Alcanta International College vs Britannia International School Guangzhou

	A Alcanta International College Guangzhou, China	B Britannia International School Guangzhou Guangzhou, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 158,000 - 182,000	Fees / year RMB 127,000 - 186,000
Age range	Age range 12 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Chinese National Curriculum	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 225
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2011	Opened 2017
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Alcanta International College is in Nansha District, Guangzhou — listed at No. 14 Guangsheng Road (Nansha), in the southern part of the city's Greater Bay Area. The Nansha area is served by Guangzhou Metro Line 4 and other regional links, so public-transport connections to central Guangzhou and neighbouring cities are available; confirm exact travel times from your location.	Location No.4 Chuangjia Road, Jinshazhou (Jinshazhou Island), Baiyun District, Guangzhou. The campus address and contact details are listed on the school website; Jinshazhou is a residential area of Baiyun District so most families reach the school by car, taxi or the school's transport service—check routes with admissions.
Stages	Stages The school offers a Pre‑Diploma pathway and Cambridge IGCSE courses for junior students, followed by the two‑year International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma for senior students (typical ages mid‑teens to 18). AIC describes a four‑year Pre‑Diploma plus the IB Diploma for graduation preparation.	Stages BIS follows a British/Cambridge pathway: Early Years (Pre‑Nursery to Reception, ages ~2–5), Cambridge Primary (Year 1–6, ages 5–11), Cambridge Lower Secondary (Year 7–9, ages 11–14), Cambridge Upper Secondary (Year 10–11, ages 14–16), and Cambridge AS/A‑Level (Year 12–13). The school website lists these sections and age ranges.
School type	School type AIC is a private, co‑educational international school; it is an IB World School and also lists Cambridge IGCSE and external accreditation (MSA‑CESS). The school operates boarding provision alongside day places.	School type Non‑profit, co‑educational international day school that teaches in English and follows the Cambridge/British curriculum. BIS is explicitly a day school with no boarding facilities—students must live with a parent or legal guardian while enrolled.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support AIC's publicly available pages and directory listings do not publish a detailed Special Educational Needs (SEN) or Additional Learning Needs policy online. Prospective parents should contact admissions directly to ask about specific learning‑support services, EAL support, diagnostic assessment or individual learning plans available for their child.	Additional learning support BIS operates Learning Services and assesses incoming students to determine if English or mathematics support is needed; English language support is offered (a fee may apply). The admissions information says these Learning Services teachers arrange additional help where required.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school is based in the People's Republic of China (Guangzhou) and is not presented as being affiliated to another country's school system.	Country affiliation The school describes itself as a member of the Canadian International Educational Organization (CIEO) while delivering a British/Cambridge curriculum; it does not operate as a state school of any single country.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is listed in the school's public profiles; AIC is presented as a secular international school in its directory entries.	Religious affiliation BIS is secular and does not have a religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure Public listings note the school year runs on a roughly August–June cycle, but AIC does not publish a detailed daily start/end timetable or break schedule on its public pages. If you need exact school‑day hours, class period lengths or boarding daily routines (for example supervised evening study), request the current daily timetable from admissions.	School day structure Typical start times are around 08:20 for Early Years and Primary and around 08:35 for Secondary; lessons finish in the mid‑afternoon (generally between about 15:30 and 16:00 depending on age group). The school also provides supervised before‑ and after‑school care and runs extra‑curricular sessions—confirm exact daily times for your child's year group with admissions.
