Shanghai American School vs Shanghai Community International School

	S Shanghai American School Shanghai, China	S Shanghai Community International School Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 246,000 - 304,100	Fees / year RMB 146,000 - 324,500
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Reggio Emilia Approach, IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP)	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 2,900	Pupils 1,800
Typical class size	Typical class size 18	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1912	Opened 1996
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Two purpose-built campuses: Pudong (1600 Lingbai Road, Pudong) and Puxi (258 Jinfeng Road, Minhang). Both campuses are in residential parts of Shanghai with car- and taxi-access; Pudong campus is inside The Links community and has controlled vehicle access. For precise directions, campus maps and gate procedures see the school's campus access/contact pages.	Location SCIS operates three campuses in Shanghai: two in Hongqiao (Hongqiao Early Childhood Education campus at 2212 Hongqiao Road and the Hongqiao Main Campus at 1161 Hongqiao Road, both in Changning/Gubei) and a Pudong campus in Zhoupu (198 Hengqiao Road). The Hongqiao ECE campus is a short walk from Longxi Road metro (Line 10) and the Hongqiao Main Campus is about a 5‑minute walk from Yili Road metro (Line 10); the Pudong campus is roughly a 10‑minute walk from Fanrong metro (Line 18) and is 20–25 minutes by car from several Pudong business/residential areas.
Stages	Stages SAS is a Pre‑K through Grade 12 school with Early Childhood (Pre‑K), Elementary, Middle and High School divisions. The high school offers pathways including Advanced Placement (AP) and the International Baccalaureate (IB).	Stages SCIS is a full IB continuum school serving Early Childhood through Grade 12. The Hongqiao ECE campus covers Nursery–Grade 1, the Hongqiao Main Campus covers Grades 2–12, and the Pudong campus runs Nursery–Grade 12.
School type	School type Independent, non‑profit, co‑educational day school operating two PreK–12 campuses (no boarding provision listed). The school describes itself as an American‑style international school serving expatriate families.	School type SCIS is a co‑educational, non‑profit international day school governed by a self‑perpetuating board and overseen by the International Schools Foundation; it does not operate boarding facilities. The school is authorized to deliver the IB Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support SAS provides English language support/EAL and has dedicated Learning Support staff and student‑support roles across divisions; non‑native English speakers may be assessed (WIDA screener) and limited EAL places are available. The school and external reviews note support for mild-to-moderate needs but say admission and provision for severe or complex special educational needs (SEN) are handled case‑by‑case and may be limited. Families with specific SEN requirements are advised to discuss needs with Admissions before applying.	Additional learning support SCIS maintains a systemwide Student Support team that includes qualified learning‑support teachers, EAL specialists, speech and language therapists, learning support assistants, school counselors and an educational psychologist. The school also runs the SCIS Academy for students who need a highly modified programme and collaborates with outside agencies when appropriate.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school follows an American/international curriculum model (AP and American high‑school pathways) but is an independent international school rather than being officially affiliated with a single country's government.	Country affiliation SCIS is an independent international school based in China and is not affiliated with a particular national government or national curriculum; it follows the IB continuum and holds international accreditations.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation SAS is non‑sectarian and does not have a religious affiliation.	Religious affiliation SCIS does not have a religious affiliation; its publications describe the school as an international, secular learning community.
School day structure	School day structure Daily timings vary by division; the school handbook (elementary example) shows campuses open around 7:55 a.m. with student dismissal near 3:00 p.m., and division‑specific start/end times and break/lunch periods are used. Exact start/end times and any staggered schedules are confirmed by the school for each division and year.	School day structure The published/parent information indicates a typical school day runs roughly from about 08:00 to mid‑afternoon (around 15:00), with a mid‑day lunch and recess; specific start/end times vary by division and are published in the school calendar. The school also schedules occasional early‑release days (for example, buses departing around 13:20 on some early‑release days).
