Canadian International School Kunshan vs Shanghai Qibao Dwight High School

	C Canadian International School Kunshan Shanghai, China	S Shanghai Qibao Dwight High School Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 130,000 - 206,000	Fees / year RMB 164,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 19 years	Age range 15 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)	Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 400	Pupils 190
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2012	Opened —
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 Shanghai Qibao Dwight High School is located in Minhang District at No. 3233 Hongxin Road (near Caobao Lu / Caobao Road). The campus is in the Qibao area of Minhang and is commonly reached by local roads and taxis (about 10 minutes from Xingzhong Road in local listings).
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 The school is an upper-secondary/high school serving grades 10–12.
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 Co-educational; the school offers both day-school places and boarding options for its high‑school cohorts.
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 Public-facing school listings and directories do not provide detailed descriptions of a specific SEN/learning‑support programme or named facilities. Parents should contact the admissions office to ask about assessments, individual education plans (IEPs), on-site specialists, or external referrals — admissions@qibaodwight.org. (Summary of what was found: directory and school summaries list curriculum and boarding/day options but do not publish a clear SEN policy or staff listing for additional‑needs support.)
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 a Sino–U.S. cooperative venture: it was established in partnership between Shanghai Qibao High School and the Dwight Schools (U.S.).
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 listed in the school's public descriptions or directory entries; the school is presented as a secular, international secondary 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 Published listings state a typical school day runs Monday–Friday, approximately 08:00–15:30, with the usual mid‑day lunch and break periods; families should confirm the current daily schedule with admissions as times can change.
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 Public listings do not clearly state a school‑run bus network or specific route details. Parents relocating from overseas should contact admissions to ask whether the school operates a bus service, which routes are covered, the provider, costs, and how to register (admissions@qibaodwight.org).
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 - The school does not publish a separate non‑refundable application fee in its public admissions notices; applications are submitted via the school admissions platform. Tuition fees (Grades 10–12) - Annual tuition: RMB 164,000 per year. - Per‑term/semester rate: RMB 82,000 per semester (two semesters per academic year). Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is charged on a per‑semester basis (semester amounts shown above). Parents are billed by semester and required to settle fees before the term begins as part of enrollment/registration procedures. Boarding fees (where applicable) - Boarding (dormitory) fee: RMB 5,600 per year (RMB 2,800 per semester) for students who use the school's boarding service. Day‑student option is available and boarding is an additional charge. Other costs and typical additional fees - School meals: sample pricing noted in published school materials and third‑party school profiles — breakfast approx. RMB 15; lunch/dinner approx. RMB 25 per meal (meal plans billed separately). - Typical extra costs (not included in tuition): textbooks and learning materials, uniforms, optional trips and co‑curricular activity fees, local health/accident insurance, and transport (school bus) if used. Specific amounts for uniforms, transport and some miscellaneous items are not publicly itemized in the school's general admissions summaries. Refund information - Refunds for tuition/fees are handled in accordance with standard Shanghai school refund practices; district guidance for schools specifies refunds are calculated on a monthly basis (pro rata) with partial‑month rules applied (e.g., less than half‑month treated as half‑month). Exact refund mechanics and any administrative deductions are set by the school's published terms. Fee payment options - Common methods used by Shanghai schools include bank transfer/online bank payment and the school's online payment channels; some Shanghai schools also accept designated bank payment systems (for example ICBC online payment is commonly used by local schools). Parents should be prepared to use bank transfer/online payment channels; specific accepted methods and bank account details are provided by the school on billing notices and registration communications.
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 offers boarding as part of its program; it is a three-year, full-time bilingual boarding school for grades 10–12.
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 —
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 —
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 school is a joint venture between Qibao High School and Dwight School New York.
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 Shanghai Qibao Dwight operates a three‑year high school (Grades 10–12) that integrates the Chinese national curriculum core with international programme options. Grade 10 functions as a bridging/pre‑IB year with IGCSE preparation—particularly IGCSE English and IGCSE Mathematics—and foundation/online summer work. In Years 11–12 students can follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or pursue Cambridge A‑Level/Cambridge routes, and the school also provides access to Dwight Global/AP online courses. Domestic (Shanghai‑registered) students continue to study the Chinese national subjects—Chinese language, history, politics and geography—and must pass those assessments to qualify for the Shanghai graduation certificate. Depending on programme choices and assessments, graduates may receive the Shanghai Qibao Dwight High School diploma and, where applicable, a Dwight (American) diploma and the IB Diploma.