Bus service details	Bus service details Directory information indicates the school provides transport (school bus) options, but public pages do not specify the provider, routes, stops or fees. For route maps, pickup/dropoff times, and costs you should request the school's transport brochure or speak with the admissions office.	Bus service details The school offers a school bus service; parents complete a Bus Policy form as part of registration and should contact admissions for specific routes, pick‑up points and fees. Third‑party listings indicate BIS covers central areas of Guangzhou with air‑conditioned buses and supervised routes, but the school's admissions office is the source for current routes, availability and pricing.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fee - One-time application/registration fee: RMB 300. Tuition fees (by year group) - Grade 7: RMB 158,000 per year (day student). - Grade 8: RMB 158,000 per year (day student). - Grade 9: RMB 182,000 per year (day student). - Grade 10: RMB 182,000 per year (day student). - Grade 11: RMB 182,000 per year (day student). - Grade 12: RMB 182,000 per year (day student). Tuition per term (billing note and calculation) - Public information lists tuition as an annual amount. The school's published practice is to collect tuition/meal/accommodation in advance prior to each semester; using that practice, a simple per-semester figure can be calculated by dividing the annual tuition by two (example: Grade 7/8 ≈ RMB 79,000 per semester; Grade 9–12 ≈ RMB 91,000 per semester). This per‑semester amount is a derived value (annual ÷ 2) based on the school's semester-advance billing practice. Boarding, meals and ancillary fees - Seven‑day boarding (typical option): RMB 10,300 per year (example reported). - Five‑day (weekly) boarding option: RMB 8,800 per year (where offered). - Student meal plan (boarding/non‑boarding catering charge examples): RMB 13,860 per year (reported meal fee). - Textbooks/learning materials: example published estimate RMB 3,000 per year. - Activity/programme fee example: RMB 3,500 per year. Billing schedule and payment terms - Fees (tuition, meals, accommodation) are collected in advance prior to the start of the relevant semester/study period; annual invoicing is used for published tuition amounts and schools typically require payment by the commencement date or specified deadline. Parents are expected to settle billed amounts before the semester begins. Refund information - The school's publicly available materials and corporate filings indicate that partial refunds may be offered if a student withdraws during a semester; a formal School Fees Refund Policy is referenced in offer documentation. Specific refund percentages and conditions are established in the school's fee/refund policy. Fee payment options (published example) - Bank transfer / international wire: published offer documents show payment instructions for payments to a China Merchants Bank account (domestic RMB account and SWIFT details for USD wire transfers) and request that payment receipts be emailed to the admissions contact. This is the payment method explicitly shown in the school's offer materials. Other notes on costs - Some published school materials and third‑party listings show refundable deposits, printing/ICT fees, insurance and occasional one‑off charges (these vary by intake). Parents should treat the listed items above as the principal recurring charges (application, tuition, boarding/meals, textbooks, activities).	Fee details Tuition fees (annual and half-year) - EYFS (Kindergarten): Annual RMB 127,000; Half‑year RMB 63,500. - Year 1–6 (Primary): Annual RMB 139,000; Half‑year RMB 69,500. - Year 7–9 (Lower Secondary): Annual RMB 169,000; Half‑year RMB 84,500. - Year 10–11 (Upper Secondary – IGCSE): Annual RMB 170,500; Half‑year RMB 85,250. - Year 12–13 (Upper Secondary – A Level): Annual RMB 186,000; Half‑year RMB 93,000. Application and other mandatory fees - Application fee: RMB 2,000 (initial application only, non‑refundable). - Resources fee: RMB 4,000 (annual, non‑refundable). - Insurance: RMB 200 (non‑refundable). - Uniform: RMB 2,900 (new students expected to purchase one full set; this fee excludes the House T‑shirt). - Bedding: RMB 500 (only for Pre‑Nursery and Nursery where applicable). - Lunch and snack fee: RMB 7,200 (annual). Bus (transport) fees - Jinshazhou route: Annual RMB 7,000; Semester RMB 4,000. - Under 8 km from school (including 8 km): Annual RMB 9,000; Semester RMB 5,000. - 8–15 km from school (including 15 km): Annual RMB 13,000; Semester RMB 7,000. - Over 15 km from school: Annual RMB 15,000; Semester RMB 8,000. Billing schedule and payment terms (billing structure and discounts shown) - Billing structure reflected in published fees: families may pay on an annual (full‑year) basis or on a half‑year (semester) basis using the shown annual and half‑year figures. - Discount for full payment: an annual tuition discount of RMB 6,000 is applied to families who pay the full tuition in a single payment. - Early enrolment discount: an additional discount of RMB 3,000 is offered for students who enrol before January 31 and pay the tuition in full. Boarding fees - The school operates as a day school and has no boarding facilities; therefore boarding fees are not applicable. Refund information - The following fees are explicitly listed as non‑refundable: Application fee (RMB 2,000), Resources fee (RMB 4,000), and Insurance (RMB 200). - Other items (tuition, lunch, bus, uniform, bedding) do not have a public, detailed refund schedule displayed alongside the fee table. Where a specific fee is labelled non‑refundable it has been noted above; no comprehensive tuition refund policy or detailed withdrawal/refund schedule is provided with the published fee sheet. Fee payment options - The publicly posted fee schedule lists amounts, billing options (annual/half‑year) and discounts but does not list specific payment channels (for example bank account details, accepted card types, or e‑wallet options) on the published fees page. Summary of what is not published on the fee sheet - The published fee materials include amounts, the annual/half‑year billing format, discounts, and which small fees are non‑refundable, but they do not publish a complete tuition refund policy or the school's accepted payment methods/banking details alongside the fee schedule.