Introduction
A school designed by Renzo Piano. The curriculum has three pillars. One pillar is the Studios program. This program includes filmmaking, robotics, and fashion design. These subjects are part of the weekly schedule. And a Qianhai address at the heart of China’s most dynamic bay area economy.
That is Huitong School & Studios Shenzhen.
Known in Chinese as 深圳荟同学校 (Shenzhen Huitong School), this K–12 school opened in Nanshan District in 2019. It has grown into one of Shenzhen’s most distinctive international schools. Its 2025 IB Diploma graduates averaged 34.0 points. Seventy percent of graduates enter US Top 30 or Global Top 50 universities.
International families should think about Huitong School & Studios in Shenzhen. It’s a good choice. This applies if you’re coming from Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, or anywhere else.
This guide covers everything. It includes curriculum, fees, scholarships, outcomes, and admissions. You’ll also learn about daily life at a unique school in China.
Quick Facts: Huitong School & Studios Shenzhen
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 深圳市南山区荟同学校 |
| English Name | Huitong School & Studios, Shenzhen |
| Curriculum | Full IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) + Chinese National |
| Grade Range | Kindergarten – Grade 12 (ages 2–18) |
| Location | Qianhai, Nanshan District, Shenzhen |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Annual Tuition (2026–27) | ¥245,000–¥285,000 (~$33,800–$39,300 USD) |
| IB Diploma Average | 34.0 (2025 cohort) |
| University Outcomes | 70% to US Top 30 or Global Top 50 |
| Forbes China Ranking | National Top 10 International School (2022) |
| Accreditations | IBO (PYP, MYP, DP) · CIS Member · MOE Licensed |
| Nearest Metro | Railway Park Station, Line 5 — 340 m from campus |
| Website | huitongschool.cn |
What Is Huitong School & Studios?
Huitong School & Studios is an international K–12 school. It has a simple idea: creative learning and academic rigor should be in the same place.
Each campus in the network was designed by a Pritzker Prize–winning architect. In Shenzhen, that architect is Renzo Piano. The Renzo Piano Building Workshop designed the Qianhai campus. They placed the studio’s program at the center of the building. The sixth floor houses the school’s Centers of Excellence. It features robotics labs and digital fabrication tools. There are also maker spaces and regular classrooms. The theater has 300 seats, and there are four dedicated art labs. These are permanent spaces, not converted rooms.
The school launched in 2019 under the global brand Whittle School & Studios. That brand was part of a planned international network. It had campuses in Washington, DC, and Suzhou. After changes to the global organization, the Shenzhen school kept running. It continued under its Chinese name, 荟同 (Huitong). The campus, curriculum, faculty, Renzo Piano architecture, and the Studios program stayed the same. Families who knew this school by its old name will see the same school now in Qianhai.
The school’s Chinese name is 荟同 (Huitong). It means “gathering the best of China and the West for a harmonious world.” That philosophy affects the curriculum and staffing. It also guides the school’s partnerships. The partners are DJI, Tencent, BGI, Tsinghua University Shenzhen, and Peking University Shenzhen.
The school operates as a registered Chinese private school (民办学校). Student enrollment is approximately 700–800 across all year groups. The primary school student-to-teacher ratio is 4.35:1.
Key Takeaways
Huitong School & Studios Shenzhen offers a complete IB Continuum from kindergarten to Grade 12. The average score for the 2025 cohort is 34.0 points.
70% of graduates go to US Top 30 or Global Top 50 universities. The 2024 class earned more than $4.73 million USD in international scholarships.
Annual tuition is between ¥245,000 and ¥285,000, making it one of the highest-fee international schools in Shenzhen for 2026–2027.
The Elite Scholarship covers up to 100% of tuition starting in Grade 7. It renews each year based on academic performance and standardized test scores.
Renzo Piano designed the Qianhai campus. It has a sixth-floor Excellence Center with robotics, AI tools, filmmaking, and digital fabrication studios.
Studios in film, fashion, ceramics, robotics, and AI are part of the weekly timetable. They aren’t just optional after-school activities.
Boarding starts in Grade 7, offering en-suite dormitory rooms and 24-hour resident mentors. The annual cost is ¥15,000 to ¥19,800.
The Studios Concept: Learning Beyond the Classroom
The name “Huitong School & Studios” means more than just a title. The studios are a key part of the school’s foundation.
