Canadian International School of Guangzhou vs International School of Dongguan

	C Canadian International School of Guangzhou Guangzhou, China	I International School of Dongguan Guangzhou, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 188,000 - 258,000	Fees / year RMB 126,000 - 233,600
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 17 years
Type	Type Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Canadian Curriculum, IB (PYP), Advanced Placement (AP)	Curriculum IB (DP), IB (MYP), IB (PYP)
Pupils	Pupils 500	Pupils 400
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 5
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2012	Opened 2012
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The school is in Merchant Hill, Panyu District (No.122 Dongyi Road), Guangzhou — about a 20-minute drive from downtown Guangzhou and close to retail and residential areas. Public transport and highway links in Panyu connect the neighbourhood to the wider city; the school website gives the full postal address for visits and enquiries.	Location ISD is located at 11 Jin Feng Nan Road in Nancheng District, Dongguan — roughly midway between Shenzhen and Guangzhou, in the city centre area of Dongguan. The campus is a purpose-built international campus with sports and arts facilities; public buses and the Dongguan Metro (Line 2) serve the area nearby.
Stages	Stages CIS serves ages 2–18 with divisions for Early Childhood (international kindergarten), Elementary, Junior High (Grades 6–9) and High School (Grades 10–12). The site describes pathways from Pre‑K through the Alberta high‑school program.	Stages ISD serves Early Childhood (Pre‑K through Senior Kindergarten), Elementary (Grade 1–5) and Secondary (Grade 6–12). The school offers the IB Diploma Programme for Grades 11–12.
School type	School type CIS is a co‑educational international school that operates as a day school and offers boarding for secondary students. The boarding programme and dormitory facilities are available to students in Grades 7–12.	School type ISD is a co‑educational day school; the campus and public materials describe it as a day school rather than a boarding school. The school was established in 2012 and presents itself as an international school operating in China.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school provides English Language Learning (ELL) with graded programs (elementary pull‑out and after‑school sessions, in‑class support in junior high, and credited ESL in high school) and assesses other learning‑support needs on an individual, at‑need basis. Admissions and the ELL pages describe assessment and tailored support arrangements.	Additional learning support ISD runs an English Language Learners (ELL) program to support students for whom English is not a first language, and core classes include English language goals alongside content goals. Secondary‑school pages note differentiated instruction and co‑teaching models; the counseling team provides academic, social and emotional support for students. For specifics about individual education plans or intensive SEN provision, the admissions office is the best contact.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation CIS follows the Alberta (Canada) curriculum and is accredited by the Alberta (Canada) government; it also uses the IB PYP framework in early years/elementary and offers AP courses at senior levels.	Country affiliation The school does not list an affiliation to a particular country; it operates as an international school in China and references an American Core Standards curriculum alongside its IB Diploma Programme authorization.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school does not list any religious affiliation on its public website; information and programme descriptions are secular in nature.	Religious affiliation There is no religious affiliation stated on the school website; ISD presents itself as a secular international school.
School day structure	School day structure The school operates full‑day programs (the site specifically notes full‑day Pre‑K and Kindergarten). Specific daily start/end times and break schedules are not published on the public pages; prospective parents are asked to contact Admissions or check the school calendar for division‑specific timetables.	School day structure ISD publishes an annual school calendar (term dates, holidays and PD days) but the public site does not publish a detailed, level‑by‑level daily timetable for student start/end times and break/lunch periods. The school does schedule campus visits and tours Monday–Friday (noted as 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for tour appointments); contact admissions for the current daily schedule for each age group.