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements The school is a day school with no boarding facilities.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership Independent international school established in 2011; accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS), the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), and Cambridge IGCSE.	Governance and ownership The school is a non-profit organization and a member school of the Canadian International Educational Organization (CIEO). The BIS is foreign-owned.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Alcanta International College runs a four‑year pre‑IB/preparatory programme (Grades 7–10) followed by the two‑year IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12. The school is an authorised IB World School offering the full IB Diploma as its senior qualification. Diploma students at AIC complete the DP core—Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity, Service—alongside six subject‑group courses required for the diploma. The IB registry for AIC lists available DP subjects including English A (Language & Literature), English B, Mandarin (ab initio), Chinese A/B, Mathematics (Analysis & Approaches and Applications & Interpretation), Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Business Management, Psychology, Computer Science, Environmental Systems & Societies and Visual Arts (May examinations). The preparatory years are structured to ready students for DP subject choices and assessments and instruction is delivered in English.	Curriculum details Britannia International School Guangzhou follows the Cambridge international pathway from Early Years (EYFS) through Cambridge Primary, Lower Secondary, Upper Secondary (IGCSE) and Cambridge AS/A Level. Early Years covers Pre‑nursery to Reception (age 2–5) using the UK EYFS framework and its seven areas of learning. Cambridge Primary (Years 1–6, age 5–11) and Cambridge Lower Secondary (Years 7–9, age 11–14) deliver Cambridge syllabuses and assessments across a broad programme that includes English, mathematics, science, global perspectives/history/geography, Chinese, STEAM, art, music, PE and ICT. Cambridge Upper Secondary (Years 10–11, age 14–16) prepares students for Cambridge IGCSEs with core subjects (English, maths, science, PE) and a range of optional subjects such as English Literature, history, additional maths, Chinese, drama, music, art, physics, ICT and global perspectives. Post‑Year 11 (Years 12–13, age 16–19) students may study Cambridge AS and A Levels; the school lists example A‑level options (e.g., Chinese, history, further maths, geography, biology, physics, English language/literature, business, art, music, maths, chemistry, computer science) and describes standard AS/A‑level assessment routes and exam sessions.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Alcanta International College describes itself as a student-centred community and cites values of a “safe and supportive” learning environment; the school public news items also reference student-led activities such as a student council (STUCO), TOK Café events, debate competitions and drama productions that involve collaborative project work. These curricular and co-curricular activities (debate, drama, TOK Café, clubs) are used on the website to illustrate opportunities for students to practise collaboration, communication and leadership. The site does not list a separate named SEL programme or a designated SEL coordinator. Parents and applicants would need to contact the school for details about formal SEL curricula or staff roles.	Social & emotional learning BIS describes a “holistic education” focused on whole-child development and publishes learner attributes (Confident, Responsible, Reflective, Innovative, Engaged) that underpin social and emotional learning in its curriculum and extra‑curricular programme. The school says it combines strong academics, a STEAM programme and ECAs to support personal and social development. The Cambridge Primary/KS curriculum offered at BIS includes Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) as part of the programme. BIS also uses ClassDojo and regular parent–teacher communications to keep families involved in students' social and emotional progress, and an active PTA supports community engagement. These elements are described on the school website.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision on its website. There are no pages or policy documents on the site that describe the types of SEN supported, specialist staff, an inclusion/learning-support department, or whether the school is a specialist SEN institution. If you need this information for admissions or placement, please contact the school directly for its current SEN policy and available support.	