Korea International School Shenzhen vs Merchiston International School Shenzhen

	K Korea International School Shenzhen Shenzhen, China	M Merchiston International School Shenzhen Shenzhen, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 107,600 - 145,800	Fees / year RMB 138,000 - 148,000
Age range	Age range 4 - 18 years	Age range 4 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP)	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Advanced Placement (AP)
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 5	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2005	Opened 2018
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location KIS in Shenzhen is located in Nanshan District; the English site lists the address as No. 4357 Dongbin Road, Nanshan Street, Shenzhen. The About page gives simple public-transport directions (walk from Lilin Station Exit A) and a taxi instruction for the address. Office hours for the school office are published as Monday–Friday 08:00–17:00.	Location Longhua campus: No.12 Shilongzai Road, Dalang Sub-district, Longhua District, Shenzhen; Qianhai/Shekou campus: No.1009 Nanhai Blvd, Shekou, Nanshan, Shenzhen. Both campuses are in Shenzhen city; Longhua is inland (Dalang) while the Qianhai/Shekou site is in the Nanshan/Shekou area near the coast. The website lists full contact numbers and postcodes for each campus.
Stages	Stages The school operates a full PreK–Grade 12 programme: Preschool (Pre-K and KG), Elementary (Grade 1–6), Middle (Grade 7–9) and High School (Grade 10–12). Each division has its own curriculum page (Preschool, Elementary, Middle, High) on the school website. The public pages include a grade/age listing used for admissions.	Stages MIS is an all-through school serving Early Years through Year 13 (ages 4–18). The Longhua campus is the main all-through site; the Qianhai/Shekou campus is noted for Early Years and Junior provision.
School type	School type KIS is a private international day school serving children from preschool through Grade 12; the school describes itself as a school for students studying abroad and is an AP-authorized school and SAT test centre. The website lists paid school-bus services but does not describe any boarding provision.	School type Merchiston International School is a co-educational British international school and an overseas branch of Merchiston Castle School (UK). The school operates boarding provision across age-appropriate houses (boarders are organised in houses covering junior through senior year groups).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The website describes an English Language Learning (ELL) programme in Elementary and Middle School (ELL runs through Grade 8 in middle school) and says teachers cater to mixed-ability classes and tailor activities to reach all students. The school uses MAP Growth testing for ongoing assessment and notes counselling rooms are available in middle school.	Additional learning support Parents are asked to declare any additional support needs at application; all students are screened for additional support needs at entry and the school says it will make reasonable adjustments where appropriate. The site also refers to a Student Success Centre / support team for helping students with learning needs.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school was founded as Korea International School and was established in 2005; it was originally set up to serve Korean expatriate children and the site also notes the student body now includes many nationalities. The Chinese-language site name likewise identifies it as the Korean expatriate children's school in Shenzhen.	Country affiliation MIS is the authorised overseas branch of Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, Scotland; the school follows British-style provision and offers British pathways (IGCSE/A Level) alongside other options for senior years.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school website does not state any religious affiliation; material on the About and Academics pages focuses on academic programmes, language support and school mission rather than religious instruction.	Religious affiliation The school website does not list a religious affiliation for MIS; the founding school in Edinburgh (Merchiston Castle School) is described in public sources as non‑denominational.
School day structure	School day structure The school website publishes office hours (Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00) but does not give a detailed daily timetable (start/end times for lessons, break and lunch times) for each division. For exact start/end times and break/lunch arrangements, the admissions office or the school calendar/PDFs available from the school should be contacted.	School day structure Typical school routines shown on the site indicate a morning registration/form time around 07:45–08:00, lessons during the day, a school finish in the mid‑afternoon (~15:30) followed by co‑curricular activities/CCAs (often 15:45–17:00) and supervised study/evening programmes for boarders (evening study/homework and set bedtimes vary by year group). Exact start/end times differ slightly by phase and boarding house.
