Introduction
Hangzhou is more than a picturesque city by West Lake. It is one of China's fastest-growing tech hubs. Home to Alibaba and thousands of global firms, it draws expat families from over 46 countries — all looking for great schools.
The city sits in Zhejiang Province. It is 45 minutes from Shanghai by high-speed rail. Cultural heritage meets economic growth here. Tech giants like Alibaba call it home. Schools here offer the IB Continuum, A-Level, AP, and bilingual programs. Many hold international accreditation. They meet world-class educational standards.
Choosing the right school is hard. Fees vary. Residency permit rules for foreign families apply to some programmes. Curriculum styles differ. ALIFA Education Services can help. ALIFA guides expat families through every step—from shortlisting to full application support.
Book a free consultation with ALIFA today and get matched with the best school for your child.
Why Hangzhou's Schools Stand Out
Hangzhou's international schools are a rich mixture of academic excellence and cultural depth. The city is a true melting pot. Students come from Asia, Europe, North America, and beyond. That diversity creates an inclusive environment. They build it on mutual respect and cultural perspectives from around the world.
Schools make many investments in qualified teachers. Many hold master's or doctoral degrees. They use a wide range of teaching methodologies. These include inquiry-based learning and project-based work. Students build critical thinking skills. They become lifelong learners ready for top universities.
Facilities match the ambition. Advanced classrooms, science labs, and arts centers are standard. Many campuses offer comprehensive counseling services. These support emotional development alongside academics. This focus on holistic education sets Hangzhou apart from other Chinese cities.
The city now has eight schools for foreign nationals. There are also dozens of private bilingual and public international programmes. Total enrollment has grown by almost 70% in five years. Hangzhou is carving its own identity as a top destination for international schooling.
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Top 19 International Schools in Hangzhou
1. Hangzhou International School (HIS)
Best for: Expat families seeking a full IB World School
HIS is the oldest school for foreign nationals in Zhejiang Province. Founded in 2002, it serves over 1,200 students from 50+ countries. It holds full accreditation from both WASC and the IB Organization. It covers PYP, MYP, and IB DP. The 2025 class received 100+ offers from universities in 13 countries. These included UCL and the University of Toronto. Open to foreign passport holders and HK/Macau/Taiwan holders only.
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Kindergarten: ¥210,000/year
- Primary (K–Grade 5): ¥245,000/year
- Junior High (Grades 6–8): ¥262,500/year
- Senior High (Grades 9–12): ¥262,500/year
2. BASIS International School Hangzhou (BIHZ)
Best for: Families targeting Ivy League and top US universities
BIHZ follows the rigorous BASIS curriculum. AP courses start from Grade 9. Maths and science run one to two grade levels ahead of the standard. In 2025, 71% of graduates got into US News Top 30 or UK Times Top 5 universities. They admitted 100% to the US Top 50 or UK Top 10. College counselling starts from Grade 9. You need a foreign passport or HK/Macau/Taiwan ID.
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Pre K: ~¥199,100/year
- Kindergarten: ~¥223,000/year
- Grades 1–8: ~¥243,200/year
- Grades 9–12: ~¥264,400/year
3. Wellington College International Hangzhou (WCIS)
Best for: British curriculum with world-class boarding
WCIS opened in 2018. It draws on 160 years of Wellington heritage. It offers the UK National Curriculum, IGCSE, and A-Level. The teacher-to-student ratio is 1:9. In 2025, 77% of graduates got places at QS Top 20 universities. Students earned almost ¥3 million in scholarships. Open to expat children and HK/Macau/Taiwan residents in Zhejiang Province.
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Grades 1–6: ~¥298,750/year
- Grades 7–10: ~¥313,180/year
- Grades 11–13: ~¥316,940/year
- Extra costs: ~¥10,000–30,000/year (exams, uniforms, misc.)
4. Wycombe Abbey School Hangzhou (WASHZ)
Best for: Premium boarding with Chinese and British curriculum
WASHZ opened in 2021 near Fairy Lake. The campus covers 200 acres. It follows the Chinese National Curriculum in primary and junior high. High school students study IGCSE and A-Level. Boarding is available from age 6. In 2025, 90% of graduates entered QS Top 50 universities. The school awarded ¥5.8 million in scholarships. Open to all students. Scholarships can cover 100% of tuition.
