Complete School Guide · Weihai, Shandong · Updated September 2026
Weihai Daguanghua School (威海大光华学校) is a private, full-boarding K–12 school in Huancui District, Weihai City, Shandong Province. Founded in 2003, it is the only school in Weihai City with government approval to enrol international students — making it the single dedicated option for foreign families whose children need a mainstream K–12 education in Weihai.
Through its Integrated Department (融合部), the school teaches Grades 1–12 fully in English, with a Chinese-language class and IELTS coaching alongside. Foreign students choose between a Chinese National Curriculum (CNC) domestic-university track or an overseas-study track, depending on where they plan to go after graduation. The campus spans 127,000 sqm with 2,400+ students across 64 classes, and a teaching team of 160 full-time teachers including 20 American English teachers certified by the American Language Organization.
This guide covers every question a foreign parent needs answered — curriculum, confirmed fees, admissions documents, boarding options, campus facilities, location, and what Alifa verified directly with the school's admissions team in September 2026.
Name note: Until 7 December 2021, this school was officially called Weihai Daguanghua International School (威海大光华国际学校). "International" was removed following a national Ministry of Education naming policy — the school's international programmes and government foreign-student approval status were not affected. Other schools carry the "Daguanghua" name in different cities (Xinjiang Daguanghua International School in Xinjiang; Huanggang Daguanghua Senior High in Hubei) — this article covers the Weihai school only.
Quick Answers — Weihai Daguanghua School
✓ How Alifa verified this: Fees, curriculum tracks, admissions documents and boarding details confirmed directly with the school's Integrated Department admissions team, 27 September 2026. School size, facilities and address verified against the Huancui District government public disclosure filing, March 2026.
Weihai Daguanghua School — At a Glance
| Detail | Weihai Daguanghua School |
|---|---|
| English name | Weihai Daguanghua School |
| Chinese name | 威海大光华学校 |
| Former name | Weihai Daguanghua International School (威海大光华国际学校) — renamed 7 December 2021 |
| Founded | August 2003 |
| School type | Private 12-year K–12 full-boarding school |
| Grades | Primary (5 yrs) · Junior High (4 yrs) · Senior High (3 yrs) — Grades 1–12 |
| Address | No. 58, Huanghe Street, Zhangcun Town, Huancui District, Weihai, Shandong (山东省威海市环翠区张村镇黄河街58号) |
| Postal code | 264203 |
| Phone | 0631-5780088 |
| Supervising authority | Huancui District Education & Sports Bureau (威海市环翠区教体局) |
| Campus land area | 127,000 sqm |
| Campus building area | 80,000 sqm |
| Total investment | RMB 160 million |
| Current students | 2,400+ across 64 classes |
| Staff | 300+ faculty and staff total |
| Full-time teachers | 160 (60% senior-grade) |
| American English teachers | 20 (American Language Organization certified) |
| Foreign student status | Only school in Weihai with government approval to enrol foreign students |
| Teaching language (Integrated Dept) | Full English-medium, plus Chinese-language class and IELTS coaching |
| Tuition — foreign students | RMB 35,000 (primary) to RMB 79,000 (senior high, overseas track) per year. Includes boarding. |
| International partnerships | ILP (USA) · IEA (Canada) · APS (Australia) |
| Parent group | Wuhan Daguanghua Education Group (武汉大光华教育集团有限公司) |
| Group website | www.dghjt.com |
↔ Scroll on small screens. Figures from the Huancui District government public disclosure filing, March 2026, and confirmed with the school, September 2026.
School Overview — History, Name and Parent Group
Weihai Daguanghua School was founded in August 2003 as Weihai Daguanghua International School (威海大光华国际学校), following approval from the Weihai Municipal Education Bureau. It was set up specifically as a school capable of accepting both domestic and international students — a status that remains unique in Weihai to this day.
