ISA Liwan International School vs Utahloy International School Zengcheng

	I ISA Liwan International School Guangzhou, China	U Utahloy International School Zengcheng Guangzhou, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 204,000 - 222,000	Fees / year RMB 115,000 - 245,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Advanced Placement (AP), Chinese National Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Singapore Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), Dutch Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 200
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2022	Opened 2003
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location ISA Liwan International School is on Hailong Road in Liwan District, Guangzhou — the campus sits on the Guangzhou–Foshan boundary area. The school is reported to be about 800 metres from Longxi Station on the Guangzhou–Foshan metro line, and the campus is described as adjacent to a Foshan waterway and local road links. For precise commuting details from a specific address, contact the school's admissions team.	Location Utahloy International School Zengcheng (UISZ) is in Xiangshan Community, Zengliang Street, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou — the school's address is No.99 (also shown as No.957 in some older references) Guofeng 1st Street / Tashan Avenue, Zengcheng, postcode 511316. The campus sits in a large, lakeside/botanical setting in Sanjiang Town, about an hour from major cities in Guangdong and roughly two hours to Hong Kong by road, so commuting times can be significant depending on where you live.
Stages	Stages The school is described as a K–12 provision covering Early Years, Primary (IB PYP/UK EYFS-aligned) and Secondary (Middle and High School) programmes. The website presents pathways for Early Years through to senior grades and indicates international curriculum frameworks (IB).	Stages UISZ runs a continuous programme from early years / kindergarten through to Year 12 (K–12). The school delivers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) in primary, the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) in lower secondary, and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in senior secondary; there is also an option to follow the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) in Years 11–12.
School type	School type ISA Liwan is an international, co-educational day school and is part of the ISA International Education Group. The school's published material also refers to an immersive international boarding programme available for Primary, Middle and High School students; check admissions for boarding capacity and rules.	School type The school is co-educational and offers both day-school places and a residential (boarding) programme; the boarding community is known as Dragon House. UISZ is run by the Utahloy Education Foundation and operates as an international, English-medium school in China.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school's public pages do not give a detailed published special educational needs (SEN) or additional learning needs (ALN) policy for ISA Liwan specifically. ISA group schools publish Access & Inclusion frameworks (for example ISA Wuhan's Access & Inclusion policy describing tiered support), so parents should contact ISA Liwan admissions to request the school's current learning‑support policy, assessment process and examples of in‑school provisions.	Additional learning support UISZ provides Student Support Services including English-as-an-Additional-Language (EAL/EALL), Special Educational Needs (SEN) support, and counselling; the school describes itself as inclusive and aims to provide individualised support within its resources. The admissions guidance asks parents to declare diagnosed learning needs and supply supporting reports so the school can assess whether it can meet a child's needs.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation ISA Liwan is an international school located in Guangzhou, China, and is operated by the ISA International Education Group; it is not presented as being affiliated to any foreign national government.	Country affiliation The school is based in Guangzhou, China, and is part of the Utahloy Education Foundation (UEF) group; it is not affiliated to a foreign government or single-country education system.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school does not state any religious affiliation on its public pages; it presents itself as a secular international school.	Religious affiliation UISZ is secular (no religious affiliation).
