Admissions FAQ
Boarding
Each room has a maximum capacity of four students, but is usually kept to a maximum of three. It is equipped with ample bathroom facilities, reverse cycle air conditioning, blinds and adequate storage cupboards. Water dispensers are placed around the boarding rooms and are easily accessible. In addition, each room provides four beds, bed linen, pillows, blankets, reading desks, chairs, bedside lamps and wardrobes.
Furniture, pets, valuables, large sums of money, candles, incense, and illegal or dangerous substances. Also, please do not bring too much stuff!
Clothes for all weather, personal toiletries, towels, pyjamas, two laundry bags, school bags, socks, swimsuit, sportswear, personal effects, and special school supplies
Alarm clock, posters or room decorations, your bed linen, extra blankets if you desire, a lockbox to place valuables, a translator, mobile phone, medications, favourite snacks, and drinks.
Boarding staff provide life-skill training classes for all boarders from 5:00 pm to 5:40 pm. We also have a wide range of other supervised after-school sports activities: basketball, volleyball, tennis, badminton, soccer, biking, kayaking, etc. In addition, our Boarding students attend daily supervised homework and tutorial sessions, from 6:30 pm–8 pm, taught by our international qualified classroom teachers.
Boarding School staff members are internationally trained, experienced, and qualified. They are committed to your child’s wellbeing and provide a safe environment where they feel supported and valued.
Yes, our boarding options include; 5-day boarding, 7-day boarding and Flexi-boarding during the weekend for five-day boarders. You can choose different types of boarding to match your needs. The Flexi-boarding request should be submitted 48 hours before your child’s stay.
Students in years 1 to 10 can use their electronic devices for 30 minutes every day to contact their families. Devices are locked away in a designated cabinet. Students must participate in different training and sports activities to avoid excessive computers and other electronic devices.
Wake up call for all our boarding students is at 7 am
9 pm for primary students and 10:30 pm for secondary students.
Dragon house also offers comfortable common rooms on each floor, a learning centre, music centre, DP study room and recreational game rooms where students can enjoy their free time and study. In addition, our state-of-the-art swimming pool, supervised by qualified lifeguards, is open for boarding students after school.
Kindergarten
- A change of clothes in case of accidents
- Water bottle for morning snack (we have drinking water available)
- A morning snack – please do not send sweets. The children have a choice of fruit for an afternoon snack
- A hat to wear when we go outside and sunblock
- Swimming clothes and towel on the allocated day (swimming will stop when the water gets too cold)
The Kindergarten teachers are highly qualified early year’s specialists with many years of experience.
There are also teacher assistants (TA’s) in the class to ensure that all children get individual attention.
The curriculum being followed is a balance of play and structure-based activities that are carefully planned. Research worldwide supports children’s learning of a wide range of pre-literacy and pre-maths skills through active exploration and meaningful experiences inside the classroom and outside. We want to encourage children to be enthusiastic learners.
During each school year, the children will be involved in 4 IB PYP (International Baccalaureate, Primary Years Programme) Units of Inquiry. Examples of these units are; Who We Are, How We Organise Ourselves, Sharing the Planet and How We Express Ourselves.
All children learn about building relationships, communication, environment, phonics (letter sounds) and numbers. As students progress through to K3 they begin to learn correct letter formation, blending sounds, and move to reading and writing when they are ready.
Teachers gather information from a variety of sources continuously throughout the learning process. Every day in the classroom teachers observe what your child can do. Teachers collect evidence of learning as students may demonstrate learning through their actions, explain a concept out loud, complete a task, or create something to show what they know. At UISZ the primary section of the school is focused on what we call FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT. This assessment informs the teaching and guides the learning. This assessment involves specific and constructive feedback to students about their learning, not marks.
At least one teaching assistant is a bilingual (Chinese and English) speaker.
English is the school’s language of instruction, and we recognise the importance of valuing others’ first language. Therefore, where applicable, we will introduce words from children’s home language – for example, greetings, colours, numbers. If you can help us with this, it would be appreciated.
At all times, we ensure that the children understand what is being said to them, we make use of sign language, gestures, pictures, videos, etc. to make sure that they are not confused
Our primary source of communication is through an interactive app called SeeSaw. Teachers regularly record and post videos, pictures, audio notes or learning tasks. This is where the evidence of learning is documented as an ePortfolio for students. This is also where teachers communicate what is going on in class and school. Parents and family members can message the teacher about general information in SeeSaw. Parents are encouraged to email teachers directly with specific questions or concerns.
