Comparing 5 schools side by side in USD.
The Lycée Français de Shanghai (LFS) operates two Eurocampus sites: Qingpu (350 Gaoguang Road, Qingpu District) and Yangpu (788 Jiangwancheng Road, Yangpu District). Both campuses are in Shanghai but in different districts—Qingpu is on the city's western edge while Yangpu is closer to central/northeastern Shanghai; each campus has its own reception and contact numbers. The school and the German School of Shanghai share Eurocampus facilities at both sites.
LFS educates children from maternelle (early years) through terminale (final year of lycée), roughly ages 2 to 18, covering preschool, primary, collège and lycée. The curricula are homologated to the French national education system and the school is a member of the AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad).
The school is a co-educational, non-profit international school run by a parents' association; it follows the French national curriculum leading to the French Baccalauréat. The two campuses operate under the same school governance and share some facilities with the partner German school.
LFS provides structured support for learners with additional needs, including personalized plans (PPRE, PAP, PAI, PPS), a team of psychologists and an enseignante spécialisée, and a dedicated French-as-instruction program (FLSco) for non‑French speakers with intensive and complementary tracks. The FLSco hours and the school's accompaniment measures are described on the school site; families are involved in setting up and monitoring interventions.
The school is affiliated with France through the AEFE network (Agence pour l'Enseignement Français à l'Etranger) and delivers an education conforming to the French national programmes.
LFS is an international secular school following the French national curriculum; it does not have a religious affiliation listed as part of its institutional identity.
Typical school routines start in the morning (around 8:00) and dismissal times vary by level: some morning-only sessions or midday endings exist alongside full-day schedules with typical afternoon finishes around 15:00 and later departures for secondary students (some return/after‑school slots until around 17:00 or later for activities). The school also schedules 72 hours per year of 'accompagnement personnalisé' (about 2 hours per week) as part of students' timetables. Exact daily start/finish times and year-group timetables are published by the school and on bus timetables.
LFS runs a large paid school-bus service (operated in partnership with a government-licensed carrier, Pei Xing Bus Company) that serves both Qingpu and Yangpu campuses with many lines across the city; the fleet includes seat belts and boosters and is staffed with a driver and an accompanying attendant. The service is managed per campus (bus managers) and publishes route maps, regular schedules and rules; parents register for specific lines and the system is not door-to-door in all cases. The school uses a bus‑tracking app and maintains a parent transport commission; contact details for bus managers and downloadable bus documents are available on the school site.
The Qingpu and Yangpu campuses have on-site cafeterias with meals prepared daily by Sodexo, serving about 3,400 meals per day across both campuses and supported by around 60 staff. Kindergarten meals are served in a dedicated space with assistants and parent volunteers; primary students eat on the Eat Global line. From 6th grade, students choose from several dishes to compose their plate, and from 4th grade they have access to all Delimarché (cafeteria) products. There are five service lines on each site, and meal fees are included in tuition (30.5 RMB per day for nursery; 33 RMB per day for primary and secondary); menus are published on the LFS site and via the EPOS (WeChat mini-program) app. A catering committee reviews the service twice yearly.
The Lycée Français de Shanghai is a private non-profit establishment under Chinese law, backed by a French association governed by the 1901 law and managed by a Board of Directors. The Association des Parents d'Élèves du Lycée Français de Shanghai is the sovereign body of the school and is a French 1901 non-profit association whose General Assembly meets once a year.
Shanghai French School (Lycée Français de Shanghai) delivers the French national curriculum from maternelle through lycée, homologated by the French Ministry and organised into French cycles with a strong plurilingual emphasis. Maternelle (Cycle 1, TPS–PS–MS–GS, ~2–5 years) emphasises language development, motor and sensory activities and five learning domains. Primary (Cycles 2–3, CP–CE1–CE2–CM1–CM2, ~6–10 years) follows the socle commun with core teaching in French plus mandatory English and Chinese, and regular maths, arts, sport, sciences and technology classes. Collège (6e–5e–4e–3e, ~11–14 years) is taught by subject specialists and culminates in the national Diplôme National du Brevet (DNB) at the end of 3e. Lycée (2nde, 1ère, Terminale, ~15–17 years) follows the reformed Baccalauréat pathway with chosen specialty courses, continuous assessment and final exams (including the grand oral); the school is a Baccalauréat exam centre and also organises language and external certifications across levels (HSK/YCT for Chinese, Cambridge/IGCSE for English, DELF for French, DELE/Goethe for Spanish/German and SAT sessions for 1ère/Terminale).
The school integrates social and emotional learning through its life‑school programmes and a broad extra‑curricular offer: the ASC (Activities Sportives et Culturelles) lists over 70 activities designed to build confidence, teamwork and resilience across age groups. Accompagnement personnalisé (72 hours annually) provides scheduled time for individual support, study skills and guidance. Classroom practices for non‑French speakers (FLSco) include in‑class co‑teaching and peer tutoring to ease social integration. The school also runs projects and exchanges (for example school correspondence and citizenship education) that develop social skills and civic awareness. (Sources: ASC; Soutien individuel pages).
The school publishes a dedicated “Soutien individuel et accompagnement personnalisé” page describing formal support measures and plans for pupils with particular needs (PPRE, PAP for learning disorders such as dyslexia/dyspraxia, PAI for medical needs, and PPS for pupils with a recognised disability). The page names two campus psychologists and an enseignante spécialisée (specialist teacher) as contacts for assessments and follow‑up. Procedures include meetings with families and possible external assessments before implementing an individual plan. The website describes these school‑based provisions but does not present the LFS as a specialist SEN institution that provides intensive specialist placements; it frames support as adaptations and personalised plans within the school. (Source: Soutien individuel page).
