ISA Science City International School vs Utahloy International School Guangzhou

	I ISA Science City International School Guangzhou, China	U Utahloy International School Guangzhou Guangzhou, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 220,000 - 328,000	Fees / year RMB 132,300 - 290,800
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 6 months - 17 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 2,200	Pupils 700
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 18
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2020	Opened 1998
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location ISA Science City is in Guangzhou's Huangpu District at 66 Yushu South Road, inside the Guangzhou Science City development. The campus sits near the boundary with Tianhe District and is described as roughly a 20–30 minute drive from Guangzhou's Pearl River New Town/CBD depending on traffic.	Location Utahloy International School Guangzhou is at 800 Sha Tai Bei Road in Baiyun District, Guangzhou — a lakeside campus in the north of the city. The school provides pick-up zones across major districts (Tianhe, Zhujiang New Town, Haizhu, Yuexiu, Liwan, Panyu and Zengcheng) via its bus service, which can be useful if you are relocating from those neighbourhoods. For the exact campus address and to arrange a visit, contact the admissions office.
Stages	Stages The school is a K–12 (Early Years through Grade 12) international school, accepting children from about age 2 up to 18. The website and group listings show Early Years, Primary, Middle and High School divisions.	Stages UISG delivers the full IB continuum: Early Years (nursery/early years), Primary (PYP), and Secondary (MYP and IB Diploma). Program pages on the school site outline age-group provision from early childhood through Year 12.
School type	School type ISA Science City is a co‑educational international day and boarding school. The school states it operates as a mixed (male/female) day and boarding K–12 campus and advertises a boarding house capacity (around 500 boarders).	School type UISG is a co-educational, secular international day school serving expatriate and eligible Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan families; it does not offer boarding. The school is operated under the Utahloy Education Foundation (UEF) umbrella.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school website does not publish a detailed SEN policy on its main pages; the ISA group schools operate a formal access/inclusion and learning‑support approach (tiered support, EAL and individualized plans) and the group's member schools commonly offer learning‑support and EAL services — prospective parents should contact admissions with specific queries about individual needs and available resources.	Additional learning support The school runs a whole-school English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme (using WIDA frameworks and tiered support) and offers targeted small-group and in-class support. Admissions notes and application forms state that families must provide reports if a child has diagnosed learning needs; UISG aims to support English-language learners and students with mild learning support needs while assessing the school's capacity to meet more significant needs.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school is based in China (Guangzhou) and is an international school operating within that context; it does not advertise affiliation to a foreign national school system.	Country affiliation The school is not affiliated with a single foreign country; it is an international school in China operated by the Utahloy Education Foundation (UEF).
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is stated on the school website or in its public profile; the school presents itself as a secular international IB school.	Religious affiliation UISG is secular and does not have a religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure The school does not publish a full daily timetable (start/end times and all break times) on the main website; a third‑party school listing notes a short secondary pastoral/tutor time (PTT) at about 15:00–15:30, but parents should confirm exact daily hours and division‑by‑division schedules directly with admissions. Boarding students follow an established residential routine.	School day structure Buses are scheduled to arrive at school between about 7:50–8:15am and regular afternoon buses depart around 3:30–3:40pm; a late bus for after-school activities typically leaves at about 5:15pm. Office hours and admissions availability are listed as Monday–Friday 8:00am–5:00pm; for exact daily bell times, break and lunch schedules for specific year groups, check with Admissions or the division offices.
Bus service details	Bus service details ISA Science City runs a professional school‑bus service in partnership with an external provider; third‑party reports say the school operates multiple routes (reported as nine–ten routes) covering several Guangzhou districts (Tianhe, Huangpu, Haizhu, Baiyun and Zengcheng), with a driver plus on‑bus supervisor, face‑recognition check‑in and WeChat push notifications for parents. The school's team pages and group admissions pages also reference school‑bus arrangements — contact admissions for route stops, costs and current route maps (routes can be adjusted each semester).	Bus service details UISG operates an optional two-way school bus service using licensed, government-authorised yellow school buses with licensed drivers and assistants; parents register during the admissions process or by contacting the Busing Office. Routes cover two main zones (Zone 1: Tianhe, Zhujiang New Town, Haizhu, Baiyun, Yuexiu, Liwan; Zone 2: Panyu, Zengcheng); route management and daily changes are handled through the SchoolsBuddy app and the school provides WeChat groups and QR codes for route communication. If your area is not currently covered the school asks families to contact the transportation team to investigate feasibility.