Shanghai High School International Division vs Shanghai Livingston American School

	S Shanghai High School International Division Shanghai, China	S Shanghai Livingston American School Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 140,000 - 156,000	Fees / year RMB 133,825 - 221,823
Age range	Age range 6 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 17 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), IB (DP), Australian Curriculum, Australian Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Pupils	Pupils 3,500	Pupils 480
Typical class size	Typical class size 25	Typical class size 15
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1993	Opened 2003
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The Xuhui (Puxi) campus is located beside Shanghai Botanical Garden at No. 989 Baise Road / 400 Shangzhong Road in the southwest of central Shanghai; the site address is listed on the school website. SHSID operates three additional campuses in Pudong (Zhangjiang, Lingang, Hongkou) and is developing a Fengxian campus; each campus sits in a different neighbourhood with its own local transport links. The main Xuhui/Puxi campus is described as park-like and forested and is the largest high-school campus in Shanghai.	Location SLAS is in Changning District at 580 Ganxi Road, a central area with many international residents; the campus was chosen for its proximity to expatriate neighbourhoods. Public transport and taxis are commonly used to reach the school; the school provides a door-to-door bus service for students (see Transportation).
Stages	Stages SHSID runs a continuous Grades 1–12 international programme across its campus network (primary, middle and high school). Individual campuses serve different year ranges (for example Xuhui/Puxi offers G1–12 while Zhangjiang, Lingang and Hongkou serve primarily primary and lower-middle grades). Grade allocations and new campus openings are listed on the school's admissions pages.	Stages The school runs an Early Years program and Primary (elementary) years, plus Middle School and High School (Grades 9–12), with year-group pages and handbooks for each division. Admissions and placement testing determine entry level for newcomers.
School type	School type SHSID is a co-educational international division of Shanghai High School that delivers international curricula (IB, AP, A‑Level) for Grades 1–12. It is primarily a day school, although the school's materials and campus pages note boarding/accommodation arrangements for certain campuses or grade levels (for example the Fengxian campus will include dormitory housing and school rules reference boarding students). For precise boarding availability by year and campus, contact Admissions.	School type SLAS is a co-educational international school following an American-style curriculum and is WASC-accredited. It operates as a day school (no public boarding provision is listed).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school provides medical, counseling and psychological services through its Health & Wellness and clinic services, and describes a ‘smart campus' approach that supports individualized learning. The website highlights counseling/psychological services, on-site clinic facilities and systems for student support, but does not present a publicly detailed special‑education (SEN) policy on the site; parents with students who have identified additional learning needs should contact Admissions or the Student Affairs/Counseling office for current, specific arrangements.	Additional learning support The school runs English Language Development (ELD/ESL) programmes for students who are acquiring English, with placement testing and regular assessment; primary years also have a Learning Support/Resource class for targeted literacy support. For specifics about support plans or specialist services, contact the Guidance/Learning Support team.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation SHSID is the international division of Shanghai High School (a longstanding Shanghai/China school) and operates under that school structure; it is an international programme serving expatriate and other qualified students. The admissions information describes the school as enrolling qualified children of foreign personnel while remaining part of Shanghai High School.	Country affiliation SLAS operates as an American international school (American curriculum orientation) rather than being affiliated with a national government or church.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school materials and mission statements do not identify any religious affiliation; SHSID presents itself as a non‑religious, secular international school.	Religious affiliation The school does not state any religious affiliation on its public pages; its mission and core values present a secular international school profile.
