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Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Chinese National Curriculum, Montessori Curriculum
Taught languages Mandarin
Typical class size 20
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, STEM
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction
Dalian American International School (DAIS) is an all-through American international school located in the Golden Pebble Beach National Resort in Dalian's Jinzhou New District. It serves students from ages 3 to 18 (Early Years through High School) and includes a Montessori-style preschool on campus. The school follows an American curriculum from elementary through high school, with CCSS and AERO standards in elementary and an American High School Curriculum with AP opportunities in the upper grades. DAIS is accredited by WASC and is part of the Nord Anglia Education family, with extensive co-curricular programs and collaborations. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including indoor and outdoor sports facilities, a heated 25-meter pool, science labs, three libraries, and arts studios. Mandarin is taught as the host country language, while English is the language of instruction across most programs. The school offers boarding and a range of after-school activities, including Soccer Club and Sea Dragon Choir. The Head of School is Dr. Craig Wilson.
2 Dianchi Road, Golden Pebble Beach National Resort, Dalian Development Area P.C, China, 116650
Gallery
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Vibes and Culture
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The Essentials
Dalian American International School has 300 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English.
Location
The Dalian campus is located at 2 Dianchi Road, Golden Pebble Beach National Resort, Jinzhou New District, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China. The Golden Pebble Beach area is a resort district about 60 kilometers east of Dalian's city centre. DAIS runs a transport service to and from the school that covers downtown Dalian, the Dalian Development Area (DDA), and Jinshitan.
Stages
DAIS is structured into four levels: Early Years, Elementary, Middle School, and High School. Early Years serves roughly 3–5 year olds, Elementary covers the next several years, Middle School includes early adolescence, and High School serves older teens (ages ~14–18). The school accommodates students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12.
Type
DAIS is a private international day school and offers boarding facilities for some grades on campus (an Elementary Boarding Program is described for younger students). This combination reflects a day-school model with selective boarding options.
Additional learning support
DAIS provides a Learning Support Philosophy and uses assessments to identify and plan for learning needs. Non-native English speakers in Grades 2–12 participate in an English Language Proficiency assessment as part of admissions, and further testing may be used to inform placement and support.
Country affiliation
There is no formal country affiliation for DAIS.
Religious affiliation
DAIS has no religious affiliation.
School day structure
The DAIS Early Years day runs from 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., with lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and a nap/quiet time for younger children from about 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Bus service
DAIS operates a school transport service to and from the campus, with routes covering downtown Dalian, the DDA, and Jinshitan. Families are asked to accompany their children to and from designated pick-up/drop-off points.
Diving Deeper
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Fees
Annual tuition at Dalian American International School ranges from RMB 205,000 to RMB 245,000 for 2026/27.
Application & enrolment fees
- Application fee (non-refundable): RMB 2,000, payable at the time of application. - Enrollment / Re-enrollment deposit (non-refundable and non-transferable): RMB 10,000. The deposit is due upon acceptance (returning students: due by April 25, 2025 if applicable) and may be applied to the last tuition payment for the 2025–2026 year; it cannot be applied to the second payment in the three-payment plan and is non-refundable for early withdrawal.
Tuition fees (annual and installment amounts) — by year group
- Kindergarten – Grade 5: - One annual payment (full year): RMB 205,000. - Two-payment plan: RMB 105,600 per payment (two payments). Handling fee of 3% is included in the two-payment plan; payments are due June 12 and November 21. The first two-payment instalment covers 14 Aug 2025 – 21 Nov 2025; the second covers 22 Nov 2025 – 11 Jun 2026. - Three-payment plan: RMB 71,750 per payment (three payments). Handling fee of 5% is included in the three-payment plan; payments are due June 12, November 21 and February 27. The three payments cover the school year in three time blocks: 14 Aug–21 Nov 2025, 22 Nov 2025–27 Feb 2026, and 28 Feb–11 Jun 2026.
- Grade 6 – Grade 8: - One annual payment (full year): RMB 240,000. - Two-payment plan: RMB 123,600 per payment (two payments). Payment dates and coverage periods follow the same schedule as above. - Three-payment plan: RMB 84,000 per payment (three payments).