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and admission fees - Application fee: RMB 3,000 (non‑refundable). - Admissions / enrolment deposit: RMB 30,000 (taken to confirm a place; listed as refundable on the school's admissions page). Tuition fees by year group (annual; per‑term amounts shown as an arithmetic division by three and noted as derived) The school publishes annual tuition by year group. The annual figures below are taken from publicly available school listings; the per‑term amounts are derived by dividing the published annual fee by three (per‑term figures are an inference based on a three‑term academic year). Annual tuition (RMB) and derived per‑term amount (RMB): - FS1: Annual RMB 220,000 — Per term (derived) RMB 73,333. - KG1 / FS2: Annual RMB 220,000 — Per term (derived) RMB 73,333. - KG2 / Y1: Annual RMB 250,000 — Per term (derived) RMB 83,333. - Grade 1 / Y2: Annual RMB 270,000 — Per term (derived) RMB 90,000. - Grade 2 / Y3: Annual RMB 270,000 — Per term (derived) RMB 90,000. - Grade 3 / Y4: Annual RMB 270,000 — Per term (derived) RMB 90,000. - Grade 4 / Y5: Annual RMB 280,000 — Per term (derived) RMB 93,333. - Grade 5 / Y6: Annual RMB 280,000 — Per term (derived) RMB 93,333. - Grade 6 / Y7: Annual RMB 310,000 — Per term (derived) RMB 103,333. - Grade 7 / Y8: Annual RMB 310,000 — Per term (derived) RMB 103,333. - Grade 8 / Y9: Annual RMB 310,000 — Per term (derived) RMB 103,333. - Grade 9 / Y10: Annual RMB 320,000 — Per term (derived) RMB 106,667. - Grade 10 / Y11: Annual RMB 320,000 — Per term (derived) RMB 106,667. - Grade 11 / Y12: Annual RMB 328,000 — Per term (derived) RMB 109,333. - Grade 12 / Y13: Annual RMB 328,000 — Per term (derived) RMB 109,333. (The school's published annual fee range for the referenced academic year runs approximately RMB 220,000 to RMB 328,000.) Billing schedule and payment terms - The school's public admissions pages state the application fee and the admissions deposit required to secure a place; the site provides a dedicated ‘School Fee' page but does not publish a detailed public schedule of term‑by‑term invoicing or standard installment options on the pages indexed. Parents should note that the application and enrolment deposit requirements are explicitly published. Boarding fees (where applicable) - Boarding is offered (boarding house for up to 500 students; boarding is available for secondary grades). No separate boarding fee schedule or published boarding price was found on the school's publicly listed pages. Other costs and incidental fees - The school's publicly available fee summaries list annual tuition and the admissions/application fees but do not publish specific line items for uniforms, school meals, transport, textbooks, examination fees, activity charges or other ancillary charges in the pages indexed by public directories. Specific amounts for uniforms, meal plans, bus service, exam fees and similar extras were not available on the school's public fee summary pages. Refund information - Application fee: published as non‑refundable (RMB 3,000). Admissions/enrolment deposit: the school's admissions page lists the RMB 30,000 admissions deposit as refundable. The school's publicly indexed pages do not show a complete tuition refund schedule or the full terms and conditions for refunds (for example, pro‑rata refunds for mid‑year withdrawal or cooling‑off periods were not published on the pages located). Fee payment options - The school's publicly indexed pages do not list a full set of accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, credit card, local e‑wallets). No explicit, published list of accepted payment channels or bank details was found on the school fee pages available in public listings. Summary of what is published versus what was not found - Published and verifiable: application fee RMB 3,000 (non‑refundable); admissions deposit RMB 30,000 (listed as refundable); annual tuition by year group (as listed above). - Not published on publicly accessible fee pages (no amounts found in public listings): a separate published boarding fee schedule; line‑item charges for uniforms, meals, transport, textbooks, exams; a full billing timetable or standard installment options; a detailed tuition refund schedule. Where per‑term amounts are shown above, they are derived from the school's published annual tuition figures by dividing by three (not directly published by the school). If you require this set of published figures presented in a different format, the figures above are drawn from the school's admissions and public fee listings. The key published references used are the school's admissions/application pages and public fee listings for ISA Science City International School.	