Bus service details	Bus service details CIS offers a paid school bus service with zone pricing (examples listed on the admissions/fees page: a local 5 km zone, within‑Panyu and outside‑Panyu rates are published). Bus routes, fees and pickup areas are arranged through Admissions and are billed as optional extras. For exact routes, stops and current fees, contact the Admissions office.	Bus service details The school website does not publish a clear school‑run bus/shuttle schedule. There are public bus routes and nearby stops within walking distance and Metro Line 2 stations serving the area (local transit apps list routes such as 12, 219, X11, 快线16 and 79 near the campus). For any school‑arranged transport (school buses or private shuttles), contact the admissions office — they can confirm available routes, pickup points and safety arrangements.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - Application Processing Fee: RMB 2,000 (non‑refundable). - Enrolment/registration charges reported by school materials and published admissions summaries: Enrolment Fee: RMB 10,000 (one‑time) and Enrolment Deposit (applied as credit to fees): RMB 100,000 (one‑time). Tuition fees (by school year / per semester) - Pre‑Kindergarten / Nursery (age 2–4): RMB 188,000 per year / RMB 97,000 per semester. - Kindergarten to Grade 3: RMB 198,000 per year / RMB 102,000 per semester. - Grade 4–6: RMB 218,000 per year / RMB 112,000 per semester. - Grade 7–9: RMB 238,000 per year / RMB 122,000 per semester. - Grade 10–12: RMB 258,000 per year / RMB 132,000 per semester. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition may be paid annually or by semester. A full semester payment is due in advance of attendance for that semester. Mid‑semester starters are billed pro‑rata (month‑by‑month); months are pro‑rated using a 10‑month division and partial months (after the 15th) are treated as half‑months. Families with two or more children or CIEO graduates may be eligible for a 5% discount on basic tuition (exclusions apply). Boarding and transport - Boarding (secondary students only): RMB 35,000 per year. - School bus (annual): RMB 9,800 (within 5 km Merchant Hill); RMB 12,800 (within Panyu); RMB 17,800 (outside Panyu). Other mandatory / optional costs - Meal fees (annual): commonly published figures range (kindergarten/elementary and secondary differ); examples reported: RMB 9,800 per year (meal plan), breakfast/dinner charges for boarding also published separately. - School uniform: approx. RMB 2,880 (new students required). - Bedding (new boarding students): approx. RMB 500–600. - Materials, insurance and experiential learning fees: approx. RMB 7,200 per year (typical itemization). - ELL support: published amounts vary by placement (examples: RMB 10,000–20,000 per term/semester depending on assessment). Refund information - The Application Processing Fee is non‑refundable. The Enrolment Deposit is published as credit toward school fees; other refund details are part of the school's formal fee and refund policy. Fee payment instructions - The school's published policy requires payment in advance of the semester start and invoices/fee statements are issued; payment instructions are supplied with billing. (Tuition currency and specific payment channels are provided on school invoices.)	Fee details Application fees - Non-refundable application fee: RMB 2,000 for Pre‑K to SK; RMB 3,000 for Grades 1–12. Paid in cash to complete the application. Tuition fees (payment options shown per grade band) - Grade 9–12: Per semester RMB 122,600; Single (annual) payment RMB 233,600. - Grade 6–8: Per semester RMB 117,200; Single (annual) payment RMB 223,300. - SK–Grade 5: Per semester RMB 110,800; Single (annual) payment RMB 211,000. - Pre‑K–JK: Per semester RMB 66,000; Single (annual) payment RMB 126,000. - Tuition includes: all text and resource materials, library/database memberships, high‑speed/wireless internet access, one PE uniform set, teacher‑led after‑school activities, sports/fitness facility access and annual maintenance. Billing schedule and payment terms - School issues tuition billing by email at least one week before each tuition payment due date. Fees may be paid by wire transfer or bank card. Wire transfer details and invoice information are handled by ISD Accounting (accounting@i‑s‑d.org). All bank charges are borne by the payer. Parents must include student name and grade on transfer instructions and email proof of transfer to the Accounting Office. - Payment plans offered: Annual single payment or two‑installment semester plan. Invoices specify the exact due dates. Late payment administrative charge of RMB 100 per day applies from the first day after the invoice due date; records are held after 20 days and the student may be suspended after 30 days of non‑payment. