AEON School and Shu Ren International School are both in San Francisco. Both schools offer Bespoke programmes, and Shu Ren International School also offers IB. Published annual fees are $11,800 - 39,500 at AEON School and $29,348 - 30,950 at Shu Ren International School, which puts Shu Ren International School roughly 18% higher. AEON School takes pupils from 10 to 18, and Shu Ren International School from 2 to 11. The two are similar in size, at around 175 and 185 pupils.
Global online platform serving grades 5 through 12.
Location
Berkeley, California, United States. 2125 Jefferson Ave, Berkeley, CA 94703.
Stages
Stages
Grades 5–12 (online).
Stages
Early Childhood (Ages 2-5) and Elementary (Kindergarten - Grade 5).
School type
School type
Online private school
School type
Private international school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Global; serves students worldwide.
Country affiliation
United States
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Non-religious.
Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
Extended Day and Extracurricular Programs available; Summer School offered.
Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application fee - Application fee: USD 50. This application fee is applied to the student's tuition if the student is offered admission and enrolls.
Tuition fees (overview and how they are set) - Aeon School uses a family-based sliding‑scale (Reduced Tuition) model rather than a fixed published tuition by grade. Annual tuition for enrolled students falls within a published range of USD 11,800 to USD 39,500. The final annual tuition for a student is determined by a family's total household income, assets, and the number of children enrolled. This single-family assessment model applies across the school's grades (grades 5–12). - Because tuition is individualized under the sliding scale, the school does not publish fixed per‑grade or per‑term price lists; families receive the specific annual and installment amounts for their household during the admissions/enrollment process.
Tuition — typical billing schedule and payment terms - Standard billing: families are invoiced and may pay by bank transfer (standard option). Credit card payments are accepted for an additional small convenience fee. - Standard payment plan: billed in two installments per year, with each installment due prior to the start of each semester. - Pre‑pay annual plan: families may elect to pay the full annual tuition prior to the start of the school year to receive a discount on their annual tuition. - Monthly payment plan: a monthly payment option is available for an additional small administrative fee; families enroll in the monthly plan at contract/enrollment.
Boarding fees - Not applicable. Aeon School operates as an online private school (grades 5–12); there are no boarding facilities and no boarding fees.
Other charges and typical additional costs - The application fee is the only routinely stated compulsory fee in the admissions information (USD 50, applied to tuition on enrollment). - The school does not publish a mandatory uniform charge or a routine boarding charge. Any optional or incidental costs (for example, external standardized test fees, AP exam fees, course materials, or optional extracurricular costs) would be billed separately or paid by families as applicable; these are not shown as fixed mandatory school fees in the published admissions/tuition materials.
Refund information - The application fee is applied to tuition upon enrollment. There is no detailed, publicly posted multi‑line refund policy visible in the school's published admissions and tuition material; specific refund or withdrawal terms (for example, how refunds are handled after invoice/installation payments or mid‑semester withdrawals) are set at enrollment/contract stage and are communicated to families through the enrollment contract and invoice. The application fee's application toward tuition on enrollment is explicitly stated.
Fee payment options - Accepted payment methods and arrangements include bank transfer (standard invoice payment) and credit card (accepted with a small convenience fee). Families may choose one of the available payment plans (annual pre‑pay, two‑installment semester billing, or monthly plan with a small fee). Specific invoicing and payment instructions are provided to families when an enrollment contract is issued.
Brief note on published detail availability - Aeon publishes a sliding‑scale annual tuition range (USD 11,800–39,500) and an application fee (USD 50). The school does not publish fixed per‑grade or per‑term tariff tables; families receive an individualized annual tuition and the related installment amounts during enrollment. Detailed refund and withdrawal mechanics, any enrollment deposit amount, and itemized mandatory fees beyond the application fee are handled through the enrollment contract and individual billing.
Fee details
Applicable academic year: 2025/2026.
Application fee - One-time application fee: USD 100 (charged at application). The application fee is non-refundable.
- Note on first-year total: for a new enrollee the first-year total commonly shown includes the one-time application charge; an example published total for a 2-year-old's first year is USD 29,448 (annual tuition plus the one-time application fee).
