International School of Nanshan Shenzhen vs Shekou International School

	I International School of Nanshan Shenzhen Shenzhen, China	S Shekou International School Shenzhen, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 209,000 - 249,000	Fees / year RMB 182,000 - 316,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 19 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Canadian Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), French Curriculum, Chinese National Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 750	Pupils 1,100
Typical class size	Typical class size 24	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, French, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 2002	Opened 1988
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location ISNS is located in Nanshan District on Longyuan Road in the Taoyuan (Taoyuan Sub‑District) area of Shenzhen; the full address is 11 Longyuan Road, Taoyuan Sub‑District, Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518055. The campus sits on the south side of Tanglang (Tanglangshan) Mountain and is within reach of major Nanshan neighbourhoods and business areas served by the school's bus routes. Traffic and drop‑off rules are detailed by the school and the campus opens at 7:40 each weekday; parents usually use private drop‑off or the school bus routes for connections to Futian, Shekou, Bao'an and Luohu.	Location Shekou International School is located in Shekou, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, with three nearby campuses: Jingshan (Early Primary) on Nanhai Boulevard, The Bay (Upper Primary) on Gangwan Avenue, and Net Valley (Secondary) in the Net Valley / industrial-innovation area. The three sites are within walking distance of one another (the Bay and Jingshan are about a 15-minute walk; Net Valley is roughly a further 15–20 minutes). For exact addresses and campus maps see the school's contact and directions pages.
Stages	Stages ISNS is an IB continuum school: Early Years (K2–K5), Primary Years Programme (Grade 1–Grade 5), Middle Years Programme (Grade 6–Grade 10) and the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12). The website lists these programme groupings and grade ranges.	Stages SIS serves Nursery through Grade 12 (ages about 2–18) across three campuses: an Early Primary (Nursery–K) campus, an Upper Primary (Grades 1–5) campus, and a Secondary campus (Grades 6–12). The school runs both an International Programme and a French International Programme.
School type	School type ISNS is a co‑educational international day school that delivers an English‑based Canadian curriculum within the IB framework (IB PYP, MYP and DP) and issues a New Brunswick (Canada) high‑school diploma alongside IB options. The campus includes a faculty/residence building but the school does not provide student boarding or on‑campus accommodation.	School type SIS is a private, not-for-profit, co‑educational international school governed/managed by International Schools Services (ISS). The school's published information describes day-school programmes only; no boarding provision is indicated.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support ISNS operates a Student Support Team (Head of Student Support, learning‑support teachers, EAL team and counsellors) and provides counselling, EAL and differentiated learning support; it uses an Inclusion Policy and individual support plans when appropriate. The school's Learning Support policy states it cannot accommodate students whose needs require significant full‑time one‑to‑one support and admissions for students with exceptionalities are assessed case‑by‑case.	Additional learning support The school publishes a Student Support (Learning Support Services) programme that provides in-class and small-group interventions, a full-time learning support specialist on each campus, EAL (English as an Additional Language) support using a sheltered-immersion model, and counselling services for social/emotional and academic needs. Campuses also have designated small-group spaces (the FAQs mention a sensory space) and the school asks families to disclose learning needs at application so appropriate services can be considered.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation ISNS has an official affiliation with Canada: it is accredited by the New Brunswick Department of Education and offers a Canadian (New Brunswick) high‑school diploma in addition to the IB Diploma.	Country affiliation SIS is located in China but is not affiliated with a particular national education authority; it is owned and managed by the international organisation International Schools Services (ISS).
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school is secular; there is no religious affiliation listed on the school's official pages.	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is stated on the school website; SIS presents itself as a secular/international day school.
School day structure	School day structure The campus opens at 7:40 each weekday. Primary students must be in homeroom by 8:10 AM (Grades 1–5); middle and high school students must be in homeroom by 8:00 AM; PYP dismissal is 3:20 PM and MYP/DP dismissal is 3:30 PM, with school buses departing about 3:45 PM (Wednesdays have earlier dismissal times). The Early Years timetable is more flexible (snacks, lunch ~11:45 AM, naps for some groups).	School day structure Published FAQs state the usual school day runs 8:00–15:00 for Nursery through Grade 5 and 8:30–15:30 for Grades 6–12. The school also offers after‑school activities (ASAs) and an after‑school bus service for students taking activities.
