Introduction
Chengdu Meishi International School is a well-known IB school in western China. Shenzhen Meishi Group founded the school in 2002. The school was the first large private school in Southwest China. The Sichuan Provincial Department of Education approved it that year. Today, the school runs three IB programs: the Primary Years Program, the Middle Years Program, and the IB Diploma. A full IB continuum like this is rare. No other school in western China offers it. The school holds IB World School status (school code 003888), with the Diploma Programme authorized in 2009, the Middle Years Programme in 2016, and the Primary Years Programme in 2017 — making it the first school in western China to hold all three.
The school sits in Chengdu’s High-Tech Zone, 200 meters from Metro Line 1. Over 2,200 students attend in total. More than 700 study in the international division. Students come from Australia, Canada, the USA, the UK, Korea, and other countries. The school employs over 200 teachers. Thirty of them are foreign educators from the US, UK, and Canada.
Parents in Southeast Asia and India tend to ask the same questions. Will my child get into a good university? Will the academics hold up? What does daily school life look like? We’ll answer all that here.
At a Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2002 by Shenzhen Meishi Group |
| Location | Chengdu High-Tech Zone, ~230 mu (~38-acre) campus |
| Students | 2,200+ total; 700+ in the International Division |
| Curriculum | IB PYP, MYP & DP (full continuum) + AP + Chinese National Curriculum dual-track |
| 2024 IB Average | 39.11 / 45 (global average: 30.3) |
| Tuition | ¥108,000–¥134,000/year (~USD 15,000–18,600), grade dependent |
| University Placement | 100% of graduates to world top-100 universities across 15 cohorts |
Key Takeaways
Only a full IB continuum in western China — PYP, MYP, and the IB Diploma all run on one campus alongside a Chinese National Curriculum track.
39.11 average IB score in 2024, well above the 30.3 global average, with a 100% pass rate.
100% of graduates placed into top-100 universities across all 15 graduating cohorts to date.
Tuition runs ¥108,000–¥134,000/year (~USD 15,000–18,600), with an all-in cost of roughly USD 25,000–30,000, including boarding and living expenses.
92% of the 2021 graduating cohort earned the IB Bilingual Diploma — the most recent year the school has published this figure.
Families can switch between the CNC and IB tracks at key transition points as goals change.
What Academic Results Can You Expect?
Start with the numbers. The IB Diploma results at Meishi are strong.
In 2024, the school’s average IB score was 39.11 out of 45. The global average that year was 30.3. Meishi’s average sat almost nine points higher. In 2025, the average was 37.8, against a global average of 30.58 — a gap of about seven points. The pass rate hit 100% both years, with a top individual score of 43 out of 45 in 2025.
| Subject | 2024 Result |
|---|---|
| Physics | 100% of students scored 7 out of 7 |
| Mathematics | 100% scored 6 or 7 |
| Visual Arts | 100% scored 7 |
| Chinese A | 90% scored 6 or higher |
| English B | 90% scored 6 or 7 |
| Biology | 83% scored 6 or higher |
| Chemistry | 67% scored 6 or 7 |
These aren’t broad averages; they’re subject-by-subject scores. They show strong teaching across the board.
Recent university destinations include Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and UCLA; Imperial College London and UCL; LSE and the University of Edinburgh; Nanyang Technological University (NTU); the University of Hong Kong and HKUST; the University of Toronto and UBC; and the Australian National University and the University of Melbourne.
Over the last five years, an average of 82.8% of graduates were admitted to the world’s top 50 universities. In 2024, every graduate who applied to a US university got into a US top-50 school. The school has had 15 graduating cohorts, and all 15 hit a 100% placement rate into the world’s top 100 universities. The 2024 graduating class alone received approximately ¥3.5 million in scholarships from UK, US, and Hong Kong universities.
The school also offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses through the College Board. NUS and NTU, two top schools in Singapore, both accept AP scores for admission.
Forbes China named the school the top institution in Sichuan Province. Forbes also ranked it #36 among all schools in the nation for 2024 (listed under the school’s name at the time, Chengdu Meishi International School — the school’s Chinese registration has since changed, but this is the same institution). Meishi is the only school in Southwest China in the national top 50.
How the Dual-Track IB System Keeps Options Open
Most international schools force families to choose one path early; Meishi does not. Two programs run side by side.
Track 1 — Chinese National Curriculum (CNC)
Follows the Sichuan provincial curriculum. Over 92% of arts-stream students entered degree programs, and that number hit 100% for full undergraduate entry. Families who plan to stay in China long-term often pick this track — so do families aiming for the Gaokao.
Track 2 — Fusion / International Division (IB)
Follows the IB path from kindergarten through Grade 12 in bilingual or English-immersion classes depending on the student’s goals. The school also offers Sino-Canadian programs for families considering North American pathways.
Families can switch tracks at key transition points, so plans can change without a fight.
The school’s core philosophy is “Harmony in Diversity, Integration, and Innovation, Scientific Education.” It’s not a slogan. Curriculum designers created the program by mixing Chinese and Western learning methods. This reflects the school’s commitment to preparing students for an inclusive world.
Within the international division, two language options exist: Bilingual classes run at least 10 English-taught periods per week, with Chinese maintained. English-immersion classes are co-taught with native teachers and are better suited for students aiming for English-medium universities. In Grades 11 and 12, students complete the IB Diploma using only English.
Building Strong Chinese and English Skills
Most international schools in Southeast Asia can’t offer real Mandarin fluency. Meishi can.
Chinese isn’t optional here. In the primary years, about half of all teaching happens in Chinese. By middle school, students use more English. During the IB Diploma years, teachers teach subjects in English, but Chinese remains a core subject.