Special educational needs (SEN) The school asks parents to declare any learning difficulties and states that students must be able to function within the regular classroom while working towards BIS academic requirements. BIS says it operates “Learning Services” to provide support where needed but explicitly notes it does not have a specialist unit for more serious needs (examples listed include autism, emotional/behavioural disorders, significant cognitive/developmental delays and certain communication disorders). The admissions information indicates such cases can be discussed individually with the school but are not automatically supported by an onsite specialist unit. BIS therefore is not a specialist SEN institution; support is offered within mainstream provision and subject to individual agreement. All of the above is stated in the school's admissions/learning‑needs guidance.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language Alcanta International College's published curriculum pages show English-language pathways: the IGCSE provision includes English as a second language, and the IBDP subject list on the site includes English B at higher level alongside language offerings such as Chinese ab initio. These entries indicate the school teaches English as a language option within its formal qualifications, but the website does not describe a separate EAL support programme, specific EAL staff, or staged intervention pathways. For details about individual EAL assessment or in-class support, contact the school.	English as an additional language BIS is presented as a fully English‑taught Cambridge school and the admissions material states English‑language support is available for students who require extra help to gain admission (a fee may apply). The admissions pages note applicants are assessed for English speaking, reading and writing, and that the school will provide additional English support where required. Other school pages on the site also describe EAL/English support and individualized plans for newcomers. If you need precise details (staffing levels, programme names, or fees) those are not set out in detail on the public pages and should be confirmed with admissions.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school's mission and values emphasise a caring, student-focused community and a safe, supportive learning environment, and the website documents co‑curricular activities that contribute to student engagement. The website does not publish a dedicated mental-health or wellbeing policy, nor does it identify named counselling staff or an on-site counselling service. Because those specific provisions are not publicly listed, interested families should request the school's current mental-health/wellbeing policy and details of available counselling or pastoral staff directly.	Mental wellbeing BIS's curriculum references PSHE and a holistic approach to learner development, and the school highlights extra‑curricular activities and community events that contribute to student wellbeing. The school also states it has a registered nurse on site and that all staff are first‑aid trained, which the school lists under its services. The public website does not provide a named counselling team or a published, dedicated mental‑health programme for students. For families needing specific counselling or clinical mental‑health support the school does not publish detailed provision online and recommends contacting the school directly to discuss individual needs.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school's mission and values statement affirms that AIC aims to provide a safe and supportive learning environment, but the website does not publish a dedicated safeguarding or child-protection policy with named safeguarding contacts, procedures or statutory-compliance details. There is no public child-protection policy document or explicit safeguarding contact listed on the site. For formal safeguarding procedures, mandatory reporting arrangements, or the school's designated safeguarding lead, please contact AIC directly and request their safeguarding policy.	Safeguarding BIS's mission and values material emphasises a safe, welcoming learning environment and the school states it is registered with the People's Republic of China as a School for Foreign Children. Practical safety/health measures published on the site include a registered nurse on campus, first‑aid‑trained staff and assigned bus monitors on contracted school buses. The school website does not publish a formal child‑protection or safeguarding policy document nor name a designated safeguarding lead on its public pages. For formal policy documents or named safeguarding contacts you will need to request these directly from the school, as they are not available on the public site.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school provides a modern campus with spaces for study and recreation. It features a library, a computer room with Apple desktops, a dance room, and art studios. Students have access to ping-pong tables, a track, a football pitch, and badminton and basketball courts. A recreational garden area and a rooftop terrace offer outdoor spaces for relaxation and informal gatherings. The facilities have been upgraded to support contemporary teaching and learning.	Facilities overview Britannia International School Guangzhou operates on an 8,000 m2 campus located at No.4 Chuangjia Road, Jinshazhou, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510168. The school is a non-profit organization and a member school of the Canadian International Educational Organization (CIEO). It provides Cambridge International education fully taught in English for students aged 2 to 18. The student body includes more than 45 nationalities. Nursery and Reception classes have about 18 students per section; Year 1 and above have about 25 students per section.