Shekou International School vs Shen Wai International School

	S Shekou International School Shenzhen, China	S Shen Wai International School Shenzhen, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 182,000 - 316,000	Fees / year RMB 121,400 - 218,500
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 4 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), French Curriculum, Chinese National Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 1,100	Pupils 780
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, French, Mandarin	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1988	Opened 2012
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Shekou International School is located in Shekou, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, with three nearby campuses: Jingshan (Early Primary) on Nanhai Boulevard, The Bay (Upper Primary) on Gangwan Avenue, and Net Valley (Secondary) in the Net Valley / industrial-innovation area. The three sites are within walking distance of one another (the Bay and Jingshan are about a 15-minute walk; Net Valley is roughly a further 15–20 minutes). For exact addresses and campus maps see the school's contact and directions pages.	Location Shen Wai International School is on 29 Baishi 3rd Road in Nanshan District, Shenzhen (518053). The campus is in the Shenzhen Bay / Nanshan area and is reachable by city roads and public transport; the school website lists the full address and contact number for directions and visits.
Stages	Stages SIS serves Nursery through Grade 12 (ages about 2–18) across three campuses: an Early Primary (Nursery–K) campus, an Upper Primary (Grades 1–5) campus, and a Secondary campus (Grades 6–12). The school runs both an International Programme and a French International Programme.	Stages SWIS is an IB continuum school offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP), serving roughly ages 4–18 (Pre‑K/Kindergarten through Grade 12).
School type	School type SIS is a private, not-for-profit, co‑educational international school governed/managed by International Schools Services (ISS). The school's published information describes day-school programmes only; no boarding provision is indicated.	School type Co‑educational day school (no boarding). The school is government‑invested/non‑profit and serves expatriate families as well as residents from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school publishes a Student Support (Learning Support Services) programme that provides in-class and small-group interventions, a full-time learning support specialist on each campus, EAL (English as an Additional Language) support using a sheltered-immersion model, and counselling services for social/emotional and academic needs. Campuses also have designated small-group spaces (the FAQs mention a sensory space) and the school asks families to disclose learning needs at application so appropriate services can be considered.	Additional learning support The school provides English language support (EAL) and additional learning / special‑education resources, and has counselling services and access to educational‑psychology support; some specialised services may be provided for a fee—contact Admissions for specifics.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation SIS is located in China but is not affiliated with a particular national education authority; it is owned and managed by the international organisation International Schools Services (ISS).	Country affiliation The school is not affiliated with a foreign country; it is invested by the Shenzhen municipal government and operates as an international school serving the local expatriate community and Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan residents.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is stated on the school website; SIS presents itself as a secular/international day school.	Religious affiliation SWIS is secular and does not have a religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure Published FAQs state the usual school day runs 8:00–15:00 for Nursery through Grade 5 and 8:30–15:30 for Grades 6–12. The school also offers after‑school activities (ASAs) and an after‑school bus service for students taking activities.	School day structure Published information indicates a typical school day runs approximately from 08:30 to 15:30, with options for supervised before/after care and an After‑School Activities (ASA) programme. Check the school calendar or Admissions for exact daily bell times for each division.
Bus service details	Bus service details SIS provides paid two‑way bus transportation across Shenzhen; fees cover daily two‑way service and a separate afternoon run is provided for students in after‑school activities. Buses are described as fully licensed, air‑conditioned, fitted with seatbelts, and supervised by two bus attendants; routes are fixed and only registered riders may use them. The school uses a bus‑tracking app and asks parents to be prompt at pick‑up; young children (up to Grade 5) must be met at afternoon drop‑off or will be returned to school and parents contacted. For route details or to register contact sisbus@sis.org.cn or the school admissions office.	Bus service details The school offers a school‑bus service for families; bus availability, routes, pick‑up points and fees are organised through the school and can change each year. Parents relocating from overseas should request the current route map, operating company (if any) and fee schedule from Admissions before arrival.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - Application processing fee: RMB 2,000 (non‑refundable; typically applied to tuition upon enrollment). Tuition fees (summary by school phase) - Early years / Preschool: approximately RMB 80,000 – RMB 175,000 per year (typical range reported for pre‑K/kindergarten). - Primary (Upper Primary / Elementary): commonly around RMB 202,000 per year (sources report Primary yearly fees at about this level). - Secondary / High School: reported annual tuition commonly in the RMB 202,000 – RMB 209,000 range; some published summaries place SIS overall annual tuition across grades within a wider band of roughly RMB 182,000 – RMB 316,000. Per‑term detail and billing schedule - The school issues invoices for the full school year; the full year's fees are normally due within four weeks of invoice receipt. Late penalties are applied for overdue payments. An annual re‑registration deposit (reported as RMB 8,000) is requested each March and is applied to the next year's tuition. Boarding fees - Shekou International School operates as a day school; boarding is not listed as an option. No boarding‑fee schedule applies. Other costs (examples commonly charged) - School bus: optional service with a termly/annual charge; routes and fees published for each school year. - Co‑curricular/ASA charges: many after‑school activities are free or nominally charged; some external/community‑led ASAs are charged to parents. - Typical additional items that parents should expect: lunches/cafeteria, excursions and field trips, textbooks/student resources, uniforms, and occasional activity or examination fees. (These items are commonly charged at SIS and peer schools.) Refunds and deposits - The application fee is non‑refundable. The March re‑registration deposit is applied to tuition; standard school policies hold parents responsible for fees and outline late/forfeiture conditions. Fee payment options and currency - Fees are payable in RMB by bank transfer; the school publishes Bank of China account details for RMB and a US$ account. Payment in US$ or other currencies must be arranged with the school's accounting office in advance. Parents are asked to provide transfer slips/identifiers as instructed.	