Bus service details	Bus service details KIS operates a paid school-bus service with published per‑semester fees for different catchment areas (for example, Shekou/Houhai/Nanyou listed at RMB 5,100 per semester; other zones have different rates). The admissions information notes designated stops must be used, that routes may change slightly each semester depending on demand, and gives a per-area fee table. The website does not name an external bus provider; for route maps, stop locations and current provider details contact Admissions.	Bus service details The school runs an optional bus/shuttle service for day students; parents are asked to book routes in advance and the service carries an additional fee (the school notes optional bus fees and that fees are non‑refundable once a term begins). Routes are organised to meet local requirements and parent demand. For specifics on routes, stops and fees you should contact Admissions.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - No separate application or admissions-test fee is listed on the school's published admissions/tuition page. The page lists required documents and an application form but does not show a standalone application fee amount. Tuition fees (per semester and per year) - Preschool (Pre‑K to K): RMB 53,800 per semester — Annual estimate (2 semesters): RMB 107,600. - Grades 1–6: RMB 63,800 per semester — Annual estimate: RMB 127,600. - Grades 7–9: RMB 69,800 per semester — Annual estimate: RMB 139,600. - Grades 10–12: RMB 72,900 per semester — Annual estimate: RMB 145,800. Entrance / admission fees - Entrance Fee (one‑time for new students): RMB 18,000. School bus / transport fees - Bus fees are charged per semester and vary by route: - Shekou / Houhai / Nanyou: RMB 5,100 per semester. - Kejiyuan / Qianhai / Nantou / Huaqiaocheng: RMB 5,300 per semester. - Baoan / Qiaoxiang / Chegongmiao: RMB 5,700 per semester. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is published on a per‑semester basis; annual tuition equals two semesters (per‑semester amount × 2). The site states payments must be made “by the specified deadline” but does not publish specific payment dates or installment deadlines on the public tuition page. Additional activity or after‑school charges may be billed separately. Boarding fees - No boarding or dormitory fees are listed; the published materials do not indicate a boarding option. Other costs - School uniform: charged only when an individual elects to purchase extra uniform items (no fixed uniform price listed on the tuition page). - Additional fees may be charged for outdoor school activities, after‑school programs and similar items (details noted as attached to the application form). Sibling discounts are published: second child 5% off tuition; third child — 50% discount on entrance fee and tuition (when siblings are concurrently enrolled). Refund information - The public tuition/ admissions page does not specify refund rules or a refund policy for entrance, tuition or other fees. Fee payment options - The school's public admissions/tuition page does not list accepted payment methods (bank transfer, credit card, etc.). Summary of missing details: The published admissions/tuition page provides per‑semester tuition, entrance fee, bus fees, sibling discounts and notes on additional charges and uniforms, but it does not publish a distinct application/test fee, specific billing deadlines, refund policy language, or the accepted payment methods. The school's application form or admissions office holds further billing and payment‑term details.	Fee details Application fees and deposits - Application fee: RMB 2,000 (non‑refundable, non‑transferable; payable at time of application). - Security / enrolment deposit: RMB 18,000 (refundable as stated by the school's fee policy). Tuition fees by year group (annual and per‑term amounts) - Early Years / K2 (age 4): Annual tuition RMB 200,000 — Per term (calculated as annual ÷ 3) RMB 66,667 (rounded). (Per‑term value is derived by dividing the published annual fee by three; the school's fee policy uses the term as the billing period.) - Kindergarten 3 and Years 1–5 (age 5–10): Annual tuition RMB 235,000 — Per term RMB 78,333 (rounded). - Years 6–11 (age 11–15): Annual tuition RMB 335,000 — Per term RMB 111,667 (rounded). - Years 12–13 (age 16–17): Annual tuition RMB 370,000 — Per term RMB 123,333 (rounded). Boarding fees - Boarding arrangements and costs vary by year group. For younger junior years boarding is offered as an optional extra (reported example: RMB 70,000 per year where boarding is optional); in higher secondary years boarding is included in the published senior tuition totals. Parents should note the published annual figures above reflect whether boarding is included for that year group. Other costs and recurring extras - Additional fees that may apply include: school lunch (for day students), exam fees for IGCSE/A‑Level, textbooks, fee‑paying co‑curricular activities (CCAs), individual music lessons, optional bus service and uniform shop purchases. Bus fees and other term‑based services have the school's stated no‑refund rule once a term commences. Billing schedule and payment terms - Fees are billed in RMB. The school issues invoices and requires payment by the due date stated on each invoice. The school refers to fees and adjustments on a term basis and calculates pro‑rata charges for students joining after a term starts. Late payments incur a monthly penalty (1.5% as stated). Refund and withdrawal information - If a registered student fails to enrol, 90% of the tuition will be refunded. For withdrawals after starting, the school's refund formula is: Actual tuition fee ÷ 184 (instruction days) × (184 − days actually attended). Refunds will be processed within 15 working days after the academic year end; the original tax receipt (Fapiao) must be returned as part of the refund process. Fee payment options and surcharges - Primary payment method: the school's online portal (School Pal). The school accepts in‑person credit card payments at the Finance Office (surcharges apply: 1% for domestic cards; 3% for foreign‑issued cards). Employer payments are accepted by bank transfer; all bank charges are the payer's responsibility. Discounts and sibling policy - A sibling discount is applied to tuition and boarding fees for second and subsequent children (commonly reported as 5%). Note: The school's published fee chart and the school's fee policy set the formal terms, billing dates and any grade‑specific boarding inclusions; the payment, refund and surcharge rules above are taken from the school's fee policy.
