Canadian International School Kunshan vs Nord Anglia Chinese International School

	C Canadian International School Kunshan Shanghai, China	N Nord Anglia Chinese International School Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 130,000 - 206,000	Fees / year RMB 154,000 - 240,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 19 years	Age range 6 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)	Curriculum Chinese National Curriculum, IB (DP), Australian Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 400	Pupils 2,500
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 25
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language Mandarin, English
Opened	Opened 2012	Opened 2016
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Canadian International School Kunshan (CISK) is on 555 Chuanshi Road in Kunshan, Jiangsu province — the campus is described as near Duke Kunshan University and Kunshan High School, with convenient local transport links. The school sits within the city of Kunshan (between Suzhou and Shanghai), so commuting from nearby districts such as Suzhou Industrial Park or Huaqiao is common for families.	Location The school campus is at 1399 Jinhui (Jinhui) Road, Huacao Town, Minhang District, Shanghai (Minhang). The site is in the suburban Minhang area, roughly 15 km from Shanghai city centre and close to the Hongqiao transport hub (airport and large rail interchange).
Stages	Stages CISK is a K–12 school offering the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP), serving students roughly from ages 3 to 18. It is presented as an IB Continuum World School delivering PYP→MYP→DP across the campus.	Stages NACIS serves primary and secondary year groups (generally listed as Grades 1–12 / ages about 6–18). Senior students follow an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (and international pathways in upper years).
School type	School type The school is co-educational and operates both day and boarding options; the boarding provision is described as family-style student apartments on campus. CISK began with an Ontario (Canadian) curriculum background but now operates as an IB continuum school.	School type The school is co-educational and operates as a day school with boarding options noted in public listings (day & boarding). It is part of the Nord Anglia Education group.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support CISK lists a Coordinator of Student Support Services and refers to learning-support/individualised plans and services for students with additional needs. The school also runs an English Learner pathway (Transitional English Program) using WIDA proficiency assessment for placement and regular progress review. Parents are notified of placements and the school references ongoing evaluation and learning-support planning.	Additional learning support As part of the Nord Anglia network, the school is reported to provide learning-support and English/Chinese language support and in-class differentiation for students who need it; network schools typically operate inclusion or learning-support teams. NACIS's public pages do not publish a detailed SEN policy online; if your child has diagnosed or complex additional needs, contact the school's admissions or learning-support team to discuss assessments, available specialist support and any external-therapy arrangements.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school uses a Canadian identity (Canadian International School) and has historical links to the Ontario curriculum and an affiliation with St. John's Kilmarnock School (Ontario). Its branding and early curriculum origins reflect those Canadian connections.	Country affiliation The school is located in China and delivers a bilingual programme that blends the Shanghai national curriculum with international elements (Chinese and English mediums). It is not an embassy or church school and does not carry an affiliation to another country.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is listed on the school's public profile; CISK presents itself as a secular international school.	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is stated in the school's public materials; NACIS is presented as a non-denominational, secular bilingual school.
School day structure	School day structure For primary visitors, the school's published ‘A Day in CISK' schedule starts with arrival around 8:20am, morning classes from about 8:30–11:35, lunch and break around 11:35–12:30, afternoon lessons from about 12:35 and a typical primary day end at 3:30pm. End times vary by age group (secondary timetables commonly finish later on weekdays and may differ by day), so exact start/finish times depend on the programme and year group.	School day structure Public information shows a typical school day beginning in the morning (students usually register between about 08:00–08:30) with classes running through the day and a normal finish time around 15:30 (exact times vary by year group and by term). The day includes a morning break and a lunch period; after-school activities and later bus departures are commonly offered on select days.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school operates a school-bus service with multiple routes (the site states seven routes) covering Kunshan and neighbouring areas such as Suzhou and Taicang; each bus is staffed with a senior bus-care teacher. The website posts a bus code of conduct and an application form for families, and route details are published by the school — parents are advised to contact Admissions for current route maps and pickup points.	Bus service details The school operates a student bus service; public listings indicate school-provided buses and set routes (details, stops and fees are managed by the school). For exact route maps, pickup/drop-off points, fees and registration procedures contact NACIS Admissions directly — these arrangements are updated each academic year.