International School of Nanshan Shenzhen vs Shenzhen American International School

	I International School of Nanshan Shenzhen Shenzhen, China	S Shenzhen American International School Shenzhen, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 209,000 - 249,000	Fees / year RMB 138,000 - 298,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 19 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Canadian Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge A Levels, Montessori Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 750	Pupils 300
Typical class size	Typical class size 24	Typical class size 5
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2002	Opened 2005
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
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 The Bao'an campus is in Hangcheng (Hangcheng Street), Bao'an District, Shenzhen — address: No.2, Beiqi Road. The campus is a short drive from central Bao'an and is part of a newly opened SAIS campus complex that includes academic buildings, dormitories and a dining hall. Public metro and bus links serve Bao'an generally, but exact route/times for daily commutes will depend on your neighbourhood and are best checked locally.
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 SAIS operates as a K–12 international school overall (preschool through Grade 12), while the Bao'an campus focuses on middle and high school provision. The Bao'an campus offers middle-school foundation (Grades 6–8) and multiple high-school pathways (IBDP, AP, A‑Level, HKDSE).
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 The school is co-educational and provides both day and boarding options; the Bao'an campus includes an on-site boarding programme for Grade 6 and above. There is no indication that the school is operated by a religious organisation.
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 SAIS Bao'an states it provides Special Educational Needs (SEN) support and places emphasis on inclusive admissions procedures and counselling. School counsellors run both group and individual sessions and the school asks parents to work collaboratively with staff on support plans; admissions and the Student Development Center are listed contacts for further detail.
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 The school is an independent international school operating in Shenzhen; it offers multiple international curricula (including American-style AP, A‑Level, IB and HKDSE pathways) and is not presented as formally affiliated to a single foreign government. The school was established with approval from the Chinese education authorities and the Bao'an campus is run in partnership with Tianli Educational Group.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school is secular; there is no religious affiliation listed on the school's official pages.	Religious affiliation The school website does not list any religious affiliation and presents SAIS as a secular international 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 The school office hours for the Bao'an campus are Monday–Friday, 08:00–17:00; specific daily timetables (start/end times by grade, lesson blocks, and lunch/break schedules) are not detailed on the public pages and can be confirmed with admissions. Boarding students follow a campus boarding schedule with after‑school activities, enrichment and supervised self-study in the evenings.
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 The Bao'an campus website does not publish a dedicated school-bus schedule; SAIS's Shekou main campus operates a paid school-bus service covering Nanshan, Futian and parts of Bao'an, with fees and routes set by service area — for Bao'an-specific transport you should confirm directly with admissions.
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 / Enrolment fees - One‑time application/registration fee: RMB 2,000 (approx.). - One‑time capital levy / building fee for new students: RMB 20,000 (approx.). Tuition fees by year group (annual and approximate per‑semester) - Early education / Pre‑K: Annual RMB 168,000 — per semester ≈ RMB 84,000. - Kindergarten: Annual RMB 188,000 — per semester ≈ RMB 94,000. - Grades 1–3: Annual RMB 208,000 — per semester ≈ RMB 104,000. - Grades 4–5: Annual RMB 228,000 — per semester ≈ RMB 114,000. - Grades 6–8: Annual RMB 258,000 — per semester ≈ RMB 129,000. - Grade 9: Annual RMB 278,000 — per semester ≈ RMB 139,000. - Grades 10–12 (A‑Level / AP / IB pathways): Annual RMB 278,000 — per semester ≈ RMB 139,000. (There are alternate DSE fee levels for DSE stream students — see next line.) - Grades 10–12 (DSE pathway): Annual RMB 138,000 (non‑Hong Kong ID) / RMB 98,000 (Hong Kong ID) — per semester ≈ RMB 69,000 / RMB 49,000 respectively. Boarding / boarding fees - Full‑year boarding fee (where available): RMB 80,000 per year (covers supervised boarding, three daily meals and dormitory services during normal teaching days). Other recurring or one‑off costs - School bus: Annual zone rates (examples) — RMB 12,000 (Shekou within 3 km), RMB 13,500 (Nanshan 3–10 km), RMB 15,000 (other 10+ km). Bus fees are charged by semester or year and are non‑refundable. - Lunch and catering: Paid separately through the school