Bus service details	Bus service details ISNS operates an optional school bus service with multiple routes across Shenzhen (the site lists routes serving Futian, Shekou, Nantou, OCT, Shenzhen Bay, Civic Center/Huanggang, Luohu, Science Park, Taikoo City and Bao'an CBD). Buses have a monitor on each vehicle; the school posts bus rules, fee and refund procedures, and runs at least one evacuation drill per semester. Parents can contact the bus coordinator at bus@isnsz.com or phone the school for route and registration details.	Bus service details SIS provides paid two‑way bus transportation across Shenzhen; fees cover daily two‑way service and a separate afternoon run is provided for students in after‑school activities. Buses are described as fully licensed, air‑conditioned, fitted with seatbelts, and supervised by two bus attendants; routes are fixed and only registered riders may use them. The school uses a bus‑tracking app and asks parents to be prompt at pick‑up; young children (up to Grade 5) must be met at afternoon drop‑off or will be returned to school and parents contacted. For route details or to register contact sisbus@sis.org.cn or the school admissions office.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and Registration Fees - Application fee (one‑time, non‑refundable): RMB 2,500. - Registration fee for newly admitted students (one‑time, non‑refundable): RMB 50,000. Sibling discount on registration fee: 50% for siblings of currently enrolled students. Tuition fees (annual) — 2025–2026 academic year - Early Years / Kindergarten (K3–K5): RMB 212,000 per year. - Primary (Grades 1–5): RMB 239,000 per year. - Middle School (Grades 6–10): RMB 259,000 per year. - Senior School / Diploma (Grades 11–12): RMB 264,000 per year. Tuition per term (calculation/inference) - The school states there are two semesters and tuition is paid annually; therefore a single term amount can be calculated as half of the annual tuition. Using that method: - K3–K5 per term: RMB 106,000. - G1–G5 per term: RMB 119,500. - G6–G10 per term: RMB 129,500. - G11–G12 per term: RMB 132,000. (These per‑term figures are derived by dividing the annual tuition by two because tuition is invoiced on an annual basis.) Billing schedule and payment terms - Number of semesters: two per academic year; tuition is invoiced on an annual basis. Late payment penalty: 1% of total fees per week for overdue payments. Payer is responsible for any bank charges. All payments must be made by the due date shown on the individual student payment details. Students may not be guaranteed placement or allowed to attend classes if fees are not paid in full; reports/transcripts may be withheld. Bank / payment details and accepted payment methods - Bank transfer details and the school's Bank of China account information are published by the school for fee remittance. The school requests that bank transfer references include the student number and the student's full English name. Payers should expect to bear bank charges. - Accepted payment methods noted by the school: bank transfer, debit card, or cash. (Bank transfer is the preferred method for families outside Shenzhen.) Credit‑card acceptance is not specified in the published fee information. Deposit / re‑enrolment fee - The school refers to a deposit fee (an annual payment) used to secure placement for current students for the following academic year; this deposit is non‑refundable and, when the remaining tuition is paid, it is included with the tuition invoice. (Exact deposit amounts for 2025–2026 are handled through the school's admissions/finance correspondence.) Optional / other fees and typical additional costs - School bus (optional): RMB 14,000 per year (routes include Futian, Nanshan, Luohu and Bao'an—based on availability). Bus registration and refunds are governed by the school bus policy. - Lunch / cafeteria: Early Years (K3–K5) lunches and snacks are included in tuition. G1–G12 students use a smartcard to pay for cafeteria meals; typical meal cost is around RMB 39 per meal. Families can also provide packed lunches. - Uniforms: All students are required to wear the school uniform; uniforms are purchased through the school's designated vendor/channel. Costs vary by item and must be purchased before the student's first day. - Devices / IT: School‑owned iPads/laptops are provided in early primary grades; the school operates a one‑to‑one MacBook programme from Grade 8–12. Families may purchase devices through the school vendor (discounts may be available) or through outside vendors; device costs vary. - Extra‑curricular activities, trips and course‑specific charges: additional fees may apply for bus, extracurricular clubs, athletics, certain arts/music activities, international trips (EOTC / Week Without Walls) and other optional programmes. Passport/visa requirements apply for international trips. Boarding - ISNS does not provide on‑campus boarding accommodation. Refund policy (high‑level summary) - The school publishes a refund framework that links refund amounts to the date of written withdrawal notice; typical terms include full refunds (less deposit/registration) if withdrawal is notified by an early deadline, reduced refunds during later pre‑start periods, and no refund after the first day of the school year. Specific percentage reductions and date thresholds are set in the school's published refund policy and on fee schedules. (Please note the school's published fee documents include the detailed refund schedule and the required withdrawal notification email address.) Discounts and credits - Sibling discount on the registration fee (50% for siblings of current students) and a loyalty discount (3% for students entering their fifth consecutive year) are specified in the school's fee policy. Scholarship and bursary credits may apply when awarded; scholarships/bursaries are applied as tuition credit for the stated academic year. Notes on figures and calculation - Annual tuition figures above are published for the 2025–2026 academic year by the school and in fee‑compilation sources; the school's fee policy indicates tuition is invoiced annually, so per‑term figures shown here are simple halves of the annual totals (calculated for your convenience).	Fee details Application fees - Application processing fee: RMB 2,000 (non‑refundable; typically applied to tuition upon enrollment). Tuition fees (summary by school phase) - Early years / Preschool: approximately RMB 80,000 – RMB 175,000 per year (typical range reported for pre‑K/kindergarten). - Primary (Upper Primary / Elementary): commonly around RMB 202,000 per year (sources report Primary yearly fees at about this level). - Secondary / High School: reported annual tuition commonly in the RMB 202,000 – RMB 209,000 range; some published summaries place SIS overall annual tuition across grades within a wider band of roughly RMB 182,000 – RMB 316,000. Per‑term detail and billing schedule - The school issues invoices for the full school year; the full year's fees are normally due within four weeks of invoice receipt. Late penalties are applied for overdue payments. An annual re‑registration deposit (reported as RMB 8,000) is requested each March and is applied to the next year's tuition. Boarding fees - Shekou International School operates as a day school; boarding is not listed as an option. No boarding‑fee schedule applies. Other costs (examples commonly charged) - School bus: optional service with a termly/annual charge; routes and fees published for each school year. - Co‑curricular/ASA charges: many after‑school activities are free or nominally charged; some external/community‑led ASAs are charged to parents. - Typical additional items that parents should expect: lunches/cafeteria, excursions and field trips, textbooks/student resources, uniforms, and occasional activity or examination fees. (These items are commonly charged at SIS and peer schools.) Refunds and deposits - The application fee is non‑refundable. The March re‑registration deposit is applied to tuition; standard school policies hold parents responsible for fees and outline late/forfeiture conditions. Fee payment options and currency - Fees are payable in RMB by bank transfer; the school publishes Bank of China account details for RMB and a US$ account. Payment in US$ or other currencies must be arranged with the school's accounting office in advance. Parents are asked to provide transfer slips/identifiers as instructed.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement ISNS has a uniform policy for all students. K2 to Grade 2 wear a daily uniform consisting of a maroon polo top and grey uniform shorts, with optional ISNS hoodies, jackets, track suits, and a blazer; coats may be worn outside on cold days. Grades 3 to 12 wear a daily uniform of a formal white shirt or maroon polo, grey plaid skirt or grey pants, and appropriate footwear; an official formal dress uniform is worn on identified occasions, and names must be written on uniforms. Hats and hoods inside buildings are restricted.	Uniform requirement Uniforms are required for nursery through grade 10; students in grades 11 and 12 may wear either the uniform or business casual attire. Uniform pieces must come from the official uniform collection, and on PE days students wear the PE kit. Uniforms are worn daily on regular school days and for field trips.