School day structure	School day structure For the Xuhui (main) campus the published school hours are 08:15–15:50 Monday–Thursday and 08:15–14:10 on Friday, with a lunch break typically 12:10–13:10; shuttle buses depart after school (times published by campus). The academic year is organised in two semesters (first semester ~ Sept–Feb; second semester ~ Feb–Aug) and detailed daily times can vary slightly by campus.	School day structure The website presents division-specific handbooks and calendars but does not publish a single, clearly listed daily start/end time for all students; start and finish times (and break/lunch arrangements) are normally set by division and are provided in student handbooks or on admission. Please check the relevant student handbook or ask Admissions for the exact times for your child's year group.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school operates an organised school‑bus service with fixed stops and published route lists for each campus; the current year bus‑stop PDFs and route lists are posted on the School Bus Stops page. Admission guidance includes the straight‑line distance limits used for service eligibility (for example Xuhui within ~13 km, other campuses have shorter ranges) and the site directs parents to the published bus‑stop lists for details. For route, cost and pickup/dropoff questions, contact the School Bus Office or Admissions.	Bus service details SLAS operates a door-to-door school bus service for students living in Shanghai; the school publishes semester fees (e.g., RMB 9,000 within 15 km; RMB 9,300 over 15 km), a list of numbered routes and the bus office contact. The school notes it is not obliged to offer service outside existing routes, and parents register via the school's bus registration form. For route-specific enquiries contact the Transport office.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - Non-refundable application fee: RMB 1,000 (payable at the school after documentation is approved). Tuition fees (per semester and per academic year) - Primary School (Grades 1–5): RMB 70,000 per semester (RMB 140,000 per year). - Middle School (Grades 6–8): RMB 75,000 per semester (RMB 150,000 per year). - High School (Grades 9–12): RMB 78,000 per semester (RMB 156,000 per year). Other recurring fees - Shuttle bus (where provided): RMB 5,500 per semester for Xuhui, Zhangjiang and Hongkou campuses; Lingang currently not charged; Fengxian currently does not provide school buses. - Miscellaneous fee: RMB 600 per semester. Billing schedule and payment terms - The academic year is divided into two semesters; tuition and semester fees are charged on a per-semester basis. All fees must be paid in one lump sum by the due date stated on the school's invoice. The school requires that fees or a copy of the bank voucher be received before the student reports to school and receives textbooks; unpaid fees may jeopardize the student's place. The tuition fee is explicitly non-refundable. Boarding fees - The International Division operates as a day school; boarding facilities/boarding fees are not applicable. Any other costs - The school's published fee page lists the items above. No separate uniform, textbook or exam fee line-items appear on the school's official fee page; parents should anticipate additional optional costs (uniforms, lunches, optional activities, external exam fees) although these are not itemised in the published semester fee schedule. The published miscellaneous fee is RMB 600 per semester. Refund information - Application fee (RMB 1,000) is non-refundable. The school's fee policy states the tuition fee is non-refundable. Fee payment options - Online payment via ICBC web portal or ICBC mobile app; UnionPay cards accepted for online payment. - Bank transfer (RMB and USD accepted) to the school's ICBC accounts (RMB and USD deposit account numbers and SWIFT code provided by the school). - RMB cash accepted at the appointed ICBC branch (receipt forwarding required for invoice issuance). - When paying by bank transfer, forward a copy of the bank receipt with the student's name to the Finance/Accounting Office for confirmation (email address provided by the school).	Fee details Application fee - Application Fee: RMB 2,200 (non‑refundable). Tuition fees (2025–2026) — annual and per‑term (school year organized in three trimesters) Note: SLAS charges tuition as annual amounts; all fees are payable in advance for each term. The school calendar shows the academic year divided into three trimesters; therefore the per‑term figures below are the annual fee divided by three. Annual and per‑term figures are shown in RMB. - Nursery / Pre‑School / Pre‑Kindergarten - Annual: RMB 133,825 - Per term (133,825 ÷ 3): RMB 44,608.33. - Kindergarten - Annual: RMB 163,350 - Per term (163,350 ÷ 3): RMB 54,450.00. - Elementary School (Grade 1–5) - Annual: RMB 202,860 - Per term (202,860 ÷ 3): RMB 67,620.00. - Middle School (Grade 6–8) - Annual: RMB 214,990 - Per term (214,990 ÷ 3): RMB 71,663.33. - High School (Grade 9–12) - Annual: RMB 221,823 - Per term (221,823 ÷ 3): RMB 73,941.00. Required supplemental and recurring fees - Capital Fee (one‑time, mandatory per child): RMB 8,000. Refund only if written withdrawal is received before the first day of classes; no refund once the semester has begun. - Technology Fee (annual, Grades K–12): RMB 2,000 per child. - School Bus (door‑to‑door) — charged per semester: - Within 15 km: RMB 9,000 per student per semester. - Over 15 km: RMB 9,300 per student per semester. - School Lunch (prepaid daily): RMB 35 per day (covers lunch and snacks as described by the school). - Other miscellaneous charges may apply (examples listed by the school include SAT testing