Fee details Fees overview - Annual tuition by year group (amounts shown in RMB): - Kindergarten (4‑year‑old / K2): [RMB 121,400] per year; per term (approx.): [RMB 40,467] (annual ÷ 3, shown as an approximate per‑term figure). - Kindergarten 3 / Year 0 and Years 1–5 (Early Primary): [RMB 166,980] per year; per term (approx.): [RMB 55,660]. - Years 6–10 (Lower & Upper Secondary): [RMB 182,160] per year; per term (approx.): [RMB 60,720]. - Years 11–12 (IB Diploma / Sixth Form): [RMB 218,500] per year; per term (approx.): [RMB 72,833]. Application / enrolment fees - No explicit, separate application fee or one‑off enrolment/deposit amount was located in the publicly available fee summaries consulted. Public fee summaries present annual tuition figures but do not publish a distinct application charge in the sources reviewed. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school follows an August–June academic year (three‑term school year). Annual tuition figures are published; the sources consulted do not publish a detailed term billing schedule (for example exact term percentages or instalment due dates). Where a per‑term amount is required below, it is shown as an approximate value calculated by dividing the published annual fee by three. Boarding / accommodation fees - Shen Wai International School is listed as a day school (no boarding programme shown in the public profiles consulted). No boarding or residential fees were published in the sources reviewed. Other costs and typical additional charges - Uniform: the school is listed as having a uniform requirement, but no published uniform cost was found in the public fee summaries reviewed. - Transport (school bus): transport is offered according to school profile summaries; no specific bus fees or routes/prices were published in the fee summaries consulted. - Examination, materials, extra‑curricular and assessment fees: the publicly available fee summaries reviewed show annual tuition levels but do not itemise textbook, exam (IB examination) or co‑curricular charges. These kinds of additional charges are commonly billed separately at many schools, but no itemised list or amounts were found in the sources consulted. Refunds and refundable deposits - No explicit refund policy, refundable deposit amount, or step‑by‑step refund procedure for fees was located in the public fee materials that were available to the sources consulted. The published summaries provide annual tuition figures but do not publish a detailed refund/refund‑schedule statement. Accepted payment methods and practical payment notes - The public fee summaries consulted do not list specific accepted payment methods (for example bank transfer, credit card, or local cashiers). Contact details for the school are published and may be used to confirm current payment methods: phone +86 755 8654 1200 and email office@swis.cn. Summary of sources consulted and limitations - Confirmed items above (the published annual tuition figures by grade band) come from recent publicly available school‑profile and fee summary pages. The sources consulted publish annual tuition amounts but do not publish detailed line‑item charges (for example a named application fee, explicit enrolment deposit, exact per‑term billing proportions or formal refund wording) in the materials accessible through those summaries. Consequently, per‑term figures above are shown as approximations (annual fee divided by three) to provide a term‑level view when a per‑term number is required; those per‑term figures are inferences based on the published annual amounts.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Uniforms are required for nursery through grade 10; students in grades 11 and 12 may wear either the uniform or business casual attire. Uniform pieces must come from the official uniform collection, and on PE days students wear the PE kit. Uniforms are worn daily on regular school days and for field trips.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options The SIS cafeteria services are provided by ISS World, offering healthy fusion meals. Lunch is available with weekly menus for the Jingshan, The Bay, and Net Valley campuses, with sample menus and dietary information published for reference.	Food options There is a weekly menu for meals; on-site dining options are available.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership SIS is a private, co-educational, not-for-profit school owned and governed by International Schools Services (ISS). The SIS Board is composed of ISS senior staff together with the Head of School and the SIS Chief Finance and Administration Officer.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Shekou International School follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) in its primary years. The school offers a Chinese Bilingual Programme for Grades 1–5 and provides Mandarin (CSOL) from Kindergarten through Grade 12; it also runs a French international pathway from pre-school through the primary years that can continue into the upper grades. For middle school (typically Grades 6–10) SIS is an IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) candidate and implements the MYP framework across the eight subject groups, including a Personal Project. Senior students (Grades 11–12) follow the IB Diploma Programme (DP), with DP course options that include subjects such as IB Music, IB Visual Arts and IB Film Studies alongside the core DP elements and university preparation. Across all stages the curriculum is delivered through inquiry-based, student-centred approaches with co-curricular offerings in arts, athletics and activities, and the school holds WASC accreditation.	Curriculum details Shen Wai International School (SWIS) delivers the full International Baccalaureate continuum—Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). The school serves students from Pre‑Kindergarten through Grade 12 and teaches in English while maintaining a structured Mandarin/Chinese language and culture programme. In the middle years (MYP, typically Grades 6–10) SWIS follows the MYP framework and prepares students for MYP certification/e‑assessment at the end of Year 10. Upper secondary (Grades 11–12) follows the IB Diploma: students choose subjects across the DP groups (languages, sciences, mathematics, individuals & societies, the arts) and complete the DP core—Theory of Knowledge, Creativity‑Activity‑Service and the extended essay—along with external DP examinations. SWIS is accredited by international bodies and integrates the IB inquiry‑based approach with co‑curricular arts, STEM and cultural learning.