Bus service details	Bus service details The school operates an optional student transport system: younger students are escorted by bus monitors to/from classrooms and parents must register for routes and seats. Route coverage, contracted bus providers, fees and pick‑up/drop‑off arrangements are managed by the school and can change year to year, so Admissions or the Transport office should be contacted for current operators, routes and costs.	Bus service details SCIS provides a door‑to‑door school bus service as part of the programme (subject to availability); the transportation office lists separate coordinators for each campus and notes the service covers hundreds of residential compounds across multiple districts. Buses are supervised by trained monitors and the school gives route and pick‑up/drop‑off details to families before term starts; adding new routes can require local regulatory permitting.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and One‑time Entry Fees - Application fee: RMB 2,800 (non‑refundable). - One‑time entry fee for new entrants: Pre‑Kindergarten & Elementary: RMB 28,000; Middle & High School: RMB 33,000. This applies once at first enrollment (re‑entry after two years non‑enrollment normally requires payment again). Enrollment Fee - Non‑refundable Enrollment Fee: RMB 32,000 (applies to secure a place; due by April 1 for returning students; for new entrants due within five working days of invoice). Annual Tuition and Per‑term (installment) Amounts - Pre‑Kindergarten: Annual tuition RMB 246,000 — two equal installments of RMB 123,000 (due June 1 and November 1). Enrollment fee is additional. - Elementary (K–5): Annual tuition RMB 279,400 — two equal installments of RMB 139,700 (due June 1 and November 1). Enrollment fee is additional. - Middle School (6–8): Annual tuition RMB 287,200 — two equal installments of RMB 143,600 (due June 1 and November 1). Enrollment fee is additional. - High School (9–12): Annual tuition RMB 304,100 — two equal installments of RMB 152,050 (due June 1 and November 1). Enrollment fee is additional. - Prepayment discount: 1% discount if tuition installments are prepaid in advance under stated conditions (details apply). Billing Schedule and Payment Terms - Annual tuition billed as two equal installments due June 1 and November 1. Enrollment and entry fees billed according to invoice and timelines described above. All bank charges are the payer's responsibility. Other Fees and Typical Additional Costs - Transportation (optional): RMB 11,400 per semester (payable per semester). - Lunch: hot‑meal program available; cost varies by selection and is billed separately. PE uniforms (Grades 6–10) are purchased from the school shop. External exam fees (AP/IB) and school trip costs are invoiced separately. Students in Grades 6–12 must provide their own MacBook and backup drive (BYOM requirement). Refunds - Application Fee and Enrollment Fee are non‑refundable. Tuition refunds follow a structured schedule tied to written withdrawal dates (specific refund percentages and conditions apply for withdrawals on or before August 1, between August 1 and the first semester start, on or before December 1, and after December 1). Transportation refunds are prorated minus a handling charge. Outstanding obligations may be deducted from refunds. Accepted Payment Methods - By RMB or USD wire transfer to the school bank account; by RMB or USD debit/credit card direct to the school bank account; or by RMB cash deposit to the school bank account. Payments under RMB 5,000 may be paid in RMB cash at the Finance Office. All fees are set in RMB but may be paid in USD by wire using the Bank of China exchange rate on the school's published date. All bank/processing charges are the payer's responsibility.	Fee details Tuition (annual and per-semester by campus & year group) - SCIS Hongqiao Campuses: - Nursery / Pre-school (half-day): RMB 151,250 per year; RMB 80,625 per semester. - Nursery / PS / PK (full-day): RMB 199,000 per year; RMB 104,500 per semester. - Kindergarten – Grade 5: RMB 293,500 per year; RMB 151,750 per semester. - Grade 6 – 12: RMB 324,500 per year; RMB 167,250 per semester. - SCIS Pudong Campus: - Nursery / Pre-school (half-day): RMB 146,000 per year; RMB 78,000 per semester. - Nursery / PS / PK (full-day): RMB 192,000 per year; RMB 101,000 per semester. - Kindergarten – Grade 5: RMB 276,750 per year; RMB 143,375 per semester. - Grade 6 – 12: RMB 308,500 per year; RMB 159,250 per semester. Application and one-time / recurring