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and Registration Fees - Application Fee (non‑refundable): RMB 2,000. - Registration Deposit (one‑time, refundable): RMB 10,000. This deposit is invoiced and due with tuition fees and is refundable when a student leaves after proper notification and clearance. Tuition fees (by school division) - PYP — Early Years (Nursery / JK / SK): Annual RMB 130,000. Annual amount published by the school. - Per‑term equivalent (annual ÷ 2, shown as an inferred semester figure): RMB 65,000 (inference based on two equal terms). - PYP — Grades 1–5: Annual RMB 150,000. Per‑term equivalent (inferred): RMB 75,000. - MYP — Grades 6–10: Annual RMB 170,000. Per‑term equivalent (inferred): RMB 85,000. - DP — Grades 11–12: Annual RMB 206,000. Per‑term equivalent (inferred): RMB 103,000. (Note: tuition amounts are published as annual payments in the school fee schedule; the per‑term figures above are simple half‑year equivalents inferred from the annual totals because the published schedule lists annual payments.) Billing schedule and payment terms - The registration deposit is invoiced and payable with tuition fees. The school issues a School Payment Notice with the school RMB or USD bank account after receipt of the application form. Bank charges arising from payment methods such as swiping or QR code scanning are borne by the payer. The published fee schedule lists annual payments and does not specify an installment timetable within the document. Boarding (dormitory) fees - Dormitory (5‑days program): RMB 18,500 per school year. Other costs and typical additional charges - Bus transportation: Within downtown Kunshan RMB 9,000 per school year; outside downtown RMB 12,000 per school year. - Tuition does not include school lunches, uniform, transportation, individual music‑instrument tuition, or voluntary trips and events; these are charged separately. Uniforms are required for all students. - Families may incur other variable costs (optional activities, special programs, trips) depending on grade and participation. Refund information - The Application Fee is non‑refundable. The Registration Deposit (RMB 10,000) is refundable when a student leaves, subject to proper notification and clearance procedures. Fee payment options - Payments are made to the Canadian International School Kunshan bank accounts (school provides RMB or USD account details on the School Payment Notice). Payment methods mentioned in the fee schedule include bank transfer and electronic methods that may incur bank charges (swiping / QR code scanning); any bank fees are to be borne by the payer. The school will provide the formal invoice/payment notice with account details after application submission.	Fee details Application fees - No school-specific application, enrolment or resourcing fees for Nord Anglia Chinese International School (Minhang) are published in the public sources consulted. The school's publicly listed fee pages examined include only tuition figures. Tuition fees (by year group) - Grade 1 to Grade 5: RMB 154,000 per year. - Grade 6 to Grade 9: RMB 180,000 per year. - Grade 10 to Grade 12: RMB 230,000 per year. (These figures are presented as the school's published annual tuition amounts by year group.) Billing schedule and payment terms - Nord Anglia schools operate a three-term academic year (Term 1 late August/early September to December; Term 2 January to March; Term 3 April to June). School fees are generally payable in advance on or before the first day of each term. Where advance payments cover multiple terms, income is recognised across those terms. A full term's notice of withdrawal is commonly required for refund of prepaid tuition at a majority of group schools. Boarding fees (if applicable) - Boarding is indicated as available at the Minhang campus; however, no specific boarding-fee amounts for Nord Anglia Chinese International School (Minhang) were published in the public fee pages reviewed. Other costs (uniform, transport, meals, trips, exams) - The school's published public fee details reviewed list only tuition by year group and do not include itemised charges for uniform, bus, lunch or trip fees for Minhang. Note that other Nord Anglia campuses commonly publish optional/compulsory additional charges (e.g., school bus, uniforms, residential trip or lunch provider charges) as separate line items; those examples are illustrative of the group but are not specific Minhang figures. Refund information - The Nord Anglia group's published terms indicate that, at the majority of group schools, a full term's notice of withdrawal is required for refund of prepaid tuition; this is the group-level practice identified in the materials reviewed. No Minhang-specific refund schedule or refundable deposit amounts were published in the sources consulted. Fee payment options - No Minhang-specific payment method instructions were published in the public fee pages located. Nord Anglia schools commonly accept bank transfers and provide bank details on campus fee pages; for example, other Nord Anglia China campuses publish bank account details for RMB and USD payments. Parents should note that payment timing (advance, termly) follows the term schedule above.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements The school offers a family-style student apartment for boarding. It uses an access-controlled dormitory with life teachers on each floor to support living, learning and socialising with peers in the same apartment. The first floor includes a multi-functional public hall, an extracurricular reading and discussion area, a coffee bar and a laundry service.	Boarding arrangements The school provides a full boarding programme with a house system to enhance students' social engagement and self-management. Each dormitory accommodates four students. For safety, dorm access is via a card for students and staff. Boarding facilities are well-equipped and provide a home-like environment with holistic pastoral care. Boarding students have access to a range of activities and courses, including rowing, CAS, and cooking. The school provides 24-hour on-campus medical support and nutritious meals.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement All students wear the school uniform. Non-compliance may result in a behavior referral.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options The canteen provides three daily meal sets: Chinese set meal, daily specialties, and noodles. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are prepared and delivered to classrooms; kindergarten and Grade 1 receive lunch boxes on tables. From Grade 2 to Grade 12, students select from three meal packages and may add additional items if they finish their plates.	Food options Nutritious meals are provided on-site as part of the boarding provision.
