Britannica International School vs Yew Chung International School of Shanghai

	B Britannica International School Shanghai, China	Y Yew Chung International School of Shanghai Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 252,300 - 356,700	Fees / year RMB 243,900 - 362,700
Age range	Age range 1½ - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE	Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 2,400
Typical class size	Typical class size 10	Typical class size 25
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 2013	Opened 1993
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Britannica International School is in Gubei (Puxi), at 1988 Gubei Road near Wuzhong Road — a centrally located site about 10 minutes from Xujiahui CBD and roughly 15 minutes from the former French Concession. The school is inside the city (easy for downtown accommodation) and is served by multiple school-bus routes and short commute times.	Location YCIS Shanghai operates five day-school campuses across Puxi and Pudong (examples: Gubei/Puxi and Century Park/Pudong). Campuses sit in established residential and expat neighbourhoods with access to major roads and public transport; exact campus addresses and maps are on the school site. For admissions or visits parents usually select the campus that matches their child's year group.
Stages	Stages The school covers Early Years through Sixth Form: Early Years (18 months–5 years), Primary (Key Stage 1: ages 5–7; Key Stage 2: 7–11) and Secondary (Key Stage 3: 11–13; Key Stage 4 / IGCSE: 14–16; Sixth Form / A-Level: 16–18).	Stages The school provides Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary education for students aged about 2–18 (K2–Year 13). Campuses are organised so different sites serve particular age ranges (ECE, Primary, Secondary).
School type	School type Britannica is a British international day school delivering the English National Curriculum; students are educated together (co-educational). The school's materials and handbooks describe a day-school model (no boarding provision is listed on the school website).	School type YCIS Shanghai is a co‑educational international day school that follows a bilingual co‑teaching model (English and Mandarin) in its early years and primary classes. The school does not advertise boarding provision—its campuses operate as day campuses.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school runs a dedicated English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme and reports specialist EAL teachers and withdrawal sessions where needed. For additional learning needs the Primary handbook describes an inclusive approach: pupils are supported in mainstream classes by qualified teachers and teaching assistants and, where necessary, follow individualised programmes. Pastoral care and regular assessment are used to identify and plan support.	Additional learning support The school has a Learning Support function (EAL/SEN) that provides in‑class and withdrawal support, helps develop IEPs and administers assessments; specialist staff are listed in recruitment and student‑support materials. Admissions and placement for students with more significant needs are handled case‑by‑case and the school notes limits on the level of specialist provision available on campus.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school is British in curriculum and ownership: it delivers the English National Curriculum, prepares students for IGCSE and A Level, and states it is British‑owned and British‑managed.	Country affiliation YCIS Shanghai is part of the Yew Chung Yew Wah (YCYW) education network; the Shanghai campus opened in 1993 as the network's mainland China campus.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is listed on the school's public pages; the school presents itself as a secular British international school.	Religious affiliation The school does not present a formal religious affiliation on its public overview pages; its materials focus on bilingual, cultural and character education rather than a particular faith.
School day structure	School day structure The published school hours list the day school as 08:20–15:00 with After School Activities 15:00–16:00; the FAQs note buses start arriving from about 08:00, a registration period around 08:20, and formal lessons beginning at 08:40, with a morning break and lunch.	School day structure Daily start/end times and break/lunch arrangements vary by campus and year group; the school publishes campus‑specific school calendars and timetables (see the School Calendar / Year Overview pages for each campus). Parents relocating should check the relevant campus calendar for precise daily hours.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school operates a comprehensive door‑to‑door bus service with many routes across the city; routes and pick‑up/drop‑off times are updated as families join. Buses meet local safety regulations, and each bus is supervised by a bilingual bus monitor who is also a school teaching assistant; the service is optional and charged separately. Specific route stop lists are published on the school site.	Bus service details YCIS offers an optional school bus service with multiple routes serving its campuses; routes, pick‑up/drop‑off points (commonly at compound gates) and fees vary by campus and year. Families can apply for bus service each year and should contact admissions or school services for the current routes, schedules and fees.