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 SIS describes a school‑wide guidance curriculum and advisory programme (middle and high school) that addresses students' personal, social and emotional development and supports global citizenship, communication and collaboration skills. Counsellors deliver classroom lessons, individual and group sessions and work with teachers and parents to reinforce social and emotional learning. The school's Learner Profile and guidance curriculum are cited as resources that promote respect and kindness across the community. SIS also integrates service‑learning (MYP Service as Action / Week Without Walls) as part of developing empathy and responsibility. (Sources: Student Support; Safeguarding; MYP pages).	Social & emotional learning SWIS identifies well‑being as a core school value and states that elements of well‑being are incorporated across units of study from Kindergarten through Diploma; the school highlights areas such as health, self‑management, collaboration, respect and relationships in its community description. Public reporting about SWIS notes the school develops expectations and procedures linked to well‑being and that well‑being is embedded in curriculum planning. The school also reports having medical and counselling staff available to the community. Specific named SEL programmes or a published, standalone SEL curriculum are not detailed on the school's public pages.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) SIS states it admits and accommodates students with additional learning needs "as existing space and resources allow" and that decisions about admission and continuation of services are made case‑by‑case. Each campus has a full‑time learning support specialist who provides individual and small‑group interventions, collaborates with teachers, offers professional development and parent education. The website emphasises support to help students access the regular curriculum rather than offering an alternative course of study. The school does not publicly list specific categories of special educational needs it can support on the Student Support page. SIS presents itself as an inclusive school that provides learning support within its existing resources rather than as a specialist SEN institution.	Special educational needs (SEN) Publicly available job adverts and recruitment listings show SWIS has recruited for Learning Support / Secondary Learning Support roles, indicating the school operates an in‑school learning support function. These listings suggest the presence of staff who support learners with additional needs, but the school's public materials do not specify which categories of Special Educational Needs (for example, specific learning disabilities, ASD, sensory impairments, etc.) it will or will not support. SWIS is not described in public sources as a specialist SEN institution. For clarity on individual student needs and specialist provision the school should be contacted directly.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language SIS states that EAL specialists support non‑native English speakers through referral at admission or by teacher recommendation and that support focuses on social and academic language development. The school uses a Sheltered‑Immersion Model (SIM): EAL teachers work directly in mainstream classrooms (students are not withdrawn) and support reading, writing, speaking and listening within grade‑level curricula. EAL specialists and classroom teachers jointly assess and monitor students' English acquisition and recommend services based on recent assessments and classroom performance. The Student Support page describes these structures but does not publish detailed staffing numbers or placement criteria on the public page.	English as an additional language The school does not publicly disclose information regarding EAL. Public pages and summary profiles for SWIS that are available do not include a described EAL/ESL programme, dedicated EAL staff, or explicit EAL entry/support procedures. If you need confirmation of EAL provision or assessment procedures, contact the school directly.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing SIS describes a comprehensive, developmental counselling programme that addresses students' personal, social, emotional and academic needs and includes individual and group counselling, classroom lessons and parent programmes. Primary counsellors offer lessons and family support for younger students while middle and high school counselling includes advisory and academic/career guidance and four‑year planning in high school. The school runs wellbeing‑focused initiatives and workshops (for example, school‑wide Wellbeing Week, Positive Discipline workshops and parent education events listed in the events calendar). Counsellors also provide materials and resources to support student adjustment and achievement. (Sources: Student Support page and the school events calendar).	Mental wellbeing SWIS publicly frames well‑being as a school priority and reports that medical and counselling staff are available to support the community. External profiles of the school describe wellbeing being elevated to a core value and note the school operates anti‑bullying measures and related pastoral procedures. The school's publicly available material does not publish a detailed mental‑health policy or named, externally run mental‑health programmes on its website; for specifics on school counselling qualifications, caseload, or referral pathways you should request those details from the school.