fees, MAP testing fees, uniforms for performances/activities and house T‑shirts). Some miscellaneous items are specifically listed as non‑refundable in the school refund policy. Billing schedule and payment terms - All fees are to be paid in advance for each term. Any new student enrolling mid‑semester must pay in full for the current month upon enrollment. All fees must be paid on or before the first day of term; students may not attend if fees are unpaid. SLAS reserves the right to change fees without prior notice. Boarding fees - Boarding: SLAS operates as a day school; no boarding program or boarding fees are listed. Tuition is presented as "full day" and transportation services are provided by the school. Other costs and uniform - School Uniform: A uniform policy and downloadable uniform catalogue are provided; the school indicates parents are responsible for purchasing required uniform pieces. The website provides a uniform catalogue and dress code but does not list fixed uniform prices on the public page. Uniform items and performance/activity‑specific uniform pieces are referenced. - Additional likely costs (examples identified by the school): extracurricular activity fees, performance uniforms, testing fees (MAP/SAT), textbooks or replacement costs for lost/damaged items, and any charges related to extracurricular trips or house events. Some of these items are explicitly non‑refundable if incurred. Refund information (key points) - Tuition refunds: - Withdrawals made in writing by August 1 (before Fall semester) or December 1 (before Spring semester) are eligible for a 100% tuition refund. - Written notification received after those dates but before the beginning of classes: 90% tuition refund. - No refund for the currently enrolled semester once classes begin, except in limited circumstances (e.g., if the school requests a student to leave for behavior/academic reasons the Committee may approve a prorated refund). The student's issued fapiao for refunded tuition must be returned to the school. - Capital fee refund: only if withdrawal is received in writing before the first day of classes; no refund once the semester begins. - Transportation refund: written notification two (2) weeks prior to the start of the semester is required for a refund; no refund once the semester has begun. Lunch refunds require one (1) week's written notice and will be prorated. Certain fees (Registration Fee, Seat Guarantee Fee, MAPS Testing Fee and similar) are specifically listed as non‑refundable. Outstanding financial obligations are deducted from any refund. Fee payment options and bank details - Accepted payment methods: bank transfer, RMB or USD check, or cash. If paying by bank transfer, forward a copy of the bank remittance with the student's name and grade. If paying in USD, the exchange rate is calculated at the current bank exchange rate used by the school. All fees must be paid on or before the first day of term. - School bank account information (as provided for payments in RMB or USD): - Bank Name: Fubon Bank Shanghai Hong Qiao Sub‑Branch. - RMB Account Number: 50100001100004085. - USD Account Number: 50100001200004087. - SWIFT: FSBCCNSH. - Payment remark: Student's English name and grade level. If you require these figures presented in another currency, or need them formatted differently for a database, the numeric values above are the school's published amounts in RMB for the 2025–2026 school year.
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 SHSID delivers an American‑based curriculum across Grades 1–12 with roughly 800 compulsory and optional courses and multiple course levels (standard through honors plus) to match student ability. Primary School (Grades 1–5) follows a US‑based programme covering English, mathematics, Chinese, science, social studies, PE, music, art and IT; each class has a Chinese and a native English homeroom teacher and levelled language instruction. Middle School (Grades 6–8) continues the American programme with more specialized subjects (history, geography, physical and life sciences), creative/innovation courses and a Grade‑8 Service Learning graduation requirement. In High School students choose senior pathways: the IB Diploma Programme (open to Grades 11–12), an AP programme (about 20+ AP courses; open to Grades 10–12 with application windows), and AS/A‑Level options (AQA), alongside the US high‑school curriculum. Students have individualized timetables and access to core, elective, interdisciplinary innovation/practice courses and year‑long projects (PBL/Academy/Senior Projects) across STEM, humanities, arts and languages.	Curriculum details Shanghai Livingston American School follows an American-style curriculum from Early Years through Grade 12 and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The Early Years Program emphasizes inquiry, discovery and social‑emotional foundations, while Primary (Pre‑K–Grade 5) focuses on reading, writing, science and Common Core–aligned mathematics (Go Math/HMH). Middle School (Grades 6–8) continues the four core areas (English language arts, math, science, social studies) and adds electives and interdisciplinary units to prepare students for secondary study. High School (Grades 9–12) is organized as a U.S. college‑preparatory program offering core subjects, world languages, arts, technology and PE, with Advanced Placement (AP) course options (for example AP Calculus, AP Psychology, AP World History) and support for AP/SAT/ACT testing. SLAS issues formal high‑school credentials — the LAS Diploma (27 credits) and an Advanced Studies Diploma (30 credits) — and operates as an official ACT test site; transcripts and AP experience are used for university admission.
