Choosing international schools in Shanghai

It’s the beginning of a new school year, and I wish all students, teachers and parents have a great start!

On this occasion, I’m writing an informative blog based on my observations and experiences to share insights about schools for expat families in Shanghai.

Being an expat orientation consultant, I understand that choosing an international school in Shanghai can be complicated and daunting for parents. With numerous options spread across different city areas, varying curriculums, and high fees, making an informed decision is essential.

First, there is no right or wrong school. All accredited international schools in Shanghai have high academic standards (and high school fees). While each family has different scenarios, understanding each school’s differences, such as cost, teaching staff and school reputation, curriculum and learning styles, facilities and locations, financial aid and, of course, word of mouth, would also help.

I will help explain below, through my experience, the advantages and highlights, that can guide you to the Internation Schools around the city.

1. Where Are International Schools Located in Shanghai?

Shanghai is a vast city, and international schools are often located in areas that may not be in the heart of the city. The most common areas where you’ll find international schools include (order from the closest to the downtown Shanghai city center to further):

Gubei (closest to Downtown): Some international schools, such as YCIS and SCIS, were established earlier than others. They are near the city centre and are accessible within walking distance of subway stations. These two schools also have campuses in Pudong. However, their campuses in Puxi are smaller than those below, and the campuses can be separated by students' ages/grades. In Gubei, there is also Britannica School, where students from Nursery to Year 13 are all on the same campus.
Minhang (Hongqiao/Huacao): Known for being a residential area with easy access to amenities and transport. Many international schools are located here, including the British International School Shanghai (BISS), Shanghai American School (SAS), and Shanghai Singapore International School (SSIS)
Qingpu: A rapidly growing district with a variety of international schools that offer expansive campuses and modern facilities, such as Western International School Shanghai (WISS) and French/German School joint campus (Lycée Français de Shanghai & Deutsche Schule Shanghai also has another campus in Yangpu district)
Pudong: On the east side of Shanghai, Pudong is home to a range of international schools, particularly for families living in expatriate-friendly areas like Jinqiao with Dulwich and Concordia, Lianyang with YCIS, Kerry Parkside, Century Park, and others such as Qiantan with Wellington College, Zhangjiang with SMIC, and SUIS has two campuses in Pudong as well, one in Kangqiao and one in former World Expo area.

These areas are often further away from the city centre but offer spacious campuses and a more suburban lifestyle. If you plan to live close to the school, you might need to consider housing options in these districts.

Regardless of the location you choose, usually, expat parents would consider the following:

Live close to the school—this way, it may be a longer commute for parents to work and to travel to the city centre, but expats surround international schools, creating a tight international community where you should have everything you need. At the same time, kids can go to school conveniently with fellow schoolmates.
Live close to city/work—The School offers school buses and creates routes based on students’ addresses. It can be included in school fees for some schools, but it is usually an additional fee. Suppose your children are old enough and okay with the commute with other schoolmates. In that case, you can still live downtown and take advantage of the safe school bus services provided and the convenience and city vibe that the Former French Concession and Jing’an and Lujiazui have to offer.
Find a midpoint between school, city, and work. The compromise between the two is to shorten the commute for both parents and kids.

I created a MAP GUIDE with the most mentioned International schools in Shanghai for your reference. If you are viewing from an iPhone, you should be able to open it on your Apple Map and choose “Save to my Guides”

2. School Term Start Dates

In Shanghai, China, international schools typically start their academic year between mid-August and early September. This differs from schools in some other countries, particularly in the southern hemisphere and Singapore, where the academic year might start in January or at different times of the year. Expatriate families shoulud be aware of this difference and plan their moves accordingly. Your children might also be placed in different grades based on their dates of birth and the cut off dates of each school can be slightly different. Some say, for example, if your child was born at the end of August, he/she will become the youngest in the class and vice versa. At younger ages, that might make a difference; some choose to advance a year, or some prefer to defer a year to become the eldest in the class. I did some research, and here is a chart for your reference:

school years in different countries — School years in different countries

3. School Fees: Among the Most Expensive in the World

International school fees in Shanghai are among the highest globally, with annual tuition costs often ranging from ¥200,000 to ¥350,000 (approximately $30,000 to $50,000 USD). Beyond tuition, parents should also budget for additional expenses such as:

Transportation
Extracurricular activities (CCA/ECA: Co-curricular Activities / Extracurricular Activities)
School uniforms
Lunch programs
Language Support (ESL/EAL: English as a Second Langage/English as Additional Language)

Some schools also require a one-off application fee, capital levy or debenture fee/deposit, which can significantly increase the overall cost. However, many schools offer excellent facilities and a wide range of programs that make the investment worthwhile for expatriate families.