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Tuition fees (Academic Year 2025–26) - Pre-Nursery: Autumn RMB 100,900 • Spring RMB 75,700 • Summer RMB 75,700 • Total (3 instalments) RMB 252,300 • Paid in full (by 1 Aug, 3% discount) RMB 244,700. - Nursery: Autumn RMB 105,700 • Spring RMB 79,300 • Summer RMB 79,300 • Total RMB 264,300 • Paid in full RMB 256,400. - Reception: Autumn RMB 112,700 • Spring RMB 84,600 • Summer RMB 84,600 • Total RMB 281,900 • Paid in full RMB 273,500. - Year 1–2: Autumn RMB 124,000 • Spring RMB 93,200 • Summer RMB 93,200 • Total RMB 310,400 • Paid in full RMB 301,100. - Year 3–4: Autumn RMB 124,000 • Spring RMB 93,200 • Summer RMB 93,200 • Total RMB 310,400 • Paid in full RMB 301,100. - Year 5–6: Autumn RMB 127,600 • Spring RMB 95,800 • Summer RMB 95,800 • Total RMB 319,200 • Paid in full RMB 309,700. - Year 7–9: Autumn RMB 135,700 • Spring RMB 101,800 • Summer RMB 101,800 • Total RMB 339,300 • Paid in full RMB 329,100. - Year 10–11: Autumn RMB 139,100 • Spring RMB 104,400 • Summer RMB 104,400 • Total RMB 347,900 • Paid in full RMB 337,500. - Year 12–13: Autumn RMB 142,700 • Spring RMB 107,000 • Summer RMB 107,000 • Total RMB 356,700 • Paid in full RMB 346,000. Application, registration and deposit - Registration fee (non‑refundable on acceptance): RMB 2,500. - Enrolment deposit payable on acceptance: RMB 20,000. The RMB 20,000 deposit is credited against the next term's tuition; a place is not guaranteed until the deposit is paid. Billing schedule and payment terms - Autumn term and annual fees are due by 1 August. Parents may pay termly in advance or pay the full annual fee by 1 August to receive a 3% discount. - Overdue fees may incur a 2% monthly surcharge, compounded monthly. - If fees are unpaid, the school may withhold attendance and may reallocate the place at latest two weeks before term starts. Boarding fees - No boarding fees are listed. There is no boarding provision indicated in the school fee schedule. Other costs and optional charges - School uniform and PE kit: required and sold at the uniform shop (costs borne by parents). - School lunch (mandatory): RMB 31 per meal and RMB 4 per snack; invoiced by the school caterer and paid directly to the caterer. - School bus (optional): RMB 160 per day — payable termly or annually. - EAL or additional learning support: charged separately as required (dependent on individual needs). - Tuition for Year 10 and above includes public examination entrance fees. Refunds and withdrawal - Before 18 May: full refund. - Before 1 July: tuition refund less the RMB 20,000 deposit. - After 1 July: six weeks' tuition fee from the Autumn term payment is payable (no full refund). - Leaving mid‑year: six weeks' notice is required or six weeks' fees payable in lieu of notice. - Mid‑year refund calculations are based on the standard fee (early‑payment discount not considered). Sibling discounts - Second child: 5% discount; Third child: 5% discount. Payment methods and bank details - Payment is accepted in RMB or USD at the prevailing exchange rate. Parents are responsible for all overseas transfer charges and should ensure the pupil's name is quoted on transfer details. - RMB and USD bank account details and beneficiary/SWIFT information are provided by the school's finance office (see the school fee schedule for the account and SWIFT fields).	Fee details Application fees & registration deposit - Application fee: RMB 3,000 (one‑time, non‑refundable). - Registration / placement deposit: RMB 25,000 (one‑time; reported as refundable). Tuition fees (by year group) — annual and per semester Note: tuition is published on an annual basis; the school academic year is split into two semesters, so per‑semester amounts below are the annual fee divided by two (arithmetic shown). - Nursery 2 (age 2): Annual RMB 243,900 — Per semester RMB 121,950. - Kindergarten 1 (age 3): Annual RMB 264,800 — Per semester RMB 132,400. - Kindergarten 2 (age 4): Annual RMB 264,800 — Per semester RMB 132,400. - Kindergarten 3 / Reception (age 5): Annual RMB 313,900 — Per semester RMB 156,950. - Year 1 — Year 3: Annual RMB 313,900 — Per semester RMB 156,950. - Year 4 — Year 5: Annual RMB 320,200 — Per semester RMB 160,100. - Year 6 — Year 8: Annual RMB 350,200 — Per semester RMB 175,100. - Year 9 — Year 10: Annual RMB 356,400 — Per semester RMB 178,200. - Year 11 — Year 13 (upper secondary): Annual RMB 362,700 — Per semester RMB 181,350. Billing schedule & payment terms - Tuition figures are quoted annually; the school year runs as two semesters (see calendar). Specific invoicing dates, installment options and late‑payment terms are set in the school's Fees & Policies and on individual invoices. Boarding - YCIS Shanghai operates as a day school; boarding is not applicable. Other costs - Typical additional charges include: school uniform (available via the school's online order link), school bus/transportation, extracurricular activities/CCAs, field trips, examination fees (external IGCSE/IB charges where applicable), meals, textbooks and incidental or activity charges. The school's admissions materials and online shop reference these categories. Refund information (known items) - Application fee: non‑refundable. Registration/placement deposit: reported as refundable. Further refund rules for tuition and other charges are defined in the school's Fees & Policies document. Fee payment options - Reported accepted payment methods: online payment; cash in RMB; credit/bank card payment (in person — bank service charge may apply); and electronic/bank transfer. Bank transfer details and invoice instructions appear in admission/fees documentation. Discounts - A sibling discount (reported for large families) — example: a 5% tuition discount for families with three or more enrolled children — is reported in published fee summaries.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Uniform and PE kit are required; sold at the uniform shop.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Lunch is provided in the dining hall at 31-35 RMB per meal; vegetarian and medical dietary provisions are accommodated.	Food options The school operates a campus cafeteria where meals are available to students. A lunch-card system is used for cafeteria dining on Pudong and Puxi campuses.