Food options	Food options ISNS offers a daily lunch program with Sodexo as the catering provider. Lunches are paid by topping up student ID cards at the Aspretto Café or online, and meals cost about 39 CNY per meal. Early Years lunches are provided in classrooms, while Primary and Secondary students eat in designated cafeterias.	Food options The SIS cafeteria services are provided by ISS World, offering healthy fusion meals. Lunch is available with weekly menus for the Jingshan, The Bay, and Net Valley campuses, with sample menus and dietary information published for reference.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership SIS is a private, co-educational, not-for-profit school owned and governed by International Schools Services (ISS). The SIS Board is composed of ISS senior staff together with the Head of School and the SIS Chief Finance and Administration Officer.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details ISNS delivers the IB continuum from Early Years (K2–K5, ages 2–5) through the Primary Years Programme (Grade 1–5), Middle Years Programme (Grade 6–10) and the Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12). In Grades 11–12 students may follow the full two‑year IB Diploma Programme or an IB pathway that leads to a New Brunswick (Canada) high‑school diploma; eligible candidates can also earn a bilingual IB diploma. The Early Years and PYP use inquiry‑based, transdisciplinary and play‑based learning, while the MYP and DP follow IB subject‑group frameworks with internal and external assessment and DP core components (TOK, Extended Essay, CAS). ISNS notes it has been an authorized full‑continuum IB World School since July 2016 and requires IB professional development for teachers. The school also operates a New Brunswick accreditation/dual‑diploma arrangement, is identified as a Cambridge Assessment Centre, and provides language pathways with EAL support (primarily Grades 1–5) plus learning‑support services.	Curriculum details Shekou International School follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) in its primary years. The school offers a Chinese Bilingual Programme for Grades 1–5 and provides Mandarin (CSOL) from Kindergarten through Grade 12; it also runs a French international pathway from pre-school through the primary years that can continue into the upper grades. For middle school (typically Grades 6–10) SIS is an IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) candidate and implements the MYP framework across the eight subject groups, including a Personal Project. Senior students (Grades 11–12) follow the IB Diploma Programme (DP), with DP course options that include subjects such as IB Music, IB Visual Arts and IB Film Studies alongside the core DP elements and university preparation. Across all stages the curriculum is delivered through inquiry-based, student-centred approaches with co-curricular offerings in arts, athletics and activities, and the school holds WASC accreditation.
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 ISNS delivers SEL primarily through its Counselling program and the broader Student Support Team, which provide classroom guidance lessons and individual and small-group counselling for social and emotional needs. The school aligns SEL with the IB Learner Profile and Approaches to Learning, embedding social-emotional development into curriculum planning and classroom practice. Counsellors collaborate with teachers and parents and make referrals to other school support services or external resources when needed.	Social & emotional learning SIS describes a school‑wide guidance curriculum and advisory programme (middle and high school) that addresses students' personal, social and emotional development and supports global citizenship, communication and collaboration skills. Counsellors deliver classroom lessons, individual and group sessions and work with teachers and parents to reinforce social and emotional learning. The school's Learner Profile and guidance curriculum are cited as resources that promote respect and kindness across the community. SIS also integrates service‑learning (MYP Service as Action / Week Without Walls) as part of developing empathy and responsibility. (Sources: Student Support; Safeguarding; MYP pages).
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) ISNS operates a Learning Support (Inclusion) policy managed by a Student Support Team that includes a Head of Student Support and Learning Support teachers who work with teachers and parents to identify and plan for student exceptionalities. The school states it cannot accommodate students who require significant, intensive support and that admissions decisions for students with known needs are made case-by-case with review of professional reports. Support covers a range of learning and social–emotional difficulties through individualized plans, MTSS reviews, classroom differentiation and, when appropriate, external assessments or recommendations. ISNS is not a specialist SEN institution.	Special educational needs (SEN) SIS states it admits and accommodates students with additional learning needs "as existing space and resources allow" and that decisions about admission and continuation of services are made case‑by‑case. Each campus has a full‑time learning support specialist who provides individual and small‑group interventions, collaborates with teachers, offers professional development and parent education. The website emphasises support to help students access the regular curriculum rather than offering an alternative course of study. The school does not publicly list specific categories of special educational needs it can support on the Student Support page. SIS presents itself as an inclusive school that provides learning support within its existing resources rather than as a specialist SEN institution.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language ISNS runs a published EAL programme: non-native English speakers are assessed at admission (MAP or Cambridge ESOL for Grades 2–10) and minimum proficiency thresholds are set for entry to higher grade levels (for example Grade 9 B1, Grade 10 B2). EAL support is provided mainly in the PYP through collaboration/co‑teaching between EAL and homeroom teachers, and levels of support vary by need. The school notes it can provide basic to moderate EAL support but may not be able to meet intensive EAL or highly specialised language intervention needs; students in Grade 6 and above are expected to function in mainstream classes with limited additional support.	English as an additional language SIS states that EAL specialists support non‑native English speakers through referral at admission or by teacher recommendation and that support focuses on social and academic language development. The school uses a Sheltered‑Immersion Model (SIM): EAL teachers work directly in mainstream classrooms (students are not withdrawn) and support reading, writing, speaking and listening within grade‑level curricula. EAL specialists and classroom teachers jointly assess and monitor students' English acquisition and recommend services based on recent assessments and classroom performance. The Student Support page describes these structures but does not publish detailed staffing numbers or placement criteria on the public page.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing ISNS states it employs a full‑time counsellor for the PYP and a full‑time counsellor for MYP/DP and provides services aimed at social, emotional and academic support. The PYP counselling programme includes classroom guidance lessons plus individual and small‑group counselling for issues such as friendship, anger management and grief. Counsellors consult and collaborate with parents and teachers and refer students to other school support services or community professionals when required.	Mental wellbeing SIS describes a comprehensive, developmental counselling programme that addresses students' personal, social, emotional and academic needs and includes individual and group counselling, classroom lessons and parent programmes. Primary counsellors offer lessons and family support for younger students while middle and high school counselling includes advisory and academic/career guidance and four‑year planning in high school. The school runs wellbeing‑focused initiatives and workshops (for example, school‑wide Wellbeing Week, Positive Discipline workshops and parent education events listed in the events calendar). Counsellors also provide materials and resources to support student adjustment and achievement. (Sources: Student Support page and the school events calendar).
