Introduction
The International School of Sanya and Sanya Haiya Foreign Language School are on the same campus. Both are run by Haiya Education Group. They have different licenses under Chinese law. The International School of Sanya is for kids of foreign workers. It only accepts non-Chinese passport holders. This includes kids from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. Sanya Haiya Foreign Language School is a private bilingual school. It has no rules about nationality. Chinese and international students can both join.
One Campus, Two Schools — How This Works
Both schools were founded in 2014 and sit on the same campus at No. 38 Luhuitou Road, Jiyang District, Sanya. It’s in the Serenity Coast community. It’s next to Luhuitou Park. Both schools are run by Haiya Education Group. This company used to be called Sanya Haiya Quality Education Consulting Management Co., Ltd. They also have a kindergarten and childcare center on the same site. Mr. Xing Qingsheng is the principal for both schools. They are legally separate schools, not two names for the same institution. Here’s a note for anyone checking old sources: Sanya Haiya Foreign Language School added “Haiya” in May 2025. Before that, it was just “Sanya Foreign Language School” for over ten years. Some directories still use the old name.
Two schools with different licenses share a campus. This is because of Chinese education rules. Schools “for children of foreign personnel” (外籍人员子女学校) are a special kind of school. The International School of Sanya is one of them. It follows the Ministry of Education’s 1995 Interim Measures. This license is stricter than that of regular private schools. Hainan has rules for international students. Foreign schools follow national laws. They do not follow local rules. Sanya Haiya Foreign Language School has a private-school license. This allows it to enroll Chinese and international students. They can study together. One operator, one principal, one site, two licenses, two enrollment pools.
Key Takeaways
The International School of Sanya and Sanya Haiya Foreign Language School share a campus and are part of Haiya Education Group. However, they hold separate Chinese education licenses.
The International School of Sanya admits only non-Chinese passport holders (including HK, Macao, and Taiwan). It serves students from kindergarten to Grade 9 — there is no high school program.
Annual tuition at the International School of Sanya is ¥120,000–200,000, based on the school’s official 2025 disclosure document (reference: 三发改函〔2025〕295号).
- Chinese National Curriculum
- IB-aligned Fusion
- Cambridge IGCSE & A-Level
- NCUK International Foundation Year
Sanya Haiya’s Cambridge track had a 100% overseas university offer rate in 2024 and 2025. Key placements included the University of Sydney, Manchester, Southampton, and Exeter.
Boarding at Sanya Haiya hosts about 100 students in four-person apartments with private bathrooms. The flat annual fee is ¥4,000. Only 3 students board at the International School of Sanya.
Sanya Haiya Cambridge track scholarships can cover 70–80% of tuition for top exam scorers, up to a total value of ¥440,000 over four years.
The International School of Sanya
Founded
2014
Grade Levels
K–9, ages 3+
Admission Policy
Non-Chinese passports + HK / Macao / Taiwan
Boarding
Rare but available (~3 students board)
The International School of Sanya teaches from kindergarten to Grade 9. It uses a British-style curriculum based on the UK National Curriculum. Students also learn Chinese as a second language. The focus is about 85% on the international curriculum and 15% on the Chinese language. It has Cambridge registration CN740. This is the same approval from October 2018. It was the first Cambridge school in Sanya. But this registration is for IGCSE and A-Level classes.
The International School of Sanya does not have a high school. The student body includes over 20 countries and regions. Class sizes are about 25 students. Admission involves a trial class, a written test in English and math, and an interview. The school mainly has day students. Right now, only about 3 students live on campus. Most come each day and share dormitory and canteen facilities with Sanya Haiya next door.
Because the International School of Sanya stops at Grade 9, families need a plan for high school. Non-Chinese passport students can go to Sanya Haiya’s Cambridge International School track. It has CN740 registration. There are no nationality limits. This school lets students switch campuses. It serves both Chinese and international students. Check with admissions directly. This isn’t an official transfer pathway. But it looks like the best option based on the shared campus and curriculum.