House system	House system There are four Houses; all pupils are allocated to a House, and Houses compete in sporting, academic and entertainment activities. The school year comprises three termly championships, with a Cup awarded to the winning House; House events use House T-shirts in the corresponding colour, sold via the uniform shop.	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is owned and operated by Orbital Education; a School Board governs Britannica International School, Shanghai.	Governance and ownership The school is part of the YCYW Education Network.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Britannica International School, Shanghai follows the English National Curriculum from Early Years through Sixth Form; its Early Years programme (18 months–5 years) uses the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In Primary (Key Stage 1–2, Years 1–6) the school delivers the English National Curriculum with specialist teaching beginning in Reception (including languages, swimming and music). Secondary is organised as Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9) and Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11), with Key Stage 4 leading to externally examined IGCSE qualifications. The Sixth Form (ages 16–18) is a two‑year programme preparing students for AS/A2 and A‑Level examinations, typically taken in 3–4 subjects for university entry. Alongside the core curriculum the school provides an extensive World Languages programme (Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, French, Italian, Spanish, Hebrew) and English-as-an-additional-language (EAL) support.	Curriculum details Yew Chung International School of Shanghai educates expatriate children from K2 to Year 13 (ages 2–18) across its Puxi and Pudong campuses. Early Childhood (K2–K4) uses a bilingual co‑teaching model (one native English and one native Chinese teacher) and follows a play‑based approach guided by the UK “Development Matters” Early Years framework. Primary and lower secondary (Years 1–9) follow the school's YCIS international curriculum with integrated Chinese Studies and continued bilingual instruction. Upper secondary is a two‑stage external‑exam pathway: Years 10–11 sit Cambridge IGCSE subjects (the school is an authorised Cambridge Assessment centre) and Years 12–13 study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). YCIS Shanghai is accredited by NEASC and CIS, reports recent IGCSE and IB outcomes on its site, and offers modern languages (including Mandarin and Spanish) alongside the core curriculum, university guidance and co‑curricular programmes.
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 Britannica describes personalised pastoral care as central to its approach: pupils are known by every teacher, form teachers act as the daily communication link with parents, and small classes (often with teaching assistants) are used to support individual growth. The school says UK‑qualified staff regularly assess students' needs and progress against UK standards to guide personalised support. The site highlights designated pastoral leadership in both Primary and Secondary (including a Deputy Head of Secondary responsible for Pastoral Care). Recent school news also describes whole‑school wellbeing events (Global Wellbeing Week) that include assemblies, mindfulness activities and reflective workshops.	Social & emotional learning YCIS Shanghai states it delivers a school-wide Wellbeing Programme that is emphasised in daily lessons, weekly assemblies and other learning activities to develop students' social and emotional skills. The school names specific counsellors and pastoral staff who contribute to wellbeing work and describes character education activities (for example, annual Charity Week) as part of students' social development. Early Childhood and Primary classes use a bilingual co-teaching model (English and Chinese co‑teachers), which the school says supports students' identity, relationships and intercultural skills. Transition programmes and pastoral arrangements (homeroom teachers, year-level leaders and counselling teams) are described as supporting social and emotional needs during key moves (for example Primary→Secondary).
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school's admissions information states it is non‑selective but that the admissions team will consider whether the school can meet any specific learning needs when assessing applications. Staff profiles on the site show individual teachers with formal SEN training or experience (for example, a teacher who trained as an SEN teacher and staff with SEN co‑ordinator experience). The website does not publish a detailed list of the specific types of special educational needs it can support. The school's website does not present Britannica as a specialist SEN institution; there is no statement describing it as a specialist SEN school.	Special educational needs (SEN) YCIS's published admissions guidance states applicants must be able to access the regular curriculum “without needing support beyond our English as an Additional Language programme and supplemental learning resources,” which indicates limited scope for intensive specialist SEN provision. The school's website does not present a detailed public list of the specific types of SEN it can support or a dedicated specialist‑SEN programme, and it is not described on the website as a specialist SEN institution. Where further or specialist services are required the admissions statement implies those needs may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis during application. Because the website does not publish a comprehensive SEN policy or an explicit list of conditions supported, families requiring significant specialist provision should contact admissions for definitive guidance.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language Britannica states it delivers a comprehensive English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme taught by specialist, experienced teachers and that all students are assessed for reading, writing and speaking on entry and throughout their time at school. Classroom teaching is differentiated and, in Secondary, students are placed in ability groups for English support; the duration and intensity of support vary by individual need. The school's leadership biographies also note staff with formal EAL training and coordination experience. The website emphasises a tailored approach to each student's English development rather than a single uniform programme.	English as an additional language YCIS Shanghai's admissions and curriculum pages state the school provides EAL (English as an Additional Language) support for students whose mother tongue is not English. The school describes EAL being delivered as a separate lesson in Primary and notes in transition guidance that English/EAL is taught by English co‑teachers together with an additional EAL teacher to support diverse learner needs. The Early Childhood bilingual co‑teaching model (English and Chinese teachers in each class) is presented as a core part of language access across the school. The website therefore documents that EAL provision exists but does not publish detailed programme syllabuses or class‑size/teacher‑ratio specifics online.