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The track supports physical education and running activities. There is a football pitch for outdoor play and practice. Badminton and basketball courts provide space for court-based sports. The sports facilities are designed to accommodate both individual and team sports. They support intramural programs as part of the school's physical education offering.	Sports facilities Extracurricular sports-related activities include swimming and Cross-fit offered through the After School Programme.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The computer room is equipped with Apple desktops to support digital learning. Apple Education tools, including iPads and MacBooks, are integrated into daily teaching to enhance interactive learning. The campus supports IB Diploma Programme, Cambridge IGCSE, and A-Level curricula through upgraded spaces and resources. The school provides a broad range of subjects including languages, mathematics, sciences, computer science, and arts to support an international curriculum.	Academic facilities The school follows the Cambridge International curriculum path: Kindergarten/ EYFS, Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Lower Secondary, Cambridge Upper Secondary, and Cambridge AS & A Level. The learning environment is conducted in English and is designed to prepare students for admission to top universities worldwide.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Arts spaces include a dance room and art studios to support visual arts, drama, and music activities. The campus hosts arts- and sports-related clubs and events throughout the year. Extracurricular programs include business simulations and field trips, along with university visits and other enrichment activities that complement classroom learning.	Extra curricular facilities Extracurricular activities include violin, ukulele, pottery, swimming, cross-fit, LEGO, and AI.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Alcanta International College opened in 2011 and has graduated multiple cohorts since then. The school was authorized as an IB World School on 10 February 2012. AIC operates as part of the Alcanta education group and has been associated with Guangzhou Xinya Senior High School in its recent institutional development; the school's website also records a provincial approval in May 2025 for a Sino‑foreign cooperation project with Abbotsholme School (UK).	History Britannia International School Guangzhou was founded in 2017 by Winnie Chen as a non‑profit international school within the Canadian International Education Organization (CIEO). CIEO is described on the school site as the group that oversees BIS and a number of other member schools in the region. The school's website notes its establishment as part of CIEO's wider network and frames BIS as a non‑profit member school.
Community	Community AIC describes a multicultural student body—approximately 20% of students are international—which the school says contributes to daily cross‑cultural exchange. The school's calendar and news feed record regular community activities such as assemblies, TOK events and themed celebrations; external reports and school posts describe student‑led Mid‑Autumn Festival assemblies and other cultural programming. These activities are presented as regular parts of campus life and student learning.	Community BIS describes itself as a multicultural campus with students from 45+ nationalities. The school calendar includes regular large events — for example a month‑long sports program and arts opening ceremonies — which the school highlights on its events pages. Daily and weekly life at the school is supplemented by after‑school activities (ASA) such as football, dance, robotics/AI and other clubs that are open to students across age ranges.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The school website and news items show organized parent activities including a Parent Orientation and an "AIC Parents Workshop," and school posts reference a parents committee (家委会) participating in events such as graduation ceremonies. These items indicate parents meet with staff for orientation, workshops and event participation, and that a parents' committee exists. Publicly available pages do not provide a standalone PTA constitution or a detailed, up‑to‑date PTA event calendar; most references appear in news posts and the school calendar. If you'd like, I can search the school's news archive or contact the school for more detailed or current PTA documents and recent activities.	Parent teacher association The school's Parent Teacher Association (家委会) is presented on the BIS site as a parent‑staff community group whose stated goal is to bring families together to promote and improve the learning environment and to celebrate school culture. According to the school's information on family‑school services, the PTA works alongside established communication and engagement mechanisms such as ClassDojo, scheduled parent–teacher conferences (PTCs) at the ends of terms, and open days. The PTA page describes the group as a bridge between home and school, acting to foster parent involvement and to represent parent perspectives to staff. In practice, the school asks parents to use the regular channels (ClassDojo, email, WeChat and arranged meetings) to raise items the PTA may help coordinate or bring to school leadership. The school site frames PTA activity as collaborative and practical rather than ceremonial — focused on parent meetings, supporting open days and facilitating volunteer and liaison opportunities rather than running academic programmes.