Limai Chinese American (International) School

Below is a step-by-step admissions process for Limai Chinese American (International) School (LCAIS). I was not able to load the school's official website (lcais.com) when I checked on January 1, 2026, so the steps below are drawn from recent third‑party school profiles and local admissions guides — please confirm the final details with the school's admissions office before applying.

1. Initial inquiry and campus visit (make an appointment). Parents normally begin by contacting admissions to request an on‑site visit or information session; the school asks that visitors reserve a visit in advance and give the student's name, intended grade and a parent contact number when booking. Open/visit times published on school profiles show set visiting hours on specific days (for example, weekday mornings and some weekend slots), so plan around those windows and expect to show ID at arrival.

2. Submit an application (multiple routes). Applications may be submitted through the school's online application system, by phone or in person at the admissions office; some third‑party pages list an online form plus phone hotlines as standard routes. When you apply, expect to provide preliminary details such as the child's name, birthdate, intended entry grade, previous school information and contact details; keep scanned copies of recent school reports ready to upload or hand in. If you need to reserve a spot for an assessment or open day, follow the admissions office directions promptly because popular grades and programmes can fill quickly.

3. Assessment: interview and testing (what to prepare). LCAIS requires a one‑to‑one interview and academic assessment for applicants; the interview outcome and test scores are used together with school reports to decide placement or admission. Published schedules show programme‑specific testing windows (for example, some international programme tests run on particular weekdays), so confirm the available test dates when you book. Required documents listed in admissions guides commonly include student photos, original and photocopies of household registration or passport/visa for non‑Chinese nationals, and the school's new‑student application form — bring originals for verification on test day.

4. Offer, fees and enrollment deposit (timing and refunds to note). If an offer is made, the school issues an admission notice and an enrollment pack by email; parents will be asked to complete the enrollment paperwork and pay the required fees or deposits to confirm the place. Published fee summaries from recent profiles show a wide range depending on programme and grade — bilingual/dual‑track and domestic‑style classes have lower ranges (roughly RMB 80,000–120,000 per year), while full international programme tracks (AP/A‑Level/other international programmes) typically appear in higher ranges (often RMB 100,000–190,000+ per year); some specialised international project fees are listed separately (for example, specific international project lines reported around RMB 190,000 per year). Also note published withdrawal/refund wording: third‑party summaries report that tuition refunds are tied to withdrawal dates (one example given: 80% of the semester fee refunded if withdrawal is submitted on or before September 1) — check the school's current refund schedule before paying. Make sure you get and keep a written fee schedule (invoice), the enrollment agreement and any deadline dates for payments.

5. Pre‑start orientation and registration (what happens after you accept). After fees are paid and documents processed, the school sends an "admission packet" with arrival/registration instructions; the school runs intake orientation/training sessions for new students and parents before term starts. Published material notes that some programmes schedule formal reporting/registration days in summer (for example, a new‑student reporting/registration window in early July for some projects); families should confirm exact reporting dates and any pre‑term requirements such as health checks, uniform orders, or placement testing. Keep copies of all submitted documents and evidence of payments, and confirm transport and meal arrangements ahead of the first day.

Third‑party school profiles list that LCAIS offers scholarship awards (examples named in directories include a principal's scholarship and subject/academic scholarships), but I did not find a published, detailed scholarship policy online showing eligibility criteria, application deadlines, award amounts, or whether awards reduce tuition versus covering fees/boarding. Available summaries note the existence of awards but do not explain whether scholarships are competitive (exam/portfolio‑based), means‑tested, renewable, or one‑off. If you want to pursue scholarship consideration, ask admissions for: (1) the types of awards currently offered, (2) the application or nomination process (required documents, tests or auditions), (3) deadlines and award notification timing, and (4) whether an awarded scholarship applies to tuition, boarding, or other fees and whether it is conditional on academic performance. The directories I consulted that mention scholarships are helpful to confirm that awards exist but do not substitute for the school's latest official policy — please request the school's current scholarship guidelines in writing.