Hangzhou International School

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.