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Alcanta International College (AIC) is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS), the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), and Cambridge IGCSE. The school offers the IB Diploma Program for seniors (Grades 11-12) and the Cambridge IGCSE Program for juniors. The language of instruction is English, and boarding facilities are available. Examinations are conducted in May.	Academic & intellectual The Britannia International School Guangzhou is a Cambridge International Curriculum school taught entirely in English. The school serves students aged 2 to 18 years. The curriculum path includes EYFS, Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Lower Secondary, Cambridge Upper Secondary, and Cambridge AS & A Level. The school prepares students for admission to leading universities worldwide.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language The student body represents 45 countries and regions. The Cambridge curriculum is taught in English. The school fosters global citizenship.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision English is the language of instruction. Chinese is taught as a subject within the Cambridge Primary curriculum. A dedicated Chinese Studies (Language Education) course is available. Cambridge AS & A Level is offered for Years 12-13.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The school teaches in English.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs The school provides a fully immersive English environment.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations - International Baccalaureate (IB) — Alcanta International College is an IB World School authorised to deliver the IB Diploma Programme; the IB Diploma is an internationally recognised two‑year pre‑university curriculum that emphasises academic rigour, interdisciplinary learning and university preparation. (School site; IB authorisation record shows AIC as an IB school since 10 February 2012). - Cambridge IGCSE (Cambridge Assessment International Education) — the school states it delivers Cambridge IGCSE courses; Cambridge IGCSE is an internationally recognised qualification for 14–16 year olds that provides externally assessed, subject‑based certification and is widely used as preparation for advanced study (A‑levels, IB Diploma, etc.). - Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA‑CESS) — the school lists MSA‑CESS accreditation; Middle States is a US‑based peer accreditation body whose review process and standards are used globally to validate a school's institutional quality and commitment to continuous improvement.	Accreditations Listed accreditations (as shown on the school's website) with a one-line explanation of each and its significance: - Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE): BIS states it is an officially Cambridge-accredited school and that it obtained CAIE accreditation in March 2021. CAIE is the University of Cambridge's international examinations and qualifications body; its authorisation means the school is approved to deliver Cambridge programmes and to register students for Cambridge IGCSE and A‑Level qualifications. - Council of International Schools (CIS): BIS's website lists CIS accreditation. CIS is a global membership and accreditation organisation for international schools; CIS accreditation signifies the school has undertaken a multi‑stage self-review and peer evaluation against internationally agreed standards (covering leadership, teaching, wellbeing and governance) and is committed to ongoing improvement. - Pearson Edexcel (培生·爱德思): The site lists Pearson Edexcel among its certifications. Pearson Edexcel is a major UK awarding organisation and exam board (GCSEs, A‑levels and international variants); authorisation indicates the school can offer/enter students for Pearson‑awarded academic qualifications. - International Curriculum Association (ICA): BIS's site lists the ICA (国际课程组织). ICA (International Curriculum Association / International Curriculum Association services) provides international curricula (IEYC/IPC/IMYC), professional development and a recognition/accreditation pathway for schools; ICA recognition or accreditation indicates the school has met ICA standards to implement ICA curriculum frameworks and associated quality processes. - Registration as an expatriate-children school (中华人民共和国登记为“外籍人员子女学校”): The admissions page states BIS is registered in the People's Republic of China as a school for children of foreign passport holders (and certain other eligible groups). This registration is the local regulatory authorisation that determines which categories of students the school may lawfully enrol in China.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and information-gathering. Parents should confirm which academic year/term they are applying for (AIC lists a first application deadline of 30 April on directory pages) and whether the student is applying as day or boarding, since fees and deadlines can differ. 2. Complete and submit the application form and pay the application fee. AIC's published application charge is shown as roughly RMB 300 (around USD 43) on school directories; make sure you submit the signed form plus payment by the stated deadline and retain the payment receipt. Parents should check whether the application is submitted via the school website, the school's own application portal, or a third‑party system (some directories link AIC to OpenApply) and upload required documents in the requested format. 