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding SIS has a published Child Safeguarding Policy (linked on its Safeguarding page) and states the policy is based on international law, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and Chinese law. The school says all staff who work directly with students undergo police clearance and, where applicable, international background checks before employment and that staff receive annual training on recognising and reporting abuse and neglect. SIS also states students receive age‑appropriate lessons on personal safety and where to seek help, and lists the Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy among its key policies. The Policies and Practices section links to the detailed Safeguarding & Child Protection document (hosted via the school's policy/sharepoint links).	Safeguarding Public reporting about SWIS states the school maintains child‑protection measures that include safe‑recruiting practices, police and reference checks for staff, an anti‑bullying policy, and on‑site security and medical personnel. These statements appear in external profiles summarising the school's safeguarding and safety procedures. The school is also listed on Shenzhen government education pages as an accredited international school, which indicates it operates within local regulatory frameworks. The school's full written safeguarding/child‑protection policy and implementation details are not published in full on the public pages found; request the school's safeguarding policy directly for complete, current documentation.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview SIS operates across three campuses in Shenzhen: Jingshan Campus (Early Primary), The Bay Campus (Upper Primary), and Net Valley Campus (Secondary). Jingshan includes a mountainside library, indoor gymnasia, a swimming pool, a cafeteria, and sporting fields, with additional language spaces for the French International Programme. The Bay Campus features two science labs, a cooking suite, an auditorium, and a multi-story library offering books in English, Chinese, French and German, along with a gym and a basketball court. Net Valley includes a library, a cafeteria, and a theatre, and hosts SIS's Asia Pacific Headquarters in addition to secondary facilities such as a design centre and performance spaces. Mountainside Library, The Bay Library, and Net Valley Library serve Ninety-five percent of the SIS library needs across campuses.	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Jingshan Campus has two indoor gyms and basketball courts. The Bay Campus provides a gym, a sports field, and a basketball court. SIS participates in inter-school leagues and events through associations such as ACAMIS, PRC, SDRC, and SISAC, enabling student competition in sports from Grade 4 onward. Secondary-level activities include a range of tournaments and inter-school exchanges.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities SIS is an official IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) in the High School. The Middle School is a Candidate School for the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). The Primary Programme uses the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) across the International Programme, the Chinese Bilingual Programme, and the French International Programme. The Bay Campus features two science labs, a cooking suite, an auditorium, and a multi-story library; Net Valley includes a design centre, recording studios, a theatre, flexible learning spaces, and a golf simulator. The Mountainside, Bay, and Net Valley libraries serve Grades Nursery through 12.	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities SIS offers After School Care and a wide range of After-School Activities (ASAs). The Athletics & Activities program provides opportunities in team and individual sports and co-curricular activities, with events such as Model United Nations, knowledge bowl, and other competitions. SIS is a member of ACAMIS, PRC, SDRC, and SISAC, facilitating regional sports exchanges. From Grade 4 onward, students may participate in sports, and secondary students compete in various leagues across China and Asia.	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Shekou International School was established in January 1988 by a joint-venture group of oil companies. Shortly after opening, the sponsoring companies contracted International Schools Services (ISS), a U.S.-based non-profit educational organisation, to operate the school. In 2004 the founding companies transferred SIS to full ISS ownership and governance. Since then the school has grown beyond its original Jingshan Villa location to add the Net Valley and Bay campuses to serve different grade levels.	History Shen Wai International School (SWIS) is the international section of Shenzhen Foreign Languages School and operates as a government‑invested, non‑profit institution. The school opened in the early 2010s (sources report 2011 or 2012). It was built to serve children of expatriate workers as well as permanent residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan and was planned with capacity and facilities for roughly 1,080 students. Since opening SWIS has pursued international accreditations and authorization to offer the IB continuum.
