Qingdao Amerasia International School vs Yew Chung International School of Qingdao

	Q Qingdao Amerasia International School Qingdao, China	Y Yew Chung International School of Qingdao Qingdao, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 150,000 - 239,000	Fees / year RMB 171,000 - 257,000
Age range	Age range 1½ - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Montessori Curriculum	Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 200	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 7	Typical class size 4
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 2011	Opened 2006
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location QAIS is located at the Baishan Campus, Dongjiang, Shazikou, Laoshan District, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China 266102. The campus is in the Baishan area of Qingdao and is accessible via local transport within the city. The school operates as an international campus serving families from multiple nationalities.	Location The campus is located at 72 Tai Hang Shan Lu, Qingdao West Coast New Area, Shandong, PRC 266555. The campus is situated in Huangdao, Qingdao West Coast New Area. YCIS Qingdao serves expatriate students aged 2 to 18 (Kindergarten 2 to Year 13).
Stages	Stages QAIS serves students from 18 months to 18 years old. The school delivers Montessori programming for toddler and early childhood, and IB programs for the primary through secondary years, including IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). Lower School and Upper School structures align with these programs.	Stages Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary, Future
School type	School type QAIS is a co-educational day school. It does not operate boarding facilities.	School type International school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix Over 20 nationalities represented; culturally diverse learning environment.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support QAIS provides a dedicated Student Support team, including Learning Support, an English Language Support program (English Foundation Program), and multilingual counseling services. The school uses MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Support) to address academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs. Parents and teachers can refer students to the support programs as needed.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation QAIS is not affiliated with a specific country; it operates as an international school in China and holds approval from the Chinese Ministry of Education as International School No. 110.	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation QAIS does not have a religious affiliation. The school emphasizes a diverse, inclusive, non-denominational community, with a diversity pledge that includes all faiths.	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure A formal public listing of exact daily start and end times is not published on public pages; QAIS maintains a school calendar with sessions and activities. The school calendar confirms an ongoing, structured program across the academic year.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details QAIS offers a school bus service with routes organized as part of enrollment. Details about specific bus routes and arrangements are provided during enrollment, and families receive information about bus options through the admissions process.	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fee - Non-refundable application fee: CNY 3,000. Tuition fees (annual, by program / year group) - Montessori Toddler: CNY 150,000 per year. - Montessori / IB PYP Early Childhood: CNY 160,000 per year. - Montessori / IB PYP Grades 1–2: CNY 214,000 per year. - IB PYP Grades 3–5: CNY 214,000 per year. - IB MYP Grades 6–10: CNY 231,000 per year. - IB DP Grades 11–12: CNY 239,000 per year. Per-term / payment options and billing schedule - Tuition may be billed as a full-year payment or in half-year (semester) installments. Specific invoicing options and refund consequences differ for full-year payers versus half-year (semester) payers. Mid-year admissions are billed on a weekly prorated basis (based on a 36-week year; 32 weeks for DP2). Tuition for a mid-year start must be paid within seven (7) days of invoice and before the student begins attending. Families paying the full next year's tuition before March 30 may receive a CNY 2,000 discount. Boarding fees - QAIS does not list boarding fees in the tuition & fees policy; no boarding fee is published. Other compulsory or typical annual costs - Week without Walls (outdoor education / service trips for Grades 5–12): CNY 5,000–12,000 per year (standardized fee collected with the annual tuition invoice; final charges may be adjusted after trip costs are finalized). - School nutrition (daily snack and lunch): CNY 6,500 per year. - School transportation (bus): CNY 8,500 per year. - Deposit (refundable on graduation or withdrawal, subject to conditions): CNY 2,000. - Uniforms: purchased as needed via the school WeStore; no fixed annual uniform charge is required but ordering notifications are issued each March. The school expects students to wear uniform Monday–Thursday; Friday is casual dress. Late enrollment, prorating and temporary leave - Late/mid-year enrollment: tuition is prorated weekly based on a 36-week year (32 weeks for DP2), inclusive of the starting week. - Temporary leave: parents must notify the school in writing with reasons and expected return date; there is no refund of tuition or