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school's published news describes recurring wellbeing initiatives (Global Wellbeing Week) that include mindfulness workshops, assemblies, self‑care activities, physical exercise and reflective projects across Early Years, Primary and Secondary. Pastoral materials state the school aims to create an environment where children feel comfortable discussing worries and where teachers monitor welfare closely. Staff training and the pastoral structure (form teachers, year leads and pastoral leaders) are presented as mechanisms to identify and respond to students' emotional needs. The website therefore documents both curriculum‑linked and extra‑curricular activities aimed at supporting students' mental wellbeing.	Mental wellbeing The school describes a Wellbeing Programme that is integrated into the curriculum and daily school life and names school counsellors who lead wellbeing and transition support. YCIS articles on wellbeing detail practical initiatives used during periods of remote learning (for example active‑movement challenges, wellbeing webinars and resilience workshops) and note assemblies and Life Skills elements that support students' mental health. Transition pages also state that counselling staff and year‑level leaders provide pastoral support during key changes, such as moving from Primary to Secondary. The website does not publish a formal student mental‑health policy with exhaustive lists of clinical services on the public pages, so families wanting clinical or specialist mental‑health support should enquire directly with the school.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy (published on the website) names the Designated Safeguarding Lead (Anthony O'Brien) and Deputy DSL (Katherine Mustoe), requires all staff to complete approved child protection training, and sets out safer‑recruitment checks, reporting procedures and record‑keeping. The policy cites UK safeguarding guidance, requires annual policy review and explicitly describes staff responsibilities for reporting concerns and keeping accurate records. The school requires DBS or equivalent police checks and mandates regular staff training and induction on safeguarding procedures. These elements are documented in the school's published Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.	Safeguarding YCIS Shanghai publishes material stating that child protection and safeguarding are compulsory elements of staff training and school practice; the site describes annual in‑person child protection training for all staff, follow‑up online modules during the year, and mandatory Adult Codes of Conduct for staff and volunteers. The school reports that additional training on intimate‑care guidelines is provided for Early Childhood staff and that visitors who work with children must sign safeguarding acknowledgements before working on campus. YCIS also highlights that its broader accreditation and professional‑development programme includes child‑protection training for staff. The website provides a specific child‑protection/safeguarding page and news article outlining these requirements; for procedural details (reporting pathways, Designated Safeguarding Lead contact, external reporting) parents should consult the school's published Child Protection page or contact the school directly.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school operates from a purpose-built campus in the heart of the city. The building features state-of-the-art classrooms, specialist science and technology rooms, a library, ICT suites and a 250-seat theatre. Premier sporting facilities include a swimming pool, a sports hall, astro turf, tennis courts, and basketball and netball courts. The campus is located at 1988 Gubei Road near Wuzhong Road, Shanghai 201103.	Facilities overview YCIS Shanghai operates multiple campuses in Puxi, Pudong and Lingang to serve students from Early Childhood through Upper Secondary. The school maintains a bilingual English-Chinese program. The Lingang campus features a library, large flexible classrooms with interactive touchscreen technology, air filtration units, music and multi-purpose rooms, and maker spaces with rooftop garden space. The Puxi campus includes a swimming pool located on the B1 level as part of a fitness centre that also contains a gym, rock climbing walls and a dance studio.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The school provides premier sporting facilities including a swimming pool, a sports hall, astro turf, tennis courts, and basketball and netball courts.	Sports facilities The Puxi campus has a swimming pool on the B1 level as part of a fitness centre with a gym, rock climbing walls and a dance studio. The Lingang campus has an all-weather sports field and a gymnasium for sports and CCAs. YCIS Shanghai supports a broad sports program with teams and competitions, including swimming, football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, touch rugby and badminton, with participation in CISSA, SISAC and ACAMIS.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The school provides state-of-the-art classrooms, specialist science and technology rooms, a library, ICT suites and a 250-seat theatre.	Academic facilities The Lingang campus features large, bright flexible classrooms with interactive touchscreen technology and air filtration units. It also includes a library housing a large collection of English and Chinese literature, as well as music and multi-purpose rooms and colourful maker spaces. The theatre and sports facilities, including a gymnasium and a swimming pool, are part of Lingang's ongoing campus development.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities The school offers a broad programme of after-school activities, with over 100 co-curricular activities available weekly, including sports, arts, languages and expeditions.	Extra curricular facilities Campus Life offers diverse co-curricular activities (CCAs). YCIS Shanghai provides swimming programmes and swim teams at the Puxi campus, and maintains a wide range of sports teams; the school competes in CISSA, SISAC and ACAMIS and has earned trophies in multiple sports.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Britannica International School, Shanghai opened in 2013 and is part of the Orbital Education group, a UK-headquartered organisation that owns and operates a network of British-style international schools. Orbital Education — founded by Kevin McNeany — established Britannica as a British-owned and managed school and provides governance and operational support from its UK office. In its first year the school registered as a Cambridge International School and soon thereafter began graduating its first IGCSE cohort (milestones and early accreditations are recorded on the school site). The school's public materials note a sequence of curriculum and accreditation developments in the years after opening that shaped its early history.	History YCIS Shanghai was established in 1993 and is described on the school website as the first independent international school in Shanghai to be officially recognised and registered with the Chinese government. The school grew from YCIS's Hong Kong roots and is part of the broader Yew Chung Yew Wah (YCYW) Education Network; YCYW traces its origins to 1932 and positions YCIS Shanghai as its first mainland China campus. Over the past three decades the school expanded to multiple campuses across Puxi, Pudong and Lingang to serve Early Childhood through Upper Secondary students.
