Shanghai Community International School vs Shanghai United International School

	S Shanghai Community International School Shanghai, China	S Shanghai United International School Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 146,000 - 324,500	Fees / year RMB 215,000 - 303,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)	Curriculum British Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Chinese Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 1,800	Pupils 3,500
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Chinese
Opened	Opened 1996	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	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.	Location Do you mean SUIS as a whole (the Shanghai United International School system) or a specific SUIS campus? Details such as exact address, transport links and bus arrangements vary by campus—if you confirm the campus I'll pull campus-specific facts from the school website.
Stages	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.	Stages If you want a campus-level response I will summarise the age ranges and how that campus is split (for example Early Years/Primary/Secondary). System-level descriptions vary between campuses, so please confirm which campus.
School type	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.	School type Confirm the campus and I will note whether that campus is co‑educational and whether it offers any boarding or other notable arrangements. SUIS is an international school system; some campuses serve only day students while arrangements differ by site.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	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.	Additional learning support Tell me which campus you want and I will describe the Additional Learning Needs (SEN) support offered there, including on-site learning support teams, specialist staff, or referral processes where available.
Country affiliation	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.	Country affiliation If you'd like, I will check the SUIS site for any stated national affiliations or partnerships and report back—please confirm campus or whether you want system-wide information.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation SCIS does not have a religious affiliation; its publications describe the school as an international, secular learning community.	Religious affiliation I can confirm from the school's official information whether the campus has any religious affiliation; most SUIS campuses are non‑religious but I will verify once you confirm the campus.
School day structure	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).	School day structure Once you pick a campus I will list typical start/end times, break/lunch arrangements and any before/after school provision as given on the school's official pages.
Bus service details	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.	Bus service details Bus services and providers are arranged at campus level and may include school-run routes or contracted transport; if you indicate which campus I will summarise the exact bus availability, pickup areas and booking/contact details from the official site.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	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.	Fee details Application fees - Non‑refundable application fee: RMB 500 (payable with the application). Tuition fees — annual amounts and per‑term breakdown (by year group) - Preschool / Pre‑K: RMB 215,000 per year. Per term (annual ÷ 3, shown for billing reference only): RMB 71,667 per term. - Primary (Reception / Year 1–Year 4): RMB 276,000 per year. Per term (annual ÷ 3): RMB 92,000 per term. - Upper primary / Lower secondary (approx. Years 5–8): RMB 282,000–296,000 per year depending on programme/campus. Per term (annual ÷ 3): RMB 94,000–98,667 per term. - Secondary / High School (Years 9–12): RMB 289,000–303,000 per year depending on programme (IGCSE, IBDP, A‑level options). Per term (annual ÷ 3): RMB 96,333–101,000 per term. (Note: per‑term figures above are the annual fee divided by three to show a term-level amount where schools use three-term billing; actual billing periods and term counts may vary by campus.) Billing schedule and payment terms - Typical sequence: application fee at submission; seat/acceptance deposit on offer; remainder payable according to the school's invoice (annual, semester or term billing options are used at different times/campuses). Seat/placement deposits are normally credited against tuition once enrolment is confirmed. Boarding fees - SUIS operates as a day school; boarding is not provided. Other costs and incidental fees - Miscellaneous / materials / activities fees and lunch: examples reported include RMB 3,000–3,300 (periodic) and lunch charges around RMB 23–38 per day. Uniforms typically cost around RMB 1,000–2,300 depending on year group and items required. Optional school bus costs reported in the range RMB 600–20,000 per year depending on distance and routing. Book or refundable deposits (e.g., RMB 500) have been reported. Refund information - Application fees are reported as non‑refundable. Seat/placement deposits are often non‑refundable but are usually credited to prepaid tuition if the student enrols. Small deposits (for books) may be refundable on return or at withdrawal. Fee payment options - Common practice is payment by bank transfer in RMB; some campuses and agents also accept other arrangements. Specific accepted payment methods (credit card, online payment portals, currency options) were not clearly published in the sources reviewed. Summary of source coverage and limitations: the school's official site was not accessible during this review. The figures above are compiled from current third‑party and local school‑information reports; where only annual figures were published, a three‑term division was used to show per‑term amounts for billing reference. The school may apply campus‑ or programme‑specific rates, deposits and billing cycles; confirm exact billing wording in the formal offer and invoice.