fees for a student on temporary leave. Refund information and withdrawal schedule - Effective 1 August 2025, refunds for voluntary withdrawal are provided according to the payment method selected (full-year payers versus half-year/semester payers): - For families who paid full-year tuition: maximum tuition refund schedule is 75% if withdrawal occurs before September 30; 50% if before December 16; 25% if before February 28; no refund after February 28. - For families who paid half-year (semester) tuition: the policy provides a different schedule (examples in the policy include 50% refund before September 30, no refund for Semester 1 in some windows, and 50% of paid amount for Semester 2 in others); final refund entitlement depends on the semester and date of withdrawal. Nutrition and transportation fees are refundable on a weekly prorated basis (36-week period; 32 weeks for DP2). Refunds are paid by check or bank transfer to the original paying account; refunds cannot be issued where a fapiao cannot be provided. Late payment charges and enforcement - Late charge: 2% per month on outstanding balances for the current school year. If fee payment arrangements are not made within 30 calendar days of the due date, the student may be suspended and the seat made available to new applicants. Tuition must be received by the school before a student may attend class. Payment methods and bank / account details (payment options) - Accepted methods: cash or bank transfer. The school may also accept payment to its account in US dollars. Credit card payment is not listed as an accepted method in the published policy. - Bank information published for transfers (Chinese account shown): - Account holder: Qingdao Amerasia International School (青岛美亚外籍人员子女学校). - Bank name: Bank of China, Qingdao Xianggang Xi Lu Sub-branch (中国银行青岛香港西路支行). - Account number: 2403 1242 6983. - SWIFT code: BKCHCNBJ500. - Payments in USD may be accepted to this account per the published policy. Parents are responsible for notifying the school of payment and ensuring correct remittance details when paying from company accounts (company registration information in Chinese may be required). Official invoices (fapiao) are issued when payment is received. Other relevant fee policies - Early-payment discount: Families paying the full next year's tuition before March 30 may receive a CNY 2,000 discount. - Week without Walls: the school charges a general standardized fee with the annual invoice and will reimburse or charge the difference once the trip cost is finalized. - Proof of receipt and invoicing: the school issues an official invoice (fapiao) after payment; refunds by bank transfer must be made to the same account from which the initial payment was made.	Fee details Application fee & Deposit - Application fee (new students, non-refundable): RMB 3,000. - Deposit (one-time, refundable, non-interest-bearing security deposit for ECE to Year 13): RMB 19,000. The School may apply the Deposit to any outstanding fees; if the Deposit is used to settle outstanding fees it must be repaid within three days. Tuition fees (per term and annual amounts) — Academic Year 2026/2027 (all amounts in RMB) - ECE – Kindergarten 2 to 4: Semester 1 (Aug–Dec): RMB 68,400; Semester 2 (Jan–Jun): RMB 102,600; Annual: RMB 171,000. - Primary – Years 1 to 4: Semester 1: RMB 90,400; Semester 2: RMB 135,600; Annual: RMB 226,000. - Primary – Years 5 and 6: Semester 1: RMB 91,600; Semester 2: RMB 137,400; Annual: RMB 229,000. - Secondary – Years 7 to 9: Semester 1: RMB 99,600; Semester 2: RMB 149,400; Annual: RMB 249,000. - Secondary – Year 10 (IGCSE): Semester 1: RMB 102,400; Semester 2: RMB 153,600; Annual: RMB 256,000. - Secondary – Year 11 (IGCSE): Semester 1: RMB 99,600; Semester 2: RMB 149,400; Annual: RMB 249,000. - Secondary – Year 12 (IBDP / A Level): Semester 1: RMB 102,800; Semester 2: RMB 154,200; Annual: RMB 257,000. (A Level relaunch initiative: a specific relaunch tuition is RMB 220,000 for participating students.) - Secondary – Year 13 (IBDP): Semester 1: RMB 99,600; Semester 2: RMB 149,400; Annual: RMB 249,000. Billing schedule and payment terms - Semester 1 or full annual tuition payment due no later than: 15 June 2026. Semester 2 tuition payment due no later than: 15 November 2026. - Mid-year (mid-term) enrolment: tuition is calculated on a monthly pro-rata basis based on a 10-month period (inclusive of the month of commencement); fees must be paid within ten (10) calendar days after issue of the Offer and before attendance begins. - Late payment charge: overdue school fees attract an overdue charge of 2% per month, compounded monthly. The School reserves the right to reassign a place or cancel enrolment for overdue accounts. - Discounts: - Early Bird: 5% discount on Annual Tuition Fees (tuition only) when full annual payment is received by the School's bank on or before 15 April 2026. - Annual Payment Discount: 3% discount on Annual Tuition Fees (tuition only) when full annual payment is received by the School's bank between 16 April 2026 and 15 June 2026. - Sibling discounts (full-day programme only): second eldest child: 15% off tuition; third child and onward: 20% off tuition. Sibling discounts cannot be combined with other discounts except as noted for Early Bird/Annual Payment. - Alumni children discount: 20% tuition discount for enrolled children of YCIS alumni (not combinable with other discounts). Residence hall / Boarding (optional; Years 7–13) - Residence hall service is available for Years 7–13. The School requires an advance/prepayment for