Safeguarding	Safeguarding ISNS publishes a Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct that applies to all faculty, staff, volunteers and others interacting with children and sets expectations about maintaining physical, emotional and sexual boundaries. The policy states the school's commitment to student safety and details responsibilities for appropriate conduct and awareness of vulnerability when working alone with children.	Safeguarding SIS has a published Child Safeguarding Policy (linked on its Safeguarding page) and states the policy is based on international law, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and Chinese law. The school says all staff who work directly with students undergo police clearance and, where applicable, international background checks before employment and that staff receive annual training on recognising and reporting abuse and neglect. SIS also states students receive age‑appropriate lessons on personal safety and where to seek help, and lists the Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy among its key policies. The Policies and Practices section links to the detailed Safeguarding & Child Protection document (hosted via the school's policy/sharepoint links).
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The campus consists of a separate early years building, a main school building, and a residence building. All classrooms have wireless connectivity and interactive learning resources. The campus includes a 300-seat auditorium, a VR lab, design workshops, and multiple science laboratories. There are indoor and outdoor sports facilities, two independent libraries, as well as theatre, performance and chorus rehearsal rooms, visual arts classrooms, a photography darkroom and an art gallery for student works. Students in K2 to Grade 3 use iPads in the classroom; students in Grades 4 and 5 have one-to-one MacBooks; students in Grade 6 and 7 are provided with an Apple laptop for use during school and at home.	Facilities overview SIS operates across three campuses in Shenzhen: Jingshan Campus (Early Primary), The Bay Campus (Upper Primary), and Net Valley Campus (Secondary). Jingshan includes a mountainside library, indoor gymnasia, a swimming pool, a cafeteria, and sporting fields, with additional language spaces for the French International Programme. The Bay Campus features two science labs, a cooking suite, an auditorium, and a multi-story library offering books in English, Chinese, French and German, along with a gym and a basketball court. Net Valley includes a library, a cafeteria, and a theatre, and hosts SIS's Asia Pacific Headquarters in addition to secondary facilities such as a design centre and performance spaces. Mountainside Library, The Bay Library, and Net Valley Library serve Ninety-five percent of the SIS library needs across campuses.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The athletics facilities include a 200-meter outdoor track, a soccer field, a fitness center, a spacious indoor gymnasium and a multi-purpose outdoor court. An EY gym is available for early years. The campus map highlights the gymnasium and the fitness room as part of the sports facilities.	Sports facilities Jingshan Campus has two indoor gyms and basketball courts. The Bay Campus provides a gym, a sports field, and a basketball court. SIS participates in inter-school leagues and events through associations such as ACAMIS, PRC, SDRC, and SISAC, enabling student competition in sports from Grade 4 onward. Secondary-level activities include a range of tournaments and inter-school exchanges.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The ISNS campus offers a state-of-the-art environment with a 300-seat auditorium, VR room, design workshop spaces, and multiple science laboratories. There are separate libraries for the early years and the main school, theatre and chorus spaces, a photography darkroom, and visual arts classrooms. Classrooms are wireless-enabled with interactive technology resources to support learning across IB programmes.	Academic facilities SIS is an official IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) in the High School. The Middle School is a Candidate School for the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). The Primary Programme uses the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) across the International Programme, the Chinese Bilingual Programme, and the French International Programme. The Bay Campus features two science labs, a cooking suite, an auditorium, and a multi-story library; Net Valley includes a design centre, recording studios, a theatre, flexible learning spaces, and a golf simulator. The Mountainside, Bay, and Net Valley libraries serve Grades Nursery through 12.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities ISNS offers more than 150 after-school activities each semester. The program covers hobbies, social services, financial and business courses, English debate, science, programming, drones, chorus, band, Chinese ensemble, art clubs, yearbook, football, volleyball, rugby, basketball and yoga for children.	Extra curricular facilities SIS offers After School Care and a wide range of After-School Activities (ASAs). The Athletics & Activities program provides opportunities in team and individual sports and co-curricular activities, with events such as Model United Nations, knowledge bowl, and other competitions. SIS is a member of ACAMIS, PRC, SDRC, and SISAC, facilitating regional sports exchanges. From Grade 4 onward, students may participate in sports, and secondary students compete in various leagues across China and Asia.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History ISNS was founded in 2002 through a partnership involving the Government of Canada, the Province of New Brunswick and Dr. Francis Pang. The school was established to deliver a Canadian (New Brunswick) curriculum within an international/IB framework and remains affiliated with the New Brunswick Department of Education. ISNS became an IB World School offering the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes in August 2016. The school also notes affiliations with UNESCO and ACAMIS and serves as an authorized exam centre for SAT and Cambridge assessments.	History Shekou International School was established in January 1988 by a joint-venture group of oil companies. Shortly after opening, the sponsoring companies contracted International Schools Services (ISS), a U.S.-based non-profit educational organisation, to operate the school. In 2004 the founding companies transferred SIS to full ISS ownership and governance. Since then the school has grown beyond its original Jingshan Villa location to add the Net Valley and Bay campuses to serve different grade levels.