Community	Community SIS describes its community as a diverse, international network that extends beyond students to include parents, staff and alumni, with an emphasis on care and helping new families settle in. The school and its Parent Support Association run regular community events—examples cited on the site include the International Winter Bazaar and an outdoor community film night (“Movie Under the Stars”)—that bring together families, vendors and volunteers. The school also notes volunteer opportunities and alumni connections as ongoing ways the community stays engaged.	Community SWIS's student body is multinational, drawing mainly from expatriate families and residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. The school stages a range of cultural and community events — examples in recent years include a Primary Years Programme (PYP) Chinese Ensemble concert highlighting traditional instruments and a TEDxYouth event held in 2019. SWIS also runs seasonal and schoolwide activities such as art exhibitions, International Children's Day celebrations and winter festivals that bring together students, families and staff.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The Parent Support Association (PSA) at SIS is an association of parents who voluntarily organise and support activities that benefit children and families; all parents and teachers at SIS are considered members. The PSA provides a social network for families, organises family-oriented events and encourages parent involvement in school life. It administers a grant program open to students and teachers to support initiatives outside the classroom. The PSA communicates with the community via email, Facebook, Twitter and WeChat and is listed as the organiser or primary supporter for events such as the International Winter Bazaar and community celebration nights. The school website explicitly thanks the PSA for its ongoing support and invites parents to approach the PSA with ideas, questions or feedback.	Parent teacher association The SWIS Parent and Teacher Association (PTA) coordinates volunteer support, family activities and community health and fundraising initiatives. In May 2018 the PTA organized a “Healthy Living Month,” which included weekly Healthy Snack Giving Days and a range of parent‑led fitness and wellbeing activities. PTA members frequently serve as parent volunteers at performances and school events; parent representatives are documented as speaking and expressing support at occasions such as the PYP Chinese Ensemble concert. The PTA also helps run seasonal gatherings (for example winter celebrations and International Children's Day), supports after‑school activity programs and coordinates fundraising or service projects linked to the school community. Overall, the PTA's work at SWIS appears to be event‑focused and volunteer‑driven, providing logistical coordination, parent outreach and hands‑on support for school activities.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school delivers the IB Primary Years Programme in Primary and the IB Diploma Programme in High School. In the PYP, a weekly class newsletter, a biweekly divisional newsletter, and a Unit of Inquiry overview are provided, and families have ongoing access to their child's digital portfolio on Seesaw. Grades 6–10 currently participate in the Common Ground Collaborative (CGC) as the school plans to transition to the MYP. The Diploma Programme is delivered to grades 11 and 12, and the high school uses a 1:1 laptop program to support learning.	Academic & intellectual The school offers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the IB Diploma Programme (DP).
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The Fine Arts Programs include Drama, Music, and Visual Arts. The Music program provides Kindergarten through Grade 12 education, emphasizes music literacy, and offers band, strings, or choir from Grade 6 with IB Music available in Grades 11 and 12. The Visual Arts program is discipline-based and covers drawing, painting, ceramics, digital media and related fields, with IB Visual Arts or IB Film Studies available in Grades 11 and 12. The Drama program is offered to Grades 6–10 with opportunities to write, perform, direct, and design.	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language All SIS students begin studying Chinese for CSOL in Kindergarten and continue through the IB Diploma Programme in Grade 12. The French International Programme runs from pre-school to Grade 5 and continues through the IB Diploma Programme in Grade 12, taught by French government certified teachers. French as an Additional Language (FAL) is available for Kindergarten through Grade 5 in the International Programme. In the International Programme, the language of instruction is English; Mandarin is introduced early, with secondary students able to continue Mandarin or study French in later grades.	Cultural & language Chinese language content on the site includes translations: 入学申请 → Admissions; 招生流程 → Admissions Process; 校园参观 → Campus Tours. The Chinese text "中文版网站即将上线，敬请期待" translates as "The Chinese version of the website is coming soon. Please stay tuned." The Chinese text "如需浏览中文版招生页面，请点击" translates as "If you wish to view the Chinese admissions page, please click."