additional living expenses and school activity fees for international boarding students; the estimated total advance is RMB 50,000 per student for the academic year. Actual expenses are deducted from this prepaid account with parental authorisation and any balance is refunded as applicable. School bus (optional) - School bus fees (K3 – Year 13; amounts shown per semester and annual): - Within 15 km: Semester 1 RMB 5,280; Semester 2 RMB 7,920; Annual RMB 13,200. - 15 km or over: Semester 1 RMB 6,120; Semester 2 RMB 9,180; Annual RMB 15,300. - Temporary or short-term bus arrangements are made subject to route and seat availability. School meals and catering (optional) - Recommended pre-pay top-up minimum: RMB 600. Suggested meal prices (per meal): Breakfast RMB 26 for all students; Lunch ECE RMB 40; Primary Years 1–2 set meal RMB 42–50; Primary Years 3–6 and Secondary Years 7–13: charges vary based on dining items and selections; themed-event catering charged separately. Uniforms and other compulsory items - School uniforms are required for all students ECE to Year 13 and must be purchased from the School's uniform supplier platform at supplier-set prices. New students must purchase one set in their first year; returning students may purchase individual pieces as needed. Other mandatory or common additional fees - International Student Administrative Service Fee (for students requiring the School's support with a Child Student Visa / Student Visa and related services): RMB 12,000 per international student. This covers additional administrative costs including visa support, international medical insurance, airport pickup, health checks and related services. - Advance Payment for additional living/activity expenses for international boarding students: estimated RMB 50,000 (prepaid). Refund information and departure procedures - Application Fee is non-refundable. - Deposit and tuition refund rules depend on the date the School receives a completed Departure Notice Form and the actual date of departure; specific refund thresholds for Deposit and Tuition Fees are set for Semester 1 and Semester 2 (examples: for Semester 1 the Deposit may be 100% refundable if the Departure Notice is received on or before 15 April 2026 in certain cases; tuition refunds for a semester vary by the date of departure—100% refund before semester start, 50% if by a later cutoff date, and no refund after specified cutoffs). All refunds are processed after completion of departure procedures and settlement of outstanding accounts; the Deposit is returned within 30 days after departure procedures are complete, subject to deductions for amounts owing. Detailed departure and refund timelines and conditions apply. - Temporary leave: there is no refund of Deposit or Tuition Fees for temporary leave. Specific rules apply for refunds of bus fees, meal balances and residence hall fees. Original receipts or fapiaos must be returned for refunds and tax or processing charges may apply. Fee payment options and settlement instructions - Accepted payment methods: - Bank remittance (preferred): payments may be made by bank transfer to the School's RMB domestic bank account or the overseas USD account; include the student's passport name in the remittance reference. Domestic and overseas account details are provided for bank transfers. - Pay in person: small cash amounts up to RMB 6,000 are accepted in person. Large cash payments, credit cards and personal cheques are NOT accepted. - Any payments received are applied first to the Deposit if it is outstanding; outstanding balances must be settled per the fee schedule. Overdue charges and reallocation/cancellation of places apply for unpaid accounts. Contacts for accounts and fee enquiries - Accounts Division contact for fee enquiries and assistance: Tel: 0532 8699 5551-3; email: fad.qd@ycis.com.
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 QAIS offers Montessori Toddler and Early Childhood programs accredited by the American Montessori Society and is an IB World School providing the full IB Continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). The school serves students from 18 months to 18 years, with PYP implemented in the lower/elementary years, MYP for ages 12-16, and DP for ages 16-18. In PYP, students engage with a Program of Inquiry consisting of six transdisciplinary units each year. In MYP, Language and Literature is offered in English, Chinese, and Korean, while Language Acquisition covers English and Chinese; core subject groups include Individuals and Societies, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical and Health Education, and Design Technology. The Diploma Programme provides the IB DP curriculum for the final two years, enabling university admissions worldwide. QAIS also features the Dream Lab robotics program, robust arts and athletics, and extensive after-school activities as part of its Beyond the Classroom offerings.	Curriculum details The school has a bilingual learning environment. It has a proven track record in IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio 4:1
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results IBDP pass rate: 20+.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Graduates go on to study at top universities worldwide, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, London School of Economics and Political Sciences, University College London, Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Los Angeles, Cornell University, National University of Singapore, and The University of Hong Kong.