On 7 December 2021, the school was officially renamed to Weihai Daguanghua School (威海大光华学校). The rename followed a national Ministry of Education directive requiring private schools to remove the word "International" (国际) from their names unless they held a recognised international curriculum accreditation (such as IB or CIS). The school's programmes, facilities, and government approval to enrol foreign students were entirely unchanged by this administrative rename.
Part of the Daguanghua Education Group
Weihai Daguanghua School is part of the Wuhan Daguanghua Education Group (武汉大光华教育集团有限公司), a private education group that also operates:
- Xinjiang Daguanghua International School (新疆大光华国际学校) — Ürümqi, Xinjiang
- Huanggang Daguanghua Senior High School (黄冈大光华高级中学) — Huanggang, Hubei
The group's shared brand and website are at dghjt.com. Each school operates independently under the group umbrella. When searching for this school, note that "Daguanghua School" without the "Weihai" prefix can refer to any of the three — this article covers the Weihai campus only.
Governance and oversight
The school is supervised by the Weihai Huancui District Education and Sports Bureau (威海市环翠区教体局). As a private school (民办学校), it sets its own fees and academic programmes but remains subject to government quality oversight and compliance. The management team was originally appointed by the Huancui District Education Bureau in 2010, with 100 subject specialists seconded from district schools for three consecutive years to build the teaching foundation.
Approved since 2003: The school has held government approval to enrol foreign students continuously since its founding — the only school in Weihai with this status. The December 2021 rename did not affect this approval.
K–12 School Structure and Pipeline
Weihai Daguanghua School runs a continuous 12-year pipeline on a single campus in Huancui District, Weihai. A student who joins in Grade 1 can follow the same school through to Grade 12 graduation without changing institution. The school has five divisions covering domestic and international students at every stage.
| Division | Duration | Key details |
|---|---|---|
| Primary School (小学部) | 5 years · Grades 1–5 | 40 students per class. Montessori-influenced teaching elements. Maths thinking training (数学思维训练). Bedtime 8 pm. |
| Junior High School (初中部) | 4 years · Grades 6–9 | 40 students per class. Selective for transfer students. Grade 7 new enrolment; Grade 8–9 transfer by appointment. Bedtime 9 pm. |
| Senior High School (高中部) | 3 years · Grades 10–12 | 45 students per class. Capacity 60 classes (2,700 boarding students). Direct entry for Gaokao ≥70% + English ≥80%; below threshold sits all-English entrance exam. Bedtime 9:30 pm. |
| Integrated Department (蔬合部) | All grade levels | English-medium track for Chinese and foreign students. Managed by a Canadian-qualified principal. CNC domestic-university track and overseas-study track both available. Accepts foreign nationals at every grade. |
| Foreign Nationals School (外簿子女学校) | All grade levels | Strictly for students holding a foreign passport or Hong Kong / Macau / Taiwan travel document. English L1: Canadian principal interview. Non-English L1: English proficiency test first. |
Class Sizes
Only school in Weihai for foreign students. Of the five divisions above, only the Integrated Department and the Foreign Nationals School accept students from outside mainland China. No other K–12 school in Weihai City holds government approval to enrol foreign students.
School structure confirmed from government portal and official school registration documents (2026)
Weihai Daguanghua School — Campus & Student Life
These videos were filmed on campus at Weihai Daguanghua School (威海大光华学校) in Weihai, Shandong Province in September 2026 and published by Alifa Education. Click any thumbnail to watch on YouTube.
Weihai Daguanghua School · Alifa Education · September 2026
Weihai Daguanghua School · September 2026
Weihai Daguanghua School · September 2026
All 3 videos filmed at Weihai Daguanghua School campus, Weihai, Shandong · September 2026 · Click to watch on YouTube
The Integrated Department (融合部) — Who It Serves
The Integrated Department (融合部) is Weihai Daguanghua School's English-medium track. It operates across all grade levels from primary through senior high, and is the entry point for all foreign students. Both Chinese and foreign students may enrol in this division — the curriculum and instruction language are the same regardless of nationality.