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 The school's published student materials indicate an emphasis on self-management and reflective skills in its programmes (for example, Grade 10 summer projects list “self management” among the skills emphasised). The library's Personal Journey Project asks students to reflect on feelings, transitions and challenges as part of their induction, which shows an element of structured social‑emotional learning in student tasks. Shanghai Qibao Dwight is also listed among schools participating in external caring/character initiatives, which aligns with SEL-related activity.
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) The school does not publicly disclose information regarding SEN (types supported, specialist staff, or whether it is a specialist SEN institution).
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 Shanghai Qibao Dwight's published information lists English as the language of instruction. However, the school does not publicly disclose specific details about dedicated EAL programmes, staffing, or levels of support for learners of additional languages.
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 External coverage notes a formal wellbeing programme for faculty that includes one‑to‑one access to independent experts such as mental‑health counsellors, and reports that this provision was developed in response to pandemic pressures. For students, the school's published projects (for example, the Personal Journey Project) include reflective exercises about transition and emotions, indicating some curriculum‑embedded support for student wellbeing. The school's public materials do not, however, provide a detailed, single‑page description of dedicated on‑campus student mental‑health services or counselling team composition.
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 The school's public library resources include a direct link to the QD Child Protection Policy and to the school handbook and policies, indicating a published child‑protection framework. Job postings and faculty role descriptions associated with the school also state that staff must undertake child‑protection training and understand the Child Protection Policy.
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 —
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 —
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 —
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 —
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 Shanghai Qibao Dwight High School was established in 2014 as a joint venture between Shanghai Qibao High School and the Dwight Schools (New York), opening to students in the fall of 2014. The school was approved by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission and registered with the relevant national authorities as an independently run Sino–U.S. cooperative high school. Governance is a collaborative arrangement between the two founding partners, with oversight shared to align Chinese and international educational requirements. The school is operated as a non-profit, coeducational boarding and day school serving grades 10–12.
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 The Qibao Dwight community includes day students and boarders, a majority of Chinese nationals with a smaller number of international students, and teaching staff drawn from China and abroad. The campus hosts a wide range of curricular and extracurricular activities connected to the broader Dwight network—examples publicly reported include international exchanges, concerts and choral events, service-learning expeditions, TEDxYouth, robotics competitions and folk or orchestral music ensembles. The school also runs regular admissions open days and campus experience events that bring parents and prospective students onto campus for presentations, tours and Q&A sessions. These activities are used both for learning opportunities and to build connections among students, staff and families.
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 The school's publicly posted family-engagement activities emphasize structured parent events rather than advertising a widely publicized, formal PTA on its public pages. Examples of parent-focused programming that appear in school announcements include scheduled “Friday Parent Visit” sessions (short information sessions, campus tours and Q&A) and larger Campus Experience/Open Day events for prospective families. The Grade 10 Personal Journey Project requires a recorded parent interview as part of new-student transition work, indicating organized parent involvement in specific student projects. These published items suggest parents participate in admissions activities, informational sessions and transition-support tasks; the school's public materials and event listings do not detail an elected PTA committee or its by-laws. For up‑to‑date information about parent groups, volunteering or how to join any parent committees, the school lists admissions contact details (for example: admissions@qibaodwight.org) and typically handles such arrangements through its admissions and community-relations channels.
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 —
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 —
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 The school participates in cross-network learning with Dwight campuses worldwide, enabling cultural exchanges and global travel for students. Students have opportunities to visit Dwight campuses in New York, London, Seoul, Dubai, and Shanghai as part of exchanges. The Dwight network hosts the International Music Festival, a global collaboration that showcases student performers from multiple campuses.
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 Athletic activities are part of student life, with cross-campus athletic training opportunities across the Dwight network. Basketball has been part of the athletics program; the American Principal previously coached the Boys Basketball team.
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 Service-learning projects are part of the program. Students participate in community service initiatives across the Dwight network.
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 The school has a college counseling program led by an International Director of College Counseling.
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 school is an international boarding school open to all nationalities. Grades 10-12 are taught.
