Introduction
Ningbo Huamao International School (NBHIS) is the top IB school in Ningbo. It is the only school in Zhejiang Province with all four IB programs. This matters for families. Your child can start at age 2. They can stay through the diploma at age 19. There is no need to switch schools. NBHIS also holds WASC accreditation. It is a Round Square member. It runs a Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award center, too.
Fewer than 30 schools in China run the full IB path. NBHIS is in an even smaller group. It offers PYP, MYP, DP, and CP. The campus covers 500 acres. Two buildings on it come from Pritzker Prize-winning architects. Wang Shu designed one; Toyo Ito designed the other. Ningbo sits two hours from Shanghai by high-speed rail. This makes NBHIS a real option for Eastern China families. Many are searching for a strong international school in Ningbo, or one close to it.
This guide covers what NBHIS offers. It covers who the school suits. It covers full costs. It compares NBHIS to other top IB schools nearby.
What Is Ningbo Huamao International School?
Ningbo Huamao International School (NBHIS) is a co-educational IB school in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. It serves around 700 students aged 2 to 19, from 30+ countries. NBHIS is the only school in Zhejiang authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization for all four IB programs — PYP, MYP, DP, and CP — and also holds WASC accreditation.
NBHIS sits inside the Huamao Education Park. This is a 500-acre site in Yinzhou District. The founders established the school in 1999. It took its current name in 2015. That year, the Ningbo Education Bureau issued a new license. Before that, it was part of the Huamao Foreign Language School.
The school’s IB code is 004913. NBHIS runs the full IB continuum. It also holds accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). This helps graduates with US university applications, too.
Ningbo is a well-connected city. The Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan is one of the busiest in the world. Many international families live here. Many work in manufacturing, logistics, or tech. Shanghai is under two hours away by rail. NBHIS draws two kinds of families. One group already lives in Ningbo. The other lives near Shanghai and wants an IB option outside that city.
Key Takeaways
Ningbo Huamao International School is the only school in Zhejiang Province approved by the IBO. It offers all four programs: PYP, MYP, DP, and CP. These programs serve students aged 2 to 19.
NBHIS averages 35 out of 45 on the IB Diploma. This places graduates in the global top quartile. It’s also well above the worldwide average of 30.32 recorded in May 2024.
Annual IB Diploma tuition at NBHIS is RMB 150,300. This makes it much more affordable than similar full-continuum IB schools in Shanghai. Plus, it’s less than two hours away by train.
Every meal in the NBHIS international division is halal. It also has Grade A food safety certification. This makes it one of the few international schools in China that provides this consistently.
The NBHIS campus features two buildings designed by Pritzker Prize winners. One is Wang Shu’s Huamao Art Museum, which opened in 2008. The other is Toyo Ito’s library, finished in August 2025.
The school got IB Career-related Program authorization in August 2024. Now, it joins a small group of schools in China that offer all four IB pathways on one campus.
NBHIS has ranked on Forbes China’s school list for five years in a row. As of June 2025, it is 59th in Bilingual Junior High and 97th in Bilingual Senior High.
NBHIS at a Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | No. 2, Yinxian Avenue (Middle Section), Yinzhou District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315192, China |
| Website | www.nbhis.com |
| admission@hmedu.com | |
| Phone | +86 (0)574-8821-1160 |
| WeChat OA | NBHIS宁波华茂国际学校 |
| Nearest Metro | Yinzhou District Government Station (鄞州区政府) on Ningbo Metro Lines 3 & 5, ~700m from the south gate |
| IB Code | 004913 |
What IB Programs Does NBHIS Offer?
NBHIS runs all four IB programs: PYP (authorized 2012), MYP (2019), DP (2012), and CP (2024). It is the only school in Zhejiang Province authorized for PYP and one of a very small group of schools in China running all four IB programs.
Most international schools in China offer only the diploma. That covers the final two years. Full continuum authorization is rare. NBHIS is the only school in Ningbo with the complete PYP–MYP–DP–CP path.
| Programme | Ages | Focus | IBO Authorization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Years Programme (PYP) | 2–11 | Inquiry-based learning and exploration | 08 May 2012 |
| Middle Years Programme (MYP) | 11–16 | Bridges primary and Diploma; eight subject groups | 20 September 2019 |
| Pre-DP (bridging year) | 15–16 | Prepares students for the Diploma; core subject focus | N/A |
| Diploma Programme (DP) | 16–19 | Six subjects plus TOK, Extended Essay, and CAS | 08 May 2012 |
| Career-related Programme (CP) | 16–19 | Career-focused: design, business, or trade | 02 August 2024 |
Primary Years Programme (PYP) — Ages 2 to 11
The PYP is inquiry-based. Students learn through questions. They explore hands-on. Subjects connect through shared themes. The PYP builds curiosity early. It builds communication skills early, too. NBHIS has run the PYP since 2012. That is over a decade of experience.