House system	House system CISK has four houses: Panda, Elephant, Eagle and Leopard. Students are randomly assigned to a house, and each house has a House Captain from grades 11 and 12. Merit points are awarded for good behaviour and academic performance and are tallied weekly; at year-end the house with the most points receives a trophy.	House system The school uses a house system to promote social engagement and self-management among students. Dormitories are separated by gender floors and allocated by age group so that students in the same year group live together. Each dormitory houses four students.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school was founded in 2012 and is licensed by the Jiangsu Provincial Education Bureau, the only international school in Kunshan with this license. It offers an IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) with English as the language of instruction and is located beside Duke Kunshan University. The campus is at 555 Chuanshi Road, Kunshan, Jiangsu Province, China.	Governance and ownership The NACIS Shanghai Minhang is part of Nord Anglia Education.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Canadian International School Kunshan (CISK) delivers the International Baccalaureate continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) for students aged about 3–18. Early Years and Primary follow the PYP (play‑based early years; six transdisciplinary themes and English as the language of instruction) alongside a schoolwide Chinese immersion program. The MYP covers the middle‑school years (roughly ages 11–16 / Grades ~6–10) with a concept‑based, interdisciplinary curriculum and Mandarin offered as an additional language; CISK completed MYP authorization in mid‑2023. Years 11–12 follow the IB Diploma Programme, with students taking DP subjects across language, mathematics, sciences, individuals and societies, arts, and core elements (TOK, extended project/EE) leading to the IB Diploma. The school also serves as an Oxford AQA IGCSE/A‑Level test centre and initially operated an Ontario (Canada) curriculum before becoming an IB continuum school.	Curriculum details Nord Anglia Chinese International School (NACIS) Minhang is a bilingual school for ages 6–18 (Grades 1–12) that combines the Shanghai National (Chinese) Curriculum with international programmes. For Primary and Lower Secondary (Grades 1–9) NACIS delivers the Shanghai National Curriculum integrated with international approaches, taught bilingually in Mandarin and English across core areas such as Chinese, English, mathematics, science, arts, physical education and STEAM. In Upper Secondary (Grades 10–12) students follow internationally recognised qualifications: the school runs Cambridge/IGCSE-style courses in the 14–16 phase and then offers choices between Cambridge A‑Level and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for the final two years (the school also references its own NACIS High School Diploma pathway). The IBDP is taught in the standard six‑subject configuration with the DP core (Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and CAS), while A‑Level is provided as the two‑year, subject‑specialist route; NACIS supports external exam entry and university preparation. The formal curriculum is complemented by extensive co‑curricular and partnership programmes (for example collaborations with The Juilliard School, MIT, UNICEF and IMG Academy) and differentiated, level‑based assessment to support bilingual progression.
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 CISK uses whole-school structures such as a House system and an elected Student Council to promote student belonging, peer support and leadership opportunities. The school's online listings show regular house activities and weekly house points that aim to build confidence and cross-year relationships. The website also advertises a Social‑emotional Counselor role and refers to a Guidance Counselling Center and student services department to support students' social and emotional needs. The Primary Years Programme is described using IB key words that include “caring,” indicating SEL is part of the curriculum ethos.	Social & emotional learning NACIS describes a house-based boarding programme and “holistic pastoral care” that supports students' social development, and its website highlights extensive co‑curricular provision (the Nord Anglia network cites more than 270 activities) that the school says help develop teamwork and resilience. A 2021 school article about boarding notes student-led initiatives such as a student “wellbeing hub” and regular one‑to‑one check‑ins by boarding staff, indicating structured peer and staff support in residential life. These sources show the school uses boarding, house structures and wide extracurricular involvement as part of its SEL approach.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) CISK publishes an Inclusion Policy which defines students with special educational needs as those who can meet curriculum requirements but require special arrangements, and states the school will work with families to provide appropriate support. The school lists a Coordinator of Student Support Services (Dr Sarah Salazar) with professional background in special education and indicates ongoing meetings, services and learning‑support plans. The Inclusion Policy also notes the school will consider whether a student can succeed with the support and resources available at CISK. The website does not describe specialist clinical provision or list specific medical/therapeutic services on campus, and it does not state that CISK is a specialist SEN institution.	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school states that English is the language of instruction and publishes a Language Policy outlining how it supports acquisition of English alongside Chinese and home languages. The website includes an “English as a Second Language” curriculum entry in its curriculum navigation and names ESL staff (for example, an SDC ESL teacher is listed in staff news). These pages indicate the school provides staffed English-language support, but the public site does not give detailed operational information about levels, assessment procedures or the exact structure of EAL withdrawal/streaming. For full programme details the school asks families to contact Admissions or Student Services.	English as an additional language The NACIS website emphasises a bilingual programme and tailored language learning within its curriculum, but it does not publish a specific English‑as‑an‑Additional‑Language (EAL/ESL) programme, EAL staffing structure, or EAL entry/assessment processes on its public pages. Because the school's public materials do not provide further detail, the school does not publicly disclose information regarding specific EAL provision.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing CISK's public pages show multiple pastoral elements: a Social‑emotional Counselor position is advertised and the careers section states an emphasis on overall wellbeing for the school community. Boarding accommodation pages describe ‘life teachers' on each dorm floor, which the school presents as part of pastoral care for resident students. Whole‑school activities (House events, Student Council) are described as contributing to students' sense of belonging and peer support. The site also publishes a Child Protection and Safeguarding document as part of its welfare framework.	