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 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.	Curriculum details Shanghai United International School (SUIS) is a multi‑campus group in Shanghai organised into primary, middle and high school stages across several campuses. Primary provision (Early Years and Grades 1–5) at different SUIS sites uses internationally framed curricula—some campuses run the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) while others deliver the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) or the International Curriculum of England (ICE)—and Chinese‑language/local‑stream courses are also offered. Middle school (roughly Grades 6–9/10) is typically structured around Cambridge/IGCSE courses or an IB‑style middle programme at certain campuses, with continued language and Chinese studies. Upper secondary (Grades 11–12) across the SUIS network leads to externally examined, university‑entry qualifications including the IB Diploma Programme (DP), A Levels, Advanced Placement (AP) and the British Columbia (Canada) curriculum, with IGCSE commonly used as a feeder pathway. Program availability and the exact year‑by‑year qualification routes vary by campus, so families should check the specific SUIS campus for its published pathway and authorized programmes.
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. 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.	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and campus selection — Contact the admissions office for the campus you prefer and confirm which curriculum and year levels that campus offers. SUIS operates multiple campuses (Hongqiao, Gubei, Pudong, Wanyuan, Shangyin, Jiaoke, Qingpu and others) and different campuses offer different pathways (e.g., UK National Curriculum, IGCSE, IBDP, AP/BC options), so confirm program availability and age ranges before you apply. Use the campus phone/email listed on SUIS directory pages to request the current admissions pack and key dates. 2. Complete and submit the application form and required documents — Fill the school's application form (online or PDF) and submit the standard documents: the student's passport, birth certificate, recent school reports/transcripts (usually the last 1–2 years), vaccination/health records, passport-sized photos, and any guardianship or visa/residence documents if required. Expect to pay a non‑refundable application fee at this stage; some campus guides list a small application fee and a separate non‑refundable seat/placement deposit if a place is offered. Keep certified translations ready for any non‑English/Chinese documents. 3. Admissions assessments and testing — Many applicants sit age‑appropriate placement assessments. For entry beyond Reception/Year 1 these commonly include English and mathematics; some campuses also test Chinese language for bilingual or Mandarin‑track placement. Prepare your child by ensuring recent school records and, where possible, practicing short reading or math assessments — the school uses results to determine the correct class and any required support. 4. Interviews and meetings — After assessments, the school usually schedules an interview with the family and/or a short interview or sample lesson for the student. Parents should be ready to discuss the child's prior schooling, language exposure, medical or learning‑support needs, and relocation timeline; bring originals of any credentials referenced in the application. Ask during the interview about pastoral care, English‑as‑an‑additional‑language (EAL) support, and special‑needs arrangements if relevant. 5. Offer letter and seat reservation — If a place is offered, SUIS campuses typically issue a formal offer/acceptance letter that lists the fees due to reserve the place (often a seat deposit) and the deadline for accepting the offer. Many school listings note the seat deposit is non‑refundable but is usually credited against first‑term or first‑year tuition once the student enrolls; confirm the exact refund/transfer policy with the campus. Pay attention to the deadline in the offer — late payment can result in the place being released. 6. Final enrolment and fee schedule — After accepting the offer and paying the deposit you will complete enrollment paperwork, select optional services (school bus, meals), and be given the full fee schedule and payment deadlines (annual/termly options vary by campus). Published fee summaries and local school directories indicate annual tuition bands rather than a single citywide figure, so ask the campus for the current, grade‑specific tuition and one‑time fees (capital levy, resource fees, uniforms, insurance, exam fees). Keep receipts and check refund conditions for any refundable deposits. 7. Orientation and first term — The school will provide an orientation plan and start‑of‑term information (uniforms, timetables, transport routes). Note that popular grades and some pathways have limited places and campuses may only open a small number of transfer or mid‑year seats; if you have a hard deadline for arrival, tell admissions early so they can advise on availability or waiting options. If any element of the offer (fees, start date, required documents) is unclear, request written confirmation before travel.
Scholarships	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.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	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.	Waitlist SUIS does not publish a single, central waitlist procedure on public listings; management of places appears to be handled at the campus level. Several campus notices and local listings indicate that some year groups have limited places and that campuses sometimes hold places for transfer or later admissions, which suggests they may keep internal waiting lists or hold back a small number of conditional places for mid‑year intake. If a grade is full you should ask the specific campus admissions office whether they run an active waitlist, how they prioritise families (date of application, assessment results, siblings, residency status), and whether a seat deposit is required to hold a place if one becomes available. For immediate clarity, contact the campus admissions email/phone shown on SUIS directory entries.
	View full profile →	View full profile →