Canadian International School Kunshan vs YK Pao School

	C Canadian International School Kunshan Shanghai, China	Y YK Pao School Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 130,000 - 206,000	Fees / year RMB 168,000 - 216,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 19 years	Age range 6 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)	Curriculum Chinese National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 400	Pupils 1,600
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 7
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 2012	Opened 2007
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Canadian International School Kunshan (CISK) is on 555 Chuanshi Road in Kunshan, Jiangsu province — the campus is described as near Duke Kunshan University and Kunshan High School, with convenient local transport links. The school sits within the city of Kunshan (between Suzhou and Shanghai), so commuting from nearby districts such as Suzhou Industrial Park or Huaqiao is common for families.	Location YK Pao School has three separate campuses in Shanghai: the Primary (20, Lane 1251 West Wuding Road, Changning District), the Middle (2206 Hongqiao Road, Changning District) and the High School (Thames Town, 1800, Lane 900 North Sanxin Road, Songjiang District). The Primary is in central Changning, the Middle campus is in the Hongqiao area (near Xijiao), and the High School sits in Thames Town (a residential area of Songjiang). Each campus has its own address and facilities — see the school site for maps and directions.
Stages	Stages CISK is a K–12 school offering the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP), serving students roughly from ages 3 to 18. It is presented as an IB Continuum World School delivering PYP→MYP→DP across the campus.	Stages The school runs a Year 1–12 programme split across the three campuses: Primary (Years 1–5), Middle (Years 6–8) and High School (Years 9–12). Age range is approximately 5 to 18 and the High School offers IGCSE (Year 10) and the IB Diploma (Years 11–12).
School type	School type The school is co-educational and operates both day and boarding options; the boarding provision is described as family-style student apartments on campus. CISK began with an Ontario (Canadian) curriculum background but now operates as an IB continuum school.	School type YK Pao is a co-educational, non-profit private international school founded by the YK Pao Education Foundation. The High School campus operates a boarding programme (the High School provides UK/US-style boarding for students), while the Primary and Middle campuses are day campuses.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support CISK lists a Coordinator of Student Support Services and refers to learning-support/individualised plans and services for students with additional needs. The school also runs an English Learner pathway (Transitional English Program) using WIDA proficiency assessment for placement and regular progress review. Parents are notified of placements and the school references ongoing evaluation and learning-support planning.	Additional learning support The school's public pages describe pastoral and counselling activity (for example, counsellor–parent coffee mornings) but do not publish a detailed Special Educational Needs / Additional Learning Needs policy on the public site. Prospective parents with specific SEN or additional‑needs questions are advised to contact Admissions directly so the school can explain available provisions and any assessment or placement arrangements.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school uses a Canadian identity (Canadian International School) and has historical links to the Ontario curriculum and an affiliation with St. John's Kilmarnock School (Ontario). Its branding and early curriculum origins reflect those Canadian connections.	Country affiliation YK Pao School is based in the People's Republic of China and its bilingual programme integrates elements of the Chinese National Curriculum alongside international curricula (IGCSE/IB). It is a Chinese-founded international school rather than being formally affiliated to another country's education system.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is listed on the school's public profile; CISK presents itself as a secular international school.	Religious affiliation The school does not state any religious affiliation on its public materials; it presents itself as a secular, non‑religious bilingual international school.
