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# International Schools in Xiamen: AXIS vs XIS Compared 2026
- URL: https://blog.alifaedtech.com/international-schools-xiamen-axis-vs-xis/
- Published: 2026-08-23T18:16:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-23T18:21:55.000Z
- Description: Xiamen has three licensed international schools: XIS (all three IB programmes, day, WASC-accredited), AXIS (US curriculum, College Board AP courses, boarding Grades 6–12, WASC candidate), and MXIS (IB Diploma and MYP, founded 1993). Compare 2026 fees, curriculum and admissions from official sources.
- Author: Emmanuel Usang
- Tags: International Schools, Xiamen, China, IB, AP, School Guides

## Introduction

Xiamen has only three licensed international schools — and for most expatriate families, the real choice comes down to two. [Xiamen International School (XIS)](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/xiamen-international-school) is the city’s 1997 pioneer and [the only one authorised for all three IB programmes](https://www.ibo.org/en/school/001874). [Achieve Xiamen International School (AXIS)](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/achieve-xiamen-international-school) is the 2021 newcomer, [backed by International Schools Services (ISS)](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/), offering an American pathway with boarding. This guide compares XIS and AXIS side by side — curriculum, fees, boarding, location, and admissions — using each school’s official data, so you can decide which one fits your child.

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Table of Contents

[1Introduction→](#introduction) [2Key Takeaways→](#takeaways) [3XIS vs AXIS at a Glance→](#glance) [4The Three International Schools in Xiamen→](#schools) [5Curriculum: Full IB vs American and AP→](#curriculum) [6Tuition and Fees for 2026–27→](#fees) [7Boarding versus Day School→](#boarding) [8Location and the Daily Commute→](#location) [9Admissions and Who Can Enrol→](#admissions) [10Which School for Which Family→](#which-school) [11Frequently Asked Questions→](#faq) 

## Key Takeaways

Xiamen has three licensed international schools: [XIS](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/xiamen-international-school), [AXIS](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/achieve-xiamen-international-school), and the older [Manila Xiamen International School (MXIS)](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/manila-xiamen-international-school).

Two of them offer the IB Diploma — XIS and MXIS. **AXIS does not.**

[XIS runs the full IB Continuum — the Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes](https://www.ibo.org/en/school/001874) — as a day school in Jimei, founded in 1997.

AXIS runs the [IB Primary Years Programme](https://www.ibo.org/en/school/062674) in primary school, then an American curriculum with College Board AP in secondary. It opened in 2021 in Huli.

[AXIS is an authorised College Board AP course provider, an official AP test site, and an SAT examination centre.](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/)

Two of the three board: [AXIS for Grades 6–12 (200 places)](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/tuition-and-fees/), and MXIS, which describes itself as a day and boarding school. **XIS is day only.**

All three schools admit only children with a foreign passport, or with Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan residency.

## XIS vs AXIS at a Glance

Here is a quick side-by-side view of the two schools. Each section below explains the details.

| Feature                     | XIS                                                                                                 | AXIS                                                                            |
| --------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Founded                     | [1997](https://xischina.com/)                                                                       | [2021](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/) (first licensed 2017)                    |
| District & campus           | [Jimei (off-island) · 33,000 m²](https://xischina.com/)                                             | [Huli (on-island) · \~21,000 m² (≈31.6 mu)](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/)     |
| Curriculum                  | [Full IB Continuum](https://www.ibo.org/en/school/001874)                                           | [IB PYP](https://www.ibo.org/en/school/062674) → US Common Core → American + AP |
| IB programmes               | [PYP + MYP + DP (only all-three school in Xiamen)](https://www.ibo.org/en/school/001874)            | [IB PYP only](https://www.ibo.org/en/school/062674)                             |
| Accreditation               | [WASC-accredited](https://directory.acswasc.org/)                                                   | [WASC candidate](https://directory.acswasc.org/)                                |
| Boarding                    | Day only                                                                                            | [Grades 6–12 (200 beds)](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/tuition-and-fees/)       |
| Students                    | [400+ from 30 countries](https://xischina.com/)                                                     | [From 25 countries](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/)                             |
| Top-grade tuition (2026–27) | [US$29,000 (G6–12)](https://xischina.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/XIS-Tuition-Fees-2026-2027.pdf) | [¥225,500 (G6–12)](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/tuition-and-fees/)             |
| Known for                   | [100% IB Diploma pass rate (2023–25)](https://xischina.com/)                                        | [Authorised AP test site and SAT centre](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/)        |

**One more name to watch:** “XIS” is also used by Xi’an International School, a different school in Shaanxi province, over 1,700 km away. Check the city before you trust any page about “XIS.”