Community	Community The school describes a multicultural student body and emphasizes language and cultural programmes as part of school life; recent communications highlight an expanding World Languages programme, language fairs and cultural celebrations that involve students and families. Termly events and seasonal occasions — for example concerts and end-of-term celebrations cited in the school's news archive — are used as community gatherings where families and staff interact. Britannica's parent-facing pages and news posts also point to open days and family-facing activities as regular opportunities for community engagement.	Community YCIS Shanghai's public pages note a multicultural student body across several campuses (the site cites students from 50+ nationalities and a student population in the low thousands). The school and the YCYW network run recurring community-wide activities — for example the annual Founder's Day (a network-wide celebration with campus-level sports, assemblies and family activities) and the network's ‘Learning Communities' programme that connects students, teachers and sometimes parents across flexible learning spaces. The school's “Our Community” section groups information for parents, students and alumni and points to campus-specific events and communications channels.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The school's publicly available website does not publish a dedicated Parent Teacher Association page or a named PTA committee with officer contacts; instead it provides a Parent Zone with resources for families and an admissions/contact route for parent enquiries. Parent involvement appears in practice through participation in open days, concerts, language and cultural events and other school-wide activities described in the news and events sections. News items and programme descriptions indicate parents are invited to attend term concerts, seasonal celebrations and language/cultural showcases, and the Parent Zone is the primary online resource the school lists for family information. For specific details about a formal PTA (committee structure, meeting schedules, volunteering roles or fundraising groups) the school directs parents to contact the admissions or school office; the Contact Us page gives the school's admissions email and phone number. In short: public web materials show active family engagement via events and the Parent Zone but do not provide a public PTA constitution or committee list — you may want to contact admissions to request current PTA details or to learn how to join parent groups.	Parent teacher association The YCIS Shanghai website includes a dedicated “Our Parents” area and a Parents Login portal, but it does not publish a single, clearly labelled city‑wide “PTA” page in the public site menus. The site's event coverage shows parents taking part in campus activities (cheering at Founder's Day runs, family picnics, and house competitions) and school news frequently highlights campus-level, parent‑facing events. Based on the publicly available pages, parental engagement appears organised at the campus level through parent portals, event volunteer opportunities and campus communications rather than through a single public PTA document — for exact details (committee contacts, formal meeting schedules or volunteer sign-ups) the school directs parents to their campus office or the Parents Login. If you'd like, I can check the school's parents portal or contact pages for current campus PTA contacts or recent parent‑run events (I would need permission to search deeper or you can share any login materials).
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Britannica Shanghai follows the English National Curriculum for students aged 18 months to 18 years and is part of the Orbital Education group. It offers an A-Level Programme that follows the English National Curriculum, with students typically studying three to four subjects during a two-year A-Level course, supporting progression to higher education. The school emphasises small class sizes to identify, nurture, and celebrate excellence in each child.	Academic & intellectual The school has six campuses located in Puxi, Pudong and Lingang.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The Co-curricular Programme provides a broad range of activities, with over 140 after-school options including robotics, cooking club, and drama.	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The World Language Programme offers native language lessons in Mandarin, Korean, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Hebrew and Portuguese, delivered by specialist native-speaking teachers.	Cultural & language The school provides a bilingual learning environment in which English and Chinese are equally valued; in Early Years, classes are led by one native English-speaking and one native Chinese-speaking teacher.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Over 140 after-school activities enable students to explore interests outside the classroom, including robotics, cooking, and drama.	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Yoga is among the co-curricular activities, supporting student wellbeing.	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The school uses English as the language of instruction and places English fluency at the centre of learning, with English as an Additional Language support for non-native speakers. Mandarin is a mandatory subject for Early Years through KS3 and is offered as an option for IGCSE and A Level; in Early Years, Primary and KS3 Mandarin is taught daily, and Secondary students have four Mandarin lessons per week for examination courses. The World Languages Programme provides native-language lessons in Mandarin, Korean, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese and Hebrew, taught by specialist native-speaking teachers. A Native Language Programme supports native Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, French, Italian, Spanish, Hebrew or Portuguese speakers from Reception onward.	Language provision In Early Childhood, the programme is bilingual and co-teachers support English and Chinese language development. In Primary, Chinese remains important and is used extensively, while more subjects are taught in English. Students have at least one hour of English and one hour of Chinese classes daily; Mathematics and Topic are co-taught in English and Mandarin; Specialist classes (Art, ICT, PE, Music) are taught in English. EAL (English as an Additional Language), CAL (Chinese as an Additional Language), and CFL (Chinese as a First Language) support is provided. In Primary, the English National Curriculum is adapted for an international context with Chinese culture and character education included.