Harrow Hong Kong Children School Shenzhen Qianhai vs Shekou International School

	H Harrow Hong Kong Children School Shenzhen Qianhai Shenzhen, China	S Shekou International School Shenzhen, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 185,400 - 252,700	Fees / year RMB 182,000 - 316,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), French Curriculum, Chinese National Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 1,100
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin, Cantonese	Instruction language English, French, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 2023	Opened 1988
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Harrow Hong Kong Children School Shenzhen Qianhai is located at No.1 KeChuang Road 6, Nanshan District, Shenzhen City. It is in the Shenzhen Qianhai area within the Greater Bay Area.	Location Shekou International School is located in Shekou, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, with three nearby campuses: Jingshan (Early Primary) on Nanhai Boulevard, The Bay (Upper Primary) on Gangwan Avenue, and Net Valley (Secondary) in the Net Valley / industrial-innovation area. The three sites are within walking distance of one another (the Bay and Jingshan are about a 15-minute walk; Net Valley is roughly a further 15–20 minutes). For exact addresses and campus maps see the school's contact and directions pages.
Stages	Stages Kindergarten (Pre-K to K3); Primary School (Grade 1-6); Secondary School (Grade 7-12). The school provides for students from age 2 to 18.	Stages SIS serves Nursery through Grade 12 (ages about 2–18) across three campuses: an Early Primary (Nursery–K) campus, an Upper Primary (Grades 1–5) campus, and a Secondary campus (Grades 6–12). The school runs both an International Programme and a French International Programme.
School type	School type Boarding	School type SIS is a private, not-for-profit, co‑educational international school governed/managed by International Schools Services (ISS). The school's published information describes day-school programmes only; no boarding provision is indicated.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme providing tailored English language support.	Additional learning support The school publishes a Student Support (Learning Support Services) programme that provides in-class and small-group interventions, a full-time learning support specialist on each campus, EAL (English as an Additional Language) support using a sheltered-immersion model, and counselling services for social/emotional and academic needs. Campuses also have designated small-group spaces (the FAQs mention a sensory space) and the school asks families to disclose learning needs at application so appropriate services can be considered.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation SIS is located in China but is not affiliated with a particular national education authority; it is owned and managed by the international organisation International Schools Services (ISS).
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is stated on the school website; SIS presents itself as a secular/international day school.
School day structure	School day structure Boarders follow a structured and fixed daily schedule with dedicated evening prep time and guided study.	School day structure Published FAQs state the usual school day runs 8:00–15:00 for Nursery through Grade 5 and 8:30–15:30 for Grades 6–12. The school also offers after‑school activities (ASAs) and an after‑school bus service for students taking activities.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details SIS provides paid two‑way bus transportation across Shenzhen; fees cover daily two‑way service and a separate afternoon run is provided for students in after‑school activities. Buses are described as fully licensed, air‑conditioned, fitted with seatbelts, and supervised by two bus attendants; routes are fixed and only registered riders may use them. The school uses a bus‑tracking app and asks parents to be prompt at pick‑up; young children (up to Grade 5) must be met at afternoon drop‑off or will be returned to school and parents contacted. For route details or to register contact sisbus@sis.org.cn or the school admissions office.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Assessment fee - A non-refundable, non-transferable assessment fee of RMB 3,000 is required for each application. Facility deposit - A facility deposit of RMB 25,000 is required. The school reserves the right to offset any amounts owed by parents against this deposit; the refund of the deposit is subject to the school's Terms and Conditions. Tuition and boarding fees (2025/26) — amounts in RMB - Tuition fees are billed per academic year and are payable in two instalments as shown below. Parents complete payment of Tuition and Boarding Fees in two instalments directly to the school. - Pre-K: Yearly tuition RMB 185,400 — First instalment RMB 92,700; Second instalment RMB 92,700. - K1: Yearly tuition RMB 185,400 — First instalment RMB 92,700; Second instalment RMB 92,700. - K2: Yearly tuition RMB 185,400 — First instalment RMB 92,700; Second instalment RMB 92,700. - K3: Yearly tuition RMB 185,400 — First instalment RMB 92,700; Second instalment RMB 92,700. - Grade 1: Yearly tuition RMB 185,400 — First instalment RMB 92,700; Second instalment RMB 92,700. - Grade 2: Yearly tuition RMB 185,400 — First instalment RMB 92,700; Second instalment RMB 92,700. - Grade 3: Yearly tuition RMB 185,400 — First instalment RMB 92,700; Second instalment RMB 92,700. - Grade 4: Yearly tuition RMB 185,400 — First instalment RMB 92,700; Second instalment