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 Korea International School Shenzhen (KIS) provides an English‑medium curriculum from preschool through Grade 12, organised as Preschool (Pre‑K/KG), Elementary, Middle (Grades 7–9) and High School (Grades 10–12). Preschool comprises Pre‑K (age 4) and KG (age 5) with a developmental curriculum in phonics and literacy, mathematics, science, life skills, creative activities, Chinese as a second language, physical education (yoga/taekwondo/swimming), music and arts. Elementary focuses on core subjects taught in English (English reading/writing, math, science, computer, PE, music, art), supplemented by ELL support, second/third languages (Korean, Chinese, Spanish) and after‑school STEM and clubs. Middle school (Grades 7–9) includes English Language Arts, Mathematics (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2), Social Studies, Science, Chinese plus a third‑language option, computer, PE, music, art & design, with ELL support and MAP Growth benchmarking. High school (Grades 10–12) prepares students with subject pathways including AP‑level options (AP Precalculus/Calculus, AP Biology/Chemistry/Physics, AP Economics/Psychology, AP Computer Science and others); KIS is a College Board‑certified AP school and an SAT test centre, and uses MAP Growth data to monitor progress.	Curriculum details Merchiston International School Shenzhen delivers a British-style programme from Early Years through Key Stage 5; its Early Years provision (age 4–5) is aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Key Stages 1–3 (Years 1–9) follow a broad British curriculum covering core subjects (English, mathematics, science) alongside Chinese, humanities, art, design & technology, computing and physical education. Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11) is based on the IGCSE programme, with core IGCSEs in English, mathematics, Chinese and the sciences and a range of elective options in humanities, languages, creative and technical subjects. Key Stage 5 (Years 12–13) offers Cambridge International A‑Levels or Edexcel A‑Levels across STEM, humanities, creative and language pathways, and students can also undertake an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Senior phases include dedicated university guidance, personalised support and co‑curricular opportunities to complement the examined qualifications.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	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. Parents should confirm which academic year the form covers (the site lists details for 2025/26) and ask whether any deadlines or intake windows apply for that year. Note that the school posts notices and calendar items on its website, so check those before you apply. 2. Submit application and required documents — Complete and submit the Admission Application Form together with the required documents: the applicant's passport and visa, parent passports and visas, vaccination records, transcripts from the past year, a certificate of enrollment, and a recommendation letter if available. The school states that submitted documents become the property of KIS Shenzhen and will not be returned, so provide copies and keep originals safe. Parents should ensure document dates and translations (if needed) meet the school's expectations before submission. 3. Schedule a visit and meet school leadership — After applying, schedule a school visit and a meeting with the principal or head of the relevant school section (Preschool, Elementary, Middle, High). During this meeting you can confirm curriculum fit, ask about class size, and discuss any special educational or medical needs your child has; bring originals of key documents to the meeting if requested. Visiting also helps families confirm bus routes and campus logistics listed by the school. 4. Admission assessment — Applicants are required to take an admission test; the school's admissions sequence lists “take the admission test” as a formal step. Ask the admissions office what subjects and formats are used for your child's grade (e.g., English literacy, math, or age-appropriate assessments) and whether there is an interview component. If your child needs accommodations for testing, request them in advance from the admissions office. 5. Receive confirmation of admission — If a seat is available and the child meets the admissions requirements, the school will issue an admission confirmation. If no seat is available at the time of application, the website states the student will be added to the waiting list (see waitlist section below). Parents should confirm the timeline for receiving the written confirmation and what information (start date, class assignment) it will include. 6. Payment and enrolment finalisation — Once admitted, make payments by the specified deadline to secure the place. The site lists an entrance fee (RMB 18,000) and per-semester tuition rates for 2025/26 (Preschool RMB 53,800; G1–G6 RMB 63,800; G7–G9 RMB 69,800; G10–G12 RMB 72,900) and notes additional charges may apply for outdoor activities and after-school programmes. Ask the school for an itemised invoice, the accepted payment methods, the deadline for each fee, and whether bus fees (vary by route) or uniform purchases are billed separately.	Admissions 1. Enquiry and initial application — Contact Admissions, complete the school's application form and submit it with the required supporting documents and proof of payment of the non‑refundable application fee. Parents should include current passport/ID details, recent school reports, any assessments or Individual Education Plans, and a completed medical declaration so the school can identify support needs early. The school provides downloadable application material and specific contact emails for Longhua and Shekou admissions. 2. Admissions checks and entry assessment — After the application is accepted, the Admissions Department schedules the appropriate assessments. All applicants from Year 3 (age 7) and above take an online entrance assessment; Juniors (Years 1–2) are normally assessed by a meeting with the Head of Juniors and often by a morning or day in class, while Senior applicants sit CAT4 (cognitive) plus an English test and an interview. Parents should ask which specific test their child will sit, whether the assessment can be arranged at the current school (for overseas candidates), and whether EAL or SEN screening applies. 