Shanghai High School International Division vs Shanghai Singapore International School

	S Shanghai High School International Division Shanghai, China	S Shanghai Singapore International School Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 140,000 - 156,000	Fees / year RMB 130,000 - 300,000
Age range	Age range 6 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), IB (DP), Australian Curriculum, Australian Curriculum	Curriculum Singapore Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme)
Pupils	Pupils 3,500	Pupils 1,400
Typical class size	Typical class size 25	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 1993	Opened 1996
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 Campus address: 301 Zhujian Road, Minhang District, Shanghai (201106). The school is in Minhang, a residential/urban district of Shanghai; it's primarily reached by private car or by the SSIS school-bus network that serves many neighbourhoods around the city.
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 SSIS is a K–12 school with three main divisions: Preschool (Early Years), Primary School and Senior School. The senior pathway includes IGCSE preparation and the IB Diploma for upper secondary students (the school serves ages roughly 2–18).
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 SSIS is a co-educational day school for expatriate students (no boarding provision). Official IB listing notes gender as co-educational and boarding status as day.
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 Student Services team provides Academic Learning Support (personalised learning plans, small-group and one-to-one interventions and exam accommodations), English Language Acquisition support, and social–emotional counselling; the school describes collaborative, integrated support across divisions.
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 The school does not indicate a formal national or governmental affiliation. Its programmes explicitly include a Singapore curriculum pathway alongside Cambridge/IGCSE and the IB Diploma.
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 No religious affiliation is stated on the school website (SSIS presents itself as an international, secular K–12 school).
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 Published secondary sources list a typical school day of about 8:30 am to 3:30 pm for students; after-school activities run later (SSIS's ASP sessions and related bus runs extend to around 5:00 pm). Parents should confirm exact daily timings with admissions, as timetables can vary by division and year.
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 SSIS runs an optional, school-managed bus service in partnership with professional bus companies. The fleet is described as more than 70 buses equipped with CCTV, GPS tracking and first-aid supplies; each bus has a trained monitor. Routes cover roughly 300 neighbourhoods across 11 Shanghai districts, and SSIS provides free ASP (after-school programme) drop-offs to a set of locations. For route maps, schedules and booking you should consult the school's bus pages or contact Admissions.
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 & Matriculation Fees - Application Fee: RMB 2,500 (non‑refundable, non‑transferable). - Matriculation Fee (enrolment/entry fee): RMB 20,000 (non‑refundable, non‑transferable). Annual Tuition (by year group) — Academic Year 2025/2026 - Toddler / Pre‑N (Half day): RMB 130,000 per year. - Pre‑Nursery to Kindergarten 2: RMB 200,000 per year. - Grade 1 to Grade 6 (Primary): RMB 260,000 per year. - Grade 7 to Grade 8 (Lower Secondary): RMB 280,000 per year. - Grade 9 to Grade 10 (IGCSE): RMB 290,000 per year. - Grade 11 to Grade 12 (IB Diploma): RMB 300,000 per year. Per‑term (Trimester) amounts - The school offers an annual or termly (trimester) payment option; per‑term figures below are one‑third of the annual tuition (rounded). This per‑term breakdown is an arithmetic division based on the school's stated trimester payment option. - Toddler / Pre‑N: approx. RMB 43,333 per term. - Pre‑N to K2: approx. RMB 66,667 per term. - Grade 1–6: approx. RMB 86,667 per term. - Grade 7–8: approx. RMB 93,333 per term. - Grade 9–10: approx. RMB 96,667 per term. - Grade 11–12: RMB 100,000 per term. Optional / Additional Fees - English Language Acquisition (ELA) Programme (Grade 1–6): RMB 25,000 per year (payable in full before service). - Transportation (regular bus service): RMB 18,500/year (below 5 km) or RMB 20,000/year (5 km and above). Refunds prorated per school day (less handling fee). - Paid After‑School Programmes (selected ASPs): RMB 1,400–3,800 per 8‑week session (paid ASPs are charged separately). - Uniforms: ordered through the school's contracted vendor; a complimentary uniform credit is offered to eligible early re‑enrolling students. Actual uniform costs are charged via the vendor. Billing schedule, payment terms & methods - Payment options: Annual (one‑time) or Termly (trimester) payments. Accepted currencies: RMB and USD. Methods: point‑of‑sale (credit/debit cards, local UnionPay for RMB), and bank transfer (email proof to invoice@ssis.asia). Exchange rate for overseas remittances follows the People's Bank of China central parity rate on the first working day of the month. - Discounts: 10% sibling discount; 10% corporate discount for companies paying for five or more children (not cumulative). - Late payments: RMB 300 per day up to 7 days; persistent non‑payment may lead to suspension and withholding of records. Boarding - SSIS operates as a day school; boarding facilities are not provided. Refunds & withdrawal - Matriculation fee and other non‑tuition fees are non‑refundable. - If a student does not attend any school days in a term, that term's tuition will be refunded in full; if a student attends any day in a term, that term's tuition is payable and non‑refundable. - Late withdrawal without 30 days' written notice: 10% of the annual tuition is charged in lieu of notice. Optional service refunds (transport, ASPs, ELA) follow the terms in the registration pack.