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable: ISD operates as a day school. (No boarding program/boarding fees.) Other costs and fees - English Language Learner assessment: initial test included in application fee; each additional retake RMB 500. - School bus (transportation) fee and lunch/meal plan are charged separately; specific rates are announced each year. Additional uniform items are available via the ISD uniform online store (tuition includes one PE set). Refund and withdrawal - Withdrawal must be submitted in writing to Admissions. A Withdrawal Administration Fee of RMB 20,000 applies. The policy uses a decreasing‑refund rule (a 10% reduction of refundable tuition for each successive month of enrollment after the school year begins) and provides specific examples of refund timing and amounts in the school's tuition and fees policy. Note: some time‑period examples and percentages are set out in the fees document; parents should follow the written withdrawal procedure to trigger refund calculations. Payment options summary - Accepted: Wire transfer (bank transfer) and bank card. Bank transfer fees charged to the payer; proof of payment must be emailed to ISD Accounting.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Canadian International School of Guangzhou delivers the Alberta (Canada) K–12 curriculum, integrates the IB Primary Years Programme framework across early years and elementary levels, and offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses in senior high. Early Childhood (ages 2–5) follows a play‑based, IB‑aligned program that also uses Alberta kindergarten outcomes; Elementary (Kindergarten/age 5–Grade 6) teaches Alberta Programs of Study through Units of Inquiry in English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies while also scheduling PE, art, music, Mandarin and IT. Junior High (Grades 7–9) continues the Alberta curriculum with an inquiry approach and provides English Language Learning (ELL) support embedded in core subjects for students who need it. High School (Grades 10–12) follows Alberta senior‑secondary courses; on completion of required credits students receive the Alberta High School Diploma, and AP courses are offered as enrichment (AP Calculus and AP Physics were introduced for 2024–25). Mandarin instruction is provided across divisions in native and non‑native streams, and the school supplements classroom learning with after‑school activities and university‑counselling services to support language development and post‑secondary pathways.	Curriculum details ISD serves Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 as a coeducational day school. English is the language of instruction. The curriculum combines an American Core Standard Curriculum with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for Grades 11–12. ISD is an IB World School authorized to deliver the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The teacher–student ratio is 1:5 and the school offers 90+ extracurricular options. ISD graduates have progressed to universities around the world.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio The teacher–student ratio is 1:5.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results ISD graduates study at some of the world's most prestigious colleges and universities. The first cohort of IB graduates completed in 2017. ISD is an IB World School.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression ISD graduates pursue higher education at universities around the world. The first IB graduates were in 2017. ISD is an IB World School with authorization to deliver the Diploma Programme. ISD prepares students for higher education through an American core curriculum and the IB Diploma Programme for Grades 11–12.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented ISD offers 90+ extracurricular options. The campus supports House League, After School Activities, Athletics, Creativities and Week Without Walls. The Maker Space includes robotics, a laser cutter and a 3D printer.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and eligibility check — Contact the Admissions Office to begin. Parents should confirm eligibility (CIS accepts students who hold foreign passports, including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) before completing the online application form; if you are unsure, ask Admissions so you do not complete unnecessary paperwork. You can request a campus tour or an online information session — tours are available year-round but appointments are recommended. 2. Complete the application and gather documents — Fill in the school's Application Form (the site links to the online form) and prepare required documents: a recent photo, the student's passport information page, both parents' passport copies, and school records (current year and previous full-year reports and any standardized test results). Note the non‑refundable application processing fee (stated on the admissions page) is required when you submit — this fee covers review, one test and an interview. Keep certified/translated copies ready if your documents are not in English. 3. Arrange assessment and interview — After submission you will be scheduled for an admissions assessment and an oral interview; these are conducted in English and are used to determine grade placement and any language support needs. If you are outside Guangzhou the assessment and interview can be scheduled online; follow the instructions Admissions provides so your child is prepared (timing, platform, and materials). Expect the school to test English and, where relevant, to assess academic levels against the Alberta curriculum. 