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School of the Nations

Macau

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Mandarin
Fees MOP 82,830 - 130,020
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 650
Type Co-educational
Opened 1988
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Taught languages English, Mandarin, French, Spanish
Strengths Languages, Visual and Creative Arts, Outdoor Education
Clubs Arts and Creative, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional
Stages Kindergarten, Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

School of the Nations is an international school in Taipa, Macau SAR, enrolling students aged 3 to 18. The school offers Cambridge IGCSE in Forms 3 and 4 and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Forms 5 and 6, with both the Full Diploma and Certificate tracks available. It was the first Cambridge International School in Macau to administer Cambridge IGCSE and A‑Level examinations under Cambridge Assessment. The IB Diploma Programme includes Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) and is enriched by the METL Programme, which supports leadership, mentoring and service beyond the classroom. The seven‑story Taipa campus features a library with over 20,000 English and Chinese volumes, a gymnasium and a 387‑seat auditorium with advanced AV capabilities. About 70% of instruction is in English and 30% in Mandarin, and Mandarin is taught as a second language in Middle School with two streams. Camps supplement academics with learning and personal growth.

Rua Do Minho, Taipa, Macau S.A.R., China

The Essentials

School of the Nations has 650 pupils, instruction in English, Mandarin.

Location
Rua Do Minho, Taipa, Macau S.A.R.

Stages
Kindergarten, Primary, Middle School, Secondary

Additional learning support
ELL program provides tailored English lessons for students requiring additional language support. Inclusive and Special Education programs provide a suitable, personalized learning environment with support from specialized teachers.

Country affiliation
Macau SAR
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
The School of the Nations is a non-profit school administered by a Director and Administrative Team. The School of the Nations Council was established by the Badi Foundation in 2016 to provide oversight and support for the school's mission and vision; it collaborates with the School Director and Administrative Team and reports to the Badi Foundation's Board of Curators. The Badi Foundation is the parent body; it is an independent, non-profit organization. The Foundation and the School are influenced by the Bahá'í Faith but are not managed or controlled by Bahá'í institutions, and their financial resources are not linked to Bahá'í activities.
Fees

Annual tuition at School of the Nations ranges from MOP 82,830 to MOP 130,020 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- New student application fee: MOP 1,015 (non-refundable, non-transferable; paid electronically).
- Kindergarten 1 (K1) applicants (entry via central DSEDJ registration): non-refundable, non-transferable application fee MOP 1,000 (cash). An online application option incurs an additional service charge of MOP 15.

Tuition fees (2026/27 academic year — three terms)

- For currently enrolled students (annual and per-term):
- Kindergarten (K1–K3): Yearly MOP 79,830. Per term MOP 26,610.
- Primary (P1–P6): Yearly MOP 102,870. Per term MOP 34,290.
- Lower Secondary (F1–F3): Yearly MOP 113,250. Per term MOP 37,750.
- Upper Secondary (F4–F6): Yearly MOP 127,020. Per term MOP 42,340.

- For newly admitted students (annual and per-term):
- Kindergarten (K1–K3): Yearly MOP 82,830. Per term MOP 27,610.
- Primary (P1–P6): Yearly MOP 105,870. Per term MOP 35,290.
- Lower Secondary (F1–F3): Yearly MOP 116,250. Per term MOP 38,750.
- Upper Secondary (F4–F6): Yearly MOP 130,020. Per term MOP 43,340.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Term-based billing: fees are charged term-wise for the three-term academic year (April/June/October/February schedule as outlined below).
- April: New admissions — a deposit (part of first-term fees) is payable to reserve a seat:
- Kindergarten: MOP 6,000. Primary: MOP 7,000. Middle School (Lower Secondary): MOP 8,000. Secondary (Upper Secondary): MOP 9,000.
- June: Payment of the remaining balance of first-term school fees to confirm enrollment. Fifty percent (50%) of this payment is refundable if written notice of withdrawal is given before 15 August.
- October: Payment of second-term fees.
- February: Payment of third-term fees.
- Late payment: unpaid fees after the stated deadlines may lead to cancellation of enrollment or a late payment charge of 2% per month. Students are not permitted to attend classes until term fees for that term have been received.
- General non-refundability: Unless otherwise stated, payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. Application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable. The school operates as a day school.