The school's language provision is described in detail: it runs French support for non‑Francophones (FLSco) and dedicated English pathways including a Section Internationale Américaine (SIA) taught by anglophone teachers and IGCSE English (including English as Second Language) examinations. However, the website does not publish a discrete “EAL” programme labelled as targeted English‑as‑an‑additional‑language support for learners who need remedial English development; provision is presented through language sections, the language pole and available certifications. For specific EAL‑style support (small‑group English withdrawal or bespoke EAL classes) the site does not provide a named programme description. (Sources: Accompagner les non‑francophones; Le pôle langues; Language certifications).
The school's health and welfare provision includes campus infirmaries (four nurses across the two campuses) and named school psychologists who are listed as contacts on the support page. The Santé page describes health education actions (prevention of risky behaviour, education to sexual health, nutrition, and prevention of malaise) and the Comité d'éducation à la Santé et à la Citoyenneté that oversees related prevention and follow‑up. The individual support page also states psychologists and a specialised teacher coordinate individual plans and referrals when pupils show emotional or learning difficulties. These pages indicate on‑site clinical support and structured preventive work, though the site does not publish an external clinical referral protocol in full. (Sources: Santé; Soutien individuel pages).
The school's website describes health‑service responsibilities that “contribute to the protection of children” (Projet d'Accueil Individualisé for pupils with chronic conditions, infirmary procedures and emergency protocols) and names the Comité d'éducation à la Santé et à la Citoyenneté with members from leadership, life‑school, nurses and the school psychologist. Procedures for managing illness, air‑quality protocols and emergency responses are published on the Santé page. The site therefore documents defined pastoral and medical safeguarding structures and named contacts, but it does not publish a separate, standalone child‑protection policy document explicitly titled “child protection policy” on the public pages. (Sources: Santé; Soutien individuel pages).
1. Learn the basic timelines and where to apply. The school posts annual opening dates for the next school year (for example, applications for 2026–2027 opened on Monday 3 November 2025); new applications may also be accepted during the school year but places depend on availability. Parents should decide which campus they are applying to (Qingpu or Yangpu — some year groups are campus-specific) before they start the application. See the LFS online admissions page and use the Eduka portal to begin the request.
2. Prepare the required documents before you start the online form. The LFS requires copies of the child's passport and visa (or a promise to provide the visa once obtained if the family is not yet in China), birth certificate, vaccination record, recent school certificate and two years' school reports for most ages; for very young children (TPS/PS) some documents are not required and for MS/GS/CP (K2–Grade 1) the school asks for end-of-kindergarten reports or a school recommendation. If both parents are foreign passport-holders you will also need copies of both parents' passports and visas, plus an employment attestation and employer business licence for the parent working in Shanghai. Make sure medical / special-needs information that affects schooling is included in the application.
3. Submit the online application via Eduka and pay the non‑refundable application fee. Parents must complete the application form on the LFS Eduka platform and attach the supporting documents listed on the site; the administrative (frais de dossier) fee is 3,600 CNY and must be provided as part of the file. The school's admissions team and pedagogical staff then review the dossier for academic fit, language needs and place availability. If your child is non‑Francophone you should indicate interest in the FLSco programme (French for schooling) during application so the admissions team can plan assessment and support.
4. Assessment, verification and formal approval. After dossier submission the admissions office and teaching teams verify documents, review school reports and may arrange an interview or language assessment (as applicable to age and language profile). For candidates requiring special permissions (for example, children whose parents do not meet the usual residency conditions) the school notes that a SHMEC (Shanghai Municipal Education Commission) derogation may be needed — allow extra time for that administrative step. Final approval is given by the school leadership (the head/principal) once eligibility and place availability are confirmed.
5. Secure the place with payment of registration and construction fees. Once the admission is approved, parents secure the place by paying the registration (droits d'inscription) and construction (frais de construction) fees; the site lists the registration fee for 2025–2026 as 23,700 CNY (and shows the registration fee budgeted at 24,500 CNY for 2026–2027) and construction fees of 30,000 CNY per child for families (75,000 CNY where the employer pays). Tuition billing is annual but the site shows a payment schedule (deposit and then term instalments) and level‑by‑level annual tuition figures (for example, general‑section maternelle/elementary ~122,100 CNY; collège ~159,300 CNY; lycée ~182,600 CNY — higher rates apply in language sections). Parents should read the financial information carefully for the exact amounts that apply to their child's year and section and note that annual fees are voted and can change.
6. Complete visa/immigration requirements and arrival steps before first day. The LFS requires up‑to‑date copies of passports and visas for parents and child on the online file before the child's first day; without those documents the child cannot start school. If you plan to secure a place but are not yet in China, communicate clearly with admissions about arrival timing and provide the visa documents as soon as they are available. On arrival the school will confirm class placement and any language support (FLSco) that had been agreed during the admission process.
The school's financial information page states that there is a “Bourse scolaire” process and that requests must be completed and submitted each year; for details the page refers families to the French Embassy in China (the site links to the embassy's scholarship page). The LFS page does not list the detailed eligibility rules or the internal selection steps on its website — it directs families to consult the French Embassy link for more information and to contact the LFS finance department for questions. If you are interested in financial aid, start the process early: download the school's financial regulation and tuition documents from the LFS site, contact the LFS finance office (phone and finance email are given on the financial page) and check the French Embassy / AEFE scholarship guidance linked from the LFS page.
The LFS website does not publish a separate, formal “waitlist” or pool policy. Instead, the admissions page explains that applications are accepted year‑round but that admissions are always subject to place availability and that some year groups may be closed once capacity is reached. In practice this means: submit a completed Eduka application and required documents as early as possible; if a place is not immediately available the admissions office is the contact point to ask whether your child can be considered should a place open. For families with urgent timing or questions about capacity at a given grade/campus, the site directs enquiries to the admissions department (email and phone contacts are listed on the site).