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 —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The school encourages bilingual focus among multilingual students. Mandarin and English are core languages of study.	Bilingual teaching —
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 —
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 —
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. Initial inquiry and online application. Start by contacting the Admissions Office to request the current application form and any year-specific instructions; the school publishes an admissions contact (email and phone) for inquiries. Parents should confirm whether the intake they want (day student vs. boarder, Grade 10–12) has open places before completing the full application to avoid unnecessary fees and delays. For contact details and the school's admissions channel, see the school listing and directory information. 2. Submit required documents with the application. Families should be prepared to upload or deliver standard documents: student passport (or ID), copies of parents' passports/ID, recent academic transcripts (current year plus at least one previous year), and any school reports or recommendation letters. Non-native English speakers may be asked to provide an English-proficiency report (IELTS/TOEFL) and applicants are commonly asked for a personal essay (Edarabia cites a 300-word minimum as an example). Always check the admissions checklist from the school because exact document lists and minimum documentation may vary by year and by nationality. 3. Admissions office review and scheduling of assessment. Once an application is complete the Admissions Office or Committee will review the file and, if the student meets the basic entry requirements, schedule an entrance assessment; this is a standard next step. Parents should confirm how long the review typically takes and whether any outstanding items (e.g., translated transcripts or notarized documents) must be provided before an assessment is booked. If you need the school to vet visa timing, raise that at this stage so assessment and enrollment dates can align with visa processing. 4. Entrance assessment and interviews. The school's entrance process normally includes written assessments (English and mathematics) plus an oral interview or oral English component; for students applying to Grades 11–12 (IBDP) there is often an additional interview with the principal and/or the IB Diploma coordinator. Parents should prepare their child by confirming the assessment format, permitted reference materials, and whether the assessment can be taken remotely if travel is constrained. If your child has special educational needs or requires assessment accommodations, notify Admissions well in advance so arrangements can be considered. 5. Committee decision and offer. After assessment, the Admissions Committee reviews the full file and then issues a decision; one published summary indicates families may receive a decision within about a week after assessment, though timing can vary by season and grade. Parents should ask at application time for the school's current decision timeline and whether offers are conditional (for example, conditional on final grades or visa approval). If an offer is issued, clarify the deadline to accept the place and the amount and terms of any enrollment deposit or first payment—these financial deadlines are important and policies differ between schools and intake years. 6. Fees, billing and visa steps. Published fee summaries for Qibao Dwight list a tuition figure often cited at RMB 164,000 per year (with separate accommodation and meal charges shown in directory listings); families should confirm the current, official fee schedule with Admissions before accepting an offer. Ask the school for the full cost schedule (tuition, boarding, meals, uniforms, insurance, activity or exam fees), accepted payment methods, billing dates, and refund or withdrawal terms—these details are not consistently published on third-party directories. If your child requires a student visa, request the school's visa-letter process and timeline so you can start immigration paperwork without delay. 7. Enrollment, placement and arrival. After acceptance and payment, the school will confirm course placement, orientation dates and (for boarders) move-in procedures; expect placement or level-testing in some subjects if transcripts come from a different curriculum. Parents should also check immunization/health form requirements and whether the school needs original documents on arrival; boarding families should confirm dorm rules, parent communications and weekend/holiday arrangements. If anything in your child's academic record or health needs has changed since submission, update Admissions immediately to avoid surprises at registration.
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 Directory listings for Qibao Dwight list several named scholarships that appear to be awarded by the school, including a Chairman's Scholarship, Seven Virtues Honor Scholarship, Excellence in All Subjects Scholarship, Specialized Scholarship and Outstanding Freshman Scholarship. These names are cited in local school listings and directories; however, those sources do not publish the eligibility criteria, award amounts, application deadlines or whether awards are automatic (merit-based) versus application-based. If you are interested in scholarship opportunities, ask the Admissions Office for the school's current scholarship policy, including (1) which scholarships are available for incoming versus continuing students, (2) whether awards are renewable, (3) whether a separate scholarship application or additional assessments are required, and (4) typical award ranges and how scholarships interact with tuition billing. For the latest and binding scholarship details, request written policy or the scholarship application from Admissions.
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 Publicly available school listings and profiles for Shanghai Qibao Dwight do not publish a formal, detailed waitlist or “wait-pool” policy. Major local directory summaries and third-party admissions guides that cover the school (e.g., Jingkids, SmartShanghai, Edarabia) describe the application and assessment steps but do not provide an official waitlist protocol or statistics. Because many schools treat waitlists or wait pools as operational (and variable by year and grade), the most reliable approach is to ask Admissions directly whether they maintain a waitlist for the specific grade and intake you are applying to, and if so what the family must do to keep the application active (frequency of updates, deposit requirements, etc.). To confirm current practice and any expected timelines, contact the school's admissions email or phone before assuming a place on a waitlist.
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