Wahaha International School

1. Initial inquiry and tour. Start by scheduling a school tour or classroom visit so you can see teaching and student interaction in person; WIS recommends this as the first step and offers campus tours. During the visit ask for the Admissions calendar and whether there are upcoming assessment dates for your child's grade. (Source: WIS admissions/FAQ).

2. Confirm eligibility and prepare documents. WIS admits students in Grades 1–9 and gives priority to dependents of foreign nationals legally residing in China, residents of Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan with appropriate documentation, and Chinese nationals with foreign permanent residence — you will need passports, residence permits, Home Return Certificates or green cards as applicable. Before applying, gather those identity/residency documents, past school transcripts, recommendation letters (if available) and any standardized-test records the school requests. If you are unsure which documents apply to your family, request a short checklist from Admissions.

3. Submit the application and pay the application fee. Applications are submitted through the school's online application system (the site points families to hwis.openapply.cn) and require a non-refundable application fee (listed on the site as RMB 2,000). Complete the application form and upload the required documents carefully — the application fee confirms your application is processed but does not guarantee a place. If you have questions about forms or file formats, contact the Admissions office before submitting.

4. Assessment and parent interview. After the application is received, WIS's process typically includes a classroom observation/assessment and an interview with parents; for primary applicants there is a reading diagnostic and for middle-year applicants expect diagnostic tests plus English and math testing. The classroom observation shows how your child behaves in a real class setting; parents should prepare to discuss their child's academic history, learning needs, and family plans during the interview. If your child uses additional learning support or has health/IEP needs, disclose this early so the school can explain available support.

5. Decision timeline and offer. The school states applicants are usually notified within about two weeks after assessment, and WIS accepts applications year‑round and offers places on a rolling basis; this means decisions can come relatively quickly but availability depends on class capacity. Ask Admissions at your visit whether the specific grade you are applying to currently has spaces (each grade is divided into two classes with a maximum of 22 students per class). If offered a place, read the offer letter carefully for deadlines to accept and for any deposits or paperwork required to reserve the seat.

6. Enrollment, fees and next steps. If you accept an offer you will move to the enrollment stage, sign the school contract and arrange payment of tuition and associated fees; WIS publishes a fee schedule for each academic year (for 2025–2026 the site shows annual tuition of RMB 162,500 for Grades 1–5 and RMB 180,500 for Grades 6–9, plus meal and activity fees and uniform arrangements). Verify which fees are annual vs term, whether meals and activities are charged per year or per term, and how uniforms are purchased (the site indicates uniforms are bought by parents from a designated online shop). Confirm due dates, refund rules, and the school's preferred payment methods before completing enrollment.

7. Mid‑year and practical points. Because WIS runs rolling admissions, mid‑year applications are accepted but the school will place students according to available space and assessment results; ask Admissions how the school handles curriculum continuity and any pro‑rated fee arrangements. Also confirm start‑of‑school orientation dates, immunization or medical form requirements, and whether the school has any restrictions or requirements for international travel/visas relevant to enrollment. Keep copies of all submitted documents and receipts, and maintain contact with the Admissions office during the final steps.

WIS's public materials state the school accepts applications year‑round and offers places on a rolling basis, and the FAQ notes that parents are usually notified within about two weeks after assessment. The school website does not include a published, detailed waitlist or pool policy (it does not describe how a waiting list is maintained, the order for offers, or conditions for moving off a waitlist). If you are applying to a grade that is full, contact Admissions directly (phone or admission WeChat listed on the site) to ask whether the school operates an internal waiting list and how to register or keep your application active; Admissions can confirm current capacity and any family actions needed.