What the tuition covers - Published tuition descriptions indicate the annual tuition covers classroom materials, access to learning technology, and enriching field trips and related program elements.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Published fees are presented as annual amounts. No publicly posted per-term billing schedule, specific installment plans, or late-payment penalties were found in the available fee summaries. Families should expect the school to bill on an annual basis or to offer school-managed payment arrangements; the published figures above are the annual amounts.
Sibling discounts and financial assistance - Sibling discount: a USD 2,000 tuition-credit is offered for the youngest sibling in families with multiple children enrolled. Financial assistance is offered for Kindergarten through Grade 5 applicants (details handled through admissions/financial-aid processes).
Boarding fees - Shu Ren operates as a day school for ages 2–12; there is no boarding program and therefore no boarding fees.
Other costs or fees - Optional / additional charges that may apply: optional hot-lunch orders, extended-day or aftercare program fees, extracurricular activity fees, occasional field-trip fees if outside regular programming, and any optional services selected by the family. Published material identifies lunch service and extended care as available options. Uniforms are listed as not required.
Refund information - The application fee is charged as a one-time fee and is reported as non-refundable. A publicly posted, detailed tuition-refund or withdrawal refund schedule was not available in the fee summaries consulted.
Fee payment options - No explicit, publicly posted list of accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, credit card, check) was found in the published fee summaries. The school uses a parent/admissions portal for account management; billing and specific accepted-payment methods are administered through the school's billing office and parent portal.
Limitations and brief note on missing details - The figures above are the published annual tuition amounts and the one-time application fee reported in the 2025/2026 fee summaries. A per-term billing breakdown, explicit billing calendar, detailed payment terms, a full tuition-refund/withdrawal schedule, and a public list of accepted payment methods were not provided in the publicly available fee material consulted. Per-term numbers shown above are per-term equivalents (annual ÷ 3) calculated for convenience because only annual amounts were published.
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
Aeon School was founded by key leaders who transformed Avenues The World School from an ambitious vision into a leading model of global education. Formerly known as Avenues Online, Aeon School has grown into a global learning community spanning five continents. The school is NEASC-accredited and offers NCAA-approved courses.
Governance and ownership
The school is an IB World School and is fully accredited by WASC.
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The school has Great Works as the cornerstone of its education, an interdisciplinary core curriculum that unites English, social studies, science, and the arts through integrated learning. Students read a common set of Great Books and undertake interdisciplinary projects that connect learning to local communities and global issues. Math is taught through Math Inquiry, a problem-based mathematics curriculum modeled on materials developed at Phillips Exeter Academy, fostering collaboration and deep mathematical thinking. Beginning in middle school, students who demonstrate exceptional mathematical talent may apply to the Institute for Advanced Mathematics. Language learning is delivered through Global Passport, a task-based language curriculum that combines project-based learning with authentic practice. Students may study Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, or Spanish.
Curriculum details
Blends the International Baccalaureate (IB) program with full Mandarin immersion for Early Childhood (ages 2–5) and Elementary (Kindergarten–Grade 5). The program centers on the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and uses a concept-based inquiry cycle to develop knowledge, skills, and dispositions for lifelong learning. Students are encouraged to ask meaningful questions, make connections across subjects, and apply learning to real-world contexts. Social-emotional learning is embedded in the curriculum, with the Responsive Classroom approach, Zones of Regulation, and Personal, Social, and Physical Education (PSPE) supporting wellbeing and global citizenship. Small class sizes and a close-knit community ensure every child is seen and supported. .
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
Small class sizes support individualized attention.
Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Aeon graduates pursue a wide spectrum of pathways, from Ivy/Ivy-equivalent universities and selective private research institutions to public flagships, small liberal arts colleges, and specialized programs in engineering, design, business, STEM, and the arts. They are prepared not only to enter competitive programs but to thrive in them. University counseling lists acceptances to Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University, Stanford University, the University of California system (including Berkeley and UCLA), and New York University, among many others.
Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
Starting in middle school, students who demonstrate exceptional mathematical talent may apply to the Institute for Advanced Mathematics.
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
The school nurtures the whole person and emphasizes social-emotional growth through curiosity, creativity, and compassion. Learners are prepared to act as global citizens and to contribute their voices within a community where every voice matters.
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
The school uses a two-way Mandarin–English immersion model in which Mandarin is the language of instruction and English is used alongside to support bilingual fluency.