Middle Years Programme (MYP) — Ages 11 to 16
The MYP bridges primary school and the Diploma. It covers eight subject groups. These include language, math, science, and the arts. In grade 10, students complete a personal project. They pick the topic. They manage it themselves. This builds skills for DP-level work.
Pre-DP — Grade 10 Bridging Year
NBHIS runs a pre-DP year in Grade 10. It prepares students for the Diploma. The focus is English, Chinese, math, and science. This year helps two groups the most. One is students new to the IB system. The other is students who need extra English support.
Diploma Programme (DP) — Ages 16 to 19
NBHIS was authorized for the diploma on 08 May 2012. That is over a decade of exam results. Students choose six subjects. One comes from each subject group. They also complete three core parts:
- Theory of Knowledge (TOK) — a course on how we know what we know
- Extended Essay (EE) — a 4,000-word research paper on a topic the student picks
- Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) — hands-on creative, physical, and community work
The diploma is scored from 1 to 45. A score of 24 earns the diploma. The global average is around 30. NBHIS averages 35 out of 45.
Career-related Programme (CP) — Authorized 2024
The CP is the IB’s newest program. It suits students who want career-focused learning too. NBHIS received CP authorization in August 2024. Few Chinese schools offer this fourth path. It suits students eyeing design, business, or a trade alongside university.
The NBHIS teaching team includes 10+ IB global examiners. It also includes 3 IB workshop leaders. Examiners mark IB exam scripts worldwide. Workshop leaders train other IB teachers. This is a strong sign of teaching depth.
How Do NBHIS Students Perform Academically?
NBHIS averages 35 out of 45 on the IB Diploma — well above the global average of around 30. The top score in May 2022 was 44, and four students scored 40 or above. The May 2023 cohort recorded a 100% pass rate.
| Metric | NBHIS | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Average IB Diploma score | 35 / 45 | 30.32 (May 2024) |
| Highest individual score (May 2022) | 44 / 45 | — |
| Students scoring 40+ (May 2022) | 4 | — |
| IB Diploma pass rate (May 2023) | 100% | ~80% |
Here is how IB scoring works. Students take six subjects. Each scores from 1 to 7. That is 42 points max. Up to 3 more points come from TOK and the Extended Essay together. The total max is 45. A score of 35 sits in the top quartile globally. It is competitive for top universities in the UK, US, Hong Kong, Singapore, and China.
University Destinations and Alumni
NBHIS reports strong university placement. Graduates attend schools in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, and China. Documented alumni include:
- Thomas Chan (Class of 2014, IB 38) — University of Melbourne
- Rita Shi (Class of 2016) — chose SVA after offers from Pratt and SCAD, too
- Xia Haoran (Class of 2020) — University of Toronto
In December 2024, one NBHIS student got a Cambridge interview. This was an early-round invitation. It put NBHIS on the Zhejiang leaderboard, next to Ningbo HD and Wycombe Abbey, Ningbo. For parents comparing destinations, the QS World University Rankings are the standard reference point.
In June 2025, Forbes ranked NBHIS #59 in Bilingual Junior High. It ranked #97 in bilingual senior high. This was NBHIS’s fifth straight year on the list.
Campus and Facilities
The Huamao Education Park covers 500 acres. It sits in Yinzhou District, Ningbo. It is more than a school campus. The park holds educational buildings, cultural sites, art, and green space. NBHIS sits at its center.
Pritzker Prize-Winning Architecture
The Pritzker Prize goes to a living architect each year. It rewards lasting vision in building design. People call it the Nobel Prize of architecture. Fewer than 50 architects have won it since 1979.
The Huamao Group owns buildings by three Pritzker winners. Two stand on the NBHIS campus. The third sits at a separate Huamao site nearby.
| Building | Architect | Pritzker Year | Location | Opened |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huamao Art Museum | Wang Shu | 2012 | NBHIS campus | 4 December 2008 |
| Huamao Library | Toyo Ito | 2013 | NBHIS campus | August 2025 |
| Huamao Art Education Museum | Álvaro Siza | 1992 | Dongqian Lake (separate site) | 21 November 2020 |
The Huamao Art Museum sits on the NBHIS campus. Wang Shu designed it. He was the first Chinese architect to win a Pritzker. He blends old Chinese materials with new construction. He often uses salvaged tiles from demolished buildings. The museum sits on the campus’s central axis. It straddles an internal canal.