The school uses a three-part liberal arts model:
- Academy: Core Academics
- Signature: Character and well-being
- Studios: Creative and Applied Learning
All three run in parallel throughout the year. Studios are more than just extracurricular activities. They are not just after-school clubs. They fit into the schedule from kindergarten to grade 12.
What does a studio look like?
The school offers studios in five themes:
- Technology
- Arts
- Humanities
- Sports
- Customised Programmes
Students can explore many fields in the sixth-floor Excellence Center. They can access:
- Film production
- Digital design
- Ceramics
- Sculpture
- Fashion
- Textiles
- 3D printing
- Digital fabrication
- Wood workshops
- Metal workshops
- Robotics
- AI
They also have:
- Orchestra practice rooms
- Choir practice rooms
- Visual arts
- Painting
- Theater
- Performance
The Studios model gives a learning experience based on project-based learning. It also uses design thinking and interdisciplinary learning. The kindergarten program uses the Reggio Emilia framework from Italy.
What Students Actually Produce
The studio’s program creates work ready for exhibitions. A student named Aevine organized and curated a full fashion show. A student named Archie produced a documentary about an old Shenzhen street neighborhood. A student named Peter built AI image recognition tools and game design projects. Two other students did research on dark matter and neutrino physics. They worked with outside academic partners.
The school also runs a resident artist program. In 2024, artist Tao Xian led workshops for oil painting and printmaking. The workshops ended with an auction. Students and teachers showcased their work together.
Zhu Xinyi and Yang Zihan won the Principal’s Million RMB Full Scholarship. Zhu got an offer from Oxford, and Yang received an offer from Cambridge.
The Architecture Makes It Real
Renzo Piano’s design integrates studio spaces throughout the campus. The sixth-floor Excellence Center has robotics, AI tools, and fabrication equipment. They all share one workspace. The studio’s concept is an essential element of the design — it is not an extension.
Academic Programme and IB Curriculum
Full IB Continuum
Huitong School & Studios is fully authorized for all three main International Baccalaureate (IB) programs.
The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) is for kindergarten through grade 6. The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) is for Grades 7 to 9. The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is for Grades 10 to 12.
This is a complete IB school from day one. Families who begin in early childhood follow a simple IB framework. They stay on this path until they graduate with their diploma. This consistency reduces the friction often seen in schools that add the IB on top of a different middle school program.
Bilingual Model
The school teaches in both Chinese and English, with native English and Chinese teachers. The Chinese National Curriculum forms the foundation for compulsory education years, Grades 1 to 9 (G1–G9). Non-native Chinese speakers receive Chinese as a second language support. Non-native English speakers receive a structured English language transition plan.
High School Flexibility
At Grade 10, students enter the IB Diploma Programme. The high school helps students take external AP, A-Level, Oxford AQA, and Pearson Edexcel exams with the IB DP. Contact the admissions team for current details on external exam tracks.
IB Diploma Results and University Acceptances
The 2025 graduating class achieved an IB Diploma average of 34.0. The global IB average sits below 31. That gap matters for university applications to competitive institutions. In 2025, the school recorded its first Oxford acceptance. A Cambridge acceptance followed in 2026. Seventy percent of graduates enter US Top 30 or Global Top 50 universities. Forbes China ranked Huitong as a National Top 10 International School in 2022.
University Destinations
Seventy percent of Huitong School & Studios Shenzhen graduates go to the US top 30 schools. Many others join global top 50 universities, unlocking global opportunities across the UK, the US, Hong Kong, and beyond.
2025 Graduating Class and Their Selected Destinations
| University | Country |
|---|---|
| University of Oxford | UK |
| Imperial College London | UK |
| University College London | UK |
| University of Edinburgh | UK |
| King’s College London | UK |
| University of Manchester | UK |
| Durham University | UK |
| University of Warwick | UK |
| Rice University | USA |
| University of Southern California | USA |
More US Destinations
- New York University
- Tufts
- Boston University
- UC San Diego
- UC Santa Barbara
- UC Irvine
- UC Davis
- UIUC
- UW–Madison
- Ohio State
- Purdue
Arts and Design Destinations
Arts graduates received acceptance from:
- Parsons School of Design (QS World #1 for Art and Design)
- RISD
- SVA
- SAIC
- Berklee College of Music
- Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
- Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Hong Kong Destinations
HKU, HKUST, CUHK, and HKPU appear regularly across cohorts.