The division is overseen by a Canadian-qualified principal, who conducts personal interviews with English-speaking foreign applicants and oversees the academic direction of the international programme. This is the track where Alifa's direct contact, Teacher Janice, works in the admissions team.
What makes the Integrated Department different from the standard school
- Full English-medium instruction — all academic subjects are taught in English, not Chinese
- Chinese-language class included — students develop Chinese language skills alongside English instruction
- IELTS coaching — integrated into the curriculum to support students aiming for overseas university entry
- Two study tracks — students choose between the Chinese National Curriculum (CNC) domestic-university pathway and an overseas-study track
- International partnerships — the school maintains active partnerships with ILP (USA), IEA (Canada) and APS (Australia)
- Safety-net diploma — students who do not pass China's senior-high graduation exam (APT / 会考) receive the school's own English-language diploma instead of leaving without any credential
Who the Integrated Department is designed for
- Foreign families living in or relocating to Weihai (Korean, Japanese, Russian, Central Asian and other expatriate communities)
- Chinese families returning from abroad who want English-medium education in Weihai
- Students whose first or dominant language is English and who need a recognised school record in China
- Students planning to attend university in China using the domestic-university (CNC) track
- Students planning to study at a university abroad who need strong IELTS scores and a documented transcript from a Chinese school
Korean families in Weihai: Weihai has one of China's largest Korean expatriate communities — historically around 220 foreign students at the school were Korean (circa 2010 figures; current breakdown not published). The city is the closest point in China to South Korea, with a ferry route to Incheon. Weihai Daguanghua School has extensive experience with Korean-speaking families and is the established choice for Korean families in the city.
Integrated Department details confirmed with Teacher Janice, admissions team, 27 September 2026
Curriculum, Study Tracks and Diploma
The Integrated Department runs full English-medium instruction across all grade levels, supplemented by a Chinese-language class and IELTS coaching. Foreign students choose one of two study tracks when they enrol in senior high:
Track 1 — Chinese National Curriculum (CNC) domestic-university track
Students on this track follow China's Ministry of Education national curriculum in English, working toward the Academic Proficiency Test (APT / 会考) — China's compulsory senior-high graduation examination. Passing the APT earns the standard Chinese senior-high diploma (普通高中毕业证), which is accepted for university applications across all Chinese universities.
This track is ideal for students who plan to apply to universities in China after graduation. Tuition for foreign students on the CNC track is RMB 62,000/year, inclusive of boarding.
For a full overview of the CNC pathway for international students in China, see Alifa's CNC High School Guide.
Track 2 — Overseas-study track
Students on this track still follow English-medium instruction and IELTS coaching, but their primary goal is university entry outside China. The curriculum and IELTS coaching are oriented toward meeting the academic and language requirements of UK, Canadian, Australian, and US universities. Tuition for foreign students on the overseas track is RMB 79,000/year, inclusive of boarding.
Diploma outcomes
| Outcome | Diploma issued |
|---|---|
| Passes APT / 会考 exam | Standard Chinese senior-high diploma (普通高中毕业证) — accepted for university admission in China |
| Does not pass APT / 会考 | School's own English-language diploma — documented proof of study completion |
International partnerships
The school states government approval since 2003 and confirms the following academic partnerships are currently active:
- ILP (International Language Programs, USA)
- IEA (International Education Association, Canada)
- APS (Australia)
The school does not hold IB (International Baccalaureate) or CIS (Council of International Schools) accreditation.
Curriculum tracks and partnerships confirmed with school admissions team, September 2026
Weihai Daguanghua School Fees and First-Year Cost (2026–27)
Alifa confirmed the following fees directly with the Integrated Department admissions team on 27 September 2026. All tuition figures include boarding in the school’s own dormitory. The school does not charge a separate application or registration fee.