Fee details Application fees - Application fee: RMB 2,000. Non-refundable, non-transferable, one-time payment submitted with the application (valid for one school year). Tuition fees (per semester and per year group) - K (Half day): RMB 66,150 per semester; Total RMB 132,300 (2 semesters); Annual payment with 4% discount RMB 127,008. - K (Full day): RMB 94,500 per semester; Total RMB 189,000; Annual payment with 4% discount RMB 181,440. - K1 (Half day): RMB 68,250 per semester; Total RMB 136,500; Annual payment with 4% discount RMB 131,040. - K1 (Full day): RMB 97,500 per semester; Total RMB 195,000; Annual payment with 4% discount RMB 187,200. - K2: RMB 102,500 per semester; Total RMB 205,000; Annual payment with 4% discount RMB 196,800. - K3: RMB 111,000 per semester; Total RMB 222,000; Annual payment with 4% discount RMB 213,120. - G1: RMB 118,400 per semester; Total RMB 236,800; Annual payment with 4% discount RMB 227,328. - G2: RMB 117,400 per semester; Total RMB 234,800; Annual payment with 4% discount RMB 225,408. - G3: RMB 117,400 per semester; Total RMB 234,800; Annual payment with 4% discount RMB 225,408. - G4: RMB 117,400 per semester; Total RMB 234,800; Annual payment with 4% discount RMB 225,408. - G5: RMB 117,400 per semester; Total RMB 234,800; Annual payment with 4% discount RMB 225,408. - G6: RMB 125,900 per semester; Total RMB 251,800; Annual payment with 4% discount RMB 241,728. - G7: RMB 126,400 per semester; Total RMB 252,800; Annual payment with 4% discount RMB 242,688. - G8: RMB 126,400 per semester; Total RMB 252,800; Annual payment with 4% discount RMB 242,688. - G9: RMB 139,900 per semester; Total RMB 279,800; Annual payment with 4% discount RMB 268,608. - G10: RMB 139,900 per semester; Total RMB 279,800; Annual payment with 4% discount RMB 268,608. - G11: RMB 145,400 per semester; Total RMB 290,800; Annual payment with 4% discount RMB 279,168. - G12: RMB 145,400 per semester; Total RMB 290,800; Annual payment with 4% discount RMB 279,168. (Per-semester and annual figures as published by the school.) Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition may be paid by semester or annually; an annual payment attracts the stated 4% discount on tuition. The school issues an enrollment letter and a debit note with payment deadlines required to secure a place. Payments must meet the stipulated due dates to qualify for sibling bursaries and other conditional discounts. Mid-term admissions (after the first two weeks of the school year) are adjusted pro rata, weekly. Boarding fees - UISG is a day school and does not offer boarding facilities; there are no boarding fees at this campus. (A separate Utahloy campus offers boarding.) Other costs and fees - School and P.E. uniforms are compulsory for K to Year 10; uniform items are purchased through the school uniform shop (prices for individual items are listed in the uniform price list). Examination fees for external standard tests (IB, SAT, TOEFL, etc.) are additional and are not covered by tuition. The school notes an LSA fee and optional bus fees; bus fees are optional, partially subsidised by the school, and payable by semester or annually. Canteen/cafeteria meals have been included in the semester and annual fee structure for the published year. Refund information - Application fee: non-refundable. - ECAs and externally run activities: published ECA terms include limited refund rules (e.g., one-week grace period per term, refunds of missed lessons only in specified prolonged closure scenarios). The school's public pages do not publish a single, detailed general tuition refund/withdrawal policy; the enrollment letter/debit note and the school's Admissions Procedures and Policies brochure reference payment deadlines and conditions. For specific withdrawal or refund cases, the school's finance or admissions office provides the governing details. Fee payment options - Application fee: WeChat Pay is presented as the simplest option; bank transfer is available on request and the school requests a copy of remittance to admissions@uisgz.org and finance@uisgz.org. For scheduled tuition and other school fees, the school issues a debit note with payment instructions (finance contact available for bank details and queries). No public page lists credit-card acceptance as a standard method. Notes: the figures above are taken from the school's published 2025–2026 tuition and fees materials. Where the school's public pages give conditional or procedural statements (for example, sibling bursary conditions, bus fees, LSA charges, and ECA refund rules), those statements are reflected above; a general tuition withdrawal/refund schedule was not located on the publicly available pages cited.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements The school provides day school and boarding; a boarding house on campus accommodates up to 500 students.	Boarding arrangements Boarding is launching at UISG with Dragon House for the start of the 2026-27 academic year. The boarding program supports holistic student development with academic support, pastoral care, and independent living in brand-new, purpose-built facilities. A dedicated residential staff provides 24/7 guidance and a safe, inclusive home. UISG is a member of the Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA).
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement The UISG uniform is worn by all students from Kindergarten until Grade 10. Senior students in Grades 11 and 12 follow a smart/casual business dress code to prepare for tertiary study.
Food options	Food options The campus has a cafeteria on site for meals.	Food options The UISG canteen provides high-quality, nutritious food with a daily menu featuring a mix of Asian and Western cuisines. The kitchen prepares meals daily, and a range of snacks is available in the campus cafe; in-house baking is done on-site.
House system	House system —	House system Dragon House is UISG's boarding community and fosters belonging; it is described as a community to grow, learn, and belong.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is part of the ISA International Education Group and is an IB World School.	Governance and ownership UISG is part of the Utahloy International School Guangzhou network and is associated with Utahloy organizations including the Utahloy Education Foundation (UEF), Utahloy Alumni Association (UAA), and Utahloy Parent Teacher Association (UPTA).