The International School of Sanya is an IB PYP World School. It offers the IB Programme alongside the UK National Curriculum up to Grade 9. Sanya Haiya Foreign Language School’s Primary Fusion division is IB PYP authorized. Its school code is 062575. This began on September 4, 2023. Each school has its own IB registration on the shared campus.
International School of Sanya — Fees
The International School of Sanya does not publish fees on the Haiya Education Group website. However, the school is required by the Sanya Development and Reform Commission to display an official fee notice. The figures below come from that disclosure placard, document 三发改函〔2025〕295号 — the current, authoritative source.
Tuition — Per Semester
| Level | Fee per Semester |
|---|---|
| Nursery | ¥60,000 |
| Primary | ¥80,000 |
| Middle School | ¥100,000 |
Tuition — Per Year
| Level | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Nursery | ¥120,000 (~USD 16,600) |
| Primary | ¥160,000 (~USD 22,100) |
| Middle School | ¥200,000 (~USD 27,700) |
The placard shows no high school tier. This matches the school’s offering, which covers kindergarten through Grade 9 only.
Additional Costs
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Email: ashleylei@hye-edu.com
Sanya Haiya Foreign Language School
Founded
2014
Grade Levels
K–12, ages 2–18
Admission Policy
Open to all nationalities
Boarding
Widely used (around 100 students board)
Sanya Haiya Foreign Language School offers bilingual education across three tracks. This is better than one fixed curriculum. It makes the school more interesting than a single-track one. Hainan’s first IB PYP World School kindergarten opened here. It was rated a model kindergarten in Sanya within three years. At primary and middle school, families have two choices. They can pick a Chinese National Curriculum class. Or, they can choose an international class. This international class is called the “fusion” track. It follows the IB PYP. In high school, students can pick from three options. They can take the Chinese Gaokao track.
Students can choose the Cambridge International Curriculum, including IGCSE and A-Level courses. This includes global perspectives. This curriculum is linked to the International School of Sanya. Another choice is the NCUK International Foundation Year. In 2019, Sanya Haiya became NCUK’s 30th global study center.
The Primary Fusion division is an IB PYP World School (code 062575) as of September 4, 2023. The Chinese National Curriculum class is separate. Ms. Lora Chang Liu is the principal. She is also the IB Head of School.
| Track | Annual Tuition | USD Approx. |
|---|---|---|
| Primary, Chinese class | ¥45,000 | ~$6,200 |
| Primary, International class | ¥94,000 | ~$13,000 |
| Middle school, Chinese class | ¥55,000 | ~$7,600 |
| Middle school, International class | ¥114,000 | ~$15,700 |
| High school, Chinese class (Gaokao) | ¥65,000 | ~$9,000 |
| High school, International class (Cambridge) | ¥134,000 | ~$18,500 |
International School of Sanya vs. Sanya Haiya Foreign Language School: Side-by-Side Comparison
| International School of Sanya | Sanya Haiya Foreign Language School | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible Nationalities | Non-Chinese passports + HK/Macao/Taiwan | All nationalities |
| Founded / Operator | 2014 — Haiya Education Group | 2014 — Haiya Education Group |
| Grade Levels | K–9, ages 3+ (no high school) | K–12, ages 2–18 |
| Curriculum | UK National Curriculum (K–9) | Chinese National / Fusion (IB-aligned) / Cambridge IGCSE/A-Level / NCUK IFY |
| Annual Fees | ¥120,000–200,000, K–9 (official 2025 rate) | ¥45,000–¥134,000 (~$6,200–$18,500) by track (official rate) |
| Boarding | Available, rarely used — ~3 students board | Widely used — ~100 students board, ¥4,000/year |
| Published University Outcomes | Not publicly available | 100% overseas acceptance (2024, 2025); offers incl. Sydney, Manchester, Southampton, Exeter |
Eligibility: Which School Can My Child Attend?
This is about passport nationality, not preference. It’s not about which school a family thinks is best.
✓ International School of Sanya
If your child has a non-Chinese passport — including HK, Macao, or Taiwan — they can enroll here.
