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Xi'an International School

China, Xi'an

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees RMB 100,500 - 165,500
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 161
Type Co-educational
Opened 1997
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Chinese National Curriculum, American Curriculum, Chinese National Curriculum, British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary)
Taught languages English, Mandarin
Typical class size 10
Strengths Languages, Academic Enrichment, Sport
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Preschool, Primary School, Secondary School, High School
Introduction

Xi'an International School (XIS) is a Pre-K through 12 international day school in Xi'an, Shaanxi, China. The campus is located at Yan Ta Qu, Yu Dou Lu #188, Xi'an 710065. XIS operates an American-style curriculum with AP courses and a Singapore-based math program for younger grades, and it offers Mandarin language study as part of its Chinese curriculum. AP courses have been offered since 2012, including a range of science and humanities options; the school also maintains a Mandarin-language program (HSK Mandarin Language) within its high school courses. The school emphasizes English as the language of instruction and maintains a multicultural, international student body. The campus has facilities for labs, arts, a library, and sports fields, with after-school activities including clubs and sports.”,

No. 188 Yudou Road, Yanta District, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China, 710065

The Essentials

Xi'an International School has 161 pupils, typical class sizes of 10, instruction in English.

Location
Xi'an International School is located in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, in the Yan Ta District (Yan Ta Qu). The address is Yan Ta Qu Yu Dou Lu #188, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710065. The school serves international families and is located in an urban Xi'an district with standard transport access.

Stages
The school serves Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. It includes Elementary and Early Middle School, followed by High School (Grades 9–12) with AP and AP Capstone Diploma options.

Type
Private, international day school. It is co-educational.

Additional learning support
An English Language Program (ELP) provides targeted English language support for students, including after-school ELP for Elementary and Middle School and for High School during Elective periods; cost is RMB 18,000 per year. The school also provides 1 Special Education Paraprofessional, an ESL Coordinator, and a School Counselor to support students with learning needs; a School Nurse provides health services on campus.

Country affiliation
The school has no official country affiliation.

Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is listed.

School day structure
The day includes a morning start with advisory/homeroom, class time until about 3:30 p.m., then After School Activities from 3:45–4:45 p.m. Lunch periods run 11:00–11:57 (Elementary) and 12:00–12:50 (Secondary).

Bus service
XIS offers a school bus service. Bus fees are 11,000 RMB for a full year (normal time) or 8,000 RMB for one semester; transportation after ELP or ASA brings the total to 13,000 RMB (full year) or 9,000 RMB (semester). Bus routes comply with Chinese regulations, and families may opt to use XIS-arranged bus services.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
XIS uses a dress code with a uniform. Elementary students must wear an official XIS shirt or the XIS patch. Secondary students must wear either their official XIS shirt, XIS patch, or student ID.

Food Options
XIS provides a school lunch program. The menu includes Chinese cuisine and Korean offerings, with a special lunch arranged by the Student Government Assembly (SGA).
Fees

Annual tuition at Xi'an International School ranges from RMB 100,500 to RMB 165,500 for 2026/27.

Application & registration fees

- New student registration fee: RMB 5,000 (non-refundable; payable upon acceptance).
- Placement and English Language Proficiency test fee: RMB 1,000 (payable prior to placement testing; non-refundable).

Tuition fees (full year and one semester) — by year group

- Pre‑K: Full year RMB 100,500. One semester RMB 60,300.
- 1st Grade 5 (age 5) – 5th Grade: Full year RMB 137,300. One semester RMB 82,400.
- 6th Grade – 8th Grade: Full year RMB 145,600. One semester RMB 87,400.
- 9th Grade – 11th Grade: Full year RMB 156,500. One semester RMB 93,900.
- 12th Grade: Full year RMB 165,500. One semester RMB 99,300.

Other compulsory and programme fees

- School bus (full year, normal school time): RMB 11,000 (RMB 13,000 when including after ELP or ASA transportation). Bus fee (one semester, normal school time): RMB 8,000 (RMB 9,000 including after ELP or ASA transportation). Bus fees are non-refundable except as specified in the withdrawal/bus refund policy.
- English Language Program (ELP): RMB 10,000 per semester.
- IEP / LEP support tuition: RMB 15,000 per semester.
- After School Activities (ASA) fees: To be determined (per semester); a government-related surcharge will be added to individual student accounts when applicable.
- School supplies and textbooks: supply lists are provided; specific charges for lost/damaged textbooks may apply.
- Uniform / dress-code: Elementary students must wear an official XIS shirt or the XIS patch; secondary students must wear an official XIS shirt, XIS patch, or student ID. Specific uniform pricing is handled through the student handbook/process.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Families may pay either full year or by semester; semester-by-semester payment is explicitly available. Month-to-month payment is considered only on a case-by-case basis.
- Early payment discounts are applied for full-year payments according to the school's published deadlines and discount levels; bank transfers must be recorded in the school's bank by the published deadline times for discounts to apply. All bank fees for wire transfers are the responsibility of the payer and should be included with submitted amounts.
- The person responsible for tuition payments must read and sign the student handbook waiver and complete any required Student Tuition Fee Responsibility Form when someone other than the parent will pay.