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. Confirm eligibility and start an online application. SHSID's stated enrollment policy is for "qualified children of foreign personnel in Shanghai," explicitly including students from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan; confirm your child's eligibility before you begin. Register in the school's online admissions system (link shown on the Admissions > Application Procedures pages) and keep the registration email/password you create — the system account and the registered email are used for all further notices. 2. Book an on-site appointment and prepare original documents plus photocopies. After online registration you must use the admissions system to choose and print an appointment letter and bring it to the Xuhui campus (parents applying to Lingang or Hongkou are asked to submit documents at Xuhui for initial checks). The school requires original and photocopied versions of identity documents, proof of Shanghai employment or employer documents, proof of Shanghai residence (ownership or lease), birth certificate, marriage certificate (as applicable), two years of previous academic records (except Grade 1), and a school certificate from the student's previous school. 3. Pay the non-refundable application fee after the document check. The admissions pages state the non‑refundable application fee is RMB 1,000 and is paid on site once the documents are approved; the receipt/confirmation from that payment is part of completing the application stage. Keep the payment proof and note that the application fee is valid only for the semester to which you applied. 4. Attend the entrance activity (assessment) on the confirmed date. The school's assessment covers written and oral components in English, Chinese and Mathematics for most grades; applicants to Grade 10 and above also sit Physics and Chemistry. The exam format and level vary by grade, so arrive prepared with the materials and arrival time specified on your appointment confirmation. 5. If offered a place, complete enrolment interview and paperwork at school. The offer/next steps include a meeting with the principal or director (to confirm course level and programme placement), completion of school forms and receipt of an Admission Letter. At that time you will be required to pay tuition, any applicable school bus and miscellaneous fees to secure the seat. 6. Understand fees and payment rules before you commit. SHSID publishes per‑semester tuition (current page dated Sep 1, 2025): Primary (Grades 1–5) RMB 70,000/semester; Middle (Grades 6–8) RMB 75,000/semester; High (Grades 9–12) RMB 78,000/semester. The school lists shuttle bus fees (most campuses RMB 5,500/semester where applicable), a miscellaneous fee (RMB 600/semester), accepted payment channels (ICBC online platform, RMB cash/cards at the Accounting Office, bank transfer — and the finance contact email), and the policy that tuition is generally non‑refundable and that all fees must be paid by the due date to guarantee a seat. 7. Practical notes and follow‑up. Recommendation letters are optional and can be sent directly to the Admissions Office email addresses shown on the website; the admissions system requires a mainland mobile number for SMS notifications, so provide a China phone number if possible. If you have special circumstances (visa timing, late arrival, sibling registration, or questions about campus assignment) contact the admissions office directly — phone and campus‑specific emails are published on the Admissions/Contact pages.	Admissions 1. Check whether your child meets the school's age/grade cut‑off before you apply. SLAS publishes grade cut‑off dates for each school year (for example the Age Requirement table for 2025–2026 lists exact birth‑date ranges for Nursery through Grade 12); use that table to confirm the correct grade and to avoid later re‑placement. If your child has not completed a full year in a grade by the fall entrance date, SLAS may require re‑enrollment in the same grade. 2. Complete the official application form and collect required documents. SLAS requires a completed, signed application form plus a completed medical form and vaccination record, recent academic records (varies by division), a sealed recommendation letter (teacher for elementary; administrator for middle/high), two passport photos, and photocopies of student and parents' passports and visas. The school states incomplete application forms or missing documents will delay or prevent consideration, so assemble everything before submission. 3. Pay the non‑refundable application fee and submit the file. The application fee is RMB 2,200 and must be paid and received before the Admissions Committee will evaluate the application; SLAS will not refund this fee whether or not the student is accepted. The application pages and bank information on the website give instructions for bank transfer and for emailing completed files to the Admissions Office. If you plan to pay by transfer, include the student's English name and grade as the transfer remark to help the office match the payment. 4. Expect assessment or testing where required. SLAS may require admissions testing for any applicant; when campus testing is not possible the family is responsible for arranging impartial testing at the student's present school. ESL/ELD testing is commonly administered for grades 1–8 and will determine placement in the regular program, the school's ELD program, or advise seeking intensive English elsewhere until passing. Tests are not shared in advance and the school controls how results are released. 