Mental wellbeing The school's site and news articles show activity supporting wellbeing: staff wellbeing workshops (for example yoga and art sessions) are described in teacher‑training posts, and the boarding article records student initiatives such as a student wellbeing hub and routine pastoral contact in boarding life. The homepage also refers to holistic pastoral care within the boarding programme, indicating the school includes structured welfare routines for residential students. There is no publicly available standalone mental‑health policy or a named counselling team described on the public site.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding CISK publishes a Child Protection and Safeguarding document and states the community implements clear policy and guidelines to address student safety; the page explicitly references children's rights and a duty to protect students. The school's employment pages state it conducts reference and background/criminal checks on all staff as part of employee screening. The website also links to formal policies (Inclusion, Assessment, Complaints) and a Student Guide that together form part of the school's stated safeguarding and welfare framework. For details on reporting procedures or named safeguarding leads, the published Child Protection and Safeguarding document should be consulted or the school contacted directly.	Safeguarding NACIS is part of the Nord Anglia Education group, which publishes a comprehensive Safeguarding Policy and states that safeguarding is a core organisational priority; Nord Anglia also recently announced senior safeguarding appointments to strengthen group practice. Job postings and school communications for NACIS reference standard vetting and background checks for staff, reflecting the group‑level safeguarding commitments applied to the school.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The campus spans 193 mu, with a built-up area of nearly 40,000 square meters. It includes a main academic building and a dedicated kindergarten facility. Student dormitories, a state-of-the-art laboratory, a well-stocked library, and smart classrooms are on campus. An indoor gymnasium, a campus dining hall, an outdoor sports field, and a 400-meter standard running track support daily learning and physical education.	Facilities overview The school is a day and boarding campus in Minhang District, Shanghai, affiliated with Nord Anglia Education. It provides a safe, spacious environment with international teaching facilities and advanced technology to support learning. The Phase I campus features a 400-seat hall, and Phase II adds a 550-seat theatre and a dedicated performing arts center. The campus includes a 25‑meter indoor pool, a standard football pitch, an indoor athletics area, a basketball court, a tennis court, and a rock climbing wall. All classrooms have interactive whiteboards, and science labs include laser cutters, 3D printers and a makerspace. The learning resource centers and two libraries support study and research.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The campus features an indoor gymnasium and a soccer field for physical education and team sports. Outdoor play areas are available, and a 400-meter standard running track surrounds the outdoor spaces.	Sports facilities Phase II includes a sports building with a 25‑meter indoor pool, a standard football field, an indoor athletics area, a basketball court, a tennis court, a professional training pool and a rock climbing wall.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The campus has a total building area of 40,000 square meters. There are two libraries and 20 classrooms, and science laboratories are on site, along with a cafeteria and coffee shop. The main teaching building uses eco-friendly materials and includes PM2.5 air purification, central air conditioning, and rainwater circulation systems, and the campus holds a 2-star Green Building Standard certification.	Academic facilities All classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards. Primary classrooms accommodate 24–26 students and include dedicated music, science and information technology spaces. In the secondary division, classrooms are complemented by multi‑purpose rooms including advanced music facilities, a design studio, dedicated computer labs, science labs, art studios, a photography darkroom and two drama studios. Senior students have independent learning spaces. The school operates learning resource centers in both phases, offering open study spaces, books, computers and staff support. The performing arts facilities include a 400‑seat hall and a 550‑seat theatre, with advanced sound and lighting. The campus also houses two libraries to support study and research.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Co-curricular activities are delivered through Extended Courses across arts, sports, languages, music, and STEAM, plus a range of clubs. Sports include football, basketball, Frisbee, street dance, golf, fitness, badminton, karate, and youth fitness. Arts, STEAM, and languages offerings include pottery, flute, guitar, band, graffiti, LEGO, robotics, science experiments, drama, debate, and chess club.	Extra curricular facilities Extracurricular activities include a broad range of offerings such as sports teams and community service, along with global collaboration projects. The social education goals describe providing diverse learning opportunities to develop social responsibility, teamwork and global citizenship, and to support student‑led CAS projects. The Nord Anglia Global Campus connects NACIS students with peers in 31 countries and enables participation in STEAM competitions and sports, fostering collaboration and international networks.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Canadian International School Kunshan (CISK) was founded in 2012 and initially offered the Ontario (Canada) curriculum before developing into a full IB Continuum school. The school's website records a sequence of developments: HSK test‑center approval in 2013, a campus move in 2016, IB Diploma authorization in 2017, PYP authorization in 2021 and MYP authorization in 2023. CISK is licensed by the Jiangsu provincial Education Bureau and locates itself close to Duke Kunshan University, which the school cites as a source of community partnerships. The school's online timeline summarizes these milestones rather than presenting them as promotional claims.	History Nord Anglia Chinese International School (NACIS Shanghai) was founded in September 2016 and has since expanded into a K–12 bilingual campus serving a large student body (the school's site states a roll of around 2,500 students). It is operated as part of the Nord Anglia Education group, a UK-based owner and operator of international schools. NACIS's public materials note the development of purpose-built facilities, a boarding programme and partnerships with external organisations for curricular enrichment.