Boarding fees

- No boarding or dormitory fees are listed. The school provides day-school services and school bus transportation; dormitory/boarding charges are not shown.

Refund and withdrawal policy (financial)

- A non-refundable base tuition rate of USD 1,000 applies whether a family has paid for a full year or one semester; refunds when withdrawing early are calculated from the remaining refundable portion according to the published refund schedule. Specific refund percentages apply depending on the timing of withdrawal (for one-semester and full-year payments) and bus fee refunds follow a separate schedule. Refund requests require written notice and are processed within the school's stated timelines.

Fee payment options & administrative channels

- Bank/wire transfer is used for tuition payments; parents must include the transfer fees with the tuition amount and ensure transfers are recorded by the school's bank by the required deadline times.
- The school uses a Sycamore parent/account portal for registration, forms, and account records. Families are expected to use the school's Sycamore account for required uploads and some administrative actions.

Notes and practical points

- Transport, ELP, IEP/LEP, ASA and other additional services are charged separately from core tuition; some ASA and surcharge amounts may be listed as TBD and will be added to student accounts when determined.
- All bank fees for international transfers are the payer's responsibility; include those fees when sending payment to avoid shortfalls.
Academics

Xi'an International School teaches Advanced Placement (AP), Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Chinese National Curriculum, American Curriculum, Chinese National Curriculum, British Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary) for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
XIS offers Pre-K through 12 on an American-style curriculum with an immersive English environment; daily core classes in English, Chinese, math, science, and social studies are taught in small classes (about 15 students) with at least 250 minutes per week devoted to English and math. Elementary uses Math-in-Focus (Singapore-based) for Pre-K–7; 8th–12th follow tracks including Algebra I/II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus AB/CD. Science is NGSS-aligned: Pre-K–5 uses Into Science; 6th–12th offers iScience-based courses plus AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Physics, and Computer Science; Health is included for 6–10. Social Studies uses an XIS-created curriculum with AERO standards for Pre-K–5; 6th–12th includes World Studies, US History, Economics, and Government using AERO standards. ELA uses Reading Street for Pre-K–5 and My Perspectives for 6th–12th, with Wordly Wise 3000 and Writing Coach for vocabulary and grammar. The High School program includes six AP courses (Biology, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Statistics, US History) plus AP Capstone; graduation requires 22 credits and on-site SAT and AP testing. Chinese instruction runs through the Marco Polo program across all grades, with advancement tests and credit-bearing Chinese courses in Grades 9–12.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
XIS supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through a weekly Advisory Program in which all students and teaching staff participate; during the first 10 minutes of each school day, students work in small groups with a staff member using an Advisory Workbook, covering topics such as emotional health and well-being, stress reduction, healthy hobbies, technology use, and career/college planning.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The site does not publicly disclose information about SEN provision, including which kinds of needs XIS can support or whether it is a specialist SEN institution.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The English Language Program (ELP) was established in October 2018 and is overseen by the XIS Superintendent and Principal, Paul Wendler, and Miss Harris; it offers interactive, small-group instruction focused on reading, speaking, writing, vocabulary, grammar, and content vocabulary, with Elementary/Middle after-school sessions and High School elective offerings, at a cost of 18,000 RMB per year.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through the Advisory Program's focus on emotional health and well-being, and through Nurse Care, which provides annual health checks and cares for students' physical, mental, and social well-being.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is addressed via a formal Child Protection system, including a clear code of conduct and MTSS, a dedicated Child Protection Team, a flowchart for action, a Child Protection reporting form, and reporting channels (staff, students, and the Warrior Voice Box) with contact details.
Parent Experience

History
Xi'an International School was founded in March 1996 with the help of the Shaanxi Provincial Bureau of Education. Esther Kenyon served as the first teacher and principal, teaching eleven students across eight grades in a one-room schoolhouse. The school was granted a license to operate by the State Ministry of Education in Beijing in 1999 and celebrated its grand opening that August. The campus has relocated over time to accommodate growth, including a move to Tong Ren Middle School in 2004 and a move to the Bodi Campus in 2019. In the 2020s, XIS expanded with AP Capstone beginning in 2021 (the first AP Capstone Diploma was awarded in 2022) and achieved full accreditation by WASC in 2024.

