Alcanta International College vs Utahloy International School Zengcheng

	A Alcanta International College Guangzhou, China	U Utahloy International School Zengcheng Guangzhou, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 158,000 - 182,000	Fees / year RMB 115,000 - 245,000
Age range	Age range 12 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Chinese National Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), Dutch Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 200
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2011	Opened 2003
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 Utahloy International School Zengcheng (UISZ) is in Xiangshan Community, Zengliang Street, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou — the school's address is No.99 (also shown as No.957 in some older references) Guofeng 1st Street / Tashan Avenue, Zengcheng, postcode 511316. The campus sits in a large, lakeside/botanical setting in Sanjiang Town, about an hour from major cities in Guangdong and roughly two hours to Hong Kong by road, so commuting times can be significant depending on where you live.
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 UISZ runs a continuous programme from early years / kindergarten through to Year 12 (K–12). The school delivers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) in primary, the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) in lower secondary, and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in senior secondary; there is also an option to follow the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) in Years 11–12.
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 The school is co-educational and offers both day-school places and a residential (boarding) programme; the boarding community is known as Dragon House. UISZ is run by the Utahloy Education Foundation and operates as an international, English-medium school in China.
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 UISZ provides Student Support Services including English-as-an-Additional-Language (EAL/EALL), Special Educational Needs (SEN) support, and counselling; the school describes itself as inclusive and aims to provide individualised support within its resources. The admissions guidance asks parents to declare diagnosed learning needs and supply supporting reports so the school can assess whether it can meet a child's needs.
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 is based in Guangzhou, China, and is part of the Utahloy Education Foundation (UEF) group; it is not affiliated to a foreign government or single-country education system.
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 UISZ is secular (no 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 Lesson time generally starts in the early morning (school communications reference activities around 8:15–8:30) and the school day finishes in the mid‑afternoon (third‑party listings typically show finish times around 15:20–15:35). There are the usual morning break(s) and a lunch period; exact start/finish times and daily schedules vary by year group, so check with Admissions for the current term timetable.
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 Utahloy operates an optional two‑way school-bus service that covers routes for Guangzhou and the surrounding districts (zones that include parts of Zengcheng), with licensed buses, drivers and bus assistants reported in school information. UISZ posts about regular bus safety drills, and the broader Utahloy schools use a bookings/management system (SchoolsBuddy) for routes and late‑bus arrangements — contact admissions/transport if your compound or neighbourhood is not listed, as new routes are sometimes added.
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 Application fee - Application fee: RMB 2,000 (one-time, non-refundable / non-transferable when submitted with the application). Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts; day-student basis) - Kindergarten 1 (age 3): RMB 115,000 per year (first year total RMB 117,000 including the one‑time application fee). - Kindergarten 2 (age 4): RMB 115,000 per year. - Kindergarten 3 (age 5): RMB 177,000 per year. - Grade 1 (age 6): RMB 182,000 per year. - Grade 2 (age 7): RMB 188,000 per year. - Grade 3 (age 8): RMB 188,000 per year. - Grade 4 (age 9): RMB 188,000 per year. - Grade 5 (age 10): RMB 188,000 per year. - Grade 6 (age 11): RMB 229,000 per year. - Grade 7 (age 12): RMB 229,000 per year. - Grade 8 (age 13): RMB 229,000 per year. - Grade 9 (age 14): RMB 234,000 per year. - Grade 10 (age 15): RMB 234,000 per year. - Grade 11 (age 16): RMB 245,000 per year. - Grade 12 (age 17): RMB 245,000 per year. Per-term / semester information and what tuition includes - The school operates two semesters per year. Tuition may be paid annually or by semester; where semester payments are offered they are billed by semester. A full‑year early payment discount has been published (example: a 5% discount for full‑year payment made by the school's stated deadline for that intake). Day tuition is published as inclusive of meals, textbooks, after‑school activities and a contribution towards field trips. Boarding fees (when applicable) - 5‑day boarding: RMB 18,500 per semester or RMB 37,000 per year. - 7‑day boarding: RMB 23,200 per semester or RMB 46,400 per year. - Flexi‑boarding daily rates (published): RMB 300 per day (weekdays) and RMB 400 per day (weekend) as an indicative rate for flexible boarding. Transportation and additional levies - School bus (optional): Day‑student flat rate RMB 12,500 per seat / year. Five‑day boarders travel home by zone; example zone annual rates: Zone 1 RMB 7,000; Zone 2 RMB 11,300; Zone 3 RMB 13,600. 7‑day boarders have a separate holiday rate listed (example RMB 4,500). The transport service is optional and partially subsidised by the school. Other costs and typical extras - Uniforms, examination fees, some specialist activities and some one‑off items are not included in the published tuition figures and are charged separately. School lists uniforms and certain exam/ancillary charges as additional to the tuition. Sibling bursary / discounts - A sibling bursary is published: a discount on basic tuition fees (excluding transport, boarding and additional fees) is applied to the second and subsequent concurrently enrolled children in the same family, subject to the school's payment and deadline conditions. Refund information - The application fee is stated as non‑refundable. No detailed public refund schedule for tuition or boarding cancellations is published on the fee summaries located by the school-directory sources consulted; parents should check the formal enrolment contract for the school's withdrawal/refund terms. Fee payment options and billing - The school's public fee pages and directory summaries show invoicing options (annual or semester billing) but do not list a detailed, published list of accepted payment channels. The admissions office issues invoices and payment instructions; contact details appear on the school site.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