5. Provide confidential references if requested and keep contact details current. The school may require confidential letters of reference prior to a final decision; it is the family's responsibility to ensure reference forms are returned in a timely and sealed/confidential manner. SLAS will contact families by phone, fax or email for testing or additional information, so make sure the Admissions Office has accurate contact details. 6. Admissions review, priority and rolling decisions. SLAS operates rolling admissions and reviews complete application files throughout the year; however final placements are governed by Board policy that establishes admission priority categories and wait‑list standing (a student's position can change if higher‑priority applicants apply). If a grade is full, qualified applicants may be placed on a wait list or otherwise handled according to the school's priority policy. For status checks or timeline questions contact the Admissions Office directly. 7. If offered a place, follow the written acceptance steps and pay required fees to confirm enrollment. Official acceptance letters include start dates and class assignments; families must complete the enrollment/fee steps by the deadlines in that letter. Required one‑time and annual fees (capital fee, technology fee, annual tuition by grade) are detailed on the Tuition Fees page — note that some fees (for example the capital fee) are refundable only before term start and others are non‑refundable. Keep copies of any payment receipts or fapiao required for refunds. 8. Arrange ancillary services and confirm start‑of‑term logistics. If you need bus service, school lunch, or other services, add them during enrollment — the site lists bus semester costs and the daily lunch charge. SLAS requires that term fees be paid on or before the first day of term and states students may not attend if fees are unpaid. If you need special arrangements (late arrival, testing accommodations), notify Admissions in advance.
Scholarships	Scholarships SHSID's publicly available Admissions and School pages do not describe routine entrance scholarships or a standard financial‑aid programme for new international‑division students. The website does reference the Shanghai High School Education Development Foundation (the school's development/foundation body), but there is no published scholarship application process, eligibility criteria, or amounts on the international‑division admissions pages. If you are seeking fee support or scholarships, contact two places directly: the Admissions Office (to ask whether any school scholarships or fee concessions are available for the intake you are applying to) and the school foundation/finance office (to ask whether any bursaries, donor‑funded awards or special programmes exist). Use the finance email (finance@shsid.org) and the admissions emails listed on the site for the fastest clarification.	Scholarships SLAS operates a scholarship and financial awards program intended to help bridge the gap between full tuition costs and what a family can pay. The school states it awards scholarships for a range of areas including academic achievement, community service, artistic and musical ability, English language excellence, and athletics, and that decisions consider both the student's abilities and the family's financial need. The Financial Awards page describes a flexible payment plan and an active awards program but does not publish standard award amounts or a public application form; families interested in financial assistance should contact the Admissions or Finance Office to request the application process, deadlines, documentation required (income/need documentation, supporting materials), and timelines. SLAS recommends discussing financial aid options with Admissions so the school can explain available awards and required steps.
Waitlist	Waitlist SHSID's public admissions pages do not publish a formal, public waitlist or “pool” policy. The website describes the application steps, the entrance activity and the documentation required, and it also cautions that admission is competitive; however, there is no public page that explains an automatic waitlist procedure or the criteria and order by which waiting applicants would be offered places. If you need current, grade‑specific seat availability or to ask whether your child can be placed on an internal waiting list, contact the Admissions Office (the school lists campus phone numbers and specific admissions emails on its Contact page) — that is the only way to get up‑to‑date information about vacancy handling or wait‑list practice.	Waitlist SLAS uses rolling admissions and maintains wait lists governed by the school's Board policy and its priority system. The website states that admission is subject to a priority order set by the Board and that a student's position on wait lists can change if applicants with higher priority apply; SLAS also references seat guarantees (a seat‑guarantee fee is listed as non‑refundable in the refund policy). The school does not publish a public, detailed ranking of priority categories on the site; for specifics (how priority is assigned, whether siblings, staff or returning students receive priority, or how seat guarantees work in practice) the Admissions Office should be contacted directly. If a grade is full, qualified applicants will be placed on the wait list and offered enrollment as spaces become available under the established priority rules.
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