Comparing 4 schools side by side in USD.
Dingwen Academy Hangzhou is located at No. 1 Xiushui Street in the Qiantang District, situated in the University Town North area of the city. The campus sits alongside the Qiantang River within a developing science and higher education park, blending academic surroundings with natural landscapes. The site is easily accessible via the intersection of Jiangtao Road and Yinhai Street.
The school provides education for students aged 3 to 18. It is divided into four main academic departments: Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, and High School.
Dingwen Academy is a co-educational bilingual school serving students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. The school also offers on-campus boarding, with 450 student apartments open for application to all age groups from Primary School through to High School.
The school employs Special Educational Needs (SEN) teachers who are available to support students starting from the initial admissions evaluation process. During interviews, families can discuss their child's specific needs, allowing the school to assess how it can best accommodate their learning requirements.
The school is not affiliated with any single foreign country.
Dingwen Academy Hangzhou has no religious affiliations.
The exact bell times and break schedules are not publicly published by the school.
The school offers a shuttle bus service for the daily commute, though specific routes, costs, and provider details are typically shared directly with families during the admissions process.
1. Document Submission:
Families begin the application by submitting past evaluation reports, recent academic transcripts (from the last two years for older students), and any relevant award certificates. During this initial stage, parents are also encouraged to provide documentation of their child's special talents.
2. Student Assessment:
Applicants participate in age-appropriate evaluations designed internally by the school. Kindergarten and first-grade applicants join a group observation focusing on expression, listening, and hands-on skills, while students from second grade upwards complete written assessments in subjects such as mathematics, language, English, and logical reasoning.
3. Interviews:
The final step involves a formal interview process for both the parents and the prospective student. For middle and high school applicants, this includes an English-speaking assessment, and families can also request interview support from Special Educational Needs (SEN) staff to ensure all student requirements are properly evaluated.
The school offers a structured scholarship program that includes both "global scholarships" and "universal scholarships." These awards are designed to recognize student excellence, with the maximum individual scholarship amount reaching up to 1 million RMB. Eligibility details and specific application requirements for the scholarship program are managed through the school's official communication channels during the admissions process.
Dingwen Academy Hangzhou does not currently specify or publish information regarding a waitlist or applicant pool system.
Wahaha International School is located at 5 Yaojiang Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou — one block from the Qianjiang River in central Hangzhou. The campus is in the city centre (Shangcheng) and is reachable by local public transport; parents relocating should check local bus/metro routes for exact connections.
WIS serves Grade 1 through Grade 9 (Primary Years Programme for Grades 1–5 and the IB Middle Years Programme for Grades 6–9). The school is organized into a primary (Grades 1–5) and a middle/MYP section (Grades 6–9).
WIS is a non-profit, English‑language immersion international day school that accepts both boys and girls (co‑educational). It offers an IB‑based curriculum alongside a strong Chinese language programme.
WIS provides a Student Support team with teacher advisors and a school counsellor; the school runs EAL (English as an Additional Language) and CAL (Chinese as an Additional Language) programmes and uses differentiated instruction to meet individual needs. The Student Support team also guides families through high‑school placement and overseas transition where needed.
The school is based in China and operates as an international (IB) school; it does not indicate formal affiliation to another country's national school system.
WIS does not state a religious affiliation on its official materials; programming is presented as secular and curriculum‑focused.
Public information about daily bell times is limited on the school site; third‑party listings indicate a typical school day runs roughly from about 08:00 to 15:40 (confirm with admissions for exact daily bell times, breaks and any grade‑specific variations). The school's academic calendar and admissions team can confirm the precise timetables for each division.
The school is a day school with no boarding accommodations.
There is a cafeteria on campus.
The school is a non-profit English-language immersion international school approved by the Zhejiang Education Department.
