP, AMS accreditation for Montessori, and CIS/MSA) and participates in community partnerships such as ACAMIS. QAIS publishes ongoing news and resources for families through its site, including information on admissions, tuition, and school life. The campus is described as overlooking Shilaoren Bay, and the school highlights its extensive after-school and co-curricular offerings, including robotics, arts, sports, and service activities.

Location

QAIS is located at the Baishan Campus, Dongjiang, Shazikou, Laoshan District, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China 266102. The campus is in the Baishan area of Qingdao and is accessible via local transport within the city. The school operates as an international campus serving families from multiple nationalities.

Stages

QAIS serves students from 18 months to 18 years old. The school delivers Montessori programming for toddler and early childhood, and IB programs for the primary through secondary years, including IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). Lower School and Upper School structures align with these programs.

Type

QAIS is a co-educational day school. It does not operate boarding facilities.

Additional learning support

QAIS provides a dedicated Student Support team, including Learning Support, an English Language Support program (English Foundation Program), and multilingual counseling services. The school uses MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Support) to address academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs. Parents and teachers can refer students to the support programs as needed.

Country affiliation

QAIS is not affiliated with a specific country; it operates as an international school in China and holds approval from the Chinese Ministry of Education as International School No. 110.

Religious affiliation

QAIS does not have a religious affiliation. The school emphasizes a diverse, inclusive, non-denominational community, with a diversity pledge that includes all faiths.

School day structure

A formal public listing of exact daily start and end times is not published on public pages; QAIS maintains a school calendar with sessions and activities. The school calendar confirms an ongoing, structured program across the academic year.

Bus service

QAIS offers a school bus service with routes organized as part of enrollment. Details about specific bus routes and arrangements are provided during enrollment, and families receive information about bus options through the admissions process.

Application fee
- Non-refundable application fee: CNY 3,000.

Tuition fees (annual, by program / year group)
- Montessori Toddler: CNY 150,000 per year.
- Montessori / IB PYP Early Childhood: CNY 160,000 per year.
- Montessori / IB PYP Grades 1–2: CNY 214,000 per year.
- IB PYP Grades 3–5: CNY 214,000 per year.
- IB MYP Grades 6–10: CNY 231,000 per year.
- IB DP Grades 11–12: CNY 239,000 per year.

Per-term / payment options and billing schedule
- Tuition may be billed as a full-year payment or in half-year (semester) installments. Specific invoicing options and refund consequences differ for full-year payers versus half-year (semester) payers. Mid-year admissions are billed on a weekly prorated basis (based on a 36-week year; 32 weeks for DP2). Tuition for a mid-year start must be paid within seven (7) days of invoice and before the student begins attending. Families paying the full next year's tuition before March 30 may receive a CNY 2,000 discount.

Boarding fees
- QAIS does not list boarding fees in the tuition & fees policy; no boarding fee is published.

Other compulsory or typical annual costs
- Week without Walls (outdoor education / service trips for Grades 5–12): CNY 5,000–12,000 per year (standardized fee collected with the annual tuition invoice; final charges may be adjusted after trip costs are finalized).
- School nutrition (daily snack and lunch): CNY 6,500 per year.
- School transportation (bus): CNY 8,500 per year.
- Deposit (refundable on graduation or withdrawal, subject to conditions): CNY 2,000.
- Uniforms: purchased as needed via the school WeStore; no fixed annual uniform charge is required but ordering notifications are issued each March. The school expects students to wear uniform Monday–Thursday; Friday is casual dress.

Late enrollment, prorating and temporary leave
- Late/mid-year enrollment: tuition is prorated weekly based on a 36-week year (32 weeks for DP2), inclusive of the starting week.
- Temporary leave: parents must notify the school in writing with reasons and expected return date; there is no refund of tuition or fees for a student on temporary leave.