School day structure	School day structure The school's public website does not publish a detailed daily timetable (start/end times or exact break/lunch times) for each age group. For specific start/end times, daily schedules and any before/after‑school care options, contact the admissions team listed on the school's contact page.	School day structure Lesson time generally starts in the early morning (school communications reference activities around 8:15–8:30) and the school day finishes in the mid‑afternoon (third‑party listings typically show finish times around 15:20–15:35). There are the usual morning break(s) and a lunch period; exact start/finish times and daily schedules vary by year group, so check with Admissions for the current term timetable.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school describes an organised school‑bus service operated through a school bus centre; the site notes routes are designed so individual journeys take under an hour. The bus service is presented as a school‑managed transport option — parents should contact admissions for route maps, stop locations, costs, pick‑up/drop‑off times and safety arrangements.	Bus service details Utahloy operates an optional two‑way school-bus service that covers routes for Guangzhou and the surrounding districts (zones that include parts of Zengcheng), with licensed buses, drivers and bus assistants reported in school information. UISZ posts about regular bus safety drills, and the broader Utahloy schools use a bookings/management system (SchoolsBuddy) for routes and late‑bus arrangements — contact admissions/transport if your compound or neighbourhood is not listed, as new routes are sometimes added.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fee - A one-off application/enrolment fee is reported as RMB 1,000. Tuition fees (full detail by year group) - Nursery 2 (age 2): Annual tuition RMB 208,000 (per-term equivalent RMB 104,000 if divided into two equal terms). - Kindergarten 1 (age 3): Annual tuition RMB 208,000 (per-term equivalent RMB 104,000). - Kindergarten 2 (age 4): Annual tuition RMB 238,000 (per-term equivalent RMB 119,000). - Kindergarten 3 (age 5): Annual tuition RMB 238,000 (per-term equivalent RMB 119,000). - Grade 1 – Grade 3 (primary lower years): Annual tuition RMB 258,000 (per-term equivalent RMB 129,000). - Grade 4 – Grade 5 (primary upper years): Annual tuition RMB 268,000 (per-term equivalent RMB 134,000). - Grade 6 – Grade 8 (lower secondary/MYP): Annual tuition RMB 288,000 (per-term equivalent RMB 144,000). - Grade 9 – Grade 10 (IGCSE/early upper secondary): Annual tuition RMB 298,000 (per-term equivalent RMB 149,000). - Grade 11 – Grade 12 (IB Diploma/A-levels): Annual tuition RMB 308,000 (per-term equivalent RMB 154,000). Billing schedule and payment terms - For the ISA Wenhua (domestic) track, official approvals list tuition on a per-semester basis (for example: primary RMB 102,000 per semester; lower secondary RMB 111,000 per semester). This same local approval also specifies semester-based boarding charges where applicable. - For the international (foreign-children) school, published materials show annual tuition figures by grade; the school's published fees are presented as annual amounts and parents are directed to the school for billing arrangements (many international schools offer semester or instalment options, but the school's published fee list provides annual totals). Boarding fees - Boarding is available. Reported figures indicate an optional boarding charge equivalent to RMB 50,000 per year (reported as RMB 25,000 per semester in some official notices for the Wenhua/domestic school). Other costs and common additional fees - Additional variable charges commonly applied: meals, school bus, uniforms, textbooks and learning materials, external examination fees, extracurricular activities, and one-off enrolment deposits or assurance fees. Local public notices state that ancillary/service charges follow public-school management rules. Specific amounts for these items are not listed in the school's public fee summary. Refund information - No detailed public refund policy for tuition or deposits was found in the school's public fee disclosures. The school's charging framework is subject to Guangzhou municipal fee approval and ancillary charges are governed by local regulations. Parents should expect refund and cancellation handling to follow those regulatory and contractual terms. Fee payment options - The school's public fee listings do not explicitly publish a full list of accepted payment methods. Typical channels for international schools in China include international bank transfer (SWIFT), domestic bank transfer, and local digital payments (Alipay/WeChat) or card payments; however, no definitive public statement of accepted methods for ISA Liwan was located in the published fee pages. For precise payment instructions and available instalment plans, the school's admissions office is the listed point of contact. Summary of sources and limits of public information - Published fee amounts by grade and boarding levels are available in the school-fee summaries and education directories; local government approvals specify semester fees for the Wenhua/domestic track. Public materials do not provide a complete public schedule of application/registration timing, the school's formal refund policy text, or a definitive public list of accepted payment methods.	Fee details Application fee - Application fee: RMB 2,000 (one-time, non-refundable / non-transferable when submitted with the application). Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts; day-student basis) - Kindergarten 1 (age 3): RMB 115,000 per year (first year total RMB 117,000 including the one‑time application fee). - Kindergarten 2 (age 4): RMB 115,000 per year. - Kindergarten 3 (age 5): RMB 177,000 per year. - Grade 1 (age 6): RMB 182,000 per year. - Grade 2 (age 7): RMB 188,000 per year. - Grade 3 (age 8): RMB 188,000 per year. - Grade 4 (age 9): RMB 188,000 per year. - Grade 5 (age 10): RMB 188,000 per year. - Grade 6 (age 11): RMB 229,000 per year. - Grade 7 (age 12): RMB 229,000 per year. - Grade 8 (age 13): RMB 229,000 per year. - Grade 9 (age 14): RMB 234,000 per year. - Grade 10 (age 15): RMB 234,000 per year. - Grade 11 (age 16): RMB 245,000 per year. - Grade 12 (age 17): RMB 245,000 per year. Per-term / semester information and what tuition includes - The school operates two semesters per year. Tuition may be paid annually or by semester; where semester payments are offered they are billed by semester. A full‑year early payment discount has been published (example: a 5% discount for full‑year payment made by the school's stated deadline for that intake). Day tuition is published as inclusive of meals, textbooks, after‑school activities and a contribution towards field trips. Boarding fees (when applicable) - 5‑day boarding: RMB 18,500 per semester or RMB 37,000 per year. - 7‑day boarding: RMB 23,200 per semester or RMB 46,400 per year. - Flexi‑boarding daily rates (published): RMB 300 per day (weekdays) and RMB 400 per day (weekend) as an indicative rate for flexible boarding. Transportation and additional levies - School bus (optional): Day‑student flat rate RMB 12,500 per seat / year. Five‑day boarders travel home by zone; example zone annual rates: Zone 1 RMB 7,000; Zone 2 RMB 11,300; Zone 3 RMB 13,600. 