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American Curriculum International Schools in China

Edited by · B2C Marketing Manager

About international schools in China

American-curriculum international schools in China typically follow a US-style K - 12 programme that leads to an American high-school diploma and commonly offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses; instruction is normally in English while Mandarin is offered widely as a modern language or as part of bilingual pathways. Fees vary by city and by school tier: published annual tuition in major cities often ranges from roughly RMB 130,000 at smaller/bilingual schools up to RMB 400,000 - 450,000 at long-established international campuses, and many families should also budget for registration fees, deposits, bus and capital levies. Admissions usually centre on an August/September academic year start, with applications, English-language screeners, age-appropriate assessments and teacher references required well before term begins; many schools operate rolling admissions but popular year groups can have waiting lists. Relocating families should check passport/visa eligibility rules, the school’s accreditation (for example WASC/NEASC or CIS), language-support and special-needs provision, and ask for a full current fee schedule before committing.

Compare 90 American Curriculum international schools in China. Filter by curriculum, fees (average RMB 4,222,983), location, and more to find the right international school now.

At a glance 90 schools · avg fee RMB 4,222,983
Schools listed
90
Curricula
40
Average annual fee
RMB 4,222,983
Fee range
RMB 6 – 288,000,000
Most common curriculum
Advanced Placement (AP) (64 schools)
Average school size
1,272 pupils
Largest by enrolment
Guangdong Country Garden School
Oldest
Shanghai American School (1912)
With boarding
36

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20 international schools in Beijing

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16 international schools in Shanghai

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11 international schools in Guangzhou

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7 international schools in Shenzhen

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5 international schools in Wuhan

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4 international schools in Chengdu

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3 international schools in Tianjin

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2 international schools in Hangzhou

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2 international schools in Ningbo

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2 international schools in Chongqing

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Chongqing Fudi Yew Wah International Education Kindergarten (YWIEK)

Japanese Curriculum, German Curriculum · Ages 2 to 6

Fees not listed
Ages 2 to 6 years
Japanese Curriculum, German Curriculum, Korean Curriculum, French Curriculum, Dutch Curriculum, British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge A Levels, Canadian Curriculum, American Curriculum, Australian Curriculum, IB (DP), IB (MYP), IB (PYP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), IMYC (International Middle Years Curriculum), Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, Reggio Emilia Approach, Montessori Curriculum, SEN focussed, Singapore Curriculum, Swiss Curriculum, Waldorf Steiner Curriculum, British Curriculum, American Curriculum, Chinese National Curriculum, Korean Curriculum, French Curriculum, German Curriculum, Indian Curriculum, Dutch Curriculum, Islamic Curriculum, Japanese Curriculum, Malaysian Curriculum, Malaysian Curriculum, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Bespoke Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge (Primary), British Curriculum, British Curriculum, Canadian Curriculum, Canadian Curriculum, IB (DP), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge IGCSE, British Curriculum, IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), IMYC (International Middle Years Curriculum), Montessori Curriculum, Singapore Curriculum, Waldorf Steiner Curriculum
Instructs in English, Mandarin and Spanish
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2 international schools in Qingdao

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2 international schools in Xi'an

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1 international school in Dalian

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1 international school in Dongguan

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1 international school in Suzhou

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1 international school in Xiamen

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1 international school in Zhengzhou

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1 international school in Harbin

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1 international school in Shantou

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1 international school in Shijiazhuang

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1 international school in Changchun

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1 international school in Fuzhou

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1 international school in Kunming

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1 international school in Shenyang

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1 international school in Zhuhai

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1 international school in Yantai

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FAQs for China

What does "American curriculum" mean in an international school in China?
An American curriculum in China generally means a US-pattern K - 12 programme that uses US standards or American-style course sequences, awards a US high-school diploma and often offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses for university preparation. Schools vary in detail - some use AERO or state standards, others blend AP with IB or local content - so families should review a school’s course map and diploma requirements.
How much should we expect to pay each year?
Annual tuition varies substantially by city, campus and the child’s age, but published figures in major centres typically run from about RMB 130,000 at entry-level international or bilingual schools to RMB 320,000 - 450,000 for secondary places at long-standing international campuses. In addition to tuition, budget for non-refundable application or enrolment fees, possible one-off capital levies, bus service, meals and exam or device charges - these extras can add several thousand to tens of thousands of RMB per year.
When should we apply and what does the admissions process look like?
Most schools start the main intake in August/September, so families aiming for the new school year should begin enquiries and submit applications in the preceding spring or early summer, though many schools accept applications year-round on a rolling basis. Common steps include an online application, submission of school records, an English-language screener or grade-appropriate assessment, a teacher reference, and an interview or campus visit; popular age groups can have waiting lists, so early application is advisable.
What language support and languages of instruction can we expect?
Core teaching in American-curriculum international schools is normally in English, with Mandarin taught as a required or elective language and often offered at multiple levels from beginner to native speaker. Many schools provide English as an Additional Language (EAL/ESL) support, plus extra tuition for Mandarin or other modern languages; check how language support is delivered and whether bilingual streams are separate from the mainstream English-medium programme.
Can children with Chinese passports attend these schools?
Mainland China generally restricts places at foreign-passport-only international schools to non-Chinese passport holders; children holding Chinese passports are usually required to attend Chinese public schools or approved bilingual/private programmes unless the school has a specific licence allowing local-passport enrolment. Families with dual or complex citizenship situations should confirm eligibility with the school and relevant local education authorities before applying.
How do we judge the school's quality and recognition of the diploma?
Look for external accreditation (for example WASC, NEASC or CIS), clear published graduation and credit requirements, a detailed AP or course catalogue, university-placement information and policies on English-language and special-educational needs support. Accreditation and a school profile that explains grading, diploma criteria and accepted external examinations are practical signals that the diploma and transcripts will be understood by overseas universities; always request the most recent school profile and inspection or accreditation reports.
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