Tuition by grade and track — foreign students| Grade / track | Tuition per year | Boarding |
|---|---|---|
| Primary (Grades 1–5) — Foreign students | RMB 35,000 | Included |
| Junior Middle (Grades 6–9) — Foreign students | RMB 45,000 | Included |
| Senior High, CNC track (domestic university) — Foreign students | RMB 62,000 | Included |
| Senior High, overseas-study track — Foreign students | RMB 79,000 | Included |
| Senior High, ordinary / specialty — Chinese students | RMB 30,000 | Included |
| Senior High, study-abroad prep — Chinese students | RMB 49,000 | Included |
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application / registration fee | None | School does not charge this |
| School dormitory boarding | Included | Optional from Grade 1; not compulsory |
| Off-campus private apartment (optional) | RMB 10,000/yr or RMB 5,000/half-year | 2-bedroom unit, 2 students per bedroom, own bathroom. Foreign students with no family in China only. Parent must sign safety agreement. |
| Meals | RMB 44/day | Breakfast RMB 7 · Lunch RMB 25 (buffet) · Dinner RMB 12. Billed by attendance, not a fixed monthly charge. |
| Uniform (one-time) | ~RMB 1,400 | Full set at enrolment |
| Textbooks | ~RMB 1,500/yr | Annual |
| Insurance (optional) | RMB 100–400/semester | Family’s choice; not compulsory |
| Guardian power-of-attorney notarisation | RMB 500 | One-time; foreign applicants only. Guardian attends; student does not need to. |
Alifa First-Year Cost Estimate
Adding uniform (~RMB 1,400 one-time) and textbooks (~RMB 1,500/year) to tuition gives the following approximate first-year total, before meals and the optional apartment upgrade:
| Grade / track (foreign students) | Approx. first-year total |
|---|---|
| Primary | ~RMB 37,900–38,700 |
| Junior Middle | ~RMB 47,900–48,700 |
| Senior High — CNC / domestic-university track | ~RMB 64,900–65,700 |
| Senior High — overseas-study track | ~RMB 81,900–82,700 |
Alifa estimate. Meals (RMB 44/day) are separate and depend on attendance. Optional apartment upgrade adds RMB 10,000/year.
Confirm before you pay. Fees can change each academic year. Always verify the current schedule directly with the school at 0631-5780088 or through Alifa before making any payment or enrolment decision.
All fees confirmed with Teacher Janice, Integrated Department, 27 September 2026
Weihai Daguanghua School Admissions and Entry Requirements
Admissions operate on a September annual intake. The school started recruiting actively for 2026-27 during the period covered by this guide. The process is different for Chinese students and foreign students — Chinese students simply transfer their school registration; foreign students submit a specific document package.
Entry by stage
| Stage | Entry requirement |
|---|---|
| Primary Grade 1 (new) | Standard new enrolment; document review |
| Primary Grade 2+ (transfer) | Documents submitted; selective by school review |
| Junior High Grade 7 (new) | Documents submitted; selective after review |
| Junior High Grade 8–9 (transfer) | Documents submitted by appointment; selective |
| Senior High — direct entry (Chinese students) | Gaokao score ≥70% of local full score AND English ≥80% → admitted directly without exam |
| Senior High — entrance exam (Chinese students) | Below direct-entry threshold but above senior high qualification line → entrance exam in English and Maths, all questions in English |
| Foreign nationals — English L1 | Personal interview with the Canadian principal. No written English test. |
| Foreign nationals — Non-English L1 | English language proficiency test; must reach minimum level before principal interview |
Documents required — Chinese students
Chinese students applying to the Integrated Department only need to transfer their school enrollment record (学籍) to Weihai Daguanghua School. No further documents are required.
Documents required — foreign students
Foreign students must submit the following. Alifa can help prepare and check the document package before submission.
Academic documents (Hague apostille NOT required for these):
- Primary and junior-middle graduation certificates — school-stamped and translated into Chinese
- Transcripts from primary and junior-middle school — school-stamped and translated into Chinese
- Certificate of current enrollment from the most recent school (school-stamped, Chinese translation)
Family and identity documents (Hague apostille IS required for these):
- Family-relationship certificate OR birth certificate naming both parents — original plus Chinese translation, with Hague apostille
- China power of attorney — original plus Chinese translation, with Hague apostille
- Photo copies of the student's passport and both parents' passports
Guardian document (completed in China):
- Notarised guardian power of attorney — completed at a Chinese notary office. Only the guardian needs to attend; the student does not need to be present. Notarisation fee: RMB 500, paid by the family.