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 —
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 Utahloy International School Zengcheng delivers a full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum—IB Early Years, the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP)—and also offers a two‑year Hong Kong DSE senior route. The PYP is taught from Early Years (K3) through Year 5 with a transdisciplinary Programme of Inquiry (K3–Year 5: four units in Kindergarten, six units in other years). The MYP is provided through Years 6–10 (students study eight subject areas including languages, sciences, maths, arts and design) and culminates in Year‑10 eAssessments for the IB MYP Certificate. The DP is offered in Years 11–12 with the standard six subject groups, three Higher/three Standard Level courses and the core components (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS) for university preparation. As an alternative senior pathway, the HKDSE programme runs two years of full‑time senior secondary study with a 4+2+1 structure (four core subjects, two electives from specified options, plus Physical Education). The wider curriculum scope includes English as an Additional Language (EAL), modern languages and mother‑tongue support, technology and learning support services.
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 Utahloy Zengcheng describes Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) as part of its Student Support Services and says the school's counsellor delivers SEL content and life-skills education in the curriculum. The site refers to PSPE (personal, social, and physical education) lessons in primary and life-skills programmes in secondary that cover safeguarding and student awareness. The school states counselling is used to help students develop strategies to manage social and emotional challenges. Parents, teachers and specialists are described as collaborating through regular meetings to monitor social-emotional progress. (Sources: school Student Support Services and Counselling pages).
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 states it is an inclusive school and that its Learning Support provision supports students with social, emotional, behavioural or physical/medical needs. UISZ reports having an SEN coordinator who develops targeted interventions and uses measures such as small-group interventions and Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs) where needed. The site describes a multi-tiered Student Support Services model and collaboration with external experts when additional expertise is required. The school does not present itself as a specialist SEN institution; its materials describe mainstream inclusion within school resources rather than specialist-only provision. (Sources: Student Support Services and Counselling pages).
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 UISZ publishes an EAL programme that uses an internationally recognised placement test on entry and organises English Language Acquisition into six phases (students may enter at any phase based on placement). The school provides three hours per week of Academic Skills classes to support academic language development and embeds grammar, vocabulary and cultural content in contextualised units. To maintain inclusion, the school combines differentiated instruction across subjects with a Structured English Immersion (SEI) model in Sciences and Humanities and focused small-group EAL lessons. The site also notes an EAL coordinator who designs immersive language programmes. (Source: EAL programme page; Student Support Services news).
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 The school states it offers confidential individual and group counselling delivered by a trained counsellor who consults with parents, teachers and administrators to support students' personal and social development. Counselling is presented as part of broader Student Support Services and is used to help students develop coping strategies and resilience. Year-level guidance and university/career counselling are also described for older students as part of pastoral provision. The school notes collaboration with external specialists when extra support is needed. (Sources: Counsellor & Learning Support Services page; Student Support Services news).
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 UISZ publishes a Child Protection & Safeguarding page that says child welfare is the school's first priority and that its policy is aligned with PRC laws and international definitions (WHO, UNCRC referenced). The school lists safeguarding measures including a clear child protection policy, designated Child Protection Officers, a staff Code of Conduct, criminal background checks for staff and volunteers, a designated teacher response team, and annual staff training on child protection procedures. The site also describes PSPE and life-skills lessons aimed at helping students understand safeguarding issues and school procedures. Reporting procedures and cooperation with relevant authorities are cited as part of the school's responsibilities. (Source: Child Protection & Safeguarding page).
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 UISZ Zengcheng is located in Zengcheng, Guangzhou, near Guangzhou and Hong Kong. The campus offers modern, well-equipped classrooms and specialized innovation spaces where students tackle real-world problems using cutting-edge technology. An online campus tour is available to explore these facilities, and in-person visits are encouraged. The campus supports an international IB Continuum and associated programmes.