- Payment frequency options: one, two, or three installments. The two-payment plan includes a 3% handling fee; the three-payment plan includes a 5% handling fee. The one-payment option is the only plan that qualifies for a tuition refund on early withdrawal. - Due dates (2025–2026): one annual payment due by June 12; two payments due by June 12 and November 21; three payments due by June 12, November 21 and February 27 (with coverage periods tied to each payment as noted above). - Proration and late entry: Tuition is prorated only for enrollment on or after October 1 (proration is on a monthly basis). Any subsequent payments follow the selected payment schedule. - Late payment and delinquency: Tuition not paid by the due date is subject to a 5% late charge on the total unpaid tuition. School records may be withheld for financial delinquency, and a student with tuition outstanding for more than five working days may not attend school until payment is made.
Boarding fees
- Boarding is offered as part of school services, and a residential programme is in operation. The published 2025–2026 fee schedule and materials reviewed do not specify a separate, published boarding charge in the fee schedule document. Any boarding charges or the detailed cost structure for different boarding options are not listed in the 2025–2026 fee schedule and should be treated as not specified in the publicly published fee schedule.
Other costs and optional fees
- Elementary school lunch: RMB 25 per meal (RMB 4,550 for the school year). - Secondary (middle & high) school lunch: RMB 30 per meal (RMB 5,460 for the school year). - Bus transportation: fee varies by location; the bus application form contains specific fees. A minimum 30-calendar day written notice to the Business Office is required to cancel bus service; without such notice families are subject to an additional month of bus transportation fee. - Learning support services: fees or arrangements are not set as a flat item in the published fee schedule; details are handled through the school's learning support processes. - Uniforms and other incidental items: a specific uniform fee is not listed in the 2025–2026 fee schedule. Uniforms or school-branded items (if required) are not itemised as a compulsory fee in the published schedule.
Refunds and withdrawal policy
- Refund schedule for tuition when a family withdraws a student (written notice requirements and timing apply): - Withdrawal within 14 calendar days from the beginning of the school year: 100% of the tuition refunded (minus the enrollment / re-enrollment deposit), with unpaid fees deducted. - Withdrawal on or before November 21, 2025: 40% of the tuition refunded (minus the enrollment / re-enrollment deposit), with unpaid fees deducted. - Withdrawal on or before February 27, 2026: 20% of the tuition refunded (minus the enrollment / re-enrollment deposit), with unpaid fees deducted. - Withdrawal on or after February 28, 2026: no refund. - For withdrawal during the school year, a 30-calendar day written notification to the Divisional Office is required for tuition refund eligibility. Failure to provide required notice will result in loss of any tuition refund. Expulsion for disciplinary reasons results in no refund. Families that choose two- or three-payment plans are not eligible for tuition refunds (only the one-payment plan allows the tuition refund schedule to apply).
Discounts
- Longevity discount: After three complete and consecutive years of enrollment at the school, a parent is entitled to a discount of RMB 7,000 per child, applied at the start of the child's fourth year. - Sibling discount: A 10% tuition discount is applied to the tuition fees of a family's third child (applies to the child with the lowest tuition fee).
Fee payment methods and bank details
- Accepted payment method: bank deposit or bank transfer to the school's accounts. All school fees are required to be paid in full in RMB. For payments from overseas bank accounts, the Finance Office should be contacted; any bank or remittance charges incurred are the responsibility of the payer. Forwarding the bank deposit/remittance slip with the student's full name to the Finance Office is requested for prompt recording. - The published fee schedule includes the school's RMB account numbers for bank transfer. Tuition payment by credit card is not specified in the published fee schedule; the available and recommended method shown is bank deposit / bank transfer.
Academics
Dalian American International School teaches Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Chinese National Curriculum, Montessori Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.