Wahaha International School delivers an IB-based program for Grades 1–9 and is authorized to offer the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP). The PYP is taught in Grades 1–5 and uses six transdisciplinary inquiry units per year with daily instruction in language acquisition (English and Chinese), mathematics, sciences, social studies, the arts, and physical/social/personal education. The MYP covers Grades 6–9 across eight subject groups—language and literature, language acquisition, mathematics, sciences, individuals and societies, design, arts, and physical and health education—and includes specialised options such as Chinese language and literature, programming, public speaking and maker courses. WIS maintains a distinct Chinese language and culture programme with separate curricula and school‑based textbooks for native and non‑native speakers and specified weekly Chinese lesson allocations. The overall curriculum integrates the IB framework with standards such as Common Core, NGSS and elements of the Chinese national curriculum, and emphasises STEAM, EAL support, design/innovation and service learning (including UN Sustainable Development Goals).
WIS assigns every student a teacher advisor who tracks academic, social and emotional development and supports home–school communication. The school states it uses restorative practices and positive-discipline approaches to give students a voice in creating class and school rules. Classroom-level examples of SEL-focused practice appear in PYP posts that describe mixed-class collaborative projects that develop caring, open‑minded and cooperative behaviours. The Student Support team is described as working with teachers to provide differentiated and pastoral support.
WIS describes a Student Support Team that collaborates with classroom teachers to provide differentiated teaching and extra support, and notes language and counselling support are available. The school emphasises purposeful differentiation to meet individual learner needs. The website does not provide details about specific categories of special educational needs it can support, nor does it state that it is a specialist SEN institution. For this reason, the school does not publicly disclose which types of SEN it supports or whether it offers specialist SEN provision.
WIS states it offers English as an Additional Language (EAL) and groups students by English proficiency, with specialised EAL courses and small‑group instruction to build social and academic language. The school says EAL teachers collaborate closely with homeroom teachers and the language‑support team to help students access the curriculum. EAL staff and programmes are listed among the faculty and in articles describing differentiated learning at the school.
The school lists a School Counselor role and describes counsellors working with families; counsellors are named on faculty pages and have counselling and PSHE experience. A recent faculty profile names a counsellor (Ashley Zhang) with qualifications in social work and experience in youth mental‑health, suicide‑prevention and PSHE teaching. The Student Support page notes the counselor works closely with families and advisors as part of student guidance and transitions. These descriptions indicate dedicated staff and pastoral structures for student mental‑wellbeing, but the site does not publish a detailed mental‑health policy.
The school's website does not publish a standalone safeguarding or child‑protection policy. WIS does describe pastoral arrangements — teacher advisors, counsellors and restorative/positive‑discipline approaches — but there is no publicly available page labelled as a formal safeguarding or child‑protection policy on the site. Therefore, the school does not publicly disclose a dedicated safeguarding/child‑protection policy document online. For further clarification, contact the school's admissions or administration office.
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.
Olive Tree International Academy is in Linping District, Hangzhou — address: No.136 Xincheng Road, Nanyuan Street. It is under 10 minutes' walk from Metro Line 9 (Nanyuan Station Exit D) and about one metro stop from Linping South high‑speed railway station; driving to Hangzhou East station takes roughly 25 minutes and many central districts are within a 30‑minute drive.
The school runs Primary, Middle and High School divisions and presents itself as an IB world school at primary/middle levels while offering senior pathways that include A‑level and AP directions. This covers roughly an age range of primary through Grade 12.
The school is co‑educational and is listed by Round Square as a day and boarding school for ages about 6–18. The website describes full‑time primary, junior and senior high provision on the Hangzhou campus.
The school's primary‑level pages note relatively small classes (no more than ~25 students) with two class tutors, and they emphasise personalised and holistic education; however, the website does not publish a dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) policy or a named learning‑support department. For specifics about assessment, adjustments or formal SEN provision, contact the admissions team.
The school is based in China (Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province) and does not present an affiliation to a foreign national education authority on its public pages; it operates international curricula alongside the national curriculum.
The school's published mission and materials do not indicate any religious affiliation; its public pages present a secular, curriculum‑focused mission.
The website describes curriculum, programmes and holistic activities but does not publish a clear daily timetable (start/end times, break and lunch schedules) on the public site. If you need specific daily‑schedule details for planning (work or relocation), ask Admissions when you enquire.