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details ISA Science City International School (Guangzhou) is a K–12 IB World School serving students aged 2–18 and delivering the full IB continuum. Its Early Childhood Learning Centre and Primary phases follow the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). Middle school is organised around the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), and senior students (Years 11–12) study the IB Diploma Programme (DP) to complete university‑entry qualifications. The taught curriculum covers English and Chinese instruction plus additional world languages, mathematics, sciences, humanities, design and computing, and a formal arts programme (visual arts, drama and music), alongside extensive co‑curricular activities. Academic enrichment and research pathways are provided through the Student Enrichment Centre, and the campus includes boarding and purpose‑built facilities to support experiential learning and university preparation.	Curriculum details Utahloy International School Guangzhou delivers the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum across its Early Years, Primary and Secondary stages. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) runs from Early Years through Year/Grade 6 and is an inquiry‑based, transdisciplinary curriculum integrating language (English and Chinese), mathematics, science, social studies, arts, design and specialist PE/music, with a PYP exhibition at the upper primary level. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) covers Grades/Years 6–10; students take eight subject groups (Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals & Societies, Science, Mathematics, The Arts, Physical & Health Education, and Design), complete a Personal Project, and may sit Grade 10 eAssessments leading to an IB MYP certificate. The Diploma Programme (DP) is offered in the final two years (typically Years 11–12) and requires study across six subject groups (three Higher Level, three Standard Level) plus the core components—Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity, Service—culminating in the IB Diploma. Across the school there is whole‑school EAL support, a Mother Tongue programme (Chinese, English, Korean, Japanese, French, German, Spanish), and provision for technology, arts and extensive extracurricular activities.
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 Science City describes social and emotional development as part of its whole‑child approach and the Head of School states the school aims to develop students' social‑emotional skills alongside academic learning. The ISA Academic Centre also says it contributes to “wellbeing frameworks” for ISA schools. The school's leadership pages and student‑support overview note that a Student Support Team (to include pastoral care) is being developed to deliver social‑emotional and pastoral provision. The website does not publish a detailed SEL curriculum or daily programme (for example, explicit lessons or named SEL programmes are not shown).	Social & emotional learning UISG provides confidential individual and group counselling delivered by a Primary Counselor (Sharon Lun) and a Secondary Counselor (Julie Mullen); counsellors work with parents, teachers and leaders to support academic, personal/social and career development. The counselling service lists common areas of support such as adjusting to a new culture, anxiety, friendships, time management and examination stress. The school also runs whole-school programmes that promote belonging and student agency, including a House system, student council, student leadership roles and regular experiential learning (camps and field trips). These leadership and community activities are described as part of classroom and student experience provision.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school publishes a Student Support team led by a Head of Student Support Services and lists a Learning Support teacher, and it says staff will provide individualised programming and learning support services. Leadership profiles note qualifications in inclusive education and experience supporting students who require individual programming. The website does not list specific categories of special educational needs (for example, particular diagnoses or levels of need) that the school will or will not support. The school is presented as a mainstream IB K–12 international school rather than as a specialist SEN institution; no public statement identifies it as a specialist SEN school.	Special educational needs (SEN) UISG describes itself as an inclusive school and states it aims to offer appropriate services for English language learners and students with mild Learning Support needs; the admissions information asks families to provide detailed reports if a child has a diagnosed learning need or has received learning support previously. School communications and newsletters reference Learning Support Assistants and list a Secondary Learning Support Coordinator among staff/vacancy roles, indicating in-school learning support capacity. The website does not publish a detailed list of specific SEN categories it can support, nor does it describe itself as a specialist SEN institution. For specific diagnoses, placement or detailed provision the school requests prior documentation and conducts assessment during admissions.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language ISA Science City's staff pages and the Student Support description state the Student Support Team will include English as an Additional Language (EAL) provision and list staff experience supporting EAL learners. Senior‑staff profiles also reference experience in supporting students with EAL. The website, however, does not publish a detailed EAL programme (for example, entry assessment procedures, lesson models, withdrawal vs in‑class support, or levels/phases of EAL instruction).	English as an additional language UISG runs a whole-school EAL programme that uses the WIDA framework and specific resources (for example Read Write Inc, Comprehension and Fresh Start in Primary) to scaffold students' English development. Primary EAL uses collaborative push-in support and WIDA screening on admission; Secondary offers an “EAL Enhanced” pathway with small-group instruction, push-in/pull-out options and six-week cycles framed by WIDA assessments, with students exiting the programme once they can work independently in mainstream classes. EAL teachers monitor progress, provide standards-referenced feedback to families, and collaborate with classroom teachers and subject departments. Assessment and placement are based on admission data, prior evidence of proficiency and the school's WIDA screener.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school's published staff profiles and Student Support description show counselling and guidance are part of the intended Student Support Team (the Head of Student Support Services holds degrees in Inclusive Education and Guidance & Counselling, and other senior staff have counselling experience). The Academic Centre page states it supports wellbeing frameworks across ISA schools. The website does not publish a standalone, detailed mental‑health policy or a schedule of counselling services (for example, numbers of counsellors, referral routes, or session formats are not publicly listed).	