Community	Community ISNS describes a deliberately international community that, as noted on the school site, includes students from more than 30 nationalities. The school promotes parent, student and faculty involvement through school-wide events, service opportunities and academic workshops and publishes local news and stories about community life. ISNS has hosted and supported cultural and music events—its site references activities such as the Shenzhen Bay Music Festival alongside regular school festivals and fairs.	Community SIS describes its community as a diverse, international network that extends beyond students to include parents, staff and alumni, with an emphasis on care and helping new families settle in. The school and its Parent Support Association run regular community events—examples cited on the site include the International Winter Bazaar and an outdoor community film night (“Movie Under the Stars”)—that bring together families, vendors and volunteers. The school also notes volunteer opportunities and alumni connections as ongoing ways the community stays engaged.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association Every ISNS parent is a member of the Parent Association (PA), and the school notes that PA volunteers organise activities, events and fundraisers throughout the year. The PA's stated goals include supporting students' development, providing channels of communication between parents and the school, offering social and educational activities beyond the classroom, building positive parent–teacher relationships, and assisting new families. Typical PA-supported events listed on the site include Halloween and Christmas decorating, Chinese Culture Week activities and food, the International Fair, support for music and arts events, Children's Day gifts, graduation ceremonies and a teacher appreciation breakfast. The PA raises funds in part by selling ISNS PA merchandise and is organised with a Board of Directors and grade-level parent representatives. Parents are invited to contribute at varying levels of involvement; the school explicitly welcomes both small and larger contributions of time and talent.	Parent teacher association The Parent Support Association (PSA) at SIS is an association of parents who voluntarily organise and support activities that benefit children and families; all parents and teachers at SIS are considered members. The PSA provides a social network for families, organises family-oriented events and encourages parent involvement in school life. It administers a grant program open to students and teachers to support initiatives outside the classroom. The PSA communicates with the community via email, Facebook, Twitter and WeChat and is listed as the organiser or primary supporter for events such as the International Winter Bazaar and community celebration nights. The school website explicitly thanks the PSA for its ongoing support and invites parents to approach the PSA with ideas, questions or feedback.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The International School of Nanshan Shenzhen is established in 2002 and is one of Shenzhen's oldest and well-established international schools.	Academic & intellectual The school delivers the IB Primary Years Programme in Primary and the IB Diploma Programme in High School. In the PYP, a weekly class newsletter, a biweekly divisional newsletter, and a Unit of Inquiry overview are provided, and families have ongoing access to their child's digital portfolio on Seesaw. Grades 6–10 currently participate in the Common Ground Collaborative (CGC) as the school plans to transition to the MYP. The Diploma Programme is delivered to grades 11 and 12, and the high school uses a 1:1 laptop program to support learning.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative The Fine Arts Programs include Drama, Music, and Visual Arts. The Music program provides Kindergarten through Grade 12 education, emphasizes music literacy, and offers band, strings, or choir from Grade 6 with IB Music available in Grades 11 and 12. The Visual Arts program is discipline-based and covers drawing, painting, ceramics, digital media and related fields, with IB Visual Arts or IB Film Studies available in Grades 11 and 12. The Drama program is offered to Grades 6–10 with opportunities to write, perform, direct, and design.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The school offers three language programs: The English Program, The Mandarin Program, and The French Program.	Cultural & language All SIS students begin studying Chinese for CSOL in Kindergarten and continue through the IB Diploma Programme in Grade 12. The French International Programme runs from pre-school to Grade 5 and continues through the IB Diploma Programme in Grade 12, taught by French government certified teachers. French as an Additional Language (FAL) is available for Kindergarten through Grade 5 in the International Programme. In the International Programme, the language of instruction is English; Mandarin is introduced early, with secondary students able to continue Mandarin or study French in later grades.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies The Athletics & Activities program engages students in physical and social development, and SIS is a member of ACAMIS, PRC, SDRC, and SISAC, offering sports such as volleyball, basketball, soccer, and other activities. The After-School Activities and Athletics Program provides a wide range of ASAs, typically on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with some activities run by the community and sign-ups via the Schools Buddy platform. Secondary ASAs include Service & Leadership, Creativity, Recreational Sports & Activities, and Academics, plus events like Model United Nations and other contests. Class excursions and experiential learning are integral, with Grade 4 traveling within China to extend classroom research.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service Community Outreach programs involve learning opportunities with longer-term reciprocal relationships with local business groups and education communities, and projects are developed through collaboration with the SIS parent community and the Shenzhen business community. Service learning forms an essential part of shaping character values and dispositions and is embedded within the school curriculum. These connections provide SIS students with varied authentic, real-world experiences beyond the campuses and foster social responsibility, leadership and empathy.