doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
A

American International School of Guangzhou

China, Guangzhou

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees RMB 229,280 - 303,900
Ages 3 - 17 years
Pupil numbers 1079
Type Co-educational
Opened 1981
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages English
Typical class size 20
Strengths Performing Arts, Sport, STEM
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Elementary, Middle School, Secondary School, High School
Introduction

American International School of Guangzhou (AISG) serves foreign students from Pre‑Kindergarten through Grade 12 and delivers the International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP, MYP, DP). The school operates two campuses: an Ersha Island campus for Early Years and lower elementary grades in central Guangzhou, and a Science Park campus in Huangpu District (Science City) for upper elementary and secondary students. The Science Park campus includes a 499‑seat performing arts theatre, an athletic centre with an indoor 25‑metre pool and large natural‑grass soccer field, and innovation labs; Secondary students have a 1:1 laptop programme. Upper Secondary students take part in a Social Practice Program that links classroom learning with real‑world work and service opportunities. Annual tuition varies by division; the school states its fees per grade band on the tuition page. All statements above are taken from AISG's official site.

No 3 Yan Yu Street South, Ersha Island, Guangzhou, CHINA

The Essentials

American International School of Guangzhou has 1,079 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English.

Location
AISG operates two campuses: the Ersha Island campus (Early Years and Lower Elementary, in central Guangzhou's Ersha Island / Yuexiu area) and the Science Park campus (Upper Elementary through Grade 12 in Guangzhou's Science City, Huangpu District). Public transit options and ferry/metro stops serve the Ersha area and the Science Park area is within Guangzhou's technology/Science City district—ask Admissions for typical commute times from your neighbourhood.

Stages
AISG covers Pre‑Kindergarten through Grade 12: Early Years (Pre‑K and Kindergarten) and Lower Elementary (Grades 1–3) are at Ersha; Upper Elementary (Grades 4–5), Lower Secondary (Grades 6–8) and Upper Secondary (Grades 9–12) are at Science Park. The school follows the IB continuum across these divisions.

Type
AISG is a co‑educational, not‑for‑profit international school operating as an independent institution; tuition is reinvested into the school. The school does not offer boarding — students are expected to live with a parent or guardian in Guangzhou.

Additional learning support
AISG provides a Student Support structure that includes Counseling (available to all students), an English as an Additional Language (EAL) program (Grades 1–10) and a limited Learning Support (LS) program for students with mild learning differences, using individualized plans and a Student Support Team (SST). The handbooks describe RTI/MTSS frameworks, weekly SST meetings and individualized Student Learning Plans.

Country affiliation
AISG is an independent international school (American in name and offering American/IB pathways) but is not an official representative or arm of any national government; it admits foreign‑passport holders per Chinese regulations.

Religious affiliation
AISG does not have a religious affiliation; its community and policies emphasize inclusivity and prohibit harassment on the basis of religious belief.

School day structure
Typical start time across divisions is 7:55am (students are generally asked to arrive 7:40–7:50am). Pre‑K runs roughly 7:55–3:00pm while Grades 1–5 are 7:55–3:10pm (Wednesdays are early‑release, ending about 2:00pm); Secondary also follows the same morning start with the regular day ending around 15:10. Recesses, lunch and staggered dismissals for youngest students are described in the divisional handbooks.

Bus service
AISG offers an optional contracted bus service (PK–12); the school arranges and invoices the service on behalf of the bus company and parents pay per semester. Costs are published as a guideline (approximately RMB 9,600–19,200 per school year) and specific routes are not publicly posted for child‑protection reasons—contact Admissions to confirm whether your area is served.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
A daily school lunch program is available; the price range for lunch is RMB 26–37 per day.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a nine-member board of volunteers. The school is a not-for-profit international school in Guangzhou with 100% tuition reinvested.
Fees

Annual tuition at American International School of Guangzhou ranges from RMB 229,280 to RMB 303,900 for 2026/27.

Application and Enrollment Fees
- Non‑refundable application fee: RMB 2,000.
- Non‑refundable enrollment (new student) fee: RMB 10,000.
- Non‑refundable annual program fee for Grades 11–12: RMB 10,000.