→ Sanya Haiya Foreign Language School
If your child holds a Chinese passport, the International School of Sanya is not an option. The bilingual school offers four tracks: Chinese National Curriculum, fusion, Cambridge, or NCUK.
Mixed-nationality families have one Chinese parent and one foreign parent. We need to study them. Assumptions are not enough. China’s Nationality Law does not allow dual nationality. A child’s legal nationality can be different from their passport. They might carry one passport but have another status in China.
No source explains how the International School of Sanya handles this. Other schools do it differently. Some take any passport. Others need proof the child has no Chinese nationality. Ask the school directly. You can also have Alifa check for you.
Do not assume your child is eligible or not eligible without checking. Alifa Education Services can make the eligibility inquiry directly with the school on your behalf, so you get a confirmed answer before applying.
Admissions Process & Required Documents
For Sanya Haiya Foreign Language School, the path differs by track. Compulsory education (Grades 1–9) follows Sanya’s rules. You need proof of local residency. This usually means a parent’s Sanya residence permit. Parents apply using the 海易办 app and the school’s process. The Cambridge International High School track is for students aged 14 and up. This includes those from Hainan and other places. To join, students must pass a test in English and math. The test results also decide their scholarship tier.
At the International School of Sanya, admission has a few steps. First, there’s a trial stay. Then, students take a written test in English and math. Finally, they have an interview. Class sizes are around 25 students.
As a school for kids of foreign staff, families must prepare these documents:
Sanya’s 2025 notice says foreign kids with permanent residency are local for school. If they don’t have it, they need the following:
Boarding, Guardianship and Visa Considerations for Minors
Both schools offer boarding. They share the same student dormitory and canteen. It’s one set of facilities, not two similar ones. What differs sharply is how many students actually use it. At the International School of Sanya, boarding is an option. However, few students use it. Right now, only about 3 students live on campus. The others come to school each day. At Sanya Haiya Foreign Language School, many students board on campus.
About 100 students live in four-person apartments. Each room has a private bathroom and air conditioning. The buildings have elevators and both Chinese and foreign dormitory supervisors. The cost is a flat ¥4,000 per year. If boarding matters to you, here’s the deal: don’t ignore the International School of Sanya just because it’s day-only. However, don’t think boarding is common there like it is at Sanya Haiya.
Foreign minor students can’t have a parent living in China. They must follow Article 38. This is in the Ministry of Education’s 2017 rules for international students. A school must have a guardian for international students under 18. This is for students whose parents do not live in China often. The guardian can be a foreigner or a Chinese citizen with a valid residence permit. Parents must also give supporting documents. An older 1999 Ministry of Education measure (Order No. 4) gives more details about the paperwork.
It needs a guardian-designation document from the parents. This document must be notarized in the student’s home country. Then, it should be authenticated by the Chinese embassy. Alternatively, it can be notarized directly in China. Hainan says foreign schools, like the International School of Sanya, follow national rules. The province has no extra rules. Enrollment does not ask more from guardians. You can’t find the guardian-filing form.
The same goes for the procedure. This applies to the International School of Sanya. It is not published anywhere. It’s best to confirm this directly with the school at ashleylei@hye-edu.com. You can also ask Alifa to manage this as part of placement. Guardian documentation is one of Alifa’s main services.
Life in Sanya and the Hainan Free Trade Port for Relocating Families
Hainan’s Free Trade Port has a tiered policy for education access. This policy is for foreign talent. Top-tier “A/B-category” talent gets support from the provincial education department. This is done case by case. “C/D/E-category” talent attends nearby public schools. Others moving for work go to local schools for foreign kids. In Sanya, there are options. You can go to the International School of Sanya. You can also choose private schools like Sanya Haiya. Placement depends on where they live. Sanya’s cost of living is considerably lower than Shanghai’s or Beijing’s, which makes it a practical base for relocating families weighing either school.