The public site lists nearby transport links (metro, highways and driving times) but does not state whether the school operates a dedicated school‑bus network or outsourced shuttle service. Parents relocating should confirm directly with Admissions for current bus routes, coverage and safety arrangements. Contact details are on the school site.
At primary level Olive Tree teaches the Chinese national compulsory curriculum enriched with International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) approaches, using Units of Inquiry (UOI) and six transdisciplinary themes. English is streamed in Years 2–5 and mathematics is streamed in Years 4–5, with personalized extension courses for high‑ability students. The middle school blends the national curriculum with IB MYP pedagogy across eight subject groups (language & literature, language acquisition, mathematics, individuals & societies, design, arts, sciences, physical & health) and offers about 50 elective/after‑school options (robotics, languages, competitive maths, etc.). In senior school students select external qualification pathways: US AP (wide AP subject offering, MSA/College Board authorization), UK A‑Level (Cambridge/Edexcel/OxfordAQA centres) and an Art & Design pathway, and the school has introduced the Hong Kong DSE as an option from 2025. Across all stages the programme is complemented by extensive co‑curriculars and specialist facilities—team sports, music and performing arts, robotics/STEM, a plant‑research centre and astronomy equipment—to support holistic learning.
Olive Tree International Academy states it has a systematic Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programme that the school has developed and integrated into primary UOI (unit of inquiry) teaching; the school describes a school‑based SEL curriculum and examples such as using the ABC emotion model and age‑appropriate neuroscience activities to teach emotion regulation. The school says SEL is delivered cross‑disciplinarily and iteratively (an “SEL2.0” cognitive‑science driven approach) in primary grades. These details are presented in a campus news feature and in the primary holistic‑education pages on the school website.
The school's public website does not publish a dedicated page or clear information about support for students with special educational needs (SEN). The site navigation and the school's main pages list curriculum, holistic education, student activities and staff profiles but do not describe specific SEN provision or a specialist SEN service. Therefore there is no publicly available detail about which kinds of special needs the school can support or whether it operates as a specialist SEN institution.
In its curriculum listing the school includes ESL as an A‑Level subject and offers AP/academic English options at senior levels, indicating subject provision for English learners at the high‑school level. The website does not, however, describe a named EAL/ESL support department, dedicated EAL intake assessments, or a clearly described school‑wide EAL programme on the public pages. Based on the site information, ESL is offered as a course but the school does not publicly detail a separate, school‑wide EAL support service.
The school's SEL work (described in the primary SEL article) includes classroom activities aimed at emotional awareness and regulation, which the school frames as part of students' wellbeing education. The staff pages also show faculty with psychology or counselling experience (for example teachers with psychology training and college‑counselling staff), and the recruitment page references a “psychological studio” for staff support, suggesting access to personnel with wellbeing expertise. The website does not publish a standalone, detailed student mental‑health policy, but it documents classroom SEL practice and staff with relevant backgrounds.
The school's public site lists a Vice Principal for Moral Education and staff responsible for student affairs, indicating named senior leaders with remit for student welfare and conduct. However, the website does not publish a distinct child‑protection or safeguarding policy page accessible in the public navigation, nor a public statement of safeguarding procedures. Therefore there is no publicly available, dedicated safeguarding policy document on the site to cite. } PMID:None PMID:None PMID:None PMID:None PMID:None</wellbeing_and_support>
1. Submit an application (预约/Submit the application). Parents start by scanning the school's WeChat QR code and completing the “OTIA School visit appointment” form; after submission an admissions officer will contact you to arrange next steps. Be ready to provide basic student details (name, current grade, school reports) and a preferred date for a visit; if you do not use WeChat, note the admissions page lists phone numbers you can call to request an appointment.
2. School visit and comprehensive assessment (访校评估/School visit assessment). The school asks families to attend a large open day or to schedule a one-to-one visit and to take part in a comprehensive assessment; different grades have different entry requirements that will be explained at the visit. Parents should bring recent school reports, identification (passport or resident ID), and any work samples the child has; if the child speaks limited Mandarin, discuss language-support needs with the admissions team in advance. The admissions page notes students must meet Zhejiang/Hangzhou/Linping Education Bureau registration requirements, so prepare any local registration documents the school may request.