3. Prepare and send required supporting documents. Typically this will include the student's current academic transcripts/grade reports, passport copy (for international students), recent school reports, teacher recommendation(s) and any previous exam records; confirm the exact document list with admissions. If English is not the student's first language, expect to provide evidence of English proficiency or to arrange an English assessment—directories note that AIC teaches in English and provides ELL support. Parents should arrange official translations where required and allow time for notarisation if the documents are needed for visas or scholarship applications. 4. Entrance assessment and interview. Public information about AIC indicates scholarships and admissions decisions are linked to an entrance examination and review of academic records, so expect a written/online assessment (academic and/or English) and an interview with admissions or a senior teacher. Parents should verify the format (onsite, online, timed test) and, if travelling from overseas, ask whether remote assessment options are available and whether any preparatory materials are provided. Keep copies of past schoolwork or samples the school requests for the assessment. 5. Scholarship consideration (if applying). AIC directories state that applicants who perform strongly in the entrance exam and have strong academic records may be considered for scholarships; for international students AIC has historically offered full-tuition awards to selected applicants. If you want to be considered, follow the school's specific scholarship application instructions and submit any additional documents or essays by the scholarship deadline; note that directories indicate scholarships typically cover tuition only, not living costs. Parents should ask whether the scholarship decision is made at offer stage or separately and whether scholarship recipients must meet ongoing academic or behavioural conditions. 6. Offer, acceptance and deposit. Successful applicants will receive a formal offer (conditional or unconditional). The offer will set out any conditions (e.g., final transcripts, visa paperwork, English standard) and the deadline for accepting the place and paying any tuition deposit or enrolment fee; check the offer letter carefully for exact amounts and payment instructions. Parents should confirm refund and withdrawal policies for deposits, and whether the deposit counts toward the first year's fees. 7. Final paperwork: contracts, visas and boarding arrangements. After acceptance, complete the school contract and provide final documentation the school requires for registration; international families should start the visa process promptly because visa timelines vary. If the student will board, confirm the boarding contract, boarding fees and the school's published meal/room charge schedule (boarding and meal fees are listed separately in directory fee summaries). Parents should check arrival dates, orientation schedules, health insurance/medical forms and any immunisation requirements. 8. Fee payment schedule and orientation. AIC directories list annual tuition ranges (day tuition figures published between approximately RMB 158,000 and RMB 182,000 depending on grade) and additional boarding/meal charges for boarders; confirm the exact fee schedule and whether the school accepts instalments, bank transfer instructions and the currency required. Parents should also check for one‑time enrolment charges (directories reference a first‑year one‑time fee such as an application or administration charge) and request an itemised fee breakdown (tuition, boarding, meals, activity fees, textbooks). Finally, attend the school's orientation and keep a copy of the signed enrolment agreement and the school's contact details for ongoing questions.	Admissions 1. Request information and initial enquiry. Begin by completing the online inquiry/visit-request form so the admissions team can send the school handbook and basic information; the website says they will contact families (for visit requests) within 24 hours. Parents should use the inquiry form to state the child's current year group, nationality/visa status and whether they need transport or lunch services — this helps admissions give accurate next steps. 2. Schedule a meeting with the admissions office. After the initial enquiry, arrange a meeting (virtual or on-campus) with BIS Admissions to discuss year placement, curriculum pathway (EYFS / Cambridge Primary / IGCSE / AS & A Level) and any learning-support needs. Bring questions about class size limits, bus routes and school-day times so the team can confirm availability for your child's age and address. 3. Complete the application and gather required documents. Read the school's admissions policy, then fill in the BIS Student Application Form and any service forms (for example the Bus Policy if you need transport). BIS publishes a specific list of documents: official previous school records in English, passport pages and visa/residence stamps (or HK/Macau/Taiwan documents where relevant), birth certificate, immunization record, medical report from an international clinic (the site suggests Guangdong Int'l Travel Health Care Center as an example), passport-sized photos (for student and parents) and any standardized-test or recommendation letters requested for older children. Parents should prepare certified English translations and notarised copies where required by Chinese administration rules; incomplete documentation will delay processing. 