Yew Wah International Education School of Shanghai Lingang vs YK Pao School
Yew Wah International Education School of Shanghai Lingang and YK Pao School are both in Shanghai. Both schools offer Chinese National and Cambridge IGCSE programmes. Yew Wah International Education School of Shanghai Lingang also offers Cambridge A Levels, and YK Pao School also offers IB. Published annual fees are RMB 170,000 - 180,000 at Yew Wah International Education School of Shanghai Lingang and RMB 168,000 - 216,000 at YK Pao School, which puts YK Pao School roughly 10% higher. Both take pupils from 6 to 18. Typical class sizes are 25 at Yew Wah International Education School of Shanghai Lingang and 7 at YK Pao School.
Chinese National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Curriculum
Chinese National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Pupils
Pupils
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Pupils
1,600
Typical class size
Typical class size
25
Typical class size
7
Instruction language
Instruction language
English, Mandarin
Instruction language
English, Mandarin
Opened
Opened
2015
Opened
2007
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Located in the Lin‑gang (Nanhui New Town) area of Pudong, Shanghai — address listed as No. 2 Yinlian (Yinlian) Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201306. The campus sits in the Lin‑gang Special Area near Dishui Lake and is reachable by local roads and regional shuttle/bus services serving the Lin‑gang zone; parents typically travel by car or taxi from central Pudong and nearby neighbourhoods.
Location
YK Pao School has three separate campuses in Shanghai: the Primary (20, Lane 1251 West Wuding Road, Changning District), the Middle (2206 Hongqiao Road, Changning District) and the High School (Thames Town, 1800, Lane 900 North Sanxin Road, Songjiang District). The Primary is in central Changning, the Middle campus is in the Hongqiao area (near Xijiao), and the High School sits in Thames Town (a residential area of Songjiang). Each campus has its own address and facilities — see the school site for maps and directions.
Stages
Stages
The Yew Wah Lingang campus runs a continuum of schooling linked to the Yew Wah/YCYW network: early years provision is available on the wider campus, and the YWIES Lingang programme serves primary and secondary year groups (commonly reported as Grades 1–12, with IGCSE and A‑level pathways in upper secondary).
Stages
The school runs a Year 1–12 programme split across the three campuses: Primary (Years 1–5), Middle (Years 6–8) and High School (Years 9–12). Age range is approximately 5 to 18 and the High School offers IGCSE (Year 10) and the IB Diploma (Years 11–12).
School type
School type
The school is co‑educational and offers both day places and boarding options for students (boarding and day arrangements are noted in school materials). Parents relocating from overseas can apply for either day or boarding depending on year group and availability.
School type
YK Pao is a co-educational, non-profit private international school founded by the YK Pao Education Foundation. The High School campus operates a boarding programme (the High School provides UK/US-style boarding for students), while the Primary and Middle campuses are day campuses.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
—
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school maintains a Learning Support function (job listings and school information describe a Head of Learning Support and Learning Support teachers) and issues Individual Learning Support Plans and assessment/accommodation arrangements for students with identified needs. Families should contact admissions to discuss specific needs and available adjustments.
Additional learning support
The school's public pages describe pastoral and counselling activity (for example, counsellor–parent coffee mornings) but do not publish a detailed Special Educational Needs / Additional Learning Needs policy on the public site. Prospective parents with specific SEN or additional‑needs questions are advised to contact Admissions directly so the school can explain available provisions and any assessment or placement arrangements.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
YWIES Shanghai Lingang is part of the Yew Chung Yew Wah (YCYW) education network, an organisation with historical links to Hong Kong that operates multiple campuses on the Chinese mainland and internationally.
Country affiliation
YK Pao School is based in the People's Republic of China and its bilingual programme integrates elements of the Chinese National Curriculum alongside international curricula (IGCSE/IB). It is a Chinese-founded international school rather than being formally affiliated to another country's education system.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school is non‑denominational; school materials and network information do not list a religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
The school does not state any religious affiliation on its public materials; it presents itself as a secular, non‑religious bilingual international school.
School day structure
School day structure
Published information for the campus indicates a typical school day finishes in the mid/late afternoon (sources report student dismissal around 4:30pm); the admissions/office hours are Monday–Friday during daytime office hours and boarding students have supervised care after school. Confirm exact daily timetable and start/finish times with admissions during enrolment.