Concordia International School Shanghai is located in the Jinqiao (Biyun) neighbourhood of Pudong, Shanghai; the visitor entrance is at 345 Huangyang Road and the school's mailing address is 999 Mingyue Road (postcode 201206). The campus sits in an international residential and commercial area with nearby metro and bus links (Taierzhuang Road / Line 9 is a short walk) and is reachable from both Pudong and Puxi.
The school serves students aged about 3 to 18 and is organised into Early Childhood, Elementary School, Middle School and High School divisions (Preschool through Grade 12).
Concordia is a co‑educational day school delivering an American‑style curriculum; it does not offer boarding. The school operates as an international school for students holding foreign passports.
Concordia runs a Learning Support (LS) programme with LS specialists who work with classroom teachers to design interventions and accommodations. The programme supports a limited number of students with mild to some moderate learning needs through referral, in‑class support, and targeted interventions.
The school is approved by the Ministry of Education of China and the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission but is not an official national school of another country; it provides an American‑style education for expatriate families.
Concordia was founded in the tradition of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and holds related school accreditation; it identifies as a Christian/Lutheran‑affiliated international school.
Typical school start times reported are about 8:00 AM for Early Childhood, Elementary and Middle School and about 8:30 AM for High School, with a usual school day finishing in the mid‑afternoon (around 3:20 PM). Specific schedules (for example exam blocks or early‑release days) are published on the school calendar and can vary by week or division.
Concordia offers optional paid bus transportation with morning, afternoon and late/activity routes; routes cover much of Pudong and some areas of Puxi. Families who pay for daily bus service may also use activity buses for no additional charge on participating ECA/athletics days. The bus service is run as a school‑arranged transport option and the fee is separate from tuition.
The school is a co-educational day school; boarding is not offered.
Uniforms are required for all students from Kindergarten through Grade 12, with PE uniforms for Grades 5-12. Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten students do not wear the uniform; uniforms can be purchased through the school, and size charts and price lists are available.
Food service is provided by Aramark, a global food service company. EC, ES, and MS/HS lunch menus are published for Concordia students.
The Concordia Board governs Concordia International School Shanghai. The Board establishes the mission and sets policies, and entrusts the educational program and business matters to the administration, faculty, and staff.
Concordia delivers an American-style continuum from Preschool through Grade 12: the Early Childhood program (Preschool–K) is Reggio Emilia–inspired and integrates literacy, math, science, social-emotional learning and the arts with Mandarin and English-language support. The Elementary School (Grades 1–5) follows U.S. standards—Common Core for math and literacy, NGSS for science, C3 for social studies—and uses resources such as Bridges in Mathematics alongside daily Mandarin and balanced literacy instruction. Middle School (Grades 6–8) follows an American curriculum with an international focus; students study nine subject areas each year: Mathematics, Science, English, Social Studies, Physical Education, World Language, STEM, RSB and the Fine Arts. High School (Grades 9–12) requires a U.S.-style core (English, social studies, science, math, world language, fine arts, health, PE and spirituality) and offers Advanced Placement courses, Applied Learning pathways and Global Online Academy options; students meet defined credit-based graduation requirements to earn a Concordia high school diploma. Across all divisions the school embeds STEM, applied-learning, service, counseling and learning-support programs alongside extracurriculars and specialist arts instruction.
Concordia describes a P–12 counselling and guidance programme that delivers social–emotional learning through classroom, small-group and individual sessions, and trains Student Ambassadors to welcome and support new students. The Early Childhood/Kindergarten guidance programme uses the Second Step curriculum for explicit SEL instruction (skills for learning, empathy, emotion management and problem solving). The high school has also recently revised its advisory programme to emphasise SEL at the grade‑level advisory level. Counselors work with teachers and parents to support transitions and adjustment, and confidentiality is stated as a priority in counselling.
Concordia publishes a Learning Support Program (LSP) that is delivered by Learning Support (LS) Specialists who co‑plan with classroom teachers and provide interventions, accommodations and monitoring. The LSP states the school can support a limited number of students with mild and some moderate learning needs and uses a referral process for admission and exit. The school describes collaborative planning between LS Specialists, classroom teachers and parents as the primary model of support. Concordia does not present itself as a specialist SEN institution; its published materials indicate mainstream inclusion with targeted support for qualifying students.
Concordia publishes an English Language Learning (ELL) programme that uses WIDA assessment for identification, employs ELL Specialists to provide language scaffolds and co‑teaching, and offers English Language Development (ELD) courses for middle and high school students. The ELL page explains exit criteria (WIDA scores, classroom tasks and academic progress) and emphasises home‑school partnership and ongoing monitoring.
Concordia's published support for student mental wellbeing is delivered through its P–12 counselling team, which runs whole‑school, small‑group and individual work and operates a Care and Concern team to monitor social and academic adjustment. The School Health & Safety page notes on‑site registered nurses and explicitly states counselling staff provide support for emotional and stress‑related difficulties. The school has published a Middle School Wellness programme addressing six dimensions of wellness (spiritual, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and emotional).
Concordia's website indicates child safeguarding is part of its counselling and staff training work: the counselling team runs a Care and Concern group and the school has hosted professional events that included sessions on child safeguarding, reporting protocols and staff training. The School Health & Safety page also refers to emotional health and the role of counselling staff in supporting students. However, the school does not publish a standalone child‑protection policy document accessible from its public website pages that we could locate; a formal, dedicated child protection policy is not publicly disclosed on the site.
1. Check eligibility and required government documents. Before you begin the online application, confirm your family meets Shanghai Municipal Education Commission (SHMEC) eligibility categories and that you can provide the required government documents (passports, residence permits, work permit/employment verification, birth certificate, etc.). Concordia requires at least one parent to be resident in Shanghai while the child is enrolled; failure to maintain required documents can lead to dismissal and forfeiture of fees, so gather certified/translated copies now.
