Cities / Shenzhen / International School of Nanshan Shenzhen
International School of Nanshan Shenzhen
The only full IB Continuum and Canadian curriculum school in Shenzhen, founded in 2002 and open exclusively to foreign passport holders. Its 2024 IB Diploma average of 37.75 placed it among the top 45 IB schools globally.
In brief
An IB World School in Taoyuan with a Canadian curriculum heritage, founded with the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick, where leavers take both the IB Diploma and a New Brunswick high school diploma.
ISNS opened in 2002 and serves around 800 foreign-passport students from early childhood to Grade 12 on Longyuan Road in Nanshan. The school runs the full IB continuum, PYP, MYP and DP, with the New Brunswick curriculum in the background, and holds WASC and CIS. Addie Loy leads. Diploma graduates leave with both the IB Diploma and the New Brunswick provincial diploma. Fees run from roughly 219,000 to 274,000 RMB.
Families who like ISNS describe the IB programme as taken seriously and the community as warm and values-driven, with strong parent association activity. The school is smaller than Shekou International School and BASIS Shenzhen, which is the trade-off families weigh, scale and co-curricular depth against ISNS's tighter community feel. The dual diploma is a real advantage for families who may move to Canada.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| K2-K5 (Early Years) | 3 | Annual | CN¥219,000 |
| Grades 1-5 (Primary) | 6 | Annual | CN¥249,000 |
| Grades 6-10 (Middle School) | 11 | Annual | CN¥269,000 |
| Grades 11-12 (IB Diploma) | 16 | Annual | CN¥274,000 |
| Application Fee (non-refundable) | One-time | CN¥2,500 |
Reviews
- forum threads from teachers describe ISNS as one of the few Shenzhen international schools that experienced staff genuinely recommend, with comments like "only SIS and ISNS are legit" and several long-tenure teachers saying they love working there.
- Around 750 students K3-G12, IB continuum from PYP through Diploma, plus the New Brunswick (Canadian) curriculum; CIS and WASC accredited.
- Parents posting in r/shenzhen describe staff as dedicated and happy, with one noting their child attends and the staff are "largely dedicated and happy to work there".
- Teachers note the AKD ownership group is honest and invests in the school, in contrast to schools they describe as profit-led.
- Aggregator and parent-side review depth is shallower than the teacher-side; main risk in interpreting signal is the bulk of comment is from staff rather than families.
Head of school
Dr. Addie Loy
Dr. Addie Loy is an accomplished senior educational leader and superintendent of AKD International, recognized for driving academic excellence and innovation. She holds a doctorate in comparative international education and a certificate in advanced educational leadership from Harvard. Her expertise includes strategic planning, program development, and professional growth, which she shares as an IB workshop leader.
Accreditations
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Schools) 01
- Council of International Schools 02
Academic results
- IB DP Average 37.75 (2024)
- Forbes China Ranking #8 nationally (2025)