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing support at UISG includes confidential counselling for individual and group needs, with counsellors explicitly addressing anxiety, depression, family or personal crises, and strategies for balanced lifestyles and resilience. The school operates two on-campus clinics staffed by nurses who log clinic visits, attend sporting and school events, and can access doctor support when needed. Wellbeing is further supported through curricular and co-curricular activities (life-skills/PSPE lessons in primary and secondary) and student leadership/house systems that build community and social skills. For medical or severe incidents the nurse will contact parents and, where necessary, accompany students to external medical care.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding UISG publishes a Child Protection & Safeguarding policy aligned with PRC law and referencing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and WHO definitions of abuse and neglect. The school lists safeguarding measures including a clear child protection policy, annual child protection training for staff and volunteers, designated Child Protection Officers and a Child Safeguarding Team (named staff), a Staff Code of Conduct, criminal background checks for all staff/regular volunteers, and procedures for reporting and following up suspected abuse. The site states the Child Safeguarding Team trains teachers, parents and students and manages confidential child protection documentation. The school also says it cooperates with relevant authorities as part of its safeguarding procedures.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school is a K12 flagship international school located in Guangzhou's Science City, with independent property rights in a green belt environment. The campus covers 37,320 square metres with a total construction area of 78,000 square metres. It offers day and boarding options, including a boarding facility for up to 500 students.	Facilities overview The school's campus is lakeside, located along Golden Lake and bordered by forested hillsides. The campus spans nearly a kilometre along the lake, with learning spaces and classrooms offering views of the natural surroundings. Classrooms and learning spaces are modern, comfortable, purposefully designed, and suitably equipped. Cutting-edge technology is integrated into every classroom, and Primary and Secondary buildings include innovation and design spaces where students can develop solutions to real-world problems. An online campus tour is available to glimpse UISG's facilities.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The school is an IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme, with English as the language of instruction.	Academic facilities Classrooms and specialized buildings are modern, comfortable, purposefully designed, and suitably equipped. Cutting-edge technology is a core feature of every classroom environment. Specialized innovation and design classrooms exist in both the Primary and Secondary buildings, enabling students to design solutions to real-world problems.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities The school highlights engaging extracurricular activities as part of the student experience.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History ISA Science City International School opened in August 2020 and is operated as the flagship K–12 school of the ISA International Education Group. The school was developed as a purpose-built IB campus under the ISA group, with the group retaining overall ownership and management responsibility. During planning the campus followed a “curriculum‑first” design process and worked with external architects to align buildings and spaces with teaching needs. Since opening the school has received recognitions for its campus (including WELL Gold v2 environmental health and safety accreditation) as it moved from start‑up into steady operation.	History Utahloy International School Guangzhou (UISG) was established in 1998 by the Utahloy Education Foundation Ltd (UEF); UEF is an education company supported by the Guangzhou Municipal Government and Guangzhou University and created UISG as its first school. The school's Chinese name has changed since its founding (an earlier registered name dates to July 14, 1998). UEF later expanded its network with a second Utahloy campus in Zeng Cheng in 2003.
Community	Community The student and staff community is international and multilingual; ISA materials note teachers and students from more than 30 countries and a strong emphasis on language learning. The school schedules recurring curriculum-linked cultural events — for example World Languages/Book Week, a Shakespeare week and regular Open Days — that bring together students, families and staff. Day students and a residential boarding community (capacity cited by the school) both contribute to campus life, and the school integrates community service through group initiatives and the ISA Charity Fund.	Community UISG describes a multinational student body with multiple mother-tongue programmes and a range of student activities that reflect its cultural diversity. The school's news and events pages show recurring cultural and community events such as an International Festival of Light, primary school talent shows, and seasonal athletics and arts activities. The broader Utahloy community includes an alumni association and the Utahloy Education Foundation, which connect current families, graduates and local partners.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association ISA's published materials describe structured home–school channels rather than a single informal group: the ISA organisation and school websites reference a parent service centre and a parent committee (家长委员会) as part of their approach to parent engagement. The campus includes a Parent Reception Area and lists ‘parent classes' and assemblies as planned uses of school facilities, which the school uses for parent information sessions and ceremonies. Parents are regularly invited to participate in Open Days, cultural weeks (for example World Languages/Book Week) and community‑service activities run through the ISA Charity Fund, which the group identifies as a channel for student and parent participation in charitable projects. The group also describes routine parent–teacher meetings and curriculum briefings as part of its communication model. In practice, the school's parent structures support event volunteering, information sessions and coordinated community‑service projects rather than only fundraising or social functions.	Parent teacher association The Utahloy Parent Teacher Association (UPTA) was founded in 2006 and all parents and teachers at UISG are automatically members. UPTA serves as a regular communication channel between parents and the school and represents major language groups within the school community. UPTA plans and coordinates fundraising events where parents meet teachers and other families; funds raised are partly donated to charity and partly used to improve the school environment and support future activities. Meetings are held four times a year (dates appear on the school calendar) and all parents and teachers are welcome to attend. UPTA also supports school-organized workshops intended to help parents better understand the curriculum and school programmes.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school provides a K-12 international education based on the IB framework. The program covers ages 2 to 18, for a total of 16 years of schooling. The curriculum adheres to IB standards and emphasizes holistic development alongside academics.	