RMB 92,700. - Grade 5: Yearly tuition RMB 185,400 — First instalment RMB 92,700; Second instalment RMB 92,700. - Grade 6: Yearly tuition RMB 185,400 — First instalment RMB 92,700; Second instalment RMB 92,700. - Grade 7: Yearly tuition RMB 219,100 — First instalment RMB 109,550; Second instalment RMB 109,550. - Grade 8: Yearly tuition RMB 219,100 — First instalment RMB 109,550; Second instalment RMB 109,550. - Grade 9: Yearly tuition RMB 219,100 — First instalment RMB 109,550; Second instalment RMB 109,550. - Grade 10: Yearly tuition RMB 252,700 — First instalment RMB 126,350; Second instalment RMB 126,350. - Grade 11: Yearly tuition RMB 252,700 — First instalment RMB 126,350; Second instalment RMB 126,350. - Grade 12: Yearly tuition RMB 252,700 — First instalment RMB 126,350; Second instalment RMB 126,350. Boarding fees - Boarding fee for an academic year is RMB 102,000 — First instalment RMB 51,000; Second instalment RMB 51,000. Boarding fees are paid according to the school billing schedule. Sibling discount - Discounts for siblings attending concurrently: - Second child: no discount. - Third child: 5%. - Fourth child: 10%. - Fifth child and subsequent children: 15%. Other costs and fees - School uniform: Uniforms are designed by the school and parents purchase uniforms directly from appointed manufacturers; parents pay uniform costs themselves. - School bus: School bus fee is RMB 19,000 per school year (including tax). The bus fee payment cycle and method follow the school tuition fee cycle; a school bus agreement must be signed before using the service. - Catering: Catering is charged on a consumption basis by contracted vendors; parents pay catering charges as consumed. - Textbooks and learning materials: Some textbooks and supplementary exercise books published in Hong Kong are purchased directly from the contracted textbook company and must be paid for by parents. - Other possible charges: When applicable, parents may be invoiced separately for examination fees, certain extracurricular activities, expeditions, trips, and additional materials. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition and boarding fees are payable in two instalments; the amounts for each grade are split into equal first and second instalments as listed above. Parents complete payment of these instalments directly to the school. For the school's fee ledger and billing dates, parents must follow the invoices issued by the school. Withdrawal and refund information - A full Term's Notice must be given in writing when withdrawing a student. If a full Term's Notice is not provided, a Term's Fees in lieu will be due and payable at the rate applicable on the invoice date even if the place is subsequently filled. - The assessment fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. The facility deposit refund is handled in accordance with the Terms and Conditions signed by parents and the school. Fee payment options and enquiries - Specific payment methods (for example, bank transfer or credit card) are not detailed in the published fee summary; payment is completed directly to the school following the invoicing instructions provided by the school. For fee- or payment-method enquiries contact the Admissions team at admissions@harrowhkcsshenzhen.cn or by telephone: - Ms Feng (PreK–Grade 3): +86 135 3820 2405 - Ms Wu (Grade 4–8): +86 135 3820 3405 - Ms Chen (Grade 9 and above): +86 138 2351 3946.	Fee details Application fees - Application processing fee: RMB 2,000 (non‑refundable; typically applied to tuition upon enrollment). Tuition fees (summary by school phase) - Early years / Preschool: approximately RMB 80,000 – RMB 175,000 per year (typical range reported for pre‑K/kindergarten). - Primary (Upper Primary / Elementary): commonly around RMB 202,000 per year (sources report Primary yearly fees at about this level). - Secondary / High School: reported annual tuition commonly in the RMB 202,000 – RMB 209,000 range; some published summaries place SIS overall annual tuition across grades within a wider band of roughly RMB 182,000 – RMB 316,000. Per‑term detail and billing schedule - The school issues invoices for the full school year; the full year's fees are normally due within four weeks of invoice receipt. Late penalties are applied for overdue payments. An annual re‑registration deposit (reported as RMB 8,000) is requested each March and is applied to the next year's tuition. Boarding fees - Shekou International School operates as a day school; boarding is not listed as an option. No boarding‑fee schedule applies. Other costs (examples commonly charged) - School bus: optional service with a termly/annual charge; routes and fees published for each school year. - Co‑curricular/ASA charges: many after‑school activities are free or nominally charged; some external/community‑led ASAs are charged to parents. - Typical additional items that parents should expect: lunches/cafeteria, excursions and field trips, textbooks/student resources, uniforms, and occasional activity or examination fees. (These items are commonly charged at SIS and peer schools.) Refunds and deposits - The application fee is non‑refundable. The March re‑registration deposit is applied to tuition; standard school policies hold parents responsible for fees and outline late/forfeiture conditions. Fee payment options and currency - Fees are payable in RMB by bank transfer; the school publishes Bank of China account details for RMB and a US$ account. Payment in US$ or other currencies must be arranged with the school's accounting office in advance. Parents are asked to provide transfer slips/identifiers as instructed.