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional Staff come from more than a dozen nations, and many teachers serve as IB examiners or workshop leaders, reflecting a diverse, experienced faculty. The school supports professional growth through a development allowance for staff and ongoing professional development across all departments. Secondary After-School Activities include Service & Leadership, among other pathways, and students participate in activities such as MUN and other regional competitions.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing The Athletics & Activities program promotes physical and social well-being, and SIS participates in multiple inter-school leagues and organizes a range of tournaments. Primary ASAs include activities from pottery to chess, while secondary ASAs cover sports, drama, arts, and leadership opportunities, with a structured schedule and transportation for regular bus riders. Class excursions, referred to as 'Classroom without Walls,' extend learning beyond the classroom to outdoor and cultural experiences. School hours run 8:00–15:00 for younger students and 8:30–15:30 for older students, with a Shenzhen-wide bus service that can be tracked in real time.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision ISNS is an IB World School delivering the full IB continuum: Early Years (K2–K5), Primary Years Programme (Grade 1–Grade 5), Middle Years Programme (Grade 6–Grade 10), and the Diploma Programme (Grade 11–12). Languages used in the school include English as the language of instruction (with English as an Additional Language, Language A and Language B), Mandarin as the host country language (Language and Literature and Language Acquisition), and French as a Language B option; other languages spoken include Cantonese, Korean, Japanese, Russian, Farsi, Dutch, Hindi, Urdu, Norwegian, Romanian, Italian, German, Malay, and more. ISNS emphasizes language development across all teachers, collects Home Language Survey data at enrollment, supports mother-tongue development, offers EAL support primarily for Grades 1–5, and maintains a multilingual, inclusive environment across the playground, library and social areas. In the Diploma Programme, Grades 11 and 12, ISNS offers the full IB Diploma Programme or the IB Programme with a New Brunswick Diploma, with language requirements including a Language A course and an additional language, and encouragement to study three languages.	Language provision The school teaches Chinese for Speakers of Other Languages (CSOL) starting in Kindergarten and continuing through Grade 12, with a literacy-focused option for native/advanced Mandarin speakers. A Mandarin Programme provides three streams—Language A (fluency and literacy), Language B (literacy and communication), and CAL (beginner Mandarin)—with 180 minutes of Mandarin instruction per week and IB-aligned, inquiry-based learning integrated into Primary Years Programme units. In addition, French As an Additional Language (FAL) is offered from Kindergarten through Grade 5 to support French language exposure.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The school has a French International Programme (FIP) from PreK1 to Grade 12, a three-language curriculum, and a bilingual IBDP pathway. French is the primary language of instruction, complemented by English and Chinese, with a LabelFrancEducation accreditation for the French programme. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is offered in Grade 12 through both the French programme and the overall IB framework. The programme is taught by native French, English, or Chinese speakers, supported by a trilingual teaching assistant, and features small class sizes and a fully equipped infrastructure including a pool, theatre, sports facilities, and a multilingual library. Students also have iPads for learning. The school is owned and managed by ISS.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs ISNS emphasizes English immersion with English as the language of instruction. In the Middle Years Programme, English is used as the language of instruction across most classes to provide constant exposure to English, while Mandarin and French are taught as separate languages.	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards I searched ISNS's public website for school‑level awards or rankings in the period Jan 1, 2021–Jan 1, 2026 (the past five years). The only school‑level external recognition explicitly posted on the ISNS website during that period is: 1) Forbes China — ISNS named in the 2025 Forbes China International School Rankings (ranked #8 nationwide and #1 in Shenzhen; also noted as Top 10 in Foreign Student Middle School Programs across China). This is a published external ranking reported on ISNS's news section; the school presents it as a recognition of its overall standing in the 2025 Forbes rankings. Summary of search result and scope limitation: ISNS's website contains many news items, event reports and items about student awards and competition results, but those relate to students or to events hosted by the school; they are not presented on the site as awards conferred on the school as an institution. Within the 2021–2026 window and based on the content publicly posted on ISNS's website, I found only the 2025 Forbes China ranking as a school‑level award/recognition. (If you would like, I can broaden the search to external sources beyond the ISNS site to look for other school awards or recognitions not posted to the school website.)	Awards - Duke of Edinburgh's International Award — SIS reports that on 23 April 2025 it launched the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award programme and became an official Award Centre; this is a formal licensing/recognition of the school as an authorised centre for delivering the DofE programme to students. (Awarded to the school/centre.) Notes and exclusions (why the list is short): - The SIS website refers to other recognitions (for example, the school states it has been designated an Apple Distinguished School and notes it was recognised as “School of the Year” by the 21st Century Learning group). those recognitions are mentioned on the site but the pages do not provide specific dates for when they were awarded. because you asked specifically for awards won in the past five years, I have not included recognitions from the school site that lack explicit dates within that five-year window; they are listed here only as undated recognitions on the school website. If you'd like, I can: - try to find dated announcements (on SIS pages or other authoritative sites) for the Apple Distinguished School designation and the “School of the Year” recognition so we can confirm whether they fall inside the past five years; or - produce a short summary separating formal accreditations (WASC, IB authorizations, LabelFrancEducation) from memberships/affiliations and other recognitions with the exact citations from the school site.