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Kindergarten: ¥167,500/year
- Primary: ¥201,000/year
- Junior High: ¥222,500/year
- Senior High: ¥264,500/year
- Boarding: ¥20,000–28,000/year extra
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5. Wahaha Bilingual School Hangzhou
Best for: Small classes and strong IB bilingual education
Wahaha is one of only two Cognia-accredited schools in Hangzhou. It serves Grades 1–9. It holds full IB-PYP and IB-MYP authorisation. Class sizes cap at 22 students. The teacher-to-student ratio is 1:4. Each class has one Chinese teacher and one foreign teacher. Students must complete Mandarin and Chinese cultural courses. Open to foreign and HK/Macau/Taiwan students only.
Annual tuition fees:
- Grades 1–5: ¥162,500/year
- Grades 6–9: ¥180,500/year
6. Hiba Academy Hangzhou (Wellington China)
Best for: Bilingual families wanting Chinese roots and international results
Hiba Academy is part of the Wellington China Education Group. It serves students aged 2–18. The school follows the Chinese National Curriculum. High school students study IGCSEs and A-Levels. In 2025, 77% of graduates received offers from QS Top 20 universities. Students scored an 87.3% A/A* rate in the IGCSEs. That is far above the UK national average of 21.7%. It is open to Chinese and foreign students.
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Primary (Grades 1–6): ~¥193,600/year
- Junior High (Grades 7–9): ~¥226,400/year
- Senior High (Grade 10+): ~¥259,000/year
- Boarding: ~¥21,800/semester (optional)
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7. Olive Tree International Academy, BFSU
Best for: Chinese students wanting AP, A-Level, DSE, or arts pathways
Olive Tree opened in 2017. It was the first private international school in Hangzhou. It enrolled Chinese students for 12 years. It offers AP, A-Level, DSE (Hong Kong), and art-integrated programs. In 2024, 17 of its 44 UK-bound students received G5 offers. All 18 art-direction graduates entered top art schools worldwide. The school holds authorisations from Cambridge, Edexcel, Oxford AQA, and the College Board.
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Primary Grade 1: ¥120,000/year
- Junior High Grade 1: ¥150,000/year
- Senior High Grade 1: ¥180,000/year
8. Hangzhou World Foreign Language School
Best for: Chinese families wanting IB with a domestic safety net
This school is part of the World Foreign Language Education Group. It runs a Junior High Bilingual Department and an IBDP International High School. It was the first school in Hangzhou to enroll Chinese students in the IBDP. In 2024, 97% of IBDP graduates entered the world's top 100 universities. The school offers a dual-track model. Students prepare for both the Chinese high school exam and international study.
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Junior High Bilingual Department: ~¥38,000/semester
- International High School (IBDP): ~¥80,000/semester
- Meals: ¥7,500/semester
- Boarding: ¥3,900/semester
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9. Zhejiang Ivy International Academy
Best for: A-Level students targeting UK, US, or Japan
Zhejiang Ivy International Academy has offered A-Levels since 2011. It holds dual accreditation from Oxford AQA and Pearson Edexcel. It also offers a Japanese EJU track. Students can choose multilingual electives in French, German, and Spanish. In 2024, 80% of graduates received offers from the top 30 universities worldwide.
Annual Tuition Fees:
- A-Level program: ¥148,000/year
- Japanese EJU program: ¥88,000/year
- Accommodation: ~¥16,000/year
10. Hangzhou Wickham International School
Best for: Families wanting top UK, Japan, HK, or US outcomes
Hangzhou Wickham International School has kept a 60%+ admission rate to the top 10 universities worldwide for several years. It offers A-Level, an American track, a Sino-Japanese bilingual class, and Hong Kong DSE. From 2021 to 2023, four students entered Oxford or Cambridge. It holds IB-PYP authorisation for primary. It is also dual-authorised for A-Level by both CAIE and Edexcel.