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 Kindergarten children benefit from a multi-faceted AISL Harrow designed curriculum tailored for our youngest learners. Students in Grade 1 to Grade 9 follow the Hong Kong curriculum, fully integrating the culture of the Greater Bay Area. In Grades 10 to 12, students can opt for either the DSE or IBDP curriculum. The Harrow Values—Courage, Honour, Fellowship and Humility—are embedded throughout the education experience and guide students to act with integrity, embrace challenges, and build strong relationships. The six Harrow leadership attributes are woven into the fabric of the curriculum: contributing positively to the community; applying knowledge with compassion; solving problems collaboratively; solving problems creatively; making fair and just choices; facing challenges with determination.	Curriculum details Shekou International School follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) in its primary years. The school offers a Chinese Bilingual Programme for Grades 1–5 and provides Mandarin (CSOL) from Kindergarten through Grade 12; it also runs a French international pathway from pre-school through the primary years that can continue into the upper grades. For middle school (typically Grades 6–10) SIS is an IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) candidate and implements the MYP framework across the eight subject groups, including a Personal Project. Senior students (Grades 11–12) follow the IB Diploma Programme (DP), with DP course options that include subjects such as IB Music, IB Visual Arts and IB Film Studies alongside the core DP elements and university preparation. Across all stages the curriculum is delivered through inquiry-based, student-centred approaches with co-curricular offerings in arts, athletics and activities, and the school holds WASC accreditation.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates go on to top universities worldwide. The school supports dual-path routes through DSE or IB Diploma Programme to prepare students for admission to leading higher education institutions.	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented A Super-curriculum supplements the regular curriculum with clubs, guest speakers, debates, public speaking and competitions to challenge students beyond examinations. There is a strong STEAM focus with facilities and activities designed to develop critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving skills.	Gifted and talented —
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. APPLICATION. Applications have limited openings for each academic year, so early submission is encouraged. Applications will be considered only if seats are available; contact the admissions team to understand vacancies. Citizenship/residency categories determine priority, including children of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents (priority to those who work and live in the Qianhai Cooperation Zone); children with foreign passports (priority to those with a parent holding a foreign passport and living in Qianhai); children of Returning Overseas Talents (priority to those in the Qianhai Cooperation Zone); and children of Overseas Chinese (priority to those who work and live in the Qianhai Cooperation Zone). Special considerations for Hong Kong residents include two categories: Category 1 where one parent and the child are Hong Kong Permanent Residents, and Category 2 where the child is a Hong Kong Permanent Resident born in Hong Kong with both parents residing on the mainland. The successful applicant must demonstrate sufficient Chinese and English to access the curriculum. Parents of students with Special Educational Needs should consult with the admissions office before applying, as Harrow Hong Kong Children School Shenzhen Qianhai does not have facilities or staff to educate children with severe learning needs. The admission process varies by age; families should contact the admissions office for detailed information regarding the application process.	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and Open Day: Start by registering for an online Open Day (offered approximately every three weeks). The online Open Day introduces the school's programmes and campuses and families who attend are usually then invited to an in-person tour; you may also begin the formal application at any time. Parents should note the Open Day schedule and register early because tours and application slots can fill quickly. 2. In-person tour and school visit: After the online Open Day you will normally be invited to an in-person campus tour and, where appropriate, a classroom visit or playdate for the child. Use the tour to confirm practical details (which campus your child will attend, transport options, school hours and ASA schedules) and to ask about language support or learning‑support capacity. If you need language assistance, the admissions office includes Mandarin and Cantonese speaking staff; ask for their support when you book the visit. 3. Complete the online application and assemble documents: Submit the school's online application (SIS uses the OpenApply portal) and upload all required documents listed on the application. The Admissions Policy says a complete application must include the application fee and all specified documents (examples commonly required are passport/ID, immunization records, recent school reports, passport photo and teacher recommendation forms); incomplete applications cannot be processed and will be discarded after 30 days. Parents should prepare translated copies where needed and check the specific document list for the grade you are applying to before submitting. 