Tuition (full detail by year group)
- Pre‑Kindergarten: RMB 222,600 per year (approx. RMB 111,300 per semester when semester billing applies).
- Elementary School (Kindergarten, Grades 1–5): RMB 247,800 per year (approx. RMB 123,900 per semester).
- Lower Secondary (Grades 6–8): RMB 257,250 per year (approx. RMB 128,625 per semester).
- Upper Secondary (Grades 9–12): RMB 295,050 per year (approx. RMB 147,525 per semester).

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Returning students: a non‑refundable deposit of RMB 30,000 per student is required to secure re‑enrolment; the deposit is applied against tuition and has a set due date. Full payment deadlines are specified on the school invoice (full payment examples: May 18 noted as a standard deadline). For new students, full invoice payment is due within 15 calendar days of the invoice date. In case of overdue fees the school may issue a Disenrollment Notice and release the student's place. A fapiao (official receipt) will be issued in the payer's name; fapiao requests are handled via the invoice email.

Boarding
- Boarding is not offered; AISG operates as a day school across its Ersha and Science Park campuses.

Other costs and typical additional fees
- Bus transportation (optional, billed per school year or per semester depending on route): RMB 9,600–RMB 19,200 per year.
- Extra‑curricular events and trips: RMB 0–RMB 6,500 (varies by event; average cited).
- Laptop (Grades 6–12 expected to meet MacBook requirements): RMB 7,000–RMB 8,500 (family cost, not school‑collected).
- School lunch (per day): RMB 26–RMB 37. PE uniform pieces: RMB 110–RMB 170.

Refund information (fees/refund rules)
- Tuition refunds follow the school's published policy: refunds (less the RMB 30,000 re‑enrolment deposit where applicable) are processed if the online Withdrawal Form is received by prescribed cut‑off dates (examples given in the policy for pre‑term and semester withdrawal deadlines). First‑semester tuition is not refundable after the first cut‑off; second‑semester tuition may be refundable if withdrawal is received by the stated November cut‑off. Approved refunds are returned to the original payer.

Fee payment options and invoicing
- The school issues formal invoices and fapiao; payment instructions and accepted payment methods are provided on each invoice. Parents should follow the invoice details for exact payment channels and remittance information.
Academics

American International School of Guangzhou teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 3 to 17.

Curriculum
AISG delivers an inquiry-based program across its divisions and is an IB World Continuum school authorized to offer the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes.
The Early Years (Pre‑K and K) programme is play‑based and framed by the IB PYP and the Creative Curriculum, while Elementary (K–5) follows the IB PYP and is mapped to AERO, Common Core and NGSS standards.
Lower Secondary (Grades 6–8) uses AERO and Common Core standards and its academic classes follow the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP).
Upper Secondary (Grades 9–12) uses AERO/Common Core in Grades 9–10 and moves to the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12; students may pursue the full IBDP and/or the AISG Upper Secondary Diploma and may mix IBDP and AISG course pathways.
Across all stages the curriculum is complemented by arts, athletics, co‑curricular activities, English‑as‑an‑Additional‑Language support and in‑school learning support services.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
AISG's guidance program emphasizes positive relationships and guided social-emotional development; the school says counselors use the International School Counselor Association (ISCA) standards and run individual, group, classroom and advisory lessons across grade levels. Early Years guidance focuses on foundational SEL skills (listening, empathy, reading facial/body cues), while Elementary uses the Second Step curriculum for scheduled SEL lessons. In Lower Secondary SEL is supported through a weekly Advisory program and health classes; Upper Secondary counseling is developmental and includes academic advising alongside personal/social support. Counselors also provide parent-education opportunities and collaborate with faculty, EAL and Learning Support teams.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
AISG states it operates a Learning Support programme across Elementary, Lower and Upper Secondary for students with mild learning differences rather than as a specialist SEN institution. The Learning Support provision combines in-class inclusion, small-group instruction and individual targeted interventions, and each student in the programme has a Student Learning Plan with goals, services and accommodations. The Admissions FAQ asks families to submit existing support plans, IEPs or psych-educational reports so the school can determine if it can meet a child's needs, and it specifies the school's support services are limited. AISG prefers a least-restrictive environment and notes some services (e.g., speech/OT) should be disclosed in advance so placement decisions can be made.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
AISG publicly describes an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme that provides extra language support in the regular classroom using an inclusion model and is offered across divisions to help students access the curriculum. The Admissions process may include EAL testing for non-native English speakers, and placement in the EAL programme is limited and determined by principals and counselors. AISG notes EAL support is normally provided through in-class support and small-group instruction, with formal EAL places available through qualification and placement procedures. For Grades 11–12 the school expects students to be proficient in English for the DP; placement and availability are handled case-by-case.