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. Application Submission: Begin by completing the online application form at qais.openapply.cn or via the school site. If you have trouble filling out the form, call the admissions team at +86 532 8388-9900 for assistance. This step starts your admissions file and initiates the process of scheduling next steps. 2. Documents Submission: Submit the documents listed at this stage, including a recent passport photo, photocopies of the student's and parents' passport information pages, visa information page, a Medical Form with up-to-date immunization records, and academic records in English. If records are not in English, provide them with a certified English translation if requested. Include any available standardized test scores and documents related to any special needs testing or IEPs. 3. Application Fee Payment: Pay the application fee of 3,000 RMB via bank transfer, cash, or AliPay. A receipt is issued upon payment, and the fee is non-refundable. After payment, the receipt can be brought to the accounting office for official processing. 4. Assessment & Interview: After completing the documents and fee steps, an admissions officer will schedule your child's academic assessment and an interview. Acceptance is determined through a holistic review of the application materials, the assessment results, and the interview performance. English proficiency is specifically assessed to ensure access to the curriculum, and language placement may be considered if needed. 5. Tuition Payment: If your child is offered a place, the Financial Department will issue an invoice for tuition and fees. Payable within two weeks, during which time a health examination form should be completed. Tuition and fees details appear in the Tuition & Fees policy. QAIS can accept payment in US dollars to the designated account, but the amount withdrawn in RMB must align with the balance due. 6. Orientation & Enrollment: A school representative will schedule your enrollment date and invite you to an orientation to review policies, bus routes, email addresses, school uniforms, and other procedures. For Lower School enrollments, a parent–teacher meeting is arranged before the student begins.	Admissions 1. Enquiry & Visit: The Admissions Team assists with enquiries and visits for Kindergarten, Primary, and Secondary Programmes. Applications are welcome from eligible students of all nationalities, cultures, and educational and language backgrounds who share YCIS' philosophy and values, with flexibility for relocation; contact Admissions to check place availability. To apply, families must submit foreign identification and other documents that meet the regulations of the local government. 2. Placement: Year level and programme placement is based on multiple factors including academic performance, English language proficiency, skill development, prior years of schooling, social development, date of birth, and learning needs. Admissions assessments may include a one-on-one meeting or interview, a written placement test, an external assessment (for significant learning needs), and/or an online English language evaluation. Following assessment, the appropriate year level and programme are determined. The aim is to sustain a multicultural environment and balanced student community. 3. Waitlist: When a year level becomes full, YCIS Qingdao maintains a waiting pool of applicants. Children with enrolled siblings at YCIS receive priority in the admissions process. Families can contact Admissions to inquire about place availability. 4. Internal Transfer: All YCIS schools operate under the same educational philosophy, pedagogy, and curriculum. Internal transfers are convenient for families relocating within the network (not requiring the normal application process or fee). Internal transfer applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of the local government and will be assessed for admission and placement.
Scholarships	Scholarships QAIS offers scholarships and merit-based awards. The Scholars of Promise Award for DP 1 & 2 is a holistic selection process considering academic achievement, teacher references, an internal examination, and a personal essay, with awards granted based on overall merit. The Amerasia Global Youth Scholarship is designed to attract academically gifted international students from outside China and to support their experience in QAIS and in completing the IB Diploma Programme; inquiries are directed to the school's contact channels. These programs reflect QAIS's commitment to international mindedness and access to high-quality IB/Montessori education.	Scholarships YCIS Qingdao Scholarship Programme is open for the 2026–2027 academic year. It seeks students ready to shine from diverse backgrounds, and celebrates potential, passion, and the courage to grow. Every application tells a unique story, and the programme invites applicants to share their goals as part of the process.
Waitlist	Waitlist QAIS uses a Waitpool when a grade level reaches capacity. Applicants in the Waitpool are considered for admission only when an opening emerges and are not guaranteed a place based on the order of application; instead, admissions are determined by the school's priority ranking. The Admissions Office will notify a family immediately if a place becomes available.	Waitlist YCIS Qingdao maintains a waiting pool of applicants when a year level is full. Siblings enrolled at YCIS have priority in the admissions process. Families can contact Admissions to inquire about place availability during the waiting period. Admissions decisions are handled by the Admissions Team.
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