Other costs and optional charges

- The school collects additional charges under separate categories where applicable; these include but are not limited to enrolment fees, school placement reservation fees, fees for experiment/materials, supplementary exercises, teaching materials, supplementary teaching activities, meal(s), school bus, exercise books, school-based teaching materials, and other optional service charges. Specific amounts for these categories are charged according to the applicable fee codes and may be billed separately from tuition.

- Uniforms, school trips, exam/IB-related charges, specialist course materials, extracurricular activity fees, and optional services may incur additional charges where applicable. These items are treated as separate charges from standard tuition and may be billed per activity or service.

Refund information

- Application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Deposits and term fee payments are generally non-refundable or non-transferable unless an explicit exception is stated.
- For new admissions: when the remaining balance of the first-term fees is paid in June, 50% of that payment is refundable if written notice of withdrawal is given before 15 August. Except for this specific provision, fees paid are non-refundable.

Fee payment options and methods

- Term tuition payments: accepted by autopay only from a Tai Fung Bank account. Autopay is the accepted method for school fee collection.
- Application fees and other one-off charges: may be collected by the methods indicated for the specific application process (for K1 entry, cash payment or online payment with the stated service charge are used for the DSEDJ registration process). Details of accepted payment methods for particular charges follow the school's admissions and fee instructions for each application type.

Notes for parents

- Fees above are presented in Macanese Patacas (MOP) on a per-year and per-term basis for the 2026/27 academic year.
- New-student deposits are required in April to reserve places; subsequent payment deadlines and the 50% refundable provision (if notice given before 15 August) apply as indicated in the billing schedule. Late payments may incur a 2% monthly penalty and may jeopardize enrollment.
Academics

School of the Nations teaches Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP) for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
Cambridge IGCSE begins in Forms 3 and 4. The Cambridge IGCSE syllabi include English Literature, First Language English, First Language Chinese, Chinese as a Second Language, Mandarin Chinese, Mathematics, Global Perspectives, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Art & Design, Drama, and Music. The school was the first Cambridge International School in Macau to administer Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level Examinations under Cambridge Assessment. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is studied in Forms 5 and 6, with both the Full Diploma track and the Certificate track available. The Diploma Programme is designed as an academically challenging and balanced programme that prepares students for success at university and life beyond. Beyond the classroom, students participate in the METL Programme and the Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) component of the IB Diploma Programme.

Higher Education Progression
The Diploma Programme prepares students for success at university and life beyond.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The School of the Nations maintains a wellbeing‑oriented approach with dedicated student support. There are three full‑time counsellors and a career guidance counsellor who support students' social, emotional, and personal development. Student Support Coordinators oversee accommodations for students with social, emotional, or other needs, and they develop action plans with input from parents, teachers, and specialists, including IEPs when appropriate. A character development program operates across age groups and aligns with the school's Bahai‑inspired values to promote wellbeing and responsible citizenship.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The School of the Nations has a dedicated Special Education Department. After Macau's DSEDJ assessment, students may be classified as Special Education or Inclusive Education; the taught curriculum is tailored to each student's needs with individualized learning objectives and content through Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). IEPs are reviewed twice per academic year and signed by parents within 30 days of the school year start. The school provides regular access to a counsellor and a speech/language therapist for special education students, and each student has a designated case manager who oversees support. The school offers additional supports such as inclusive education services and specialized inclusive support staff, including Inclusive Support Teachers who work with students in‑class and in small groups.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English and Mandarin are the primary languages of instruction. English is the primary language of instruction and Mandarin is taught as a Language B option; the school provides English Language Learning and English Language Learner support, including library study support and periodic staff training on ESL strategies for mainstream classrooms. Teachers are encouraged to support language development across subjects, and the school values students' primary languages and cultures, integrating them into learning and offering additional language support as needed.

Mental Wellbeing
Three full‑time counsellors provide mental wellbeing and emotional support; a dedicated guidance counsellor supports career guidance; a well‑developed character development program supports social and emotional growth; the school has a curriculum team and inclusive education staff to support wellbeing.