School day structure	School day structure For primary visitors, the school's published ‘A Day in CISK' schedule starts with arrival around 8:20am, morning classes from about 8:30–11:35, lunch and break around 11:35–12:30, afternoon lessons from about 12:35 and a typical primary day end at 3:30pm. End times vary by age group (secondary timetables commonly finish later on weekdays and may differ by day), so exact start/finish times depend on the programme and year group.	School day structure The school's website and admissions pages describe the curriculum and campus life but do not publish a single, campus‑wide daily start/finish timetable for public viewing. Timings (start, breaks and lunch) can vary by campus and year group, so the Admissions office can provide the exact daily timetable for the campus and year you are considering.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school operates a school-bus service with multiple routes (the site states seven routes) covering Kunshan and neighbouring areas such as Suzhou and Taicang; each bus is staffed with a senior bus-care teacher. The website posts a bus code of conduct and an application form for families, and route details are published by the school — parents are advised to contact Admissions for current route maps and pickup points.	Bus service details According to the school's FAQs, YK Pao provides a daily school‑bus service for the Primary and Middle School campuses with pick‑up locations across Shanghai and a professional bus management team (drivers and bus monitors). The High School does not run a daily shuttle; it operates weekly buses to/from the city instead. For routes, stops, costs and safety arrangements contact the school's transport office or Admissions.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and Registration Fees - Application Fee (non‑refundable): RMB 2,000. - Registration Deposit (one‑time, refundable): RMB 10,000. This deposit is invoiced and due with tuition fees and is refundable when a student leaves after proper notification and clearance. Tuition fees (by school division) - PYP — Early Years (Nursery / JK / SK): Annual RMB 130,000. Annual amount published by the school. - Per‑term equivalent (annual ÷ 2, shown as an inferred semester figure): RMB 65,000 (inference based on two equal terms). - PYP — Grades 1–5: Annual RMB 150,000. Per‑term equivalent (inferred): RMB 75,000. - MYP — Grades 6–10: Annual RMB 170,000. Per‑term equivalent (inferred): RMB 85,000. - DP — Grades 11–12: Annual RMB 206,000. Per‑term equivalent (inferred): RMB 103,000. (Note: tuition amounts are published as annual payments in the school fee schedule; the per‑term figures above are simple half‑year equivalents inferred from the annual totals because the published schedule lists annual payments.) Billing schedule and payment terms - The registration deposit is invoiced and payable with tuition fees. The school issues a School Payment Notice with the school RMB or USD bank account after receipt of the application form. Bank charges arising from payment methods such as swiping or QR code scanning are borne by the payer. The published fee schedule lists annual payments and does not specify an installment timetable within the document. Boarding (dormitory) fees - Dormitory (5‑days program): RMB 18,500 per school year. Other costs and typical additional charges - Bus transportation: Within downtown Kunshan RMB 9,000 per school year; outside downtown RMB 12,000 per school year. - Tuition does not include school lunches, uniform, transportation, individual music‑instrument tuition, or voluntary trips and events; these are charged separately. Uniforms are required for all students. - Families may incur other variable costs (optional activities, special programs, trips) depending on grade and participation. Refund information - The Application Fee is non‑refundable. The Registration Deposit (RMB 10,000) is refundable when a student leaves, subject to proper notification and clearance procedures. Fee payment options - Payments are made to the Canadian International School Kunshan bank accounts (school provides RMB or USD account details on the School Payment Notice). Payment methods mentioned in the fee schedule include bank transfer and electronic methods that may incur bank charges (swiping / QR code scanning); any bank fees are to be borne by the payer. The school will provide the formal invoice/payment notice with account details after application submission.	Fee details Application / registration fees - There is no registration or application fee to apply to YK Pao School. Enrollment requires submission of materials but no one‑time application charge is listed. Tuition (per semester) and equivalent annual amount - Year 1–5 (Primary): Tuition RMB 84,000 per semester (annual equivalent if enrolled for two semesters: RMB 168,000). - Year 6–8 (Middle): Tuition RMB 95,000 per semester (annual equivalent: RMB 190,000). - Year 9 (High School - Year 9): Tuition RMB 95,000 per semester (annual equivalent: RMB 190,000). - Year 10–12 (High School): Tuition RMB 108,000 per semester (annual equivalent: RMB 216,000). Boarding fees - Boarding is offered for students in Years 9–12. Boarding fees are published per semester and differ by year group: RMB 9,800 per semester (applies to Year 9 boarding) and RMB 13,800 per semester (applies to Years 10–12 boarding). Primary and lower‑middle year boarding is not offered. Other required costs - Meals and school uniform fees are required in addition to tuition; specific amounts are not published on the public admissions pages. Additional costs (activity fees, trips, exam fees, optional programme charges or personal supplies) may be charged as required. Billing schedule and payment terms - Fees are presented on a per‑semester basis; the school states fees are reviewed annually. Detailed invoice dates, payment deadlines, late‑payment penalties, and instalment plan options are not published on the public tuition/FAQ pages. Refund information - No public, detailed refund or withdrawal refund schedule is posted on the school's tuition or admissions FAQ pages. Specific refund/cancellation terms are not available on the public site. Fee payment options - The school's public admissions pages do not list accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, credit card, Alipay or WeChat Pay). Payment mechanisms and instructions are not published on the publicly accessible tuition/FAQ pages. Note: several fee elements requested (detailed meal/uniform charges, exact invoicing dates and deadlines, refund/withdrawal schedule, and accepted payment methods) are not published on the school's public tuition or admissions FAQ pages; these items are handled administratively by the school and are not available in the publicly posted material.