lunch program (menu and pricing set by the provider). - Uniforms: Parents order uniform sets via the school's online uniform store; costs vary by size/season. - Technology / device charges, exam fees (AP/IB/Cambridge), optional ASA and field trip costs may apply depending on grade and programme; these are additional to tuition. Billing schedule and payment terms - Enrollment and invoicing: the school requires payment of applicable application/one‑time fees before assessment and requires full payment by the published due date to secure a place after acceptance. Specific invoice due dates and accepted instalment options are set in the school's tuition schedule and enrolment documents. Refunds and withdrawal - The school has a formal Withdrawal & Refund Policy that parents must read and sign as part of admission; some one‑time fees and selected service fees (e.g., certain deposits, bus fees) are non‑refundable as stated in school documents. See the school's Withdrawal & Refund Policy for precise conditions. Fee payment options (typical for Shenzhen international schools / practice noted at similar schools) - Common accepted methods for international schools in Shenzhen include RMB bank transfer (wire), in‑person cash or over‑the‑counter payments; some schools also offer card/online payment channels with processing surcharges. Parents are required to follow the payment instructions shown on invoices. Notes: amounts above reflect published fee schedules and widely reported school fee summaries; one‑time entry charges and optional programme fees should be expected in addition to the annual tuition figures cited.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements The Bao'an Campus offers a boarding program for Grade 6 and above. Boarding provides dormitory living spaces with comfortable accommodations and nutritious meals, with 24/7 supervision by boarding parents. The program includes student-led after-school activities, enrichment classes, and self-study support to promote holistic development.
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 —
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 culinary team includes chefs from star-rated hotels to offer a diverse range of Chinese and Western dishes for students and staff. Meals are nutritionally balanced and reflect an international palate. Staff and students dine in the same canteen to enable interaction and timely feedback on dining needs.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership The Bao'an campus is governed through a strategic partnership between Shenzhen American International School and Tianli Educational Group (01773.HK). It operates independently from the Shekou campus, with governance strengthened by this partnership to support sustainable educational growth. Tianli Group aims to explore multiple opportunities within the educational sector.
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 Shenzhen American International School offers a K–12 international programme: IB‑PYP in early years/elementary, a Middle Years/Foundation bridge in middle school, and multiple Grade 10–12 pathways (IBDP, AP, A‑Level (Edexcel/AQA) and HKDSE). Grades 6–8 follow a Middle Year Foundation Program (MYFP) with core subjects in English, Chinese, mathematics, science, individuals & societies, arts, music, ICT, physical health education, Service as Action (SAS) and after‑school activities. Grade 9 is a High School Foundation Year (Pre‑DP) that prepares students for pathway selection (Pre‑DP into IBDP, AP, A‑Levels or HKDSE) and includes TOK and PHE in the programme. The American Placement (AP) pathway (Grades 10–12) lets students choose AP subjects across languages, humanities, sciences and maths and sit external AP exams (students typically take 2–3 exams and may earn university credits). The A‑Level route includes a Grade 10 Pre‑DP year and Pearson Edexcel IAL / AQA Oxford International qualifications in Grades 11–12 (students usually select three specialist subjects alongside mandatory English/Chinese, PHE and ASAs); the HKDSE pathway (Grades 10–12) follows Hong Kong Diploma requirements with compulsory Chinese, English, mathematics and liberal studies plus elective sciences, humanities, Applied Learning options and mathematics extension modules. The IBDP option comprises a Grade 10 Pre‑DP transition and the two‑year Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12) with the six subject groups, Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS; students can follow HL/SL subject choices across languages, individuals & societies, sciences, mathematics and the arts.
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 SAIS describes a range of student-led after‑school activities (ASA) that the school says develop teamwork, leadership, resilience and confidence through clubs and sports. The SEN/Student Development information also states school counselors run general, age‑group sessions on mental‑health topics as well as individual counselling. The Student Development Center is led by a named director (Ms Aleezer Li), who is presented as a life mentor involved in student support. The school website frames these elements as part of a broader “holistic education” approach on the main site.