3. Offer / admission notice (发放录取/Offer admission). If the student meets the school's criteria the school will issue an admission notice; the English site describes this as the third step after assessment. Parents should confirm the offer's conditions (grade placement, boarding vs. day, and any outstanding paperwork) and check deadlines for accepting the place. If you are applying for a scholarship (see below), note scholarship interview/result timelines are specified on the admissions FAQ.
4. Complete enrolment / registration (入学注册/School enrollment). After accepting an offer you must complete the school's registration process, which typically includes signing enrolment forms, submitting original documents and paying required fees for the term. The admissions FAQ lists the published tuition per term (小学 60,000 RMB/学期; 初中 75,000 RMB/学期; 高中 90,000 RMB/学期), so plan finances and ask admissions about payment deadlines, refund rules, and whether extra fees (meals, transport, uniforms, activity fees) apply. If you need boarding, the school provides on-site student apartments from Grade 1 and can explain boarding contracts at registration.
The school's admissions FAQ describes a high-school scholarship called the “水八仙” scholarship. It is aimed at high-school students who demonstrate academic achievement and good conduct; award levels listed include either a full tuition waiver or a half-tuition reduction. The application procedure is: submit supporting documents to the admissions officer for an initial review, complete a scholarship application form, participate in the high-school pre-entry assessment, and—if shortlisted—attend a scholarship interview; the page states scholarship applicants will be notified of the result within three working days after the interview. The website mentions this scholarship specifically for the high-school division and does not publish other scholarship programmes for lower grades, so if you are seeking fee assistance for primary or middle school ask admissions directly for any seasonal or need-based programmes.
The school's official admissions pages (Chinese and English) describe a four-step application process (appointment → visit/assessment → offer → registration) but do not state a formal waitlist or candidate pool system. That absence on the published admissions page means there is no public description of a waitlist; if a particular grade is full the school may instead offer guidance or keep interested families on a local pending list, but this is not documented online. For a definitive answer about availability or to ask to be added to any internal waiting list, contact the admissions office by the listed phone numbers or via the WeChat appointment form.
Hangzhou International School is at 2190 Xiangbin Road in Binjiang District, Hangzhou; the school moved to a new purpose-built campus (two buildings: The Cocoon and The Lantern) in 2022. Binjiang is Hangzhou's high‑tech district and the city has extensive rail and air connections (Shanghai is under an hour by high‑speed train) — useful to consider when relocating.
HIS is a full IB‑continuum school serving Early Years (age 2) through Grade 12. Lower School covers Early Years/Pre‑K/Kindergarten and Grades 1–5; Upper School covers Grades 6–8 (MYP) and Grades 9–12 (IB Diploma Programme and a WASC‑accredited high school diploma).
HIS is a co‑educational, non‑profit, independent day school and an IB World School. The school offers IB programmes and a WASC‑accredited high‑school diploma; it is described as a day school (no boarding provision is indicated).
Student Support Services provides inclusive, individualized support for students with mild learning or sensory differences, with learning‑support specialists in both Lower and Upper School. Formal services are documented in an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) when indicated; Learning Support Program (LSP) fees are charged according to the level of support.
HIS is an international school located in China and does not have an affiliation to a particular foreign country; it serves children of foreign nationals from many nationalities.
The school is non‑religious — described as an inclusive, non‑profit IB World School with no stated religious affiliation.
Classroom instruction at HIS begins at 08:00 and the school day ends at 15:00 for all grades. Arrival guidance notes students in Grades 1–12 should be at the Main Campus gate by 07:55; parents may escort ECE (EY–K) children to the ECE gate between 07:45–08:15.
HIS offers a school bus service available to all students upon request; routes and pick‑up/drop‑off points are organized for areas close to students' homes. Each bus has a Chinese bus monitor and is fitted with seat belts and a mobile phone; the school posts the current bus routes/schedule on its site. For transport questions the school lists a Transportation Secretary contact (Tracy Zhu).