2. Start the online application (OpenApply) and pay the application fee. Eligible applicants must complete the school's online application portal (concordiashanghai.openapply.cn) and upload initial documents; after submission you will receive a customized checklist in your applicant account. The application fee is paid through that process (the site lists a non-refundable application fee); keep the payment receipt and note the portal account login for future checklist items.
3. Upload supporting academic records, recommendations and any learning-needs documentation. The admissions checklist asks for previous report cards, test results, and teacher recommendations; if your child has diagnosed learning needs or specialized schooling requirements, include full documentation and disclose these up front because admissions decisions are made case-by-case based on available support. Concordia states that failure to disclose a full history of learning needs can result in dismissal, so be thorough and contact Admissions to discuss any supports your child may require.
4. Prepare for interviews and assessments (if required). Depending on grade level and the initial application review, Concordia may request an interview and/or English-language and academic assessments (math, reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing, etc.); Preschool/Pre-K have different language expectations than Kindergarten–Grade 12. If the grade has reached wait-pool status, the school notes that required assessments may be scheduled only when space becomes available, so ask Admissions about timing if you need a prompt assessment.
5. Receive the admissions decision and complete acceptance steps. The admissions committee evaluates academic/behavioral records, English proficiency, support needs and overall fit; the school will notify families of decisions by email. If you receive an offer, a non-refundable Capital Fee (listed on the tuition page) is billed upon acceptance and generally must be paid within the timeline provided in the offer to secure the place.
6. Complete enrollment paperwork, payments and operational arrangements. After acceptance, follow the Enrollment instructions (submit any outstanding SHMEC documents, arrange tuition payment in RMB or USD per the school's payment instructions, and be aware of one-time fees: ELL support fee where applicable, and laptop requirements for Grades 6–12). Also arrange optional services (bus, lunch, uniforms) and confirm start-of-term logistics; if you have questions about billing or currency conversion, contact the Business Office or Admissions directly.
Concordia's public website does not list a general family-facing scholarship or means-tested financial-aid program for incoming students. The site does show the Concordia Fund (a donor program that supports student/faculty enrichment projects) and describes employee tuition benefits for faculty children under specific employment arrangements, but it does not present an open scholarship application process or standard tuition-remission program for the general applicant pool. If you are seeking fee assistance, sponsored places, or employee-related tuition benefits, contact the Admissions or Human Resources offices directly to ask whether any limited-sponsored places, staff benefits, or special arrangements might apply in your case — contact details are provided on the school's contact page.
Concordia operates a wait pool system rather than an automatic long public waitlist for grades that have reached capacity. The school's Admissions/Requirements pages flag specific grade levels as being at “wait pool” status and state that, when capacity is reached, applicants are placed in the wait pool rather than being immediately assessed or placed. Priority consideration within the wait pool is not an automatic placement; Concordia lists priority factors used when choosing among wait-pool applicants: siblings currently enrolled or applying, returning students in good standing, stronger academic English proficiency, and students with prior attendance at U.S. or American international schools. The site also explicitly notes that if a requested grade is at wait-pool status and an applicant requires an assessment, the assessment will be scheduled only if and when space becomes available — so families on the wait pool should expect possible delays to assessment and placement and should keep Admissions informed of any changes in status.
Located at 1555 Jufeng Road, near Jinjing Road in Pudong District, Shanghai. The campus sits in a dedicated education area with convenient access by road and public transit. The site covers a large campus with multiple buildings and substantial green space. The school serves pupils from kindergarten through Grade 12, including an international department.
The school comprises a Kindergarten, Primary Department, Secondary Department (including middle and high school) and an International Department.
Private, all-through boarding school. It operates as a boarding school and includes an International Department.
The school emphasizes personalized education and features an Apple Model Classroom approach. The International Department includes a Mandarin Center to support Chinese language learning for international students.
No official country affiliation is listed publicly.
No religious affiliation is indicated publicly.
The school day runs Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 4:00pm.
Nearby public transport options include multiple bus routes (e.g., 987, 1006, 791, 995, 1016, 774, 799) and Shanghai Metro Line 12.
Shanghai Gold Apple School operates as a modern boarding school with on-campus housing for students across its kindergarten through high school and international departments. Enrollment materials show a boarding option exists alongside day students, with accommodation priced at 5,000 RMB per semester. For the International Department's Mandarin Center, on-site dormitories house 2–4 students per apartment with private bathrooms and essential amenities, including Wi‑Fi, a water dispenser, air conditioning, hot water, and a washing machine, with living staff on 24-hour duty. The staff recruitment page notes that the school provides dormitories or arranges transport for staff, which confirms the existence of on-site housing infrastructure.
A school uniform is required. The Mandarin Center page lists a uniform fee of 5,000 Yuan for four-season uniforms. Color, sourcing, and purchasing details are not specified on the site.
The on-site canteen provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with meals primarily in Chinese style and some Western options; a halal window is available. Milk and dessert are provided at 10:00 am, and fruit and a late snack follow dinner.
Shanghai Gold Apple School was founded in 2000 by the Yalong Group (Shanghai Yalong Investment Group Co., Ltd.). It is a member school of Jianping Group, reflecting its governance and network within a private-education group.
Shanghai Gold Apple School is a K-12 modern boarding school in Pudong that comprises a Kindergarten, Primary Department, Secondary Department (middle and high school), and an International Department, with a Mandarin Center for Chinese language education. The domestic curriculum follows the Chinese national system for primary through high school, while the International Department provides international pathways aligned to UK and US frameworks. The International Department includes centers for Mandarin language (Mandarin Center), U.S. High School studies, and Cambridge International (Cambridge Center), with additional regional centers and a focus on overseas university admissions. The Mandarin Center Curriculum offers five categories: language courses, Shanghai curriculum, international curricula (primarily UK and US systems), specialty courses, and expansion courses, with personalized plans based on entry level. Graduation from the Secondary Department yields three certificates (achievement, physical ability, and bilingual speech); the Cambridge Center has produced many Oxbridge entrants, and the U.S. High School Center offers pathways toward admission to top U.S. universities.