Community	Community CISK describes a multi‑national student body and says its community includes students from two dozen or more countries and active partnerships with nearby higher‑education institutions such as Duke Kunshan University. The school publishes regular events and calendars—examples on the site include Open House sessions, an International Day celebration, seasonal festivals such as a tree‑lighting ceremony, and outreach at regional events (for example, participation at the Suzhou World Cup fair). The school also communicates with families through newsletters and weekly highlights that report on field trips, parent learning activities and school assemblies.	Community NACIS describes a bilingual, multinational school community that runs regular cultural and extracurricular programmes — including performing-arts, STEAM and global-service activities — and participates in Nord Anglia's regional events and global initiatives. The school's public news and partner reports show NACIS both taking part in and hosting multi-school events (for example, a Nord Anglia performing-arts festival held in Shanghai in 2025).
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The school's website emphasizes structured parent engagement rather than presenting a clearly labeled, stand‑alone PTA page: CISK runs a Parent Learning Program, schedules Meet‑the‑Principal sessions, offers regular parent seminars and issues frequent parent newsletters and communications. Parent–teacher and three‑way conferences, as well as student‑led conferences, are named in the school's admissions and community information as routine ways parents engage with teaching staff. News posts show parents joining campus events and outings (the Parent Learning Program field trip is one example), and the school records community fundraising activity such as a Terry Fox charity drive. Meeting‑style events (open houses and principal Q&A sessions) and invited parent learning visits are used by the school to build parent–school partnerships rather than a single, publicized PTA document. For details and specific event notices, see the school's news and FAQ pages.	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school is an IB Continuum World School offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). English is the language of instruction. The International Curriculum Center provides college admissions support to students.	Academic & intellectual The school partners with MIT to deliver STEAM cross-disciplinary education. The program integrates science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to foster inquiry and problem-solving. Students engage in interdisciplinary challenges, including projects related to space exploration such as the MOXIE initiative. Teachers participate in MIT-based professional development to keep instruction at the cutting edge.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative A broad range of after-school co-curricular activities (CCA) is offered, including arts, sports, and STEAM. Arts options include pottery, flute, guitar, and band. Extended courses cover drama, languages, and other creative offerings.	Arts & creative The school collaborates with Juilliard School to provide world-class performing arts education across dance, drama, and music. Students access expert instruction from Juilliard-affiliated teachers and participate in immersive arts learning, including performing arts camps in Switzerland, China, and the United States. The program builds confidence, self-expression, and appreciation for the arts.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The Chinese language program emphasizes language development with HSK testing and related cultural activities. Chinese cultural events include Speech and Recitation contests, a Chinese handwriting contest, Drama Festival, and Spring Festival celebrations. Non-English speakers are accepted, with ESL support available. English is the language of instruction.	Cultural & language All students receive high-quality bilingual instruction and access the IB program. The Nord Anglia global campus connects 31 countries, enabling cross-cultural collaboration and participation in international projects and competitions, including STEAM challenges and sports events. The collaboration develops cross-cultural communication skills and global-mindedness.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Co-curricular activities span sports, fine arts, and STEAM, with clubs such as drama and debate. After-school sessions run from 15:40 to 16:30 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for the full year. The school also hosts athletic events and exchanges, including ties with nearby Duke Kunshan University.	Social & hobbies Nord Anglia works with IMG Academy to provide high-level sports training and personal development programs, with access to expert coaches and health resources. The collaboration supports participation in international competitions and joint projects across Nord Anglia schools.