The school is a day school.
Lower School students (ECE - Grade 5) wear a light blue HIS polo shirt with navy (dark blue) trousers/ shorts/ skirt or a navy HIS dress. A navy fleece or HIS hoodie sweatshirt can be worn in the cooler weather. All students must wear laced shoes.
Middle School students wear tan shorts, trousers, or skirts and a navy blue polo shirt (short or long sleeved) with the HIS book logo. A navy fleece or HIS hoodie sweatshirt can be worn in the cooler weather. All students must wear laced shoes.
High School students (Grades 9 through 12) wear tan shorts or trousers, or plaid skirts (girls only) and a light blue Oxford cloth button down short or long sleeved short with the HIS book logo. A navy fleece or HIS hoodie sweatshirt or other approved outerwear such as the HIS Letterman's Jacket can be worn in the cooler weather. All students must wear laced shoes.
The school is an independent, non-profit day school. It is part of the International Schools Foundation (ISF), which operates HIS and other international schools. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and authorized to deliver the IB Diploma Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Primary Years Programme.
Hangzhou International School is a full International Baccalaureate continuum school: Grades Early Years–5 follow the PYP, Grades 6–10 follow the MYP, and Grades 11–12 are authorized to deliver the IB Diploma Programme; the school also awards a WASC‑accredited High School Diploma. The Early Years program combines IB PYP approaches with Australian early‑childhood standards (Being, Belonging, Becoming) to support holistic development. Lower School (Grades 1–5) uses a transdisciplinary PYP model integrating mathematics, literacy, social studies, science, the arts and design/computer technology, supported by specialists in PE, arts, Mandarin, EAL, learning support, STEAM and library. The MYP (Grades 6–10) offers an eight‑subject framework that emphasizes academic challenge, personal development and culminates in a Personal Project submitted for external assessment. In Grades 11–12 students follow the DP (six subjects at Higher/Standard Level, Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and CAS) while completing HIS graduation requirements (minimum 26 credits and specified core courses) to earn the HIS High School Diploma.
HIS runs a schoolwide Counseling and Wellness Program that uses the CASEL framework and ISCA student standards to teach social‑emotional skills across divisions. Lessons and seminars cover topics such as self‑awareness, social awareness, personal safety, transitions and academic/career readiness, and are delivered by school counselors, classroom teachers, advisors and homeroom teachers. The program is described as proactive and preventative and is integrated into classroom units in the Lower School, advisory periods in Middle School, and whole‑grade seminars in the Upper School. The Middle Years Programme also includes an advisory/pastoral class to support student pastoral development and leadership skills. These provisions and the Wellness Program are described on the school website and the Dragon Tales wellness article.
HIS states it provides individualized inclusive support for students with mild learning or sensory differences and employs learning support specialists for both Lower and Upper School. The Learning Support team works with students, teachers and parents to identify needs, and formal services are documented in an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) after internal or external assessment. The school notes that some support is delivered in‑class (classroom strategies and push‑in) and some in small groups or mini‑lessons; after‑school tutoring is offered in the Upper School. Learning Support Program (LSP) fees are charged according to the level of support provided. The school describes this provision as inclusive support for mild needs rather than as a specialist SEN institution.
HIS publishes an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program that welcomes students for whom English is an additional language and aims to develop communicative and academic English proficiency. The school provides both push‑in and pull‑out ESOL services for Grades 1–8 and reports student progress in reading, writing, listening and speaking; ESOL teachers co‑plan with classroom teachers to support language across content areas. High School students are expected to be proficient enough to access the curriculum; all students are placed in grade‑level classrooms regardless of ESOL level. The ESOL pages describe expected timelines for language development and how teachers collaborate to support multilingual learners.