School day structure
The school's website and admissions pages describe the curriculum and campus life but do not publish a single, campus‑wide daily start/finish timetable for public viewing. Timings (start, breaks and lunch) can vary by campus and year group, so the Admissions office can provide the exact daily timetable for the campus and year you are considering.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school offers a school‑bus service for students (routes and stop locations vary year to year). Local school listings and parent guides note that bus transport is available; parents should contact the school's admissions or transport office for current routes, pick‑up points, safety procedures and fees. } PMID: N/A.
Bus service details
According to the school's FAQs, YK Pao provides a daily school‑bus service for the Primary and Middle School campuses with pick‑up locations across Shanghai and a professional bus management team (drivers and bus monitors). The High School does not run a daily shuttle; it operates weekly buses to/from the city instead. For routes, stops, costs and safety arrangements contact the school's transport office or Admissions.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application / registration fees - Application or assessment fees are not published in the school's primary/secondary admissions brochure; no separate application fee amount is listed for primary or lower-secondary in the school's published admissions materials.
Tuition fees by year group (per term and per year) - Primary (Grades 1–5): Per semester — RMB 85,000; Per academic year (2 semesters) — RMB 170,000. - Lower secondary / Junior (Grades 6–9): Per semester — RMB 90,000; Per academic year (2 semesters) — RMB 180,000. - Upper secondary / High school (Grades 10–12): Per semester — RMB 89,000; Per academic year (2 semesters) — RMB 178,000.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Fees in the school's admissions materials are stated on a per-semester basis; parents should expect billing and invoicing to follow the semester cycle (amounts above are semester figures; annual totals equal two semesters).
Boarding (residence hall) fees - For primary and lower-secondary the admissions information gives a boarding fee ceiling of up to RMB 18,000 per semester. - For upper-secondary / high school the brochure lists boarding at RMB 14,000 per semester (the high-school brochure notes the boarding charge may be subject to final approval).
Other costs and typical additional charges - The school's published admissions materials do not itemize all ancillary charges; families should budget separately for items commonly charged in addition to tuition, including school lunches, uniforms, school-run transport, optional co-curricular activity fees, examination or assessment fees, and school trips. These items are generally not included in the tuition/boarding figures above.
Refunds and fee adjustments - A public, detailed refund policy or fee refund schedule is not set out in the school admissions brochures; refund terms and any government approvals affecting fees (for example, boarding fee approvals) are referenced as subject to official confirmation. Families should treat refunds or adjustments as governed by the school's enrolment/contract terms.
Fee payment options and contact for payment queries - The school's publicly available admissions materials do not list specific payment methods (such as card, bank transfer, or mobile payment) in the brochures. For billing, payment terms and accepted payment channels, contact the admissions office. Contact details are published on the school site.
Fee details
Application / registration fees - There is no registration or application fee to apply to YK Pao School. Enrollment requires submission of materials but no one‑time application charge is listed.
Tuition (per semester) and equivalent annual amount - Year 1–5 (Primary): Tuition RMB 84,000 per semester (annual equivalent if enrolled for two semesters: RMB 168,000). - Year 6–8 (Middle): Tuition RMB 95,000 per semester (annual equivalent: RMB 190,000). - Year 9 (High School - Year 9): Tuition RMB 95,000 per semester (annual equivalent: RMB 190,000). - Year 10–12 (High School): Tuition RMB 108,000 per semester (annual equivalent: RMB 216,000).
Boarding fees - Boarding is offered for students in Years 9–12. Boarding fees are published per semester and differ by year group: RMB 9,800 per semester (applies to Year 9 boarding) and RMB 13,800 per semester (applies to Years 10–12 boarding). Primary and lower‑middle year boarding is not offered.
Other required costs - Meals and school uniform fees are required in addition to tuition; specific amounts are not published on the public admissions pages. Additional costs (activity fees, trips, exam fees, optional programme charges or personal supplies) may be charged as required.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Fees are presented on a per‑semester basis; the school states fees are reviewed annually. Detailed invoice dates, payment deadlines, late‑payment penalties, and instalment plan options are not published on the public tuition/FAQ pages.
Refund information - No public, detailed refund or withdrawal refund schedule is posted on the school's tuition or admissions FAQ pages. Specific refund/cancellation terms are not available on the public site.
Fee payment options - The school's public admissions pages do not list accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, credit card, Alipay or WeChat Pay). Payment mechanisms and instructions are not published on the publicly accessible tuition/FAQ pages.
