Canadian International School Kunshan vs Suzhou Singapore International School

	C Canadian International School Kunshan Shanghai, China	S Suzhou Singapore International School Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 130,000 - 206,000	Fees / year RMB 130,000 - 300,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 19 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)	Curriculum Singapore Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 400	Pupils 1,400
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 2012	Opened 1996
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 URL you gave (ssis.asia) is the website for Shanghai Singapore International School (SSIS), not a Suzhou campus. SSIS's main campus is in Minhang District, Shanghai, with on-site directions and contact details on the site; it's reachable by road and is near established residential areas and transport links in southwestern Shanghai.
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 SSIS runs a continuous K–12 programme from Preschool (Pre‑Nursery/Kindergarten) through Primary (Grade 1–6) to Senior School (Grade 7–12). Senior School includes Cambridge Lower Secondary, IGCSE (Grades 9–10) and the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12).
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 SSIS is a co-educational international day school (K–12). The school does not advertise boarding facilities on its main site pages.
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 SSIS publishes an English Language Acquisition (ELA) programme for Primary students to support learners needing additional English instruction; the school also describes personalised learning approaches and school-based support but specific SEN caseload or detailed specialist services are described in admissions/downloadable registration materials. For specific individual needs it's best to contact the school's admissions or learning-support team.
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 named Shanghai Singapore International School and references Singaporean education influences in its curriculum, but it operates as an international school in China rather than being a government school of Singapore.
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 SSIS does not list any religious affiliation on its public pages; it operates as a non-denominational international 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 The school's website describes standard K–12 timetabled days with breaks and a lunch period but does not publish a single fixed start/end time on the public overview pages; these times are typically provided to admitted families or in the registration pack. Contact admissions for exact daily timings for specific year groups.
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 SSIS offers a regular school bus service for families; the site lists a transportation email and notes an annual transport fee (with distance-based rates quoted in the tuition page). For route details, pickup points and booking deadlines the school asks parents to contact the transportation office directly. }
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 and Matriculation Fees - Application Fee: non-refundable, non-transferable — RMB 2,500. Payment is due within five working days of issuance. - Matriculation Fee: non-refundable, non-transferable — RMB 20,000. This fee cannot be applied to tuition. Tuition fees (annual and per-term amounts by year group) Note: the school offers either a single annual payment or termly (trimester) payments. Per-term figures below are calculated as the published annual fee divided by three (annual ÷ 3) to reflect the trimester payment option. This per-term breakdown is a calculated figure. - Toddler / Pre-N (Half Day) - Annual: RMB 130,000. - Approx. per term (annual ÷ 3): RMB 43,333. - Pre-Nursery to Kindergarten 2 - Annual: RMB 200,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 66,667. - Primary School (Grade 1 to Grade 6) - Annual: RMB 260,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 86,667. - Senior School (Grade 7 to Grade 8) - Annual: RMB 280,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 93,333. - Senior School (Grade 9 to Grade 10) - Annual: RMB 290,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 96,667. - Senior School (Grade 11 to Grade 12) - Annual: RMB 300,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 100,000. Optional / additional fees and typical ranges - English Language Acquisition (ELA) Programme (Grade 1–6 only): RMB 25,000 per academic year (payment required in full before service starts). - Transportation (regular school bus) per academic year: - Below 5 km: RMB 18,500 per year. - 5 km and above: RMB 20,000 per year. - The transportation fee must be paid in full before the school commencement date; refunds for transportation are pro‑rata per school day less a RMB 400 handling fee. - Paid After‑School Programmes (ASP): most ASPs are complimentary, but paid ASP sessions (8-week session) typically range RMB 1,400–3,800. Paid ASPs must be paid in full before the session; refund rules depend on timing and minimum enrolment. - External examination/test fees (IGCSE, IB, AP, SAT, HSK, Cambridge English, etc.) are not included in the tuition and will be charged separately when applicable. Daily school lunch is included in the tuition. - Uniforms: uniforms are ordered through the school's approved vendor; specific item prices are set by the vendor. The school offers an early‑re‑enrolment complimentary uniform credit for eligible returning students. The on‑site Sabres Store allows try‑ons. Billing schedule and payment terms - Payment frequency options: - Annual (one-time payment), or - Termly (trimester) payments. - Application Fee and Matriculation Fee: timing requirements — Application Fee due within five working days of issuance; Matriculation Fee payment after offer is normally required within five working days. - Late payment charge: RMB 300 per day applied to overdue tuition fees for up to 7 days; after this period the school may suspend the student, withhold reports/transcripts, or offer the place to applicants on the waitlist. Refund and withdrawal terms - Withdrawal notice: parents must submit written notice to the divisional principal at least 30 days before the student's last day of school; otherwise days will be counted as absence and may affect refunds. - Late Withdrawal Notice Surcharge: if less than 30 days' notice is given, 10% of the annual tuition fee is deemed payable in lieu of notice. - Full‑term non-attendance: if a student does not attend any school days in a term, that term's tuition will be refunded in