Mental Wellbeing
AISG's Student Counseling programme frames wellbeing as integral to academic success and provides counselor-led individual and group meetings, classroom lessons and advisory activities to support students' mental and social health. The school follows ISCA-aligned, evidence-based counselling standards and offers parent-education sessions as part of its preventative approach. AISG runs an anti-bullying No Bully System (Solution Coaches and Solution Teams) and provides age-appropriate anti-bullying education and staff training to reduce harm and build peer support. The school's reporting and school-climate work (e.g., ‘Active in Care' improvements cited by the school) are presented as part of ongoing efforts to monitor and improve student wellbeing.

Safeguarding
AISG's Child Protection statement says the school prioritises prevention and protection in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and PRC laws, and bases definitions on WHO guidance. The school publishes a Child Protection policy with required staff reporting procedures, annual employee training, routine background checks and a Child Protection Committee led by a Child Protection Coordinator. The site names the Child Protection Coordinator and designated officers (for example Jamie Robb; Eileen Rueth; DJ Macpherson; Tania Mansfield) and explains reporting, investigation and record-keeping responsibilities. AISG states failure to report suspected abuse may result in disciplinary action and that the school will communicate confirmed incidents to receiving schools when students transfer.
Parent Experience

History
Established in 1981, AISG began as an embassy school and is recorded on the school website as the first international school in southern China. What started with seven students from the U.S. Consulate in a room at the Dong Fang Hotel has grown into a Pre‑K–12 school serving more than 1,000 students from dozens of nationalities across two campuses. AISG operates as a non‑profit institution and states that tuition is reinvested into school operations and facilities rather than distributed as profit.

Community
AISG describes its community as a diverse, family‑style network of students, caregivers, faculty, and staff that participates in both schoolwide and cultural events. Signature community events include an annual International Day (caregiver country booths, food, and student performances) and celebrations tied to host‑country culture such as Chinese Culture Day; the school also marks observances like the International Day of Peace and UN Day. Student‑led initiatives and the school's Global Citizenship/E service programs further connect AISG to local and international causes.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The AISG PTA is presented as a volunteer parent body focused on building community and partnering with faculty and families to support student wellbeing and engagement. The PTA runs orientation for new students and parents, organizes teacher appreciation activities, supports Elementary, Lower and Upper Secondary sporting events, and coordinates community social events. One of the PTA's flagship undertakings is organizing the school's International Day—running country booths, food stalls and coordinating student and consulate performances—which the school news coverage highlights as a major annual event. The PTA also supports International Day book sales and partners with student Global Citizenship groups that host booths to raise funds and awareness for their causes. The PTA page lists current PTA leadership and provides a point of contact for parents who want to volunteer or join specific event teams.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Ersha Island campus serves Early Years (Pre-K to Grade 3) and Lower Elementary (Grades 1–3). Science Park campus serves Upper Elementary (Grades 4–5) and Secondary (Grades 6–12). The campuses provide dedicated Early Years classrooms, a three-story Elementary building overlooking an outdoor courtyard, and natural daylight classrooms with 1:1 iPads from Grade 1. The central library houses over 20,000 books and a maker-space with 3D printers, drones, and programming tools. For recreation and community life, there are playgrounds for younger and older students, an outdoor basketball court, an air-conditioned gym with a full-size basketball court, and an air-conditioned multi-purpose room for dining, assemblies, concerts, and performances.