Note: several fee elements requested (detailed meal/uniform charges, exact invoicing dates and deadlines, refund/withdrawal schedule, and accepted payment methods) are not published on the school's public tuition or admissions FAQ pages; these items are handled administratively by the school and are not available in the publicly posted material.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Yew Wah International Education School of Shanghai Lingang delivers a bilingual, co‑taught programme organised into Primary (Grades 1–5), Lower Secondary (Grades 6–9) and Upper Secondary (senior years), as shown on its admissions and academics pages. The Primary programme explicitly integrates the Chinese national curriculum with project‑based bilingual teaching and regular subjects (Chinese, English, mathematics, music, PE, visual arts) plus specialist options such as compulsory early‑grade violin, string orchestra, drama and STEM. Lower Secondary continues the bilingual, collaborative Chinese/Western co‑teaching approach with interdisciplinary units and explicit preparation for international assessment pathways. Upper Secondary follows Cambridge Assessment pathways—students undertake IGCSE and Cambridge AS/A2 (A‑Level) examinations (the school publishes CAIE/IGCSE/AS/A2 results and runs IGCSE/A‑Level scholarship routes). In addition to these core qualifications, the school provides specialist art & design tracks, careers and university guidance, and networked online courses to broaden Upper Secondary subject choices.
Curriculum details
YK Pao operates a Year 1–12 bilingual programme based on the Chinese National Curriculum (CNC) and supplemented where needed by international syllabuses; Primary (Years 1–5) and Middle (Years 6–8) blend CNC with selected international standards, while High School follows an “International Plus” model. Primary (Years 1–5) delivers core subjects (Chinese, mathematics, English, Exploratory Units) plus specialist classes in music, visual arts, PE and ICT, with lessons deliberately allocated in both Chinese and English. Middle School (Years 6–8) builds on Shanghai/CNC standards in Chinese and maths and expands to four science areas, humanities (history, geography), computer science/programming, arts, drama, music and PHE, all taught bilingually. High School (Years 9–12) uses a Year 9 “Zhihui” bridge (mixing Shanghai curriculum and IGCSE preparation), leads to Cambridge IGCSE examinations (students complete a minimum set of IGCSEs) and then to the two‑year IB Diploma Programme with external IB examinations at the end of Year 12. The High School also maintains core Chinese studies (Chinese language & literature, Chinese history, geography and politics) and requires a school Zhong Kao assessment in Year 9 to confirm readiness for the International+ pathway.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
—
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Note — the URL you provided (https://www.ywies-sh.com) is the YWIES Shanghai Gubei campus; below I've prepared information for the Shanghai Lingang campus (official Lingang site and admissions brief).
1. Check eligibility and school intake plan. Confirm your child's age and residency status first — Lingang publishes age/registry requirements (for example, Grade 1 and Grade 6 age/placement rules and residency categories) and the school has limited places in each intake (e.g., Grade 1: 28 places; Grade 6: 72 places for the 2024/25 cycle). Parents should verify whether the student is eligible as a local Shanghai citizen, a non‑local with the required Shanghai residence permit/social insurance history, or as a holder of an overseas passport (HK/Macau/Taiwan included).
2. For Grade 1 and Grade 6 (mandatory municipal process). Per Shanghai rules, applications for Year 1 and Year 6 must be submitted through the Shanghai online service platforms ("一网通办" and the Shanghai compulsory‑enrolment system) during the published windows; the district then completes computer random allocation for oversubscribed plans. Parents must enter the school's registered name exactly (上海浦东新区民办沪港学校) and follow the district timetable (the school's 2025 brief lists the registration and volunteer‑submission dates). Missing those windows usually means you cannot be considered under the unified allocation.
3. For other grades (transfer/placement/international applicants). For entry into other grades you can apply directly via the Lingang admissions portal (online application or downloadable form) and submit the required documents: student ID/passport or household book, parent ID, recent academic reports, growth record (for Grades 2–9), and passport‑style photos; originals will be required for verification at interview/placement. The admissions office will acknowledge receipt and contact you about next steps and available slots; because places are limited it's advisable to apply early and prepare translated copies of transcripts if they are not in Chinese or English.