7‑day boarders have a separate holiday rate listed (example RMB 4,500). The transport service is optional and partially subsidised by the school. Other costs and typical extras - Uniforms, examination fees, some specialist activities and some one‑off items are not included in the published tuition figures and are charged separately. School lists uniforms and certain exam/ancillary charges as additional to the tuition. Sibling bursary / discounts - A sibling bursary is published: a discount on basic tuition fees (excluding transport, boarding and additional fees) is applied to the second and subsequent concurrently enrolled children in the same family, subject to the school's payment and deadline conditions. Refund information - The application fee is stated as non‑refundable. No detailed public refund schedule for tuition or boarding cancellations is published on the fee summaries located by the school-directory sources consulted; parents should check the formal enrolment contract for the school's withdrawal/refund terms. Fee payment options and billing - The school's public fee pages and directory summaries show invoicing options (annual or semester billing) but do not list a detailed, published list of accepted payment channels. The admissions office issues invoices and payment instructions; contact details appear on the school site.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements ISA Liwan offers an International Boarding Community for students from primary to high school. Boarding facilities include a study area and a student lounge on each floor, with two house parents per floor to guide and support boarders. A UK-based Head of Boarding oversees the programme; security includes curfews and Wellbeing Center support, with ongoing communication with parents.	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The school has a uniform. Uniforms are designed from washable materials for comfort and practicality, suitable for each season, and include formal wear, sportswear, swimwear, ties, and shoes.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options The cafeteria serves Chinese, Western, vegetarian, bakery, and pastry meals, along with global cuisine. It can support events such as parties and baking and non-baking lessons.	Food options —
House system	House system ISA Liwan has a four-house system. The four houses are 弘毅、博学、求真、至善, and the system supports pastoral care, cross-age collaboration, competitions, and student leadership, with house points contributing to a sense of belonging.	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is part of the ISA International Education Group (ISAIEG), a network of international schools that provides diverse pathways such as IB, CNC, A Level, AP, HKDSE and other programmes.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details ISA Liwan operates a continuous K–12 programme (ages 2–18) that integrates IB frameworks with UK, Singapore and Chinese national standards and delivers bilingual English–Chinese instruction. Early Years and Primary (EY–G5) follow the IB PYP candidate framework alongside UK/EYFS and referenced UK/Singapore standards for literacy and mathematics, with immersive English plus regular Chinese/mother‑tongue lessons. Middle school is built around the IB MYP framework and a Cambridge pathway, with Singapore math/science benchmarks and elements of the Chinese national curriculum. Upper secondary provides multiple external pathways and qualifications—IGCSE for lower secondary assessment and post‑16 options including IBDP, A‑Level, AP electives and HKDSE—alongside specialist arts and elective programmes. The school also notes small class sizes, a mentor system and an extensive co‑curricular offer (60–100+ clubs/CCAs) to support pastoral and skills development.	Curriculum details Utahloy International School Zengcheng delivers a full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum—IB Early Years, the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP)—and also offers a two‑year Hong Kong DSE senior route. The PYP is taught from Early Years (K3) through Year 5 with a transdisciplinary Programme of Inquiry (K3–Year 5: four units in Kindergarten, six units in other years). The MYP is provided through Years 6–10 (students study eight subject areas including languages, sciences, maths, arts and design) and culminates in Year‑10 eAssessments for the IB MYP Certificate. The DP is offered in Years 11–12 with the standard six subject groups, three Higher/three Standard Level courses and the core components (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS) for university preparation. As an alternative senior pathway, the HKDSE programme runs two years of full‑time senior secondary study with a 4+2+1 structure (four core subjects, two electives from specified options, plus Physical Education). The wider curriculum scope includes English as an Additional Language (EAL), modern languages and mother‑tongue support, technology and learning support services.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning ISA Liwan states that “Student Support” is integral to school life and lists specific pastoral systems including mentorship programmes, a house system, boarding services, parent–school communication and student management to promote a positive, inclusive community and students' wellbeing. The school says these systems are designed to nurture students' personal and social development and to provide personalised care through higher adult-to-student ratios in houses. The site also notes a Learning Support Centre that works with pastoral teams to support individual learners. These provisions are described on the school's Pastoral Care page.	Social & emotional learning Utahloy Zengcheng describes Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) as part of its Student Support Services and says the school's counsellor delivers SEL content and life-skills education in the curriculum. The site refers to PSPE (personal, social, and physical education) lessons in primary and life-skills programmes in secondary that cover safeguarding and student awareness. The school states counselling is used to help students develop strategies to manage social and emotional challenges. Parents, teachers and specialists are described as collaborating through regular meetings to monitor social-emotional progress. (Sources: school Student Support Services and Counselling pages).