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Canadian International School Kunshan (CISK) delivers the International Baccalaureate continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) for students aged about 3–18. Early Years and Primary follow the PYP (play‑based early years; six transdisciplinary themes and English as the language of instruction) alongside a schoolwide Chinese immersion program. The MYP covers the middle‑school years (roughly ages 11–16 / Grades ~6–10) with a concept‑based, interdisciplinary curriculum and Mandarin offered as an additional language; CISK completed MYP authorization in mid‑2023. Years 11–12 follow the IB Diploma Programme, with students taking DP subjects across language, mathematics, sciences, individuals and societies, arts, and core elements (TOK, extended project/EE) leading to the IB Diploma. The school also serves as an Oxford AQA IGCSE/A‑Level test centre and initially operated an Ontario (Canada) curriculum before becoming an IB continuum school.	Curriculum details YK Pao operates a Year 1–12 bilingual programme based on the Chinese National Curriculum (CNC) and supplemented where needed by international syllabuses; Primary (Years 1–5) and Middle (Years 6–8) blend CNC with selected international standards, while High School follows an “International Plus” model. Primary (Years 1–5) delivers core subjects (Chinese, mathematics, English, Exploratory Units) plus specialist classes in music, visual arts, PE and ICT, with lessons deliberately allocated in both Chinese and English. Middle School (Years 6–8) builds on Shanghai/CNC standards in Chinese and maths and expands to four science areas, humanities (history, geography), computer science/programming, arts, drama, music and PHE, all taught bilingually. High School (Years 9–12) uses a Year 9 “Zhihui” bridge (mixing Shanghai curriculum and IGCSE preparation), leads to Cambridge IGCSE examinations (students complete a minimum set of IGCSEs) and then to the two‑year IB Diploma Programme with external IB examinations at the end of Year 12. The High School also maintains core Chinese studies (Chinese language & literature, Chinese history, geography and politics) and requires a school Zhong Kao assessment in Year 9 to confirm readiness for the International+ pathway.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and research (what to prepare). Contact the Admissions Office to request the current enrolment timetable, the year-group vacancy status and the school's document checklist. CISK asks families to submit applications via OpenApply, so you should create an OpenApply account in advance and gather identity documents (child's passport and parents' visas/residence permits), recent school reports and any learning-support records; the Admissions Criteria page lists the specific residency documentation the school requires for eligibility. 2. Complete and submit the online application. Use the school's OpenApply form and upload the documents from the checklist (the How to Apply page explicitly instructs applicants to upload required documents when creating an OpenApply account). Make sure uploaded files are clear and that you include the items the school requests for your child's age/grade (for example prior school reports for primary/secondary applicants). 3. School review and eligibility check. After you submit, the admissions office reviews the application and supporting documents to confirm the child meets the school's legal and programme admission criteria (CISK is licensed to enrol children of foreign nationals and has specific documentation rules for Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan residents, Chinese citizens settled abroad and other eligible categories). Expect the school to contact you for clarification if documentation is missing. 4. Assessment (age-appropriate tests). CISK arranges an age-appropriate assessment after the application is complete. The How to Apply page specifies that kindergarten applicants will be reviewed and attend a family interview; Primary (Grade 1–5) applicants take a school-organised admissions assessment (parents are asked to reserve at least two hours); Secondary (Grades 6–11) applicants take a written test (English and English-language math). Plan travel/online-test timing accordingly and ask whether an English-language support assessment will be provided if your child is not a native English speaker. 5. Family interview and, where applicable, further meetings. The school requires a family interview: kindergarten and primary applicants meet the Head of the Academic Department; secondary applicants' parents join a roughly 30-minute family interview. For scholarship candidates the school will invite shortlisted students to further testing and an interview with leadership. Bring originals of identity/visa documents to the interview as the school may verify them in person. 6. Decision timeline and offer. CISK aims to communicate admissions decisions within three working days (this can extend to five working days during peak admissions season). Successful applicants receive a digital offer letter; the offer will include instructions and any deadlines for accepting the place (for example a deadline to respond and pay a registration/confirmation deposit). If your application is unsuccessful the school closes the file and notes that applicants may reapply after six months. 