Safeguarding
A safeguarding framework exists through Student Support Coordinators who oversee accommodations for students with social, emotional, and learning needs; there is a dedicated safety framework with a biometric gate and CCTV, and clear procedures to escalate serious incidents to parents and authorities; the school engages with parents and offers open communication channels; data protection policies exist to safeguard personal data.
Parent Experience

History
School of the Nations emerged in Macau in 1988, established by local residents with government support. The founders sought an education that would develop students intellectually, morally and spiritually, with instruction in English and Mandarin Chinese. The school began with five kindergarten students and grew to about 200 within three years, embedding service into all levels and creating the Hidden Gems early childhood programme. Cambridge IGCSE was added in 1994 and the IB Diploma Programme in 2009, and a seven-story Taipa campus opened in 2008 with support from the Macau government and local families, enabling growth to over 650 students taught by about 100 teachers from around the world.

Community
The SON community is international and based in Macau, with more than 650 students taught by around 100 teachers from around the world. Instruction is in English and Mandarin Chinese, drawing on the strengths of both Chinese and international education. Character development and a service ethos are embedded across all levels, including the Hidden Gems early childhood programme and the school's ongoing character development work. The school maintains close relationships with the Macau government and the wider community to support its mission.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school has a Parent Engagement program led by a Parent Engagement Coordinator. Parents can volunteer and participate in open classroom days, performances and assemblies, field trip support, event planning, coffee mornings and tea evenings, book clubs, and workshops. A Parent Engagement Coordinator helps coordinate involvement and can be reached via the school's contact channels; the Toddle Parent app is used for parent engagement. The program aims to deepen the relationship between the school and families through joint service activities and classroom interaction.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Campus and Facilities at Macau include a library, a gymnasium, and an auditorium. The library offers over 20,000 volumes in English and Chinese, with reading nooks, desk space, tablets, and computers. It opens from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm on weekdays to support after-school study, and on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm for public reading and borrowing, with parents accompanying children where required. Some exceptions apply when the library is needed for school functions. The indoor air-conditioned gymnasium is available for volleyball, badminton, basketball, and other activities. The 387-seat auditorium is equipped with advanced audio, visual, and lighting technology for musical and theatrical performances and presentations.

Sports Facilities
The indoor air-conditioned gymnasium can be used for volleyball, badminton, basketball, and other activities.

Academic Facilities
The library has over 20,000 volumes in English and Chinese, with reading nooks, desk space, tablets, and computers.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The auditorium seats 387 and is used for musical and theatrical performances and presentations.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school prepares students for Cambridge IGCSE and the IB Diploma Programme. The Primary Programme includes components in the areas of character development, mathematics, science, language, the arts, and information technology. The Middle School Programme includes the Moral Empowerment Through Language Programme (METL) and rigorous academic content to prepare for Cambridge IGCSE and the IB Diploma Programme. In Secondary, there is rigorous study across subjects with pathways to the IB Diploma or Cambridge IGCSE.

Arts & Creative
The Primary Programme includes the Arts. The Cambridge IGCSE offerings include Art & Design, Drama, and Music. Arts are integrated throughout the Kindergarten and Primary curricula through arts activities and related learning. The Secondary Programme includes Art & Design, Drama, and Music as IGCSE subjects.

Cultural & Language
The language programme focuses on English and Mandarin; about 70% English-medium instruction and 30% Mandarin. The English programme in Primary develops reading, writing and comprehension. Mandarin Chinese is studied as a second language in Middle School, with two streams. Each Kindergarten class has a Mandarin language teacher.

Social & Hobbies
Camps have become a key feature of the Middle School calendar, held outside Macau for several days to develop teamwork and personal growth. Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) is a component of the IB Diploma Programme, enabling students to design activities in the arts, physical activity or service. METL fosters mentorship of junior youth and service to the community.

Community & Service
METL is designed to foster service and community involvement and includes mentoring junior youth. Through Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) in the IB Diploma Programme, students engage in service activities and community-based projects. Some students carry out their service as mentors of junior youth through the METL Programme.