mandatory fees - Application fee: RMB 2,750 (non-refundable; valid for up to one academic year). - Capital fee: RMB 22,500 one-time on first admission (non-refundable); RMB 5,000 annually for returning students (non-refundable). - Seat guarantee deposit: RMB 20,000 (payable on acceptance; applicable to first semester or annual fee; subject to forfeiture in many withdrawal scenarios). - English as an Additional Language (EAL) fee: RMB 15,000 one-time where EAL placement is required (non-refundable unless assessment shows placement is not required). - Exam costs (external exams such as SAT, ACT, IB) are the parents' responsibility. What the tuition covers / exclusions - All-inclusive tuition covers general class costs, books, library, technology, one set of school uniform, on-campus full-day lunch, school bus (subject to availability), school-sponsored after-school activities, compulsory school trips, and a MacBook for Grades 6–12. Extra uniform sets, daily off-campus meals/snacks, and supplementary student support services are not included. Billing schedule, deadlines, discounts and payment terms - Annual payment deadline: all tuition/fees must be paid in full by June 1. - Semester payment deadlines: first semester due by June 1; second semester due by November 1. - Early-payment discounts on annual tuition: up to 5% (specific deadline dates and discount levels apply). Enrollment is secured only after payment of the annual/semester tuition in full or the seat guarantee deposit. Fees must be paid before the student begins school. Payment methods - Bank transfer (RMB or USD), check (RMB or USD), RMB cash at campus (USD cash not accepted), major credit/debit cards (payer pays transaction fees), and Alipay (with instructions for proof of payment). Wire-transfer recipients and Alipay instructions are provided by the school. Payer is responsible for any bank or card transaction charges. Boarding - SCIS operates as a non‑boarding day school; boarding fees are not applicable. Refund policy highlights - Re-enrollment withdrawal by posted deadlines: full tuition refunded inclusive of seat deposit. - Withdrawal before first semester start (by July 31): tuition refunded excluding the seat guarantee deposit (RMB 20,000); later withdrawals before start may incur forfeiture of double the seat deposit. - No refunds once a semester has begun; entrance and supplementary program fees are non-refundable. Refund processing occurs after last day of attendance and return of school materials.
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 Shanghai American School's early childhood program (Pre‑K) follows a play‑based, Reggio Emilia–influenced model with on‑site ateliers for hands‑on exploration. The elementary program (K–5) is an American‑style curriculum emphasizing literacy across the curriculum, a conceptual approach to mathematics, science, social studies, arts, physical education and languages. Middle school (Grades 6–8) uses inquiry‑based and conceptual learning in core subjects while offering exploratory courses (design technology, theater, global languages, etc.) to prepare students for high school. High school (Grades 9–12) culminates in a U.S. high‑school diploma (minimum 24 credits with specified credit requirements by subject) and offers multiple qualification pathways: Advanced Placement (including AP Capstone), the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, or a hybrid combination of AP and IB courses. Detailed grade‑level course lists, graduation requirements, and the IB policy manual are published in the school's course catalogs and resources on the SAS website.	Curriculum details SCIS is an IB Continuum World School delivering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) as a single, seamless pathway for students aged 2–18. Early Childhood (Nursery–Kindergarten) and Lower School (Nursery/Grade 1–5) follow the PYP with a play‑based, inquiry approach and published program guides that set subject expectations. The MYP covers Grades 6–10, emphasizing interdisciplinary, “learning by doing” connections between subjects. In Grades 11–12 most students undertake the IB Diploma Programme (externally assessed by the IBO) and SCIS also awards a High School Diploma on graduation. The full taught curriculum includes English language arts, Mandarin and English as an Additional Language (EAL), mathematics, science, social studies, visual and performing arts, physical education, technology, plus student support, language learning and university counselling resources.
