Education and Schools in Shenzhen

Shenzhen is one of China’s foremost education hubs, and expat families moving here will have access to some of the country’s most innovative public and international schools. That said, the city is home to only a handful of international schools, which may make finding a school for your child more challenging.

Parents may need to weigh up the affordability of international schools and compare it to the feasibility and fit of public schools.

Public schools in Shenzhen

Following the education system in China, public primary education begins at age six. Six years of primary school are then followed by six years of secondary school. Shenzhen offers both academic and vocational high schools.

While expats can access public schools in Shenzhen, generally, few parents choose them. The language barrier poses a problem, particularly for older children. Additionally, the pace of state schools is rigorous, and there is a heavy emphasis on rote learning.

Chinese parents care deeply about their children’s academic performance, while expat families may find the academic pressure excessive. As such, state schools may not be the best fit for families who prefer a more relaxed educational philosophy.

Education and schools in China

Useful links

• Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government – List of Public Schools

Private schools in Shenzhen

Private schools are another option for families with children moving to Shenzhen. These schools usually follow the Chinese national curriculum and have the same high academic expectations as public schools. Private schools also offer a wider range of extracurricular activities and smaller class sizes.

Some private schools in the city offer a bilingual curriculum. We recommend reading through any potential school’s language policy to ensure your child will have adequate support if you’re considering this option.

International schools in Shenzhen

International schools are by far the most popular option for expats in Shenzhen. These schools offer a diverse range of curricula and language options for foreign children.

Most international schools in Shenzhen teach the acclaimed International Baccalaureate curriculum. You can also find international schools offering country-specific curricula, such as the Japanese, Canadian, British, and American systems.

There are many pros to enrolling your child in an international school, like allowing them to continue learning a familiar curriculum and the opportunity to meet other young people who share similar experiences. The cost of international schools is one downside; we recommend negotiating an educational allowance with your employer where possible.

Places in international schools are often limited, so we recommend applying to schools well in advance. Some of the more popular schools will have waiting lists and include placement tests as part of the admissions process.

Best International Schools in Shenzhen

Useful links

• Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government – List of International Schools

Nurseries in Shenzhen

Preschool is not compulsory in China, but there are many nursery, daycare, and kindergarten options across the city. Young infants who can pick up language more easily than older children may do well in a Chinese preschool or a kindergarten with a bilingual programme.

Early education that follows programmes such as Montessori can also be found, while some preschools are part of larger international schools.

Homeschooling in Shenzhen

Some expat families may prefer to homeschool their children. However, homeschooling is not formally recognised in China. In fact, homeschooling is entirely illegal for Chinese citizens, but expats fall into a grey area.

Expat parents planning to homeschool their children are strongly advised to consider the options carefully and contact local homeschooling organisations and support groups. It is worth noting that homeschooled children aren’t allowed to write the local school-leaving exam, meaning they cannot apply for enrolment in Chinese universities.

Special-needs education in Shenzhen

While special educational needs are identified as an area for development in schools in China, support is often limited. Most support for students with severe difficulties is separate from mainstream schools. Shenzhen’s local government has drafted a plan that enables children with special educational needs to complete their nine years of compulsory schooling in integrated mainstream schools and special-needs education schools.

This plan ensures building a special-needs school in each district and expediting this effort. Integrated education will be implemented at the preschool stage, showcasing the city’s commitment to enhancing its special-needs education services.

International schools may offer specialised services, although the extent varies. Educational psychologists, support teachers, and counselling may be available. Still, these schools may also lack resources for students who require significant support.

We recommend consulting each potential school individually. This process can be tiresome but will provide the most accurate information.

Tutors in Shenzhen

Hiring a tutor in Shenzhen helps expat children integrate into a new schooling system and home environment in Shenzhen. Tutoring provides students extra support outside the classroom – both online and in person. Adults, too, can hire a tutor to learn Mandarin or Cantonese, for example.

There are many online resources and platforms for searching for tutors, including TeacherOn and Preply. Quick searches on these portals can identify tutors specialising in a specific curriculum or subject area. You can also ask your expat network or your child’s school for tutor recommendations.

Useful links

• TeacherOn
• Preply
• That’s Mandarin