Sports Facilities
The Ersha Island campus features an air-conditioned gym with a full-size basketball court and a multi-purpose room for extracurricular activities. Early Years have a dedicated playground and Elementary have additional playground structures, plus an outdoor basketball court for outdoor play. An air-conditioned multi-purpose room serves the cafeteria, assemblies, concerts, and performances.

Academic Facilities
Early Years are housed in a dedicated building, and Elementary is in a three-story building with classrooms overlooking an outdoor courtyard. All classrooms are well-lit with natural daylight and equipped with TVs with touch screens, flexible furniture, and 1:1 iPads from Grade 1. The central library contains over 20,000 books, and a maker-space provides 3D printers, drones, and programming tools.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Facilities support extracurricular activities with an air-conditioned gym for sports, a multi-purpose room for clubs and events, and a maker-space for hands-on projects. The central library and maker-space support student-led clubs and projects, and the multi-purpose room hosts dining, assemblies, concerts, and performances.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
AISG offers the International Baccalaureate Continuum, including the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme. Learning is holistic and personalized, with academic rigor and wellbeing as priorities to prepare students for university and life. The Social Practice Program provides upper secondary students with a minimum one-week, mentor-guided experience to connect classroom learning with real-world impact. Career Pathways & Lifelong Skill Development connects students with mentors and career pathways, including a Career Fair.

Arts & Creative
Arts, athletics, and activities are integral to AISG's educational experience. The Arts program offers opportunities to develop creativity and appreciation for the arts. AISG provides a broad range of after-school activities, including the Elementary After School Activities (EASA) program offered by teachers, coaches, and community volunteers.

Cultural & Language
AISG has a truly international environment with 50+ nationalities represented among students. The school emphasizes global citizenship and related programs as part of its learning culture. English is the language of instruction, and the admissions process includes English language support testing (EAL) for non-native English speakers.

Social & Hobbies
AISG offers a wide range of clubs and after-school activities across arts, athletics, and academics. The Elementary After School Activities (EASA) program provides opportunities across physical, arts, academics, and community areas in a supervised, low-ratio setting.

Community & Service
Community service and global citizenship are embedded in AISG's culture, with thousands of student-service hours and programs that address local and global challenges. The Global Citizenship Education program and student-led initiatives empower learners to impact communities.

Leadership & Professional
Student leadership is cultivated from early years, with a focus on agency, innovation, and collaboration. Programs like Social Practice and the Career Fair connect students with mentors and career opportunities. The University Counseling framework supports college pathways and university resources for students.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
A culture of belonging is emphasized through student and caregiver engagement, with counseling services available for safeguarding, wellbeing, and post-graduation planning. AISG maintains a No Bully policy and a focus on safe, inclusive community spaces. The campus environment includes dedicated spaces for wellbeing and student support across both Ersha Island and Science Park campuses.
Languages

Language Provision
The school teaches in English.
Reputation

Awards
• China School Award — Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (British Chamber of Commerce in China) — AISG reports that it won this DEI award, which recognizes school-level initiatives that promote inclusivity across an international K–12 community.

• GBA School Awards — Judges' Choice Award (21st Century Learning, GBA School Awards 2025) — AISG reports winning the Judges' Choice Award at the Greater Bay Area School Awards; the award is a school-level recognition presented at that regional ceremony.

• Forbes China / Hurun Education rankings (2025) — AISG reports external rankings by Forbes China (International School Annual Selection) and Hurun Education that place the school highly nationally and as #1 in Guangdong / South China in their 2025 lists; these are third‑party rankings published about the school on AISG's website.

Accreditations
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) — WASC is a U.S.-based regional accrediting body; AISG's WASC accreditation is a routine external quality-assurance process that validates the school's educational programme and continuous-improvement plans (AISG reports a mid-cycle review and a reaffirmation through the current accreditation cycle).