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies The Athletics & Activities program engages students in physical and social development, and SIS is a member of ACAMIS, PRC, SDRC, and SISAC, offering sports such as volleyball, basketball, soccer, and other activities. The After-School Activities and Athletics Program provides a wide range of ASAs, typically on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with some activities run by the community and sign-ups via the Schools Buddy platform. Secondary ASAs include Service & Leadership, Creativity, Recreational Sports & Activities, and Academics, plus events like Model United Nations and other contests. Class excursions and experiential learning are integral, with Grade 4 traveling within China to extend classroom research.	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service Community Outreach programs involve learning opportunities with longer-term reciprocal relationships with local business groups and education communities, and projects are developed through collaboration with the SIS parent community and the Shenzhen business community. Service learning forms an essential part of shaping character values and dispositions and is embedded within the school curriculum. These connections provide SIS students with varied authentic, real-world experiences beyond the campuses and foster social responsibility, leadership and empathy.	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Staff come from more than a dozen nations, and many teachers serve as IB examiners or workshop leaders, reflecting a diverse, experienced faculty. The school supports professional growth through a development allowance for staff and ongoing professional development across all departments. Secondary After-School Activities include Service & Leadership, among other pathways, and students participate in activities such as MUN and other regional competitions.	Leadership & professional College counseling is available. Admissions are processed online via OpenApply (swis.openapply.cn). ManageBac is used for student information. The address is 29, Baishi 3rd Road, Nanshan, Shenzhen, China 518053; Tel +86 755 8654 1200.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing The Athletics & Activities program promotes physical and social well-being, and SIS participates in multiple inter-school leagues and organizes a range of tournaments. Primary ASAs include activities from pottery to chess, while secondary ASAs cover sports, drama, arts, and leadership opportunities, with a structured schedule and transportation for regular bus riders. Class excursions, referred to as 'Classroom without Walls,' extend learning beyond the classroom to outdoor and cultural experiences. School hours run 8:00–15:00 for younger students and 8:30–15:30 for older students, with a Shenzhen-wide bus service that can be tracked in real time.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Athletics and co-curricular activities are offered. Health and safety services are provided, and counseling is available. A weekly menu is provided.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The school teaches Chinese for Speakers of Other Languages (CSOL) starting in Kindergarten and continuing through Grade 12, with a literacy-focused option for native/advanced Mandarin speakers. A Mandarin Programme provides three streams—Language A (fluency and literacy), Language B (literacy and communication), and CAL (beginner Mandarin)—with 180 minutes of Mandarin instruction per week and IB-aligned, inquiry-based learning integrated into Primary Years Programme units. In addition, French As an Additional Language (FAL) is offered from Kindergarten through Grade 5 to support French language exposure.	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The school has a French International Programme (FIP) from PreK1 to Grade 12, a three-language curriculum, and a bilingual IBDP pathway. French is the primary language of instruction, complemented by English and Chinese, with a LabelFrancEducation accreditation for the French programme. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is offered in Grade 12 through both the French programme and the overall IB framework. The programme is taught by native French, English, or Chinese speakers, supported by a trilingual teaching assistant, and features small class sizes and a fully equipped infrastructure including a pool, theatre, sports facilities, and a multilingual library. Students also have iPads for learning. The school is owned and managed by ISS.	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards - Duke of Edinburgh's International Award — SIS reports that on 23 April 2025 it launched the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award programme and became an official Award Centre; this is a formal licensing/recognition of the school as an authorised centre for delivering the DofE programme to students. (Awarded to the school/centre.) Notes and exclusions (why the list is short): - The SIS website refers to other recognitions (for example, the school states it has been designated an Apple Distinguished School and notes it was recognised as “School of the Year” by the 21st Century Learning group). those recognitions are mentioned on the site but the pages do not provide specific dates for when they were awarded. because you asked specifically for awards won in the past five years, I have not included recognitions from the school site that lack explicit dates within that five-year window; they are listed here only as undated recognitions on the school website. If you'd like, I can: - try to find dated announcements (on SIS pages or other authoritative sites) for the Apple Distinguished School designation and the “School of the Year” recognition so we can confirm whether they fall inside the past five years; or - produce a short summary separating formal accreditations (WASC, IB authorizations, LabelFrancEducation) from memberships/affiliations and other recognitions with the exact citations from the school site.	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations - Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) — Shekou International School reports continuous full accreditation by WASC since 1992; WASC is a U.S. regional accrediting body whose recognition indicates the school meets widely accepted standards for governance, curriculum and student transfer/graduation recognition. - International Baccalaureate (IB) — SIS is an authorized IB World School for the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP); the International Baccalaureate Organization authorizes schools to deliver IB curricula, which are globally recognised frameworks for international education and (for the DP) can support university credit/recognition. The school is also listed on the site as a candidate school for the Middle Years Programme (MYP). - LabelFrancEducation (for the French International Programme) — the SIS French International Programme page states the programme is accredited/recognised under the LabelFrancEducation scheme; this label is awarded under criteria set by the French authorities to certify quality and official recognition of French-language international programmes. Note on memberships/affiliations (listed on the SIS website): the school also lists membership of regional and international professional associations — e.g., Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS), East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS), and the Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE). These are professional memberships (not formal accreditations) that indicate the school participates in regional networks for collaboration, events and professional development.	