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The school uses a bilingual learning environment in Early Childhood where Chinese and English are equally valued. Each Early Years class has a co-teaching team of one native English-speaking teacher and one native Chinese-speaking teacher to provide an immersive, bilingual experience. In K2, two co-teachers and a full-time classroom assistant support the learning in small classes. In K3 and K4, the two-co-teacher model continues to support a fully bilingual experience.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs The co-teaching model creates an immersive bilingual environment across Early Childhood, with English and Chinese language development supported simultaneously. K2 and K3/K4 experiences are bilingual with equal emphasis on both languages, weaving Eastern and Western cultures into daily activities.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards For the five-year period covering 31 December 2021–31 December 2025 the school website does not list conventional standalone "school award" wins (for example "School of the Year" style awards) other than external accreditations/quality marks and one-off recognitions reported in its news posts. I searched the school site's news and accreditations pages and found the following external recognitions given to the school during that period (these are awarded to the school, not individual students): - COBIS re-accreditation (18 November 2025) — re‑accreditation by the Council of British International Schools, reported as the outcome of a 2025 inspection (this is an external accreditation/re-accreditation reported in the school's news). - Primary Geography Quality Mark (reaccreditation, September 2023) — the Geographical Association's Primary Geography Quality Mark was reaccredited to the school, recognising the quality and impact of its primary geography curriculum. - ALFRI / Bell Foundation EAL accreditation (March 2022) — Language for Results International (ALFRI/Bell Foundation) accreditation for the school's EAL provision; reported on the school site as an external accreditation/quality mark. - SAT testing centre accreditation (18 November 2022) — the school reports it became an accredited SAT test centre, enabling on‑site administration of the SAT for students applying to US universities. Other recognitions on the school site in that time window: the school was shortlisted for the TES International School Awards 2025 (Curriculum Initiative of the Year) — that item is a shortlisting/nomination reported in November 2025, not a winning award on the school site, so I have not listed it as a win. If you would like, I can: - extract the exact dates and full text of each news item or accreditation report; or - check external organisation sites (COBIS, CIS, Geographical Association, Bell Foundation, College Board) for their official statements/reports about the school (useful if you want independent verification beyond the school site).	Awards I searched the school's official website for school-level awards dated within the past five years (January 1, 2021–December 31, 2025) and found the following items that the school (not individual students) received. Each entry lists the award, the date reported on the school site, and a one-line explanation of its significance: - Staff Development and Wellbeing Award — British Chamber of Commerce China Schools Awards 2022 (awarded at the CSA ceremony on 24 February 2023; reported on the YCIS site 1 March 2023): recognised Yew Chung Yew Wah Education Network's (YCYW) long-term commitment to staff development, training and wellbeing; the award highlights the network's practices and systems for teacher/professional development and staff support. - Outstanding Contribution Award (School) — RAISE2023 (RAISE 2023: 6th Asia International Schools Conference & China International Schools 30th Anniversary awards; event reported 10 November 2023, YCIS article dated 23 November 2023): presented to YCIS Shanghai as a school-level recognition for distinctive contribution to the international school sector in China. Note on scope and sources: these two school-level awards are the only awards for the school explicitly reported on YCIS Shanghai's official website within the specified five-year window. The site contains many reports of student-level examination prizes (e.g., Cambridge ‘Top in China/Top in World') and internal scholarship announcements; per your request I did not include student awards or scholarships and have only listed awards that the school (or the school as an institution) received and that are documented on the school website.
Accreditations	Accreditations Below are the accreditations and external quality marks listed on the school's website, each with a one-line explanation of what it is and why it matters (source: Britannica International School – Accreditations and related news pages). - COBIS (Council of British International Schools) — COBIS membership/accreditation indicates the school meets standards of British international schooling and is part of a UK-based quality-assurance and professional network for British international schools. - BSO (British Schools Overseas) — BSO is an inspection scheme run via the UK Department for Education for British-style schools abroad; a BSO inspection confirms the school meets standards comparable to independent schools in England. - CIS (Council of International Schools) — CIS accreditation is an international quality-assurance process showing the school meets recognised standards for international education, global citizenship and continuous improvement. - Cambridge Assessment International Education (Cambridge International) — recognition/approval to deliver Cambridge qualifications (IGCSEs etc.), which are widely recognised international academic qualifications. - Pearson Edexcel — approval to deliver Pearson/Edexcel qualifications (GCSEs/A‑levels), indicating the school is authorised to offer these internationally recognised exam programmes. - ALFRI / Bell Foundation accreditation for EAL (Language for Results International) — an external accreditation that evaluates and recognises the quality of provision for learners who use English as an additional language (EAL). - Primary Geography Quality Mark (Geographical Association) — an external quality mark recognising high standards in geography leadership, curriculum development and teaching in the primary phase. - The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award (DofE) — the school is registered to deliver the DofE programme, indicating it runs the internationally recognised youth development programme for Bronze/Silver/Gold participation. - SAT testing centre accreditation (College Board/SAT) — the school is an accredited on‑campus SAT test centre, meaning students can take the SAT at the school site for US university admissions. Note: these entries are taken from the school's official accreditations page and related news items on the Britannica International School (Shanghai) website. The accreditations page lists BSO, COBIS, Cambridge, Edexcel, DofE, ALFRI (Bell Foundation) and the Geographical Association quality mark; separate news posts confirm LFRI/ALFRI (March 2022), SAT testing centre status (Nov 18, 2022), the Primary Geography Quality Mark reaccreditation (Sep 2023) and a COBIS re-accreditation news item (Nov 18, 2025).	