Comparing 2 schools side by side in USD.
EtonHouse International School Suzhou is on 102 Kefa Road in Suzhou Science & Technology Town, within Suzhou New District (SND). The campus sits in the city's technology/innovation area and is easily reached by road from Suzhou Industrial Park and the wider New District; Jinji Lake and SIP amenities are the nearest major commercial/leisure hubs.
The school is a through school serving early years to secondary (commonly listed as ages ~2–18). It offers an IB continuum (PYP, MYP and DP) and also runs Cambridge IGCSE at the relevant stages.
EtonHouse Suzhou is a co‑educational day school (no boarding listed). It is part of the wider EtonHouse group of schools.
EtonHouse schools commonly provide English-as-an-Additional-Language (EAL) programmes and learning‑support arrangements; the EtonHouse group documentation describes EAL and targeted learning support at its campuses. For specifics about SEN, individual needs, and on-campus arrangements at the Suzhou campus (for example one‑to‑one support, in‑class assistance or external therapists), contact the school's admissions or student‑support team as provision and capacity can vary.
The school is part of the EtonHouse International Education Group, which is headquartered in Singapore.
EtonHouse Suzhou is non‑religious / secular in its stated provision; the EtonHouse group and campus information do not list any religious affiliation.
Published school‑directory information lists a typical school day of approximately 08:20 start and 15:25 finish; families should confirm current term timetables and supervised care options directly with the school as times can change.
The school offers a school‑bus/transport service (two‑way routes are reported) and EtonHouse group guidance indicates bus services are usually arranged through a third‑party transport provider; parents should ask admissions for current routes, pick‑up/drop‑off points, safety arrangements and fees.
EtonHouse International School Suzhou delivers an inquiry-based programme from Early Years through senior secondary, operating as an IB Continuum World School (Early Years/EY, PYP, MYP and IB Diploma) and also offering Cambridge IGCSE within its secondary provision. Early Years and Primary follow the IB PYP and EtonHouse's early-years inquiry curriculum (inspired by Reggio approaches) with integrated Mandarin and additional language instruction. The Middle Years are taught through the IB MYP framework. For senior years the school runs the IB Diploma Programme and has provided alternate senior pathways such as the Advanced Placement International Diploma or an EtonHouse High School Diploma alongside its IGCSE offerings. In 2021 the campus launched the Middleton international division, which uses IPC/IMYC in the lower secondary phase and offers IGCSE and A‑Level routes as alternative pathways for families.
The school does not publicly disclose campus-specific information about Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision at the Suzhou campus. EtonHouse group materials describe learning‑support services at some EtonHouse campuses, but I found no Suzhou‑specific published policy, list of supported needs, or confirmation that Suzhou is a specialist SEN institution.
The school does not publicly disclose Suzhou‑campus details about specific mental‑wellbeing programmes or counselling staff. Group-level EtonHouse material references pastoral care and wellbeing across its campuses, but there is no publicly available Suzhou‑specific description of mental‑health provision or named wellbeing initiatives on the pages I reviewed.
Below is a step-by-step admissions process for EtonHouse International School — Suzhou (summary based on the school's listings and public admissions portals). If you need confirmation or the most recent forms/fees, contact the school's admissions team directly (see the school website or OpenApply listing). As of January 1, 2026, the typical process is: 1. Enquiry and initial information request: Contact the school to request a tour or an online meeting and ask for the current grade-by-grade fee schedule, annual term dates, and bus/meal options. Parents should note whether the school's portal (OpenApply) is used for applications so they can create an account, and they should confirm available start dates for the year/term they want. Open days or tours can fill fast — check whether a deposit or pre-registration is required to hold a place for a tour. 2. Submit application and pay the registration/application fee: Complete the online application (usually via the school's OpenApply page) and upload required documents: passport/ID, proof of residency or visa (if applicable), recent school reports or teacher references, and immunisation records. The school's published materials and OpenApply guidance show that an application/registration fee is normally charged and that incomplete applications may not be processed; confirm the exact fee amount and payment methods with admissions. Keep certified copies of school reports; some grades require translated or attested documents. 3. Age-appropriate assessment and interview: After the application is processed, the school typically arranges an assessment and/or interview for the child (format depends on age). For younger children this may be a play-based session and a short meeting with parents; for older pupils expect English and mathematics assessments and a student interview or sample lesson. Non-native English speakers applying to older year levels may be asked to take a formal English-language assessment so the school can place language support if needed. Ask whether assessments are on-campus, online, or deferred for applicants overseas. 4. Offer letter, deposit and contract: If a place is offered, the school will issue an offer letter outlining the tuition, one-time fees (for example registration and deposits), payment schedule, and deadlines for acceptance. Public fee listings for the campus show a one-time registration fee and a refundable deposit (example figures published for 2024/25: Registration Fee CNY 1,500; refundable Deposit CNY 15,000), but amounts and refund conditions can change — confirm the current figures on the offer letter before paying. Read the contract for refund terms, withdrawal notice periods, and what the deposit covers (many schools hold the deposit against final term fees or potential contract breaches). 5. Finalise enrolment, payment and logistics: After you accept the offer you will sign the enrolment agreement and arrange tuition payments, school lunch plans, bus routes, uniform purchases and any additional fees (extracurriculars, exams, trips). Check whether the school requires payment by term or annually, what payment channels are accepted (bank transfer, Alipay/WeChat in China, credit card options) and whether any sibling discounts apply. Keep copies of receipts and confirm any instalment plans in writing. 6. Orientation and start of term: The school will provide details for orientation, supply/uniform lists, the first-day timetable and any health or administration forms that must be completed before the child's first day. If your child requires English-language support or other learning adjustments, confirm those services ahead of the start date so the school can plan staffing and placement. For families relocating from overseas, confirm visa/residence-permit requirements and the school's document deadlines to avoid delay.