Accreditations - International Baccalaureate (IB) — Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). SWIS is listed on the IB's official school directory as an IB World School; the IB pages list the authorisation dates for each programme (PYP authorised 30 Mar 2015; MYP authorised 26 Jan 2016; DP authorised 27 Mar 2017). These programme authorisations indicate the school has met IB requirements to deliver each programme and is subject to IB review and quality checks. - Council of International Schools (CIS) — accredited. CIS published a re-accreditation notice for Shen Wai International School dated 13 December 2023. CIS accreditation is an external review process focused on whole‑school quality, governance, student welfare and international-mindedness; it signals the school has met CIS standards and is committed to ongoing improvement. - Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC / ACS WASC) — accredited (as stated in Shenzhen government and other public school directories). WASC accreditation (through ACS WASC) is a regional/international accreditation process that evaluates schoolwide student learning, continuous improvement processes and institutional integrity; many universities and external bodies recognise WASC accreditation as evidence of quality and transferability of secondary-school credentials. Note: the school's WASC accreditation is reported on official local government and reputable school-directory pages, but an ACS WASC directory entry for SWIS was not located in the sources I could fetch during this check; I can verify further with ACS WASC or the school itself if you would like.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and Open Day: Start by registering for an online Open Day (offered approximately every three weeks). The online Open Day introduces the school's programmes and campuses and families who attend are usually then invited to an in-person tour; you may also begin the formal application at any time. Parents should note the Open Day schedule and register early because tours and application slots can fill quickly. 2. In-person tour and school visit: After the online Open Day you will normally be invited to an in-person campus tour and, where appropriate, a classroom visit or playdate for the child. Use the tour to confirm practical details (which campus your child will attend, transport options, school hours and ASA schedules) and to ask about language support or learning‑support capacity. If you need language assistance, the admissions office includes Mandarin and Cantonese speaking staff; ask for their support when you book the visit. 3. Complete the online application and assemble documents: Submit the school's online application (SIS uses the OpenApply portal) and upload all required documents listed on the application. The Admissions Policy says a complete application must include the application fee and all specified documents (examples commonly required are passport/ID, immunization records, recent school reports, passport photo and teacher recommendation forms); incomplete applications cannot be processed and will be discarded after 30 days. Parents should prepare translated copies where needed and check the specific document list for the grade you are applying to before submitting. 4. Application fee and scheduling of assessment: After the application and the non‑refundable application fee are received the school schedules the child's assessment or playdate as relevant for the age/grade. The admissions FAQ sets out grade‑by‑grade assessment practice (examples: playdates for nursery; school‑designed English and maths tasks for mid‑year Kindergarten to Grade 1; MAP reading and MAP maths for Grades 2–5; MAP + essay for Grades 6–12; WIDA may be used where additional language information is needed). Expect the assessment to be paired with a short interview (student and parent) and plan travel/logistics around the scheduled assessment. 5. Disclosure of learning‑support needs and EAL considerations: If your child has an IEP or learning‑support needs you must supply all relevant documentation at application (recent testing, reports and current support plans). The Admissions Policy explains that SIS admits students with additional needs only where the school has the resources to meet those needs; decisions are made case‑by‑case and additional evaluation may be requested (at the family's expense). If your child will need English language support (EAL), be prepared for screening and for placement decisions that consider both the child's projected rate of language acquisition and available classroom balance. 6. Priority groups, decision categories and notification: Admissions decisions take into account priority categories (for example siblings, certain company‑sponsored families and expatriate passport criteria) as well as English proficiency, academic history and available space. The Director of Admissions will notify families of one of three outcomes: Accepted (place offered if space allows), Wait Pool (applicant meets requirements but the grade is full) or Not Accepted. Parents should check the offer letter carefully for any stated deadlines and the instructions the school supplies about next steps. 7. If placed on the wait pool or offered a place: If your child is placed in the wait pool you will remain on that list for the academic year applied for; the school reviews the pool as places become available and may re‑order consideration according to priority factors. If you receive an offer, the school's offer/acceptance instructions and the current fee schedule (downloadable from the Tuition & Fees page) will outline the required paperwork and payment items; follow those instructions and contact Admissions promptly if you need clarification. For administrative or fee questions, contact admissions directly (the admissions office publishes phone extensions and an email address on the school site). 8. Onboarding and first term arrangements: Once acceptance actions are completed the school will provide information on orientation, timetables, bus registration and other practical arrangements (uniform, lunch accounts, ASA sign‑up). Familiarise yourself with the school's communication platforms (Seesaw for Early Years/Primary; ManageBac for upper levels) so you can receive notices, homework and teacher messages. If your child will use the school bus or ASA programme, check the ASA fee practice and bus tracking options ahead of term start so you can register in time.	Admissions 1. Check eligibility and timing. Shen Wai International School (SWIS) primarily serves children of the expatriate community and residents of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan; at least one parent must normally hold foreign passport/residency and local guardianship rules require students to live in Shenzhen with a parent or an approved guardian. Confirm your child's age against the school's cut-off date (September 1) because grade placement is age-based. See the school's admissions criteria for these restrictions and rolling-entry notes. 