Accreditations Below are the accreditations and authorisations listed on YCIS Shanghai's official website, with a one-line explanation of each and why it matters: - Council of International Schools (CIS): an international school accreditation body that evaluates whole-school quality against international benchmarks; CIS accreditation signals that a school meets widely-recognised international standards for governance, teaching, safeguarding and continuous improvement. - New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC): a U.S.-based regional accrediting organisation; NEASC accreditation indicates the school meets standards commonly used for school recognition and quality assurance in the U.S. and internationally. - National Centre for Curriculum and Textbook (NCCT) / joint China accreditation participation: YCIS Shanghai was selected to participate in the NCCT–CIS–NEASC joint accreditation process and was accredited under that joint review; NCCT involvement indicates the school has been evaluated in the context of Chinese national curriculum/textbook authorities as part of a recognised joint accreditation pathway. - Cambridge Assessment / authorised Cambridge Examination Centre (IGCSE): the Secondary School is authorised as a Cambridge Assessment examinations centre for IGCSE, meaning it is approved to offer and administer Cambridge IGCSE qualifications on site. - International Baccalaureate (IB) — IB World School (IB Diploma Programme, IBDP): the school is authorised to offer the IB Diploma Programme at upper secondary level, which means it has met the IB organisation's requirements for curriculum, teacher support and assessment for the diploma.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Enquiry and school tour — Start by contacting the Admissions team to request an enquiry, book a tour or join an open day so you and your child can see the campus and meet staff. During this visit the admissions staff will discuss your child's needs, explain the curriculum, transport and routines, and introduce you to the Principal or Head of Phase; use the visit to check whether the school's organisation and timetables fit your family logistics. If you are overseas the school can arrange a virtual tour and a meeting with the relevant head of phase. 2. Complete the online application and upload documents — When you decide to apply you must submit the online application form and upload the specified documents: child's birth certificate, child and parent passports, child and parent residence permits/work permits, recent school report, immunisation record, medical insurance card and a passport photo. The admissions portal stays open for your admissions journey so you can upload documents and track progress, but you cannot edit submitted forms after signing. Note: if a year group is already full and you meet entry requirements, the school will place the child on the waiting list only once the registration fee has been paid. 3. Assessment and second visit — After the application and paperwork are received the school arranges a formal assessment and usually a meeting with the Principal (or relevant Head) to evaluate academic readiness, communication and social interaction. Assessment format depends on age: EYFS children have informal observations (and sometimes a trial day), Years 1–9 typically sit a non-verbal reasoning (NVR) test (with additional drawing assessments in early primary), Years 10–11 have NVR plus English and Maths assessments, and Years 12–13 require evidence of prior externally accredited results (IGCSE equivalence). The Admissions Policy says assessment outcomes and any observed support needs will be discussed with parents; if further evidence is needed the school may invite a trial day or ask for more school reports. 4. Offer, registration and deposit — If the child meets the school's entry criteria and passes the assessment, the Principal issues an offer. To accept a place you will be asked to pay a non-refundable registration fee and an enrolment deposit; the standard registration fee and the deposit amounts and terms are published in the school fees schedule (the 2025–26 fees document shows a RMB 2,500 registration fee and a RMB 20,000 enrolment deposit that is credited against the next term's tuition). The admissions documents and the school's admissions policy explain timing: registration and deposit secure the place, the deposit is refundable subject to the school's refund and notice conditions, and full fee payment deadlines are specified in the fees schedule.	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and eligibility check — Contact the YCIS Shanghai Admissions team to start. Parents should confirm that the family meets local eligibility rules for international schools in Shanghai (typically foreign passports and supporting residency/visa documents) before applying; the school's Admissions pages explain these requirements and offer an Age Placement Guide and Application Checklist to help determine the correct year level. If you plan to transfer from another YCIS campus, note that internal transfers are facilitated with reduced paperwork. 2. Book a visit / information meeting — Arrange a campus visit, open day or a virtual meeting with Admissions to see the campus, ask about bus routes, meal service, EAL provision and learning-support capacity, and to confirm which campus (Puxi, Pudong or Lingang) you prefer. Parents should bring photo ID and the child's most recent school reports to the meeting, and ask for the Application Checklist so they can prepare documents correctly. Visits are useful to confirm practical matters (bus stops, start times) that affect daily logistics. 3. Complete the online application — Submit the official online application through YCIS's admissions portal and select the preferred campus. The portal collects basic family and student details and prompts for the required uploads (passport copies, proof of residency/visa where required, recent school report, immunisation record and any support plans). Completing the online form early in the admissions cycle is recommended; make sure the uploaded documents are clear and translated into English if necessary. 4. Application fee, deposit and invoice expectations — After submission you should expect to be informed about any application fee and, if an offer is made, the acceptance deposit/enrolment fee and payment deadlines. Published fee summaries used by multiple school-fee services show a one‑time application fee (reported around RMB 3,000) and a refundable enrolment deposit (reported around RMB 25,000), but families should confirm the current amounts and payment methods with Admissions and on the official invoice before paying. Keep receipts and read the school's withdrawal/refund policy in the Fees documentation. 