International School of Nanshan, Shenzhen

In Brief

If strong IB results matter to your family and your child holds a foreign passport, ISNS is the sharpest academic choice in Shenzhen right now. The Xili location is inconvenient from Shekou and Futian, so sort out the commute before you decide.

A 2024 IB Diploma average of 37.75 places ISNS in the top tier of IB schools globally - not just in China. Forbes China ranked it eighth nationally in 2025, and families who have done the research tend to know this. The school is also the only one in Shenzhen running both the full IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, Diploma) and a Canadian curriculum accredited by the Province of New Brunswick. That dual framework suits families who may be heading back to Canada or who want IB rigour without locking entirely into a single pathway.

On the ground, the school culture is one of its clearest assets. Teachers who have worked there describe a collaborative atmosphere and genuine stability in the staff room - meaningful in a city where turnover across international schools can be high. Facilities are strong: two libraries, a 300-seat theatre, four science labs, a VR room, maker spaces and a 200m outdoor track. Class sizes are capped at 24, and Early Years runs at around 15 per class. The school accepts foreign passport holders only, which keeps the community distinctly international.

The Xili location in northern Nanshan is the honest trade-off. From Shekou, Futian or anywhere east of Nanshan you are looking at 40 minutes or more each way, and the commute shapes daily life. Fees for 2026 to 2027 run from CNY 219K at Early Years to CNY 274K at Diploma level - competitive given the outcomes, but a significant outlay for self-funding families.