Shanghai Gold Apple School supports social-emotional learning through the Apple Classroom model, which facilitates student self-construction and interaction, and through Life Guidance courses that help students develop good behavior and leadership within the school's five development areas (Keep Fit, Good Behavior, Art, Learning and English).
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) support.
English language development is a focus within the five development areas, with the Primary Department aiming for graduates to master 1000 English phrases, and the International Department offering centers such as the US High School Center and the Cambridge Center as part of its programs.
Mental wellbeing provisions are not explicitly described; Life Guidance courses contribute to student well-being and behavioral development.
A Safe Campus section exists under Campus Culture on the site, indicating safeguarding provisions are part of campus culture, though specific safeguarding policies are not publicly disclosed.
1. Program eligibility and options. Shanghai Gold Apple School runs three international streams: International Primary for ages roughly 6–12, International Middle for about 14–16, and International High School for students who have completed middle school or higher. International Primary classes are capped at 22 students per class, International Middle at no more than 30 per class, and International High School at 25 per class; teaching is conducted in English for the international high school. These details define which track a family should pursue based on the student's age and current grade.
2. Initial inquiry and registration. Families begin by contacting the admissions team by telephone or by online registration to start the process. After registration, parents wait for an admissions staff member to reach out with next steps and scheduling information. This registration step helps determine eligibility and the appropriate interview and testing windows.
3. Application and examination fee. An application/examination fee of 300 RMB must be paid to proceed with the assessment. The fee is paid as part of the enrollment process after registration and before testing. This fee is non-refundable and confirms the candidate's participation in the admissions assessments.
4. Entrance assessments and interviews. For international streams, admissions involve English and Mathematics examinations, followed by an interview (often bilingual). The class placement is informed by the exam results and interview performance. Successful candidates move on to the tuition/payment stage after completing these assessments.
5. Admission decision, tuition payment, and formal notice. Upon meeting the required assessments, families are asked to pay the applicable tuition and related fees. After payment, the school issues a formal admission notice, finalizing enrollment for the chosen program. This completes the admissions process and allows the student to begin the program.
Public information does not list scholarship programs for Shanghai Gold Apple School.
WISS is in the western suburbs of Shanghai (Xujing Town, Qingpu District) at 555 Lian Min Road, Shanghai 201702. The campus is in a suburban residential area and is reachable by car and the school's bus network that covers major housing areas in the city. If you are relocating, note the school is outside central Shanghai so commute times depend on where you live; many families use the school bus or private car transport.
WISS covers early years through secondary: Lower Elementary (ages ~2.5–5), Elementary (Grades 1–5) and Secondary (Grades 6–12). The school delivers the full International Baccalaureate continuum.
WISS is a co‑educational day school offering the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP and the Career‑related Programme). The school does not advertise boarding facilities; provision is for day students.
WISS operates a Student Support Services team that creates individualized support pathways (academic and social‑emotional) rather than offering formal diagnoses. Support focuses by division (language/motor/sensory in early years; literacy, numeracy and attention skills in Elementary; and study/organisation skills in Secondary). Parents should discuss specific needs with admissions and the Student Support team to confirm available services for a child.
WISS describes itself as an international school and states it is not aligned to any single national curriculum or country. Its programmes are based on the International Baccalaureate framework.
The school does not state any religious affiliation and presents itself as a non‑religious international school.
According to the school's Secondary student handbook (published material), the typical student day is Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., with students asked to arrive by about 8:20 a.m.; campus hours are noted as roughly 8:00 a.m.–3:20 p.m. Division‑specific break and lunch times can vary, so confirm current bell times with admissions.
WISS operates its own branded bus service (fleet of 30+ buses) offering door‑to‑door routes that cover major residential areas; the service is available for children aged about 2.5 years and above. Buses are fitted with safety features (three‑point seatbelts, security cameras, AQI monitoring, emergency exits) and are staffed by trained drivers and on‑board monitors. Families can also drop children by car; contact the school for route availability, stop locations and fees.
Western International School of Shanghai is an IB World School delivering the full IB continuum: Primary Years (PYP), Middle Years (MYP), Diploma (DP) and Career-related (CP) Programmes. Pre‑Nursery through Grade 5 follow the inquiry‑based IB PYP with transdisciplinary Units of Inquiry and integrated English and Chinese language pathways. Grades 6–10 follow the IB MYP framework, alongside a staged Chinese language programme that includes Chinese Language & Literature options at secondary levels. Grades 11–12 offer the IB Diploma Programme and the IB Career‑related Programme as senior‑school qualifications. The academic programme is delivered alongside specialist arts and sports, mandatory afternoon activities for younger students, and community‑service learning, which WISS identifies as four pillars of its curriculum.
WISS states that social‑emotional learning (SEL) is embedded across the curriculum and all IB programmes. It is delivered through Advisory programmes, Life Skills, Social Skills lessons and Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE), and through explicit Approaches to Learning skills. The Student Support Services Team provides proactive and reactive individual and group interventions that target routines, social‑skills activities, study habits, life skills and personal growth. School counsellors are listed as addressing emotional regulation, decision‑making, healthy relationships, identity and diversity (including affective/sexual education). SEL is also reinforced through after‑school activities that provide leadership, teamwork and empathy opportunities.
WISS describes a formal Student Support Services framework that provides academic and social‑emotional support through individualized support pathways designed and implemented by faculty. The school explicitly states it does not diagnose or label students and focuses on classroom‑based practices and strategies rather than on formal diagnoses. Support examples given include Lower Elementary work on language development, communication, motor and sensory development; Elementary support for writing, reading, mathematical processing, following instructions and attention; and Secondary support for organisation, study habits and time management. The admissions/application guidance asks families to provide relevant educational or medical evaluations, IEPs or other reports when applicable. WISS does not present itself as a specialist SEN institution; its published material describes in‑school learning support rather than specialist external provision.