Intake dates
- September intake — the main annual intake; school year starts in September
- Senior-high applications based on zhongkao (junior-high graduation exam) scores open in July
- Compulsory-level (primary and junior high) registration is processed through the Huancui District government platform in May–June
Alifa can help with the document package. The foreign-student document list is complex. Alifa works directly with Teacher Janice in the admissions team and can tell you exactly which documents to prepare, in what format, and by when. Contact us at admissions@alifaedtech.com or WeChat larry9455.
Admissions requirements confirmed with school admissions team, September 2026
Campus and Facilities at Weihai Daguanghua School
The campus sits on 127,000 sqm of land in Zhangcun Town, Huancui District — a quiet, green area about 10 km from central Weihai. Total built area is 80,000 sqm across academic, sports, arts, residential and support buildings. Total investment in the campus is RMB 160 million. All facility data below is from the government public disclosure filing, March 2026.
Campus at a glance| Facility | Detail |
|---|---|
| Land area | 127,000 sqm |
| Building area | 80,000 sqm |
| Total investment | RMB 160 million |
| Teaching buildings | 3 dedicated teaching blocks |
| Library | 50,000+ books and periodicals |
| Swimming pool | Indoor, 4 lanes × 25 metres |
| Ice skating hall | Dedicated indoor rink (separate building) |
| Outdoor sports areas | 10 separate venues |
| Cafeteria | 6,196 sqm |
| Student dormitories | 4 buildings |
Academic Buildings
Library and IT
Science Laboratories
Arts Centre
Sports Facilities
Indoor| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Gymnasium | Basketball, badminton, table tennis, taekwondo training hall |
| Swimming pool | Indoor · 4 lanes × 25 metres |
| Ice skating hall | Indoor rink in a dedicated separate building — rare in K–12 schools in Shandong |
Residential and Dining
All facilities confirmed from government public disclosure filing, Huancui District, March 2026
Boarding, Meals and Guardianship
Weihai Daguanghua is a full-boarding school, but boarding is not compulsory — families can choose between the school dormitory, a private off-campus apartment, or day-student attendance from a local home.
School dormitory (included in tuition)
School-dormitory boarding is included in tuition from Grade 1 upward at no extra charge. The campus has four student dormitory buildings with residential supervision during non-teaching hours. A structured daily schedule includes set bedtimes: Primary: 8 pm · Junior High: 9 pm · Senior High: 9:30 pm.
Private off-campus apartment (optional)
Foreign students with no family resident in China may apply for a private off-campus apartment:
- Cost: RMB 10,000/year (or RMB 5,000 per half-year)
- Format: 2-bedroom unit, 2 students per bedroom, each bedroom has its own private bathroom
- Eligibility: foreign students with no family living in China only
- Condition: a parent must accompany the application and sign a safety-liability agreement (安全责任保证书) before the student can move in
Meals
Meals are provided at school and billed by attendance — not as a fixed monthly charge:
- Breakfast: RMB 7
- Lunch: RMB 25 (buffet)
- Dinner: RMB 12
- Full day (all three meals): RMB 44
The school cafeteria covers 6,196 sqm — large enough to seat the full student body without queuing delays. The kitchen is managed by the school directly.
Guardian arrangements
There is no fixed guardian requirement imposed by the school for parents who do not live in Weihai. However, Chinese law does require students under 18 whose parents are not resident in China to have a legal guardian inside the country. Options confirmed by the school:
- A relative living in China can act as the student's legal guardian
- Where no relative is available in China, a teacher at the school can take on the guardian role
Guardianship from Alifa: If your family has no relative in China, Alifa provides professional guardianship for K-12 boarding students — covering welfare monitoring, emergency response, school communication, and holiday arrangements. Ask us when you contact us about Weihai Daguanghua.
