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Clifford International School

China, Guangzhou

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees RMB 67,500 - 88,000
Ages 6 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 550
Type Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 2014
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Canadian Curriculum, Chinese National Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages English, Mandarin, French
Typical class size 24
Strengths Sport, STEM, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Clifford International School (CIS) is an international/manitoba-affiliated Grade 1–12 school located in the gated Clifford Estates community in Panyu, on the southern edge of Guangzhou. The International Program follows the Manitoba (Canada) provincial curriculum and the school also offers a Chinese–Canadian Dual Program plus selected Advanced Placement (AP) courses; CIS operates an on-site SAT testing centre. The campus building (completed in 2014) houses science labs, art and music rooms, two libraries, a makerspace, a theatre, a 2,000 sq. m. indoor gym, a 25,000 sq. m. turf field with a 400 m 8-lane track, 10 outdoor basketball courts, a tennis court and a 50 m pool. Boarding is available (boarding fee shown separately). The website lists 2025–2026 tuition amounts per semester (RMB 67,500–88,000); meals and uniform fees are excluded. Note: the school website gives student-enrolment figures inconsistently across pages (see sources).

1 Xueyuan Road, Clifford Estates, Panyu Guangzhou, Guangdong Province People’s Republic of China

The Essentials

Clifford International School has 550 pupils, typical class sizes of 24, instruction in English.

Location
Clifford International School is located inside Clifford Estates in Panyu district, Guangzhou — mailing address 1 Xueyuan Road, Clifford Estates, Panyu, Guangzhou 511495. The school sits on a larger Clifford campus with multiple entry gates and an underground parking/arrival area intended to keep drop-off dry in bad weather.

Stages
CIS runs a Canadian (Manitoba) international program across elementary, middle and high school: Elementary Grades 1–5, Middle School Grades 6–8, and High School Grades 9–12.

Type
The school is co-educational and operates as an accredited overseas school affiliated with the Province of Manitoba, Canada. CIS offers both day places and optional boarding (dorm) arrangements; the admissions page lists semester boarding fees alongside tuition.

Additional learning support
The school provides targeted English-language support through an International Learning Centre that helps students (notably Grades 1–8) needing extra English to be successful in class. In addition, CIS has a guidance/counseling department that supports academic planning and university preparation for secondary students.

Country affiliation
CIS is affiliated with the Canadian province of Manitoba as an official affiliated overseas school; it follows the Manitoba provincial curriculum for its international program.

Religious affiliation
The school does not have a religious affiliation and does not practise religion as part of the school program.

School day structure
The campus lists regular business hours as Monday–Friday, 08:00–17:00; for classroom scheduling OpenApply lists a typical school-day start at about 08:30 with an end around 16:10 (4:10 pm). For exact daily bell times, breaks and grade-specific timetables refer to the school calendar or contact admissions (the site posts an annual calendar/PDF).

Bus service
Public access to Clifford Estates is served by local buses and there is a Clifford Estates bus terminal nearby; the school's listings also note that a school bus service is available and that bus fees are separate from tuition. Parents should contact the admissions office for current routes, pickup points, costs and whether specific stops serve your neighbourhood, since routes and availability can change each year.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding is available for Grades 1-12. The boarding fee is 3,950 RMB per semester. The total per semester with boarding is: Grades 1-6 71,450 RMB; Grades 7-8 78,450 RMB; Grades 9-12 91,950 RMB.

Uniform Requirement
A uniform is required; the uniform fee is excluded from tuition (uniforms and meals are charged separately).

Food Options
Meals are billed separately from tuition; a meals fee is excluded from tuition.

Governance and Ownership
The school is affiliated with the Province of Manitoba, Canada, and uses the Manitoba curriculum as part of Clifford International School.
Fees

Annual tuition at Clifford International School ranges from RMB 67,500 to RMB 88,000 for 2026/27.

Application fees
No application fee amount is published on the school's public admissions pages. The admissions materials and fee notices on the school site list tuition and boarding amounts but do not state an application fee.