4. Learning support / ELL assessment — If the assessment indicates the student needs English Language Learning (ELL) or other additional learning support, the school will evaluate needs individually and may make ELL a condition of entry (especially above Grade 2). Parents should ask in advance about ELL costs, frequency, and how ELL lessons are scheduled relative to mainstream classes. If your child has documented learning support needs, disclose these early so CIS can confirm whether appropriate services are available. 5. Offer, acceptance and securing placement — Once assessments and document checks are complete, CIS will issue written notification of the outcome (offer or otherwise). To secure a confirmed place the FAQ states families must complete tuition payment — parents should clarify whether this means a deposit or full payment and ask for the exact invoice and payment deadlines. Ask Admissions for the written offer's conditions (start date, grade placement, any conditions such as continuing ELL). 6. Fees, payment timing and mid‑term starts — Tuition can be paid annually or by semester; fees are inclusive of experiential-learning fees, tests, materials and insurance, and the school invoices pro‑rata for students starting mid‑semester (monthly or half‑month rules apply as specified). Parents should request the full tuition table and a written copy of the school's refund and withdrawal policy before paying to make sure they understand deadlines and any penalties. Also note optional miscellaneous fees (boarding for Secondary students, bus fees) are charged separately. 7. Arrival and orientation — Arrange a campus visit or orientation before your child's first school day where possible; the Admissions Team normally arranges a meeting with a relevant head of school or teaching staff during visits. If you are relocating from overseas, inform Admissions early so they can accept documents by email and schedule an online interview if needed. For visa purposes the school can provide a “future student letter of enrolment” only after tuition fees have been paid; CIS does not provide visa‑application services.	Admissions 1. Schedule a campus tour. ISD invites prospective families to schedule a campus tour to learn about the curriculum, facilities, and community. Campus tours run Monday to Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., and an appointment is encouraged before you visit. 2. Start your application. Submit your application through our paperless admissions system using the Apply link. The admissions page directs you to start the online application and provides contact details for questions. 3. Admissions support. The admissions team provides guidance during the application process and can arrange campus tours as needed. 4. Transfer options and trial classes. For the 2025-2026 admissions season, ISD offers trial classes; prospective students can start the online application by scanning the QR code. Transfer students are welcome for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, and ISD invites families to visit the campus for a closer look. Ready to get started? Contact ISD admissions for more information.
Scholarships	Scholarships CIS publishes a formal Academic Scholarship Programme (2025–2026) on its website. The programme includes several categories: (a) a high‑value “Million RMB Scholarship” tied to Grade 12 graduates who receive offers from certain elite universities (Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, Oxford, Cambridge — the page describes awards up to one million RMB); (b) a Tuition Scholarship that can cover full tuition for high‑performing students entering Grade 10; and (c) an Excellence Scholarship recognising new and current students for academic achievement, leadership and contribution in areas such as STEM, arts and service. The scholarship announcement asks new families to contact Admissions for details and current students to speak with their Learning Partner (LP), so application procedures, eligibility criteria, selection timelines and award amounts appear to be managed directly by the school rather than through an open online application form; parents should contact Admissions to request the official scholarship guidelines and any deadlines.	Scholarships ISD offers a Merit-Based Scholarship Program. Details on eligibility and the application process are published by ISD. For inquiries, contact the admissions office.
Waitlist	Waitlist The school's public admissions pages (Admissions and FAQ) do not describe a formal waitlist or centralised ‘pool' system; instead CIS accepts applications year‑round and emphasises that offers are made subject to seat availability. Parents are explicitly advised to apply as early as possible because seats in each grade are limited, and the FAQ notes that placement is secured by completing tuition payment — which implies places are allocated on a first‑come/confirmed‑by‑payment basis rather than by an automatic ranked waitlist. If you need to know whether CIS will hold your application on a waiting list or maintain a priority order for late applicants, contact Admissions directly (phone, WeChat or email) to request the school's local practice for your child's grade.	Waitlist —
	View full profile →	View full profile →