Academic & intellectual The Extra Curricular Activities Programme offers over 160 activities annually for Grade 1–12, including sports, performing arts, virtual design, STEAM, academics, and community engagements/initiatives. The programme provides Primary ECAs and Secondary ECAs, with a detailed catalogue released before each session. Secondary ECAs include service opportunities that empower students to impact broader communities positively. The programme is designed to help students pursue interests and contribute to a well-rounded education.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Co-curricular activities include theatre and film-related events; Macbeth screenings are part of the English Language and Literature program. The school supports creative expression through arts-related programmes within the IB framework.	Arts & creative Arts at UISG are identified as Visual Arts and Performing Arts. Arts education is integrated into the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and is an integral part of the IB Diploma Programme Visual Arts course. Performing Arts offers curricular and extra-curricular opportunities in Music and Theatre, while Visual Arts covers media such as drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and digital art. UISG is a founding member of the International Schools Music Association of Guangzhou (ISMAG) and a member of ACAMIS, linking students to regional arts events.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The school offers five language learning pathways for students aged 2 to 18. World Languages and Book Week celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity through cross-cultural dialogues and multicultural activities.	Cultural & language The Mother Tongue Programme is embedded in the school day. The school's medium of instruction is English, and it promotes bilingualism and strengthening home languages. In Secondary, the Mother Tongue Programme continues through Language and Literature in seven languages: Chinese, English, Korean, Japanese, French, Spanish, and German. In Primary, the Mother Tongue Programme is based on the PYP Language Scope and Sequence and AERO standards. The languages offered include Chinese, English, Korean, Japanese, French, Spanish, and German.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Co-curricular offerings cover a range of interests, including arts, sports, and leadership development. The programme supports holistic growth through initiatives that foster arts, physical activity, well-being, and student leadership.	Social & hobbies Over 160 ECAs are offered each year for Grades 1–12, spanning sports, performing arts, virtual design, STEAM, academics, and community engagements/initiatives. Primary ECAs emphasize exploration, creativity, and inclusivity in a non-competitive environment, with a detailed catalogue released before each session. Secondary ECAs include a wide range of options, including staff-led, external provider, or student-led activities, with service opportunities designed to empower students to contribute to broader communities. The ECA programme enables students to pursue interests and develop new skills as part of their well-rounded education.
Community & service	Community & service The Student Enrichment Centre collaborates with global corporations and international charities to design and operate experiential programmes that connect learning with the wider world.	Community & service The Extra Curricular Activities programme includes community engagements/initiatives and service opportunities for students, enabling positive impact on broader communities. Secondary ECAs provide service opportunities designed to empower students to contribute to local and global communities. The ECA framework supports student-led and staff-led community projects as part of UISG's approach to holistic development.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Leadership and professional skills are developed through SEC programmes and IB-aligned initiatives that emphasize critical thinking, communication, and global mindedness.	Leadership & professional UISG hosts Model United Nations conferences, including RAMSMUN 2024 and PACKMUN III (2025), offering student leadership and global awareness experiences. The College Counseling programme provides academic advising, a broad college search, applications assistance, university visits, and fairs, with BridgeU used to guide planning. UISG runs the Life After High School career fair (March 26, 2025) to connect students with universities and industry.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing The campus holds WELL Gold v2 Environmental Health and Safety accreditation. The school provides a boarding facility for up to 500 students, supporting a residential international community.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The Wolves Athletics Programme offers a wide range of primary, middle, and high school sports, with pathways for development from elementary to varsity levels and a focus on character, discipline, and teamwork. UISG participates in local conferences and leagues (e.g., GISSA, GISES, SDRC) and hosts year-round events and live streaming of competitions. The athletic program supports students' physical well-being and social-emotional development through competitive and recreational sport.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision 5 language learning pathways for students aged 2 to 18.	Language provision The school provides a Whole School EAL Programme to support English language learners. It offers extensive Mother Tongue Programmes in Korean, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, and Spanish. These language supports complement academic learning across the IB Continuum.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards (Only awards listed on the school's public website and awarded to the school itself are included below.) • Official WELL Gold v2 Environmental Health & Safety Standard (January 2021) — Listed on the school's "Our Campus" awards section as an official accreditation/award received in January 2021; the school presents this as a campus-level recognition for environmental health and safety. • Hurun Education — Ranked 2nd in "Hurun Education China International Schools Best School Campuses" (June 2022) — The school's awards section reports a June 2022 placement as 2nd in that Hurun Education list, which the school presents as a campus-ranking recognition. • BEED AWARDS 2022 — "Green Innovation School" (August 2022) — The school's awards section lists a August 2022 BEED AWARDS recognition ("Green Innovation School" in the Ideal Campus Awards), shown on the site as an award to the school campus. If you want, I can (a) check the IB Organisation or the WELL certification registry to confirm the exact scope and current status of the IB authorizations and the WELL certificate, or (b) pull exact pages (with screenshots or dates) from the school site for your records.	Awards • Forbes China recognitions (June 2025) — the school's website reports that UISG was named in two categories of Forbes China's 2025 Annual International School Rankings: the “Foreign Passport High Schools” selection and the “German Curriculum International Schools” selection; these are recognitions published by Forbes China and presented on the school site as institutional honours. • National Spelling Bee Team — third place in the National Spelling Bee Team Competition (July 2023) as reported on the school website; the report presents this as a team/institutional result in a national competition.