Community & service	Community & service The school runs community service programs and participates in charitable events, including Terry Fox Run activities. It maintains community partnerships and collaborations with local institutions to enrich student life.	Community & service The school partners with UNICEF to support social impact programs aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Students undertake recycling and other community projects, participate in World Children's Day activities, and may join UNICEF-led initiatives such as high-level forums for student ambassadors.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Student life includes leadership development and career preparation through the Guidance Counseling Center, which provides college admissions support and other student services. The co-curricular program and advisory services aim to develop leadership, teamwork, and professional skills.	Leadership & professional Student ambassadors engage with UNICEF HLPF opportunities, and the school supports student-led CAS projects and leadership development through its global campus platform. These experiences foster leadership and professional skills across a globally connected student body.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing The campus spans about 40,000 square meters (193 mu) with facilities such as an indoor gymnasium, a soccer field, an outdoor play area, science laboratories, two libraries, and a cafeteria. A 400-meter running track and other athletic facilities support physical well-being. The campus is located beside Duke Kunshan University, facilitating community and athletic collaborations.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The campus includes a professional theatre with a 550-seat capacity and two water-sports centers, set in a spacious and safe environment. The school partners with IMG Academy to provide high-level sports training and wellbeing resources to support physical and mental health.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The language of instruction is English. Mandarin is a compulsory course and is taught as Mandarin as a Second Language (MSL) and Mandarin as a First Language (MFL), with daily Chinese study for primary and secondary students. ESL programs support English language learners. Mandarin Enrichment Program supports Chinese language development, and language tasters are offered in Japanese, Spanish, Korean and German.	Language provision The school provides a bilingual learning environment with English language development support for learners with different proficiency levels and offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The school encourages bilingual focus among multilingual students. Mandarin and English are core languages of study.	Bilingual teaching The school offers bilingual teaching for primary, middle, and high school students, with teaching arranged for ages 6 to 18.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs The Chinese Program features an immersion language curriculum as its main feature. There are 5 Chinese classes per week, divided into native and non-native tracks, with mother-tongue materials and non-mother-tongue materials such as Easy Steps to Chinese and HSK-related textbooks. The program also uses Hanban-approved HSK testing, with the institution serving as an HSK testing site.	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards (Only items explicitly presented on the school website and dated within the five‑year window 2021–2025.) - Forbes China — International Education Outstanding Contribution Award (2023): CISK reports it received the Forbes International Education Outstanding Contribution Award at the 2023 Forbes China International Education Forum. This is presented on the school website as an institutional award recognising the school's contribution to international education. - Forbes China — Top 100 Chinese International Schools ranking (2023): the school's website states CISK was ranked 33rd nationally (and 2nd in Jiangsu, 1st in Kunshan) in Forbes China's 2023 list of Chinese international schools; this appears on the school site as a formal ranking/recognition awarded to the school. - KingLead — China International School Innovation Competitiveness Top 100 (2022): the school's site records that CISK was placed No.26 in KingLead's 2022 “International School Innovation Competitiveness Top 100,” a sector ranking that the school presents as an institutional recognition. - HKPEP ranking — 21st in most educationally competitive international schools for expatriate children in Mainland China (2024): the school's About/Timeline notes CISK secured 21st place in the HKPEP ranking for 2024; the school presents this as a sector ranking/recognition. If you'd like, I can (a) pull the exact school pages into a short PDF or list of links for your records, or (b) check each external awarding organisation's website for independent verification and precise award descriptions.	Awards From the school website (past five years, 2021–2025) I found one award given to the school itself: 1) "卓越成就奖" / "Outstanding Achievement Award" — awarded to NACIS at RAISE2023 (November 2023). One-line explanation/significance: this award (presented at the RAISE2023 Asia international schools conference / China international schools 30‑year ceremony) was given to a group of relatively young but notable international schools (those established within 10 years) and is presented on the school's site as a recognition of the school's progress and standing in China's international education sector. Notes on scope and sources: I limited the awards list to items explicitly presented on the school website and excluded all items that the site attributes to individual students or student teams (for example IGCSE/IGEM/competition results and project grants) because you asked for awards given to the school itself. If you'd like, I can broaden the search to external sources (press, Nord Anglia group announcements or third‑party listings) to check whether additional school‑level awards appear outside the NACIS website.