Pastoral and academic support
- One-on-one tutoring available to all students who need additional support, outside lesson time
- Face-to-face homework correction — teachers mark homework directly with each student, not in bulk and returned days later
- Psychology counselling room on campus
- School philosophy: "Not comparing foundation but progress; not comparing intelligence but diligence"
Teaching Team and Credentials
The school has 160 full-time teachers, supported by a total staff of 300+ people. The teaching team combines experienced Chinese educators with foreign-qualified English teachers and is overseen by a management team originally appointed by the Huancui District Education Bureau.
| Credential | Count |
|---|---|
| Full-time teachers | 160 |
| Senior-grade teachers (高级教师, 60% of full-time staff) | 96 |
| National Outstanding Teacher Award (全国优秀教师) | 11 |
| Provincial-level teacher awards (省级优秀教师/教学能手) | 37 |
| Municipal-level award holders | 120+ |
| American English teachers (ALO-certified) | 20 |
The 20 American English teachers are certified by the American Language Organization (ALO), bringing native-level English instruction into classrooms across all year groups. Their presence in the Integrated Department is a key part of why full English-medium instruction is achievable from Grade 1.
The Integrated Department is managed by a Canadian-qualified principal who conducts personal admissions interviews with English-speaking foreign applicants and provides academic oversight for the international programme.
Teacher credential data confirmed from official government filing and school website (2026)
Location — Weihai, Shandong Province
Weihai Daguanghua School is at No. 58, Huanghe Street, Zhangcun Town, Huancui District, Weihai City, Shandong Province (山东省威海市环翠区张村镇黄河街58号). The campus is in a semi-suburban area about 10 km from central Weihai.
| Transport | Details |
|---|---|
| International airport | Weihai Dashuibo International Airport — approx. 52 km from campus, ~50-minute drive. Routes to Seoul, Tokyo and major Chinese cities. |
| Railway — nearest station | Weihai North Station (威海北站) — closest to campus but operates fewer trains; use as a starting point for local taxi to school |
| Railway — main hub | Weihai Railway Station (威海站) — main intercity hub, approx. 18 km from campus, ~RMB 25 taxi fare |
| Metro | Not available — Weihai does not have an operating metro system |
| School bus | Not published by the school; confirm with admissions team |
| Ferry (international) | Weihai Port has ferry services to Incheon, South Korea (~16 hours overnight). Popular with Korean families. |
Why Weihai for international families
Weihai sits on the eastern tip of the Shandong Peninsula, facing the Yellow Sea — directly across from South Korea and Japan. Several factors make it a strong choice for foreign families:
- Korean community — Weihai has one of China's longest-established Korean expatriate populations, built on trade and education ties dating back decades. The ferry to Incheon (South Korea) takes about 16 hours. For Korean families, Weihai Daguanghua School has been the go-to school.