Scholarship Outcomes
The 2024 class received more than $4.73 million USD in international scholarships combined. The 2023 class received approximately $2.41 million USD. The school has a college counseling team. They support students and help with applications to universities.
Tuition Fees and Scholarship Programme
Annual Tuition (2026–2027)
| Grade Band | Annual Tuition (RMB) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten (Pre-K to K) | ¥245,000 | ~$33,793 |
| Primary and Middle (G1–G9) | ¥263,000 | ~$36,276 |
| High School (G10–G12) | ¥285,000 | ~$39,310 |
Kindergarten tuition includes meals. USD equivalents use a rate of 1 USD = 7.25 RMB.
Additional Annual Costs
| Item | Annual Cost (RMB) |
|---|---|
| Boarding — Middle School | ~¥15,000 |
| Boarding — High School | ¥16,800–¥19,800 |
| Meals — G1 to G3 | ~¥13,000 |
| Meals — G4 to G9 | ~¥10,000 |
| School bus (Nanshan / Futian) | ~¥11,000–¥13,500 |
| Application fee (one-time) | ¥2,000 |
Comprehensive Scholarship Program at Huitong School
Huitong School & Studios has one of the most complete scholarship programs among private international schools in Shenzhen.
| Scholarship | Coverage | From Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Elite Scholarship (英才奖学金) | 50%–100% of tuition, renewed annually | 7 |
| Excellence Scholarship (卓越奖学金) | 10%–30% of tuition | 5 |
| Community Leader Scholarship (社区领袖奖学金) | 10%–30% of tuition | 5 |
| Language & Culture Scholarship (语言文化奖学金) | 10%–30% of tuition | 3 |
| University Education Fund | ¥200,000 RMB per recipient | Graduates |
The Elite Scholarship covers up to 100% of tuition from grade 7. Students need to meet at least three of these criteria:
- Academic excellence
- Outstanding talent
- Standardized test benchmarks (TOEFL 100+, IELTS 7.5+, or SSAT 2200+)
The scholarship renews each year based on the recipient’s ongoing performance. If tuition is a problem for your family, reach out to the admissions team. Ask about the scholarship program.
Boarding at Huitong School & Studios Shenzhen
Boarding is available from Grade 7 upwards. The school offers both weekday and full seven-day boarding. The G1–G9 compulsory education segment does not include boarding.
Annual boarding fees start at approximately ¥15,000 for middle school students. High school boarding runs ¥16,800–19,800 per year depending on the plan. The fee includes three daily meals and a supervised evening self-study session.
Dormitory Facilities
Dormitory rooms are shared (多人间). Each room has its own private en-suite bathroom (独立卫浴). It also has air conditioning, a study desk, and wardrobe space. Supervision happens through a structured mentorship system. There are 24-hour resident life mentors (生活老师). There is also a housemaster (舍监). Evening self-study is scheduled and supervised. Talk to the admissions team; they can confirm room capacity. They will also share details about common facilities at the Shenzhen campus.
On-Campus Sports Facilities
- A 1,000-square-meter indoor sports hall with a gym and dedicated training rooms.
- An indoor swimming pool is open all year round.
- A rooftop outdoor sports area for games and activities on campus.
- A 400-meter athletics track, an artificial-turf football field, basketball courts, and tennis courts are about 1.5 km from campus.
Dormitory Facilities
Dormitory rooms are shared (多人间). Each room has its own private en-suite bathroom (独立卫浴). It also has air conditioning, a study desk, and wardrobe space. Supervision happens through a structured mentorship system. There are 24-hour resident life mentors (生活老师). There is also a housemaster (舍监). Evening self-study is scheduled and supervised. Talk to the admissions team; they can confirm room capacity. They will also share details about common facilities at the Shenzhen campus.
On-Campus Sports Facilities
- A 1,000-square-meter indoor sports hall with a gym and dedicated training rooms.
- An indoor swimming pool is open all year round.
- A rooftop outdoor sports area for games and activities on campus.
- A 400-meter athletics track, an artificial-turf football field, basketball courts, and tennis courts are about 1.5 km from campus.
Admissions at Huitong School & Studios Shenzhen
Year-Round Student Admissions and Enrollment
The school accepts applications year-round with no fixed annual deadline. New students join from kindergarten through grade 12, including mid-year transfers.
