Self-governed schools that teach in English and follow an international curriculum, such as an American, British, Canadian or IB program. Many are non-profit. As schools for children of foreign nationals, they generally admit only students who hold a foreign passport.
Your guide to international education in Guangzhou
Find the Right International School in Guangzhou
Clear curriculum guides, school profiles and practical advice for expat and local families choosing a school in Guangzhou, so you can compare your options and plan your move with confidence.
Know the difference
Three Types of International School in Guangzhou
In China, the label “international school” covers very different kinds of schools. The type decides who can enroll, which curriculum your child follows and which final exams they sit, so it is the first thing to check before you build a shortlist.
Owned by the Chinese state but teaching international curricula, with internationally recognized graduation exams. These schools are often an option for families with Chinese citizenship.
Frequently marketed as “international schools”, they follow the Chinese national curriculum with extra English lessons and foreign teachers. Final exams match those of Chinese public schools, so check this carefully if you plan to study abroad.
What you'll find here
Everything You Need to Compare Schools in One Place
Moving to a new city means comparing curricula you may never have studied, fee structures that are hard to read and campuses you can't easily visit. This guide brings the essentials together so you can shortlist faster and ask schools sharper questions.
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Detailed school profiles
Curriculum, accreditation, age range, facilities and community for each school, in a consistent format that makes side-by-side comparison easier.
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Curriculum guides in plain English
What the American, British, IB and Canadian Alberta frameworks teach, how students are assessed and how each one prepares them for university.
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Head-to-head comparisons
Side-by-side guides to the choices families ask about most, such as EYFS or IB PYP for the early years, and the IB MYP or the American middle school.
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Advice for real decisions
Practical guidance on class sizes, school culture, commute, fees and school visits, written around the questions families actually ask.
Curricula from Early Years to University
Schools in Guangzhou follow several educational frameworks, and some combine them: an American program with Advanced Placement courses, a British pathway leading to IGCSE and A-Levels, the International Baccalaureate from age 3 to 19, or the Canadian Alberta curriculum. Knowing which stage each framework covers helps you plan for continuity, especially if your family may move again. Our guides explain each framework, how it is assessed and how universities view it. Which of them a school offers is for the school to confirm, so always ask.
Frameworks by age
- Early years (birth to 5): Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), IB Primary Years Programme from age 3
- Primary (5 to 11): British Primary, IB Primary Years Programme, American elementary school, Alberta elementary (Grades K to 6)
- Middle years (11 to 16): IB Middle Years Programme, American middle school, Alberta Grades 7 to 9, IGCSE
- Final years (16 to 19): IB Diploma Programme, IB Career-related Programme, A-Levels, American high school with Advanced Placement, Alberta High School Diploma
- University admissions test: SAT
Moving to Guangzhou with Children
Choosing a school is usually the first big decision of a family move, and it affects where you live, how your children settle in and what happens when you relocate again. Start early, because some schools have limited places in certain grades and each has its own admissions steps. Use this checklist to organize your search.
Your school search checklist
- Check eligibility first: schools differ in whether they admit students without a foreign passport
- Match the curriculum to your next move and to your child's university plans
- Ask about start dates, available places and any waiting list for your child's grade
- Request a written breakdown of all costs: tuition, levies, bus, meals and trips
- Choose where to live with the commute in mind
- Ask what support new students get, including English-language support
- Ask which documents the school needs, such as previous school reports
- Visit on an ordinary school day, and bring your child
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About International Schools in Guangzhou
Quick answers to the questions families ask most often when they start looking at schools in Guangzhou.
What is the difference between an international school and a bilingual school in China?
International schools teach an international curriculum such as the IB, British, American or Canadian system and lead to internationally recognized exams. Bilingual schools follow the Chinese national curriculum with additional English teaching, and their final exams match those of Chinese public schools.
Can children with Chinese citizenship attend international schools in Guangzhou?
Independent international schools for children of foreign nationals generally admit only students with a foreign passport. Families with Chinese citizenship usually look at government-owned international schools or bilingual schools. Always confirm eligibility with each school's admissions office.
Which curricula can my child follow in Guangzhou?
Our guides cover the American, British (IGCSE and A-Levels), International Baccalaureate and Canadian Alberta curricula, along with EYFS, AP and the SAT. Which of them a school offers varies, so check each school's profile and ask the admissions team.
How do I choose the right international school for my child?
Start with the curriculum that fits your child and your family's long-term plans, then compare class sizes, school culture, extracurricular activities, location and total costs. Visit your shortlisted schools on a normal school day and bring your child if you can.
When should we start looking for a school before moving?
As early as you can. Places in some grades are limited, and each school has its own application steps and deadlines, so contact the admissions offices of your shortlisted schools as soon as you know your move date.
How much do international schools in Guangzhou cost?
Fees vary widely between schools and by grade level. When comparing schools, ask what tuition includes and which extra costs apply, such as application fees, capital levies, school buses, lunches, uniforms and trips.
Can schools update their information on this site?
Yes. Schools can send updated information about their curriculum, admissions, facilities and fees using the contact form on this page, so families always see an accurate profile.
Are you a parent with first-hand experience of a school in Guangzhou, an education specialist, or part of a school's admissions team? We would like to hear from you. Parent insights, expert input and up-to-date school information make this guide more useful for every family who reads it.