Refund information and withdrawal schedule
- Effective 1 August 2025, refunds for voluntary withdrawal are provided according to the payment method selected (full-year payers versus half-year/semester payers):
- For families who paid full-year tuition: maximum tuition refund schedule is 75% if withdrawal occurs before September 30; 50% if before December 16; 25% if before February 28; no refund after February 28.
- For families who paid half-year (semester) tuition: the policy provides a different schedule (examples in the policy include 50% refund before September 30, no refund for Semester 1 in some windows, and 50% of paid amount for Semester 2 in others); final refund entitlement depends on the semester and date of withdrawal. Nutrition and transportation fees are refundable on a weekly prorated basis (36-week period; 32 weeks for DP2). Refunds are paid by check or bank transfer to the original paying account; refunds cannot be issued where a fapiao cannot be provided.

Late payment charges and enforcement
- Late charge: 2% per month on outstanding balances for the current school year. If fee payment arrangements are not made within 30 calendar days of the due date, the student may be suspended and the seat made available to new applicants. Tuition must be received by the school before a student may attend class.

Payment methods and bank / account details (payment options)
- Accepted methods: cash or bank transfer. The school may also accept payment to its account in US dollars. Credit card payment is not listed as an accepted method in the published policy.
- Bank information published for transfers (Chinese account shown):
- Account holder: Qingdao Amerasia International School (青岛美亚外籍人员子女学校).
- Bank name: Bank of China, Qingdao Xianggang Xi Lu Sub-branch (中国银行青岛香港西路支行).
- Account number: 2403 1242 6983.
- SWIFT code: BKCHCNBJ500.
- Payments in USD may be accepted to this account per the published policy. Parents are responsible for notifying the school of payment and ensuring correct remittance details when paying from company accounts (company registration information in Chinese may be required). Official invoices (fapiao) are issued when payment is received.

Other relevant fee policies
- Early-payment discount: Families paying the full next year's tuition before March 30 may receive a CNY 2,000 discount.
- Week without Walls: the school charges a general standardized fee with the annual invoice and will reimburse or charge the difference once the trip cost is finalized.
- Proof of receipt and invoicing: the school issues an official invoice (fapiao) after payment; refunds by bank transfer must be made to the same account from which the initial payment was made.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

QAIS supports social and emotional learning through a multilingual counseling team and a MTSS-based student support system that addresses students' social, emotional, and behavioural needs.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school offers Learning Support and English Language Support through MTSS, but it does not specify which kinds of Special Educational Needs it can support, nor whether it is a specialist SEN institution.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The English Language Support Program includes the English Foundation Program, a six-week intensive language development course for newly enrolled students who are two or more years below the grade-level standard in English.

Mental Wellbeing

Counseling services, offered in multiple languages, support students' mental wellbeing as part of QAIS's social-emotional framework.

Safeguarding

QAIS maintains a Child Protection Team and safeguarding policies to protect students' physical and emotional well-being, follows the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and requires staff to report suspected abuse.

Admissions

1. Application Submission: Begin by completing the online application form at qais.openapply.cn or via the school site. If you have trouble filling out the form, call the admissions team at +86 532 8388-9900 for assistance. This step starts your admissions file and initiates the process of scheduling next steps.

2. Documents Submission: Submit the documents listed at this stage, including a recent passport photo, photocopies of the student's and parents' passport information pages, visa information page, a Medical Form with up-to-date immunization records, and academic records in English. If records are not in English, provide them with a certified English translation if requested. Include any available standardized test scores and documents related to any special needs testing or IEPs.

3. Application Fee Payment: Pay the application fee of 3,000 RMB via bank transfer, cash, or AliPay. A receipt is issued upon payment, and the fee is non-refundable. After payment, the receipt can be brought to the accounting office for official processing.

4. Assessment & Interview: After completing the documents and fee steps, an admissions officer will schedule your child's academic assessment and an interview. Acceptance is determined through a holistic review of the application materials, the assessment results, and the interview performance. English proficiency is specifically assessed to ensure access to the curriculum, and language placement may be considered if needed.

5. Tuition Payment: If your child is offered a place, the Financial Department will issue an invoice for tuition and fees. Payable within two weeks, during which time a health examination form should be completed. Tuition and fees details appear in the Tuition & Fees policy. QAIS can accept payment in US dollars to the designated account, but the amount withdrawn in RMB must align with the balance due.