Tuition fees (detailed by year group)
All amounts published by the school are expressed per semester in RMB. The school publishes the following semester tuition rates:
- Grades 1–6: RMB 67,500 per semester (RMB 135,000 per year).
- Grades 7–8: RMB 74,500 per semester (RMB 149,000 per year).
- Grades 9–12: RMB 88,000 per semester (RMB 176,000 per year).

Billing schedule and payment terms
The school's published fee table is presented on a per-semester basis (fees are shown per semester). Specific due dates, installment plans, late-payment penalties, and detailed payment terms are not published on the public admissions page. For precise billing dates and payment deadlines, contact the admissions office.

Boarding fees (if applicable)
Boarding (dorm) is charged per semester as published: RMB 3,950 per semester. The school's published per-semester totals including boarding are:
- Grades 1–6 boarding total per semester: RMB 71,450 (RMB 142,900 per year).
- Grades 7–8 boarding total per semester: RMB 78,450 (RMB 156,900 per year).
- Grades 9–12 boarding total per semester: RMB 91,950 (RMB 183,900 per year).

Other costs or fees (uniforms, meals, etc.)
The school explicitly notes that Meals Fee and uniform fee are excluded from the published tuition figures; specific amounts for meals, uniforms, textbooks, extracurricular activities, transport, or other ancillary charges are not provided on the public fee page.

Refund information
A public refund policy or details about refundable/non-refundable deposits and the conditions for refunds are not published on the school's admissions/fees page. Refund terms are not specified in the publicly visible fee summary.

Fee payment options
The school's public admissions and fee summary pages do not list accepted payment methods (bank transfer, credit card, online portal, etc.). For confirmed payment methods and instructions, contact the admissions office at adm@clifford-school.org.cn or by phone (numbers listed on the school contact page).
Academics

Clifford International School teaches Canadian Curriculum, Chinese National Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 6 to 18.

Curriculum
Clifford International School delivers the Manitoba (Canada) provincial curriculum across Elementary (Grades 1–5), Middle (Grades 6–8) and High School (Grades 9–12) and is an affiliated overseas school of the Province of Manitoba. In Elementary (Grades 1–5) homeroom teachers cover four core subjects—English Language Arts, mathematics, science and social studies—while Manitoba‑certified specialist teachers deliver physical & health education, visual arts, music and ICT. The Middle School program (Grades 6–8) emphasizes academic preparation for high school alongside development of interests and social‑emotional skills, taught by Manitoba‑certified specialist teachers. High School (Grades 9–12) leads to Manitoba high‑school credit and diploma; students take required and optional courses and may enrol in selected Advanced Placement (AP) subjects (examples include AP Psychology, Calculus AB, Statistics, Computer Science and AP Chinese), with AP courses earning Manitoba credit and the option to sit AP exams, and the school also serves as an on‑site SAT test centre. Finally, the Chinese‑Canadian Dual Program (Manitoba program) is authorized by the Guangdong Education Department and endorsed by Manitoba Education; eligible Mainland Chinese students who complete it can receive both a Chinese diploma and a Manitoba high‑school diploma.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Clifford describes student social and emotional support primarily through its Guidance Department, which coordinates faculty, families and community resources to help students develop confidence and competence. The principal's message and school pages note extracurricular programming and opportunities for leadership, learning and personal growth that contribute to students' social development. Elementary homeroom teachers and Manitoba‑certified specialist teachers deliver physical and health education and specialist subjects that support social and emotional learning in the younger grades. The school's staff listings show roles such as Dean of Students and named guidance counsellors who oversee these programmes.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision on its website.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school does not publicly disclose specific EAL/ESL provision on its website. The Chinese‑Canadian (Manitoba) programme description does state the programme is well‑suited to students who already have strong English language skills, implying admissions expect a solid English foundation. The Guidance Department also notes that many students will need external language proficiency tests (e.g., IELTS/TOEFL) for university applications.

Mental Wellbeing
Clifford's Guidance Department provides one‑on‑one and group meetings, seminars and regular counselling related to academic planning and student development, and staff listings show named guidance counsellors and a Dean of Students who support students. These services appear to be the primary publicly described route for mental‑wellbeing support; the website does not publish a separate, detailed mental‑health programme or a named school psychologist.