Accreditations	Accreditations Below are the accreditations, authorizations and formal memberships ISNS lists on its website, with a one-line explanation of each and its significance. 1) International Baccalaureate (IB) — Authorization for PYP, MYP and DP: ISNS is an IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). The IB authorization means the school has completed the IB's authorization process and is subject to regular IB evaluation to confirm it meets the IB's programme standards and practices. 2) New Brunswick (Canada) affiliation / New Brunswick high‑school diploma: ISNS states it is accredited by the New Brunswick Department of Education (through Atlantic Education International), which allows ISNS to deliver the New Brunswick curriculum and award a New Brunswick high‑school diploma to students who meet the provincial requirements. This affiliation means the school follows a recognized Canadian provincial curriculum and its graduates may receive a Canadian provincial diploma. 3) Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) — Candidate School status: ISNS's FAQ and other pages say the school holds WASC candidate status. Candidate status indicates the school is in the WASC accreditation process; WASC accreditation (or candidacy) is a multi‑step peer review that validates a school's quality and supports continuous improvement. 4) Council of International Schools (CIS) — membership: ISNS describes itself as a CIS member (the site's homepage references CIS). CIS membership (and, for some schools, CIS accreditation) connects schools to an international membership and, where accreditation is achieved, represents a rigorous school‑wide evaluation against international standards of practice. (ISNS's site describes CIS membership rather than explicitly stating a completed CIS accreditation process.) 5) Cambridge Assessment — exam centre designation (Cambridge Assessment/ Cambridge English/Cambridge International): ISNS identifies itself as a Cambridge Assessment centre (an examining site for Cambridge exams) and an SAT exam site. Being an approved Cambridge exam centre means the school is authorized to administer Cambridge assessments on site; it is not the same as curricular accreditation but does allow students to sit Cambridge/English examinations at the school. Notes on wording and scope: all items above are taken from ISNS's own website; where the site uses terms such as “accredited,” “candidate” or “member,” I have noted whether that indicates full accreditation, candidacy, or membership and provided an authoritative one‑line description of what that status generally means (linked to the relevant issuing organisation).	Accreditations - Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) — Shekou International School reports continuous full accreditation by WASC since 1992; WASC is a U.S. regional accrediting body whose recognition indicates the school meets widely accepted standards for governance, curriculum and student transfer/graduation recognition. - International Baccalaureate (IB) — SIS is an authorized IB World School for the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP); the International Baccalaureate Organization authorizes schools to deliver IB curricula, which are globally recognised frameworks for international education and (for the DP) can support university credit/recognition. The school is also listed on the site as a candidate school for the Middle Years Programme (MYP). - LabelFrancEducation (for the French International Programme) — the SIS French International Programme page states the programme is accredited/recognised under the LabelFrancEducation scheme; this label is awarded under criteria set by the French authorities to certify quality and official recognition of French-language international programmes. Note on memberships/affiliations (listed on the SIS website): the school also lists membership of regional and international professional associations — e.g., Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS), East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS), and the Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE). These are professional memberships (not formal accreditations) that indicate the school participates in regional networks for collaboration, events and professional development.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Before you start the online form you should prepare electronic copies of required documents: the student's birth certificate, student passport with visa or HK/Macau/Taiwan ID, parents' passports, a recent passport photo, health/vaccination records, and school transcripts/report cards for the last three years (G1–G12). If your child has learning or medical needs, gather any psycho‑educational reports or medical records now, because ISNS requires these at application and will assess support needs on an individual basis. 2. Complete the online application (OpenApply) — All applications must be submitted through ISNS's OpenApply system (isns.openapply.cn); paper applications are not accepted. Upload the files listed above and follow the OpenApply guidance (the school notes admissions files cannot be processed and students cannot be placed on waiting lists until all required materials are uploaded). If you are unsure of the correct year level, use the school's age/year equivalency guidance before submitting. 3. Admissions review — After submission the Admissions Committee reviews the application against ISNS criteria: age, space availability, English proficiency, prior school records, extracurricular/community involvement, and any IB experience. The committee may request confidential references, further documentation, or decide whether the student should proceed to assessment/interview. The review time varies by time of year and class availability; applications received after April 1 are usually considered for the following academic year. 4. Pay the application fee — A non‑refundable application fee of RMB 2,500 is required; payment can usually be made by bank transfer, debit card or cash and is typically paid at the time of assessment/screening (families outside Shenzhen can pay by bank transfer). The school will not proceed with assessments or confirm placement until the fee and required documents are received. Keep the payment confirmation and include the student's full English name and student number on transfer notes. 5. Assessment and interview — Candidates may be invited for an English language assessment (Grades 2–10 must meet minimum score thresholds appropriate to the grade), and ISNS may also administer mathematics and Mandarin assessments for placement. Interviews are scheduled after assessments and usually take place in person with Admissions, the Head of School, Principal, or relevant IB coordinator; assessments/interviews may be conducted online when needed. ISNS treats assessment materials as school property (parents are not entitled to originals or copies), and placement decisions follow the interview/assessment results. 6. Offer and enrolment — If a place is offered, the family will be notified and given a limited period to accept; certain fees (registration/deposit) become payable at acceptance and secure the student's place. ISNS charges a non‑refundable registration fee (one‑time) that secures the seat — the school's published schedule shows the registration fee and the tuition levels by grade. Note that acceptance does not guarantee enrollment beyond the initial year; continued enrollment depends on satisfactory progress, behaviour and space. For any offer-related questions, confirm specifics and payment deadlines directly with Admissions.	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and Open Day: Start by registering for an online Open Day (offered approximately every three weeks). The online Open Day introduces the school's programmes and campuses and families who attend are usually then invited to an in-person tour; you may also begin the formal application at any time. Parents should note the Open Day schedule and register early because tours and application slots can fill quickly. 2. In-person tour and school visit: After the online Open Day you will normally be invited to an in-person campus tour and, where appropriate, a classroom visit or playdate for the child. Use the tour to confirm practical details (which campus your child will attend, transport options, school hours and ASA schedules) and to ask about language support or learning‑support capacity. If you need language assistance, the admissions office includes Mandarin and Cantonese speaking staff; ask for their support when you book the visit. 