6. Orientation & Enrollment: A school representative will schedule your enrollment date and invite you to an orientation to review policies, bus routes, email addresses, school uniforms, and other procedures. For Lower School enrollments, a parent–teacher meeting is arranged before the student begins.

Scholarships

QAIS offers scholarships and merit-based awards. The Scholars of Promise Award for DP 1 & 2 is a holistic selection process considering academic achievement, teacher references, an internal examination, and a personal essay, with awards granted based on overall merit. The Amerasia Global Youth Scholarship is designed to attract academically gifted international students from outside China and to support their experience in QAIS and in completing the IB Diploma Programme; inquiries are directed to the school's contact channels. These programs reflect QAIS's commitment to international mindedness and access to high-quality IB/Montessori education.

Waitlist

QAIS uses a Waitpool when a grade level reaches capacity. Applicants in the Waitpool are considered for admission only when an opening emerges and are not guaranteed a place based on the order of application; instead, admissions are determined by the school's priority ranking. The Admissions Office will notify a family immediately if a place becomes available.

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Qingdao No. 1 International School of Shandong Province

Instructs in English

Ages 0 - 0 years

Fees RMB 113,360 - 157,000

Type Co-educational

Qingdao No. 1 International School of Shandong Province (QISS) is located in the Laoshan district of Qingdao on a 48,000 square meter campus set against the Laoshan mountain range.

Location

QISS is located in the Laoshan District of Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. The campus address is 232 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101. The 48,000 square meter campus sits in the Laoshan area near the Laoshan mountain range.

Stages

The school provides education from Early Childhood through High School, with divisions for Early Childhood, Lower School, Middle School and High School.

Type

The school operates as an international school licensed by the Laoshan District Board of Education and designated for foreign-resident students. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Additional learning support

The English Language Learner (ELL) program supports students' English language development with scheduled classes, push-in and pull-out services taught by certified ELL teachers, and regular language assessments. An on-site educational psychologist provides wellbeing support.

Country affiliation

There is no formal country affiliation stated. The school serves students from many countries and is designated for foreign residents.

Religious affiliation

No religious affiliation is stated in official materials.

School day structure

The day includes start-of-day unstructured play, formal classes, a midday lunch with a post-lunch recess, and a cafeteria offering four daily lunch options.

Bus service

QISS operates a fleet of 10 school buses to transport students to and from campus, with a bus monitor on each vehicle for safety.

Application and Registration Fees
- New-student registration fee: RMB 30,000.
- No routine registration fee is listed for returning students in the published fee summaries.

Tuition fees (annual and per-instalment by year group)
- Pre‑K / Kindergarten (PreK–K): Annual tuition RMB 113,360. Semester option (x2): RMB 61,680 per semester. Quarterly option (x4): RMB 30,840 per quarter.
- Grades 1–5 (Primary): Annual tuition RMB 135,000. Semester option (x2): RMB 72,900 per semester. Quarterly option (x4): RMB 36,450 per quarter.
- Grades 6–8 (Lower Secondary): Annual tuition RMB 146,000. Semester option (x2): RMB 78,840 per semester. Quarterly option (x4): RMB 39,420 per quarter.
- Grades 9–12 (Upper Secondary / High School): Annual tuition RMB 157,000. Semester option (x2): RMB 84,780 per semester. Quarterly option (x4): RMB 42,390 per quarter.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The school offers structured instalment plans: a two‑instalment (semester) plan and a four‑instalment (quarterly) plan with the per‑instalment amounts shown above. Families may select the instalment plan when arranging payment. Total initial costs for new students are presented to include registration plus tuition and other mandatory items.
- Published fee summaries indicate that some ancillary charges (insurance, optional services) are included in the total cost calculations for invoicing, and optional services (such as bus and lunch) are added or removed according to family selection. Specific invoice dates and internal payment deadlines are set by the school's billing process and are shown on issued invoices.

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not offered at Qingdao No. 1 International School of Shandong Province; the school operates as a day school. No annual boarding fee is listed.