WISS includes English as an Additional Language (EAL) support as part of its provision and notes EAL support is included in tuition‑fee inclusions. The Elementary programme states students new to English are supported five days a week through an "English for Beginners" programme, and the school describes translanguaging and honoring students' first languages. The Secondary overview highlights a range of language acquisition options and phases to support language development at older ages. The admissions pages note applicants are evaluated for English speaking, reading and writing ability and that Secondary entrants must have a level of English sufficient to access the curriculum. Overall, the school's public pages describe staged EAL support across Early Years, Primary and Secondary.
WISS publishes that it operates three on‑site nurse stations and a qualified nursing team to provide first aid, minor‑injury care and emergency response while on campus. The school also says its Student Support Services Team provides counselling services for social, emotional and academic development. The SEL guidance and news material state that school counsellors address emotional regulation, decision‑making, identity, relationships and related wellbeing topics. Parents are asked to disclose health or medical matters so medical action plans can be prepared when needed. WISS describes student wellbeing support as a mix of on‑site health care, counselling and targeted interventions delivered by the Student Support Services Team.
WISS states it "fully recognizes its moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children" and refers readers to its Safeguarding Policy for details. The Health & Safety information describes campus security measures (24‑hour licensed security, perimeter fencing, CCTV, visitor registration) and regular emergency drills. The site also documents that Student Support Services contributes to students' welfare through academic and social‑emotional support pathways. Application guidance requests medical and evaluation documents so the school can create appropriate plans for students with health or learning needs. For full details the school directs readers to its publicly posted Safeguarding Policy on the WISS site.
1. Start an online application (OpenApply). Create an account and submit the WISS Online Application Form via the school's "Apply Now" link; this is the formal start of the review process and parents should expect to upload documents and receive an invoice after submission. The site and application portal are the official route for all applications.
2. Prepare and upload required documents. WISS requires a set of personal, academic and supporting documents (examples: student birth certificate, copies of student and parent passports, Shanghai residence permit or visa documentation, ID-style photos, medical and immunisation records), plus school reports and teacher/principal recommendation forms; grade-specific report history is requested (for example: PK–K: current year report; Grades 1–8: current and previous year; Grades 9–10: two previous years; Grades 11–12: records from Grade 9 onward). Certified English translations are required for any reports not in English. Parents should check the document checklist in the online application so nothing delays review.
3. Arrange recommendations and book assessment / interview. After you submit documents, request confidential principal/teacher recommendation forms (Admissions will share the secure link) and then speak with your assigned Admissions Officer to schedule the admissions assessment, an academic interview for the student, and a family introduction meeting; these are all part of the school's evaluation process. For non-native English speakers, expect an English language assessment to confirm placement and support needs. Timing for assessments will be coordinated with Admissions—plan for scheduling delays if you are relocating.
4. Pay the non-refundable Application Fee and await decision paperwork. Once the online application is received you will be invoiced for the Application Fee (listed as RMB 2,500 for the academic year shown on the site); the application will not be considered complete until payment is confirmed. If the school issues an Offer of Placement, new families are required to pay the Placement Fee within five days to confirm the seat; note that the Placement Fee is offset against tuition once the student starts but payment alone does not guarantee placement until all admissions conditions are satisfied. Check the Tuition & Fees / Tuition Policy document for exact amounts, deadlines and refund terms before you pay.
5. Offer, placement and invoicing (acceptance / enrollment). If offered a place you will receive an Offer of Placement and the school will issue invoices (tuition, capital fee, bus if requested, etc.); the Placement Fee secures your place on acceptance but full tuition and any required upfront fees must be paid by the stated deadlines or at least five days before the student's first day if joining mid-year. Students are not permitted to attend classes until required fees are settled. If you expect a company or third party to pay, parents remain ultimately responsible for ensuring fees are paid on time.
6. Mid-year entry and pro‑rata billing; re-enrolment. WISS operates rolling admissions (it accepts applications throughout the year) and tuition for mid-year starts is calculated on a monthly pro‑rata basis and includes the month the student begins; re-enrolling families must follow the re-enrollment instructions and settle the placement/re-enrollment fee during the stated re-enrollment period. Confirm the semester payment deadlines (Semester 1: May 15; Semester 2: November 1) and any early‑payment discount dates if you plan annual vs semester billing.
7. Final steps: school start, practical arrangements and support planning. Before arrival, complete any required transportation or meal forms (if using the bus or school meals), submit medical/immunisation forms, and confirm device (BYOD) requirements by grade (for example: Grades 2–5 iPad; Grades 6–12 laptop/iPad). If the student has learning needs, upload relevant evaluations or IEPs during application so Student Support Services can plan appropriate support. Keep the Admissions Officer's contact details handy for questions and to confirm start logistics.
WISS operates a merit-based scholarship programme covering several categories (Academics, Sports, Arts, Community Service, Entrepreneurship/Innovation) and scholarships can provide full or partial coverage of annual tuition; the programme emphasises both the award and the student's ongoing contribution in their area of strength. The published scholarship application sequence requires families to complete the normal WISS admissions process first (or start at step 2 if the student is already enrolled), then complete the scholarship application form, submit supporting documentary evidence (pdf), submit a student essay, and return the application by the stated deadline; shortlisted candidates are invited to a final interview with the Scholarship Committee. Scholarship recipients must meet ongoing conditions: maintain high academic standards (the site specifies a minimum equivalent of a 6/7 on the IB scale where applicable), uphold standards of academic honesty and character, and the school may withdraw the scholarship for serious violations. Important practical detail: scholarship awardees are still responsible for paying certain fees (the school explicitly states recipients must still pay the Application Fee, Capital Fee, Transportation Fee and fees for after‑school activities and trips). If you are considering applying, download the WISS Scholarship Pack from the school site and contact the Scholarship Committee or Admissions for application deadlines and the current scholarship schedule.