Accreditations	Accreditations • IB World School (International Baccalaureate) — The school's website identifies ISA Science City as an IB World School and describes use of the IB Primary Years Programme in its Early Years and Primary divisions; this indicates formal IB programme authorization at least for the PYP as presented on the site. • WELL Gold v2 (WELL Environmental Health & Safety Standard) — The school's "Our Campus" page states the campus was officially accredited with the WELL Gold v2 Environmental Health and Safety Standard (January 2021); this is an independent building/operations certification that assesses features related to occupant health, safety and environmental performance. Note: I reviewed the school's public website for other formal accreditations (for example CIS, WASC or similar) but did not find explicit claims of additional external accreditations on the school's pages. The items above are those explicitly presented as accreditations on the school's website.	Accreditations • International Baccalaureate (IB) — Utahloy International School Guangzhou is an IB World School authorized to deliver the full IB continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP); this indicates the school meets the IB Organisation's authorization standards for those programmes. • Council of International Schools (CIS) — UISG was re‑accredited by CIS in 2025; CIS accreditation is an institutional accreditation that reviews whole‑school quality in international education, governance and student welfare. • Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) — UISG was awarded full ACS WASC accreditation (stated as valid through June 2029 on the school site); WASC accreditation is an external quality review used by many international schools to signal alignment with recognised standards for academic programmes, leadership and continuous improvement. • UNESCO Hong Kong affiliation — the school's website notes an affiliation with UNESCO Hong Kong as part of its institutional recognitions; such an affiliation indicates a formal link to UNESCO‑related programmes or networks focused on global citizenship and sustainable development.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Online application and documents — Start by completing the school's online application and uploading the required documents listed on the ‘Apply Online' checklist (for example: previous school reports, passport/ID, and any medical or residency documents the school requests). Parents should check the checklist carefully before submission — missing documents slow the review and may delay assessment. If you are applying from abroad, prepare clear certified copies and allow extra lead time for document translation or notarisation. 2. Pay the application fee — After you submit the online application you must pay a non-refundable application fee of RMB 3,000 for the admissions team to review the file. Make sure you keep the payment receipt and reference number; the school will not begin a full review until payment shows against the application. Note that application fees are routinely non-refundable at many international schools, so confirm the payment method and currency before you pay. 3. Documentation review and conditional offer — The admissions team reviews submitted documents and then the appropriate Division Principal or Head of School gives final sign-off. If the paperwork meets requirements the school will issue a conditional letter of offer; if more information is needed they will contact you to request it before issuing a conditional offer. Parents should watch their email closely during this stage and be ready to supply school reports, transcripts, or clarity about previous curricula. 4. Assessment and family meeting — For Early Childhood learners the school uses an observation by an education leader; Primary and Secondary applicants typically sit screener assessments in English, Mathematics, Chinese and General Reasoning, with other components added as required. All families are invited to a meeting with a member of the education leadership team so the school can better understand the child's background, learning needs, interests and any support required. Parents should prepare to discuss learning history, any SEN (special educational needs) support, and to ask about curriculum, language support and pastoral care during this meeting. 5. Offer acceptance and enrolment payment — Once assessments and meetings are completed the school issues an unconditional offer (subject to the family returning the signed acceptance and family contract). To confirm the place families pay an admissions/enrolment deposit of RMB 30,000 (the school's published information describes this as refundable when accepted according to their terms). Before you pay this deposit, check the contract carefully for timelines, refund conditions, and any deadlines for accepting the offer. 6. Tuition, boarding and payment schedule — Published sources for recent academic years show annual tuition in the range of approximately RMB 220,000 (Early Years) up to about RMB 328,000 (senior grades), and the school operates a boarding facility for secondary students (capacity published as around 500 boarders). Parents should request the current official fee schedule from admissions because published ranges vary by year, grade and program (and may not include additional charges such as uniforms, transport, meals, exam or activity fees). If you need instalment options, sibling discounts or an exact cost breakdown (tuition vs boarding vs one-off levies), ask the admissions office and request the written fee policy for the year you plan to start. If you want, I can draft an e-mail you can send to the school's admissions office asking for the latest fee schedule, payment terms, refund policy and exact list of documents required for your child's year group.	Admissions 1. Check eligibility and read placement guidance. Before you start an application, confirm your child is eligible: UISG only admits students holding a valid foreign passport or those from Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan — children with a People's Republic of China passport are not eligible. Review the school's Year Level Placement guide so you apply for the correct year level; applying for the wrong year level can delay review or change placement outcomes. If you are unsure about eligibility or the right year level, contact the Admissions Office first. 2. Prepare required documents. UISG asks that you gather and prepare the Required Documents before submitting an application: these commonly include parents' and student passport copies and any Chinese residency/visa documentation, the student's birth certificate, a passport-sized photo, at least two years of official school reports plus a Certificate of Attendance/Enrollment, an up-to-date vaccination record, and (for Grade 1–12 applicants) a confidential reference requested through the online portal. If your child has a diagnosed learning need or has previously received learning support, you must provide detailed reports and history of support as part of the application. Documents should be in English or provided with an official translation to avoid processing delays. 