Other mandatory or optional costs
- Bus (school transport): RMB 8,500 per year (optional service).
- Lunch (school meals): RMB 5,200 per year (optional service).
- Insurance and activity charges: fee summaries indicate insurance and certain activity charges are included in overall invoicing for new or returning students; details are itemised on invoices.
- Items commonly charged separately (not included in the core tuition): externally administered standardized test fees, optional international programs, some optional extra‑curricular trips and personal devices or technology purchases. These items are typically invoiced separately when applicable.
- Uniforms and one‑off starter costs: no fixed uniform price is published in the publicly available fee summaries; uniform and school‑supply costs are additional and vary by family and supplier.

Refund information
- Published fee summaries used for the fee breakdown do not present a detailed, itemised public refund policy in the fee summary pages. Refund terms for registration, deposits and tuition (including deadlines and refund percentages) are determined by the school's official financial and enrollment policies and are specified on formal enrollment documentation and invoices.

Fee payment options
- The school processes applications through an online application portal. Tuition and associated school fees are invoiced and settled according to the billing instructions on those invoices. Publicly available fee summaries and the school's admissions links indicate online application processing and standard invoicing; banks transfers and the school's invoicing system are commonly used for settlement of tuition and ancillary fees. Specific accepted payment methods (for example: domestic bank transfer in RMB, international T/T, online portal card payments, WeChat/Alipay) are detailed on invoices and in the school's finance communications. Families should follow the payment instructions shown on official invoices when paying.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

QISS implements a whole-school Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program through the Leader in Me framework, which is based on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and emphasizes leadership for every student, a culture of student empowerment, and the development of the whole person; SEL is embedded across daily lessons, routines, and school life and is measured against CASEL competencies and ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors, with related parent workshops and wellbeing-focused activities.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Public information on specific SEN provision or whether QISS operates as a specialist SEN institution is not disclosed; the school emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion as part of its community culture.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

QISS provides English Language Learners (ELL) support with scheduled classes, push‑in and pull‑out services, and collaboration between ELL and content teachers; the ELL program is taught by certified ELL teachers and uses a WIDA screener at enrollment with annual progress assessments to determine placement and exit criteria.

Mental Wellbeing

Wellbeing is central to learning at QISS, anchored in Leader in Me and aligned with CASEL and ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors, with a school counseling program accessible to all students and staff, workshops for parents and students, and monthly PEP talks to support emotional health and balance.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding at QISS follows the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and ITFCP guidance; there are four designated safeguarding officers, annual safeguarding and child protection training for all staff, and thorough background checks (police clearance every two years) for applicants, with formal policies and contact points available for reporting concerns.

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Yew Chung International School of Qingdao

Instructs in English, Mandarin

Ages 2 - 18 years

Fees RMB 171,000 - 257,000

Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)

YCIS Qingdao is an international school in Qingdao West Coast serving students aged 2 to 18. The school offers a bespoke curriculum alongside Cambridge IGCSE and IB Diploma Programme. It provides a bilingual English‑Chinese learning environment with teachers from more than ten countries and students from 30 nations. The Secondary Section is authorised as a Cambridge Examinations Centre, and the school is IB World School offering DP. The campus includes well-equipped dedicated science, art, and music rooms and an on-site soccer pitch. Beyond the classroom, YCIS Qingdao runs more than 50 Co‑Curricular Activities through CCP for Years 1–13, including Orchestra, Percussion, Chinese Traditional Dance, Violin, Ukulele, Painting, Pottery, Woodworking, Planting and Drama. Graduates go on to study at universities worldwide, with recent acceptances to Peking University, Tsinghua, Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, UCL, Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Cornell, NUS, and HKU. The school is a member of the Council of International Schools.

Location

The campus is located at 72 Tai Hang Shan Lu, Qingdao West Coast New Area, Shandong, PRC 266555. The campus is situated in Huangdao, Qingdao West Coast New Area. YCIS Qingdao serves expatriate students aged 2 to 18 (Kindergarten 2 to Year 13).

Stages

Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary, Future

Type

International school

Pupil Nationality Mix

Over 20 nationalities represented; culturally diverse learning environment.