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. Submit the application online. Create or sign in to an OpenApply account, complete the student and parent sections, and submit the form. The “Grade Applying for” is automatically filled from your child's date of birth; if you want a different grade, use the “Requested Grade Level” field and explain why. After submission you'll receive an automated confirmation email and an Admissions team member will contact you within five business days. 2. Upload required documents and pay the application fee. After applying you'll get a checklist in your OpenApply account showing required documents (school reports, government documents and confidential recommendations) and instructions for how to submit them. The application invoice is usually raised within three to five business days; the non‑refundable application fee is listed on the school's fees page and must be paid before the Admission Committee evaluates the file. The Admissions team will let you know if any documents are missing or don't meet the requirements. 3. Application marked complete once paperwork and fee are received. When all required documents and the application fee are received the school marks the application as complete and the Admissions team will confirm the status and outline next steps. Keep copies of submitted school reports and the confidential recommendation contacts—SAS sends recommendation requests directly to the current school for grades and teachers specified in the checklist. Applications are not considered complete until all eligibility documents (including government/visa paperwork where required) are on file. 4. Interview and academic/English assessments (as required). Selected applicants (and parents) are invited to assessments and/or interviews; the exact format depends on grade level and the candidate's background. For families in Shanghai assessments are on campus and must take place during school hours (sessions can take up to four hours); overseas applicants may be assessed online. Non‑native English speakers (Grade 1 and up) may be given a WIDA screener to assess English proficiency—spaces for language support are limited, so strong English results influence placement. 5. Admissions review and placement in the wait pool. The Admissions Committee reviews applications holistically—considering academic potential, English proficiency, social/emotional development and family alignment with SAS's mission. Qualified applications are placed into a wait pool rather than being offered on a strict first‑come, first‑served basis; qualified applicants are then considered in rounds when seats become available. If the school determines it cannot support a student's individual needs or if the applicant pool is unusually strong relative to seats, the application may be closed. 6. Decision rounds and updates. SAS uses scheduled decision rounds (and rolling/adhoc updates) for each admissions cycle; the Admissions site lists the round dates and when families can expect an update for the 2026–27 cycle. Possible outcomes include an enrollment offer, placement in or continuation in the wait pool, remaining under consideration for further evaluation, or application closure. Because seat availability and applicant volumes vary by grade and campus, timelines can shift; the Admissions team will inform families if processing is delayed. 7. If offered: accept and complete enrollment requirements (deadlines and fees). If you accept an offer you'll be invoiced for the one‑time entry fee (for new entrants), the non‑refundable enrollment fee to secure the place, and the annual tuition per the published Schedule of Fees. Enrollment fees and payment deadlines are specific: returning students' enrollment fee is due by April 1 of the year prior to the school year; for newly admitted students the enrollment fee is due within five working days of the invoice due date. Read the tuition and refund policy carefully (refund rules vary depending on withdrawal date) and follow the stated methods of payment. 8. Campus selection, transfers and practical notes. Families choose Pudong, Puxi, or Two‑Campus consideration on the application; if you request Two‑Campus consideration you may be offered a place at either campus depending on seat availability. If an offered seat is at one campus and you request a campus change after an offer is made, your child may be returned to the wait pool (placement not guaranteed). Once enrolled, students are expected to attend their original campus for two years before a campus transfer is considered, and transfers are not guaranteed—factor commuting, housing and sibling/transport arrangements into your campus choice.	Admissions 1. Review eligibility, age/grade guidelines and admissions checklist. Before you start an application, confirm your child's eligibility under the Shanghai categories (Type A/B/C) and the school's age/grade cut‑offs; SCIS publishes an Age/Grade guideline PDF showing exact birth‑date ranges for each grade and an Admissions Checklist that lists required government documents for each eligibility type. Parents should check whether they can submit some government documents later (for example, residence/work permits may be allowed within 60 days for families arriving from overseas) and note that documents not in English must be translated. 2. Create an account and complete the online application. SCIS requires all applications to be submitted through its online portal (OpenApply); when you complete the online form you will create an account and follow the portal prompts to enter family and student details. Make sure you fill in the student's current school history fully — SCIS asks for recent school reports and (for older students) transcripts — because the Admissions Committee uses these documents in its evaluation. 3. Upload supporting documents required for your application. The school's checklist specifies items such as passport copies for student and parents, birth certificate, immunization records, current and prior school reports (usually the most recent year plus up to three prior years), recommendation letter(s), standardized assessment or English‑proficiency results if available (WIDA or NWEA MAP preferred), and any learning‑support documentation (IEP, psychological report) if applicable. If you are applying from another Shanghai international school, the checklist notes that a certificate of enrollment plus complete academic reports may be accepted in place of a letter of recommendation; also note which government documents are required for your application category. 4. Pay the application fee and complete the application. SCIS marks an application as complete only after the required supporting documents have been uploaded and the application fee has been paid through the portal or as instructed. The website lists an application fee amount (RMB 2,750) and the Admissions Checklist PDF lists RMB 2,500; because those two pages disagree, confirm the current application fee with the admissions office before payment to avoid underpayment. 5. Assessment, interview and Admissions Committee review. Once your application is complete, SCIS's Admissions Committee reviews each file; the process can include age‑appropriate assessments, interviews (virtual or on‑campus), and formal English‑language proficiency testing on arrival if applicable. Decisions are based on a combination of international mindedness, English proficiency, academic history, and the student's social/emotional and behavioral background; if learning support needs are declared, the committee will consider whether SCIS can meet those needs. Parents should prepare original or certified copies of academic reports and any learning‑support records to speed verification if requested. 6. Offer, seat guarantee and payment to secure enrollment. If a place is offered, enrollment is only secure after payment of either the full tuition (annual or semester) or the seat guarantee deposit. For 2025–2026 the published seat guarantee deposit is RMB 20,000; new‑student capital and other one‑time fees (for example a first‑year Capital Fee listed on the site) are payable on admission. Note the school's payment deadlines (annual/semester deadlines and early‑payment discount dates) and the refund/withdrawal rules — e.g., refunds vary depending on when the school is notified in writing and seat guarantee deposits are non‑refundable under specified conditions. Parents should keep proof of wire transfers and follow the school's instructions for emailing remittance receipts. 7. Timing and rounds / rolling admissions. SCIS runs application rounds with posted deadlines and also operates rolling admissions; the Apply page lists specific round deadlines and notes that after the stated rounds decisions move to rolling and capacity‑based offers. Because SCIS reports operating near or at full capacity in many divisions, applying early in a round (and completing the application) improves the chance that the Admissions Committee can consider the application before capacity is reached. If you have timing constraints (arrival dates, visa processing), tell the admissions office when you submit the application.