Leadership & Professional
The Secondary programme prepares students for the IB Diploma and Cambridge IGCSE. The school is an IB World School in Macau. METL Animator and CAS provide leadership development and opportunities to lead activities and service projects. Students mentor junior youth and design service activities as part of METL.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Camps provide outdoor experiences and teamwork. The school emphasizes social and emotional well-being across school life. METL fosters personal growth, service, and well-being through language and group activities.
Languages

Language Provision
English and Mandarin are taught across the school. Kindergarten language emphasizes both languages, with about 70% English and 30% Mandarin. In Middle School, all students study Mandarin Chinese as a second language in two streams. In Secondary, Cambridge IGCSE includes First Language English, First Language Chinese, Chinese as a Second Language, and Foreign Language: Mandarin Chinese, and the IB Diploma Programme is available in Forms 5–6. The school also offers an English Language Learner (ELL) program for tailored English support and Inclusive and Special Education programs to support language development.

Bilingual Teaching
The school uses bilingual teaching in English and Mandarin. In Kindergarten, about 70% of instruction is in English and 30% in Mandarin, and each Kindergarten class has a Mandarin language teacher. The language program focuses on both English and Mandarin, with students learning to read and converse in both languages. A parent notes that there is bilingual teaching and that students speak fluent English and Mandarin.

Immersion Programs
Kindergarten provides immersion-like exposure through its English-dominant language program with Mandarin as a second language (70/30 split) and dedicated Mandarin instruction in each K class. The Middle School program includes the Moral Empowerment Through Language (METL) Programme and Mandarin as a second language in two streams, including a higher stream for native-level instruction. In Secondary, Mandarin is offered within Cambridge IGCSE as First Language Chinese, Chinese as a Second Language, and Foreign Language: Mandarin Chinese; the IB Diploma Programme is offered in Forms 5 and 6.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Admissions approach: The school uses a holistic admissions process that considers the strengths of each applicant and whether they would benefit from and contribute to the school community. There are no rigid English or Mandarin proficiency requirements because strong ELL and Chinese programmes support language development. The school has around 650 students, and roughly 80% are Macau or Mainland China citizens; there is no target for nationality. Additional weight may be given to children of faculty, siblings of current students, children of alumni, or returning students. 2. How to apply for Kindergarten 1 (K1): All applicants for K1 must register with the Macao central registration system through the Central Registration for Children Entering Kindergarten for the First Time. The 2026–2027 timeline includes 6–16 January 2026 for registration; 10–11 February 2026 for interview details and payment of the application fee; 7 March 2026 for the interview day; 8 April 2026 for results; 8–10 April 2026 for deposit to reserve a K1 seat; 11 April 2026 for waiting list contact. Required documents include three recent photographs; copies of reports/transcripts where applicable; student passport or Macau ID; copies of parents' IDs; a copy of electricity, water, or phone bill; and a non-refundable application fee of MOP 1,000 (online applications incur a service fee of MOP 15). 3. How to apply for K2 to Form 5: The admissions process for 2026–2027 begins on 1 March 2026. After receipt of the completed application form, the school will arrange a date and time for an interview and placement test. Applications received on or before 12 March 2026 follow a schedule: P1 to F5 interviews/exams on 14 March 2026; K2 and K3 dates to be announced. For applications received after 12 March 2026, separate dates will be scheduled. On 25 March 2026, results are announced; successful candidates must pay a non-refundable and non-transferable deposit between 13–15 April 2026. 4. Availability and general notes: There is high demand for enrollment; the student body is around 650, and about 50 new students are admitted to K1 each year. Typically no admissions after Form 4 due to program requirements, but occasional sudden vacancies may arise. Applications are accepted throughout the academic year for all levels (except Form 6) when vacancies exist. Tours and Public Information Day are available for prospective families.

Scholarships
Scholarships: 2026–2027 information includes a Scholarship Overview and Application Process (English and Chinese), a Scholarship Application Form (Bilingual), and a Financial Status Declaration Form (Bilingual).

Waitlist
Waiting List: For Kindergarten 1 (K1), from 11 April 2026, parents of waitlist students will be contacted directly.
School Events
The school has not added events
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