Application fee & Deposit
- Application fee (new students, non-refundable): RMB 3,000.
- Deposit (one-time, refundable, non-interest-bearing security deposit for ECE to Year 13): RMB 19,000. The School may apply the Deposit to any outstanding fees; if the Deposit is used to settle outstanding fees it must be repaid within three days.

Tuition fees (per term and annual amounts) — Academic Year 2026/2027 (all amounts in RMB)
- ECE – Kindergarten 2 to 4: Semester 1 (Aug–Dec): RMB 68,400; Semester 2 (Jan–Jun): RMB 102,600; Annual: RMB 171,000.
- Primary – Years 1 to 4: Semester 1: RMB 90,400; Semester 2: RMB 135,600; Annual: RMB 226,000.
- Primary – Years 5 and 6: Semester 1: RMB 91,600; Semester 2: RMB 137,400; Annual: RMB 229,000.
- Secondary – Years 7 to 9: Semester 1: RMB 99,600; Semester 2: RMB 149,400; Annual: RMB 249,000.
- Secondary – Year 10 (IGCSE): Semester 1: RMB 102,400; Semester 2: RMB 153,600; Annual: RMB 256,000.
- Secondary – Year 11 (IGCSE): Semester 1: RMB 99,600; Semester 2: RMB 149,400; Annual: RMB 249,000.
- Secondary – Year 12 (IBDP / A Level): Semester 1: RMB 102,800; Semester 2: RMB 154,200; Annual: RMB 257,000. (A Level relaunch initiative: a specific relaunch tuition is RMB 220,000 for participating students.)
- Secondary – Year 13 (IBDP): Semester 1: RMB 99,600; Semester 2: RMB 149,400; Annual: RMB 249,000.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Semester 1 or full annual tuition payment due no later than: 15 June 2026. Semester 2 tuition payment due no later than: 15 November 2026.
- Mid-year (mid-term) enrolment: tuition is calculated on a monthly pro-rata basis based on a 10-month period (inclusive of the month of commencement); fees must be paid within ten (10) calendar days after issue of the Offer and before attendance begins.
- Late payment charge: overdue school fees attract an overdue charge of 2% per month, compounded monthly. The School reserves the right to reassign a place or cancel enrolment for overdue accounts.
- Discounts:
- Early Bird: 5% discount on Annual Tuition Fees (tuition only) when full annual payment is received by the School's bank on or before 15 April 2026.
- Annual Payment Discount: 3% discount on Annual Tuition Fees (tuition only) when full annual payment is received by the School's bank between 16 April 2026 and 15 June 2026.
- Sibling discounts (full-day programme only): second eldest child: 15% off tuition; third child and onward: 20% off tuition. Sibling discounts cannot be combined with other discounts except as noted for Early Bird/Annual Payment.
- Alumni children discount: 20% tuition discount for enrolled children of YCIS alumni (not combinable with other discounts).

Residence hall / Boarding (optional; Years 7–13)
- Residence hall service is available for Years 7–13. The School requires an advance/prepayment for additional living expenses and school activity fees for international boarding students; the estimated total advance is RMB 50,000 per student for the academic year. Actual expenses are deducted from this prepaid account with parental authorisation and any balance is refunded as applicable.

School bus (optional)
- School bus fees (K3 – Year 13; amounts shown per semester and annual):
- Within 15 km: Semester 1 RMB 5,280; Semester 2 RMB 7,920; Annual RMB 13,200.
- 15 km or over: Semester 1 RMB 6,120; Semester 2 RMB 9,180; Annual RMB 15,300.
- Temporary or short-term bus arrangements are made subject to route and seat availability.

School meals and catering (optional)
- Recommended pre-pay top-up minimum: RMB 600. Suggested meal prices (per meal): Breakfast RMB 26 for all students; Lunch ECE RMB 40; Primary Years 1–2 set meal RMB 42–50; Primary Years 3–6 and Secondary Years 7–13: charges vary based on dining items and selections; themed-event catering charged separately.

Uniforms and other compulsory items
- School uniforms are required for all students ECE to Year 13 and must be purchased from the School's uniform supplier platform at supplier-set prices. New students must purchase one set in their first year; returning students may purchase individual pieces as needed.