WISS does not publish a separate public "waitlist" or central pool policy on its admissions pages. The school states it operates rolling admissions and uses a Placement Fee to secure an offered place; the published Tuition & Fees / Tuition Policy also notes that payment of the Placement Fee will not, by itself, guarantee a placement unless all admissions and entry requirements have been met. Because there is no formal waitlist text on the public site, families concerned about seat availability should contact Admissions directly (the site provides admissions contact details) and ask whether a place can be held, whether the school is operating an internal waiting list for a specific grade, or what the local practice is for managing oversubscription.
Campus address: 301 Zhujian Road, Minhang District, Shanghai (201106). The school is in Minhang, a residential/urban district of Shanghai; it's primarily reached by private car or by the SSIS school-bus network that serves many neighbourhoods around the city.
SSIS is a K–12 school with three main divisions: Preschool (Early Years), Primary School and Senior School. The senior pathway includes IGCSE preparation and the IB Diploma for upper secondary students (the school serves ages roughly 2–18).
SSIS is a co-educational day school for expatriate students (no boarding provision). Official IB listing notes gender as co-educational and boarding status as day.
The Student Services team provides Academic Learning Support (personalised learning plans, small-group and one-to-one interventions and exam accommodations), English Language Acquisition support, and social–emotional counselling; the school describes collaborative, integrated support across divisions.
The school does not indicate a formal national or governmental affiliation. Its programmes explicitly include a Singapore curriculum pathway alongside Cambridge/IGCSE and the IB Diploma.
No religious affiliation is stated on the school website (SSIS presents itself as an international, secular K–12 school).
Published secondary sources list a typical school day of about 8:30 am to 3:30 pm for students; after-school activities run later (SSIS's ASP sessions and related bus runs extend to around 5:00 pm). Parents should confirm exact daily timings with admissions, as timetables can vary by division and year.
SSIS runs an optional, school-managed bus service in partnership with professional bus companies. The fleet is described as more than 70 buses equipped with CCTV, GPS tracking and first-aid supplies; each bus has a trained monitor. Routes cover roughly 300 neighbourhoods across 11 Shanghai districts, and SSIS provides free ASP (after-school programme) drop-offs to a set of locations. For route maps, schedules and booking you should consult the school's bus pages or contact Admissions.
The school has a uniform policy. Shanghai Xinxinle Dress Co., Ltd is contracted as the uniform vendor, and uniforms are ordered online with delivery to home addresses. The Sabres Store on campus provides sizing and fittings.
The school provides catering with an in-house kitchen and publishes weekly menus planned by the Head Chef, including options across Chinese, Western, Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian cuisines. Produce mainly comes from Mahota Farm on Chongming Island, with other licensed suppliers; vegetarian meals and dietary accommodations are available. Food samples are retained for 48 hours and the kitchen is regularly inspected to ensure safety and compliance.
The school uses a House System with four houses: Ruby, Amber, Pearl, and Sapphire. All students and staff belong to a House and remain in the same House through their SSIS journey, including younger siblings. House activities include sports, music, debating and other competitions, with House points tallied to determine an annual Championship.
SSIS was founded and invested by Prime Group International. The Core Leadership Team leads the school, guiding curriculum development and daily operations.
SSIS operates a K–12 pathway: Preschool (Pre‑Nursery–Kindergarten 2), Primary (Grades 1–6), Lower Secondary (Grades 7–8), a two‑year IGCSE course for Grades 9–10, and a two‑year IB Diploma for Grades 11–12. The Preschool programme aligns with Singapore's Nurturing Early Learners framework, and the Primary curriculum draws on Singapore Math and Science together with Cambridge Primary English. Lower Secondary follows the Cambridge Lower Secondary programme to prepare students for the IGCSE years, which in turn lead into the IB Diploma in Senior School. Chinese language and culture are taught across all stages with banded Advanced/Standard/Foundation classes from Grade 1, immersive culture lessons, and options to take Chinese at IGCSE and within the IB Diploma. The academic programme is complemented by structured co‑curricular activities (CCA/ASP) and specialist sports and arts offerings—examples include formal after‑school clubs as well as school programmes in golf and swimming.
SSIS states that its Student Services Team has prioritised an enhanced Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programme and embeds SEL across all divisions. The school references use of recognised SEL frameworks (including links to Harmony and ISCA materials) and describes Primary Pastoral Care lessons as opportunities for students to develop social and emotional skills. Counsellors and the Student Services team work with teachers to integrate SEL into curriculum lessons and run related parent workshops. These initiatives are described in school newsletters and the Student Services overview on the SSIS website.
SSIS describes Academic Learning Support within its Student Services provision, stating it offers personalised learning plans, differentiated instruction, small-group interventions, one-to-one mentoring and assistive technology to support students with diagnosed learning needs. The school's public pages list dedicated Learning Support staff and a Director of Student Services with qualifications and experience in Special Education, indicating an in‑school specialist team. SSIS also states that accommodations and modifications are available for assessments. The school's website does not enumerate specific diagnostic categories supported (for example dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder or ADHD) on its publicly available pages. SSIS is presented as a mainstream international school with in‑school learning support rather than as a specialist SEN institution.
SSIS publishes an English Language Acquisition (ELA) programme for Grade 1–6 and a Cambridge English programme, and describes ELA specialists who collaborate with classroom teachers to integrate language support across the curriculum. The school's tuition page lists a fee for the English Language Acquisition (ELA) Programme for Grades 1–6, confirming a formal, fee‑based ELA offering. The faculty directory also names an ELA Coordinator and ELA teachers, indicating staffed provision. These materials show SSIS publicly discloses active EAL/ELA support rather than no provision.