Group-level scholarship activity: EtonHouse Group announced an academic scholarship scheme (IGCSE and IB Diploma) when launching IB/IGCSE provision at certain campuses; that 2020 announcement described awards that could cover application fees, capital levies and school fees for the duration of the course, with academic and conduct conditions attached. Those scholarships were linked to specific programme launches and had eligibility/maintenance conditions (minimum predicted grades and community contribution expectations). Suzhou-specific status: There is no clear public listing (on the Suzhou campus profiles and common international school directories) of an ongoing, campus-wide scholarship programme for EtonHouse Suzhou at the time of this check. If you are seeking fee assistance, merit scholarships, or programme-specific awards for Suzhou, ask the campus admissions office directly — they will confirm whether any scholarships, bursaries, fee waivers, or exam-specific awards are available, what the eligibility criteria are, and the application deadlines. For transparency, request written details of any award (what it covers, renewal conditions, and any tied obligations).
EtonHouse campuses commonly use a waitlist when a grade is full: if a child meets admission criteria but there is no immediate vacancy, families are placed on the school's waitlist and will be contacted when a place opens. EtonHouse admissions pages for other EtonHouse campuses state that the application fee is non-refundable/non-transferable if you remain on the waitlist, and that priority is typically given to staff children, siblings of enrolled students and children from other EtonHouse campuses before being ordered by application date. The school usually asks families to keep their application file current while on the waitlist (for example by updating contact details and any changes to the child's school records); however, specific waitlist policies (how the list is ordered, whether positions are disclosed, and how long an application remains active) vary by campus — confirm exact waitlist rules with Suzhou admissions.
Dulwich College Suzhou is on Gangtian Road in Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP); the campus address is 360 Gangtian Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou 215021. SIP is a modern, family-oriented district with residential areas and amenities; the school notes it is about a 30-minute train ride from Shanghai, making rail links convenient for families based in the region.
The college serves ages 2–18 across three sections: DUCKS (Nursery to Year 2, ages 2–7), Junior School (Years 3–6, ages 7–11) and Senior School (Years 7–13, ages 11–18). Each section has age-appropriate programmes and facilities.
Dulwich College Suzhou is a co-educational day school for international students aged 2–18 and follows an enhanced British curriculum (IGCSE and the IB Diploma in the senior years). The school is described as a day school rather than a boarding school.
The admissions information says the school admits students only when it can meet their learning needs; the team reviews previous reports, conducts assessments and consults with parents to decide appropriate support. There is also an English Acceleration Programme for Years 3–5 to support academically able students whose English proficiency limits classroom access.
Dulwich College Suzhou is part of the Dulwich College International family and lists Dulwich College (the founding school in the UK) and the Education in Motion (EiM) group among its affiliations. This reflects a British-origin network rather than formal affiliation to a single country's government.
The school's public information does not list a religious affiliation; its materials present the college as an international, secular school.
Students are expected to register at 8:10 am and the school day finishes at 3:30 pm; lunch is provided on campus (catered service). The school publishes term dates and the annual calendar on its site for specific term start/end days and holiday breaks.
A paid school bus service operates with pick‑up locations across Suzhou; families register via a Transportation Request Form and routes are subject to local government approval (routes cannot be changed once set). A late-bus option is provided for students staying for after‑school activities; the school advises checking route availability before choosing a residence because popular routes can fill quickly. Bus fees are charged separately from tuition and details appear in the school's fees information.