The Huamao Library opened in August 2025. Toyo Ito designed it. This is his first finished project in mainland China. The library crosses an internal river on campus. Students call it the “Cultural Rainbow Bridge.” It is now open.
The Huamao Art Education Museum stands at a separate site. It is not on the NBHIS campus. Álvaro Siza designed it. It is part of the Dongqian Lake Education Forum. Families can still visit it. Do not confuse it with the school’s own buildings.
Sports and Academic Facilities
The campus includes these facilities:
The test center is a real benefit. Students can sit official exams on campus. They do not need to travel elsewhere.
Student Life and Co-Curricular Activities
NBHIS runs 70+ co-curricular activities (CCAs) each semester. These fall into six modules:
- Active Arena — sport and physical activity
- Creative Arts Studio — visual arts, music, and drama
- Future Makers Lab — STEM, robotics, and coding
- Academic Language Hub — language and literacy support
- Global Culture Workshop — cultural exchange and global citizenship
- Mind Growth Society — well-being and leadership
Round Square Membership
NBHIS joined Round Square in 2015. This is a global school alliance. It began at Gordonstoun in Scotland. Members share a focus on service and exchange. NBHIS students join yearly exchanges with partner schools. These span the UK, Germany, Australia, and more. Students also join service projects in 50+ countries. For MYP students, exchanges happen every year.
Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award
NBHIS is an accredited DofE center. DofE has four parts: volunteering, physical, skills, and an adventurous journey. These fulfill the IB’s CAS requirements. In October 2025, NBHIS was awarded its first Bronze certificate. As of 2026, 26 students are active in the DofE program.
Service Learning
Service sits at the heart of the IB. Students serve at three levels. One is inside the school. One is across Ningbo. One is international, through Round Square. By the diploma years, CAS service feels familiar. It is a continuation of what students already do.
Outdoor Education
Outdoor education runs from PYP through DP. Trips start in Grade 3. Past destinations include Xiamen, Yangshuo, and Longyou. Trips also go to Shanghai’s Dianshan Lake and Jiaxing’s North-South Lake. The program blends school trips with Round Square and DofE requirements.
Boarding at NBHIS
NBHIS offers weekly boarding with a day-student option. Boarders arrive Sunday evening and leave Friday afternoon. Rooms hold 2 to 4 students, each with an en-suite bathroom, balcony, air conditioning, and 24-hour hot water. The dining center holds Grade A food safety status, and every meal served is halal.
Boarding is optional at every grade. Many students choose the day option. Weekly boarding suits families living further away. This includes families in Zhejiang, Shanghai, or overseas.
Dormitory Specifications
Rooms hold 2 to 4 students. This depends on age and program. Each room includes:
PYP boarders live in age-group dorms. A “boarding Ayi” sleeps in the same room. She handles meals and daily routines. MYP and DP boarders have separate dorms. Room size depends on age and program.
CFL students who stay on campus get a separate dorm. They also get dedicated weekend activities.
Pastoral Care and Boarding Staff
A head of boarding leads the program. An assistant and a team of matrons support them. Matrons handle daily pastoral care. They coach students on life skills. They bridge students, parents, and the school. The wider student support team includes the following:
Dining and Halal Food
The dining center holds Grade A food safety status. This is Ningbo’s highest hygiene rating. Every meal in the international division is halal. This suits families from Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and South Asia.
A daily vegetarian option is always available. Salads, vegetables, and fresh fruit are too. The team can handle allergies and gluten-free needs. Arrange this with the chef ahead of time. For specific dietary needs, contact Alifa Education Services.
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Admissions: Requirements and Process
NBHIS accepts students from nursery through grade 11. Nursery starts at age 2. Grade 11 is the first diploma year. The school runs two intakes: September and February. It also accepts mid-year transfers when places open.
Entry Grades and Age Cut-offs
| Entry Grade | Minimum Age | Age Cut-off Date |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery (托班) | 2 | 31 August |
| K1 (小班) | 3 | 31 August |
| K2 (中班) | 4 | 31 August |
| K3 (大班) | 5 | 31 August |
| Grade 1 (PYP) | 6 | 31 August |
| Grade 6 (MYP) | 11 | — |
| Grade 10 (Pre-DP) | 15 | — |
| Grade 11 (DP) | 16 | — |
English Language Requirements
NBHIS conducts most of its instruction in English. Requirements scale up by grade:
| Section | English Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nursery – Grade 3 (PYP) | Informal interview check |
| Grade 4 – Grade 5 (PYP) | Interview plus English level test |
| Grade 6 – Grade 9 (MYP) | Written test plus interview; IELTS 4.0 for direct entry |
| Grade 10 (Pre-DP) and Grade 11–12 (DP) | IELTS 5.0, TOEFL iBT 61, or the school’s own test |
EAL support is available for Grades 1–6. Students below the benchmark may still be admitted with support.