Harrow School is open and enrolling in Haikou. Dulwich College and Wycombe Abbey will open in Haikou and Sanya soon. This helps families looking for options. It shows that Hainan’s international-school market is growing near Sanya. Hainan’s Education Development Program plans to build over 4,500 new schools. In 2023, a new rule lets qualified overseas universities operate alone in the Free Trade Port. This shows the market is still developing. The International School of Sanya and Sanya Haiya are already open. They are real options, not just future plans.
University Destinations & Outcomes
Main graduation destinations for Sanya Haiya’s Cambridge track span the UK, Australia, and beyond. Sanya Haiya’s Cambridge International High School shares its data. The 2024 class had a 100% offer rate for overseas universities. The same is true for the 2025 class.
2025 offers included the following:
Several offers were into engineering programs.
The International School of Sanya doesn’t share graduate outcome data. This is a real gap in what’s available. If this information is important to you, consider asking the school directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Curriculum: The International School of Sanya uses an international curriculum. Sanya Haiya offers multiple tracks including Cambridge, IB-aligned fusion, Chinese National, and NCUK.
- Admissions: The International School accepts only non-Chinese passport holders (including HK, Macao, and Taiwan). Sanya Haiya has no nationality restrictions.
- Grade levels: The International School runs K–9 only. Sanya Haiya runs K–12.
- Boarding: Both offer boarding from the same dormitory. About 100 students board at Sanya Haiya; only about 3 at the International School.
Both are run by Haiya Education Group on the same campus but hold separate legal licenses.
Yes. Both operate from No. 38 Luhuitou Road, Jiyang District, Sanya. They share a student dormitory, canteen, Olympic-sized pool, indoor stadium, STEAM labs, and library. No facility is exclusive to either school.
This is the most legally nuanced question for this campus. China does not allow dual nationality, so a child’s legal nationality might differ from the passport they use daily. The school has no published policy on this. Check directly with the admissions office before making any assumptions.
International School of Sanya: UK National Curriculum for K–9. Also an IB PYP World School. No high school.
Sanya Haiya Foreign Language School offers three K–12 tracks:
- Chinese National Curriculum (Gaokao)
- International fusion track with IB PYP authorization for primary
- Cambridge IGCSE/A-Level
Additionally, an NCUK International Foundation Year is available in high school.
The International School of Sanya doesn’t run a high school, so families need a plan beyond Grade 9. Sanya Haiya Foreign Language School’s Cambridge International High School track — on the same campus, sharing the same Cambridge registration and with no nationality restrictions — is a natural continuation route. Confirm directly with admissions as it’s not listed as an official transfer pathway.
Yes, at both schools, sharing the same student dormitory building — but usage differs sharply. About 100 students board at Sanya Haiya at ¥4,000/year. Only about 3 students board at the International School of Sanya; most attend as day students.
- Sanya Haiya Foreign Language School: ¥45,000–134,000/year by stage and track. Families in primary and middle school may access a small government subsidy.
- International School of Sanya: ¥120,000–200,000/year, covering nursery, primary, and middle school (no high school).
Usually, yes. Under Ministry of Education Order No. 42 (2017), a student under 18 whose parents live outside China must have a guardian in China with supporting documents. The International School of Sanya doesn’t publish its exact procedure — check directly with the school.
For Sanya Haiya’s compulsory tracks, proof of local residency is required. The Cambridge track requires an entrance exam. For the International School of Sanya:
- Child’s passport
- China visa or residence permit
- Notarized and translated birth certificate
- Parents’ passports
- Proof of residence
This is not the official checklist from the International School of Sanya. Confirm directly with the school before applying.
Sanya Haiya’s Cambridge track has a 100% overseas university offer rate for 2024 and 2025, including offers from Sydney, Manchester, Southampton, and Exeter. The International School of Sanya does not publish its own graduate outcome data.
Alifa Education Services
Alifa Education helps families with questions about eligibility. They check current fees. They handle guardian documents for minors. They also manage the full application process for schools in China.
📱 WhatsApp/WeChat: +86 152 0107 9455
✉ business@alifaedtech.com
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.