English Loses Appeal as China’s International Schools Scale Back

A Shanghai-based business owner recently decided to move his teenage son out of an international school, marking a shift that is becoming increasingly common among affluent Chinese families. 

The school, once regarded as a top-tier option in eastern China, had previously attracted strong competition from wealthy parents seeking an overseas education pathway for their children.

According to the parent, confidence in the sector has weakened. 

He noted that standards of school management have declined over time, while English-language education no longer carries the same weight it once did. 

In his view, international schools are no longer essential for long-term success.

Prestige Fades as International Schools Scale Back

China's international school market, which expanded rapidly for more than a decade, is now entering a period of contraction. 

As concerns grow over school governance and the perceived return on investment, enrollment momentum has slowed noticeably.

Not long ago, families in major urban centers such as Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen routinely paid tuition fees exceeding 300,000 yuan per year in hopes of securing admission to leading overseas universities. 

That enthusiasm has since cooled.

Education sector data shows that the total number of international schools in China began declining in 2023 for the first time. 

Several high-profile institutions run by overseas organizations from Europe and North America have either shut down or reduced their presence.

In mid-2024, a large international academy in Shenzhen closed abruptly despite enrolling more than a thousand students. 

When refunds were delayed, groups of parents organized public demonstrations demanding reimbursement. 

Since then, the city's international school count has fallen sharply from its previous peak. Reports also suggest that at least one foreign education group operating multiple campuses nationwide is reassessing its footprint.

Staffing Challenges Intensify Amid Geopolitical and Pandemic Aftershocks

Geopolitical friction between China and the United States, combined with the long-term effects of pandemic-era restrictions, has significantly reduced the number of experienced foreign educators willing to work in China. 

Industry observers report a sharp decline in the proportion of teachers who are native English speakers compared with pre-pandemic levels.

Frequent staff turnover has become a growing concern. In some schools, parents report that subject teachers are replaced repeatedly within short periods, disrupting academic continuity and weakening instructional quality.

As the expatriate population shrinks, the student mix has also changed. 

Non-Asian international students now represent a much smaller share of enrollment, prompting debate over whether some schools can still maintain a genuinely international environment.

At the same time, disputes involving student safety and discrimination have attracted attention online. 

Parents have raised complaints about inadequate oversight and unresolved bullying incidents, further undermining trust in school administration.

English Education Reassessed as STEM Takes Priority

Among China's wealthier families, attitudes toward English-based education are evolving. 

Many parents now believe that English proficiency alone no longer guarantees academic or professional advantage, especially as domestic opportunities in science and technology expand.

Some families are moving their children into private schools that place stronger emphasis on mathematics, engineering, and scientific training, aligning more closely with national development priorities. 

In cities like Shanghai, STEM-focused programs are increasingly seen as a more practical investment.

In response, a number of former international schools are repositioning themselves. Rather than targeting overseas university admission exclusively, they are adapting curricula to better support domestic exam systems and elite local university pathways.

Education analysts suggest that fully foreign-operated international schools may continue to decline, while bilingual institutions offering strong Chinese academic foundations alongside advanced English instruction are likely to expand. 

Integrated private academies that balance rigorous science education with bilingual teaching are emerging as the preferred option for many high-income families.