Shanghai Singapore International School vs Wellington College International Shanghai

	S Shanghai Singapore International School Shanghai, China	W Wellington College International Shanghai Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 130,000 - 300,000	Fees / year RMB 292,400 - 391,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Singapore Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme)	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 1,400	Pupils 1,600
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 19
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 1996	Opened 2014
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	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.	Location Wellington College International Shanghai is in the Qiantan International Business District, Pudong New District (No.1500 Yao Long Road; campus main gate listed as No.100 Hai Yang Xi Road). The school also operates a separate Early Years Centre (No.195 Tongwan Road). The nearest metro is Oriental Sports Center (Lines 6, 8 and 11 — exit 4 is the recommended exit and involves a short walk via Yaoti/Yaolong roads).
Stages	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).	Stages The school runs an Early Years Centre for children aged c.2–5 (Pre‑Nursery, Nursery, Reception), a Primary/Prep phase and a Secondary phase up to Year 13. Years 10–11 follow IGCSE programmes and Years 12–13 study the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP); the school's published age range is from the Early Years through to graduation around age 18.
School type	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.	School type Wellington Shanghai is a co‑educational private international day school offering a bilingual (English–Mandarin) curriculum and is part of the Wellington College Education (China) group, linked to Wellington College in the UK. The Shanghai campus does not operate a boarding programme (students must reside in Shanghai with a parent).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	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.	Additional learning support The school has a Learning Support department that provides bespoke support for pupils with learning difficulties, working with class teachers, families and — where needed — external specialists. Support is planned, reviewed regularly and sits alongside the school's pastoral and wellbeing provision.
Country affiliation	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.	Country affiliation The campus is affiliated with Wellington College (the founding school in the UK) and is part of the Wellington College Education (China) network — it is an independent international school rather than a government/state school.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is stated on the school website (SSIS presents itself as an international, secular K–12 school).	Religious affiliation The Shanghai campus does not present itself as a faith school on its website. (For context, the original Wellington College in the UK has historical Church of England roots, but the Shanghai campus does not advertise a religious designation.)
School day structure	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.	School day structure The school notes that every school day begins with a pastoral session; break and lunch arrangements and exact school start/end times vary by year group. Detailed daily timetables and term‑specific schedules are published to parents via the school calendar/parent portal — contact Admissions or consult the calendar/parent resources for the precise times for the year group you are considering.
Bus service details	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.	Bus service details Wellington provides an optional daily school‑bus service operated with a licensed third‑party transport company; routes cover many pick‑up points (the school cites more than 130 in Puxi and 70 in Pudong) and each bus is staffed by a bus monitor responsible for pupils on the journey. Parents register via the EDU365 bus platform; the school publishes a general annual bus fee and a separate Welly Line (local) route and fee schedule (the website shows the Welly Line fee and the standard annual fee with termly breakdowns).
Fees	Fees
Fee details	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.	Fee details Application fees - Application fee: RMB 3,500 (non-refundable; payable when the application is submitted). Tuition fees (annual and term amounts by year group) - Pre‑Nursery / Nursery / Reception: Annual RMB 292,400 — Michaelmas RMB 122,808; Lent RMB 92,106; Summer RMB 92,106. - Years 1–5: Annual RMB 324,600 — Michaelmas RMB 136,332; Lent RMB 102,249; Summer RMB 102,249. - Year 6: Annual RMB 341,800 — Michaelmas RMB 143,556; Lent RMB 107,667; Summer RMB 107,667. - Years 7–9: Annual RMB 356,700 — Michaelmas RMB 149,814; Lent RMB 112,361; Summer RMB 112,361. - Years 10–11: Annual RMB 380,300 — Michaelmas RMB 159,726; Lent RMB 119,795; Summer RMB 119,795. - Years 12–13: Annual RMB 391,000 — no termly payment option. Billing schedule and payment terms - Fees are published per term; a full term's fees are payable for any term in which the student attends (even if only part of the term). Years 12–13 are not available for termly payment. Boarding fees - The school does not offer a boarding service. All students must live in Shanghai with at least one parent. Other costs - Resource (acceptance) fee: RMB 18,000 (payable on acceptance; held against College property and refunded after return of property less any deductions). - Lunches: charged separately by the catering provider; parents pay the lunch provider directly (annual, termly or top-ups). - Bus service: Standard annual bus RMB 22,050 (termly Michaelmas RMB 9,261; Lent RMB 6,946; Summer RMB 6,946). Welly Line annual bus RMB 14,700 (termly Michaelmas RMB 6,174; Lent RMB 4,631; Summer RMB 4,631). Bus fees are generally non‑refundable once the service has commenced. - Uniform: approximately RMB 3,700 for a full set (items may be purchased separately). - Individual instrumental music tuition, voluntary trips and certain activities are charged separately. Sibling discount: families with three or more children enrolled receive 5% per child. Refund and withdrawal information - The resource fee is refundable after return of College property and deduction for damage or outstanding fees; official receipt/fapiao requirements apply for refunds. If withdrawing, parents must give one full term's written notice or pay one full term's fees in lieu of notice (dates and procedures are specified by the College). Bus fees are generally not refundable once service has started. Fee payment options - Payment accepted by bank transfer or cheque in RMB or USD; cash only in RMB. When paying by bank transfer in foreign currency, the amount received on arrival is used (Bank of China rate applies); remittance advice with pupil name and year group must be submitted to the finance office. Official tax receipts (fapiao) are issued for tuition payments; other service providers issue their own receipts.