3. Interviews and trial visits — For many junior applicants the school recommends, and sometimes requires, a classroom trial or in‑person meeting; for senior applicants an interview with the Head of Seniors (and Head of Sixth Form for Years 12–13) forms part of the decision. Parents should prepare recent school reports and be ready to discuss any English‑as‑an‑additional‑language (EAL) needs or learning support so the school can assess whether it can provide appropriate support. The Head of Section has discretion to request additional evidence or a Student Support review if additional learning support is suspected. 4. Decision and acceptance — The Head of the admitting section (supported by Admissions and the Head of School) informs parents whether an offer is approved. To secure an offered place parents must confirm acceptance and pay the placement/security deposit (stated on the school invoice as RMB 18,000); the offer may be withdrawn if the deposit is not paid by the invoice deadline. Parents should note the school's invoicing currency (RMB), payment channels, and the credit‑card surcharges and deadlines set out in the fee policy. 5. Waiting list, refusal and re‑application — If places are full the school will place an approved applicant on a waiting list (placement is generally by date application + fee received, with some priority categories). If an application is denied, parents may reapply after six months and should follow any remedial recommendations given in the decline letter. Parents are advised to apply early and to keep their application documentation and contact details up to date while on the waiting list. 6. Pre‑entry requirements and ongoing obligations — Before attendance begins the school typically requests up‑to‑date medical checks and may take a confidential report from the applicant's current school; all students are screened for additional support needs on entry. Parents should understand the school's withdrawal and refund rules (for example, one‑term notice for withdrawal and the stated refund calculations) and the expectation that fees are paid by the due date to avoid late penalties or withheld reports. The school places students in year groups by age as of 1 September and will consider out‑of‑year placements case‑by‑case.
Scholarships	Scholarships The Korea International School Shenzhen admissions and tuition pages do not list any scholarships or a financial-aid programme; the site instead notes sibling discounts (second child: 5% off tuition; third child: 50% off admission fee and tuition) and itemises tuition, entrance fee, and bus fees for 2025/26. If you are specifically looking for need- or merit-based scholarships, the Shenzhen site gives no details, so contact the school's admissions office (WeChat: szkis2005 or info@kis.org.cn) to ask whether any discretionary awards, donor-funded scholarships, or external sponsorships are available. For context, other KIS campuses (for example, the Korean International School in Hong Kong) publish scholarship programmes on their own sites, but those programmes apply to their respective campuses and do not imply a scholarship programme in Shenzhen.	Scholarships Merchiston publishes a formal Scholarship Policy and runs a scholarship programme that applies to tuition fees only; other costs (boarding, application fees, lunches, extracurricular fees, uniforms, textbooks, etc.) remain payable by the family. Scholarship awards are tiered (examples published include full, 75%, 50%, 25% and smaller discounts) and are normally time‑limited and subject to renewal criteria (academic standards, conduct, attendance and participation), with specific durations varying by year group. The school runs multiple scholarship categories (academic, music, sport, leadership/service/global citizenship, and specific programmes such as a golf scholarship) and evaluates candidates using a mix of tests (e.g., standardised tests/CEM), interviews, written statements, references, and evidence of achievement; sporting scholarships use performance evidence and may require tournament rankings. Application windows and exact eligibility/award levels are published on the school site for specific cycles (for example the school has recent public scholarship campaigns and separate calls for particular programmes), so parents should check the current Scholarship Criteria page and contact Admissions for the latest timelines and the documents required.
Waitlist	Waitlist The school webpage explicitly states that students who apply for grades where no seats are available will be added to a waiting list. The site does not provide a public, detailed description of the waiting-list order, typical wait times, or whether offers from the waitlist are communicated by date of application, assessment results, or other criteria. Because the site's published information is limited, parents should confirm directly with the admissions office how the waitlist is managed (priority rules, whether deposits are required to hold a waitlist place, and how often the school offers places from the list).	Waitlist Merchiston operates a formal waiting list. Placement on the waiting list is generally determined by the date the application and application fee are received, though priority is explicitly given to (1) children of full‑time faculty, (2) qualified siblings of current students who have completed the application process, and (3) children transferring from another Merchiston Castle school. Positions on the waiting list are not disclosed to parents; if an applicant does not obtain a place for the term applied for they are automatically carried forward to the waiting list for the following term and, at the end of the academic year, to the appropriate year level for the new school year. The school advises early application because waiting‑list position and available spaces can change; for operational details parents should contact Admissions.
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