3. Submit the application through the online portal and pay the application fee. Complete the online application via UISG's OpenApply admissions portal and upload the required supporting documents; the school will not process an application without the application fee. The application fee is RMB 2,000 (non-refundable and non-transferable) — parents are asked to include the student's full name on remittance and may remit via WeChat Pay or bank transfer (contact admissions for bank details). 4. Assessments and interview. Depending on age and prior English-medium schooling, applicants (especially Grades 4–12 without at least three years in an English-language school) may be asked to complete an English assessment or other subject/language assessments; these can be on campus or proctored online. The school requests a student and family interview (usually with the relevant Head of Division); the interview is used to understand the child and family, answer questions, and assess fit rather than to ‘‘test'' the child on the spot. Heads of Division may also request a trial class or additional assessments in some cases; budget time for these steps when planning a mid-year move. 5. Admissions review and decision. Admissions decisions are made after the Admissions Office, Heads of Division, and Head of School review the file, assessment results, references, and interview feedback; the school evaluates both the potential for the student to benefit from UISG and the school's capacity to meet the student's needs. After the process is complete you should receive a formal admissions response: an official enrollment letter (if accepted) plus a debit note listing payment deadlines required to secure the place. UISG aims to issue a decision quickly (the FAQ notes a typical decision within five working days after all steps are complete), though processing can be slower during holidays. If your child is denied, the school will issue a letter explaining the reasons. 6. If accepted — secure the place and note fee/payment policies. To secure an offered place you will be given payment instructions and deadlines; UISG offers an annual-payment 4% discount (shown on the published fee schedule) and applies sibling bursaries for second and subsequent concurrently enrolled children (bursary applies to basic tuition only). The school accepts mid-year enrollments when space is available; note the tuition policy: no basic tuition reduction is given for students admitted during the first two weeks of term, and students admitted after the first two weeks will have tuition adjusted pro rata by week. For transport, bus fees are optional and payable by semester or annually; meals are included in the 2025–26 fee structure. Keep the tuition & fees page and the Admissions Procedures & Policies brochure handy for the detailed financial terms referenced in your debit note.
Scholarships	Scholarships ISA Science City publishes an internal programme called ISA Global Pioneers (run via the Student Enrichment Centre) that selects students (notably in Grades 9–11) by academic and comprehensive assessment to receive scholarships to participate in ISAIEG academic programmes and enrichment activities. The Student Enrichment Centre page describes the ISAGP selection process (academic assessment and comprehensive assessment) and notes that selected students are offered special scholarships to participate in those programmes. Separate public-facing articles and school communications for 2025 reference scholarship opportunities connected with ISAGP and promotional scholarship campaigns; however, detailed eligibility rules, the value of awards (for example partial vs full tuition), availability by year group, and application deadlines are not published in full on the school's basic admissions pages. For a clear answer about what scholarships are currently available, how they are awarded, what they cover (tuition or programme fees), and the application timetable, contact the school's admissions or the Student Enrichment Centre and request the scholarship policy and application form.	Scholarships UISG does offer scholarship opportunities and runs specific scholarship programmes with published criteria and application procedures. Recent school announcements (April–May 2025) describe a RMB 1,000,000 scholarship programme for the 2025–26 year that is open to new students (Years 1–12) and existing students (Years 6–12), with awards ranging from full tuition to tiered cash awards; categories include academic, artistic, athletic, creativity, community service, and multilingual/cultural diversity scholarships. The school also runs targeted scholarships for specific year groups (for example Year 10 and Year 12 awards and UEF recognition awards) with stated application criteria and deadlines. Scholarship applications typically require completion of the admissions process first (payment of the non-refundable application fee where applicable), a completed scholarship application form, supporting documents (PDFs), required essays, and submission by the published deadline; for at least some internal scholarships the school asks applicants to email materials to secondaryoffice@uisgz.org. Deadlines and exact award amounts vary by programme and year — consult the UISG Scholarships page and the specific scholarship news posts for the current application windows and instructions, and contact admissions or the Secondary Office for clarifications.
Waitlist	Waitlist The school's published admissions pages and public enrolment guidance do not describe a formal waitlist or wait-pool system. The application-process page sets out application, assessment and offer steps but does not explain how the school manages oversubscription or waiting lists; because many international schools use waitlists differently from year to year, the safest option is to ask the admissions office directly whether a waitlist is used for your child's year group and, if so, what (if any) deposit or timeline is required to hold a place. Contact the admissions office to confirm current practice and any priority rules (for example sibling priority or returning students).	Waitlist UISG operates a wait pool (waitlist) system when a requested year level has reached capacity. If a year level is full at the time of application, the school will notify you that your child has been placed in the wait pool and will contact you if and when an appropriate space becomes available. Offers are generally made on a first-come, first-served basis for available places, and the Admissions Office will follow up with an enrollment timeline and next steps if a space opens. The FAQ and Admissions Procedures both explicitly describe this wait-pool arrangement and advise families to apply early if they need a place at the start of a semester.
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