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school's website describes a Learning Support Centre and a Student Support Centre that provide learning support integrated with teaching, pastoral and psychological services. ISA Liwan says these centres aim to create a positive environment and offer academic and learning support for students with different abilities. The website does not specify which particular categories of special educational needs (for example, specific learning difficulties, autism spectrum, or physical disabilities) it can support. The site also does not present itself as a specialist SEN institution; it describes mainstream student support rather than specialist special-education provision.	Special educational needs (SEN) The school states it is an inclusive school and that its Learning Support provision supports students with social, emotional, behavioural or physical/medical needs. UISZ reports having an SEN coordinator who develops targeted interventions and uses measures such as small-group interventions and Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs) where needed. The site describes a multi-tiered Student Support Services model and collaboration with external experts when additional expertise is required. The school does not present itself as a specialist SEN institution; its materials describe mainstream inclusion within school resources rather than specialist-only provision. (Sources: Student Support Services and Counselling pages).
English as an additional language	English as an additional language Early Years and primary information shows an immersive bilingual approach with English-language lessons and specific EAL provision listed in timetables, and the school describes differentiated language teaching from early years. Boarding and pastoral information also states the school runs targeted language and English-improvement courses (including TOEFL/IELTS preparation and small-group English classes) as part of its boarding learning support. These pages indicate curricular and extra-curricular English support rather than a standalone external EAL certification programme. Details about staff numbers or named EAL specialists are not published on the site.	English as an additional language UISZ publishes an EAL programme that uses an internationally recognised placement test on entry and organises English Language Acquisition into six phases (students may enter at any phase based on placement). The school provides three hours per week of Academic Skills classes to support academic language development and embeds grammar, vocabulary and cultural content in contextualised units. To maintain inclusion, the school combines differentiated instruction across subjects with a Structured English Immersion (SEI) model in Sciences and Humanities and focused small-group EAL lessons. The site also notes an EAL coordinator who designs immersive language programmes. (Source: EAL programme page; Student Support Services news).
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The website describes a Wellbeing/Student Support Centre that provides group activities, group and individual counselling and preventive and intervention services, and it says boarding staff must hold a mental-health education certificate to better support boarders. The school also notes that experienced psychological experts and teachers will provide psychological counselling and wellbeing lectures. The Health Clinic page indicates on-campus medical provision and CPR/AED training that support student health and emergency response. The site therefore presents a combination of counselling, boarding-focused pastoral care and on-site health services as its mental-wellbeing provision.	Mental wellbeing The school states it offers confidential individual and group counselling delivered by a trained counsellor who consults with parents, teachers and administrators to support students' personal and social development. Counselling is presented as part of broader Student Support Services and is used to help students develop coping strategies and resilience. Year-level guidance and university/career counselling are also described for older students as part of pastoral provision. The school notes collaboration with external specialists when extra support is needed. (Sources: Counsellor & Learning Support Services page; Student Support Services news).