2. Prepare required documents. Parents should be ready to provide documentary proof of the items above (passport information page and any relevant residence/visa pages), the child's birth certificate, recent school reports or transcripts, and standard health/immunisation records; if you are using a guardian, bring the appropriate power of attorney/guardianship paperwork. SWIS requires applicants to show they can access an English-language curriculum, so evidence of recent school reports or any English test results can speed placement. If your child has identified special educational needs, discuss these with admissions before applying so the school can confirm whether it can meet those needs. 3. Submit the online application and school tour/ enquiry. Use the school's Apply Online link and the Admissions page to start an application and to arrange a tour or admissions meeting; the official admissions page is the primary entry point for applications and enquiries. Be aware that some international schools charge a non-refundable application fee or require a one-time first-year payment/placement charge — parents should check the specific payment/fee instructions shown on the offer or fee schedule. Keep records of application submission and any reference/application IDs the school provides. 4. Assessment and interview/placement. SWIS expects applicants to demonstrate sufficient English and may use grade-specific assessments or interviews to check academic level and English proficiency; each grade can have a tailored process and placement is based on results and available places. For younger children the school may use age-appropriate observation or interviews, while older children are typically assessed with school reports and subject-specific checks. Ask Admissions in advance what format (in-person or online) the assessment and interview will take for your child's grade. 5. Offer, acceptance and payment. If a place is offered you will usually receive a written Offer Letter or invoice that specifies the deadline to accept and any placement deposit or tuition payment required to secure the place. SWIS's published tuition schedule shows annual tuition bands by year group, and the first-year or placement financial requirements can be higher than the annual tuition shown; read the offer carefully for one‑time fees and payment deadlines. Keep the payment receipt and confirm enrolment steps (medical forms, transport, uniform orders) after the school acknowledges your payment. 6. Visa, guardianship and local compliance. Before your child's first day, confirm that local guardianship, residency/visa paperwork and any health insurance or immunisation records meet Shenzhen and school requirements — SWIS will not accept students who do not meet local guardianship rules. If your family's situation requires a guardian in Shenzhen, arrange the legal documents well before arrival so the school can complete registration. Contact Admissions for any school-specific local-compliance instructions. 7. Start date, orientation and ongoing communication. SWIS operates on a rolling-admissions basis where places are confirmed subject to vacancies; when your child starts expect an orientation (or grade-level entry procedure) and possible short-term monitoring or placement adjustments as teachers confirm appropriate class groupings. Keep in regular contact with the Admissions office and the relevant Head of Division during the first weeks so any academic or pastoral adjustments can be made promptly. If anything in your family situation changes (arrival date, guardian, residency), notify Admissions immediately.
Scholarships	Scholarships SIS publishes two formal scholarship streams on its admissions pages and accepts applications through the online portal. - French International Programme Scholarship (ISS Global International Language Scholarship): This award supports students joining the French International Programme. It is intended for French speakers or those with appropriate French proficiency, is offered to students entering Grades 1–5, and is awarded for up to three years or until the student completes Grade 5. The application is made online and requires the standard application documents (application fee, passport, immunization record, photos, school reports where applicable, and a completed teacher recommendation form). The school assesses language proficiency (oral test), academic standing, and family interview; awards are limited, vary year to year, and recipients must meet behavioural, attendance and community expectations to retain the scholarship. Note the scholarship is not available to students whose tuition is paid directly or indirectly by an employer. For full eligibility, timelines (applications are typically required by 31 December for the scholarship window) and the list of required documents consult the French International Programme Scholarship page. - SIS Geckcellence Scholarship Competition: SIS also runs a Geckcellence Scholarship Competition; application and detailed information are published through the school's admissions links (application via OpenApply and further program details on the school's internal information pages). The number and value of awards can vary annually and are determined by the school based on available seats and funding. If you are interested in scholarship opportunities beyond these two named programmes, contact Admissions because additional or year‑specific awards and competitions may open in a given year.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist SIS uses a wait pool (not a strict numbered waitlist): if an applicant meets the school's admission requirements but the requested grade is full the applicant is placed in the grade's wait pool for that academic year. The school's Admissions Policy explains that a student's position in the wait pool can change if a subsequent application has higher priority (for example sibling or defined expatriate/company priority), and that applicants remain in the wait pool only for the academic year applied for. Parents may contact Admissions to roll an application into the next academic year beginning December 1st, but applications do not automatically carry over; if you want to be considered for a later year you must request rollover or reapply with updated documents. Because offers from the pool are made as seats open (and are influenced by priority and balance considerations) movement off the pool is unpredictable; contact Admissions for the current status and any grade‑specific guidance.	Waitlist SWIS publicly describes admissions as rolling and that places are offered according to enrolment limits and vacancies; the school's published admissions information does not include a public, detailed waitlist policy. That means: when a grade is full the school typically manages new applications on a vacancy basis (often by holding records of applicants and offering places as they become available), but there is no formal, publicly posted waitlist procedure or guaranteed position published on the website or directory listings. Parents should therefore assume places are offered by vacancy and should keep their application active (and confirm their interest) with Admissions; for a definitive answer about whether SWIS will keep a formal waitlist for a specific grade and how applicants are prioritised, contact the Admissions office directly using the school's admissions contact.
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