5. Assessment and interview — For placement the school will consider academic history, English proficiency, special skills/talents, social‑emotional readiness and date of birth; applicants may be asked to complete age‑appropriate placement tests and attend an interview (in person or online). Younger children may have play‑based assessments; older applicants are usually given subject/English assessments and a short interview. If English is limited, the school will assess whether the child can access the regular curriculum with the school's EAL support (students who require specialist or intensive SEN support beyond the school's published provision may not be admitted). 6. Offer, contract and acceptance — If a place is offered you will receive an offer letter or invoice that sets out the deadline to accept, deposit/payment instructions, and the contract terms. Read the contract carefully for start date, payment schedule, minimum enrolment period and any conditions attached to the offer (for example, proof of residency or work permit if not already provided). Parents normally accept by returning a signed contract and paying the required deposit by the stated deadline to secure the place. 7. Preparation before start date — Once the place is confirmed, arrange school uniform sizing, school bus registration (if needed), meal plan choices, and provide any medical or learning‑support documentation requested. If your child needs EAL support, coordinate with the school about initial assessments and any recommended resources so they can start with appropriate support. Ask Admissions for arrival/orientation dates and the school calendar so you can plan travel and housing around term start dates. 8. Onboarding and placement adjustments — On the child's first weeks the school will typically complete induction and may make minor placement adjustments once they have observed the student in class; keep lines of communication open with the class teacher and the Admissions/Year‑Level leader. If your child is moving mid‑year, expect a formal placement assessment and an agreed in‑year start plan, including catch‑up or bridging suggestions. Parents should maintain copies of medical forms, prior reports and any individual education plans, as these speed the placement process. 9. Follow‑up and appeals — If an application is declined or a child is placed in a different year level than expected, ask Admissions for written feedback and guidance on re‑application or alternative options (including the waiting pool if applicable). If you plan to reapply or update application materials, send the improved documents and new reports to the Admissions office so they can re‑assess when a vacancy arises. YCIS also supports transfers within the YCYW network, which can simplify moves between sister campuses.
Scholarships	Scholarships The school has run scholarship opportunities in the past (examples published on the school website include a 2019 Secondary Scholarship Day offering up to 100% scholarships for some secondary entry years and a 2019 announcement of a 50% tuition scholarship for certain Year 10 and Year 12 entrants). Those items are event/news postings from 2019 and describe specific, time‑limited scholarship campaigns rather than a standing, published scholarship programme. The current Admissions and Fees pages do not present an ongoing, school‑wide scholarship scheme, and there is no separate, regularly updated scholarships page on the site; therefore, if you are interested in any scholarship or fee‑assistance options you should contact the Admissions office directly (admissions@britannicashanghai.com or +86 21 6402 7889) to request the latest information and to ask whether any assessments or scholarship days are being offered at the moment.	Scholarships YCYW (the Yew Chung Yew Wah network) operates a network scholarship programme that is implemented at YCIS campuses, including YCIS Shanghai. The programme awards merit‑based scholarships for academic excellence, leadership, service and subject/talent strengths; award categories include the Madam Tsang Chor‑hang Memorial Scholarship, Yew Chung Yew Wah Subject & Talent Awards, and Yew Chung Yew Wah IGCSE/IB/A‑Level Academic Awards. Eligible applicants are typically current or prospective students in the upper years (network guidance and campus notices commonly reference Years 7–13), and external applicants are usually required to submit admission materials and take designated tests (CEM/CPT or equivalent) before scholarship application. Scholarship support varies by award and campus; the network's published material indicates tuition‑fee waivers ranging from partial (about 15%–25% for some awards) up to full (100%) and durations commonly from two to three years depending on the scholarship type, with an annual review and a selection process that includes a written application and panel interview. YCIS Shanghai publishes its own scholarship announcements and timeline (application season, short‑listing, panel interviews and final decisions—application windows are usually in the November–January period with interviews and decisions in the months that follow), so families should contact the YCIS Shanghai Admissions or scholarship email for current deadlines, application forms, and the exact percentage and duration available at that campus.
Waitlist	Waitlist Britannica operates a waiting list if a year group is full: applicants who meet the entry requirements are placed on the waiting list provided the registration fee has been paid. Priority on the waiting list is explicitly set out in the Admissions Policy: siblings of current students, returning students, sister‑school children, staff children and native first‑language English speakers receive priority, followed by other applicants based on completion of the admission process. The Admissions Policy and fees documents also state that an enrolment deposit (paid on acceptance) guarantees a place once paid and that families may register up to a year in advance subject to completing the full admissions process. For exact position on the list and timing you should confirm with the Admissions team, as places are reallocated if fees are unpaid before term start.	Waitlist YCIS schools keep a waiting pool when a year level is full rather than a single‑ranked public queue; applicants who meet the admission criteria but cannot be placed immediately may be held in that pool until space becomes available. Priority considerations used when moving candidates from the pool to offer places include sibling status, campus balance and curriculum/age fit; parents are advised to confirm whether they must re‑confirm interest to remain in the pool and how long a pool placement is valid at the specific campus. The practice of maintaining a waiting pool and giving sibling priority is used across the YCYW/YCIS network (for example, another YCIS campus page explicitly states a waiting pool is maintained when a year level is full), so expect similar local practice at YCIS Shanghai and check with Admissions for campus‑specific details and timelines.
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