Shanghai United International School vs Suzhou Singapore International School

	S Shanghai United International School Shanghai, China	S Suzhou Singapore International School Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 215,000 - 303,000	Fees / year RMB 130,000 - 300,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Chinese Curriculum	Curriculum Singapore Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 3,500	Pupils 1,400
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Chinese	Instruction language English, Mandarin
Opened	Opened —	Opened 1996
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	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.	Location The URL you gave (ssis.asia) is the website for Shanghai Singapore International School (SSIS), not a Suzhou campus. SSIS's main campus is in Minhang District, Shanghai, with on-site directions and contact details on the site; it's reachable by road and is near established residential areas and transport links in southwestern Shanghai.
Stages	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.	Stages SSIS runs a continuous K–12 programme from Preschool (Pre‑Nursery/Kindergarten) through Primary (Grade 1–6) to Senior School (Grade 7–12). Senior School includes Cambridge Lower Secondary, IGCSE (Grades 9–10) and the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12).
School type	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.	School type SSIS is a co-educational international day school (K–12). The school does not advertise boarding facilities on its main site pages.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	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.	Additional learning support SSIS publishes an English Language Acquisition (ELA) programme for Primary students to support learners needing additional English instruction; the school also describes personalised learning approaches and school-based support but specific SEN caseload or detailed specialist services are described in admissions/downloadable registration materials. For specific individual needs it's best to contact the school's admissions or learning-support team.
Country affiliation	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.	Country affiliation The school is named Shanghai Singapore International School and references Singaporean education influences in its curriculum, but it operates as an international school in China rather than being a government school of Singapore.
Religious affiliation	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.	Religious affiliation SSIS does not list any religious affiliation on its public pages; it operates as a non-denominational international school.
School day structure	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.	School day structure The school's website describes standard K–12 timetabled days with breaks and a lunch period but does not publish a single fixed start/end time on the public overview pages; these times are typically provided to admitted families or in the registration pack. Contact admissions for exact daily timings for specific year groups.
Bus service details	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.	Bus service details SSIS offers a regular school bus service for families; the site lists a transportation email and notes an annual transport fee (with distance-based rates quoted in the tuition page). For route details, pickup points and booking deadlines the school asks parents to contact the transportation office directly. }
Fees	Fees
Fee details	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.	Fee details Application and Matriculation Fees - Application Fee: non-refundable, non-transferable — RMB 2,500. Payment is due within five working days of issuance. - Matriculation Fee: non-refundable, non-transferable — RMB 20,000. This fee cannot be applied to tuition. Tuition fees (annual and per-term amounts by year group) Note: the school offers either a single annual payment or termly (trimester) payments. Per-term figures below are calculated as the published annual fee divided by three (annual ÷ 3) to reflect the trimester payment option. This per-term breakdown is a calculated figure. - Toddler / Pre-N (Half Day) - Annual: RMB 130,000. - Approx. per term (annual ÷ 3): RMB 43,333. - Pre-Nursery to Kindergarten 2 - Annual: RMB 200,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 66,667. - Primary School (Grade 1 to Grade 6) - Annual: RMB 260,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 86,667. - Senior School (Grade 7 to Grade 8) - Annual: RMB 280,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 93,333. - Senior School (Grade 9 to Grade 10) - Annual: RMB 290,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 96,667. - Senior School (Grade 11 to Grade 12) - Annual: RMB 300,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 100,000. Optional / additional fees and typical ranges - English Language Acquisition (ELA) Programme (Grade 1–6 only): RMB 25,000 per academic year (payment required in full before service starts). - Transportation (regular school bus) per academic year: - Below 5 km: RMB 18,500 per year. - 5 km and above: RMB 20,000 per year. - The transportation fee must be paid in full before the school commencement date; refunds for transportation are pro‑rata per school day less a RMB 400 handling fee. - Paid After‑School Programmes (ASP): most ASPs are complimentary, but paid ASP sessions (8-week session) typically range RMB 1,400–3,800. Paid ASPs must be paid in full before the session; refund rules depend on timing and minimum enrolment. - External examination/test fees (IGCSE, IB, AP, SAT, HSK, Cambridge English, etc.) are