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 SSIS operates a K–12 pathway: Preschool (Pre‑Nursery–Kindergarten 2), Primary (Grades 1–6), Lower Secondary (Grades 7–8), a two‑year IGCSE course for Grades 9–10, and a two‑year IB Diploma for Grades 11–12. The Preschool programme aligns with Singapore's Nurturing Early Learners framework, and the Primary curriculum draws on Singapore Math and Science together with Cambridge Primary English. Lower Secondary follows the Cambridge Lower Secondary programme to prepare students for the IGCSE years, which in turn lead into the IB Diploma in Senior School. Chinese language and culture are taught across all stages with banded Advanced/Standard/Foundation classes from Grade 1, immersive culture lessons, and options to take Chinese at IGCSE and within the IB Diploma. The academic programme is complemented by structured co‑curricular activities (CCA/ASP) and specialist sports and arts offerings—examples include formal after‑school clubs as well as school programmes in golf and swimming.
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. Create an OpenApply account. SSIS requires every applicant to register an OpenApply account before submitting an application or signing up for an Open Morning; this account is how the school sends all application notifications. Parents should register on SSIS's OpenApply link and keep the account login details and email address current because the admissions team uses it for test schedules, invoices and final offers. 2. Complete and submit required documents via OpenApply. The school lists specific document sets depending on the applicant's family status (for example: expatriate families, Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan citizens, children born in foreign countries to Chinese citizens, and families with SHMEC approvals), and documents must be translated into English or Chinese by an authorised translation company. Bring original documents to the Admissions Office for verification on the day of the Admissions Assessment; common items include the SSIS Registration Kit, Code of Conduct (G1+), Confidential Recommendation (G1+), birth certificate, vaccination record, latest school report and parent residency/employment paperwork. Review the document checklist carefully because omissions will delay processing. 3. Pay the application fee (and note its timing and refund rule). After you submit documents you will receive a proforma invoice from SSIS Finance; the application fee must be paid at least five working days before the scheduled Admissions Assessment. The SSIS tuition-and-fees page lists the Application Fee for AY2025/2026 as 2,500 (amounts published by the school) and states the fee is non‑refundable and valid only for the applying school year — plan to submit payment promptly using the accepted methods (bank transfer or on‑site by card/cash). Keep the bank receipt or card payment confirmation; the admissions office will require proof on occasion. 4. Attend the Admissions Assessment. All applicants must complete an Admissions Assessment; once SSIS has a complete application they will contact you with the assessment date and details. Register for a test date through the Admissions Test page (the form asks for applicant name, passport, DOB, grade applied and preferred test date); parents should arrive on campus prepared to show originals and arrive early so the child can settle — the school provides test dates and registration instructions via OpenApply or the Admissions Test form. If your child requires language support or special arrangements, contact admissions in advance to discuss accommodations. 5. Receive outcome and pay the matriculation (registration) fee. Successful applicants receive an SSIS Admissions Notification; once you receive the notification you must pay the Matriculation Fee within five working days to confirm the place. For AY2025/2026 the Matriculation Fee is shown as 20,000 on the SSIS fees page and is described as non‑refundable and not applicable against tuition — budget for this payment and retain the confirmation for school records. 6. Complete enrolment payments and service selections. After place confirmation you will be invoiced for tuition and any optional services (examples published for AY2025/2026: annual tuition by grade, the ELA programme, and school bus fees). Tuition amounts published by SSIS for AY2025/2026 are shown on the school site by grade band (examples: Pre‑N to K2 ≈ 200,000; Grade 1–6 ≈ 260,000; Grade 11–12 ≈ 300,000) and the ELA programme (Grade 1–6) and bus fees are listed as separate charges — check the Registration Pack download for payment deadlines, instalment options and refund/withdrawal policies. Confirm preferred services (bus route, ELA enrolment) before the school start date because some services require full pre‑payment. 7. Practical notes and contact details. Keep copies of all submissions and receipts, and check OpenApply frequently for messages from SSIS during the process.
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 Historic scholarship programmes and current status: SSIS has run scholarship programmes in the past and published details in a school news update (posted April 23, 2020) that described three scholarship types — IBDP scholarships (two tiers: an ‘Excellence' award covering 100% of tuition and a ‘Merit' award covering 50% tuition for the two‑year IB Diploma intake) and Aesthetics and Athletics awards (each described as covering 50% tuition with annual renewal conditions). The 2020 news post also described an application process that included submission of papers, interview by a scholarship committee, specific eligibility by grade band and published deadlines for that year. Because the SSIS Scholarships page currently shows a placeholder message (“Stay tuned for more info on scholarships”), these published 2019/2020 details should be treated as historical and subject to change. For current scholarship availability, eligibility criteria, application forms and deadlines contact scholarships@ssis.asia or the Admissions Office — they can confirm whether the IBDP, Aesthetics or Athletics scholarships (or any other financial assistance) are being offered for the intake year you are applying to. Additionally, SSIS lists a School Services Request form that references a Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS); if you need need‑based support or formal financial‑assistance information, request the school's FAS documentation directly.
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 SSIS does not publish a public waitlist or central ‘pool' policy on its website pages for admissions; the admissions pages and the online admissions sections do not describe an open waiting-list procedure. Because many international schools manage places internally (for example holding offers, running year‑level capacity checks, or placing applicants ‘on hold' when classes are full) the most reliable way to learn current availability or whether you would be placed on a waitlist is to contact the Admissions Office directly (admission@ssis.asia, +86 21 6221 9288 or the enquiry form on the SSIS site). If you need a formal waitlist status for planning (work visas, housing, or timing) ask the admissions officer to confirm in writing whether a place is available or if your application will be held on a waiting list and what position or expected timeframe applies.
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