- Whole School
The 2026-27 school year is officially underway at Hangzhou International School (HIS), and the energy across campus reflects one of the strongest starts in the school's history.
This week, more than 180 new families joined the HIS community during New Family Orientation, before returning families arrived the following day to begin a year that sees the school reach a record enrollment of more than 1,100 students from Early Years through Grade 12 – the Class of 2027 will be the biggest ever, with 47 students.
With many grade levels full and places waitlisted, the large cohorts of new students across both Lower and Upper School reflect continued strong demand from international families in Hangzhou and beyond.
Students and families return to a campus that has been transformed over the summer through a series of renovation and improvement projects designed to enhance learning, wellbeing, and community life.
The 2026 summer renovation programme included upgrades across the campus, including redesigned Early Childhood and Lower School playgrounds, improvements to outdoor learning environments, reimagined music classrooms, a new running track around the main building, new campus signage, improved storage and seating solutions, and better connections between learning spaces.
These investments are a reflection of what makes HIS distinctive: as a non-profit school, every decision and every resource is focused on supporting students and strengthening the educational experience.
As Hangzhou's first international school, HIS enters its 25th anniversary year with a proud legacy and a confident future. The school will celebrate its silver anniversary in August 2027, marking a quarter century of serving internationally minded families in Zhejiang Province.
Today, HIS remains the only non-profit international school in Zhejiang to offer both a WASC-accredited U.S. High School Diploma and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, giving students a unique combination of globally recognized pathways to university success.
The Class of 2026 exemplifies academic excellence, international mindedness, multilingualism, and global citizenship. Representing 13 nationalities, graduates secured places at leading institutions worldwide, with 85% attending QS Top 100 universities and more than 44% attending QS Top 50 universities.
More than half of the Class of 2026 were Jade Dragons, students who had been part of the HIS community for eight years or more. This reflects the strength of the school's culture, community, and the lasting connections families build at Hangzhou International School.
At a time when many schools across the region are experiencing uncertainty and declining enrolment, HIS continues to grow. Families are increasingly seeking the stability, governance, and long-term vision that come from a non-profit model, alongside the academic excellence and strong community that have become hallmarks of the school.
That community is more diverse than ever. More than 50 nationalities are represented on campus, including families from China, South Korea, India, the United States, Germany, Japan, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, and many others. Together, they create a vibrant international learning environment where students develop the knowledge, empathy, and global perspective needed to thrive in an interconnected world.
As another school year begins, HIS celebrates not only record enrollment, but also the enduring strength of a community that continues to grow, innovate, and inspire after nearly 25 years of excellence in international education.