7. Securing a place and fee steps. To secure a place you will be required to follow the offer instructions (typically accepting the offer in writing and paying whatever deposit or registration fee the offer specifies). The school's tuition-and-fees page explains what tuition covers and what it does not (see the fee schedule for current amounts and the exact deposit/application fees for the academic year). Always confirm whether deposits are refundable and the deadline for the payment directly with Admissions before transferring funds. 8. Final enrolment and orientation. After finance and paperwork are complete the school will confirm enrolment and advise about orientation dates, uniform, lunch plans and transport options. Note that tuition typically excludes lunch, uniforms, transport and optional music lessons or voluntary trips—budget for these separately. Keep a copy of the signed enrolment/fee paperwork for visa/residency or employer-reimbursement needs. 9. If you need help or have special circumstances. If your child requires English language support, has special educational needs, or you need a language service during admissions, contact the admissions team early (the school lists English/Mandarin/Korean admissions support and asks families to notify the office about other language needs).	Admissions 1. Learn about the school and create an account. Start by reading the admissions pages and attending one of the school's information sessions or open-house events so you understand the bilingual curriculum and campus differences (Primary, Middle, High). Create an online account on the school portal — you must do this to schedule visits and to submit an application — and watch for the confirmation email and subsequent instructions. 2. Check eligibility and required documents. YK Pao follows Shanghai Municipal Education Commission categories (Shanghai hukou, non-Shanghai hukou, Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan residents, and international passport holders); you must select the correct category and upload the matching identity and residency documents. Prepare school reports (current year and two previous full years where applicable), passport/visa or residence permits, recent photos, and any standardised test scores or recommendation letters required for mainland applicants. The Admissions Checklist on the school site lists which documents are required by year group — follow it exactly to avoid delays. 3. Submit the online application and upload materials. After creating an account, complete the online application form and upload the documents listed for your child's year group; the school will send an email confirmation when the application is received. There is no application/registration fee, but note that if admitted you will be asked to pay enrolment-related fees (meals, uniform and later tuition) as outlined by the school. Keep copies of every uploaded file and check your email (including spam) because the school uses email to notify you of the next steps. 4. Academic assessment (tests and records review). The school evaluates applicants' English, Chinese and Mathematics ability using its own assessment criteria and by reviewing report cards and other evidence of achievement; for some year groups standardised test scores are requested. Be prepared for written assessments (especially for entry into middle and high school) and for the school to use grades and work samples to judge readiness for a bilingual programme. If your child's school reports or test results require translation or explanation, provide clear translations and context in the application. 5. Interview / family meeting and selection. Depending on the year level, shortlisted applicants and their parents may be invited for an interview or family meeting (the High School admissions process explicitly includes written exams and interviews). The school will assess fit with the bilingual, boarding (where relevant) and community expectations, so be ready to discuss your family's plans for at least a two-year stay and support for the school's programmes. After assessment and interviews the school will notify families by email about pre-acceptance, conditional offers, or next steps. 6. Offers, acceptance and enrolment steps. If you receive an offer, the email will include instructions for acceptance, payment deadlines, and any forms to complete; follow these precisely to secure the place. Note that the school states there is no separate application registration fee, but tuition and other fees are charged for enrolment and are set per semester/academic year. Keep your admissions correspondence and receipts; if you need clarification about timing or payment methods contact the admissions office directly. 7. Boarding option and specifics (high school). Boarding is available for Years 9–12; when you apply you may indicate boarding or day school but final boarding placement is confirmed by the school. The tuition page lists 5‑day boarding fees (the 2024/25 per‑semester boarding fees shown on the site are RMB 9,800 and RMB 13,800 depending on year/campus); note that 7‑day boarding is not available to students who live in Shanghai or its suburbs unless specially approved. Factor boarding fees, weekly bus arrangements (high school provides weekly buses), and the school's residential rules into your planning. 8. Orientation and first-term requirements. The school runs a new‑student orientation so you and your child can learn about uniforms, schedules, co-curricular programmes and campus life before classes start. In addition to tuition you should budget for meals, uniforms and any optional extension/enrichment programme fees; these are listed or described in the school's admissions/FAQ pages.