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 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.	Curriculum details Wellington College International Shanghai delivers a bilingual (English–Mandarin) curriculum across Early Years, Primary and Secondary stages, integrating Mandarin as a core subject and offering a Dual Language Pathway. The Early Years Centre (Pre‑Nursery, Nursery, Reception; ages 2–5) follows a bespoke programme linked to the UK Early Years Foundation Stage with play‑based and inquiry approaches. The Primary School (Years 1–6) uses the English National Curriculum adapted for international learners, delivered through a concept‑based Programme of Inquiry and substantial Chinese language provision. The Secondary School serves ages 11–18 (Years 7–13): pupils study towards IGCSE qualifications in Years 10–11 (core English, mathematics, sciences plus options in humanities, languages, arts and PE). Sixth Form (Years 12–13) follows the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP); Mandarin study routes include IGCSE Mandarin in Years 10–11 and IB language options (ab initio, Chinese B, or Chinese A at SL/HL) in the Diploma years.
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. 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.	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and information-gathering. Contact the Wellington Admissions team (phone and email are published on the school site) or use the online enquiry/OpenApply link to request the Admissions booklet and the application checklist; parents should download and read the booklet and checklist so they know exactly which documents the school requires. 2. Complete the online application. Applications are submitted via the school's OpenApply portal; you will need to upload the documents listed on the published checklist (for example: passport/ID, recent school reports and any assessment records). There is a non‑refundable application fee (RMB 3,500) that must be paid for the application to be reviewed — make sure you attach all required files before submitting. 3. Assessment scheduling and format. After a completed application is received the school arranges an age‑appropriate Wellington admission assessment; assessments are usually held at the campus but can be arranged remotely if your child lives outside Shanghai. Parents should prepare for an assessment that looks at age‑appropriate literacy, numeracy and learning behaviours — the school notes assessment results are considered but are not the sole basis for decisions. 4. Admissions Committee review and decision timing. Applications (including assessment outcomes and submitted documents) are reviewed by the Admissions Committee; the school aims to notify applicants within five working days but warns that busier year groups may take longer. Keep in regular contact with your assigned admissions officer if you need a faster update or if you must meet any internal deadlines. 5. Offer, acceptance and deposits. If you receive an offer the school issues an offer letter; to secure the place parents must accept the College's terms and pay the stated resource fee (the site lists RMB 18,000) within the published acceptance window (the school's page specifies a five‑day deadline). Check the offer letter carefully for the exact payment deadline and the method (bank transfer instructions/terms will be on the letter). 6. Waiting pool / provisional placement (if no place is immediately available). If no places are available you may be placed in the school's waiting pool (the school uses the term “waiting pool” rather than a simple first‑come queue); placement into that pool only happens after a completed application, assessment and a recommendation by the Admissions Committee. The school emphasises that the waiting pool is managed by “best fit” (not strictly by application date) and that not all applicants in the pool will be offered a place. 7. Practical documents, timelines and re‑application. An application remains valid for one academic year (August–June); if you wish to apply for the following year you must submit a fresh application. Parents should also prepare routine documents (proofs of guardianship/residency, up‑to‑date school reports, immunisation/health records where required) in advance to avoid delaying assessment and review. 8. Fees, what they cover and when to review them. The school publishes a detailed fee schedule (the site's 2025–26 schedule lists annual and term breakdowns by year group) and states which items are included (most curriculum materials, basic co‑curricular activities and some trips) and which are excluded (school lunches, uniform, transport, individual music tuition and voluntary trips). Parents should download the full fee schedule from the school site and check the exact figure for their child's year group before accepting an offer. 9. Final enrolment steps and contact. After you accept an offer and complete payment, follow any onboarding instructions from Admissions (medical forms, start‑date confirmation, orientation details). If you have timing constraints (relocation dates, visa timing, sibling placements) communicate these early to your Admissions officer as published contact details are available on the school site.
Scholarships	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.	Scholarships Wellington Shanghai runs a Fellows & Scholars programme plus means‑tested bursaries. The Fellows Programme recognises pupils (years 10–13) for exceptional contribution in academics, the arts or sport and does not carry a monetary award; Fellows gain additional enrichment opportunities. The Scholars (scholarship) awards are merit‑based, limited in number, focused in Academics, Arts or Sport, carry a bespoke programme of study and may include a fee reduction (the school's communications and news posts reference scholarships that can provide either 50% or 100% reductions in tuition for successful applicants). Applicants for scholarship consideration are typically identified or nominated by subject/department leaders during the admissions process (the site notes there is no separate formal application for scholarship — nominations are reviewed by a scholarship committee). In addition, the College offers bursaries for families in financial need; bursaries are awarded annually after objective means testing and the level of support is limited, so families should contact Admissions for the specific process and timeline. For full details, eligibility criteria and current deadlines consult the school's Fellowship, Scholarship and Bursaries page and the scholarship announcements on the school site.
Waitlist	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.	Waitlist Wellington College International Shanghai operates a formal waiting pool (referred to on the site as a “waiting pool”). A child is placed into the waiting pool only after the application has been completed, the assessment has been carried out and the Admissions Committee has recommended placement. The school states that the waiting pool is managed by suitability/best fit rather than strictly by application order, and that families will be contacted if a place becomes available; it also warns that not all applicants in the pool will ultimately receive an offer.
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