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Primary: ~¥116,000/year
- Junior High: ~¥148,000/year
- A-Level / American track: ¥158,000/year
- Sino-Japanese class: ¥98,000/year
- Hong Kong DSE class: ¥198,000/year
11. Hangzhou Dipont School of Arts and Science
Best for: Chinese families wanting Chinese roots and strong A-Level results
RDFZ Hangzhou School used to be the name of Dipont. It was co-founded with Renmin University Affiliated High School and King's College School, Wimbledon. The school offers bilingual primary and junior high. High school students study IGCSEs and A-levels. In 2024, 80% of graduates entered QS Top 100 universities. The school also received offers from Cambridge and many G5 universities. Nine full-time college counselors support every student.
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Kindergarten: ¥138,000/year (includes 5-day boarding)
- Primary: ¥156,000/year (includes 5-day boarding)
- Junior High: ¥176,000/year (includes 5-day boarding)
- Senior High: ¥188,000/year (includes 5-day boarding)
12. Hangzhou Entel Foreign Language School
Best for: Families wanting bilingual education with many study destinations
Hangzhou Entel Foreign Language School manages Entel and offers UK, US, Australian, German, and Japanese pathways. It is the only school in Zhejiang with a UNSW Foundation Program. In 2025, 100% of UK/US-track graduates entered world Top 100 universities. 92% of Australia-track students entered five-star Australian universities.
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Junior High: ¥40,700/semester
- UK/US/Australia track: ¥110,000/year
- Japan/Germany track: ¥90,000/year
- Boarding: ¥3,500/semester
13. Hangzhou Tianyuan College
Best for: Students wanting A-levels with a strong arts or Japan track
Tianyuan opened in 2021. Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) recognises it. Its GLOCAL curriculum blends Chinese national courses with A-levels. It also includes a Japan EJU track. The London College of Fashion built an Art and Design programme. The 2024 class received 89+ offers from global top 100 universities. These included Imperial College London, UCL, and the University of Toronto.
Annual Tuition Fees:
- A-level programme: ¥150,000/year
- Japan track: ¥100,000/year
- Boarding: ¥3,000/semester
14. Hangzhou Dongfang High School
Best for: Australian, Canadian, or UK pathway students
Dongfang offers three programmes. The first is the Australian QCE curriculum. The second is a Sino-Canadian 2+1 programme — two years in China and one year in Canada. The third is a UK IGCSE and A-Level track. QCE graduates apply directly to Australian universities and do not need to meet the IELTS rule. In 2021, 100% of graduates entered the world's top 100 universities. 75% entered the Top 30, including Oxford and Cambridge.
Annual tuition fees:
- Tuition: ¥63,500/semester
- Boarding: ¥3,600/semester
- Meals: ¥4,200/semester (prepaid)
15. Dingwen Academy Hangzhou
Best for: Families wanting a brand-new bilingual campus with premium facilities
Dingwen opened in September 2024 in Qiantang District. It already ranks second among international schools in Hangzhou on the KingLead list. Kindergarten follows IB PYP. Primary and junior high use IB MYP concepts. High school offers A-Level, AP, and IBDP. Its 2025 IGCSE results show 50%+ of students scoring A–A*. That is well above the UK national average.
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Kindergarten: ~¥200,000/year
- Primary: ~¥200,000/year
- Junior High: ~¥220,000/year
- Senior High: ~¥250,000/year
- Boarding: ¥18,000/semester
16. Hangzhou Foreign Languages School (HFLS) – Cambridge International Centre
Best for: Budget-conscious families targeting UK and Hong Kong universities
HFLS is a public school. It has held Cambridge A-Level authorisation since 2008. Students earn a Chinese high school diploma and complete IGCSE and A-Level. In 2024, 56% of UK applicants received G5 offers. The Cambridge pre-admission rate was 21.5%. That is the highest in Zhejiang Province. 95% of US-bound students got into Top 50 universities. This is one of the most cost-effective options in Hangzhou.