4. Placement process and school checks. For the Lingang campus the published admissions brief emphasises compliance with local policy: schools in the district have committed not to hold pre‑enrolment tests or off‑campus recruitment exercises for the unified intakes; for some transfers or high‑school international programme places the school may require academic records or programme‑specific assessments, and will notify families of any on‑campus checks. Parents should ask Admissions in advance whether a specific grade or programme will include an assessment, and should retain originals of all supporting documents for verification on arrival.
5. Offers, acceptance and practical next steps. For unified admissions (Grades 1 and 6) the district issues allocation notices; for other grades the school will issue its own offer/placement notice when a place is decided. If you receive an offer, follow the school's instructions promptly — confirm acceptance within any stated deadline, provide requested originals, and complete payment/registration steps the school specifies to hold the place; contact the Lingang Admissions team by phone or email (listed on the admissions page) if you need clarification. Always request written confirmation of the next steps and the deadline to avoid losing the place.
Admissions
1. Learn about the school and create an account. Start by reading the admissions pages and attending one of the school's information sessions or open-house events so you understand the bilingual curriculum and campus differences (Primary, Middle, High). Create an online account on the school portal — you must do this to schedule visits and to submit an application — and watch for the confirmation email and subsequent instructions.
2. Check eligibility and required documents. YK Pao follows Shanghai Municipal Education Commission categories (Shanghai hukou, non-Shanghai hukou, Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan residents, and international passport holders); you must select the correct category and upload the matching identity and residency documents. Prepare school reports (current year and two previous full years where applicable), passport/visa or residence permits, recent photos, and any standardised test scores or recommendation letters required for mainland applicants. The Admissions Checklist on the school site lists which documents are required by year group — follow it exactly to avoid delays.
3. Submit the online application and upload materials. After creating an account, complete the online application form and upload the documents listed for your child's year group; the school will send an email confirmation when the application is received. There is no application/registration fee, but note that if admitted you will be asked to pay enrolment-related fees (meals, uniform and later tuition) as outlined by the school. Keep copies of every uploaded file and check your email (including spam) because the school uses email to notify you of the next steps.
4. Academic assessment (tests and records review). The school evaluates applicants' English, Chinese and Mathematics ability using its own assessment criteria and by reviewing report cards and other evidence of achievement; for some year groups standardised test scores are requested. Be prepared for written assessments (especially for entry into middle and high school) and for the school to use grades and work samples to judge readiness for a bilingual programme. If your child's school reports or test results require translation or explanation, provide clear translations and context in the application.
5. Interview / family meeting and selection. Depending on the year level, shortlisted applicants and their parents may be invited for an interview or family meeting (the High School admissions process explicitly includes written exams and interviews). The school will assess fit with the bilingual, boarding (where relevant) and community expectations, so be ready to discuss your family's plans for at least a two-year stay and support for the school's programmes. After assessment and interviews the school will notify families by email about pre-acceptance, conditional offers, or next steps.
6. Offers, acceptance and enrolment steps. If you receive an offer, the email will include instructions for acceptance, payment deadlines, and any forms to complete; follow these precisely to secure the place. Note that the school states there is no separate application registration fee, but tuition and other fees are charged for enrolment and are set per semester/academic year. Keep your admissions correspondence and receipts; if you need clarification about timing or payment methods contact the admissions office directly.
7. Boarding option and specifics (high school). Boarding is available for Years 9–12; when you apply you may indicate boarding or day school but final boarding placement is confirmed by the school. The tuition page lists 5‑day boarding fees (the 2024/25 per‑semester boarding fees shown on the site are RMB 9,800 and RMB 13,800 depending on year/campus); note that 7‑day boarding is not available to students who live in Shanghai or its suburbs unless specially approved. Factor boarding fees, weekly bus arrangements (high school provides weekly buses), and the school's residential rules into your planning.
