Concordia International School Shanghai vs Western International School of Shanghai

	C Concordia International School Shanghai Shanghai, China	W Western International School of Shanghai Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 243,000 - 320,000	Fees / year RMB 161,975 - 261,820
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 2½ - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), SEN focussed, Bespoke Curriculum, IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme)	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme)
Pupils	Pupils 1,200	Pupils 400
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 18
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1998	Opened 2006
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location 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.	Location 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.
Stages	Stages 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).	Stages 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.
School type	School type 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.	School type 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.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support 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.	Additional learning support 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.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation 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.	Country affiliation 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.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation 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.	Religious affiliation The school does not state any religious affiliation and presents itself as a non‑religious international school.
School day structure	School day structure 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.	School day structure 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.
Bus service details	Bus service details 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.	Bus service details 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.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fee - Application fee: RMB 2,500 (non‑refundable). One‑time/new‑student fees - Capital (placement) fee: RMB 25,000 (one‑time, billed on acceptance; non‑refundable). - One‑time ELL support fee (where applicable, K–12): RMB 20,000. - Grade 6–12: families must provide a recent Apple laptop for student use (school specifies minimum model/specs). Tuition (per student) — full year and semester options - Preschool / Pre‑Kindergarten: Full year RMB 243,000 — Semester payment option RMB 124,000 per semester. - Kindergarten – Grade 5: Full year RMB 305,000 — Semester payment option RMB 155,000 per semester. - Grade 6 – Grade 8: Full year RMB 312,500 — Semester payment option RMB 158,750 per semester. - Grade 9 – Grade 12: Full year RMB 320,000 — Semester payment option RMB 162,500 per semester. Other recurring / optional costs - Bus transportation (optional, per student): RMB 22,000 per year. - School lunch (optional): ranges by division — approx. RMB 27–40 per day depending on grade. - Uniforms (K–12): approximate RMB 1,000 per year for Grades 1–12; Preschool/Pre‑K do not require the standard uniform. - Educational travel and some grade‑specific costs: variable and billed separately. Boarding - Not applicable. Concordia operates as a co‑educational day school; no boarding program or boarding fees listed. Billing schedule and payment terms - Two payment options: single full‑year payment (once per year) or two instalments (semester payments). Specific invoice dates and due‑date instructions are issued by the school. Payment in RMB is standard; USD payments use a school set exchange rate updated on the first day of each month. Refunds - No detailed public refund schedule is provided on the school's published tuition/fees pages; one‑time acceptance and capital fees are listed as non‑refundable. For any refund or withdrawal terms, the school's billing/finance office handles individual cases. Accepted payment methods and banking details - Accepted methods: cash, check (U.S. checks accepted for tuition/fees), wire transfer, Alipay, WeChat Pay for some payments. School provides RMB and USD bank account details for transfers. Important: include student name on remittance to ensure correct credit.	Fee details Application, Placement and Capital Fees - Application fee: RMB 2,500 (non‑refundable). - Placement fee: RMB 20,000 (annual; due within five days of an Offer of Placement; offset against tuition on first day of school; forfeiture rules apply). - Capital fee (new students): RMB 20,000 (one‑time). Tuition fees (per year and per term by programme) - Pre‑Nursery & Nursery (ages 2.5–4): Early annual RMB 161,975; Annual RMB 165,385; Semester RMB 85,250 (each). - Pre‑Kindergarten (age 4–5): Early annual RMB 190,000; Annual RMB 194,000; Semester RMB 100,000 (each). - Kindergarten (age 5–6): Early annual RMB 224,675; Annual RMB 229,405; Semester RMB 118,250 (each). - PYP (Grades 1–5): Early annual RMB 245,575; Annual RMB 250,745; Semester RMB 129,250 (each). - MYP (Grades 6–10): Early annual RMB 258,875; Annual RMB 264,325; Semester RMB 136,250 (each). - DP/CP (Grades 11–12): Early annual RMB 261,820; Annual RMB 267,332; Semester RMB 137,800 (each). Billing schedule and payment terms - Early annual payment deadline (5% discount): April 14. Annual payment deadline (3% discount): May 15. Semester payment deadlines: May 15 (Semester 1) and November 1 (Semester 2). Tuition may be paid annually or by semester. Placement fee is due within five days of offer. Late payment charge: 1.5% per month, compounded. Boarding - Boarding is not offered; WISS operates as a day international school. Other costs and routine inclusions - Transportation (school bus): RMB 21,600 per year (optional; sibling/route discounts may apply). - School meals, a complementary set of uniforms (per semester for Pre‑Nursery to Grade 10), textbooks, classroom supplies, EAL support and many standard items are included in tuition; additional uniform items, external provider co‑curricular activities, trips or BYOD device requirements may incur extra charges. Refund information (key points) - Application fee: non‑refundable. Capital fee refunded only if the student never attends. Placement fee, tuition and bus refunds follow the Student Departure & Refund chart (eligibility and percentages depend on the date the official Departure Notice Form is received; earlier notice gives larger refunds). Examples: departure on or before April 14 = refundable for placement, Semester 1 and Semester 2; later dates incur partial or no refund per the published chart. Payment methods - Bank transfer (RMB account and foreign currency account with SWIFT), in‑person credit/debit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express), online payment portals (contact Finance), and cash at the Finance Office (not recommended). Electronic VAT fapiao available on request.
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 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.	Curriculum details 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.
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. 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.	Admissions 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.
Scholarships	Scholarships 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.	Scholarships 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.
Waitlist	Waitlist 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.	Waitlist 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.
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