The admissions process:
- Register for an Exchange Day or campus Open Day via WeChat (公众号: 荟同) or the school website.
- Submit the online application form.
- The admissions team contacts your family to schedule an assessment.
- The child and parents visit the campus for the assessment activity.
- The school communicates results within two weeks.
- Accept the offer and confirm enrolment by paying fees.
Grade-Wise Student Assessment Methods
For Grade 2 and below, the assessment is play-based and observational. Starting in Grade 3, students take MAP tests in math, reading, and language usage. Upper-year applicants also complete written assessments in Chinese and English. A complete interview with the student and parents is needed at every level.
English Language Requirements and Support
No minimum IELTS or TOEFL score is required. The school assesses English through MAP testing and interviews. Students with lower English levels receive a structured language transition plan. Non-Chinese students face no Mandarin requirement at entry.
Required Documents
- Child’s passport or ID copy
- Parent or guardian’s passport or ID copy
- Two most recent school reports or transcripts
- Health check form (Nanshan Maternal and Child Health Hospital)
- Medical insurance card copy
- Immunisation record and verification certificate
Admissions Contact Information
- Phone: 0755-8785-7626 (weekdays 09:00–17:00)
- WeChat: 18126356919
- Email: info@huitongschool.cn
Frequently Asked Questions
The school offers the full IB program. This includes PYP (Primary Years), MYP (Middle Years), and DP (Diploma Programme). The Chinese National Curriculum forms the academic foundation for grades 1–9. High school students can also sit external AP and A-Level exams alongside the IB Diploma.
For 2026–2027: Kindergarten ¥245,000 (~$33,793 USD); Primary and Middle School ¥263,000 (~$36,276 USD); High School ¥285,000 (~$39,310 USD). Boarding, meals, and the school bus are charged separately. The Elite Scholarship covers up to 100% of tuition from Grade 7.
Studios are one of the three main parts of the educational model. The other two are Academy and Signature. They are part of the timetable from Kindergarten to Grade 12, not an after-school option. Students make things in film, design, ceramics, robotics, AI, fashion, 3D printing, music, and theater. They learn through projects and Design Thinking.
Yes. No Mandarin requirement applies at entry for non-Chinese students. The school offers support for Chinese as a second language. It also has a clear plan to help students transition to English.
The school is in Qianhai, Nanshan District. Railway Park Station on Metro Line 5 is 340 meters from campus. The Nanshan tech district is 10–15 minutes by metro. Futian CBD is 25–30 minutes. For families coming from Hong Kong, Shenzhen Bay Port in Nanshan is about a 15–20 minute taxi ride from the campus.
Yes. Boarding is available from Grade 7. Both weekday and full seven-day options are offered. Fees start at approximately ¥15,000 per year for middle school students, rising to ¥16,800–¥19,800 for high school. Three daily meals and a supervised evening self-study session are included.
Yes. Under China’s Ministry of Education regulations, international students under 18 must have a legal guardian in China if their parents do not live there permanently. This is a national legal requirement. It applies regardless of whether the school’s admissions pages explicitly restate it. Alifa Education creates guardian documents. These packages help families from other countries in Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area.
Is Huitong School & Studios Right for Your Family?
Huitong School & Studios in Shenzhen is ideal for families. It has an IB curriculum. The school emphasizes creative learning.
The school is ideal for kids who enjoy project-based learning. It’s for those who want the IB Diploma and plan to apply to universities in the UK, US, or Hong Kong. It’s great for kids who like technology, design, performing arts, or other subjects. Plus, there are strong scholarships.
The tuition — ¥263,000–285,000 per year for Grade 1 upwards — is among the highest in Shenzhen. The scholarship program is big. Good students from any income level should apply.
The school cafeteria, run by ADEN Group, has meals for Muslim families. They serve Chinese, Western, and vegetarian options. No halal certification or halal food line has been confirmed for the Shenzhen campus. Muslim families should tell the admissions team about dietary needs before they commit.
For families relocating from ASEAN countries, the Qianhai location works well. Nanshan District has a strong expat community. It provides school bus service in Nanshan and Futian Districts. The metro makes it easy to commute between these areas.
Alifa Education Services
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Disclosure: Alifa Education Services is an independent education placement consultancy. We may earn a referral fee from partner schools when families enroll, at no extra cost to the family. Our recommendations are based on fit, not fee structure.
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