Chinese Language: Not Required, but Available
Prior Mandarin is not required. The school runs a CFL department, set up in 2002. It is built for students with little or no Mandarin. It covers listening, speaking, reading, writing, and HSK prep. Strong students can later join mainstream Chinese classes.
At diploma level, NBHIS offers Chinese B for students with some prior exposure.
Documents Required
Assessment Day
Every applicant attends an assessment day. For nursery to grade 3, this is an interview. It checks coordination and communication. Starting in Grade 4, teachers test the English level. From Grade 6, students also sit a written test. Mid-year transfers usually attend a trial day first.
Intake Dates
NBHIS accepts students in September and February. Kindergarten and primary entry run in both seasons. Older applicants can book a slot anytime. DP prep tests run monthly, December through May. Mid-year admission depends on space and trial-day results.
Overseas family applying to NBHIS? Chinese rules require a local guardian for minor students who enroll without a parent.
Alifa Education provides guardian information packages accepted by international schools across China, including Ningbo.
Learn about Alifa Guardian Services →How Much Does NBHIS Cost?
Annual tuition for 2024–2026 starts at RMB 56,100 for Pre-K half-day. The top rate is RMB 150,300 for the IB Diploma. Boarding costs RMB 2,800 to 15,000 a year. A one-time application fee of RMB 13,200 applies. All fees are in RMB.
| Programme Level | Annual Fee (RMB / CNY) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-K (half-day) | 56,100 | Three-trimester split |
| Kindergarten (whole-day) | 86,500 | Three-trimester split |
| PYP Primary (Years 1–6) | 98,300 | Flat across Y1–Y6 |
| MYP Middle School (Years 7–10) | 142,000 | — |
| DP High School (Years 11–12) | 150,300 | IB Diploma track |
| Boarding (weekly) | 2,800–15,000 | Varies by room type |
| Application fee (one-time) | 13,200 | New students only |
Fee note: NBHIS does not publish fees on its site. These figures come from agent networks and 2024–2026 aggregator sites. Call the Admissions Office (admission@hmedu.com; +86 0574-88211160) for the live schedule. Confirm figures before you apply.
Arts Academy: Sino-Canada, Sino-US, and the Arts Academy have separate fees. The Arts Academy costs much more. Agent quotes put it near RMB 165,000 per semester. Always check which program a quote covers.
Alternative Pathways: Sino-Canada and Sino-US
NBHIS runs two more partnership tracks. Both are filed with China’s Ministry of Education. They suit students set on Canada or the US.
Sino-Canada Program (中加) — Ontario OSSD Dual Diploma
NBHIS partners with Columbia International College (CIC) in Ontario. Students graduate with two diplomas: Chinese and Canadian OSSD. Many universities in Canada, the UK, Australia, the US, and Asia welcome the OSSD. NBHIS reports a 100% university placement for this track.
Sino-US Pre-University Program (中美) — Trine University, Indiana
NBHIS partners with Trine University in Indiana. The program runs for three years. It includes 10 Trine courses, taught in Ningbo by Trine staff. Graduates get two options. One is direct entry to Trine’s sophomore year, no TOEFL or SAT needed. The other is using their NBHIS GPA for US top 50 university applications.
These tracks suit families set on Canada or the US. Other families should stick with the standard IB Diploma route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is NBHIS the Right Fit For?
NBHIS suits a specific type of family. Knowing your fit saves time.
Expat families based in Ningbo. NBHIS is the city’s main IB school. It is a natural first choice for relocated families.
Families who want the full IB path. A child can start at 2 and finish at 19. There is no need to switch schools. NBHIS is the only Zhejiang school offering this.
Families near Shanghai who want an IB option outside it. Ningbo is under two hours away by rail. Some families want a calmer environment. Others missed a spot at a top Shanghai school. Weekly boarding still brings kids home every weekend.
Muslim families from ASEAN, the GCC, Central Asia, and South Asia. Every NBHIS meal is halal. This is rare among China’s international schools.
Families set on a Canadian or US university. The Sino-Canada and Sino-US tracks offer a direct route there.
Families with kids in different age groups. One school covers primary through secondary. There is no need to manage separate school searches.
Alifa Education Services
Ready to Find the Right School for Your Child?
NBHIS is one of the strongest full-continuum IB options in Zhejiang Province. If your child will attend from overseas, Chinese rules may require a local guardian before the first term. Alifa Education Services provides guardian information packages for international families across China, including Ningbo. Book a free consultation today.
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