CIS Admissions 2026-2027

Founded in 2012 and located at No. 122, Dongyi Road, Panyu District, Guangzhou, the Canadian International School of Guangzhou is an Alberta Accredited, Pre-K to Grade 12 international school and an IB World School. Delivering the Canadian (Alberta) curriculum, CIS offers the Advanced Placement (AP) Program as enrichment and extension of the Alberta curriculum in High School, and provides music to all students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. The school offers more than 100 after-school activities, and its robotics team has won the National Robotics Championship for two consecutive years. CIS has maintained a 100% Top 100 university acceptance rate for three consecutive years, and the Class of 2026 achieved a 100% Top 50 university acceptance rate.

School Profile and Accreditation

CIS is located at No. 122, Dongyi Road, Panyu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. It is an Alberta Accredited, Pre-K to Grade 12 international school and a formal IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP). CIS is the first IB PYP international school in Panyu District. 

Founded in 2012, CIS has built a 13-year track record and has graduated 11 cohorts of students.

"Our mission is to develop socially responsible lifelong learners able to problem solve, think critically, and make positive changes in our safe, caring, global community."

Curriculum: Alberta Curriculum + IB PYP + AP

In the elementary division, students explore learning through the combination of the IB framework and the Alberta curriculum. At the middle and high school levels, the Alberta curriculum is extended through the Advanced Placement (AP) Program. The AP Program is considered a global standard for academic excellence, and AP courses and exam grades are recognised in the admission processes of nearly 4,000 universities and colleges in more than 100 countries. In the 2025–26 school year, CIS offers several AP courses, including Calculus, Physics, Seminar and Research, with more subjects planned for the following years. Achievement is assessed through AP Exams held each May, and strong results may lead to course exemption or credit at university level.

University Outcomes: 100% Top 100 Acceptance for Three Consecutive Years

CIS has maintained a 100% Top 100 university acceptance rate for three consecutive years, across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and other countries. The Class of 2026 further achieved a 100% Top 50 university acceptance rate. The school’s alumni network spans the globe, with graduates active across diverse fields and regions.

The CIS University Guidance and Careers Office (U-GO) provides comprehensive information, professional advice and personalised counselling on academic planning, university applications and future careers, and offers targeted workshops and one-on-one counselling particularly for students in Grades 8–12. 

Signature Programmes: STEAM, Athletics, Music and Fine Arts

STEAM / Maker Education

CIS has made significant investments in state-of-the-art technology to support student learning and exploration. From Pre-K to Grade 12, all students engage in hands-on learning in the IDEA Lab, where design thinking and constructivist principles are integrated into the daily curriculum. CIS’s robotics team has won the National Robotics Championship for two consecutive years and has represented the school at the World Championships in the United States.

Athletics

Athletics are an integral part of school life at CIS. The school offers world-class athletic facilities that allow it to host a wide range of sporting events and provide students with space to train, compete and grow. CIS teams compete as the Grizzlies.

Music

CIS offers music to all students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, including a secondary wind ensemble and an elementary choir. Every CIS student begins learning at least one musical instrument from Grade 5 onward. The school states that musical development builds focus, emotional regulation, discipline, teamwork and collaboration, and that the influence of its music programme now resonates across the Greater Bay Area. Our outstanding graduate was admitted to Carnegie Mellon University for a dual degree in Music and Computer Science, and another outstanding graduate had enrolled at Berklee College of Music.

Fine Arts and New Partnership

CIS has announced a new partnership with the City College of the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, with an off-campus practical teaching base of the City College formally established at CIS. The collaboration creates an interdisciplinary innovation platform integrating education and the arts, deepening students’ engagement with Chinese culture and strengthening their competitiveness in art-focused university admissions in China and around the world. 

In addition, CIS offers more than 100 after-school activities spanning academics, arts, sports and technology to support holistic growth.

Student Support and Parent–School Engagement

CIS assigns each class/grade a "Learning Partner" (LP), who is actively engaged in students’ school life and provides information on progress and goals so that each student’s unique needs are addressed; small class teaching allows teachers to attend more precisely to individual needs. Parents participate in community activities including International Day, Family Day, Winter Festival, STEAM events, concerts and IB PYP Celebrations of Learning. CIS maintains open communication channels and encourages parent participation in school activities and decision-making.

Admissions Information

Age Grid

 Students will be enrolled based on their age as of 1 September.

Admission Procedures

1. Contact Admissions to complete an Application Form or make a school tour appointment.

2. Submit the application documents; pay the application processing fee; and confirm the assessment appointment.

3. Complete a one-on-one interview and assessment in English. Families currently outside Guangzhou may complete the assessment and interview online.

4. Receive assessment results / offer letter.

5. Complete payment and secure placement.

Admissions Criteria

As an international school, the major language of instruction at CIS is English, and the applicant’s academic English level is a determining factor. Other factors — including behaviour, work ethic, past academic achievement and the differing expectations across division levels — also play a role in the admission decision. The admissions test is arranged by the Admissions Office and conducted by members of the school leadership team in consultation with academic team members.

Documents for Admission

· Application Form

· Picture of the student

· Student’s foreign passport

· Parents’ passports

· School records

CIS welcomes all international families, including those from China (Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan), to apply for admission.

Fees

Tuition Fees（2026-2027）

The fee schedule applies to new families joining CIS in the 2026–2027 school year; the school reserves the right to adjust the current fee standard.

Sibling and CIEO discounts: families with two or more children enrolled, or students who are CIEO graduates, can enjoy a 5% discount on basic tuition fees (excluding other fees such as ELL support, uniforms, boarding, bus, meals, materials, insurance and the experiential learning programme).

Tuition Fees for STEP Class（2026-2027）

The fee schedule applies to new families joining CIS in the 2026–2027 school year; the school reserves the right to adjust the current fee standard.

This fee policy applies to new families joining CIS in the 2026–2027 school year; CIS reserves the right to change the current fee standard. Meals include healthy morning snacks, lunch and afternoon snacks, as well as breakfast for Early Childhood Education to Kindergarten students. New students are required to purchase one full set of uniforms; new PreK 2–4 students and new dorm students need to purchase a whole pack of bedding; EAL support is determined after the initial assessment.

Campus Facilities and School Tours

Campus facilities include an indoor swimming pool, basketball court, auditorium, football field, Learning Commons, Picasso Studio, play areas and dormitory rooms. Families interested in applying may contact the Admissions Office to book a school tour.

Admission Hotline: +86 20 39939920 / 139 2402 5321