not included in the tuition and will be charged separately when applicable. Daily school lunch is included in the tuition. - Uniforms: uniforms are ordered through the school's approved vendor; specific item prices are set by the vendor. The school offers an early‑re‑enrolment complimentary uniform credit for eligible returning students. The on‑site Sabres Store allows try‑ons. Billing schedule and payment terms - Payment frequency options: - Annual (one-time payment), or - Termly (trimester) payments. - Application Fee and Matriculation Fee: timing requirements — Application Fee due within five working days of issuance; Matriculation Fee payment after offer is normally required within five working days. - Late payment charge: RMB 300 per day applied to overdue tuition fees for up to 7 days; after this period the school may suspend the student, withhold reports/transcripts, or offer the place to applicants on the waitlist. Refund and withdrawal terms - Withdrawal notice: parents must submit written notice to the divisional principal at least 30 days before the student's last day of school; otherwise days will be counted as absence and may affect refunds. - Late Withdrawal Notice Surcharge: if less than 30 days' notice is given, 10% of the annual tuition fee is deemed payable in lieu of notice. - Full‑term non-attendance: if a student does not attend any school days in a term, that term's tuition will be refunded in full. Partial attendance: if the student attends any day in a term, the full term's tuition is payable and non‑refundable. Annual payment discounts will be forfeited if the student withdraws mid‑year. - Optional services refund examples: - Transportation: pro‑rata refund per school day (1/180 of annual fee) less RMB 400 handling fee. - ELA Programme: fees are non‑refundable and non‑transferable. - Paid ASPs: full refund if withdrawn before the ASP start; no refunds once the ASP has started (unless minimum numbers not met). - Matriculation fee and other specified non‑tuition fees are non‑refundable. Refunds are processed after the student's last day; overseas transaction fees for refunds are borne by parents and refunds are made to the original payer. A VAT e‑fapiao (tax receipt) will be issued upon payment confirmation. Boarding - No boarding fees are listed; the fees schedule and enrolment materials describe day services and optional transport but do not include boarding provisions. (No boarding programme/boarding fees are published.) Discounts and concessions - Sibling discount: 10% discount on the total annual tuition fee for families enrolling two or more siblings. - Corporate discount: 10% discount on the total annual tuition fee for companies enrolling and paying for five or more children of their employees. - Note: sibling and corporate discounts cannot be applied to the same student. Accepted currencies and payment methods - Accepted currencies: RMB and USD for payments. - Payment methods accepted: - Point‑of‑Sale (POS): credit or debit cards (local UnionPay cards accepted for RMB payments). - Bank transfer: payment to the school's designated bank account; email proof of payment with student full name and class to invoice@ssis.asia. The exchange rate for overseas remittances is based on the central parity rate set by the People's Bank of China on the first working day of each month; any exchange differences are borne by parents. Other practical notes on fees - Tuition covers textbooks/library use, online resources, basic stationery, school‑sponsored CCAs/complimentary ASP offerings, compulsory Shanghai learning trips (within the city), technology fees, and daily lunch for students. External exam fees, optional off‑Shanghai trips, specialist fee‑based services, and certain optional programmes are charged separately. - VAT e‑fapiao will be issued after payment; you may request specific details (student name, period of study) to be added to the fapiao. If you need any of the numeric figures presented above in another currency or as exact instalment amounts calculated to a specific rounding convention, indicate which currency and rounding you prefer and I will compute them directly.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Shanghai 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.	Curriculum details SSIS's Preschool (Early Years) is bilingual, aligns with Singapore's Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) framework and is organised around seven learning areas (Aesthetics; Discovery of the World; English literacy; Chinese; Motor skills; Numeracy; Social and emotional development). Primary School follows a Singapore‑based curriculum drawing on Singapore Math and Science with Cambridge Primary English and a three‑track Chinese Language and Culture programme (Basic, Singapore system‑based, Advanced integrating Singapore and Shanghai curricula). Senior School is divided into three stages: Grades 7–8 follow the Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme (CLSP) to prepare for IGCSE; Grades 9–10 take Cambridge IGCSE with four compulsory subjects (English, Chinese, Mathematics, Science) plus up to six option subjects designed to enable the Cambridge ICE group award. Grades 11–12 study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP); SSIS states that 100% of students undertake the IBDP, which comprises six subject groups and the DP core (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS). Across all stages the school supplements subject learning with STEAM, sports, arts and co‑curricular activities, Mandarin immersion and technology integration (ICT/Computer Science/Robotics), and uses ManageBac for home‑school communication and personalised learning records.