Chinese A
The IB’s first-language course for heritage speakers and near-native students.
Chinese B
The IB’s second-language course for students building academic Chinese.
Ab Initio
The IB’s beginner course for total newcomers. The name means “from the beginning.”
In the most recent year the school has published this figure (the 2021 graduating cohort), 92% of graduates received the IB Bilingual Diploma. This shows strong skills in both English and Chinese, though the school hasn’t published an updated figure since.
Your child can leave Meishi fluent in English and Mandarin. That opens doors at NUS, NTU, HKU, Tsinghua, and Western universities. No school in Bangkok or Jakarta matches that level of Chinese immersion.
English support is also in place. Students who join with weaker English can access ELL support in the International Division.
Campus Facilities & Student Life
The campus covers around 230 mu (~38 acres) in Chengdu’s High-Tech Zone. Here’s what’s on-site.
Academic Buildings
- Dedicated IB Teaching Buildings
- Science centre with IB-standard labs
- Library with Chinese and English collections
Sports & Recreation
- Indoor basketball stadium
- Full-sized outdoor football field
- Tennis courts
Arts & Enrichment
- Art center with piano rooms and visual arts studios
- Music and dance performance spaces
Boarding & Day Programs
- Boarding open from primary school up on the Chinese National Curriculum track; the IB/International division boards from Grade 6 (day school below that)
- Students can board on weekdays and go home on weekends
- Also runs as a day school for local families who don’t need boarding
The campus sits 200 meters from Metro Line 1, which makes the daily commute easy for day students.
After school, there are plenty of options for students. They can join MUN (Model United Nations), compete in sports with CISA (Chengdu Inter-School Sports Association), be part of coding clubs, or engage in service learning. Students take on CAS requirements for the IB Diploma starting in grade 11.
Class sizes average about 25 students. The IB Diploma cap runs from 25 to 30 per class — small enough for teachers to give each student real attention.
Tuition & Cost Comparison
Meishi International Division — Yearly Fees
| Level | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten | ¥80,000/year (~USD 11,100) |
| Primary (IB PYP, Grades 1–5) | ¥108,000/year (~USD 15,000) |
| Junior High (IB MYP, Grades 6–8) | ¥117,000/year (~USD 16,200) |
| High School (IB Diploma, Grades 9–12) | ¥134,000/year (~USD 18,600) |
| Boarding (Grades 6–12 only; day students exempt) | ¥1,800/year (~USD 250) |
| Application fee (one-time) | ¥2,000 |
| School bus (optional) | ¥2,800/year |
Meals are billed pay-per-use rather than a fixed annual fee. No sibling, early-bird, or multi-year discounts are published — the school offers merit-based scholarships instead (academic, arts, literary, tech, and sports awards, plus a Principal’s Special Award).
Regional Tuition Comparison — Annual High School Fees
| School | Annual Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Chengdu Meishi International School (Chengdu, China) | ~$18,600/year |
| Dulwich College (Singapore) | ~$27,000–42,000/year |
| Bangkok Patana School (Bangkok, Thailand) | ~$14,000–27,000/year |
| British School Jakarta (Jakarta, Indonesia) | ~$18,000–32,000/year |
| Shanghai American School (Shanghai, China) | ~$36,000–44,000/year |
The all-in yearly cost at Meishi runs about USD 25,000 to 30,000. That includes tuition, boarding, meals, and Chengdu’s lower cost of living. A family could pay roughly half that amount compared to an equal IB education in Singapore.
Many parents from Southeast Asia and India choose to move to Chengdu with their children — people call this “parent-child accompaniment.” It’s common at Meishi, especially for younger students. Local foreign investment policies also shape eligibility for some relocation and residency options.
Chengdu ranks among China’s most livable cities for foreign families. A two- to three-bedroom flat near the school costs about RMB 4,000 to 8,000 per month, or roughly USD 550 to 1,100. International hospitals like ParkwayHealth serve the expat community. The city has Indian, Southeast Asian, and Western restaurants, international supermarkets, and a growing expat social scene. The metro system is clean, cheap, and easy to use. Chengdu has direct flights to Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and more ASEAN cities.
Admissions & Next Steps
The admissions team accepts students of all nationalities into the international division. The school operates under approval from the local education department. Here’s how the process works:
PYP (Primary): Family interview and informal meeting
MYP (Grades 6–9): Interview plus academic test
IB Diploma (Grades 11–12): Math test, English test, and interview
Class sizes stay capped, so spaces fill fast. The school accepts mid-year transfers if there is space. This helps families who move outside the usual school calendar.
We recommend a campus tour. A visit lets you meet teachers and see the IB buildings in person for a real sense of the school. Checking the school’s social media is an easy way to see daily campus life before your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Chengdu Meishi International School delivers strong results. IB scores are higher than the global average. The school also has a 100% university placement rate across 15 cohorts. No other school in western China offers the full IB continuum. Add bilingual Chinese-English outcomes, competitive fees, and a big campus, and the case is clear.
For families in Southeast Asia and India, Meishi keeps options open. Your child can aim for NUS, UCL, Stanford, or Tsinghua — all within reach.
Whether it’s the right fit for your child is a different question, though. Every family has different needs. Your child’s age, language level, and university goals all matter.
Alifa Education Services
Let Alifa Help You Decide
Alifa Education Services works with international families to find the right school in China. The team takes care of research, shortlisting, and applications — you won’t have to do it alone. Every recommendation comes from real knowledge of Chinese school systems and admissions timelines, built through years of placing families in the right classrooms.
📅 Book a Free Consultation →This guide is independently researched by Alifa Education Services using publicly available school data. Fees, curriculum details, and admissions requirements change — confirm current figures directly with the school before making a decision.
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