![Xiamen international schools XIS vs AXIS](https://img.youtube.com/vi/zvmc0uc84n4/maxresdefault.jpg) 

![Xiamen international schools video 1](https://img.youtube.com/vi/zvmc0uc84n4/mqdefault.jpg) 

![Xiamen international schools video 2](https://img.youtube.com/vi/VoLUyOfVV94/mqdefault.jpg) 

![Xiamen international schools video 3](https://img.youtube.com/vi/wGyefZxO16w/mqdefault.jpg) 

## The Three International Schools in Xiamen

Xiamen’s international schools are officially “schools for children of foreign personnel.” They admit only foreign-passport holders and residents of Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan. [The Xiamen Education Bureau lists exactly three](https://edu.xm.gov.cn/jyzc/gjxx/202508/t20250825%5F2952124.htm):

[**Xiamen International School (XIS)**](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/xiamen-international-school) — [Jimei, founded 1997\. The city’s only full IB school.](https://xischina.com/)

[**Achieve Xiamen International School (AXIS)**](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/achieve-xiamen-international-school) — [Huli, opened 2021\. ISS-backed, with an American and AP pathway and boarding.](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/)

[**Manila Xiamen International School (MXIS)**](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/manila-xiamen-international-school) — founded 1993, the oldest of the three. A small Philippine-founded non-profit, authorised for the IB Diploma and Middle Years Programmes, taking both day and boarding students. In Siming District, where its rebuilt campus reopened in July 2026\. See our [full MXIS profile](https://blog.alifaedtech.com/manila-xiamen-international-school-mxis/).

Most families weighing a full international education focus on XIS and AXIS, so this guide compares those two in depth.

1

### [Xiamen International School (XIS)](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/xiamen-international-school)

厦门国际学校 · Jimei District, Xiamen

[Xiamen International School opened in 1997](https://xischina.com/) as the first school in Fujian approved by the Ministry of Education to teach the children of foreign staff. It sits on a [purpose-built 33,000-square-metre campus in Jimei District](https://xischina.com/), which students moved into in 2002\. The campus has more than 50 classrooms, science labs, a library, a gymnasium with an indoor swimming pool, a soccer field, a running track, and tennis courts.

![Xiamen International School XIS entrance sign with dolphin mural and national flags](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/81/c28166d6-22ce-4cad-9c10-4defbc55a069/content/images/2026/08/XIS.jpg)

Xiamen International School XIS entrance sign with dolphin mural and national flags

XIS is a day school. It teaches [over 400 students from 30 countries](https://xischina.com/). Its faculty represents more than 15 nationalities, with [over 60% holding postgraduate degrees and more than 12 years of teaching experience on average](https://xischina.com/).

Its headline strength is results. [XIS is the only school in Xiamen authorised for all three IB programmes](https://www.ibo.org/en/school/001874), and it is [accredited by WASC](https://directory.acswasc.org/). Its [IB Diploma pass rate was 100% for the classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025](https://xischina.com/), against a world average of about 81%, and [the Class of 2025 averaged 34.5 points out of 45](https://xischina.com/) — the world average is 30\. On the SAT, [recent students averaged 607 in Reading and Writing and 652 in Maths](https://xischina.com/). Between 2016 and 2024, [XIS graduates were accepted to universities including Cornell, Johns Hopkins, Rice, Carnegie Mellon, Emory, New York University, and the Georgia Institute of Technology](https://xischina.com/).

