China has four main types of schools: public schools, private schools, bilingual schools and international schools. Public and private schools mainly follow the Chinese national curriculum and teach in Chinese. Bilingual schools usually combine the Chinese curriculum with extra English and international courses. International schools follow a foreign curriculum, such as the American or British system, teach mainly in English and mostly serve children with foreign passports. Some Chinese schools also run international divisions. Which type a child can attend depends on nationality, language and the family’s plans.
This guide from Qingdao No. 1 International School of Shandong Province (QISS) explains the main types of schools in China, who can attend them, and how families choose between them.
How Is Schooling in China Organised?
Wondering how your child will adjust to English-medium learning?
Our ELL program supports learners from Pre-K through Grade 12 with structured language pathways.
See QISS admissions →Chinese schooling is divided into primary school, junior high school and senior high school, and the first nine years are compulsory. The Beijing municipal government’s guide to primary and secondary education describes this structure, and our guide to the Chinese school system explains grades and ages in detail.
Within that system, families can choose between several types of schools in China.
Public Schools
Public schools are run by local governments. They follow the national curriculum, teach in Mandarin and prepare students for the zhongkao and gaokao exams.
- Who attends: mainly Chinese children, usually based on where the family lives.
- Language: Chinese, with English taught as a subject.
- Foreign children: in some cities, children of foreign families can apply. Shanghai’s official guide to enrolling expat children explains that expat children can apply to local public schools through the district education bureau, using the same proximity principle as local families.
Private Schools
Private Chinese schools are run by private organisations. Most follow the national curriculum, but they may offer smaller classes, longer school days, boarding or extra programs.
- Who attends: mainly Chinese families, with admission set by each school and local policy.
- Language: mainly Chinese.
- Admission: Shanghai’s guide notes that admission to private primary and junior high schools there uses a randomised selection policy.
Bilingual Schools
“Bilingual school” is a broad label rather than an official category. It usually describes a private school that teaches the Chinese curriculum while adding more English, international-style courses or a foreign-curriculum track.
- Who attends: mostly Chinese families who want strong English alongside the Chinese system.
- Language: Chinese and English, in different proportions at each school.
- What to check: how much teaching is really in English, which exams students prepare for, and which qualifications they leave with.
Ready to talk about your child’s English support?
Our admissions team can walk you through how the ELL program fits your child’s current level.
Talk to admissions →Our guide to raising a bilingual child looks at how children build two languages.
International Schools
International schools follow a foreign curriculum, such as the American curriculum with AP courses, the British curriculum with IGCSE and A Levels, or the International Baccalaureate. They teach mainly in English and usually run from early years to Grade 12.
- Who attends: mainly children with foreign passports. Shanghai’s guide describes international schools for expat children as covering pre-school to senior high school, with families applying directly to each school.
- Language: mainly English, often with Chinese language classes.
- Recognition: strong international schools are accredited by international bodies. Our guides to WASC-accredited schools in China and CIS-accredited schools explain what accreditation means.
International Divisions of Local Schools
Some Chinese schools run an international division with a separate foreign-curriculum program. Shanghai’s guide lists these as a separate option and says they use the same enrollment criteria as international schools.
How Do Families Choose Between Types of Schools in China?
The main questions are:
- Nationality and eligibility: international schools mostly serve foreign passport holders, while public schools mainly serve local families. Rules vary by city, so check with each school.
- Language: consider which language your child learns in best now, and which they will need later.
- Next steps: if your child is likely to attend university in China, the Chinese system leads to the gaokao. If they are aiming for universities abroad, an international curriculum is usually the more direct path.
- Budget: international school fees are much higher than public school costs. Our guide to international school fees in China explains what to expect.
Our comparison of international and local schools in China looks at this decision in more depth.
QISS: An International School in Qingdao
QISS is an international school in Laoshan District, Qingdao, following a US curriculum from Early Childhood to Grade 12, accredited by WASC and CIS and founded in 1998. Students learn mainly in English and study Chinese through our Chinese Language and Culture program. Students who need English support join our English Language Learner program.
Our application process explains how to apply, and you are welcome to visit our campus to see an international school in Qingdao for yourself.
Apply to QISS
Start your application in about 10 minutes. We will review your child’s English background and outline a clear ELL pathway with you.
Start your application →Frequently Asked Questions
What types of schools are there in China?
The main types are public schools, private schools, bilingual schools and international schools. Some Chinese schools also run international divisions with a separate foreign-curriculum program.
Can foreigners attend public schools in China?
In some cities, yes. Shanghai, for example, lets expat children apply to local public schools through the district education bureau. Teaching is in Chinese, and rules vary by city.
What is a bilingual school in China?
Bilingual school is a broad label, not an official category. It usually means a private school that teaches the Chinese curriculum with extra English or international courses.
Who can attend international schools in China?
International schools mainly serve children with foreign passports, and admission rules vary by city and school. Families usually apply directly to each school.
Are there English schools in China?
Yes. International schools in China teach mainly in English and follow a foreign curriculum, such as the American or British system or the International Baccalaureate.