4. Assessment testing and interview scheduling. BIS requires age-appropriate assessment: children aged 3–7 (Early Years up to Year 2) usually attend a half‑ or full‑day classroom session for teacher assessment, while applicants aged 7 and above (Year 3+) sit written English and Mathematics tests at their level; all new students are interviewed by the Principal or COO. These assessments are used to determine learning support needs and correct class placement (they are not solely used to exclude applicants). Expect the school to advise if English-language support is recommended and to explain associated fees for that support. 5. Offer, fee payment and confirmation of place. If BIS offers a place, you will be sent the offer and fee schedule. The published 2025–2026 fee sheet shows the application fee and other charges (see the fees section below); parents should note which fees are non‑refundable (for example the application fee) and the school's stated discounts for full/early payment. Confirm the payment deadlines and the method the school uses to hold a place (some schools require completed acceptance forms and payment of fees to secure a spot). If you need a payment plan or have questions about deadlines/discounts, raise these with admissions at the offer stage. 6. Final enrolment steps and arrival. After payment and acceptance, complete any remaining enrolment paperwork (bus registration if required, medical/insurance forms), purchase or order the initial uniform set and bedding where required, and confirm the child's first‑day logistics (start date, class teacher, supply lists, lunch arrangements). BIS provides parent communication and uses PowerSchool for ongoing records; ask admissions for login details and for any orientation or family‑welcome events. Keep copies of all submitted documents and translations as the school and local authorities may ask for originals at a later date.
Scholarships	Scholarships Directories indicate that Alcanta International College offers scholarships and that applicants showing exceptional ability and potential may be awarded tuition scholarships; for international students, full‑tuition awards have been offered in past cycles. Scholarship awards are reported to be based on the applicant's performance in the school's entrance examination and on previous academic records; directories also note that scholarships typically cover tuition only and not living or boarding costs. Historical notes on some directory pages reference specific award numbers in particular years (for example, a past cycle listing 15 full scholarships in 2020–21), but these are examples rather than guarantees for future years—confirm current availability, selection criteria, application deadlines and whether there are scholarship renewal conditions with admissions. For authoritative, up‑to‑date details about scholarship types, amounts and application steps, contact the admissions office directly and ask for the current scholarship policy and deadlines.	Scholarships The BIS website and its published 2025–2026 tuition sheet do not advertise a scholarship or formal bursary programme. The school's published fees page shows tuition levels, an application fee and a small set of published discounts: an annual tuition discount of RMB 6,000 for families who pay the full tuition amount and an early‑enrolment discount of RMB 3,000 for families who enrol and pay in full before January 31st. Other routine charges shown on the fee sheet include a resources fee, insurance, uniform, bedding (for very young children), lunch/snack fees and bus charges — but no merit or need‑based scholarship schemes are listed. If you are looking for financial assistance, sibling/family discounts, or exceptional-case support, contact the admissions office to ask if any unpublished arrangements exist (admissions@bisgz.com).
Waitlist	Waitlist Public directory listings and the school's available admissions summaries do not explicitly describe a formal waitlist or pool process for Alcanta International College; the school's admissions pages linked in directories focus on application, examination and offer stages rather than an online waitlist. Because many schools operate informal or formal waiting lists (and policies vary year to year), if you want to know whether a waiting list will be used for the grade you are applying to, ask admissions directly (AIC's admissions contact details appear on OpenApply's school entry). If you are placed on any waitlist, confirm whether you must re‑affirm interest periodically to keep the application active, whether siblings or other priorities are applied, and how the school notifies families when a place becomes available.	Waitlist BIS states that admissions are open during the school year and that places are allocated with respect to class size limits (Nursery/Reception and Year 1 usually smaller sections). The school website's admissions information notes open intake and class-size constraints but does not provide a formal ‘waitlist' policy on the BIS site itself. Independent listings (International Schools Database) report that a waiting list has been used at times — specifically they note a waiting list for Pre‑Nursery because of high demand and they recommend early registration (they also say families are encouraged to register before July 31st for a new academic year). Because waiting‑list practice can change quickly, I recommend contacting admissions directly (admissions@bisgz.com) to confirm whether a waitlist is operating for the year group you need and what steps (deposit, application form) secure a place on the list.
	View full profile →	View full profile →