Community
XIS is an English-language school, with English as the primary language of instruction for the curriculum. The school describes itself as internationally diverse, reflecting a broad, global student body spanning multiple nationalities. Parent involvement is facilitated through a Parent Volunteer Program, inviting parents to contribute to the academic experience by volunteering in areas such as the library, bus monitoring, classroom support, and field trips. Student life includes events and activities organized at the school level, including initiatives led by the Student Government Association (SGA), such as the Warrior Sale & Carnival first held in 2015.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
XIS structures parent involvement through a formal Parent Volunteer Program rather than a traditional PTA. The program invites parents to contribute in a variety of ways, including library tasks, organizing materials, office/clerical help, classroom support, and assisting with field trips and testing proctors. There are specific volunteer opportunities during the school day and in after-school activities, with roles ranging from reading with students to translating for Chinese/Korean language needs or helping run electives (examples include the 2021-2022 After School Activities). The school provides a Volunteer Code of Conduct Form to guide parent participation and maintains open channels for volunteering requests via Sycamore and other communications. In addition, the school has hosted parent-teacher collaboration events such as the first Student-Led Parent-Teacher Conferences in 2018.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Xi'an International School has 22 classrooms and on-site facilities that support science, arts, and technology. The campus includes laboratories for science, an art room, a wood workshop, and a dedicated computer lab. An indoor gym and athletic office support physical education, and the school provides shared access to an auditorium and to sports fields. The Pat King Library houses over 9,000 American English books and supports research, reading, and creative exploration. The library also serves the wider XIS community with community library accounts.

Sports Facilities
Facilities for sport on campus include an indoor gym and an athletic office. The campus also provides outdoor sports fields for PE classes and team sports. ASAs include fall, winter, and spring sports across multiple age groups, using these spaces for activities such as cross country, basketball, soccer, badminton, table tennis and volleyball.

Academic Facilities
The campus includes science laboratories, an art room, a wood workshop, and a dedicated computer lab. The Pat King Library houses over 9,000 American English books and supports research and creative learning. Shared access to an on-site auditorium enables performances and presentations as part of the curriculum. The library is available to the wider XIS community through community library accounts.

Extra Curricular Facilities
ASAs include both academic clubs and sport teams, led by a member of the XIS community. Semester 1 clubs include Elementary Book Club, Elementary Discovery Club, Secondary Drama Club, Secondary Model United Nations Club, and Secondary Woodworking Club; Semester 2 adds Elementary Culture Club, Secondary Band Club, Secondary Baseball Club, and Secondary Exam Prep Club. ASA sports operate across Fall, Winter, and Spring with offerings such as cross country, basketball, soccer, badminton, table tennis, and volleyball. These activities are run by XIS staff and volunteers from the school community.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Xi'an International School offers after-school academic-enrichment clubs. The catalog includes Elementary and Upper Elementary Discovery Clubs, Elementary and Upper Elementary Book Clubs, and an Exam Prep Club for secondary students. The Secondary Model United Nations (MUN) Club provides a forum for research, collaboration, and debate.

Arts & Creative
Arts and creative activities include the Secondary Band Club and Drama Club, along with Elementary and Secondary Drama Clubs. The program also features hands-on clubs such as the Secondary Woodworking Club and the Elementary Cooking Club. These clubs support performance, music-making, and craft activities.

Cultural & Language
Cultural and language activities include the Elementary Culture Club, which focuses on cultural experiences. The Secondary Model United Nations Club exposes students to international affairs and collaborative problem solving, supporting cross-cultural awareness. These clubs form part of the after-school offerings and provide cultural and global perspectives.

Social & Hobbies
Social and hobbies include Cooking Club, Woodworking Club, and Baseball Club, offering informal interest-based groups after school. Drama Club also contributes to social interaction through ensemble activities. These clubs provide peer-to-peer engagement and opportunities to pursue personal interests after class.

Community & Service
Community and service activities are represented by the XIS Warrior Fund, which provides financial assistance to students participating in after-school activities. The fund supports access to ASAs across the school community. No separate volunteer or external outreach programs are listed in the current catalog.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership and professional development are fostered through the Secondary Model United Nations Club, which emphasizes teamwork, research, and presentation skills. Other clubs such as Drama and Band offer opportunities to take on club roles and collaborate with peers. These activities collectively support students' communication and collaborative abilities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Lifestyle and wellbeing are supported by seasonal ASA sports, including Fall, Winter, and Spring programs with activities such as cross country, soccer, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and track and field. Activities run from 3:45 pm to 5:00 pm on meeting and practice days. The program combines physical activity with social and academic engagement to promote student wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the primary language of instruction; Chinese language is taught through the Marco Polo Chinese Language Program for all students from Pre-K through high school. All students receive instruction in Marco Polo classes, with levels and progression from PreK to 12; In high school, Chinese language study yields academic credit. The Marco Polo program includes advancement tests and a structured level system, and the school provides English language support for non-native speakers through the English Language Program and related services.