Accreditations	Accreditations - International Baccalaureate (IB) World School — authorized to deliver the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). This means the school is recognized by the IB Organisation to deliver those specific, internationally‑developed curricula and assessments. - Licensed as a School for Children of Foreign Nationals by the Jiangsu Provincial Education Bureau — the school is officially permitted by the provincial education authority to operate as an international school for expatriate (and other eligible) students in Jiangsu province. This is the local government licence that governs legal operation and admissions eligibility. - IGCSE & A‑Level test centre authorised by Oxford AQA — the school is an authorised centre for administering A‑Level and IGCSE examinations through the Oxford AQA board, which allows it to register and run those external UK assessments on campus. - Authenticated by Cambridge Assessment International Education — the school reports that it has been authenticated by Cambridge Assessment, indicating an institutional relationship with Cambridge's international examination/qualification frameworks (for example IGCSE/Cambridge programmes or recognition). - HSK test centre approved by the Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) — the school was approved to administer China's HSK Mandarin proficiency exams, meaning it is an accredited local test centre for the HSK series.	Accreditations Listed on the NACIS (Shanghai, Minhang) website: 1) International Baccalaureate (IB) — the school's site describes its IBDP offering and presents the Diploma Programme as part of its senior-school curriculum. One-line explanation/significance: The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is a two-year, internationally recognised pre‑university qualification for 16–19 year olds; authorization to offer the DP signals a school has met IB standards for curriculum, assessment and teacher preparation. 2) A‑Level — the school's A‑Level page describes an A‑Level pathway for Years 11–12. One-line explanation/significance: A‑Levels (Advanced Levels) are UK-style subject-based qualifications usually taken over two years and accepted by many universities worldwide; offering A‑Levels indicates the school delivers that recognised UK curriculum pathway. 3) NEASC (candidate school) — NACIS's site explicitly notes it is a NEASC candidate school. One-line explanation/significance: NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) is a U.S.-based regional accrediting association with a Commission on International Education; candidate status means the school is engaged in NEASC's multi‑year self‑study and peer‑review process toward formal accreditation.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and research (what to prepare). Contact the Admissions Office to request the current enrolment timetable, the year-group vacancy status and the school's document checklist. CISK asks families to submit applications via OpenApply, so you should create an OpenApply account in advance and gather identity documents (child's passport and parents' visas/residence permits), recent school reports and any learning-support records; the Admissions Criteria page lists the specific residency documentation the school requires for eligibility. 2. Complete and submit the online application. Use the school's OpenApply form and upload the documents from the checklist (the How to Apply page explicitly instructs applicants to upload required documents when creating an OpenApply account). Make sure uploaded files are clear and that you include the items the school requests for your child's age/grade (for example prior school reports for primary/secondary applicants). 3. School review and eligibility check. After you submit, the admissions office reviews the application and supporting documents to confirm the child meets the school's legal and programme admission criteria (CISK is licensed to enrol children of foreign nationals and has specific documentation rules for Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan residents, Chinese citizens settled abroad and other eligible categories). Expect the school to contact you for clarification if documentation is missing. 4. Assessment (age-appropriate tests). CISK arranges an age-appropriate assessment after the application is complete. The How to Apply page specifies that kindergarten applicants will be reviewed and attend a family interview; Primary (Grade 1–5) applicants take a school-organised admissions assessment (parents are asked to reserve at least two hours); Secondary (Grades 6–11) applicants take a written test (English and English-language math). Plan travel/online-test timing accordingly and ask whether an English-language support assessment will be provided if your child is not a native English speaker. 5. Family interview and, where applicable, further meetings. The school requires a family interview: kindergarten and primary applicants meet the Head of the Academic Department; secondary applicants' parents join a roughly 30-minute family interview. For scholarship candidates the school will invite shortlisted students to further testing and an interview with leadership. Bring originals of identity/visa documents to the interview as the school may verify them in person. 6. Decision timeline and offer. CISK aims to communicate admissions decisions within three working days (this can extend to five working days during peak admissions season). Successful applicants receive a digital offer letter; the offer will include instructions and any deadlines for accepting the place (for example a deadline to respond and pay a registration/confirmation deposit). If your application is unsuccessful the school closes the file and notes that applicants may reapply after six months. 7. Securing a place and fee steps. To secure a place you will be required to follow the offer instructions (typically accepting the offer in writing and paying whatever deposit or registration fee the offer specifies). The school's tuition-and-fees page explains what tuition covers and what it does not (see the fee schedule for current amounts and the exact deposit/application fees for the academic year). Always confirm whether deposits are refundable and the deadline for the payment directly with Admissions before transferring funds. 8. Final enrolment and orientation. After finance and paperwork are complete the school will confirm enrolment and advise about orientation dates, uniform, lunch plans and transport options. Note that tuition typically excludes lunch, uniforms, transport and optional music lessons or voluntary trips—budget for these separately. Keep a copy of the signed enrolment/fee paperwork for visa/residency or employer-reimbursement needs. 