The school offers full-time and flexible boarding for students aged over 15.
All students (excluding Year 12 and 13) wear the school uniform. The uniform is seasonally adjusted for warm and cold weather. The Uniform Shop is on campus, and there is an Online Uniform Shop; Second-hand uniforms are collected and resold by Friends of Dulwich.
The school serves a wide variety of healthy dishes with Western and Asian options. Packed lunches are allowed but must be nut-free.
The school has four Houses named Anand, Howard, Shackleton, and Yung. The House system supports pastoral care, fosters community, and includes inter-house activities and competitions.
The College is governed by a Board of Management and a Board of Trustees. The Board of Management sets goals and policies and assesses the Head of College; the Board of Trustees acts as an advisory body with oversight and handles certain appeals.
Dulwich College Suzhou operates a British‑rooted, stage‑based curriculum across DUCKS (Nursery–Year 2, ages 2–7), Junior School (Years 3–6, ages 7–11) and Senior School (Years 7–13, ages 11–18). The DUCKS early‑years programme is inquiry‑based and play‑focused, emphasising communication, problem‑solving and social development rather than external qualifications. Junior School uses a topic‑based, cross‑curricular approach with dedicated English and mathematics lessons and specialist teaching in Mandarin, PE, art, design technology and music. Senior School follows the National Curriculum for England and progresses to formal external qualifications—Cambridge IGCSE examinations and, in the upper years, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Across all stages the college also integrates Mandarin, STEAM/SE21, visual and performing arts, sports and a broad co‑curricular programme to provide academic breadth and enrichment.
Dulwich College Suzhou states that SEL is delivered through the Dulwich College International Wellbeing Framework, which the school says is adapted from the IB's Approaches to Learning (ATL) and embeds character strengths and skills across the taught curriculum and co‑curricular programmes. The site describes wellbeing as a “whole school culture” with integrated support systems so all staff contribute to students' social and emotional development. The College also references age‑appropriate PSHE provision coordinated across year groups and a pastoral House system to build community and peer support. These descriptions are published on the school's Wellbeing and School Heritage pages.
The school's admissions and learning‑support information says Dulwich College Suzhou will enrol students with learning challenges only when available information indicates the school can meet the student's needs, and that the admissions team consults parents and reviews previous reports and assessments as part of decisions. The website also lists named AEN/learning‑support staff on its community/teachers pages. The school does not publish a public, detailed list of specific categories of Special Educational Needs it will or will not support, nor does it present itself as a specialist SEN institution. For admissions and learning‑support policy details see the school's Admissions pages and staff listings.
The College publishes an English Acceleration Programme (EAP) for Years 3–5: a 10‑month, mixed‑age programme for academically able students whose English proficiency limits access to lessons; applicants undergo academic and home‑language assessment and a WIDA test. The Admissions pages also note that the school can support a percentage of non‑native English speakers and may assess language ability during entry. Beyond the EAP and general language‑support statement, the school does not set out a wider, detailed EAL curriculum or staffing structure on the public site.
The College names a Director of Counselling and a counselling team and describes university/careers counselling provision on its site, indicating an established counselling function for students. The school runs specific mental‑health initiatives such as “Minding Me Day” and a Mental Health Warriors programme in which students are trained in Mental Health First Aid to recognise and respond to concerns. Pastoral staff and form tutors are described as part of the pastoral support system that contributes to mental wellbeing across year groups. These programmes and team details are described in recent school news and the counselling pages.
Dulwich College Suzhou publishes a full Student Safeguarding Policy (EiM Student Safeguarding Policy, revised May 2025) and a Safeguarding webpage explaining its child‑centred approach, safer‑recruitment procedures, mandatory staff training and annual safeguarding audits. The published policy names key safeguarding roles and contacts (for example the School DSL and deputies) and describes the ‘Speak Out Stay Safe' programme, trusted‑adult arrangements, and an audit/action plan cycle. The school's safeguarding policy PDF and webpage are available from the College site for full procedural detail.
1. Initial enquiry and online application. Start by using the Apply / Enquire links on the College website (the school uses an online application portal) or contact the Admissions office by email or phone to request next steps; once you complete the online application an admissions officer will contact you to guide the rest of the process. Parents should save the confirmation and note any application deadlines — the school explicitly directs applicants to the online portal for the first step.
2. Check eligibility and prepare documents. Dulwich College Suzhou requires that students hold a foreign passport and that at least one parent also holds a foreign passport, and both parent and child must have a valid residence visa — if you are unsure about eligibility you should confirm with Admissions before submitting documents. Be prepared to provide passports, valid residence visa paperwork, birth certificate, and previous school reports; the site also refers to an age-placement guide (children should meet the age requirement before 1 September of the year of application). Parents should gather translated/attested copies in advance to avoid delays.