SSIS provides individual and group counselling through its Student Services Team and names counsellors assigned to different divisions on its site. The school states counsellors offer crisis intervention, pastoral care lessons, and work with teachers to embed wellbeing into the curriculum. SSIS newsletters and staff profiles describe parent workshops on topics such as executive functioning, supporting teenagers and home wellness tools. The Director of Student Services is presented as having responsibilities for wellbeing and inclusive practice. These counselling and wellbeing supports are described on the SSIS website.
SSIS states it has a Child Protection Policy, a Campus Safety Committee, and a zero‑tolerance position on bullying, neglect or any form of abuse. The school's public pages describe practical safeguarding measures including staff safety training (first aid/CPR/AED), visitor ID procedures, segregated toilets, and strict student‑release processes. Pastoral Care lessons are identified as part of students' education about personal boundaries and safety. SSIS indicates these child protection procedures are communicated to staff and parents and provides contact points on its website for enquiries. For the full policy text and procedural detail the school directs readers to its Child Protection Policy and school contacts.
1. Create an OpenApply account. SSIS requires every applicant to register an OpenApply account before submitting an application or signing up for an Open Morning; this account is how the school sends all application notifications. Parents should register on SSIS's OpenApply link and keep the account login details and email address current because the admissions team uses it for test schedules, invoices and final offers.
2. Complete and submit required documents via OpenApply. The school lists specific document sets depending on the applicant's family status (for example: expatriate families, Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan citizens, children born in foreign countries to Chinese citizens, and families with SHMEC approvals), and documents must be translated into English or Chinese by an authorised translation company. Bring original documents to the Admissions Office for verification on the day of the Admissions Assessment; common items include the SSIS Registration Kit, Code of Conduct (G1+), Confidential Recommendation (G1+), birth certificate, vaccination record, latest school report and parent residency/employment paperwork. Review the document checklist carefully because omissions will delay processing.
3. Pay the application fee (and note its timing and refund rule). After you submit documents you will receive a proforma invoice from SSIS Finance; the application fee must be paid at least five working days before the scheduled Admissions Assessment. The SSIS tuition-and-fees page lists the Application Fee for AY2025/2026 as 2,500 (amounts published by the school) and states the fee is non‑refundable and valid only for the applying school year — plan to submit payment promptly using the accepted methods (bank transfer or on‑site by card/cash). Keep the bank receipt or card payment confirmation; the admissions office will require proof on occasion.
4. Attend the Admissions Assessment. All applicants must complete an Admissions Assessment; once SSIS has a complete application they will contact you with the assessment date and details. Register for a test date through the Admissions Test page (the form asks for applicant name, passport, DOB, grade applied and preferred test date); parents should arrive on campus prepared to show originals and arrive early so the child can settle — the school provides test dates and registration instructions via OpenApply or the Admissions Test form. If your child requires language support or special arrangements, contact admissions in advance to discuss accommodations.
5. Receive outcome and pay the matriculation (registration) fee. Successful applicants receive an SSIS Admissions Notification; once you receive the notification you must pay the Matriculation Fee within five working days to confirm the place. For AY2025/2026 the Matriculation Fee is shown as 20,000 on the SSIS fees page and is described as non‑refundable and not applicable against tuition — budget for this payment and retain the confirmation for school records.
6. Complete enrolment payments and service selections. After place confirmation you will be invoiced for tuition and any optional services (examples published for AY2025/2026: annual tuition by grade, the ELA programme, and school bus fees). Tuition amounts published by SSIS for AY2025/2026 are shown on the school site by grade band (examples: Pre‑N to K2 ≈ 200,000; Grade 1–6 ≈ 260,000; Grade 11–12 ≈ 300,000) and the ELA programme (Grade 1–6) and bus fees are listed as separate charges — check the Registration Pack download for payment deadlines, instalment options and refund/withdrawal policies. Confirm preferred services (bus route, ELA enrolment) before the school start date because some services require full pre‑payment.
7. Practical notes and contact details. Keep copies of all submissions and receipts, and check OpenApply frequently for messages from SSIS during the process.
Historic scholarship programmes and current status: SSIS has run scholarship programmes in the past and published details in a school news update (posted April 23, 2020) that described three scholarship types — IBDP scholarships (two tiers: an ‘Excellence' award covering 100% of tuition and a ‘Merit' award covering 50% tuition for the two‑year IB Diploma intake) and Aesthetics and Athletics awards (each described as covering 50% tuition with annual renewal conditions). The 2020 news post also described an application process that included submission of papers, interview by a scholarship committee, specific eligibility by grade band and published deadlines for that year. Because the SSIS Scholarships page currently shows a placeholder message (“Stay tuned for more info on scholarships”), these published 2019/2020 details should be treated as historical and subject to change. For current scholarship availability, eligibility criteria, application forms and deadlines contact scholarships@ssis.asia or the Admissions Office — they can confirm whether the IBDP, Aesthetics or Athletics scholarships (or any other financial assistance) are being offered for the intake year you are applying to. Additionally, SSIS lists a School Services Request form that references a Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS); if you need need‑based support or formal financial‑assistance information, request the school's FAS documentation directly.
SSIS does not publish a public waitlist or central ‘pool' policy on its website pages for admissions; the admissions pages and the online admissions sections do not describe an open waiting-list procedure. Because many international schools manage places internally (for example holding offers, running year‑level capacity checks, or placing applicants ‘on hold' when classes are full) the most reliable way to learn current availability or whether you would be placed on a waitlist is to contact the Admissions Office directly (admission@ssis.asia, +86 21 6221 9288 or the enquiry form on the SSIS site). If you need a formal waitlist status for planning (work visas, housing, or timing) ask the admissions officer to confirm in writing whether a place is available or if your application will be held on a waiting list and what position or expected timeframe applies.
