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Canadian International School of Guangzhou School Logo. Photo by CISGZ –

The Best International Schools in Guangzhou

Guangzhou, in China’s Guangdong province, may not jump out to many people as an ex-pat hotspot. However, with its waterside setting, wealthy economy, and proximity to Hong Kong, it’s a very underrated destination.

This metropolis is China’s third largest city after Beijing and Shanghai and offers everything you would get in either city at a slightly lower cost – including international schooling for your child.

If you’re relocating to Guangzhou and need to find the perfect school for your child, here’s what you need to know. Guangzhou may be slightly cheaper than other cities in China for school fees.

However, for the sky-high fees, you will be paying each year, you can be sure the standard of education your child will be among the best in the world. China’s education system, local and international, is well known for achieving the best academic results than anywhere else, year after year.

Guangzhou has a population of 12 million, so there is a wide choice of international schools to choose from in the city. Their locations are scattered around the city and surrounding areas, with a higher concentration in the northeast around Huangpu and south in the Haizhu district.

The curricula on offer are similarly distributed among most of the world’s education systems. Whatever kind of international school you want your child to attend, you’ll find at least one of them in Guangzhou. That said, British, American, and the International Baccalaureate curricula do seem to have a slight edge over the others.

In Guangzhou’s international schools, children can be enrolled from as young as 2 or 3 years of age. This is partly due to the huge demand for international schools in the city. Don’t worry; at this young age, going to ‘school’ is more likely than going to nursery. Structured classes and lessons don’t begin until your child is ready, around age 4-5.

All of China’s international schools have excellent facilities, and Guangzhou is no exception. As well to receiving a top-tier academic education, your child will have the opportunity to partake in almost any extracurricular they can think of. From sports to arts to everything in between, school campuses in Guangzhou cater to everything.

Of course, every ex-pat parent wants their child to get a place in the best international school available. To ensure this happens for you, don’t waste any time in starting the application process.

Do not underestimate the level of demand for places in Guangzhou’s international schools – it is huge! Waiting lists are long and entry criteria can be strict, so make sure you have all your paperwork in order and are ready to move fast.

1. American International School of Guangzhou

New logo of the American International School of Guangzhou. Photo by the American International School of Guangzhou –

American International School of Guangzhou is a private, non-profit, IB World School that provides an exemplary pre-K through grade 12 education for expatriate children.

2. Alcanta International College

Alcanta International College Canton 2007. Photo by drnan tu from Shenzhen, China –

Student-centered, modern facilities, service-oriented, Chinese culture, and internal mindedness, a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, and small class sizes.

3. Guangzhou Nanfang International School

Guangzhou No. 16 Middle School. Photo by WKDx417 –

Guangzhou Nanfang International School is a non-profit co-educational international school in Guangzhou, China, that offers quality education in English at the Secondary, Primary, and Early Childhood levels.

4. ISA Tianhe International School

Tianhe Vocational High School of Guangzhou (SaaHo). Photo by WKDx417 –

The school is located in the Guangzhou CBD and is easily assessable for families, especially for Early Years Students. The campus is based in a historical and safe area. 

The school has a unique learning community of many different nationalities and students whose parents work for chambers of commerce, consulates, or Fortune 500 companies.

5. International School of Dongguan

Dongguan Shilong Middle School. Photo by JANEHC –

International School of Dongguan (ISD) is the first international school authorized by the Chinese Ministry of Education in Dongguan. Since 2012, the International School of Dongguan (ISD) has been serving the community in Dongguan with high-quality education, providing international education from pre-kindergarten to grade 12.

ISD was accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) on 2013 and is an authorized IB World School offering IBDP to the students since 2015. In addition, ISD is a member of two regional professional organizations for international schools: the Association of Chinese and Mongolian International Schools (ACAMIS) and the East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS).

ISD provides a rigorous, well-rounded education while fostering the unique gifts and aspirations of each child. ISD utilizes the service of International School Services to attract and recruit highly qualified and experienced international educators.

ISD’s faculty has a rich background in teaching overseas bringing with them many years of work personalizing education for students. All professional teaching faculty hold their bachelor’s degrees and above, and 9% of them hold a doctorate.

6. Utahloy International School Guangzhou

The principal of Utahloy. Photo by Schizophrenia incarnate –

Utahloy International School is the only international school in Guangzhou to offer a full International Baccalaureate continuum education from Early Years to Year 12. UISG values diversity and operates an inclusive learning environment for all students.

7. Britannia International School Guangzhou

Three people pointing at a computer screen. Photo by John Schnobrich on

Britannia International School Guangzhou (BIS) is a member school of the Canadian International Educational Organisation. (CIEO). BIS is a non–profit, co-educational international school in Guangzhou China which offers The British National Curriculum. It has an Early Years Section for children aged 3 – 5 years old, a Primary Section catering for Years 1 -6 inclusive i.e 5 to 11-year-olds, and a Middle school section for year 7 to 9 students, that is 11 to 14-year-old children.

8. QSI International School of Dongguan

Dongguan School. Photo by Augoustoshai –

This school is part of a network of 37 International Schools located around the world. It follows an American-style curriculum and offers a wide range of Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

The school is also a PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP testing site. The curriculum used by the school is regularly updated and used in all 37 schools around the world.

9. ISA Science City International School

Isa AF high school. Photo by hyolee2 –

This is a highly aspirational organization, committed at our core to planning, launching, and developing a leading international school within the Greater Bay Area. This drive towards excellence started with the design and construction of an exceptional facility.

The school has worked with world-leading architects to create a facility that deeply enhances contemporary teaching and learning. Our vision is to be the acknowledged leader of excellence in international education.

We commit to providing outstanding learning opportunities, through an environment of mutual respect, transparency, and engagement.

10. EtonHouse International School Foshan

Dongping Foshan Middle School. Photo by Ngguls –

EtonHouse International School, Foshan offers classes from preschool to senior years (ages 2 to 18).