3. Complete the online application and assemble documents: Submit the school's online application (SIS uses the OpenApply portal) and upload all required documents listed on the application. The Admissions Policy says a complete application must include the application fee and all specified documents (examples commonly required are passport/ID, immunization records, recent school reports, passport photo and teacher recommendation forms); incomplete applications cannot be processed and will be discarded after 30 days. Parents should prepare translated copies where needed and check the specific document list for the grade you are applying to before submitting. 4. Application fee and scheduling of assessment: After the application and the non‑refundable application fee are received the school schedules the child's assessment or playdate as relevant for the age/grade. The admissions FAQ sets out grade‑by‑grade assessment practice (examples: playdates for nursery; school‑designed English and maths tasks for mid‑year Kindergarten to Grade 1; MAP reading and MAP maths for Grades 2–5; MAP + essay for Grades 6–12; WIDA may be used where additional language information is needed). Expect the assessment to be paired with a short interview (student and parent) and plan travel/logistics around the scheduled assessment. 5. Disclosure of learning‑support needs and EAL considerations: If your child has an IEP or learning‑support needs you must supply all relevant documentation at application (recent testing, reports and current support plans). The Admissions Policy explains that SIS admits students with additional needs only where the school has the resources to meet those needs; decisions are made case‑by‑case and additional evaluation may be requested (at the family's expense). If your child will need English language support (EAL), be prepared for screening and for placement decisions that consider both the child's projected rate of language acquisition and available classroom balance. 6. Priority groups, decision categories and notification: Admissions decisions take into account priority categories (for example siblings, certain company‑sponsored families and expatriate passport criteria) as well as English proficiency, academic history and available space. The Director of Admissions will notify families of one of three outcomes: Accepted (place offered if space allows), Wait Pool (applicant meets requirements but the grade is full) or Not Accepted. Parents should check the offer letter carefully for any stated deadlines and the instructions the school supplies about next steps. 7. If placed on the wait pool or offered a place: If your child is placed in the wait pool you will remain on that list for the academic year applied for; the school reviews the pool as places become available and may re‑order consideration according to priority factors. If you receive an offer, the school's offer/acceptance instructions and the current fee schedule (downloadable from the Tuition & Fees page) will outline the required paperwork and payment items; follow those instructions and contact Admissions promptly if you need clarification. For administrative or fee questions, contact admissions directly (the admissions office publishes phone extensions and an email address on the school site). 8. Onboarding and first term arrangements: Once acceptance actions are completed the school will provide information on orientation, timetables, bus registration and other practical arrangements (uniform, lunch accounts, ASA sign‑up). Familiarise yourself with the school's communication platforms (Seesaw for Early Years/Primary; ManageBac for upper levels) so you can receive notices, homework and teacher messages. If your child will use the school bus or ASA programme, check the ASA fee practice and bus tracking options ahead of term start so you can register in time.
Scholarships	Scholarships ISNS offers scholarships and bursaries for both current students and prospective applicants; selection is by a Scholarship Committee and may include student interviews. The school states it has up to RMB 3,000,000 available across its bursary and scholarship programs; awards are applied as credits to tuition for the stated academic year and are not cash payments. For 2025–2026 ISNS has (a) Primary scholarships (examples listed on the site include Learner Profile, Growth in Approaches to Learning, and Action scholarships — each RMB 10,000), (b) Secondary scholarships, (c) full‑ride scholarships for Grades 9–12 (the site notes internal and external applicants can apply), and (d) bursaries for families demonstrating financial need with supporting documents and interview. The school's site shows the 2025–2026 scholarship and bursary application window as 19 January to 1 March 2026; the full‑ride awards for 2025–2026 were reported as filled, and families are advised to monitor the ISNS website or contact Admissions for the next cycle and for application guides. Applications for scholarships/bursaries are submitted via the OpenApply system; contact admissions@isnsz.com or +86 755 2666 1000 for questions.	Scholarships SIS publishes two formal scholarship streams on its admissions pages and accepts applications through the online portal. - French International Programme Scholarship (ISS Global International Language Scholarship): This award supports students joining the French International Programme. It is intended for French speakers or those with appropriate French proficiency, is offered to students entering Grades 1–5, and is awarded for up to three years or until the student completes Grade 5. The application is made online and requires the standard application documents (application fee, passport, immunization record, photos, school reports where applicable, and a completed teacher recommendation form). The school assesses language proficiency (oral test), academic standing, and family interview; awards are limited, vary year to year, and recipients must meet behavioural, attendance and community expectations to retain the scholarship. Note the scholarship is not available to students whose tuition is paid directly or indirectly by an employer. For full eligibility, timelines (applications are typically required by 31 December for the scholarship window) and the list of required documents consult the French International Programme Scholarship page. - SIS Geckcellence Scholarship Competition: SIS also runs a Geckcellence Scholarship Competition; application and detailed information are published through the school's admissions links (application via OpenApply and further program details on the school's internal information pages). The number and value of awards can vary annually and are determined by the school based on available seats and funding. If you are interested in scholarship opportunities beyond these two named programmes, contact Admissions because additional or year‑specific awards and competitions may open in a given year.
Waitlist	Waitlist ISNS operates a rolling admissions model and maintains waiting lists when classes are full. Class size limits are stated (K3–K5: 18 students; Grade 1: 20; Grade 2 and above: 24). If a student is accepted but there is no space in the requested class, the child is placed on a waiting list in chronological order by date of completed application; priority on the list is given to returning ISNS students (alumni), siblings of currently enrolled students, and children of ISNS employees. Because placement is both space‑ and timing‑dependent, parents should confirm the student's position with Admissions and keep documentation current.	Waitlist SIS uses a wait pool (not a strict numbered waitlist): if an applicant meets the school's admission requirements but the requested grade is full the applicant is placed in the grade's wait pool for that academic year. The school's Admissions Policy explains that a student's position in the wait pool can change if a subsequent application has higher priority (for example sibling or defined expatriate/company priority), and that applicants remain in the wait pool only for the academic year applied for. Parents may contact Admissions to roll an application into the next academic year beginning December 1st, but applications do not automatically carry over; if you want to be considered for a later year you must request rollover or reapply with updated documents. Because offers from the pool are made as seats open (and are influenced by priority and balance considerations) movement off the pool is unpredictable; contact Admissions for the current status and any grade‑specific guidance.
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