Safeguarding
The school's campus information describes physical safety measures such as a gated campus with four separate gates, an underground entrance for dry arrival/pickup, and regular campus hours, indicating attention to site security and safe arrivals. The website lists contact numbers and offices for guidance and admissions. However, Clifford does not publicly present a dedicated child‑protection or safeguarding policy page on its website.
Parent Experience

History
Clifford School began as a local Chinese private school in 1996, and the Clifford International School (the international program that now operates separately) was established in 2002. The international program developed its own leadership and governance distinct from the original bilingual/Chinese stream as it expanded. The current international campus building was constructed in 2014. The school's international division reports a long-standing formal affiliation with the Canadian province of Manitoba, a relationship the school notes has been in place for about 20 years.

Community
The school's international division enrolls over 500 students and is staffed by Manitoba/Canadian‑certified teachers alongside experienced Chinese teachers. School life includes recurring, school‑wide events such as a school showcase, winter concerts, Pink Shirt Week, the Terry Fox Run, a Fringe Festival, and an annual fashion show; many of these events are presented as community gatherings that involve students across grades. Families are regularly invited to campus events and performances, and extracurricular clubs and student-run activities (for example drama groups in the Fringe Festival) provide regular points for parent and community involvement.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school's public website does not publish a dedicated Parent Teacher Association (PTA) page or detailed PTA bylaws; instead, parent engagement is visible through event support and volunteering around the school's listed activities. Parents are shown as participants or invited guests for large‑scale events such as the school showcase, Winter Concerts, the Terry Fox Run, and the Fringe Festival, and these events appear to be regular opportunities for parent volunteers and community collaboration. If you need formal PTA structure, elected officers, meeting schedules, or volunteer sign‑up details, the school directs inquiries to the international/admissions contact channels listed on its contact page. For the most current, specific information about any parent association or volunteer groups, contacting the international office (international@clifford-school.org.cn) or the admissions team is the recommended next step.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The building has six floors and covers over 21,000 square meters. Built in 2014, the campus includes 53 classrooms and spaces for science, the arts, computing, music, drama, and a maker space. The theatre accommodates nearly 250 students. There are two libraries with over 20,000 volumes and computers for student use in the libraries.

Sports Facilities
The indoor gym is 2,000 square meters and air-conditioned, with space for two full-sized basketball courts, a health education classroom, and a weight room. The campus features a 25,000 square meter turf field with a 9m x 5m digital scoreboard, a 400-meter track with eight lanes, 10 outdoor basketball courts, a tennis court, and a 50-meter pool with stadium seating.

Academic Facilities
The campus has a six-floor building with 53 classrooms and four science labs, plus two art rooms, two computer labs, two music rooms, two drama rooms, and a maker space room. Two libraries support elementary and secondary divisions and hold over 20,000 volumes; the theatre has a capacity of nearly 250.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The theatre and maker space support drama and STEAM initiatives. The two libraries enable enrichment and research, and the athletics facilities support sports and recreational clubs with a gym, turf field, track, courts, tennis court, and a pool.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school uses the Manitoba provincial curriculum across all divisions (Elementary grades 1-5, Middle School grades 6-8, High School grades 9-12). English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Arts Education, Physical & Health Education, Information and Communication Technology, and Career Development are part of the program, with Manitoba-certified specialists delivering the Arts and other subject areas. The school offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses and an on-site SAT testing center, with AP options including Psychology, Calculus AB, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Art, Statistics, Chinese Language and Culture, and Computer Science. The Guidance Department supports student development and post-secondary planning.

Arts & Creative
Arts Education is part of the Manitoba curriculum. The campus provides dedicated spaces for the arts, including four art rooms and a theatre with capacity for about 250, plus separate facilities for music and drama; visual arts and music are taught by Manitoba-certified specialists. These facilities support enrichment in visual arts, music, drama, and related arts programming.

Cultural & Language
Mandarin language study is offered across grades 1-12 through a dedicated Mandarin department. The Chinese-Canadian Dual Program (Manitoba Program) is authorized by the Guangdong Education Department and Manitoba Education, enabling students to receive both a Chinese diploma and a Manitoba high school diploma. This dual program is designed for Mainland Chinese passport holders who have completed ninth grade under the Chinese curriculum.