3. Assessments and onsite observation. Entry assessments vary by age: Foundation Stage (DUCKS) applicants are typically observed in a class or asked to attend an onsite observation; Years 3–6 and Years 7–11 take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT) and an English-as-an-Additional-Language (EAL) assessment where required. The Admissions Office arranges assessment times and you should allow at least half a day for the CAT-based assessments; bring recent school reports and any assessment accommodations your child requires. Note that Nursery/Reception applicants may be offered provisional places if they cannot be assessed in person at the time of application.
4. Senior school interviews and Year 12/13 entry. Candidates for Years 12 and 13 will be interviewed by the Head of IB or Senior Studies and that recommendation informs the final admission decision; Senior School candidates also have CAT and written English assessments reviewed by the Senior School EAL lead. If your child is applying for the IB years, expect subject-level discussion about prior qualifications and intended university pathways during the interview. Parents should bring transcripts, predicted grades (if available), and any university guidance materials they want considered.
5. Arrangements for overseas or remote applicants. The College can administer entrance assessments remotely for families who are not able to visit Suzhou; contact the Admissions team to arrange a remote assessment and clarify timing, time zones and required supervision. Make sure you understand the remote testing platform, what ID is required for the session, and whether a proctor (parent or school) must be present. The site gives a specific admissions contact for remote arrangements — use that contact to avoid delays.
6. Learning support and language considerations. The College enrolls students only when it is confident it can meet their learning needs; you must provide all previous reports and assessments so the admissions review team can make an informed decision. If your child requires learning support, expect follow-up assessments and consultation with the school's learning-support staff before a final offer is made. For non-native English speakers the school may require additional EAL assessment to determine whether language support is needed and available.
7. Offer, starting place and practical costs to expect. If a place is offered you will be sent offer/acceptance instructions; the Suzhou admissions pages make clear that tuition may be paid annually or by term and that fees do not include certain items (school lunches, bus service, uniforms, trips and private lessons), so plan for those additional costs. The College issues a detailed statement of account monthly and notes a 5% sibling discount for families with three or more children in full‑day programmes; confirm payment deadlines and preferred payment methods with Finance to avoid late penalties. Because detailed fee amounts are not presented on the public admissions overview, ask Admissions for the current fee schedule and the school's refund/withdrawal policy before accepting.
8. Acceptance timing, waiting and start-date logistics. If no place is available for the requested term your child's application will be transferred to the waiting list for the next term or moved to the appropriate year level for the following academic year; waiting‑list positions are not disclosed and the school advises early application. Confirm the expected start date (term start dates are published in the College calendar) and any orientation or induction events, and check what documents you must bring on the first day (ID, medical forms, uniforms). Be aware that school bus routes, lunch accounts and uniform ordering can take time — arrange these as early as possible after you accept a place.
The public admissions information for Dulwich College Suzhou does not advertise internal tuition scholarships or means‑tested bursaries on its admissions overview; the site instead highlights that graduates have earned significant university scholarships at the next stage of study. Dulwich schools in other parts of the network (for example the Dulwich College UK and some other Dulwich campuses) have formal scholarship or bursary programmes and, in other campuses, specific one‑off or programmatic awards are listed on those local admissions pages — so scholarship practice varies across the Dulwich network. If you are specifically seeking fee assistance, talent (music / art /sport) scholarships, or staff/employee discounts, ask Suzhou's Admissions and Finance teams directly for the current policy and any application forms: the College's public page does not provide details of an internal scholarship scheme and recommends contacting Admissions for precise, up‑to‑date information. For context, Dulwich College (UK) and other Dulwich campuses publish separate scholarship/bursary pages describing merit and means‑tested awards, so Suzhou's local policy may be similar or different — the safest route is to request written confirmation from Suzhou Admissions.
Dulwich College Suzhou operates waiting lists. Placement on a waiting list is determined by the date the application and (where applicable) any required application fee are received; the school sets a clear priority order: (1) children of full‑time faculty, (2) qualified siblings of current students who have completed the application process, and (3) children transferring from another Dulwich College International school. If an applicant does not obtain a place for the term applied for, their name is automatically transferred to the waiting list for the following term, and at the end of the academic year applicants are moved forward into the appropriate year level for the next academic year. The College does not disclose individual waiting‑list positions to parents, so the admissions team's guidance is to apply early and to keep contact details up to date so you receive any offer promptly.
