American International School of Guangzhou

"The American International School of Guangzhou (AISG) holds a distinctive place in the landscape of international education in China as South China's oldest international school, having welcomed its first students in 1981."

As a non-profit, independent, co-educational day school, AISG has spent more than four decades building a reputation for academic rigor and a genuine commitment to the international community it serves. For expat families and relocating professionals arriving in Guangzhou, AISG represents a deeply established institution with the experience and infrastructure to support children through every stage of their education. AISG serves students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12, offering a curriculum grounded in American educational standards and principles while also embracing the globally recognized framework of the International Baccalaureate. The school offers all three IB programmes — the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme, and the IB Diploma Programme — providing a coherent, inquiry-driven educational journey from the earliest years of schooling through to university preparation. This combination of an American curricular foundation with the IB continuum means students benefit from both the familiarity of an American-style education and the internationally transferable credentials that the IB provides, a pairing that suits families who may be in Guangzhou for a defined period and anticipate eventual transitions to schools in other countries. English is the language of instruction throughout the school, which provides an important continuity for English-speaking families and ensures that students are academically challenged in the language most universities around the world use as their primary medium of instruction. The school operates across two campuses in Guangzhou, reflecting both its size and its commitment to age-appropriate learning environments. The elementary school campus is situated on Ersha Island in the Yuexiu District, a leafy and relatively tranquil part of the city that offers a pleasant setting for younger learners. The secondary school campus is located in Science Park in the Huangpu District, placing older students in proximity to one of Guangzhou's dynamic innovation and technology corridors. The geographic spread of the campuses means families should consider their own location within the city when planning logistics, though both areas are well-connected within Guangzhou's broader urban environment. What sets AISG apart, beyond its longevity, is the sense of community that comes with being an institution that has served generations of international families across more than forty years. Families arriving in Guangzhou will find a school with well-established traditions, experienced faculty, and a student body that understands what it means to navigate life as an international child in China. For parents who want the reassurance of choosing a school with deep roots in its city, a coherent curriculum pathway from nursery through to graduation, and a non-profit ethos that keeps its focus squarely on student outcomes rather than commercial interests, AISG offers a compelling and confidence-inspiring choice.