![Xiamen International School XIS students in equestrian, robotics, science and swimming](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/81/c28166d6-22ce-4cad-9c10-4defbc55a069/content/images/2026/08/1-12.jpg)

Xiamen International School XIS students in equestrian, robotics, science and swimming

2

### [Achieve Xiamen International School (AXIS)](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/achieve-xiamen-international-school)

厦门艾美国际学校 · Huli District, Xiamen

Achieve Xiamen International School [opened in 2021](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/). It is [partially owned and operated by International Schools Services (ISS) — its second direct school investment in China after Shekou International School](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/). The campus, on a [roughly 21,000-square-metre site (about 31 mu) in Huli District](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/), was custom-built by the Xiamen Torch Group, a municipal state-owned company, and handed to the school in late 2020.

![Achieve Xiamen International School modern V-shaped campus exterior and entrance sign](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/81/c28166d6-22ce-4cad-9c10-4defbc55a069/content/images/2026/08/Achieve-Xiamen-International-School--AXIS-.jpg)

Achieve Xiamen International School modern V-shaped campus exterior and entrance sign

AXIS is on Xiamen Island, near the airport and the Torch Hi-Tech Zone. It teaches [students from 25 countries](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/) and follows a US school structure: an Early Childhood Centre, then Grades 1–12\. Facilities include a [turf football field, a rock-climbing wall, a gymnasium with NBA-quality flooring, and a fitness centre](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/).

AXIS is [authorised for the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)](https://www.ibo.org/en/school/062674). In secondary school it teaches to US standards and offers [College Board Advanced Placement (AP) courses in Grades 9–12](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/), and is an [authorised AP test site and SAT examination centre](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/). AXIS is a [WASC candidate school](https://directory.acswasc.org/). It also offers [boarding for Grades 6–12, with a capacity of 200 students](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/tuition-and-fees/) — the school runs both a day and a boarding programme.

![Achieve Xiamen International School AXIS students in football, student council and class](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/81/c28166d6-22ce-4cad-9c10-4defbc55a069/content/images/2026/08/2-13.jpg)

Achieve Xiamen International School AXIS students in football, student council and class

## Curriculum: Full IB vs American and AP

This is the biggest difference between the two schools.

XIS is a pure IB school. [Children move through the Primary Years Programme (PK–5), the Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10), and the Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12).](https://www.ibo.org/en/school/001874) The IB Diploma is recognised by universities worldwide, and XIS’s results are strong.

AXIS mixes two systems. Primary years use the [IB PYP](https://www.ibo.org/en/school/062674). From Grade 6, teaching follows the US Common Core standards. In high school, students take [American courses and College Board Advanced Placement (AP) exams](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/). AXIS is [authorised for the IB Primary Years Programme only](https://www.ibo.org/en/school/062674). It does not offer the IB Diploma — its high school pathway is American and AP-based. Xiamen has two IB Diploma schools, and AXIS is not one of them: [XIS is authorised for all three IB programmes](https://www.ibo.org/en/school/001874), and [MXIS](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/manila-xiamen-international-school) for the Diploma and Middle Years Programmes.

In short: choose [**XIS**](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/xiamen-international-school) for a full IB education, or [**AXIS**](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/achieve-xiamen-international-school) for an American, AP-driven path.

## Tuition and Fees for 2026–27

The two schools price tuition differently — XIS in US dollars, AXIS in Chinese yuan. The 2026–27 rates below come from each school’s official fee schedule.

| Stage                    | [XIS (per year)](https://xischina.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/XIS-Tuition-Fees-2026-2027.pdf) | [AXIS (per year)](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/tuition-and-fees/) |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Early years / pre-school | US$21,500                                                                                        | ¥175,000 (ages 3–5)                                                |
| Primary (KG / G1–G5)     | US$25,800                                                                                        | ¥205,000                                                           |
| Secondary (G6–G12)       | US$29,000                                                                                        | ¥225,500                                                           |
| Other fees               | Registration US$300 (new); bus US$1,200                                                          | Application ¥2,500; testing ¥1,500; seat fee ¥40,000               |

At an exchange rate near ¥7.15 to the US dollar, AXIS runs a little higher than XIS at every stage. For example, XIS’s top rate of US$29,000 is about ¥207,000, against ¥225,500 at AXIS. Exchange rates change, so treat the yuan figures for XIS as approximate.