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) The school's SEN page states SAIS offers Special Educational Needs support and says inclusivity and gathering information through the admissions process are part of that provision. The page describes dedicated school counselors providing general and individual counselling tailored to students' needs. The site invites parents to cooperate with the school's SEN work and provides contact emails for further enquiries. The school does not publicly specify on its website which specific categories of SEN it can support, nor does it describe itself 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 SAIS states it offers English language support through English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes and lists TOEFL and IELTS preparatory courses. The Language Programs page also notes additional instruction in Chinese, French and Japanese to enrich language learning. The school says its language teaching team includes native and experienced non‑native English teachers to support students transitioning to an English‑language environment. For more detail (levels, entry criteria or class sizes) the site directs enquiries to admissions email addresses.
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 The school's SEN and Student Development pages state that school counselors provide both group sessions on age‑appropriate mental‑health topics and one‑to‑one counselling for individual needs. The Student Development Center is presented as a focal point for student support and college counselling, led by a named director. The campus description also refers to a “Home Parent” programme and dormitory living spaces intended to create a supportive, home‑like environment for boarders. If you need specifics about counselling qualifications, referral processes or external mental‑health partnerships, the website provides contact emails but does not publish those operational details.
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 The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding and child‑protection policies on its website.
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 The SAIS Bao'an Campus spans over 20,000 square meters. It is enveloped in lush greenery. The campus features three separate buildings: an academic block, dormitories, and a dining hall. The teaching area is equipped with smart classrooms, specialized function rooms, and a variety of indoor and outdoor sports facilities. The culinary team provides Chinese and Western dishes that are nutritionally balanced, and staff and students dine in the same canteen.
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 The teaching area is equipped with smart classrooms, specialized function rooms, and a variety of indoor and outdoor sports facilities. Indoor and outdoor sports facilities support physical education and holistic development. These facilities enable a range of sports and recreational activities. The facilities are integrated into the campus design to support the school's holistic education philosophy.
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 The campus includes an academic block. The teaching area is equipped with smart classrooms and specialized function rooms. These facilities provide a quiet and comfortable space for learning, working, and living. This setup supports students in achieving well-rounded personal development and academic progress.
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 Enrichment classes run from 4:30 to 6:00 PM for boarding students. Options include American Football, Table Tennis, Frisbee, Marketer Club, Stage Performance, Music Band, Costume and Makeup Design, Props Design, and Cross Over Art project. The enrichment classes are designed to enhance skills and creativity while promoting physical fitness and collaboration. Participation fosters leadership, creativity, and critical thinking and supports a sense of belonging within the school community.
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 Shenzhen American International School (SAIS) was established in May 2005 with approval from the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China and the Guangdong Provincial Department of Education. The school is accredited by Cognia and has grown to offer programs from preschool through Grade 12. SAIS operates multiple sites, including its Shekou campus and the newer Bao'an campus, and has expanded its high‑school pathways in recent years. The Bao'an campus also includes an on‑site boarding program and is presented by the school as a key milestone in its development.
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 SAIS maintains an active community presence on its website and through on‑campus events, with regular posts highlighting student projects, seasonal performances and cultural activities such as holiday music programs and Thanksgiving events. The school publishes series like “SAISERS” and other news items that mark institutional milestones and student initiatives, and it has hosted visiting speakers — for example, a scheduled talk by former Vermont governor Peter Shumlin in December 2024. These activities are used to engage students, families and staff and to celebrate transitions such as the opening of the Bao'an campus.
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 school's PTA is featured as a site category and supports parent‑facing programming and communications. Recent PTA activity includes a parenting workshop titled “Parenting Patterns & Responses in the Screen Age,” held on November 15, 2024, which invited current parents and a small number of outside participants. The PTA also supports Parent‑Teacher Conferences; recent PTCs included grade‑specific assemblies and one‑on‑one meetings, with practical briefings on platforms and reports such as ManageBac, Q1 report summaries, SchoolBuddy and exam/grading procedures. School posts emphasize that these events are intended to strengthen parent–teacher communication and collaboration. Contact and sign‑up details for PTA workshops have been published on the site, and the school indicates plans for additional parent workshops and community sessions going forward.