UISZ also regularly posts community updates via WeChat.
You are welcome to call any time and make an appointment to see your child’s teacher. In addition, there are opportunities to come and meet the staff and see your child’s work at various times during the year.
Primary School
School bags with basic stationery, no specific requirement must be brought.
The school will provide all learning resources.
We have Year 1 – Year 5 in Primary, with one class in each year level.
Students’ numbers vary in each year level. However, the maximum is 24 in each class.
We have a well-developed induction system: Peers, School Counsellor, the homeroom teacher will all help ease students into their new school life. If a student considering joining mid-year they will participate in a trial day first. Typically teachers choose a student to be a “buddy” with the new student to help them adjust and integrate with their peers.
Yes, Primary students should wear school uniform every day. On days where students have PE class they wear their PE uniform, the other days of the week they wear the formal uniform.
We follow the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework. This describe HOW we teach: student centred and inquiry-based teaching and learning. As a curriculum scope and sequence teachers follow AERO & Common Core subject standards to guide the learning targets.
Yes, there are three periods of Chinese classes each week. We do not use one prescribed textbook. Instead, teachers use various resources and different kinds of books and a wide range of online resources for our students to promote real-life learning and access diverse points of view.
Students do not take exams, but are assessed following the PYP criteria. Teachers gather information from a variety of sources continuously throughout the learning process. Every day in the classroom teachers observe what your child can do. Teachers collect evidence of learning as students may demonstrate learning through their actions, explain a concept out loud, complete a task, or create something to show what they know. At UISZ the primary section of the school is focused on what we call FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT. This assessment informs the teaching and guides the learning. This assessment involves specific and constructive feedback to students about their learning, not marks.
Students receive a summary report at the end of each semester with detailed teacher comments.
At least one teaching assistant is a biligual speaker (CHinese and English) in K1 – Y3 classes. All teachers are English language teachers and support and differentiate for the various language needs in their classroom. Throughout the week students are grouped across year groups and according to language levels to provide targeted language learning and instruction.
Teachers are also tracking and benchmarking student language acquisition levels to be able to meet their needs.
We endeavor to communicate home regularly on regular ‘goings on’, positive reinforcement and also if there is a concern. Much communication happens via SeeSaw (which can be translated) or a direct phone call with the assistance of one of our biligual members of staff. You are welcome to call any time and make an appointment to see your child’s teacher. There are opportunities to come and meet the staff and see your child’s work at various times during the year. We do have translation help for parents who are not native English speakers.
You can email any teachers directly. You can also call the PA to the Head of Primary on 020-82909201 or send an email to our school : info@uiszc.org.
School
Accreditation, World Class Facility, Excellent Teachers, IB Curriculum, Boarding Facilities and High University Acceptance
The school opened in 2003 and maintains close links with its sister school in Guangzhou. UISZ is part of the Utahloy Education Foundation (UEF)
Our mission is to be an inclusive, holistic and creative learning community developing global citizens who confidently embrace the future.
- Council of International Schools (CIS)
- International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
- UNESCO Experimental School
The International Baccalaureate (IB) offers a continuum of international education. The programmes encourage personal and academic achievement, challenging students to excel in their studies and personal development. (See http://www.ibo.org/en/programmes/ for more information)
The International Baccalaureate aims to do more than other curricula by developing inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people motivated to succeed.
IB is well recognised. Students can use IB results to apply to the best universities all around the world.
Our Visiting school programme,‘ China New Horizons‘, uses UISZ as a home base. Students take part in programs designed to open minds and maximise the potential of each individual. Exploring Chinese culture, language and history, the programme takes advantage of the unique location and opportunities offered in the South of China. Through UISZ connection with CNH, with an environmental campus in Pak Lap, Hong Kong, students also venture to some of Hong Kong’s most pristine beaches and national parks. Activities are based on leadership, teamwork, innovation, and creativity.
Secondary School
Students should bring their own device. An Admission Package is given to new students, including a student diary, notebooks, pens and pencils to start classes. Students are expected to appropriately equip themselves for lessons with necessary writing and organisation supplies.
We have Year 6 – Year 12 in Secondary, with only one class in each year level.
Student numbers vary in each year level. However, the maximum is 24 in each class.
A student buddy, peers, School Counsellor, Year group advisors, and subject teachers will help ease students into their new school life. In addition, our new student orientation programme and regular activities in our Pastoral Programme ensure a student’s transition into school life is monitored and supported according to individual needs.