Safeguarding	Safeguarding ISA Liwan's website describes campus security measures (an ‘advanced intelligent campus system', 24-hour security and surveillance), boarding safeguards such as house parents, curfew and regular roll-calls, and an on-site Health Clinic with nursing cover and emergency preparedness (CPR/AED training). The boarding page states house parents are “ever present” for counselling and safety, and the Pastoral Care page describes the house system and home–school communication as part of student protection. The site sets out these operational safeguarding measures but does not publish a clearly labelled, standalone child-protection or safeguarding policy document that is publicly accessible from the pages reviewed.	Safeguarding UISZ publishes a Child Protection & Safeguarding page that says child welfare is the school's first priority and that its policy is aligned with PRC laws and international definitions (WHO, UNCRC referenced). The school lists safeguarding measures including a clear child protection policy, designated Child Protection Officers, a staff Code of Conduct, criminal background checks for staff and volunteers, a designated teacher response team, and annual staff training on child protection procedures. The site also describes PSPE and life-skills lessons aimed at helping students understand safeguarding issues and school procedures. Reporting procedures and cooperation with relevant authorities are cited as part of the school's responsibilities. (Source: Child Protection & Safeguarding page).
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview UISZ Zengcheng is located in Zengcheng, Guangzhou, near Guangzhou and Hong Kong. The campus offers modern, well-equipped classrooms and specialized innovation spaces where students tackle real-world problems using cutting-edge technology. An online campus tour is available to explore these facilities, and in-person visits are encouraged. The campus supports an international IB Continuum and associated programmes.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities UISZ Zengcheng offers an IB Continuum from Early Years through Diploma and a Hong Kong DSE Programme. English as an Additional Language (EAL) supports students. Technology, Innovation & Design and Modern Languages are part of the academic program. The campus provides modern classrooms and specialized innovation spaces to support inquiry-based learning.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities Athletics, Visual Arts, and Music are part of Student Life. A library is available on campus to support independent study and reading. The Student Life section includes safeguarding and health services. These offerings provide opportunities for personal development outside the classroom.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History ISA Liwan was developed by the ISA International Education Group (ISAIEG) as a single K–12 campus that includes ISA Wenhua Liwan School (dual pathways) and ISA Liwan International School. The project was built with independent property rights under ISAIEG and an investment reported at about US$180 million. The campus was planned to open in the autumn of 2022 and operates both international and domestic pathways, with an international boarding programme. The campus build and services have been recognised with a WELL Gold certification for its built environment.	History Utahloy International School Zengcheng (UISZ) opened as a Zengcheng campus in the early 2000s; school listings and international directories commonly record its opening in 2003. The school is part of the Utahloy Education Foundation (UEF) network, a not-for-profit group that manages multiple Utahloy campuses in the Guangzhou area. Utahloy's broader activities in the region trace back to the founding of the original Utahloy International School in Guangzhou in 1998, and the Zengcheng campus has been developed and rebranded within that foundation over time. The campus and its governance operate within the UEF framework and in accordance with PRC regulations for international schools.
Community	Community The school presents itself as a multicultural boarding and day community that runs regular family-facing and cultural events. Recent school news lists activities such as an IPY Curriculum Night (19 Sept 2024), a Mid‑Autumn Festival celebration, and visits from university representatives (for example, an admissions visit from the University of Wisconsin–Madison). The school also describes ongoing student support structures and a wide range of co‑curricular offerings including house and mentor programmes.	Community UISZ's school community includes day and boarding families, expatriate and local staff, an alumni association, and an active parent body; the school shares regular news items and community summaries on its website. Community and cultural events reported by the school include International Day, seasonal celebrations such as Festival of Light and a Winter Festival, curriculum-linked awareness weeks (for example, Bullying Awareness Week), and cross-campus UEF events that invite participation from multiple Utahloy campuses. These activities are coordinated between school staff, UPAZ (the parent association) and the Utahloy Education Foundation to provide occasions for family engagement, student displays, and collaborative community programs.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association ISA Liwan's parent organisation is run as a Parent Support Group (PSG) that was established in 2022 with elected representatives and an executive committee. The PSG is described as a bridge between families and the school, intended to deepen home–school collaboration and advise on school activities. School reporting notes a formal PSG launch with elected officers and a special reception for representatives, and more recently a Home‑School Partnership meeting held on 23 October 2024. Mr. Li Haihong is reported as the PSG chair, and senior school leaders (including the campus head and the international school head) have participated in PSG meetings. Published accounts of PSG work cite practical activities such as planning festival booths, advising on Curriculum Night and other events, and coordinating communication between families and the school for both domestic and international pathways.	Parent teacher association The Utahloy Parent Association Zengcheng (UPAZ) is the school's formal parent group; it operates within guidelines approved by the Utahloy Education Foundation and PRC requirements and aims to support students, parents and staff. UPAZ organizes welcome events for new families and helps run celebrations including International Day, Festival of Light and the Winter Festival, and it also schedules social gatherings such as pool parties, dancing dinners and cooking classes. The association provides parent-facing education sessions on topics like parenting, nutrition and career advice, and it supports classroom activities—for example, by arranging foreign-language reading sessions and volunteer help for teachers. UPAZ also maintains practical supports such as grade-level contact lists, represents parent views through elected representatives on the School Consultative Forum, and contributes volunteers for school-initiated activities and strategic-planning consultations. Parents who want to join UPAZ or learn about upcoming PTA activities are directed to contact the school through the admissions or community pages on the UISZ website.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service The school has community organizations: the Utahloy Alumni Association (UAA), the Utahloy Parent Association Zengcheng (UPAZ), and the Utahloy Education Foundation (UEF).
