Cities / Guangzhou / Alcanta International College
Alcanta International College
Alcanta International College (AIC) is a boarding school in Nansha, serving students aged 12 to 18 in Grades 7 to 12. It holds IBO, Cambridge IGCSE, and MSA-CESS accreditations and is the only IB school in Guangzhou authorised to enrol…
In brief
Boutique IB and Cambridge senior school in Mingzhuwan, Nansha, founded in 2011. Around 300 students aged 12 to 18 on a 51,000 square metre campus, with Cambridge IGCSE in the lower years and the IB Diploma at the top.
AIC was the first IB World School in Guangzhou allowed to enrol Chinese passport holders alongside foreign nationals, and that mix still defines it: international students sit at around 20 percent. MSA-CESS accredited, IBO authorised, with a four-year pre-Diploma route into the two-year IB DP. Teacher to student ratio runs about 1 to 7, which the school leans on as its main differentiator against the bigger campuses.
Families who choose AIC are typically Chinese students aiming at top overseas universities and wanting a small, IB-focused environment rather than a 1,000-plus campus. The Nansha location matters: it is an hour from central Guangzhou and most students are local to the new city. The school does not run primary or middle school, so this is a senior-only commitment from age 12. Fee level sits in the upper-mid range for Guangzhou IB.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 7 | 12 | Annual | CN¥158,000 |
| Grade 8 | 13 | Annual | CN¥158,000 |
| Grade 9 (IGCSE Year 1) | 14 | Annual | CN¥182,000 |
| Grade 10 (IGCSE Year 2) | 15 | Annual | CN¥182,000 |
| Grade 11 (IB Diploma Year 1) | 16 | Annual | CN¥182,000 |
| Grade 12 (IB Diploma Year 2) | 17 | Annual | CN¥182,000 |
| Application Fee (non-refundable) | One-time | CN¥300 | |
| Enrollment Deposit (refundable) | One-time | CN¥12,000 |
Head of school
David Cao
David Cao has served as the Executive Director of Alcanta International College since its inception in August 2011. Under his leadership, the school aims to foster a positive learning environment grounded in excellence, respect, friendship, and care. He emphasizes a student-centered approach, encouraging faculty and staff to support students in stretching their boundaries through rigorous programs like the IB Diploma, Cambridge IGCSE, and Advanced Placement. His vision integrates Chinese culture with international education to prepare students for global citizenship and entry into prestigious universities worldwide.
Accreditations
- Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools 01
Academic results
- University destinations include Cambridge, UCL, LSE, Johns Hopkins, NUS, HKU, Toronto, Waseda, ANU
- Graduating classes to date 12 (since 2011)