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 SAIS Bao'an offers a high school program mix including the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) for Grades 11–12, Advanced Placement (AP), A‑Level, and the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE). A Grade 10 Pre‑DP Foundation Year prepares students for DP, while Grade 9 offers a Middle Year Foundation. The curriculum includes Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Service as Action (SAS) integrated into courses, and college counseling supports university admissions.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative Enrichment Classes provide Stage Performance, Music Band, Costume and Makeup Design, Props Design, and Cross Over Art projects. After-School Activities include dancing and drama, and student-led clubs contribute to creativity and collaboration. Enrichment and ASA programs extend learning beyond academics into the arts and creative collaboration.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The school offers three language programs: The English Program, The Mandarin Program, and The French Program.	Cultural & language Language Programs include ESL and EAL support and ongoing Chinese, French, and Japanese language study. A team of native and non-native language teachers supports language development and test preparation for TOEFL and IELTS. Language learning is linked to cultural experiences that broaden students' global perspectives.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies After School Activities (ASA) include badminton, football, dancing, drama, chess, reading, and the magazine/newsletter club. The boarding program offers additional enrichment through stage performances, music, and arts activities in the Enrichment Classes. Student-led activities foster teamwork, leadership, and social connection within the SAIS Bao'an community.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service SAS (Service as Action) is embedded across middle and high school curricula, including Foundation Year pathways and DP/AP/A‑Level programs. Students participate in service and action projects as part of SAS. The school encourages parental involvement in SAS and supports a collaborative approach to student well-being and community engagement. Community-centered experiences are reinforced through the boarding environment and campus life.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional The school features an Executive Principal and a Secondary Principal/IBDP Coordinator, with a Director of the Student Development Center leading college counseling and student development initiatives. The Leadership page presents the leaders and key administrators who support admissions, curriculum, and student support. College counseling provides guidance on course selection, standardized tests, and the college application process.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing The Bao'an campus includes three buildings: an academic block, dormitories, and a dining hall that support boarding life. Meals are prepared by chefs from star-rated hotels and are served in a shared canteen for staff and students. The Home Parent program and on-campus dormitories foster a home-like environment that supports student well-being. Physical education, ASA, and enrichment activities promote fitness and holistic well-being.
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 English language support is provided through ESL/EAL programs. Chinese, French, and Japanese language learning is available. TOEFL and IELTS preparation courses are offered to support language proficiency for college admissions.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
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 Language immersion programs are offered as enrichment within the Boarding Program.
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 I reviewed the school website for awards listed as having been given to the school itself during the five-year period from January 1, 2021 through January 1, 2026. The site contains news items, program and campus information and references to student scholarships and student awards, but it does not list any institutional awards or prizes granted to the school in that period. (Student-focused scholarships and awards are described on the site, but those are awards to students, not to the institution.)
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 1) Cognia accreditation — The school states it is accredited by Cognia; Cognia is a U.S.-based nonprofit accreditation and continuous-improvement organization (formerly AdvancED) that evaluates K–12 schools against international standards for teaching, learning and school improvement. 2) Approval by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China — the site says SAIS received approval from China's Ministry of Education; that indicates the school has the national-level regulatory authorization required to operate as an international school for foreign personnel's children. 3) Approval by the Guangdong Provincial Department of Education — the site also records provincial-level approval from Guangdong's education authorities, which is the provincial counterpart to the national approval and is part of the school's official operating permissions.
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 inquiry and information-gathering (Contact & tour). The school's contact page provides a form to request tours and lists school hours and phone/email contacts; families should confirm which campus/program (Bao'an vs. Shekou) they are applying to before proceeding. Visiting or a phone call is useful because the school offers both day and boarding options and bus/meal arrangements differ by campus. 2. Create an OpenApply account and complete the online application. - SAIS uses OpenApply for admissions; parents should register a family account and complete every required section of the online application (personal details, family, previous schools, health/SEN information and fees section) before submitting. The OpenApply form also asks whether you want boarding or day place and which academic year and curriculum stream (IB/AP/A‑Level/DSE) you are applying to; fill those carefully because they affect placement and fee schedules. You can preview the full checklist on the OpenApply portal so you can gather translations, transcripts, and medical records before submission. 