Scholarships	Scholarships CISK offers a limited number of full and partial scholarships and describes them as awarded on the basis of academic merit and financial need. The school's Scholarship page sets out the selection stages used in previous cycles: application submission, subject testing (English, Mathematics and Sciences), a cognitive‑ability test, and a final interview with school leadership; top-scoring candidates are invited to interview and the results are announced at the end of the selection period. The Scholarship page references a selection window (for example March–June 2023 for MYP and DP candidates) and says more details will be posted on the page; for the current cycle you should ask Admissions for the application opening date, the exact tests to be used, and whether the scholarship covers tuition fully or partially and any associated conditions (renewal criteria, behavioural/academic expectations). For questions or to request the latest scholarship guidance email admissions@ciskunshan.org.	Scholarships YK Pao operates a formal scholarship programme (the Pao School Scholarship Programme) run through the YK Pao School Foundation; the programme was launched with founder support and aims to support students with outstanding achievement and those with financial need. The official scholarship pages describe several named awards, the nomination timing and the scholarship benefit amounts (many awards are specified as an amount equivalent to 10% of tuition for the stated duration). The school reports that the programme has supported over 90 students. Key scholarship types and mechanics (what parents should know): - Chinese Immersion Scholarship: Intended for international students whose parents' native language is not Chinese; awarded on the basis of strong overall academic performance and commitment to Chinese learning. The site states winners receive an amount equivalent to 10% of tuition, and the award covers multiple years (the page describes an award spanning Years 6–12). Nomination and determination occur in Year 5 for this award. - Junior Secondary Boys Scholarship: Aimed at recognising all‑round excellence; recipients are nominated/determined in Year 5 and the award is described as the equivalent to 10% of tuition over three academic years (Year 6–8). Selection criteria include academics, character, extracurricular achievement and contribution to the school/community. - Senior Secondary Grade II and Grade I Scholarships: These target high‑school‑age students and are awarded on nomination in Year 8 (Grade II) and Year 10 (Grade I). The Grade II award covers multiple academic years (Year 9–12 depending on entry) and the Grade I award covers two academic years (Year 11–12); both are described on the site as reducing tuition by an amount equivalent to 10% over the stated period. Grade I is open to Year 11 students (including internal and new students). How scholarships are awarded and next steps. Scholarships are awarded by nomination (the school and foundation appear to manage nominations internally) and based on academic performance, character, extracurricular achievement and contribution to the school community, with some awards explicitly supporting non‑native Chinese speakers. The school's scholarship page gives the broad structure and eligibility; for application/nomination timelines, the exact award value in a given year and whether partial or larger awards are available you should contact the school's admissions or foundation office directly. If you would like, I can draft an email to admissions asking about waitlist procedure, current scholarship deadlines and the precise boarding fee that would apply to your child's intended year group.
Waitlist	Waitlist CISK's public admissions pages do not publish a formal waiting‑list policy. The site states that “enrolment is subject to class vacancies,” which indicates that admission depends on available places in the requested year group, but it does not set out a published process or ranking for a waitlist or candidate pool. If a grade is full you should contact Admissions directly (phone or email) to ask whether the school maintains a waitlist for that specific year group, how they prioritise candidates, whether there are any deadlines to remain on the list, and what documentation you should keep current—these operational details are not posted on the public admissions pages.	Waitlist Official YK Pao admissions pages do not publish a formal description of a waitlist or “pool” process on the admissions, checklist or FAQ pages. The school's publicly posted admissions materials focus on the online application, document checklist, assessments and interviews but do not explain how the school manages applicants when a year group is full. That said, third‑party school directories and local listings note that primary entry (Year 1) at YK Pao — like many popular Shanghai schools — can be highly competitive and that waiting lists are commonly used by schools in the city; those external listings report that Y1 waiting lists do occur. Because the official site is silent on a formal waitlist process, if you want to know whether your child will be placed on a waiting list, how long waiting lists typically run, or whether the school holds places in a “pool” for certain categories (e.g., local hukou, international students, siblings), contact admissions directly and ask whether they keep a waitlist for the target year and how they communicate waitlist status. Applying early, creating an account and attending information sessions are the best practical steps to make sure you are registered and informed.
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