Other mandatory or common additional fees
- International Student Administrative Service Fee (for students requiring the School's support with a Child Student Visa / Student Visa and related services): RMB 12,000 per international student. This covers additional administrative costs including visa support, international medical insurance, airport pickup, health checks and related services.
- Advance Payment for additional living/activity expenses for international boarding students: estimated RMB 50,000 (prepaid).

Refund information and departure procedures
- Application Fee is non-refundable.
- Deposit and tuition refund rules depend on the date the School receives a completed Departure Notice Form and the actual date of departure; specific refund thresholds for Deposit and Tuition Fees are set for Semester 1 and Semester 2 (examples: for Semester 1 the Deposit may be 100% refundable if the Departure Notice is received on or before 15 April 2026 in certain cases; tuition refunds for a semester vary by the date of departure—100% refund before semester start, 50% if by a later cutoff date, and no refund after specified cutoffs). All refunds are processed after completion of departure procedures and settlement of outstanding accounts; the Deposit is returned within 30 days after departure procedures are complete, subject to deductions for amounts owing. Detailed departure and refund timelines and conditions apply.
- Temporary leave: there is no refund of Deposit or Tuition Fees for temporary leave. Specific rules apply for refunds of bus fees, meal balances and residence hall fees. Original receipts or fapiaos must be returned for refunds and tax or processing charges may apply.

Fee payment options and settlement instructions
- Accepted payment methods:
- Bank remittance (preferred): payments may be made by bank transfer to the School's RMB domestic bank account or the overseas USD account; include the student's passport name in the remittance reference. Domestic and overseas account details are provided for bank transfers.
- Pay in person: small cash amounts up to RMB 6,000 are accepted in person. Large cash payments, credit cards and personal cheques are NOT accepted.
- Any payments received are applied first to the Deposit if it is outstanding; outstanding balances must be settled per the fee schedule. Overdue charges and reallocation/cancellation of places apply for unpaid accounts.

Contacts for accounts and fee enquiries
- Accounts Division contact for fee enquiries and assistance: Tel: 0532 8699 5551-3; email: fad.qd@ycis.com.

Boarding Arrangements

Residence Hall Services are optional and available for Years 7–13. The residence hall provides modern, secure accommodations with air conditioning, heating, and en‑suite bathrooms, plus a communal living room and study spaces. The service includes weekly laundry and regular cleaning, with dining and other services offered separately; short‑term housing can be arranged based on bed availability. Residence hall fees include 51,200 RMB per year for five days a week or 58,200 RMB per year for seven days a week, with a 5,000 RMB medical/emergency deposit.

Uniform Requirement

The school has a uniform. Uniforms are a long‑standing YCIS Qingdao tradition and were refreshed in 2018 with a new unified design. A Uniform Catalogue detailing quantity and style is available on the School Uniform Platform.

Food Options

Meals are prepared on-site in the school kitchen. The cafeteria sources ingredients from approved, certified suppliers to ensure freshness and nutrition.

House System

The school uses a house system with four houses. Students participate in house activities and wear house T‑shirts for events.

Governance and Ownership

YCIS Qingdao holds joint international accreditations: CIS, NEASC, and NCCT; it is also authorised as a Cambridge International Examinations Centre and an International Baccalaureate World School.

Curriculum

The school has a bilingual learning environment. It has a proven track record in IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).

Student Teacher Ratio

4:1

Exam Results

IBDP pass rate: 20+.

Higher Education Progression

Graduates go on to study at top universities worldwide, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, London School of Economics and Political Sciences, University College London, Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Los Angeles, Cornell University, National University of Singapore, and The University of Hong Kong.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Character Education is offered in Lower Secondary to foster positive moral values and educate the whole child. Through lessons and a wide range of activities across and beyond the curriculum, students gain practical knowledge and skills to live healthy lives and meet spiritual, moral, social, and cultural challenges as they approach adulthood. The programme aligns with YCIS Philosophy and Objectives. This supports social and emotional development as part of a holistic education.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

English as an Additional Language (EAL) and English Language and Literature (ELL) programmes are offered. Students are grouped according to individual needs and experience and join either the EAL or ELL programmes. There is also an English Intensive Programme (EIP) to assist students who have very little knowledge of the language.