- Clean coastal city — Weihai consistently ranks among China's cleanest and most liveable cities, with a mild coastal climate (cooler summers than inland cities, cold dry winters)
- Lower cost of living — significantly cheaper than Beijing, Shanghai or Shenzhen for housing and daily expenses
- Safe and quiet — the campus is in Zhangcun Town, a stable, low-traffic residential area well-suited to a boarding school setting
- Well-connected by air — Weihai Dashuibo Airport has international routes to Seoul and Tokyo, and domestic routes across China
Address and transport details confirmed with school admissions team, September 2026
What Alifa Checked
| What we checked | What we found | Source |
|---|---|---|
| School name and status | Current: 威海大光华学校. Renamed from 威海大光华国际学校 on 7 December 2021. Private K–12 boarding school, government-approved for foreign students since 2003. | Government portal + official records |
| Address, phone, postcode | No. 58, Huanghe Street, Zhangcun Town, Huancui District, Weihai · 264203 · 0631-5780088 | Government portal, March 2026 |
| Campus size | 127,000 sqm land; 80,000 sqm buildings; RMB 160m investment | Government portal, March 2026 |
| Student and staff numbers | 2,400+ students; 64 classes; 300+ staff; 160 full-time teachers | Government portal, March 2026 |
| Facilities | 3 teaching buildings; indoor gym; 4-lane 25m pool; indoor ice rink; 50,000+ book library; 10 outdoor sports areas; 6,196 sqm cafeteria | Government portal, March 2026 |
| Foreign student approval | Only school in Weihai with government approval to enrol foreign students — confirmed unchanged through December 2021 rename | Official records + Baidu Baike |
| Tuition fees (2026-27) | Foreign students: RMB 35,000 (primary) to RMB 79,000 (senior high, overseas track). Boarding included. No registration fee. | Teacher Janice, admissions team, 27 Sep 2026 |
| Curriculum and tracks | Full English-medium; CNC (domestic-university) and overseas-study tracks; APT/会考 diploma or school English diploma | Teacher Janice, 27 Sep 2026 |
| Admissions documents | Chinese students: 学籍 transfer only. Foreign students: stamped/translated transcripts, family certificate (apostilled), passport copies, notarised guardian POA (RMB 500). | Teacher Janice, 27 Sep 2026 |
| Boarding options | School dorm included in tuition (optional). Private apartment RMB 10,000/yr for foreign students only; parent must sign safety agreement. | Teacher Janice, 27 Sep 2026 |
| Guardian rules | No fixed school requirement. Relative in China can act as guardian; or a school teacher. | Teacher Janice, 27 Sep 2026 |
| International partnerships | ILP (USA), IEA (Canada), APS (Australia) — confirmed still current | Teacher Janice, 27 Sep 2026 |
| Teacher credentials | 160 teachers; 60% senior-grade; 11 national award holders; 20 American-certified English teachers (ALO) | Government portal + school website |
| Transport distances | Airport: ~52 km (~50 min). Weihai Station: ~18 km (~RMB 25 taxi). No metro. | Teacher Janice, 27 Sep 2026 |
Ask before you pay a deposit: Fees and programme details can change each academic year. Always confirm current figures directly with the school (0631-5780088) or via Alifa before making any payment.
Frequently Asked Questions — Weihai Daguanghua School
The CNC (Chinese National Curriculum) track costs RMB 62,000/year for foreign students and prepares students to apply to universities in China. Students sit China's senior-high graduation exam (APT / 会考) and, if they pass, receive the standard Chinese senior-high diploma. The overseas-study track costs RMB 79,000/year and is for students planning to study at universities abroad — it emphasises IELTS coaching and the requirements of overseas institutions. Both tracks include school-dormitory boarding.
It is the only school in Weihai City with official government approval to enrol international (foreign) students. This status has been in place since the school's founding in 2003 and was unaffected by the December 2021 rename. No other mainstream K–12 school in Weihai holds this approval, making Weihai Daguanghua School the default — and only — choice for foreign families who need a local, approved school in the city.
Foreign students need: (1) school-stamped and Chinese-translated graduation certificates and transcripts from primary and junior-middle school, plus a current enrolment certificate — no apostille needed for these; (2) a family-relationship certificate or birth certificate naming both parents, plus a China power of attorney — both with Hague apostille and Chinese translation; (3) passport photo copies for the student and both parents; (4) a notarised guardian power of attorney completed by a Chinese notary (RMB 500 fee — only the guardian attends, not the student).
No — school-dormitory boarding is included in tuition from Grade 1 but is optional. Day-student attendance is allowed. Foreign students with no family in China can also apply for an off-campus private apartment at RMB 10,000/year (or RMB 5,000 per half-year) — a 2-bedroom unit, 2 students per bedroom, each room with its own bathroom. A parent must accompany the apartment application and sign a safety-liability agreement.
If a student does not pass China's senior-high graduation exam — the Academic Proficiency Test (APT / 会考) — the school issues its own English-language diploma instead. Every student who completes the senior high programme at Weihai Daguanghua School leaves with documented proof of their studies, regardless of APT results.