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing UISZ has an athletics programme as part of student life. The programme emphasizes teamwork, sportsmanship, and holistic fitness. UISZ participates in athletic conferences, including the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS), the Pearl River Conference, the Dongguan Conference, and the Guangzhou Cup. The Secondary School athletics program extends opportunities to develop physical, social, spiritual, and emotional well-being.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision Languages taught include Chinese and English as core languages, with Additional Languages available. In the Primary Years Programme, Language is Chinese, English, and Additional Languages, with curriculum based on UK and Singapore standards. For IB Programme students, the school provides Chinese and English dual-native language teaching. In the HKDSE track, Other Languages such as French, German and Japanese are offered.	Language provision The school's medium of instruction is English. In secondary school, French is offered as an additional language, and language and literature courses are available in Chinese, English, and Korean to support mother tongue development. The school promotes translanguaging to strengthen intercultural understanding.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching Chinese and English dual-native language teaching is provided for all IB Programme students, designed to help students become Chinese-English international talents.	Bilingual teaching The school uses English as the medium of instruction. The school promotes bilingualism and home-language development. French is offered as an additional language, and mother-tongue development is supported in Chinese, English, and Korean.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations 1) IB Diploma Programme — ISA Liwan states it achieved authorization to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in December 2023 (school IB code 062751). Significance: IB DP authorization means the school is officially permitted by the International Baccalaureate Organization to deliver the two‑year pre‑university DP curriculum and have students assessed within the IB system. 2) IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) — the school reports it received IBO authorisation for the MYP in June 2024. Significance: MYP authorization indicates the school may implement the IB framework for students roughly aged 11–16 and use the MYP's interdisciplinary, concept‑based approach. 3) IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) — the school's Early Years / Primary pages list ISA Liwan as an IB PYP Candidate School (pursuing PYP authorization). Significance: Candidate status means the school is actively working toward full PYP authorization and follows the IB's candidate procedures while preparing for evaluation. 4) College Board (AP) authorization / CEEB code — the school page states ISA Liwan has received authorization from the College Board to offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses and lists a CEEB code (428848). Significance: College Board authorization permits the school to offer AP courses and register students for AP exams; the CEEB code is used in US college application processes.	Accreditations Utahloy International School Zengcheng (UISZ) — accreditations listed on the school website (with significance): - International Baccalaureate (IB) World School — authorised to deliver the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). Significance: IB authorization means the school has met IB standards for curriculum, teacher training and programme delivery across the specified age ranges; it indicates the school can award IB programmes and is subject to IB evaluation cycles. - Council of International Schools (CIS) accreditation — listed as an accreditation on the school site. Significance: CIS accreditation is an international school-quality review that assesses governance, teaching and learning, student welfare and continuous improvement; it is widely used as an external quality assurance mark for international schools. - Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) / ACS WASC accreditation — listed on the site. Significance: WASC accreditation (through the Accrediting Commission for Schools, ACS WASC) is a regional/international accreditation that evaluates overall school effectiveness, leadership, programme quality and student outcomes; it helps ensure that credits and diplomas are recognised by other schools and universities.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and application: Start by submitting the school's online admission inquiry or application form (the school publishes an enquiry form for grade intention and contact details). The school's published process asks parents to provide the application form plus “supporting materials” and to indicate the intended grade; the site's enquiry form shows the EY1–G11 grade choices and basic contact fields. Because the school's site does not list every required document, parents should be prepared to provide recent school reports, passport/ID and any residency paperwork the family holds and confirm exact document requirements with admissions. 2. Admissions office review: After you submit the application and supporting materials the Admissions Office reviews the file to confirm the candidate's eligibility and the appropriate entry level. The school's published outline states that this review is an early gate before arranging assessments and helps determine whether an entrance assessment or interview is needed. Expect the review to consider the age cutoff (the school uses a September 1 cut‑off for age placement) and the published approximate class sizes (around 20 pupils for EY and ~24 for primary classes). 3. Entrance assessment or interview: The school arranges an entrance examination, assessment or interview as part of the process to place the child at the correct level; this applies across age ranges listed in the admissions plan. Parents should ask admissions in advance what format the assessment will take for their child's grade (group activities for early years, literacy/math tasks for primary, subject tests for older grades). Bring originals of school reports or samples of recent work if requested — these often speed up the placement decision. 