Social & Hobbies
Athletics and on-campus activities are supported by facilities including a 2,000-square-meter indoor gym, a 25,000-square-meter turf field, a 400-meter track with eight lanes, 10 outdoor basketball courts, a tennis court, and a 50-meter pool with stadium seating. The theatre and arts spaces complement student life with opportunities for performance and club activities.

Leadership & Professional
The school emphasizes college and career preparation through the Guidance Department and a range of AP courses, with on-site SAT testing to assist college admissions. The Principal highlights a focus on preparing students for top post-secondary programs in Canada, the United States, Hong Kong, Korea, and beyond, guiding students to identify universities that fit their talents and goals.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The campus hours are Monday to Friday, 08:00–17:00, with closures on public holidays. The campus sits within Clifford Estates in Panyu, Guangzhou, offering a gated campus environment and multiple access points for safety and convenience.
Languages

Language Provision
The Manitoba provincial curriculum is used across all divisions. Elementary homeroom teachers teach English Language Arts, math, science, and social studies; Manitoba-certified specialists teach physical education, visual arts, music, and ICT. The High School program includes AP courses and offers the Chinese-Canadian Dual Program, which enables students to receive both a Chinese diploma and a Manitoba high school diploma.

Bilingual Teaching
The school employs Canadian-certified Western teachers and experienced Chinese teachers.
Reputation

Awards
I searched the school's public website (pages for About/Principal's Message, International Program, AP & SAT, School Events and related pages) and did not find any entries that list awards given to Clifford International School itself in the past five years. If you want, I can (a) scan specific news or archived pages on the school site again, or (b) expand the search to external sources (local education authorities, press coverage, or independent directories) — tell me which you prefer.

Accreditations
- Official Affiliated Overseas School of the Province of Manitoba (Canada): The school states it is certified as an affiliated overseas school of Manitoba, which means it delivers the Manitoba provincial curriculum and is connected with Manitoba Education processes that allow students to earn Manitoba credits and a Manitoba high‑school credential.

- Authorization by the Guangdong Education Department for the Chinese‑Canadian (Manitoba) Dual Program: the site says the Chinese‑Canadian Dual Program is authorized by the Guangdong provincial education authority; that authorization is the local approval that permits the school to run the dual diploma pathway leading to both a Chinese diploma and a Manitoba high‑school diploma.

- Endorsement/support from Manitoba Education and Advanced Learning (Manitoba): the school's Dual Program page notes endorsement and support from Manitoba's education authority, indicating an educational partnership and use of Manitoba curricula and standards in the international program. (This is described on the school website; it is an institutional endorsement rather than, for example, an international accreditation agency's seal.)

- Permission to administer SAT on‑site (special permission for Clifford students): the school states it has special permission to administer SAT exams at the school for its enrolled students, which reflects an authorization to host College Board testing for those students.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Create an account on the school's admissions portal. Parents must upload a photo of the child's identification when creating the account and select the correct portal (Grades 1–5 or Grades 6–12). Be prepared to supply basic family and contact information in the portal so the admissions team can reach you. (See the school's application portals and instructions.)

2. Wait for contact from the Admissions Office to schedule testing. The school's admissions staff will contact you to arrange a test time — make sure previous school report cards and other relevant documents are submitted before that test date. If you have questions or need to schedule around travel/visa dates, raise that at this stage so the team can advise.

3. Entrance assessment(s). For applicants to Grades 1–8 the school runs a one-on-one entrance assessment (typically about 30 minutes); applicants to Grades 9–11 sit a longer written exam covering English and math (about 3 hours). The school explicitly states students do not need to “study” for these assessments, but you should ensure the child is well-rested and that any previously requested documents are available on test day. If English is not the child's first language, confirm with admissions whether any language supports or alternative arrangements are available.

4. Acceptance and enrolment arrangements. After the assessment the admissions office will notify you of the decision; if accepted, the office will help you complete the enrolment steps and make practical arrangements for start date and orientation. The school posts its academic calendar and fee schedule for the 2025–2026 year on the site, so check those dates and the payment schedule before finalizing enrolment. Note that the site flags that tuition is subject to change and that some items (meals and uniform) are excluded from the published tuition.
School Events
The school has not added events
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