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 —
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 UISZ Zengcheng offers an IB Continuum from Early Years through Diploma and a Hong Kong DSE Programme. English as an Additional Language (EAL) supports students. Technology, Innovation & Design and Modern Languages are part of the academic program. The campus provides modern classrooms and specialized innovation spaces to support inquiry-based learning.
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 Athletics, Visual Arts, and Music are part of Student Life. A library is available on campus to support independent study and reading. The Student Life section includes safeguarding and health services. These offerings provide opportunities for personal development outside the classroom.
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 Utahloy International School Zengcheng (UISZ) opened as a Zengcheng campus in the early 2000s; school listings and international directories commonly record its opening in 2003. The school is part of the Utahloy Education Foundation (UEF) network, a not-for-profit group that manages multiple Utahloy campuses in the Guangzhou area. Utahloy's broader activities in the region trace back to the founding of the original Utahloy International School in Guangzhou in 1998, and the Zengcheng campus has been developed and rebranded within that foundation over time. The campus and its governance operate within the UEF framework and in accordance with PRC regulations for international schools.
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 UISZ's school community includes day and boarding families, expatriate and local staff, an alumni association, and an active parent body; the school shares regular news items and community summaries on its website. Community and cultural events reported by the school include International Day, seasonal celebrations such as Festival of Light and a Winter Festival, curriculum-linked awareness weeks (for example, Bullying Awareness Week), and cross-campus UEF events that invite participation from multiple Utahloy campuses. These activities are coordinated between school staff, UPAZ (the parent association) and the Utahloy Education Foundation to provide occasions for family engagement, student displays, and collaborative community programs.
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 Utahloy Parent Association Zengcheng (UPAZ) is the school's formal parent group; it operates within guidelines approved by the Utahloy Education Foundation and PRC requirements and aims to support students, parents and staff. UPAZ organizes welcome events for new families and helps run celebrations including International Day, Festival of Light and the Winter Festival, and it also schedules social gatherings such as pool parties, dancing dinners and cooking classes. The association provides parent-facing education sessions on topics like parenting, nutrition and career advice, and it supports classroom activities—for example, by arranging foreign-language reading sessions and volunteer help for teachers. UPAZ also maintains practical supports such as grade-level contact lists, represents parent views through elected representatives on the School Consultative Forum, and contributes volunteers for school-initiated activities and strategic-planning consultations. Parents who want to join UPAZ or learn about upcoming PTA activities are directed to contact the school through the admissions or community pages on the UISZ website.
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 —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service The school has community organizations: the Utahloy Alumni Association (UAA), the Utahloy Parent Association Zengcheng (UPAZ), and the Utahloy Education Foundation (UEF).
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing UISZ has an athletics programme as part of student life. The programme emphasizes teamwork, sportsmanship, and holistic fitness. UISZ participates in athletic conferences, including the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS), the Pearl River Conference, the Dongguan Conference, and the Guangzhou Cup. The Secondary School athletics program extends opportunities to develop physical, social, spiritual, and emotional well-being.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision The school's medium of instruction is English. In secondary school, French is offered as an additional language, and language and literature courses are available in Chinese, English, and Korean to support mother tongue development. The school promotes translanguaging to strengthen intercultural understanding.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The school uses English as the medium of instruction. The school promotes bilingualism and home-language development. French is offered as an additional language, and mother-tongue development is supported in Chinese, English, and Korean.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
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 Utahloy International School Zengcheng (UISZ) — accreditations listed on the school website (with significance): - International Baccalaureate (IB) World School — authorised to deliver the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). Significance: IB authorization means the school has met IB standards for curriculum, teacher training and programme delivery across the specified age ranges; it indicates the school can award IB programmes and is subject to IB evaluation cycles. - Council of International Schools (CIS) accreditation — listed as an accreditation on the school site. Significance: CIS accreditation is an international school-quality review that assesses governance, teaching and learning, student welfare and continuous improvement; it is widely used as an external quality assurance mark for international schools. - Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) / ACS WASC accreditation — listed on the site. Significance: WASC accreditation (through the Accrediting Commission for Schools, ACS WASC) is a regional/international accreditation that evaluates overall school effectiveness, leadership, programme quality and student outcomes; it helps ensure that credits and diplomas are recognised by other schools and universities.