4. Application fee and scheduling of assessment: After the application and the non‑refundable application fee are received the school schedules the child's assessment or playdate as relevant for the age/grade. The admissions FAQ sets out grade‑by‑grade assessment practice (examples: playdates for nursery; school‑designed English and maths tasks for mid‑year Kindergarten to Grade 1; MAP reading and MAP maths for Grades 2–5; MAP + essay for Grades 6–12; WIDA may be used where additional language information is needed). Expect the assessment to be paired with a short interview (student and parent) and plan travel/logistics around the scheduled assessment. 5. Disclosure of learning‑support needs and EAL considerations: If your child has an IEP or learning‑support needs you must supply all relevant documentation at application (recent testing, reports and current support plans). The Admissions Policy explains that SIS admits students with additional needs only where the school has the resources to meet those needs; decisions are made case‑by‑case and additional evaluation may be requested (at the family's expense). If your child will need English language support (EAL), be prepared for screening and for placement decisions that consider both the child's projected rate of language acquisition and available classroom balance. 6. Priority groups, decision categories and notification: Admissions decisions take into account priority categories (for example siblings, certain company‑sponsored families and expatriate passport criteria) as well as English proficiency, academic history and available space. The Director of Admissions will notify families of one of three outcomes: Accepted (place offered if space allows), Wait Pool (applicant meets requirements but the grade is full) or Not Accepted. Parents should check the offer letter carefully for any stated deadlines and the instructions the school supplies about next steps. 7. If placed on the wait pool or offered a place: If your child is placed in the wait pool you will remain on that list for the academic year applied for; the school reviews the pool as places become available and may re‑order consideration according to priority factors. If you receive an offer, the school's offer/acceptance instructions and the current fee schedule (downloadable from the Tuition & Fees page) will outline the required paperwork and payment items; follow those instructions and contact Admissions promptly if you need clarification. For administrative or fee questions, contact admissions directly (the admissions office publishes phone extensions and an email address on the school site). 8. Onboarding and first term arrangements: Once acceptance actions are completed the school will provide information on orientation, timetables, bus registration and other practical arrangements (uniform, lunch accounts, ASA sign‑up). Familiarise yourself with the school's communication platforms (Seesaw for Early Years/Primary; ManageBac for upper levels) so you can receive notices, homework and teacher messages. If your child will use the school bus or ASA programme, check the ASA fee practice and bus tracking options ahead of term start so you can register in time.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships SIS publishes two formal scholarship streams on its admissions pages and accepts applications through the online portal. - French International Programme Scholarship (ISS Global International Language Scholarship): This award supports students joining the French International Programme. It is intended for French speakers or those with appropriate French proficiency, is offered to students entering Grades 1–5, and is awarded for up to three years or until the student completes Grade 5. The application is made online and requires the standard application documents (application fee, passport, immunization record, photos, school reports where applicable, and a completed teacher recommendation form). The school assesses language proficiency (oral test), academic standing, and family interview; awards are limited, vary year to year, and recipients must meet behavioural, attendance and community expectations to retain the scholarship. Note the scholarship is not available to students whose tuition is paid directly or indirectly by an employer. For full eligibility, timelines (applications are typically required by 31 December for the scholarship window) and the list of required documents consult the French International Programme Scholarship page. - SIS Geckcellence Scholarship Competition: SIS also runs a Geckcellence Scholarship Competition; application and detailed information are published through the school's admissions links (application via OpenApply and further program details on the school's internal information pages). The number and value of awards can vary annually and are determined by the school based on available seats and funding. If you are interested in scholarship opportunities beyond these two named programmes, contact Admissions because additional or year‑specific awards and competitions may open in a given year.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist SIS uses a wait pool (not a strict numbered waitlist): if an applicant meets the school's admission requirements but the requested grade is full the applicant is placed in the grade's wait pool for that academic year. The school's Admissions Policy explains that a student's position in the wait pool can change if a subsequent application has higher priority (for example sibling or defined expatriate/company priority), and that applicants remain in the wait pool only for the academic year applied for. Parents may contact Admissions to roll an application into the next academic year beginning December 1st, but applications do not automatically carry over; if you want to be considered for a later year you must request rollover or reapply with updated documents. Because offers from the pool are made as seats open (and are influenced by priority and balance considerations) movement off the pool is unpredictable; contact Admissions for the current status and any grade‑specific guidance.
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