9. If you need help or have special circumstances. If your child requires English language support, has special educational needs, or you need a language service during admissions, contact the admissions team early (the school lists English/Mandarin/Korean admissions support and asks families to notify the office about other language needs).	Admissions 1. Be prepared to say which year/grade you are applying for and your preferred start month; Shanghai regulations mean the school will also ask for parental/guardian details early in the process. The school publishes that applications are open year‑round on a rolling basis, so early contact helps clarify current availability. 2. Discover the school — Parents are invited to visit the campus (open days and one‑to‑one visits are available) to see facilities and meet staff; use the visit to confirm whether day or boarding (the school offers both) fits your family. During a visit you can also ask for a copy of the full fee schedule, transport routes, meal arrangements and any grade‑specific entry guidance. Keep notes from the visit (key contacts, deadlines, any special entry requirements) because these are used later in the application and interview stages. 3. Apply for a place — Complete and submit the online application form and upload the required supporting documents; the online form requires two parent/guardian profiles and allows you to save progress and return later. Required documents differ for mainland and non‑mainland applicants — examples include passport/ID pages, household registration or residence permits, recent school reports, birth certificate and (for certain grades) a Chinese/English personal statement — so check the grade‑specific list before you submit. Filling the form fully and attaching the correct documents speeds processing; the school's online form explicitly states incomplete parental information will delay progression. 4. Application review and interview — Once the application is complete the Admissions team will review documentation and contact you to arrange a family interview (and any age‑appropriate assessments if required). Be ready to discuss your child's academic history, language levels (the form asks about English and Chinese proficiency) and any additional educational needs so the school can assess appropriate placement and support. Ask at this stage what assessment format (subject test, interview, or classroom‑based activity) applies to your child's year level so you can prepare. 5. Offer of place — If the application and interview are successful the school will send an official offer by email; the offer letter will set out the place offered, the fee terms, and any conditions (for example final documents or medical/registration paperwork). Read the offer carefully for acceptance deadlines, payment deadlines and notice periods; some administrative steps (e.g. government registration for mainland students) must be completed separately and on time. If you need clarification about any clause in the offer (refundability of deposits, refund conditions, or start date), contact Admissions before paying. 6. Confirm enrolment and pay tuition — To secure the place you must follow the payment instructions in the offer (the school lists annual tuition rates on its site: Primary ¥154,000; Middle ¥180,000; High School ¥240,000). After payment you will receive confirmation and further joining instructions (uniforms, bus registration, lunch account setup, start‑of‑term timetables and any mandatory health/registration forms). If you expect to need a payment schedule, sibling discounts, or flexible arrangements, raise these with Admissions before you accept so they can confirm what (if any) options are available.
Scholarships	Scholarships CISK offers a limited number of full and partial scholarships and describes them as awarded on the basis of academic merit and financial need. The school's Scholarship page sets out the selection stages used in previous cycles: application submission, subject testing (English, Mathematics and Sciences), a cognitive‑ability test, and a final interview with school leadership; top-scoring candidates are invited to interview and the results are announced at the end of the selection period. The Scholarship page references a selection window (for example March–June 2023 for MYP and DP candidates) and says more details will be posted on the page; for the current cycle you should ask Admissions for the application opening date, the exact tests to be used, and whether the scholarship covers tuition fully or partially and any associated conditions (renewal criteria, behavioural/academic expectations). For questions or to request the latest scholarship guidance email admissions@ciskunshan.org.	Scholarships NACIS Shanghai's public admissions pages (English and Chinese) do not publish a school scholarship or bursary programme on the pages we reviewed. The site and the online application materials focus on required documents, entry procedures and tuition information rather than on financial aid. If you want to explore scholarships, fee assistance or any special reductions (for example for exceptional circumstances or sibling arrangements), ask Admissions directly at apply@nacis.cn — they can confirm whether any internal or Nord Anglia group‑level opportunities are available and explain eligibility and the application process.
Waitlist	Waitlist CISK's public admissions pages do not publish a formal waiting‑list policy. The site states that “enrolment is subject to class vacancies,” which indicates that admission depends on available places in the requested year group, but it does not set out a published process or ranking for a waitlist or candidate pool. If a grade is full you should contact Admissions directly (phone or email) to ask whether the school maintains a waitlist for that specific year group, how they prioritise candidates, whether there are any deadlines to remain on the list, and what documentation you should keep current—these operational details are not posted on the public admissions pages.	Waitlist The school's website states that applications are accepted on a rolling basis but does not publish a formal waitlist policy or pool mechanics on the public admissions pages. If a specific year group is full, the Admissions team is the best source to explain whether they operate a waiting list, how they prioritise offers, and whether any holding deposit or timed offer acceptance applies. For clarity about current availability and any waitlist practice, contact apply@nacis.cn or the Admissions phone contacts listed on the site.
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