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. 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.	Admissions 1. Create an OpenApply account. Parents must register at SSIS's OpenApply portal before they can submit an application or sign up for open days; this account is the school's primary channel for application notifications and next-step instructions, so use a reliable email address you check regularly. (Make the account at https://ssis-sh.openapply.cn and keep the login details safe.) 2. Complete and submit application documents via OpenApply. All required documents must be uploaded to OpenApply and any non-English/Chinese documents must be translated by an authorised translation company; bring original documents to the Admissions Office for verification on the day of the Admissions Assessment. Required paperwork varies by nationality—examples include the SSIS Registration Kit, signed Code of Conduct and Confidential School Recommendation (for Grade 1+), the child's birth certificate and vaccination record, the family's passport pages, and Shanghai residence/permit or property/tenancy proof—so check the list that applies to your family and prepare certified copies before applying. 3. Pay the application fee (and follow payment timing). After you submit documents, SSIS issues a proforma invoice; the non-refundable application fee (RMB 2,500 for AY2025/2026) must be paid at least five working days before the Admissions Assessment date using bank transfer or on-site card/cash as instructed by SSIS Finance. Keep proof of payment and email any bank-transfer receipts to the school when requested—missing payment deadlines can delay or invalidate your booking for an assessment. 4. Attend the Admissions Assessment. All applicants are required to complete an Admissions Assessment; SSIS Admissions will contact you with the assessment schedule and details once they have a complete application. After the assessment SSIS will notify you of the outcome. 5. Complete the application by paying the matriculation fee and confirming enrolment. If your child is offered a place you are asked to pay the non-refundable matriculation fee (RMB 20,000 for AY2025/2026) within five working days to secure the place; tuition choices (annual or termly) and optional services (school bus, ELA programme at RMB 25,000/yr for Grades 1–6, paid ASPs) are detailed in the Registration Pack and on the Tuition & Fees page. Read the Registration Pack's payment schedule, discount rules (10% sibling or corporate discount conditions), and refund and late-payment policies carefully—late-payment penalties and enrolment consequences are explicitly stated.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	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.	Waitlist SSIS's published enrolment materials reference a waitlist: the Registration Pack and fee policy state that if a student is suspended or leaves for non-payment the school may “offer the student's seat to new applicants on the waitlist.” That language indicates SSIS maintains a pool of applicants it can draw on when places become available, but the website and Registration Pack do not publish a detailed public waitlist protocol (for example: ranking criteria, how long applicants remain on the list, or automatic expiry of a position). Therefore, if you want to know how the waitlist would apply to your child (how places are prioritised, expected waiting times, or whether acceptance requires immediate matriculation-fee payment), contact the Admissions Office directly (admission@ssis.asia / +86 21 6221 9288) for current practice and your applicant's position. Note: the statement about offering seats to waitlisted applicants appears in the school's refund/late-payment section and is the basis for the above summary; the rest is an informed inference because the school does not publish a full waitlist procedure.
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