• International Baccalaureate (IB) authorizations — AISG is authorized by the IB to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP) (authorizations in place since 2004) and has recently received authorization for the Middle Years Programme (MYP), making AISG an IB Continuum School; IB authorizations indicate the school meets IB standards to deliver those specific programmes.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Prepare: Before you start the online application, review AISG's Grade Placement Guide and the Statement of Community so you understand typical age-based placement and the school's expectations; gather the Required Documents (passports, previous school records, medical records, any IEPs or therapy reports) so the Admissions Office can process your file without delay. Note AISG accepts only foreign passports (students holding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan passports are eligible; PRC passports are not), so check passport eligibility before applying. There is a non‑refundable application processing fee (RMB2,000 / ~USD300) charged per child with each application, so have payment ready when you submit.

2. Apply: Complete and submit the online application form and upload the prepared documents; the Admissions Office will keep in regular contact and update you on each step of the process. Payment of the application fee is required to trigger further steps (for example, the school will confirm assessment dates once the application and fee are received). If your child has received learning or behavioral support in the past, include all learning support plans, IEPs, therapy reports or medical evaluations so AISG can assess whether it can meet your child's needs (the Learning Support program exists but has limited resources).

3. Review (assessments and placement): Once AISG has a complete application, the Admissions Office, the relevant grade‑level principal and counselors will review the file to determine placement; non‑native English speakers are likely to have English as an Additional Language (EAL) screening as part of the review. For applicants residing in Guangzhou, the school typically invites students with complete applications to attend in‑person admissions testing; AISG publishes recommended application timelines and typical group assessment windows by grade (for example, many grade assessments and interviews are scheduled between March and April—see grade‑specific timelines). Spaces for assessments are limited and are scheduled after your application and fee are received, so apply early if you are targeting a particular intake or assessment window.

4. Response and enrollment: After review and any required testing, AISG will inform you of its decision and next steps; AISG begins offering seats (seat assignment) in early April and monitors seat availability throughout the year. For families who accept an offer, note the financial commitments required: a non‑refundable enrollment fee is charged for new students (RMB10,000 for the 2026–2027 school year) and returning students typically pay a non‑refundable deposit (RMB30,000) by the school's specified deadlines; full tuition payment dates and deposit deadlines are listed in the school's Terms and Conditions. If you accept an offered seat, be prepared to follow the invoice/payment timelines to secure enrollment.

Scholarships
AISG has offered an IB Secondary School Scholarship for the 2026–2027 cohort (announcement on the school website). That scholarship is targeted at new students entering Grade 9 or 10, requires the student to reside in Guangzhou with a caregiver or legal guardian, and is limited to families who are self‑payers or partial self‑payers; applicants must meet standard AISG admissions requirements and hold a foreign passport. The program is described as merit‑and‑need based, competitive, and limited in number (the announcement stated up to five scholarships awarded annually), with a potential up to four‑year renewal based on conditions such as maintaining good academic standing; the announcement also referenced the scholarship value (noted as ¥1.3M+ when counted across the award period) and included an application deadline (the post cited Jan 30 for that cycle). The school's public materials do not present a broad, ongoing general financial‑aid program beyond this named scholarship announcement, so for current availability, application windows, selection criteria, or any other scholarships you should contact AISG Admissions directly.

Waitlist
AISG operates a waitlist. If your child qualifies for admission but there are no seats available in the desired grade or program, the school will place the student on its waitlist and offer seats to waitlisted students as they become available according to AISG's admissions criteria. You must submit a complete application and your child must meet admissions criteria before AISG will add them to the waitlist; if AISG cannot offer a place for the academic year applied for, families must submit a new application for the following year (with updated documents and payment of the application fee). AISG also monitors seat availability throughout the year and begins offering seats in early April, so applying earlier improves your chances of receiving an offer rather than remaining on the waitlist.
School Events
The school has not added events
Compare American International School of Guangzhou with
vs ISA Science City International School vs Canadian International School of Guangzhou vs International School of Dongguan vs Utahloy International School Guangzhou
Search for more schools
Search schools in China View all schools in Guangzhou View all schools in China IB curriculum schools in China Open days & tours in Guangzhou What is the IB curriculum? View all schools Search all schools