Best international schools in Guangzhou

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With a thriving expat population, there are plenty of international schools in Guangzhou for parents to choose from. These schools offer foreign curricula, such as that of the US, the UK or the International Baccalaureate (IB). Overall, parents can expect Guangzhou's international schools to be of an excellent standard with great facilities, small classes, strong extra-curricular programmes and highly competent teachers.

International schools allow expat children to continue with a familiar curriculum in their home language. While the mother-tongue language is maintained, Chinese is commonly incorporated into the curriculum as well, giving students vital communication skills. In addition, international schools attract students from all over the world, making for a truly multicultural experience.

Below is a list of some of Guangzhou's most prominent international schools.

International schools in Guangzhou

British School of Guangzhou

Founded in 2005, the British School of Guangzhou (BSG) is a top-class international school with an excellent reputation. The school is part of Nord Anglia Education, a premium group of more than 70 schools around the world.

As a Nord Anglia school, BSG has access to excellent resources through the Nord Anglia group's partnership with esteemed institutions around the world, including The Juilliard School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and UNICEF.

BSG is located on two campuses a short walk apart on the outskirts of the Baiyun District. Facilities are purpose-built to ensure that students have all the resources needed to excel. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-levels
Ages: 1 to 18

Alcanta International College

Alcanta International College (AIC), part of the well-established Alcanta Education Organization, is an International Baccalaureate World School in Guangzhou. The school is housed in newly renovated facilities which are bright and spacious, outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment.

Both Chinese and expat students are welcome at AIC. As a result, the student body is diverse with students from all over the world attending this well-respected school. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
Ages: 13 to 18

American International School of Guangzhou

The American International School Guangzhou (AISG) is an independent, not-for-profit day school from Pre-Kindergarten up to Grade 12. Final-year students can graduate with an American High School Diploma, an International Baccalaureate Diploma, or both.

The school is spread over two campuses. Ersha Campus, for learners from Preschool to Grade 5, is located in Yuexiu District. Science Park Campus in Huangpu District hosts learners from Grades 6 to 12.

AISG has a good reputation among expat parents for its strong academics and its good facilities, highly trained staff and diverse extra-curricular programme. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: American and International Baccalaureate
Ages: 3 to 18

Canadian International School of Guangzhou

Canadian International School of Guangzhou (CIS) is the first Alberta-accredited Pre-K to Grade 12 international school in mainland China. Alberta’s world-class K12 education system has an excellent reputation and is recognised as one of the best in the English-speaking world. All teachers at CIS are Alberta-certified.

The varied curriculum at CIS encourages children to be independent thinkers and nurtures them as global citizens. With a wide selection of subjects available, CIS students are able to explore their interests. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: Canadian (Alberta)
Ages: 2 to 18

Clifford International School

Ideally located in the popular Clifford Estates residential complex in Panyu, Clifford International School (CIS) opened its doors in 2002. The school has over 600 students of more than 40 nationalities. CIS has both day and boarding facilities, with about 60 percent of students being boarders.

CIS has adopted Western education philosophy and methodology and incorporated the best of both Western and Chinese education models. High school students graduate with a Manitoba High School diploma. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: Canadian (Manitoba)
Ages: 3 to 18

Desheng School (International)

Desheng School (International), or DSI, is a non-profit institution that aims to provide quality international education at an affordable rate to both international and Chinese students. Located in Shunde, DSI is just 20 minutes’ drive from Guangzhou. There are also boarding facilities to accommodate those attending from further afield.

The school has a dedicated Career Opportunities Guidance (COG) department, available for older students. COG guides these students through everything from subject choice to career planning to putting together university applications. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: Cambridge IGCSE and International Baccalaureate
Ages: 13 to 18

Guangzhou Nanfang International School

Easily accessible in the centre of the city, Guangzhou Nanfang International School (GNIS) offers a rich international curriculum including IGSCE qualifications and the IB Diploma as a school-leaving qualification. Excellent facilities are on offer, with on-campus resources such as dedicated art, music, science and technology rooms, classrooms with interactive whiteboards, various sport-specific courts and a senior study area with laptops.

With just 200 pupils, this is a small but diverse school offering a holistic and individualised education. Students are encouraged to engage in extra-curricular activities, including sport, cultural and community-service options. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate and Cambridge IGCSE
Ages: 2 to 18

ISA International School

Aiming to meet the needs of both Chinese and foreign families, ISA International School blends the best of Chinese and international educational practices and traditions to create a unique bilingual education.

The school's aim is to produce students that are internationally-minded as well as grounded in their own unique cultural identity. Complete fluency between Chinese and English is cultivated. ISA also places emphasis on individual development within a safe and stimulating learning environment. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, International Baccalaureate and Chinese
Ages: 2 to 15

ISA Science City International School

ISA Science City International School is a purpose-built international school in Guangzhou. With a student body of 2,200, children from 2 to 18 years old have access to outstanding learning opportunities at ISA Science City. The school offers the full range of International Baccalaureate Organization offerings including the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
Ages: 2 to 18

L’École Française Internationale de Canton

This French-language, French-curriculum school in the heart of Guangzhou was established in 1997. From Kindergarten onwards, Chinese and English are taken as additional languages. There is also a robust French as a Second Language (FLE) programme available for non-French speakers. The school is partnered with the French Ministry of Education and graduates receive the French Baccalauréat.

As the school is a non-profit institution run by a governing body of parents and teachers, those sending their children here can rest easy knowing that the school is run with students' best interests at heart. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: French
Ages: 2 to 18

LEH International School Foshan

Set to open in 2020 on a brand-new purpose-built campus, LEH International School Foshan offers a high-quality British education modelled on its sister school in Hampton, England.

All teachers at the school are UK-trained with international experience and are well-versed in teaching the British curriculum. The school's teaching philosophy is focused on nurturing children and developing their confidence. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-levels
Ages: 6 to 18

Utahloy International School Guangzhou

Utahloy International School Guangzhou (UISG) was founded in 1998 and today has about 900 students from over 50 countries. With the aim of cultivating bilingualism in students who speak English as an additional language, UISG emphasises mother-tongue maintenance. Students aged seven to 18 can partake in the school's mother-tongue programme for languages such as Chinese, German, French, Korean and Japanese.

UISG is set on a beautiful lakeside campus situated in Baiyun, just 20 minutes from central Guangzhou. Read more

Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
Ages: 2 to 18

Download the free Expat Arrivals Guangzhou Schools Guide for an overview of what expat parents can expect from the school system in Guangzhou. Read about a typical school day, the difference between public and private schools, and everything you need to know about the admissions process.

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International Schools in Guangzhou