HIS's Counseling Program promotes personal, interpersonal, emotional and academic development through individual services, small groups and whole‑class/seminar lessons as part of a proactive, preventative approach. Students receive lessons on topics including transitions, personal health and safety, conflict resolution and life beyond school; the counseling team also provides seminars and lectures for parents. Counselors are described as qualified to administer a range of psychological evaluation tools to identify needs and inform interventions. The school publishes information about the Wellness Program and counseling services on its website and in school news posts.
HIS publishes a detailed Child Protection Guidelines document (updated January 2024) that sets out the school's child protection belief statement, reporting procedures, safe recruitment protocols, code of conduct and curriculum responsibilities. The guidelines specify a Child Protection Response Team that includes all school counselors, administrators from each division and the school nurse, and name the Designated Child Protection Officer (Upper School Psychologist Dr Ryan Beddows) and other response contacts. Procedures cover steps for reporting suspected abuse or neglect, confidentiality, training and follow‑up, and the school states its policy aligns with WHO, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Chinese law. The Child Protection Guidelines and the School Policies page are published on the HIS website.
Hangzhou International School (HIS) was founded in 2002 by the International Schools Foundation (ISF) as a non‑profit, independent day school serving the international community. ISF is a U.S.‑based non‑profit (501(c)(3)) organization governed by an appointed Board of Governors and operating a small network of international schools. HIS holds international accreditation and IB authorizations and in 2022 moved to a purpose‑built campus designed with two main buildings, The Cocoon (Early Childhood) and The Lantern (Main Campus).
HIS describes a diverse student and family community with more than 50 nationalities represented and a broad program of school and community events. Regular, school‑wide gatherings and traditions include an annual International Day (Parade of Nations, traditional performances and food), an annual Dragon Run community charity event, and recurring activities such as a Friday Artisan Food Market; there are also music and choir opportunities that involve parents and community members. Newsletters and school posts document family groups, community band initiatives, and other cultural and service activities that bring parents, students and staff together.
The Parents and Friends Association (PAFA) at HIS coordinates parent and community involvement outside the formal curriculum, working closely with school leadership to support campus life and school culture. PAFA runs recurring programs and fundraising activities and organizes events such as luncheons, International Day booths, bake sales for lower and upper school, lower‑school dances and movie nights, talent shows, school decorations for festivities, family picnics and grade‑level hikes/day trips, and Teacher Appreciation Day. The PAFA page lists these typical activities and invites parents to join and volunteer; the association also publishes and promotes specific events (for example, PAFA Welcome Lunches and culture‑specific parent lunches). Parents can contact the PAFA events team directly for involvement or questions (pafaevents@hisdragons.org.cn).
The campus covers over 50,000 square meters and consists of two buildings: The Cocoon (ECE Campus) and The Lantern (Main Campus). It includes a Performing Arts Theatre and a Black Box Theatre, The Wave swimming pool, three indoor gyms, outdoor courts, and a FIFA-rated football/soccer pitch. The Wave is a 25-meter swimming facility, and there are additional spaces for learning and leisure across the campus.
The HIS campus has 2 double-court gymnasia with spectator bleachers, a 25-meter, 6-lane swimming pool capable of hosting competitions, and a full-size artificial turf soccer field with floodlights. It also features a fully-equipped fitness centre, an ECE gymnasium, three multipurpose studios, and a 20-meter indoor bouldering wall. An outdoor multi-purpose court supports tennis and basketball, and the campus is surrounded by off-road running trails.
The HIS library system provides print and online resources for the entire community, with physical access and digital resources through the Oliver Portal. There are three HIS community libraries: the ECE Library (ECE Building, 2nd floor), the Lower School Library (Main Building, SW Wing, 1st Floor), and the Upper School Library (Main Building, NW Wing, 1st Floor), with the Upper School Library sharing space with a gift shop and café. All HIS libraries are open from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. The school operates a MacBook-based laptop program for Grades 6–12, with Grade 5 using a school-owned laptop during the school day; parents provide a recent MacBook, and The Tech Shack (2F NE 211) supports technology use and learning. A Laptop Requirement Letter formalizes these expectations, and a Technology Responsible Use Agreement governs use of devices.