Yes to both — confirmed in the March 2026 government public disclosure filing. The campus has a 4-lane, 25-metre indoor heated swimming pool inside the gymnasium building, and a separate dedicated indoor ice skating hall. These facilities are unusual for a K–12 boarding school in Shandong Province and are available to all students as part of the regular school programme.
Yes — Korean nationals holding a Korean passport are eligible as foreign students. Since Korean is not an English L1 background, applicants sit an English proficiency test before the Canadian principal interview. Weihai has one of China's largest Korean expatriate communities, and Weihai Daguanghua has extensive experience with Korean families. Contact Alifa and we will connect you directly with Teacher Janice in the admissions team.
The school has confirmed two options: (1) a relative living in China can act as the student's legal guardian; (2) where no family member is available in China, a teacher at the school can serve as guardian. Alifa can also arrange professional guardianship for boarding students whose parents are abroad — see our guardianship service page for details.
The school communicates through a WeChat group, regular parent consultation meetings, and parent open days at the campus. The admissions office and homeroom teachers include English-speaking staff, so overseas parents can communicate in English. Alifa can also act as your liaison with the school's admissions team if you need a single point of contact in English.
Weihai consistently ranks among China's safest and most liveable coastal cities. The city is clean, small by Chinese standards, and has a long history of welcoming Korean, Japanese and other expatriate families. The school campus is in Zhangcun Town — a quiet, low-traffic residential area well-suited to a boarding school setting. The cost of living is significantly lower than Beijing or Shanghai, and the coastal climate is mild in summer and cold but manageable in winter.
Alifa Education Services
Is Weihai Daguanghua School Right for Your Family?
It fits a family living in or relocating to Weihai — especially Korean, Japanese, Russian, Central Asian or other expatriate communities — with a child in any grade from 1 to 12 who needs an English-medium school with a government stamp of approval for foreign students. No other school in Weihai holds that approval. The choice between the CNC domestic-university track (RMB 62,000/yr) and the overseas-study track (RMB 79,000/yr) means it works for families planning either Chinese or overseas university entry after graduation.
It does not fit a family that needs an internationally accredited diploma (IB, A-Level or AP), a school in a first-tier city, or who cannot manage the 52 km distance from Weihai’s airport. Alifa Education works with families across the BRI corridor and provides the China-based guardianship the law requires for students under 18 whose parents are not resident in China.
✉ Ask Our Consultant About This School →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
- Huancui District, Weihai — Official Government Public Disclosure Portal (威海市环耿区企事业单位信息公开). “Weihai Daguanghua School Basic Profile.” Published 11 March 2026. hcqsyxxgk.weihai.gov.cn. Campus size, facilities, student and staff numbers.
- Weihai Municipal Education Bureau. 2026 ordinary senior-high admissions notice (4th stage), 27 February 2026. jyj.weihai.gov.cn.
- Huancui District Government. 2026 private compulsory-education admissions plan, 20 May 2026. huancui.gov.cn. Intake dates.
- 威海大光华学校 official WeChat account. “2026年大光华蔬合部中外簿学生招生简章.” 13 January 2026. Programme details and admissions guide.
- 威海大光华学校 official WeChat account. Campus and contact information, 19 June 2025.
- Wuhan Daguanghua Education Group — official group website, school overview and admissions. dghjt.com.
- School partnership history, Sohu, 1 June 2017; confirmed still current by admissions team, September 2026. sohu.com. ILP, IEA, APS partnerships.
- Direct confirmation with Teacher Janice, Integrated Department admissions team, Weihai Daguanghua School, 27 September 2026. Covers: tuition fees 2026–27, curriculum tracks, admissions documents, boarding options, guardian arrangements, meals, transport distances and language of instruction.
By John Wong, Alifa Education. Published September 2026. Last verified 27 September 2026. Fees and admission rules change each academic year — confirm with the school before making any payment.
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