4. How to Choose the Right School?

Choosing the right school for your child involves understanding the differences between the various educational systems and pathways available:

IB Curriculum (International Baccalaureate): This program is known for its rigorous academic program and emphasis on critical thinking and global-mindedness. It's ideal for students who may move between different countries and want a curriculum recognized worldwide. The program also starts as early as 3 years old (Early Year Program - EYP), 6-10 years old (Primary Year Program - PYP) and 11-16 (Middle Year Program - MYP) until the IB Diploma Program (DP)
AP Program (Advanced Placement): Common in American-style schools, the AP program offers college-level courses and exams. It's a great choice for students aiming to attend universities in the U.S.
A-Level: Predominantly found in British-style schools, A-Levels allow students to specialize in specific subjects. It’s a good option for students with a clear idea of their academic strengths and future study plans, mainly if they aim for universities in the UK or Commonwealth countries.

Each of these curricula has strengths and caters to different learning styles and future academic goals. When making this decision, it’s important to consider your child’s needs, interests, and where you might relocate in the future.

Here is a list of Frequent Asked Questions to admission staff and principals:

What sets this school apart from other international schools in consideration?
What are the class sizes? Are there seats available for my child/children? Which campus do they go to?
Academic focus vs. Performance focus vs. Sports focus? Typical School hours and homework workload?
What qualifications and experiences do teaching staff have with this school? Turnover rate?
Diversity of students and staff and teacher-to-student ratio?
Additional supports for children with different special needs?
School Core Values and handling of incidents like bullying? Teacher-parents communication channels?
School terms, taking leave and school holiday arrangements?
Outside of school experience and activities? (field trips, sports leagues, tours etc.)
Requirements and qualifications for financial aid?

5. Bilingual Schools: What Are They and How to Get In?

Bilingual schools in Shanghai offer a blend of the Chinese national curriculum and international education. These schools are typically geared towards local Chinese students but have opened up to foreign students with Chinese capabilities, usually starting from high school. The bilingual model is ideal for families who want their children to be fluent in both English and Chinese while still receiving a global education.

Getting into bilingual schools can be very competitive, especially since they cater to both expatriate and local families. Some require students to pass entrance exams or assessments. Parents should also be prepared for an application process that includes interviews and other evaluation criteria.

Bilingual schools are especially suitable for families planning to stay in China long-term or those who want their children to maintain strong ties to Chinese culture and language. Typically, Bilingual schools also have lower school fees than prestigious International schools, which only accept non-Mainland Chinese passport holders or students with status from Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macau.

Conclusion:

Choosing the right international school in Shanghai requires careful consideration of location, curriculum, fees, and your child's educational needs. By understanding the options available, you can make an informed decision ensuring your child receives the best possible education while living in Shanghai.

School Search Process:

If you and your family are considering moving to Shanghai, here is a process I’d recommend:

Browse the websites I shared above for each school. School tuition fees are usually transparently listed on their official websites.
Submit Inquiry with your Child/Children’s information (usually starts with just name and date of birth)
Schedule school visits with the admission office (bring Passport/ID).
Visit 2-4 schools that you would consider.
Apply to the 1-2 that have seats available, pay the application fee and do interviews and assessments.
The schools might also require you to submit your children’s transcripts and teachers’ reference letters.
Wait for the offer letter/waiting list/decision. Some schools offer early bird discounts and sibling discounts (usually 3+ siblings, a few have 2nd child discount)
Parents will also be asked to provide employment and residence permit information. If parents are self-paying tuition, you may ask for details on financial aid.
All the school’s admission offices and staff are experienced in helping you and your kids settle in and readjust to their new environments. Usually, your children will blend in and love going to school in a week or two. There might also be further language assessments to determine which level/cohort they will attend for language classes. Additional support is usually available to help some kids if their native language isn’t English.

I hope this unbiased article helps parents who are considering moving to Shanghai in the near future. If you are a parent, feel free to leave a comment or ask me questions, and reach out if you spot any mistakes in this blog!

Disclaimer: I do not have any association or affiliation with any of the schools mentioned.

A Guide for Parents: Choosing International Schools in Shanghai