8. Orientation and first-term requirements. The school runs a new‑student orientation so you and your child can learn about uniforms, schedules, co-curricular programmes and campus life before classes start. In addition to tuition you should budget for meals, uniforms and any optional extension/enrichment programme fees; these are listed or described in the school's admissions/FAQ pages.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The Lingang campus participates in the Yew Chung Yew Wah (YCYW) network scholarship programmes. The network‑level YCYW Scholarship Programme and the campus's own scholarship announcements show three common award types: (1) the Madam Tsang Chor‑hang Memorial Scholarship (overall achievement), (2) YCYW Subject & Talent Awards (arts, music, sports, STEM, service), and (3) YCYW IGCSE/A‑Level (academic) awards. Award amounts and durations vary by campus and year; the network pages describe tuition‑fee waivers ranging typically from 15%–100% (with many campus awards set between about 25%–100% depending on category), and the Lingang campus has run annual application rounds with published internal/external deadlines. For 2024–25 the Lingang site published its own scholarship application window and named winners (campus announcements and the YCYW site have selection criteria, application instructions and deadlines). If you want to apply or get current percentages and deadlines for a particular incoming year or grade, contact Lingang Admissions (enquiry.shpd@ywies.com / phone listed on the admissions page) because award quotas, eligibility and exact fee‑waiver percentages are adjusted locally each year.
Scholarships
YK Pao operates a formal scholarship programme (the Pao School Scholarship Programme) run through the YK Pao School Foundation; the programme was launched with founder support and aims to support students with outstanding achievement and those with financial need. The official scholarship pages describe several named awards, the nomination timing and the scholarship benefit amounts (many awards are specified as an amount equivalent to 10% of tuition for the stated duration). The school reports that the programme has supported over 90 students.
Key scholarship types and mechanics (what parents should know): - Chinese Immersion Scholarship: Intended for international students whose parents' native language is not Chinese; awarded on the basis of strong overall academic performance and commitment to Chinese learning. The site states winners receive an amount equivalent to 10% of tuition, and the award covers multiple years (the page describes an award spanning Years 6–12). Nomination and determination occur in Year 5 for this award.
- Junior Secondary Boys Scholarship: Aimed at recognising all‑round excellence; recipients are nominated/determined in Year 5 and the award is described as the equivalent to 10% of tuition over three academic years (Year 6–8). Selection criteria include academics, character, extracurricular achievement and contribution to the school/community.
- Senior Secondary Grade II and Grade I Scholarships: These target high‑school‑age students and are awarded on nomination in Year 8 (Grade II) and Year 10 (Grade I). The Grade II award covers multiple academic years (Year 9–12 depending on entry) and the Grade I award covers two academic years (Year 11–12); both are described on the site as reducing tuition by an amount equivalent to 10% over the stated period. Grade I is open to Year 11 students (including internal and new students).
How scholarships are awarded and next steps. Scholarships are awarded by nomination (the school and foundation appear to manage nominations internally) and based on academic performance, character, extracurricular achievement and contribution to the school community, with some awards explicitly supporting non‑native Chinese speakers. The school's scholarship page gives the broad structure and eligibility; for application/nomination timelines, the exact award value in a given year and whether partial or larger awards are available you should contact the school's admissions or foundation office directly. If you would like, I can draft an email to admissions asking about waitlist procedure, current scholarship deadlines and the precise boarding fee that would apply to your child's intended year group.
Waitlist
Waitlist
Lingang uses the Shanghai district allocation system for Grade 1 and Grade 6: when applications exceed a particular plan the district performs computer random allocation and then holds a separate adjustment (调剂) round if schools still have vacancies; this process acts as the principal mechanism for managing oversubscription for those grades rather than a traditional school‑maintained waitlist. For other grades the school handles vacancies directly: the admissions office records applications and contacts families as places become available — in practice this functions like a wait pool, but there is no public, school‑published numbered waitlist procedure; parents should confirm their application status with admissions and keep documents current. If you want to be considered for short‑term openings (e.g., mid‑year transfers or boarding places), contact Lingang Admissions and ask how they manage a waiting queue for the specific grade/programme.
Waitlist
Official YK Pao admissions pages do not publish a formal description of a waitlist or “pool” process on the admissions, checklist or FAQ pages. The school's publicly posted admissions materials focus on the online application, document checklist, assessments and interviews but do not explain how the school manages applicants when a year group is full.
That said, third‑party school directories and local listings note that primary entry (Year 1) at YK Pao — like many popular Shanghai schools — can be highly competitive and that waiting lists are commonly used by schools in the city; those external listings report that Y1 waiting lists do occur. Because the official site is silent on a formal waitlist process, if you want to know whether your child will be placed on a waiting list, how long waiting lists typically run, or whether the school holds places in a “pool” for certain categories (e.g., local hukou, international students, siblings), contact admissions directly and ask whether they keep a waitlist for the target year and how they communicate waitlist status. Applying early, creating an account and attending information sessions are the best practical steps to make sure you are registered and informed.