HIS offers extensive co-curricular activities, with 29 teams across 12 sports and a high level of student participation (over 65% of middle and high school students on sports teams, and more than 50% on multiple teams). The school is a member of HISAC, ACAMIS, SISAC, and CISSA, enabling competition in Hangzhou, Shanghai, and across China. Aquatics offerings include the HIS Dragons Swim Team for Grades 3–12 and the The Wave pool facilities for meets and training. Other CCAs include West Lake MUN, Jade Dragons, and The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award.
Hangzhou International School is an inclusive non-profit IB World School in Hangzhou, China. It offers the full IB curriculum for Early Years through Grade 12 (ages 2–18) and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The school was founded in 2002 by the International Schools Foundation (ISF).
The school provides co-curricular and performing arts opportunities through its campus facilities and programs, including a Performing Arts Theatre and related arts activities within its extend/Co-curricular Activities offerings.
Mandarin is a dedicated program for K–12 learners, with a Mandarin Learning Pathway and related co-curricular activities such as Chinese Chess, Chinese Reading Clubs, Debate, and Chinese Calligraphy.
Co-curricular Activities (CCAs) cover a wide range of interests, enabling students to engage in language, culture, and recreational clubs beyond classroom learning.
The school emphasizes global-mindedness and community involvement, with university counseling and a broad range of student support services.
University Counseling is available to support students with post-secondary planning and university destinations around the world.
The campus provides extensive facilities for student life, including theatres, a large swimming pool, indoor gyms, outdoor courts, and a FIFA-rated pitch, supporting both wellness and physical education.
The curriculum is delivered in English. Mandarin is taught through a dedicated Mandarin Learning Program for K-12 learners, including Mandarin learning pathways and Mandarin-related CCAs. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) supports English language learners, with push-in and pull-out services in Grades 1-8, while high school students (Grades 9-12) are expected to be proficient in English to access the curriculum.
Only awards explicitly recorded on the HIS website in the past five years (institutional or school-level recognitions) are listed below.
• Forbes China — "Best International High School in Hangzhou" (Forbes China International School Annual Selection, 2025): Forbes China's 2025 selection ranked HIS the top international high school in Hangzhou (22nd nationally, 10th outside Shanghai/Beijing); the school's site presents this as a third‑party ranking of the institution.
• ACAMIS Jim Koerchen Award for Innovation (noted on HIS site, May 2024): HIS reports that its Global Issues Network (GIN) project won the ACAMIS Jim Koerchen Award for Innovation and that HIS was one of two ACAMIS member schools to receive the award and accompanying prize, as recorded in the school newsletter. (The school's news post frames this as an award to the school community through the GIN project.)
• RoboHangzhou awards (hosted event; HIS reported institutional awards, November): HIS hosted the first RoboHangzhou VEX IQ competition and reports that Hangzhou International School teams received the Collaboration Award and the Skills Champion Runner‑Up award at that event; the school's news item records these awards as recognitions won by HIS teams.
Notes and scope limits:
- I included only awards or recognitions that are documented on the HIS website and that refer to the school (or school teams/projects) rather than individual student prizes. Newsletters and Dragon Tales posts may report team- or club-level awards that represent the school community; where a post described an award to a student team or club but explicitly framed it as an award to the school community, I included it (see ACAMIS Jim Koerchen entry).
- If you'd like, I can (a) check the full Dragon Tales / News archive for any additional institutional recognitions in 2021–2026, or (b) extract the exact publication dates and direct links for each item above.
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC / ACS WASC) — WASC is a U.S.-based regional accrediting body that evaluates K–12 schools against international standards; HIS states it is accredited by WASC, which provides external validation of the school's governance, program quality and student learning processes.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) authorization — HIS is an IB World School authorized to deliver the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP); IB authorization means the school has met the IB Organization's requirements to teach those curricula and is part of the IB global network.
doris recommends that you start by speaking to admissions. This connects you directly to the school's admissions team who can respond with answers, more information, and next steps. 1. Initial enquiry and visit. Contact the Admissions Office (admissions@hisdragons.org.cn or +86 571 8669 0045) to request information or schedule a campus visit; the school asks for at least 24 hours' notice for tours. A formal enquiry can also be submitted via the HIS website; this is the usual first step so the admissions team can confirm the documents and timing you'll need.