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
The school focuses on the development of the whole child, nurturing social-emotional growth alongside academics. It emphasizes curiosity, creativity, and compassionate engagement as part of a globally minded education.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
The school has an Anti-Discrimination Policy.
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
AEON School operates on the campus of Mission College in Santa Clara, California, providing in-person classes for grades 5–12 alongside AEON's online global classrooms. The school day runs Monday–Friday, 8:00am–3:30pm, at 3000 Mission College Blvd. The campus fosters in-person collaboration and a learning community, supported by master educators who emphasize both academic growth and student wellbeing. The Design Lab program provides hands-on design challenges and fieldwork as part of AEON's innovative curriculum.
Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
AEON School is the official partner of USA Fencing and US Sailing. The partnerships allow students to fully pursue athletic goals while receiving a world-class education through personalized calendars and flexible scheduling. Athletic schedules are integrated with the school timetable to accommodate training and competition. Several scholarships are awarded each year to members of these athletic communities.
Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
Great Works is the cornerstone of AEON's core curriculum—a four-year interdisciplinary sequence co-taught by faculty in science, engineering, and humanities. Students complete interdisciplinary projects and study a common set of Great Books, typically 12–16 texts per year, linking their work to global contexts. Math Inquiry is an integrated, problem-based mathematics program modeled on Phillips Exeter Academy, with pathways from algebra through calculus and opportunities for advanced coursework for exceptionally talented students. Global Passport is a language curriculum available in 9 languages, focusing on task-based learning to develop practical fluency. Flight Path is an analytics platform that combines qualitative and quantitative data to create a real-time trajectory of each student's growth and support personalized interventions.
Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
Design Lab provides hands-on projects rooted in the Universal Principles of Design, with certifications in Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, and project management. In AEON's Signature Experiences, students undertake six ambitious Design Lab projects each year rooted in design principles. Kayaking in the Elkhorn Slough is one example of experiential learning. A visit to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and cultural events like the Mid-Autumn Festival are also part of Signature Experiences, as is an Alphabetography Photo Walk.
Extra curricular facilities
Extended Day & Extracurricular Programs: Aftercare runs 3 PM–6 PM on preschool, TK, and elementary campuses, with children spending the majority of time in a play-based environment indoors and outdoors (weather permitting) under the supervision of Chinese-language teachers. Enrichment: Many students participate in after-school enrichment in both Mandarin and English; in early childhood, enrichment includes paper art, creative movement, yoga, soccer, and science. The Shu Ren Experience goes beyond the classroom with co-curricular programs and extended-day options that nurture the whole child, including arts and athletics, language and cultural enrichment.
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
Aeon School, formerly Avenues Online, exists to create innovative solutions that enable learners to move the world. Aeon was founded by key leaders who transformed Avenues The World School from an ambitious vision into a leading model of global education. Starting with 22 pioneering students in 2019, Aeon School has grown into a global learning community spanning five continents, while staying committed to academic excellence and student wellbeing. The school holds accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and NCAA‑approved courses, underscoring the rigor of its program. Since 2021, Aeon graduates have thrived at Harvard, Stanford, University of Chicago, and the University of Pennsylvania, and partnerships with Olympians and initiatives like Rise demonstrate the ability to nurture scholastic achievement and exceptional talent across academics, athletics, research, the arts, and leadership.
History
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Community
Community
Aeon School has a global community spanning five continents with 175 students and 26 countries represented. Class sizes range 10–15, and learning can occur from anywhere. The community is anchored by expert faculty, caring deans, and a global network of peers that supports safety, respect, and belonging. Families and partners collaborate to support students' pursuits, from athletics to entrepreneurship, aligning with the program's emphasis on scholarship and extraordinary experiences.
Community
Families, educators, and students come together in a diverse, caring community that prepares children to belong anywhere in the world. Community is at the heart of everything we do, with celebrations, events, and collaborative partnerships that build lasting connections. The Parent Community Group (PCG) involves parent volunteers who partner with teachers and school leaders to strengthen connections and enrich the student experience; it is open to all Shu Ren families. The Alumni Community celebrates lifelong bonds with graduates and supports current students through reunions, events, and mentorship.
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
Parent Community Group (PCG) is Shu Ren's parent association. It partners with teachers and school leaders to strengthen connections, enrich the student experience, and celebrate the Shu Ren community. Led by caring parent volunteers, the PCG coordinates cultural events and volunteer support. The PCG is open to all Shu Ren families.
Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
The school uses Great Works, a cross-disciplinary core curriculum that unites English, social studies, science, and arts in one integrated learning experience. Students engage in deep reading, interdisciplinary projects, and practical application across disciplines to connect learning with real-world issues. Math Instruction centers on Math Inquiry, a problem-based mathematics program modeled on Phillips Exeter Academy, with an Institute for Advanced Mathematics for exceptionally talented middle- and high-school students. The school is NEASC-accredited and offers NCAA‑approved courses, and Aeon graduates have gone on to study at leading universities such as Harvard, Stanford, the University of Chicago, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Academic & intellectual
The school has Extended Day & Co-Curricular Programs that extend learning beyond the classroom in both Mandarin and English. Enrichment classes include arts, music, dance, STEM, sports, cooking, Chinese brush drawing, and chess, with offerings rotating each semester. Homework Club provides Mandarin language support after school. Vacation Camps offer Mandarin-immersion experiences during breaks.
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
Great Works integrates the arts as a core component of learning, connecting English, social studies, science, and arts through interdisciplinary projects. Students read a common set of Great Books spanning literature, science, mathematics, philosophy, art, political science, and economics, and undertake projects that connect learning to local and global communities. Aeon graduates have pursued notable arts and performance endeavors, including a Broadway performer and an artist-activist.
Arts & creative
The school has Arts & Movement programs that nurture creativity, expression, and well-being through Visual Arts and Performing Arts. An Orff-based music curriculum engages Pre-K through 5th grade in hands-on music-making, with singing, movement, speech, and instruments. Physical Education includes PSPE and coaching in Judo to build strength, balance, discipline, and social-emotional skills. The Library supports bilingual literacy, and World Book Week and the Reading Marathon celebrate reading and community.
Cultural & language
Cultural & language
Global Passport is a task-based language curriculum that blends project-based learning with authentic practice, accelerating students' ability to communicate in their chosen language. Students can study Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, or Spanish. The program is part of a global, integrated approach, and the school is transnational, non-religious, and apolitical.
Cultural & language
The school has language and cultural enrichment as a core part of co-curricular life. The House system, inspired by Confucius' Four Teachings—Wen (Learning), Xing (Action), Zhong (Loyalty), and Xin (Integrity)—connects students across grades to foster collaboration and character. The library offers Chinese and English books and hosts World Book Week to celebrate multilingual literacy. Vacation Camps provide Mandarin-immersion experiences that extend language learning into everyday life.
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
Aeon Pods are in-person learning communities formed by families in the same area. Students meet daily in a shared space, work through Aeon's curriculum together, and benefit from face-to-face collaboration and peer support. Aeon supports Pods from formation to launch, including onboarding and launch, and Pods may designate a Learning Guardian to supervise day-to-day logistics. Flexible schedules blend live classes and independent work within Aeon's NEASC-accredited academics and NCAA‑approved courses.
Social & hobbies
The school has a Student Council that represents elementary students, helps organize school events, promotes school spirit, and supports fundraisers or service projects. Enrichment Classes offer diverse after-school options in arts, music, dance, STEM, sports, cooking, Chinese brush drawing, and chess. Afternoon Care provides a safe, nurturing space after the school day ends with outdoor play and healthy snacks. Homework Club gives dedicated Mandarin support after school, and Vacation Camps provide language-rich camps during breaks.
Community & service
Community & service
Aeon offers income-based tuition and humanitarian scholarships to broaden access to its programs. The tuition model reflects family finances and the number of Aeon students in a household. The school also partners with Rise, a Schmidt Futures and Rhodes Trust initiative, to support excellence across academics, athletics, research, and the arts; Aeon graduates have earned recognition in programs and disciplines across these areas.
Community & service
The school has a Student Council that represents elementary students and leads service projects, school events, and initiatives that foster inclusion. The Council functions as a bridge between students and staff to improve the school for everyone. Members are encouraged to demonstrate integrity, empathy, fairness, and service. Through these activities, students grow as responsible community members.
Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
Aeon students become leaders across diverse domains. Violetta, Class of 2023, matriculated to Johns Hopkins; Onkar, Class of 2024, is a Y‑Combinator‑backed founder and Rise Global Winner; Magda, Class of 2025, is a Sabre Olympian; Julius Raymond, Class of 2032, shines as a Broadway performer.
