living · 25 April 2026
International school choice — a framework
How to think about international school selection in mainland China — the question to ask, in what order.
Choosing a school for an expat family in mainland China is the most-consequential single decision, and one that's heavily marketed-at. Here is a framework for thinking about it independent of the marketing.
The categories
Three broad categories of school in tier-1 mainland China:
1. **Full international schools** — admit only foreign passport holders or HK/Macau/Taiwan residents. Curriculum: IB, IGCSE+A-level, AP, or national curricula (American, British, Australian, German, French, Japanese). Tier-1 tuition: ¥250,000-¥350,000 per year per child. 2. **Bilingual private schools** — admit Chinese and foreign students. Curriculum is hybrid Chinese-international. Tuition: ¥80,000-¥200,000 per year. 3. **Public schools with foreign-children programs** — Mandarin medium. Free or near-free.
Question 1: How long are you staying?
- Less than 2 years: prioritise curriculum continuity with home country. If your child will return to a UK, US, Australian or German school, pick a school using the home curriculum. Smooth transition matters more than school 'best in class'.
- 2-5 years: priorities shift toward IB or another internationally-portable curriculum. Local Chinese curriculum elements become useful.
- 5+ years or permanent: bilingual schools become competitive — your child gets functional Mandarin, which is the single largest cumulative benefit.
Question 2: What's the home-country target?
- UK university entry: A-level or IB. UK-curriculum schools (Wellington, Dulwich, Harrow) score well here.
- US university entry: AP (American curriculum) or IB.
- Continental European universities: national curricula (German Embassy School, Lycée Français, Italian School).
- Australia / NZ: home-country curriculum schools or IB.
- Singapore-style entrance exams: bilingual schools with strong English-Mandarin balance.
Question 3: What's the child's age?
- Pre-school (3-6): language acquisition is the largest single factor. Bilingual environment matters.
- Primary (6-11): full international or bilingual. Curriculum continuity less critical at this age.
- Lower secondary (11-14): continuity becomes important. Stick with home curriculum if possible.
- Upper secondary (14-18): critical. Don't switch curriculum mid-stream unless absolutely necessary.
Question 4: What does the school's IB results look like?
International schools publish IB diploma results annually. Useful comparison points: - **Average IB score**: world average is 30-31. Top international schools in tier-1 cities run 36-39. - **% scoring 40+**: a meaningful comparator across schools. - **University placement results**: how many students go to which universities.
These are real differentiators between schools more than the marketing brochures suggest.
Question 5: What's the teacher retention rate?
A school with high teacher turnover is a school with problems. Ask: - How long has the head teacher been there? - What % of teachers return year-on-year? - How long is the typical international teacher's contract?
Schools where these numbers are good tend to have more stable culture and better outcomes.
Question 6: Where do current parents live?
The school's transport-feasibility map is real. Most international schools have: - A bus network covering 30-90 minutes' radius. - A heavy concentration of families in 2-3 specific neighbourhoods.
If you can't get to those neighbourhoods, the school doesn't really fit.
Question 7: What's the cohort?
Talk to current parents. Ask: - What nationalities make up the student body? - What's the social culture like? - How is bullying handled? - What's the academic pressure level?
Schools vary substantially on cohort culture even within the same curriculum tier.
Application timeline
For most international schools: - **Applications open**: October-November for the following August. - **Standardised testing** (MAP for primary, ISEE/SSAT for secondary): January-February. - **Interviews** (yes, even for primary children): February-March. - **Acceptance**: March-April. - **Enrolment confirmation**: April-May. - **Bus / uniform / orientation**: June-July.
Apply to 2-3 schools as a portfolio. Sibling priority is meaningful.
What we don't recommend
We don't recommend specific schools by name. The right choice depends heavily on the child, family priorities and current school cohorts. The schools that were strongest in 2018 are not necessarily the strongest in 2026.
What's worth paying for
- Strong IB or A-level results.
- Stable teacher base.
- Healthy cohort culture.
- Family-network at the school in your neighbourhood.
What's not worth paying for
- Branded curriculum prestige without underlying results.
- Modern building / fancy facilities (matter less than they look).
- Aggressive marketing claiming 'top in Asia' or similar.
The school question is consequential. Treat it like a business decision: ask the hard questions, talk to current parents, focus on outcomes rather than glossy brochures.
Tags
schools, family
Mentioned in this article
More living articles
- Raising bilingual children in China
living · Raising bilingual children in China — start early, choose schooling tier deliberately, maintain home language at home, manage the reading problem. The 8-10 year investment that produces fluent bilingual adults.
- Leaving China — the actual checklist
living · Leaving China for good — the 6-week timeline of tax reconciliation, work permit cancellation, apartment return, bank account closure, and the things people forget (old subscriptions, investment accounts, WeChat balance).
- Surviving the first six months in China
living · What to expect in the first six months in China for an extended stay — week 1-2 admin shock, month 1 settling, months 2-3 honeymoon, month 4 trough, month 5 recovery, month 6 equilibrium.
- Annual Leave and Public Holidays in China: How the System Works
living · China has 11 official public holidays across 7 categories. The major Golden Weeks (Spring Festival and National Day) each create 7-day holiday blocks by moving surrounding weekends. Workers receive 5–15 days statutory annual leave based on years of service.
- Buying Property in China as a Foreigner: What Is Actually Possible
living · Foreign nationals can purchase one residential property in China for personal use after one year of residence. They cannot purchase multiple properties, commercial properties in some categories, or participate in most property investment schemes. Land is not privately owned in China.
- Mandarin Night Classes by City: Where to Learn Chinese in 2026
living · Mandarin classes for adults in China range from university evening programmes (¥3,000–8,000 per semester) to private tutors (¥150–400 per hour) to app-based learning. The living-in-China advantage is significant — daily exposure accelerates acquisition at every level.
- School Runs in Shanghai: International Schools, Chinese Schools, and the Decision
living · International school fees in Shanghai range from ¥150,000 to ¥350,000 per year. Chinese public schools are free but conducted entirely in Mandarin. Local private Chinese schools offer a middle ground. The daily school run in Shanghai involves metro, shuttle buses, or taxis in heavy traffic.
- Working in China as a Foreigner in 2026: Permits, Categories, and Reality
living · China's work permit system divides foreign workers into three categories: A (high-level talent), B (professionals), and C (auxiliary workers). Most professional expats fall into Category B. The Z visa requires a confirmed job offer and employer sponsorship.