4. Placement confirmation: Following assessment, the school confirms the recommended enrollment level and class allocation; this is the point when you will know whether there is a place available for the intended intake. Because class sizes are capped (the school publishes approximate sizes), availability for a particular grade can vary and places may fill quickly for popular year groups. If you need a specific start date or have constraints (boarding, transport, bilingual needs), mention these early so they can be considered in placement. 5. Offer letter and invoice: The school issues an Admissions Offer Letter together with an invoice if a place is offered; the published procedure explicitly lists issuing an offer and invoice as the next step. Parents should review the offer package carefully for the payment deadline, whether the fee quoted is annual or first‑year only, and any non‑refundable registration charges. The school's admissions materials make clear that payment by the stated deadline is required to secure the place. 6. Tuition and fees: The school's publicly reported annual tuition range for the international stream is in the region of CNY 208,000–308,000 (figures published for the 2025/2026 academic year show per‑grade totals that vary by year). Parents should confirm which extras are not included (for example, some schools exclude transport, uniforms, exam or activity fees) and request an itemised invoice so they know what is covered by the published amount. Fees are subject to change and the published figures should be verified directly with the school before making a payment. 7. Payment and enrolment finalisation: Pay the invoice by the deadline stated on the Offer Letter; the school's procedure states “Pay fees before specific deadline” as the final step before enrolment. Keep proof of payment and request written confirmation of enrolment and start date. If your child requires a visa, boarding place or other administrative support, confirm those arrangements as payments are completed so the school can prepare arrival and orientation. 8. Practical points and follow up: Note the school's age cut‑off (September 1) and class capacity when planning application timing; late applications may require waiting for a vacancy or joining via the school's intake windows. Keep a copy of all exchanged correspondence and the Offer Letter for your records.	Admissions 1. Prepare to apply — Confirm eligibility and gather documents. UISZ accepts only students holding valid foreign passports or residents of Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan; children holding PRC passports are not eligible to enrol. Parents should assemble the required documents before starting the online application: passports and residency documentation for parents and the student, the student's birth certificate, a passport photo, at least two years of school reports (with verified English translations if needed), a recent vaccination record, and any learning‑support or medical reports if applicable. Having these ready avoids delays, because the Admissions Office requires uploads during the application and may not process incomplete submissions. 2. Submit the online application (OpenApply) and pay the application fee. Applications are submitted through the school's OpenApply portal; within the portal you will upload the documents listed above and request a confidential reference from the student's most recent teacher or principal (for Years 1–12). The non‑refundable application fee is RMB 2,000 and the school will not process the application without this payment; families who are currently outside mainland China may submit passport copies first and supply visa/residence permits later. Depending on the student's age and prior English experience, the school may require an English assessment as part of the application; after submission the Admissions Office schedules an interview with the Head of Division. 3. Admissions review — school assesses fit and capacity. Admission decisions are made by school leaders (Head of Division, Head of Admissions, and Head of School) based on whether the student can benefit from UISZ's programmes, the school's capacity to meet the student's needs, results of any assessments, references, and the availability of places. The school is inclusive and aims to support English Language Learners and students with mild learning needs, but may decline admission where it judges enrolment would not be in the best interests of the student or school (for example serious past disciplinary expulsions or lack of appropriate documentation). Parents should be prepared to provide clear academic records and, when relevant, detailed learning‑support documentation so the school can evaluate capacity to meet needs. 4. Admissions response and wait pool. After review you will receive a formal admissions response: an offer will be accompanied by an official enrolment letter and a debit note listing payment deadlines required to secure the place. If the year level applied for is full, UISZ may place the child in a wait pool (referred to on the site as a “wait pool”); if a space becomes available the Admissions Office will contact parents to discuss the enrollment timeline. If denied, the school will issue a formal letter explaining the reasons for refusal. Parents should act promptly on any debit note to secure a place and confirm timelines for deposit and tuition payment. 5. Confirm enrolment and pay tuition (timing, inclusions, and discounts). Tuition is charged either annually or by semester; day tuition is stated as inclusive of meals, textbooks, after‑school activities and a contribution towards field trips. UISZ's published tuition schedule includes specific per‑year/grade fees for the 2025–26 academic year and the school offers a 5% discount for full‑year payments made in advance before the specified deadline (May 1, 2025 for the 2025–26 schedule). Parents should review the exact annual or semester amounts for their child's year group (these are listed in the school's tuition charts) and check the payment deadlines on the enrolment debit note. 6. Boarding, transport, sibling bursary and other levies. Boarding is charged separately (rates shown for 5‑day and 7‑day boarding, plus daily flexi options); transportation is optional and charged by zone for day and 5‑day boarders (the transport levy is subsidised by the school). UISZ also publishes a sibling bursary that applies to the second and subsequent concurrently enrolled children (the bursary applies to basic tuition only and excludes boarding, transport and other fees). Parents planning boarding, school transport or multiple children at UISZ should budget for these additional fees and confirm exact amounts and payment schedules on the school's fee tables and the enrolment documents.