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Day school tuition: ¥45,000/semester (~¥90,000/year)
- Boarding tuition: ¥800/semester
- College counseling: ¥60,000 one-time (3 years)
- Textbooks and agency fees: ~¥10,000 one-time (3 years)
17. Hangzhou No. 4 High School International Department (HZ4Z)
Best for: A-Level students targeting the UK and Hong Kong with full boarding
HZ4Z is the only public international department in Hangzhou with a fully independent campus. It partnered with MPW, a well-known British private school. In 2025, the cohort achieved a G5 "Grand Slam." They received offers from all five elite UK universities. These included Oxford and Cambridge. The Hong Kong direction also hit a new high with 20 University of Hong Kong offers.
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Yearly tuition fees: ¥44,000/semester (~¥88,000/year)
- Boarding tuition: ~¥3,000–5,000/semester
- Textbooks: ~¥1,000–2,000/semester
- International exam fees: ~¥1,000–2,000/subject
18. Hangzhou High School (HHS)
Best for: AP students targeting US and global top universities
HHS is a College Board-registered AP centre (CEEB code: 694579). It offers almost 20 AP courses. Students also complete Chinese high school graduation requirements. The teacher-to-student ratio is 1:3.5. That is among the highest in Hangzhou. In 2025, 86.6% of graduates got into global Top 30 universities. 95.2% entered US Top 50 universities. The school runs official test centres for six major international competitions.
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Day school tuition: ¥44,000/semester (~¥88,000/year)
- Boarding: ~¥600/semester
- AP exam fees: ~¥1,200/subject
- College counseling: ~¥5,000–8,000/year
19. Hangzhou No. 14 High School (AP Center)
Best for: US-focused students who want AP in a public school setting
No. 14 High School has offered AP since 2012. It is one of the earliest College Board-authorized schools in Zhejiang. It offers 19 AP courses. The school targets TOEFL 100+ and SAT 1450+ for all students. In 2025, 54 graduates received an average of 6 university offers each. 96% were admitted to US Top 50 universities. The school has 43 student clubs and a strong robotics program.
Annual Tuition Fees:
- Yearly tuition fees: ¥44,000/semester (~¥88,000/year)
- Boarding tuition: ¥350/semester
- International exam fees: ~¥10,000–20,000/year
- College counseling: ~¥5,000–10,000/year (optional)
Which Is the Best Fit?
There is no single best school in Hangzhou. The right choice depends on your child's needs, your budget, and your long-term goals.
For full IB in an all-expat environment: Choose HIS or Wahaha Bilingual School.
For Ivy League and top US targets: Choose BIHZ, HHS, or No. 14 AP Center.
For British education and boarding: Choose Wellington College or Wycombe Abbey.
For flexible pathways (AP, A-Level, DSE, arts): Choose Olive Tree BFSU or Wickham.
Bilingual families can keep their Chinese roots. Here are some good choices: Hiba Academy, Dipont, World Foreign Language School, and Entel.
For cost-effective public programs: Choose HFLS Cambridge, HZ4Z, HHS, or No. 14 AP Center. Annual tuition fees at these schools start from around ¥88,000 — a fraction of private school costs.
For new campuses with premium facilities: Choose Dingwen Academy or Tianyuan College.
For Australia, Canada, or multi-country pathways: Choose Dongfang High School or Entel.
The key question to ask is: Where does my child want to study after high school? That answer narrows the field fast.
Conclusion
Hangzhou has built a world-class ecosystem for international schooling. Families can choose from IB World Schools like HIS or budget-friendly public programs such as HFLS Cambridge. Both offer strong options. The city's growing expat community and strong transport links make it one of the best places in China to raise globally minded children.
Schools here focus on holistic education. They develop academic excellence, emotional development, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. Hangzhou has what your child needs. Get advanced placement courses, a full IB Diploma, boarding, or a bilingual foundation.
Getting expert guidance early makes all the difference. ALIFA Education Services has helped hundreds of families find the right school across China. Their consultants offer expert insights on admissions, fees, and curriculum fit — all at no cost.
Ready to find the right school? Book a free consultation with ALIFA Education Services today and let their team take the stress out of school selection.
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