[MXIS](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/manila-xiamen-international-school), the third licensed school, sits in a different price bracket altogether: ¥43,460 to ¥72,000 a year depending on the programme, confirmed with its admissions office in August 2026\. If budget is the binding constraint, it is the option to look at first — see our [MXIS profile](https://blog.alifaedtech.com/manila-xiamen-international-school-mxis/) for what that money buys.

## Boarding versus Day School

Two of Xiamen’s three international schools take boarders. [AXIS has boarding for Grades 6–12, with room for 200 students](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/tuition-and-fees/), in shared en-suite rooms with evening tutoring. This suits families where a parent travels often, works in another city, or lives outside Xiamen. [XIS is a day school](https://xischina.com/), so a child must be collected each afternoon.

MXIS also boards — it [describes itself as a day and boarding school for ages 3 to 19](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/manila-xiamen-international-school), and the IB register lists mixed boarding facilities. However, it publishes no dormitory capacity, boarding fee, or eligible grade range, so boarding there has to be settled by direct enquiry. Our [MXIS profile](https://blog.alifaedtech.com/manila-xiamen-international-school-mxis/) sets out what is and is not verifiable.

## Location and the Daily Commute

Where each school sits matters for the daily commute. Most of Xiamen’s foreign residents live on Xiamen Island — in the Huli and Siming districts, near Yundang Lake and Wuyuanwan.

[AXIS is on the island, in Huli, near the airport and the Torch Hi-Tech Zone](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/). It is a short drive from the main expat neighbourhoods. MXIS is also on the island, in Siming, where its rebuilt campus reopened in July 2026 after about a year at a temporary site in Huli.

[XIS is off the island, in Xinglin, Jimei](https://xischina.com/). Reaching it from the island core means crossing a bridge — roughly 15–20 km. In return, XIS has the largest campus of the three. Both schools run bus services, and families usually choose housing to match the school run and the workplace.

## Admissions and Who Can Enrol

All three schools admit only children with a foreign passport, or with Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan residency. Children on a mainland-Chinese passport are not eligible — this is set by Chinese rules for schools for children of foreign personnel.

Both [XIS](https://xischina.com/) and [AXIS](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/) use rolling admissions, so places fill first-come, first-served. [AXIS applies through the OpenApply system, with a ¥2,500 application fee, and assesses English, maths, and prior school records.](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/) Students who need English support can enter through its EAL programme. Families of children with special learning needs should share full assessment reports up front.

**Apply early.** To book a campus visit, contact each school’s admissions office through its official website.

## Which School for Which Family

There is no single “best” school. The right choice depends on curriculum, boarding, location, and budget.

[Choose XIS](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/xiamen-international-school) if you want

a full IB education, from the PYP through to the IB Diploma

strong, proven IB results

an established school with a large campus and a settled community

and a day school works for your family

[Choose AXIS](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/achieve-xiamen-international-school) if you want

an American curriculum with College Board AP, and an on-campus AP and SAT test site

boarding for Grades 6–12

a newer campus on Xiamen Island, close to the airport and expat neighbourhoods

or a US-style path toward American universities

## Frequently Asked Questions

How many international schools are there in Xiamen? + 

Xiamen has three licensed international schools (schools for children of foreign personnel): [Xiamen International School (XIS)](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/xiamen-international-school), [Achieve Xiamen International School (AXIS)](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/achieve-xiamen-international-school), and [Manila Xiamen International School (MXIS)](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/manila-xiamen-international-school).

Which is better, XIS or AXIS? + 

Neither is better for every family. [XIS](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/xiamen-international-school) suits families who want a full IB education and strong IB results at a day school. [AXIS](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/achieve-xiamen-international-school) suits families who want an American and AP pathway, boarding, or an on-island campus.