Scholarships	Scholarships ISA Liwan publishes a scholarship programme for its international school students covering several categories (academic, arts, sports, science, environment, public service, entrepreneurship and business). The school states scholarship waivers range from 30% up to 100% of annual tuition and can be awarded for up to a maximum of three years; the published sections also list grade bands for eligibility (for example: academic scholarships for Grades 6–12; arts/science/sports for Grades 1–10; environment/public welfare/entrepreneurship for Grades 7–10). The school's scholarship page also indicates the programme is open to both incoming and current students and notes a large aggregate scholarship fund cited on the site; parents should request the scholarship application form, the specific eligibility criteria and deadlines (separate application and supporting evidence are normally required) and confirm whether awards are renewable and conditional on academic or co‑curricular performance.	Scholarships UISZ operates a time‑limited scholarship programme (published for the 2025–2026 academic year) with separate application windows and award types for current students and new starters. For current students the application period shown is May 1–May 31, 2025; for new starters it is May 1–July 31, 2025. Awards are given in categories such as Academic Excellence, Artistic Excellence, Athletic Excellence and Community Engagement; prize levels and quantities are published for IB (MYP/DP/PYP) and DSE programmes — examples from the 2025–26 announcement include first, second and third prizes with amounts such as RMB 60,000 (first prize for selected MYP/DP students), RMB 30,000 (second prize), and RMB 20,000 (third prize) for current students, and for new starters awards that can include half or full tuition fee awards or cash amounts depending on programme and prize ranking (the scholarship posters list programme‑specific prizes for IB and DSE). Applications require academic evidence (transcripts from the past two years), a personal statement, and shortlisted applicants will have a final student interview conducted in English; DP and MYP eligibility minimum averages are specified on the announcement (for example minimum average DP 4.5, MYP 5.0 as shown for the 2025–26 cycle). All awards published for 2025–26 are single‑year awards and subject to the school's interview and selection process. Parents should refer to the scholarship announcement and contact admissions@uiszc.org with questions or to confirm current scholarship availability and application deadlines in future years.
Waitlist	Waitlist The school's published admissions procedure (application → review → assessment → offer → invoice → payment) does not publicly describe a formal, ranked waiting‑list or pool on the pages examined. The admissions pages set out the standard steps for assessment and offer but do not state whether unfilled applications are placed on a waitlist or how such a list would be managed. Because waitlist policies and vacancy management can be handled case‑by‑case, parents should assume there may be limited immediate availability for some grades and contact the Admissions Office to ask whether they operate a waitlist, how it is ranked (if at all), and whether any preferences (siblings, entry date) affect priority. For direct confirmation, use the school's admissions contact listed by ISA International Education Group (admissions@isalwis.com).	Waitlist Yes — UISZ uses a wait pool system (the website refers to a “wait pool” rather than a formal numbered waitlist). When a year level has reached capacity, students who meet the admissions criteria may be placed in the wait pool for future consideration; the Admissions Office will contact parents if a space becomes available and discuss the enrolment timeline. Parents should note that placement in the wait pool does not guarantee a later offer, and the school's decision to offer a place will depend on capacity and the school's assessment of fit at the time a vacancy arises. For precise position or timing questions, contact admissions@uiszc.org or the Admissions Office directly.
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