Leadership & professional
The school has a Student Council that represents elementary students and provides leadership opportunities through organizing events and engaging with staff and the broader school community. Enrichment Programs offer chances to develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. Students participate in projects and initiatives that build collaboration, responsibility, and professional skills.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Wellbeing is embedded in Aeon's approach to education. University Counseling centers on fit over formula, guiding students through the college process with emphasis on wellbeing and authentic self-reflection. The Aeon Principles foreground safety, belonging, and human connection, and emphasize rigorous thinking balanced with curiosity, joy in discovery, and purposeful action.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
The school has a PSPE program that supports physical health, social-emotional growth, and well-being, guided by a PE teacher who is also a Judo master. Physical Education includes a variety of activities and Judo coaching to reinforce discipline and resilience. Afternoon Care provides a safe space after the school day with outdoor play and healthy snacks. The Library and reading events like World Book Week support literacy and well-being.
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Global Passport is a task-based language curriculum. Instruction is available in 9 languages. Students can choose from among 9 languages and are assessed yearly, benchmarked to ACTFL. Language levels 1–4 are offered, with advanced-level courses available at level 5 and above, and metalinguistics for Romance and East Asian languages. Great Works English is part of the core curriculum (Great Works English, 9–12). Explicit language offerings include Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish.
Language provision
Mandarin and English are the languages of instruction. Early Childhood uses a 100% Mandarin immersion environment. Elementary deepens Mandarin and English fluency within a bilingual environment through the Dual Language immersion Model. The school follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP).
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
Mandarin and English are used in bilingual teaching. In Elementary, Mandarin and English come together through a Dual Language immersion Model. In Early Childhood, there is a 100% Mandarin immersion environment led by native Mandarin-speaking teachers, with bilingualism supporting language learning.
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
Mandarin immersion is delivered daily through a two-way immersion model. In Early Childhood, students are in a 100% Mandarin immersion environment led by native Mandarin-speaking teachers. In Elementary, learning occurs in a bilingual environment where Mandarin and English come together through the Dual Language immersion Model. The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) guides learning across the elementary years.
Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
NEASC accreditation; NCAA-approved courses.
Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Applications are open for August 2026 and are reviewed on a rolling basis. The requirements include a $50 application fee; Admissions Application (Parent/Guardian Portion) and Admissions Application (Student Portion); Academic Records (unofficial, last 1–2 years); Teacher Evaluation; Additional Supplements (optional) such as letters of recommendation, portfolio, writing samples, and/or individualized learning plans; SSAT and/or Character Skills Snapshot are accepted. The process also includes a 45-minute Parent Meeting and a 30-minute Student Interview, and there is an optional Reduced Tuition Program Application for need-based tuition assistance.
Admissions
1. Connect with Us. Fill out our short Inquiry Form so we can get to know your family and start the conversation. The inquiry begins the admissions process and helps us understand your child's needs. Our admissions team will respond with next steps and available options, and you'll be invited to take the next step in person. Take the first step by connecting with Shu Ren to learn more about our Mandarin immersion program and community. 2. Come Visit. Join us for a personal tour—step into our classrooms, meet our caring teachers, and feel the warmth of our community. The visit provides an in-person look at the learning environment and the people who guide your child's day. You can ask questions and observe how our program operates in practice. 3. Start your Application. When you feel ready, we'll send you a personalized link to start your application. The admissions team is available to answer questions and offer support along the way. The application process begins once you access the personalized link and submit the required information. 4. Join Our Community. Enroll at Shu Ren and step into a global community where your child can grow, thrive, and discover their unique superpower. Enrollment marks the culmination of the admissions journey and the start of your child's Shu Ren experience.
Scholarships
Scholarships
AEON School is the official school partner of USA Fencing. Two scholarships are made available to members of the USA Fencing community. Rise Scholars: AEON partners with Rise to identify 100 Global Winners each year and AEON has offered 17 full scholarships to Rise Winners and Finalists in the Classes of 2022–25.
Scholarships
Sibling Tuition: We offer a $2000 tuition discount credit for the youngest sibling in families with multiple children enrolled at Shu Ren. Financial Assistance: If you're applying for Kindergarten through 5th grade and need financial support, connect with our Admissions Team to learn about available assistance.
