How to Choose an International School in Nantong: 2026 Family Guide

Quick answer: How should families choose an international school in Nantong? Start with the licence, because it decides who can enrol: some schools accept only foreign passport holders, others mainly Chinese nationals. Then compare curriculum, language of instruction, boarding and fees, roughly CNY 150,000 to 280,000 a year. Nantong has a short list of options, so visit each one and apply early.

Last reviewed: October 2026 by David from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

Nantong sits on the north bank of the Yangtze, directly across the river from Suzhou and within easy reach of Shanghai. Its shipbuilding, textile and advanced manufacturing industries attract engineers and managers from Europe, Korea, Japan and other parts of China, and more families are now deciding to live in the city rather than commute. Knowing how to choose an international school in Nantong starts with understanding a small but varied market, where licences and languages matter as much as the curriculum.

Why Nantong, and where families live

The single biggest change for Nantong families in recent years was the Shanghai-Suzhou-Nantong Yangtze River Bridge, a combined road and rail bridge that opened on 1 July 2020. High-speed trains now link Nantong with Shanghai in roughly an hour, which makes weekend trips and airport connections far easier and has made the city more attractive for relocating staff.

Most international families live in the Chongchuan district around the old city and Haohe moat, in the newer Central Business District, or in the Nantong Economic and Technological Development Area, where many foreign companies have their plants. Distances inside the city are manageable, but check the school bus routes before you sign a lease, since a 40-minute ride twice a day adds up for young children.

Step 1: understand the licence

China distinguishes between schools for children of foreign nationals, which can only enrol holders of foreign passports (and certain residents of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan), and private bilingual schools licensed by the local education bureau, which mainly serve Chinese nationals and must teach the national curriculum during compulsory education. The 2021 implementing regulations of the Private Education Promotion Law, in force since 1 September 2021, tightened the rules for the bilingual sector, including limits on foreign curricula during compulsory years. Before you look at anything else, ask the school which licence it holds and whether your child's passport makes them eligible.

Step 2: compare curricula and languages

British curriculum with IGCSE and A Level, common at schools that belong to international groups.
International Baccalaureate, available at some schools in Jiangsu, often only in the final years.
Chinese national curriculum with intensive English, the core of most bilingual schools.
Dual-language programmes that teach in English and Mandarin, useful if you want your child to become literate in Chinese.

Schools to visit

Nord Anglia School Nantong

Nord Anglia School Nantong is part of one of the largest international school groups in the world, which brings shared resources, teacher training and links with partner schools across China. It teaches in English and Mandarin. Ask which programme applies to foreign passport holders and which to Chinese nationals, since the two tracks can differ.

Nantong Stalford International School

Nantong Stalford International School is linked to a group that runs bilingual and international schools in several Chinese cities. It is a good option to compare for families who want a British-style approach with strong English, and it is worth asking how many native English-speaking teachers are on staff in each year group.

Huili School Nantong

Huili School Nantong belongs to a well-known education group from the Yangtze River Delta and offers boarding, which suits families who travel a lot or older students preparing for study abroad. It combines the Chinese curriculum with international programmes, so it can work well for bicultural families.

Step 3: check fees and extras

Tuition at international and bilingual schools in Nantong ranges roughly from CNY 150,000 to 280,000 a year (about USD 21,000 to 39,000), with lower fees in the early years and the top of the range in the senior years. Budget on top for:

Application and assessment fees, roughly CNY 1,000 to 3,000.
A one-off enrolment or development fee at some schools, roughly CNY 10,000 to 30,000.
School bus, roughly CNY 8,000 to 15,000 a year.
Lunch, uniforms, trips and exam fees for IGCSE or A Level.
Boarding, where offered, roughly CNY 30,000 to 60,000 a year.

Step 4: questions to ask on your visit

Who are the students? Ask for the mix of nationalities and the share of students who speak English at home. In Nantong some international programmes are small, which can mean close attention but limited peer groups.

How stable is the staff? Teacher turnover is a fair question anywhere in China. Ask how many teachers are in their first year and how long the head of school has been in post.

What happens after graduation? For older students, ask about university destinations, counselling support and whether exam results are published.

Step 5: plan the timeline

The school year in Nantong usually starts in late August or early September, and most international and bilingual schools open applications for the following year between October and March. Because programmes are small, a year group can fill with just a few families, so contact admissions as soon as your relocation is confirmed, even if you do not yet have a residence permit. Schools will normally accept a provisional application and complete the file once your visa is issued.

Expect an online form, copies of passports and visas, the last two school reports, a vaccination record translated into English or Chinese, and an assessment in English and mathematics. Younger children are often observed in a short play session instead. Ask whether the school can hold a place for a few weeks while your company confirms the move, and whether the deposit is refundable if the posting falls through. Finally, check the school calendar against your home leave plans, since Chinese public holidays such as Spring Festival and Golden Week shape the term dates.

See how the schools compare

For a wider view of the province, including Suzhou and Nanjing, check our ranking of the best schools in Jiangsu, with reviews and curricula side by side.

More guides to schools in Nantong

Frequently asked questions

Can my child attend any international school in Nantong?

Not necessarily. Schools for children of foreign nationals can only enrol foreign passport holders, while bilingual private schools are licensed mainly for Chinese nationals and must follow the national curriculum during compulsory education. Check the school licence and your child's eligibility first, especially if your family holds dual nationality or a Chinese passport.

How much do international schools in Nantong cost?

Expect annual tuition of roughly CNY 150,000 to 280,000, about USD 21,000 to 39,000, depending on the grade and programme. On top come application fees, a possible enrolment or development fee, transport, lunch, uniforms and exam fees. Boarding adds roughly CNY 30,000 to 60,000 a year where it is available.

Is Nantong a good base for families working in Shanghai?

It can be. Since the Shanghai-Suzhou-Nantong Yangtze River Bridge opened in 2020, high-speed trains reach Shanghai in about an hour. Families working in Nantong's industrial zones benefit most, while daily commuters to central Shanghai may find the journey tiring. Housing costs are much lower than in Shanghai, which helps the overall budget.