Curriculum
DAIS is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is a member of EARCOS, AAIE, ACAMIS, and NESSIC. The school offers an all‑through American curriculum from Early Years (ages 3–5) to High School (ages 14–18), with Advanced Placement (AP) courses available in High School and a built‑in Applied Studies program. Elementary School (ages 6–10) provides Literacy and Mathematics aligned to CCSS (with AERO standards), Science aligned to NGSS, and Social Studies aligned to AERO; a Host Country Language of Mandarin is taught, alongside Art, Music, Technology, and Physical/Health Education, with Learning Support and EAL. Middle School (grades 6–8, ages 11–13) uses a standards‑based model with CCSS‑aligned English Language Arts and accelerated CCSS Mathematics, NGSS Science, ACTFL Mandarin, and four quarterly Applied Studies courses (Drama, Creative Writing, Product Design, Coding and Digital Design); the program builds toward High School AP courses. High School (ages 14–18) follows the American High School model with a robust AP program; assessment is standards‑based and GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale and is unweighted (Applied Studies not included in the GPA), with courses across Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts, Visual Arts, Music, World Languages, Physical and Health Education, and Applied Studies (Drama, Government, Engineering and Product Design, and Video Production).
Wellbeing
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Parent Experience
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Facilities
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Extra-Curricular Activities
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Languages
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Reputation
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Admissions
Admissions
1. Eligibility and initial considerations. Dalian American International School (DAIS) accepts students aged 4 to 17 and requires a valid foreign passport. Applicants must reside in Dalian, China, or a neighboring area to be eligible. Each year, admissions deadlines are set by the Education Bureau. This sets the framework for when applications can be submitted and how timelines align with local requirements.
2. Online application and supporting documents. Start with the online application form and engage with the Admissions Team, who will answer questions and guide the process. After you submit the application, you will receive a comprehensive list of supporting documents to provide. The Admissions Team remains available for questions throughout, ensuring you understand what DAIS needs to evaluate your child's candidacy.
3. Admissions assessment and language testing. Following application review, you will be invited to a family meeting, an admissions interview, and an age-appropriate academic assessment. Non-native English speakers in Grades 2–12 must take an English Language Proficiency assessment consisting of reading, writing, and oral components. Additional testing may be requested to determine appropriate placement and to support learning needs.
4. Offer and communications. If the application is successful, an official offer is sent by email. This offer specifies the next steps and timelines for enrollment. DAIS maintains regular communication to ensure families understand the terms of the offer and any required follow-up actions.
5. Acceptance, deposits, and final steps to enroll. To accept, confirm your child's attendance and secure their placement by paying the enrollment deposit (RMB 10,000) and the tuition.
Scholarships
DAIS does not publish a school-operated scholarship program in its admissions or tuition materials.
Waitlist
DAIS does not publish a waitlist or pool system in its admissions materials.
School Events
The school has not added events
FAQs
What curriculum does Dalian American International School follow?
DAIS is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is a member of EARCOS, AAIE, ACAMIS, and NESSIC.
What age range does Dalian American International School serve?
The school serves students from age 3 to 18.
What are the tuition fees?
Annual fees range from RMB 205,000 to RMB 245,000. Contact the school for the full fee schedule and any additional charges.
Does the school offer boarding?
Yes, Dalian American International School offers boarding. It is described as co-educational, co-educational (boarding).
How many students attend Dalian American International School?
The school has approximately 300 students.
Where is Dalian American International School located?
The Dalian campus is located at 2 Dianchi Road, Golden Pebble Beach National Resort, Jinzhou New District, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China. The Golden Pebble Beach area is a resort district about 60 kilometers east of Dalian's city centre.
When was Dalian American International School established?
The school was established in 2006.
Who leads Dalian American International School?
The school is led by Dr. Craig Wilson.
Does the school provide learning support for students with special educational needs?
DAIS provides learning support through a Whole School Learning Support Coordinator and Learning Support staff.
What languages are used for instruction?
DAIS follows an all-through American curriculum with instruction delivered in English. Mandarin is taught as a Host Country Language across Elementary and Early Years, with Mandarin immersion through daily routines and dedicated classes.
How do I apply to Dalian American International School?
1) Eligibility and initial considerations. Dalian American International School (DAIS) accepts students aged 4 to 17 and requires a valid foreign passport. Applicants must reside in Dalian, China, or a neighboring area to be eligible.
What extracurricular activities are available?
DAIS provides arts facilities including art, dance, yoga, and drama studios. Students participate in performing arts programs, including music, theatre, and choir, and take part in school productions such as Chicago.
What accreditations does Dalian American International School hold?
Dalian American International School (DAIS) is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is a member of regional and international associations.
Is there a school bus service?
DAIS operates a school transport service to and from the campus, with routes covering downtown Dalian, the DDA, and Jinshitan.