Bilingual Teaching
Xi'an International School is an English-language school. English is the primary language of instruction for all core subjects, and the school is not primarily a school for teaching English as a second language. The campus uses an immersive English environment to develop student proficiency in English. For students who need additional English support, there are multiple pathways including an Academic English track, the English Language Program, and Developmental Reading Assessments.

Immersion Programs
Xi'an International School maintains an immersive English environment on campus with English-only instruction across core subjects. There are multiple pathways to increase English fluency, including Academic English, the English Language Program, and Developmental Reading Assessments. The English Language Program is structured with Elementary and Middle School classes after school (3:45-4:45) and High School classes during elective periods, taught by trained teaching assistants.
Reputation

Awards
- AP Capstone Honor School (2024). This College Board designation recognizes schools that demonstrate excellence in delivering the AP Capstone Diploma program, and Xi'an International School is one of a small number of schools in China to earn it.

- Award of Distinction at YOUTHMUN Winter Conference (2024). The Award of Distinction honors the best school delegation at the conference. Xi'an International School received this award as a school entrant.

Accreditations
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) – Fully Accredited in 2024. WASC is a recognized regional accrediting body for schools, and full accreditation indicates the school meets established standards of governance, curriculum, and student support, helping with college admissions and credential recognition.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Eligibility and initial documentation: XIS accepts applications from eligible students regardless of race, gender, religion, class, or economic status, but applicants must hold a passport issued by a country other than the People's Republic of China. This means you'll need to confirm the family's citizenship status and gather required documents for review. The document check list includes a passport/visa info page, transcripts or academic records from previous schools, any special learning needs documentation if applicable, and medical documentation if applicable. Having these items ready helps streamline the intake review before moving to testing and interviews. Evidence of eligibility and documents is reviewed as part of the admissions flow.

2. Application submission and registration start: Submit the application and ensure all required documents are prepared, then proceed to Begin Registration Process. The Document Check List items—passport/visa pages, previous school records, special learning needs documentation, and medical documentation—should be in hand for quick review. The school provides a portal for initiating registration, which consolidates the submission and next steps. Completing this step is necessary before language testing and interviews can occur.

3. Language testing and early interview options: For G1–G12, a Standard English Proficiency Test covering speaking, listening, reading and writing is required. For Pre-K and 1st Grade 5, there is a question-based student interview. If English skills are low, admission will not be offered at this time; students with moderate English proficiency may be admitted if they enroll in the after-school English Language Program for an additional fee.

4. Principal interview: Parents and students are required to have an interview with the school principal prior to enrollment. This interview is an opportunity to learn about XIS philosophy, curriculum, and facilities, and to have any additional questions answered. The interview also helps align expectations between family and school before formal enrollment.

5. Entrance exam and placement evaluation: All new students take a basic entrance exam that covers reading, writing, grammar and punctuation, as well as speaking and listening. The Admissions Committee uses the test results to assess proficiency and determine appropriate placement to ensure the school can meet each student's needs. This step directly informs class assignment and supports proper placement.

6. Admissions decision and placement: Following testing, the Admissions Committee evaluates proficiency and uses the results to assist placement decisions. Placement recommendations aim to align student needs with XIS curricula and programs. Families should expect a placement outcome based on test performance and demonstrated readiness.

7. Visa and enrollment processing: XIS can provide student visas after students are officially enrolled. This step follows enrollment confirmation and is necessary for international students to study in China. Families should coordinate visa documentation as part of the enrollment process.

8. Fees, payment, and early enrollment incentives: Prices listed are for the 2025-2026 school year and may change. Early enrollment discounts are available if all admissions policy steps are completed and payment is made in full, with deadlines of May 23, 2025 (10% discount) and June 20, 2025 (5% discount). New student registration is ¥5,000 (non-refundable, payable upon acceptance). A separate ¥1,000 placement and English Language Proficiency test fee is required prior to testing. Additional fees include a school bus option (full year ¥11,000 or semester ¥8,000), English Language Program ¥10,000 per semester, IEP/LEP tuition ¥15,000 per semester, and ASA fees (to be determined). Full-year tuition ranges by grade are listed (e.g., Pre-K ¥100,500; 1st Grade 5–5th Grade ¥137,300; 12th Grade ¥165,500). No discounts apply for one-semester enrollment. Bank transfer details and related deadlines are provided for discount eligibility.

Scholarships
The school does not publish traditional scholarships.

Waitlist
The admissions materials do not describe any waitlist or pool policy.
School Events
The school has not added events
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