Mental Wellbeing

YCIS Qingdao is an IB World School and offers the full IB Diploma Programme in Years 12 and 13. The IBDP aims to develop all-rounded students who flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically.

Safeguarding

YCIS Qingdao is a child-safe school with Child Protection Policies and Procedures.

Admissions

1. Enquiry & Visit: The Admissions Team assists with enquiries and visits for Kindergarten, Primary, and Secondary Programmes. Applications are welcome from eligible students of all nationalities, cultures, and educational and language backgrounds who share YCIS' philosophy and values, with flexibility for relocation; contact Admissions to check place availability. To apply, families must submit foreign identification and other documents that meet the regulations of the local government. 2. Placement: Year level and programme placement is based on multiple factors including academic performance, English language proficiency, skill development, prior years of schooling, social development, date of birth, and learning needs. Admissions assessments may include a one-on-one meeting or interview, a written placement test, an external assessment (for significant learning needs), and/or an online English language evaluation. Following assessment, the appropriate year level and programme are determined. The aim is to sustain a multicultural environment and balanced student community. 3. Waitlist: When a year level becomes full, YCIS Qingdao maintains a waiting pool of applicants. Children with enrolled siblings at YCIS receive priority in the admissions process. Families can contact Admissions to inquire about place availability. 4. Internal Transfer: All YCIS schools operate under the same educational philosophy, pedagogy, and curriculum. Internal transfers are convenient for families relocating within the network (not requiring the normal application process or fee). Internal transfer applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of the local government and will be assessed for admission and placement.

Scholarships

YCIS Qingdao Scholarship Programme is open for the 2026–2027 academic year. It seeks students ready to shine from diverse backgrounds, and celebrates potential, passion, and the courage to grow. Every application tells a unique story, and the programme invites applicants to share their goals as part of the process.

Waitlist

YCIS Qingdao maintains a waiting pool of applicants when a year level is full. Siblings enrolled at YCIS have priority in the admissions process. Families can contact Admissions to inquire about place availability during the waiting period. Admissions decisions are handled by the Admissions Team.

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Qingdao MINGDE School

Fees RMB 108,000 - 260,000

Qingdao MINGDE School is a private, coeducational institution located in Qingdao, China. The school provides mixed-gender boarding facilities for students who live on campus. It offers the International Baccalaureate continuum, including the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the Diploma Programme (DP). Instruction is delivered in both English and Chinese, supporting bilingual language development and cross-cultural communication. The IB framework used by the school covers primary through pre-university education, with assessment aligned to IB standards. Students engage in a structured progression from early years through to the diploma, guided by IB subject groups and core requirements. The school's bilingual setup aims to prepare students for diverse academic pathways and future opportunities in higher education worldwide. Qingdao MINGDE School thus provides a cohesive international education experience within a Chinese context, leveraging its private status and boarding facilities to support full-time student learning for families seeking global opportunities.

Location

111 Gongjian Road, Huangdao District, Qingdao, China.

Stages

IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), and IB Diploma Programme (DP).

Type

Private; coeducational; boarding facilities: mixed.

Country affiliation

China

Annual tuition (headline figure)
- Qingdao MINGDE School (青岛西海岸新区明德双语学校) is listed in the West Coast (Xihai'an) district public school fee schedule with an annual tuition of RMB 260,000 per student for the program entry shown in the district table.

Equivalent per-term figure (derived)
- Where an academic year is billed in two semesters, RMB 260,000 per year is equivalent to RMB 130,000 per semester (calculated from the district-listed annual figure).

Alternative published tuition bands seen in public school listings
- Independent education listings and school-admissions summaries report tuition bands for the school and its international/dual-track programs at lower published points for different year groups: examples that appear in public school-directory material include roughly RMB 108,000 per year (RMB 54,000 per semester) for primary-level placements, RMB 128,000 per year (RMB 64,000 per semester) for middle-school placements, and RMB 158,000 per year (RMB 79,000 per semester) for high-school placements. These figures appear in multiple admissions summaries and school-directory pages.