Scholarships	Scholarships Shanghai American School's public materials (admissions and tuition pages) do not advertise a general student scholarship or means‑tested financial aid program for external applicants. The school's published benefit information does show an internal tuition assistance benefit (Eagle Assistance Tuition Assistance) available to employees (one tuition assistance benefit per employed teacher/administrator as part of staff benefit packages). If you are seeking fee‑reduction, special considerations, or exceptions, SAS advises contacting the Admissions or Finance offices directly—these are handled case‑by‑case and are not described as an open scholarship program on the website. If you'd like, I can draft an email template you can send to admissions or finance to ask about any available assistance or special arrangements.	Scholarships SCIS operates an International Scholars Program (announced in a school news posting) that offers a limited number of merit‑ and need‑based scholarships for prospective students in certain grades. The 2024–25 announcement describes six scholarship streams (for example: IB Diploma Scholarship, Academic Excellence, Leaders of Tomorrow, Renaissance (arts), International‑Mindedness, and Self‑Motivated Learner), available to applicants roughly in Grades 5–11 depending on the specific award. Scholarship awards were described in the announcement as covering between 25% and 75% of annual tuition and could be renewable for up to four years subject to annual review; applicants were instructed to submit a separate SCIS scholarship application and required documents and, if shortlisted, were invited to interview. Because scholarship offerings, quotas, eligibility details and deadlines can change year to year, contact the Admissions office or check the SCIS website for the current scholarship application form, deadlines and selection criteria before applying.
Waitlist	Waitlist Shanghai American School does not operate a simple first‑come, first‑served waitlist; instead it uses a qualitative “wait pool.” Qualified applicants who are not immediately offered a seat are placed into this wait pool and considered alongside other qualified candidates in scheduled decision rounds and on a rolling basis. The Admissions Committee reviews the pool in rounds (round dates and expected update windows are published for each admissions cycle) and issues outcomes that include offers, continued wait‑pool placement, requests for additional evaluation, or application closure. The school notes that priority consideration (not automatic placement) may be given in cases such as U.S. and other foreign citizens, applicants with international schooling backgrounds, stronger English proficiency, siblings already at SAS, and returning students in good standing; admissions also balance multilingual learner needs and cohort diversity when filling seats. For current seat availability and advice about applying outside the main cycle, SAS asks families to contact admissions directly because seats are often very limited.	Waitlist SCIS does not publish a separate, detailed public policy labeled “waitlist” on the admissions pages, but the school explicitly states that offers are made on a rolling and capacity basis and refers to a “wait‑pool” when describing what happens if a seat guarantee is not paid by the due date. The Admissions Checklist and other admissions pages say SCIS operates on a rolling basis and that offers are subject to space availability, and the Tuition & Fees page explains that when a seat guarantee deadline passes the seat may be offered to students in the wait‑pool or new applicants. In practice this means that if space is full your completed application will be held and considered as openings arise; there is no separate public “position number” or published waitlist procedure, so parents who want clarity about their application status should contact admissions directly (admissions@scis-china.org) to ask whether the candidate is in an active wait pool and what documentation or timing would change their status.
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