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. Prepare to apply — Confirm eligibility and gather documents. UISZ accepts only students holding valid foreign passports or residents of Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan; children holding PRC passports are not eligible to enrol. Parents should assemble the required documents before starting the online application: passports and residency documentation for parents and the student, the student's birth certificate, a passport photo, at least two years of school reports (with verified English translations if needed), a recent vaccination record, and any learning‑support or medical reports if applicable. Having these ready avoids delays, because the Admissions Office requires uploads during the application and may not process incomplete submissions. 2. Submit the online application (OpenApply) and pay the application fee. Applications are submitted through the school's OpenApply portal; within the portal you will upload the documents listed above and request a confidential reference from the student's most recent teacher or principal (for Years 1–12). The non‑refundable application fee is RMB 2,000 and the school will not process the application without this payment; families who are currently outside mainland China may submit passport copies first and supply visa/residence permits later. Depending on the student's age and prior English experience, the school may require an English assessment as part of the application; after submission the Admissions Office schedules an interview with the Head of Division. 3. Admissions review — school assesses fit and capacity. Admission decisions are made by school leaders (Head of Division, Head of Admissions, and Head of School) based on whether the student can benefit from UISZ's programmes, the school's capacity to meet the student's needs, results of any assessments, references, and the availability of places. The school is inclusive and aims to support English Language Learners and students with mild learning needs, but may decline admission where it judges enrolment would not be in the best interests of the student or school (for example serious past disciplinary expulsions or lack of appropriate documentation). Parents should be prepared to provide clear academic records and, when relevant, detailed learning‑support documentation so the school can evaluate capacity to meet needs. 4. Admissions response and wait pool. After review you will receive a formal admissions response: an offer will be accompanied by an official enrolment letter and a debit note listing payment deadlines required to secure the place. If the year level applied for is full, UISZ may place the child in a wait pool (referred to on the site as a “wait pool”); if a space becomes available the Admissions Office will contact parents to discuss the enrollment timeline. If denied, the school will issue a formal letter explaining the reasons for refusal. Parents should act promptly on any debit note to secure a place and confirm timelines for deposit and tuition payment. 5. Confirm enrolment and pay tuition (timing, inclusions, and discounts). Tuition is charged either annually or by semester; day tuition is stated as inclusive of meals, textbooks, after‑school activities and a contribution towards field trips. UISZ's published tuition schedule includes specific per‑year/grade fees for the 2025–26 academic year and the school offers a 5% discount for full‑year payments made in advance before the specified deadline (May 1, 2025 for the 2025–26 schedule). Parents should review the exact annual or semester amounts for their child's year group (these are listed in the school's tuition charts) and check the payment deadlines on the enrolment debit note. 6. Boarding, transport, sibling bursary and other levies. Boarding is charged separately (rates shown for 5‑day and 7‑day boarding, plus daily flexi options); transportation is optional and charged by zone for day and 5‑day boarders (the transport levy is subsidised by the school). UISZ also publishes a sibling bursary that applies to the second and subsequent concurrently enrolled children (the bursary applies to basic tuition only and excludes boarding, transport and other fees). Parents planning boarding, school transport or multiple children at UISZ should budget for these additional fees and confirm exact amounts and payment schedules on the school's fee tables and the enrolment documents.
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 UISZ operates a time‑limited scholarship programme (published for the 2025–2026 academic year) with separate application windows and award types for current students and new starters. For current students the application period shown is May 1–May 31, 2025; for new starters it is May 1–July 31, 2025. Awards are given in categories such as Academic Excellence, Artistic Excellence, Athletic Excellence and Community Engagement; prize levels and quantities are published for IB (MYP/DP/PYP) and DSE programmes — examples from the 2025–26 announcement include first, second and third prizes with amounts such as RMB 60,000 (first prize for selected MYP/DP students), RMB 30,000 (second prize), and RMB 20,000 (third prize) for current students, and for new starters awards that can include half or full tuition fee awards or cash amounts depending on programme and prize ranking (the scholarship posters list programme‑specific prizes for IB and DSE). Applications require academic evidence (transcripts from the past two years), a personal statement, and shortlisted applicants will have a final student interview conducted in English; DP and MYP eligibility minimum averages are specified on the announcement (for example minimum average DP 4.5, MYP 5.0 as shown for the 2025–26 cycle). All awards published for 2025–26 are single‑year awards and subject to the school's interview and selection process. Parents should refer to the scholarship announcement and contact admissions@uiszc.org with questions or to confirm current scholarship availability and application deadlines in future years.
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 Yes — UISZ uses a wait pool system (the website refers to a “wait pool” rather than a formal numbered waitlist). When a year level has reached capacity, students who meet the admissions criteria may be placed in the wait pool for future consideration; the Admissions Office will contact parents if a space becomes available and discuss the enrolment timeline. Parents should note that placement in the wait pool does not guarantee a later offer, and the school's decision to offer a place will depend on capacity and the school's assessment of fit at the time a vacancy arises. For precise position or timing questions, contact admissions@uiszc.org or the Admissions Office directly.
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