3. Prepare and submit required documents and pay the non-refundable application fee. - The application will not be processed until the non-refundable application fee (¥2,000 RMB) is paid and the required documents are received. The school's published application checklist requires a completed application form plus copies of the student's passport, birth certificate (English translation), residence permit or visa (if available), immunization record, two passport photos, the last two years' official school reports (English translation), and any specialist SEN reports. If you do not yet have a Chinese visa/residence permit you may submit passport copies now and email visa/permit copies later. 4. Admission review and any follow-up (selection process). - Once the application fee and documents are received the school's selection/review process begins; the school may request additional information, clarification of records, or follow-up communications with the sending school. The website and application form do not publish a single fixed interview/exam sequence for all applicants, so the school may contact you to arrange placement testing, an interview, or a meeting with staff as appropriate for the student's age and programme; for high‑school entry the school also runs entrance examinations and scholarship-related assessments. Parents should be ready to supply original documents on request and to schedule in-person or online meetings for placement discussions. 5. Offer, acceptance, and payment of the enrollment deposit. - If the school issues an offer, new families must pay the non-refundable enrollment deposit (published as ¥60,000 RMB) within five working days of receiving the admission letter to secure the place; continuing students must meet the seat-reservation deadline (published as March 31). The enrollment deposit is applied toward total fees but is non-refundable; if the deposit is not paid by the deadline the school explicitly reserves the right to offer the place to other applicants. Parents should check the offer letter for exact dates and the finance contact for bank details. 6. Tuition payment schedule, early-bird and payment options. - The school publishes grade-group tuition bands and offers an early-bird rate for payments by March 31; full tuition deadlines and the standard payment schedule show an annual (due by August 10) or semester option (due by August 10 and January 10). For example (published in the SAIS fee policy for 2025–26) annual tuition figures differ by grade and programme (primary, middle, AP/IB high school, A‑Level, HKDSE) and boarding and meal fees are additional. Parents should review the current Fee Policy PDF carefully for the grade-specific tuition amount that applies to their child and confirm whether their employer will pay directly or whether they will pay as family. 7. Additional fees and optional services (boarding, meals, transport, school fund). - The Fee Policy lists boarding fees (annual boarding fee and meal and dormitory amounts), a School Fund / uniform & BYOD one-time fee for new students (published as ¥20,000 RMB), and bus fee zones (published zone rates); meal and transport fees can be optional and non-refundable depending on your selections. Sibling discounts apply to tuition only (with the structure published in the fee document) but do not apply to boarding, meals or uniform/school-fund charges. If you are considering boarding, note the fee structure for dormitory configurations and that meal arrangements differ between the Bao'an and Shekou campuses. 8. Withdrawal, refunds, and arrival preparations. - The school publishes a withdrawal and refund policy with proportional refunds depending on the withdrawal date (e.g., 100% refund before school year begins, scaled refunds through the year) and specific rules for temporary leave, late payments, and documentation release. Parents should also prepare immunization records and any medical documentation in advance; the application form requires immunization and health history and indicates the school will follow emergency procedures if necessary. If a visa/residence permit is required for enrollment, start that process early (the application form asks for residence/visa details).
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 SAIS publishes a school scholarship programme and a scholarship application form for the Bao'an campus. The school's scholarships page and the SAIS Scholarship Application Form list several categories in the 2025 plan, including a High School Entrance Examination Scholarship, Top University Scholarship, Outstanding Student Scholarship, and Talent Scholarship (for arts or sports); the application form describes required items such as a 200–500 word personal statement, two recommendation letters, certified transcripts, and supporting evidence (competition results, portfolios) for talent awards. Deadlines and timelines are published in the scholarship form (examples: application deadlines of December 20 for spring-entry and June 30 for fall-entry; selected applicants notified by January 10 or July 31; successful applicants required to confirm by January 20 or August 5). The scholarship form identifies a Scholarship Coordinator (Ms. Aleezer Li) and gives a contact email and phone number for questions and submission instructions. The scholarships page also includes student testimonial material (example: a 12th‑grade recipient reporting a half scholarship) indicating the school has awarded partial scholarships in practice. If you are considering a scholarship, submit the scholarship form and all supporting documents by the published deadline and follow up with the scholarship coordinator for any programme-specific steps.
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 The school website and published admissions documents do not present a separate, public ‘waitlist' policy or named ‘admissions pool' for general applicants. However, the Fee Policy states that if a new student's enrollment deposit is not paid by the required deadline the school reserves the right to offer the place to other applicants, which indicates places may be reallocated promptly when deposits are not received. Because the site does not describe a formal waitlist process (priority rules, how long students remain on a list, or how waitlisted families are notified), parents who want to know the practical handling of oversubscribed grades should contact admissions directly (admissions@szsaisba.org) to ask whether a waitlist will be created for their child and how offers from that list are managed.
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