ISA Science City International School vs Utahloy International School Zengcheng

	I ISA Science City International School Guangzhou, China	U Utahloy International School Zengcheng Guangzhou, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 220,000 - 328,000	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)	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 2,200	Pupils 200
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2020	Opened 2003
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 UISZ provides Student Support Services including English-as-an-Additional-Language (EAL/EALL), Special Educational Needs (SEN) support, and counselling; the school describes itself as inclusive and aims to provide individualised support within its resources. The admissions guidance asks parents to declare diagnosed learning needs and supply supporting reports so the school can assess whether it can meet a child's needs.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school is based in 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 based in Guangzhou, China, and is part of the Utahloy Education Foundation (UEF) group; it is not affiliated to a foreign government or single-country education system.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is stated on the school website or in its public profile; the school presents itself as a secular international IB school.	Religious affiliation UISZ is secular (no 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 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 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 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 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 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 The school provides day school and boarding; a boarding house on campus accommodates up to 500 students.	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options The campus has a cafeteria on site for meals.	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
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 —
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 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 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 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 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) 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 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 UISZ publishes an EAL programme that uses an internationally recognised placement test on entry and organises English Language Acquisition into six phases (students may enter at any phase based on placement). The school provides three hours per week of Academic Skills classes to support academic language development and embeds grammar, vocabulary and cultural content in contextualised units. To maintain inclusion, the school combines differentiated instruction across subjects with a Structured English Immersion (SEI) model in Sciences and Humanities and focused small-group EAL lessons. The site also notes an EAL coordinator who designs immersive language programmes. (Source: EAL programme page; Student Support Services news).
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school's 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 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 —	Safeguarding UISZ publishes a Child Protection & Safeguarding page that says child welfare is the school's first priority and that its policy is aligned with PRC laws and international definitions (WHO, UNCRC referenced). The school lists safeguarding measures including a clear child protection policy, designated Child Protection Officers, a staff Code of Conduct, criminal background checks for staff and volunteers, a designated teacher response team, and annual staff training on child protection procedures. The site also describes PSPE and life-skills lessons aimed at helping students understand safeguarding issues and school procedures. Reporting procedures and cooperation with relevant authorities are cited as part of the school's responsibilities. (Source: Child Protection & Safeguarding page).
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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'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 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 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 —
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 —
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 —
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 —
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 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 and professional skills are developed through SEC programmes and IB-aligned initiatives that emphasize critical thinking, communication, and global mindedness.	Leadership & professional —
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 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 5 language learning pathways for students aged 2 to 18.	Language provision The school's medium of instruction is English. In secondary school, French is offered as an additional language, and language and literature courses are available in Chinese, English, and Korean to support mother tongue development. The school promotes translanguaging to strengthen intercultural understanding.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The school uses English as the medium of instruction. The school promotes bilingualism and home-language development. French is offered as an additional language, and mother-tongue development is supported in Chinese, English, and Korean.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards (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 —
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 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. 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. 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 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 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 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 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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