Does AXIS offer the IB Diploma? + 

No. [AXIS is authorised for the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) only](https://www.ibo.org/en/school/062674). Its high school follows American standards with College Board AP courses, not the IB Diploma. Two other Xiamen schools do offer the IB Diploma: [XIS, which is authorised for all three IB programmes](https://www.ibo.org/en/school/001874), and [MXIS](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/manila-xiamen-international-school), which is authorised for the Diploma and Middle Years Programmes.

How much does international school cost in Xiamen? + 

It depends on the school. For 2026–27, [top-grade tuition is about US$29,000 at XIS](https://xischina.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/XIS-Tuition-Fees-2026-2027.pdf) and [¥225,500 at AXIS](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/tuition-and-fees/), plus other fees such as registration, bus, or a seat-confirmation fee. [MXIS](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/manila-xiamen-international-school) is much cheaper, at ¥43,460 to ¥72,000 a year depending on the programme.

Which Xiamen international school offers boarding? + 

Two of the three do. [AXIS offers boarding for Grades 6–12, with room for 200 students](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/tuition-and-fees/). [MXIS](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/manila-xiamen-international-school) describes itself as a day and boarding school, and the IB register lists mixed boarding facilities there, though it publishes no capacity, fee, or grade range. [XIS is a day school](https://xischina.com/).

Who can enrol in these schools? + 

Only children with a foreign passport, or with Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan residency, can enrol. Children on a mainland-Chinese passport are not eligible.

Does AXIS offer AP courses? + 

Yes. [AXIS says it is authorised to offer College Board Advanced Placement (AP) courses in Grades 9–12, and that it is an official AP test site and an SAT examination centre.](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/) AP course lists change each year, so ask the school which subjects run in the year you are applying for.

Where are the schools located? + 

[XIS is off-island in Jimei (Xinglin)](https://xischina.com/). [AXIS is on-island in Huli, near the airport](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/). [MXIS](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/manila-xiamen-international-school) is on-island in Siming, where its rebuilt campus reopened in July 2026.

Alifa Education Services

### Applying to a School in Xiamen?

[Alifa Education Services](https://alifaedtech.com/schools) helps **expatriate and Belt-and-Road families** place children in Chinese international schools, and arranges **local guardianship** where it is required.

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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 enrol, at no extra cost to the family. Our recommendations are based on fit, not fee structure.

### Sources

1 

Xiamen International School — official site School history, campus details, curriculum, student and faculty statistics, IB results, university acceptances, bus service, day school status [xischina.com](https://xischina.com/) 

2 

Xiamen International School — 2026–27 tuition schedule Annual tuition fees by grade level for 2026–27 [xischina.com (PDF)](https://xischina.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/XIS-Tuition-Fees-2026-2027.pdf) 

3 

Xiamen International School — IB programmes (IBO database) IB World School code 001874; authorisation for PYP, MYP, and Diploma Programmes [ibo.org/en/school/001874](https://www.ibo.org/en/school/001874) 

4 

Achieve Xiamen International School — official site School opening date, ISS partnership, campus size and location, facilities, student nationalities, curriculum structure, AP and SAT status, boarding details [axisschool.org.cn](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/) 

5 

Achieve Xiamen International School — tuition and fees Annual tuition by stage for 2026–27; application, testing and seat fees; boarding capacity (200 students, Grades 6–12) [axisschool.org.cn](https://www.axisschool.org.cn/tuition-and-fees/) 

6 

Achieve Xiamen International School — IB programme (IBO database) IB World School code 062674; authorisation for PYP only [ibo.org/en/school/062674](https://www.ibo.org/en/school/062674) 

7 

ACS WASC — directory of accredited and candidate schools XIS listed as WASC-accredited; AXIS listed as WASC candidate [directory.acswasc.org](https://directory.acswasc.org/) 

8 

Xiamen Education Bureau — roster of schools for children of foreign personnel, 25 August 2025 Official list of three licensed international schools in Xiamen: XIS, AXIS, and MXIS [edu.xm.gov.cn](https://edu.xm.gov.cn/jyzc/gjxx/202508/t20250825%5F2952124.htm) Accessible from mainland China only.