We offer IB Middle Years Programme(MYP) and Diploma Programme(DP)
We do not use one prescribed textbook. Instead, teachers use a wide variety of resources and different kinds of books. This includes a wide range of online and electronic resources available for our students to promote real-life learning and access to diverse viewpoints.
Usually, at the end of each semester, students must sit examinations called Summative Assessments, but they are constantly assessed throughout the year according to the IB guidelines. Every unit of work is assessed. Summative Assessments may take a variety of forms, of which examination-style assessment is one kind. Examination-style assessments are commonplace in IB Diploma subjects. Students need to develop their examination skills in preparation for final examinations during May of Year 12.
Each semester students and parents are provided with one Interim Report and one thorough End of Semester Report.
UISZ provides college and career guidance for the university application process. Please see the university website and university preparation handbook for details: http://issuniversitypreparation.weebly.com
Yes, regular newsletters, a student diary, our ManageBac system, which has ‘live‘ viewing capabilities, and event communications are used to inform you of what your child has been learning, as well as any upcoming commitments pertinent to your child. You are welcome to call any time and make an appointment to see your child’s teacher. There are opportunities to come and meet the staff and see your child’s work at various times during the year. Teachers may also email you about subject-related issues for your child. A ‘Week Ahead’ update is regularly communicated via WeChat and our website.
We do have translation offered to parents who are not native English speakers.
You can call the PA to the Head of Secondary on 020-82906806 or send an email to our school: uiszc@uiszc.org.
Admission
Thank you for your interest in UISZ. If you are interested in visiting the school, please email (admissions@uiszc.org) or call us (020-82914691) to make arrangements. We look forward to welcoming you to our school.
Students who have a foreign passport, including those from Hongkong, Macau and Taiwan
Please read our admission package for more information.
Currently, we have about 160 students from 27 different nationalities.
Students’ numbers vary in each class. The maximum is 16 in K1, 20 in K2， 22 in K3 class, 24 in primary and 24 in secondary.
UISZ offers the IB curriculum framework for our students. The Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP)
School begins at 8:30 am and ends at 3:35 pm.
We have around 39 foreign teachers and 6 Chinese teachers. They are from all around the world: US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Ireland, Holland, South Africa, Brazil, etc.
We attend the top Job Fairs worldwide to get the best teachers to maintain the high teaching quality for our students. Therefore, they are fully qualified and trained IB teachers.
Yes, UISZ is not only an international school but also a boarding school. The boarding house (Dragon House) offers 7-day boarding, 5-day boarding and flexi-boarding. Students in Y2 (7 years old) and above can stay in boarding house. Y1 students (6 years old) can stay in the boarding house after an interview with the Head of Boarding.
Yes, students from K1-Y10 should wear school uniform every school day. Students in year 11 and 12 must abide by a dress code.
Yes. We provide school buses for day and boarding students
Yes. We provide meals for students, included in school fees.
In UISZ, Y5 and above should bring their own device to school (BYOD). Parents and students must sign the ICT User Agreement to guide students to use their devices properly.
We don’t have Scholarship Testing at this moment
Yes, we do have the ESOL programme. After the Oxford Online English Testing, students will be placed into one of three language acquisition categories to develop English Skills. It enables students to integrate into the full mainstream programme from the very beginning. In addition, to make sure ELL (English Language Learner) do not fall behind in their studies, UISZ has put together a support scheme that includes differentiated instruction in Arts, Maths, PHE and Design and a Structured English Immersion (SEI) model in Sciences and Humanities.
We recognise the importance of students being fluent in their mother tongue, as well as being multi-lingual. Our Language Programme recognises the importance of developing students’ first language while improving their language skills by studying additional languages. Students enrolled in MYP English Literature and Language Acquisition (Phase 4 and above) can access a third language course.
In the last period on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, the student will have CCA. Usually, there are four rotations in the whole year. In each rotation, a student can choose to learn in an area that they may not normally encounter at school: for example gardening, lego building, cooking or roller blading.
We are an inclusive school and recognize people are unique, and that everyone learns in different ways and at different rates. The school does not have the resources to administer a programme for children with severe learning disabilities (e.g. severe speech disability, severe autism, severe physical disability, etc.) Therefore, parents/guardians of children admitted to UISZ with special needs must present a recent psycho-educational assessment that a licensed school psychologist has conducted within the last two years. These results will determine the appropriateness of the child’s enrolment in the school.
No, UISZ is not authorised to issue student visas for students. Therefore, it is the parents’ responsibility to obtain the appropriate visa.