2. Start the online application (OpenApply). HIS uses OpenApply for applications; parents create an account, complete the online application and submit required attachments through that portal. The application must be submitted and the non-refundable application fee paid to trigger formal consideration.
3. Pay the application fee and note timing. The published application fee is RMB 3,000 and is non‑refundable; the fee is valid for up to one academic year from the application date. Make sure you submit the fee when you complete the online form so your file is processed; keep receipts and email payment confirmations to admissions/payment contacts if requested.
4. Provide required documentation and evidence of eligibility. Be prepared to upload/bring a copy of the student's passport, proof of legal residency/visa status, recent school reports/transcripts, and health/immunisation records (the OpenApply form and admissions team will confirm the exact checklist for your child). HIS admits children of foreign nationals (and specified categories such as residents of Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Chinese citizens permanently living abroad) but generally does not admit children of Chinese citizens permanently residing in China; confirm your child's eligibility with admissions before applying.
5. Assessment and placement. HIS uses a holistic admissions approach; for placement the school considers academic records, language proficiency and classroom fit. Incoming students—especially Grades 1–10—may be assessed for English level and placed into appropriate support or class groups; students referred for English support are charged an ESOL fee and the school administers assessments such as NWEA/WIDA as part of language/placement decisions. Expect the admissions team or school to arrange any necessary interviews, assessments, or campus visits as part of placement.
6. Offer, seat guarantee deposit and fees on acceptance. If offered a place, you must accept in writing and pay the seat guarantee deposit (published at RMB 20,000) to hold the place until the tuition payment deadline. New students also pay a one‑time non‑refundable capital fee on admission (RMB 30,000) and other compulsory fees as listed in the Tuition & Fees schedule—confirm the invoice and payment deadlines when you receive the offer.
7. Tuition payment schedule, methods and refund windows. HIS publishes specific due dates (for example, annual and Semester 1 payments due June 1, Semester 2 due December 1 in the 2025–26 schedule) and accepts bank transfers, checks in RMB or USD, and RMB cash (wire transfer charges are the payer's responsibility). The Tuition & Fees page also lists the school's refund policy and withdrawal deadlines (for example, re‑enrollment/withdrawal notice dates are specified in the schedule); review those refund deadlines carefully before making payments.
8. Final steps before attendance. After fees are settled and registration is complete, the school will confirm start dates, bus arrangements (if used) and any device or uniform requirements (Upper School students must bring a recent Apple laptop; one “startup” uniform set is included in fees). If you have questions at any point, contact the Director of Admissions and Community Relations (Andrea Stubbs) using the contact details on the admissions/OpenApply pages.
HIS does not publish any routine tuition scholarships or need‑based financial aid programs on its public Tuition & Fees or Admissions pages; the school's published fees and discounts (for example, a 5% sibling discount for families with three or more enrolled children) are the items explicitly described. For postgraduate or university‑level scholarships, HIS reports that graduating students have received external university scholarships and offers (the Class of 2025 was reported to have received more than US$775,000 in scholarship offers and individual students have secured university athletic scholarships). If you need help with fee assistance or specific scholarship opportunities, contact the Admissions Office directly—they can confirm whether any discretionary bursaries, staff discounts or special arrangements might be available in exceptional cases.
HIS operates a wait pool (sometimes called a waitlist) when classes are full and no additional sections can be added. Placement into the wait pool and subsequent offers from it are determined by multiple factors taken together: priority is often given to children of faculty who cannot attend local schools, children of foreign nationals who cannot attend local schools, and siblings of those students, and then other considerations such as the student's best language, English level, intended start date and the demographics of the grade/class. The school states that all relevant factors are considered together when assessing admission from the wait pool; parents placed in the wait pool should remain in regular contact with Admissions for updates and must observe the school's payment/deposit deadlines if offered a seat.