Tuition by year group (summary of available public figures)
- Primary (approximate published figures seen in school-admissions listings): RMB 108,000 per year / RMB 54,000 per semester.
- Middle school (approximate published figures seen in school-admissions listings): RMB 128,000 per year / RMB 64,000 per semester.
- High school / international-baccalaureate or international-track programs: public records include both the RMB 158,000 per year figure shown in some admissions materials and the RMB 260,000 per year figure that appears in the 2026 West Coast district fee schedule for 明德双语学校; the RMB 260,000 figure is the district-listed annual tuition value for the school in the 2026 table. Reported program options at upper-secondary level include IBDP, A-Level and other international curricula.

Application / registration fees
- No definitive, school-published single-number application or one-off registration fee for the 2026/27 academic year was found in the available public listings during this search. Some admissions summaries for the school family note standard additional one-off fees at other institutions (registration/placement deposits) but no authoritative Mingde-specific application fee figure for 2026/27 could be located.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The school appears in public sources in the context of standard Chinese private/international-school billing practices; the West Coast district listing gives an annual tuition value (RMB 260,000). Public admissions materials for this school and comparable Qingdao international schools indicate that schools commonly offer annual, semester or installment billing options and may operate early-payment discounts or scheduled-semester due dates, but a school-specific, step-by-step 2026/27 billing calendar and exact due dates for Mingde were not found in the publicly available materials accessed.

Boarding fees and boarding status
- The school is described in public profiles as a full-time, campus-based (寄宿制 / full-board) bilingual school serving 3–19 year-olds. No authoritative public figure for a separate boarding fee (RMB per year or per semester) for 2026/27 was found in the materials reviewed.

Other mandatory and ancillary costs (examples found in public materials)
- School bus (transport) fees: published admissions summaries list a school-bus fee band in the range of about RMB 2,600–3,800 per student per semester for some routes at the school.
- School uniform, learning resources, local field trips, and international-exam fees (IB/A-Level/AP exam charges) are commonly charged by international/IB schools; specific RMB amounts for Mingde uniform or learning-resource charges for 2026/27 were not published in the publicly accessible summaries reviewed.

Refunds and withdrawal / refund rules
- Refunds and withdrawal handling for private and international schools in Qingdao are subject to municipal regulations that require clear pre-publication of refund rules and generally follow the principle of “多退少不补” (refund any overpaid amount; do not require additional payment if underpayment) and other consumer-protection rules; the city-level guidance requires schools to publish specific refund and departure procedures and to make those terms available to parents at admission. A school-specific refund schedule for Mingde for 2026/27 was not located in the public materials reviewed.

Fee-payment options (accepted payment methods)
- No definitive, school-published list of accepted payment methods for Mingde for 2026/27 was located in the public materials reviewed. Typical payment methods used by Qingdao international schools include bank transfer to a designated school account, online payment platforms (mainland China channels such as bank transfer/online banking, Alipay/WeChat Pay where schools support them), and international telegraphic transfer for overseas payers; specific accepted channels and exact bank-account details for Mingde were not found in the public records accessed.

Summary of what was found and what was not publicly available
- Found and supported: the West Coast (Xihai'an) district 2026 public school fee schedule lists 明德双语学校 with an annual tuition of RMB 260,000 (this is the primary authoritative public figure located for 2026). Admissions directories and school-advertising summaries published in education directories show lower tuition bands for different year groups (examples: RMB 108,000; RMB 128,000; RMB 158,000 per year) and list ancillary fees such as school-bus charges.
- Not located in publicly retrievable materials during this review: a school-published, itemized 2026/27 fee schedule showing a full breakdown by grade with per-term invoices, a specific, published application/registration fee number, a separate published boarding-fee amount, a detailed billing calendar of exact due dates for 2026/27, and an explicit, school-published list of accepted payment channels and bank details for 2026/27. The school's public admissions summaries and local government fee notices were used to compile the figures above where available.

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