full. Partial attendance: if the student attends any day in a term, the full term's tuition is payable and non‑refundable. Annual payment discounts will be forfeited if the student withdraws mid‑year. - Optional services refund examples: - Transportation: pro‑rata refund per school day (1/180 of annual fee) less RMB 400 handling fee. - ELA Programme: fees are non‑refundable and non‑transferable. - Paid ASPs: full refund if withdrawn before the ASP start; no refunds once the ASP has started (unless minimum numbers not met). - Matriculation fee and other specified non‑tuition fees are non‑refundable. Refunds are processed after the student's last day; overseas transaction fees for refunds are borne by parents and refunds are made to the original payer. A VAT e‑fapiao (tax receipt) will be issued upon payment confirmation. Boarding - No boarding fees are listed; the fees schedule and enrolment materials describe day services and optional transport but do not include boarding provisions. (No boarding programme/boarding fees are published.) Discounts and concessions - Sibling discount: 10% discount on the total annual tuition fee for families enrolling two or more siblings. - Corporate discount: 10% discount on the total annual tuition fee for companies enrolling and paying for five or more children of their employees. - Note: sibling and corporate discounts cannot be applied to the same student. Accepted currencies and payment methods - Accepted currencies: RMB and USD for payments. - Payment methods accepted: - Point‑of‑Sale (POS): credit or debit cards (local UnionPay cards accepted for RMB payments). - Bank transfer: payment to the school's designated bank account; email proof of payment with student full name and class to invoice@ssis.asia. The exchange rate for overseas remittances is based on the central parity rate set by the People's Bank of China on the first working day of each month; any exchange differences are borne by parents. Other practical notes on fees - Tuition covers textbooks/library use, online resources, basic stationery, school‑sponsored CCAs/complimentary ASP offerings, compulsory Shanghai learning trips (within the city), technology fees, and daily lunch for students. External exam fees, optional off‑Shanghai trips, specialist fee‑based services, and certain optional programmes are charged separately. - VAT e‑fapiao will be issued after payment; you may request specific details (student name, period of study) to be added to the fapiao. If you need any of the numeric figures presented above in another currency or as exact instalment amounts calculated to a specific rounding convention, indicate which currency and rounding you prefer and I will compute them directly.
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 —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement All students wear the school uniform. Non-compliance may result in a behavior referral.	Uniform requirement SSIS has a formal school uniform. Shanghai Xinxinle Dress Co., Ltd is the uniform vendor since March 2019, and uniforms are ordered online with home delivery in about one week. The Sabres Store on campus offers fitting and purchase, with hours 08:00–09:00 and 11:40–14:00; contact sabrestore@ssis.asia or +86 21 6221 9288 ext. 7487.
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 Food is sourced from Mahota Farm at Chongming Island and other licensed suppliers. An in-house purchasing department manages the process with no intermediaries and reviews suppliers and products regularly. The weekly menus include Chinese, Western, Japanese, South Korean and Southeast Asian dishes, with vegetarian options and accommodations for dietary restrictions; preschool meals are tailored, and Chinese festival foods are served.
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 SSIS uses a House System with four houses: Ruby, Amber, Pearl and Sapphire. All students and staff are assigned to a house and remain in the same house throughout their SSIS journey, with younger siblings able to join the same house. The system supports a range of activities and competitions, and house points determine a yearly House Championship.
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 SSIS was founded and invested by Prime Group International.
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 SSIS's Preschool (Early Years) is bilingual, aligns with Singapore's Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) framework and is organised around seven learning areas (Aesthetics; Discovery of the World; English literacy; Chinese; Motor skills; Numeracy; Social and emotional development). Primary School follows a Singapore‑based curriculum drawing on Singapore Math and Science with Cambridge Primary English and a three‑track Chinese Language and Culture programme (Basic, Singapore system‑based, Advanced integrating Singapore and Shanghai curricula). Senior School is divided into three stages: Grades 7–8 follow the Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme (CLSP) to prepare for IGCSE; Grades 9–10 take Cambridge IGCSE with four compulsory subjects (English, Chinese, Mathematics, Science) plus up to six option subjects designed to enable the Cambridge ICE group award. Grades 11–12 study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP); SSIS states that 100% of students undertake the IBDP, which comprises six subject groups and the DP core (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS). Across all stages the school supplements subject learning with STEAM, sports, arts and co‑curricular activities, Mandarin immersion and technology integration (ICT/Computer Science/Robotics), and uses ManageBac for home‑school communication and personalised learning records.
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 SSIS describes a whole-division wellbeing and pastoral care programme delivered through form time, wellbeing lessons and assemblies to develop students' social and emotional skills. Counsellors and form tutors lead the programme and the school reports structured pastoral activities such as character and leadership camps and house-based programmes. The Senior School also operates a Mentor Programme that assigns students a teacher mentor for regular guidance on academic and personal matters. The school links pastoral care directly with academic guidance, noting counsellors, form tutors and heads of houses as part of the support structure.
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) SSIS's Student Services page states the school provides Academic Learning Support including personalised learning plans, one‑to‑one and small‑group interventions, assistive technology, and examination accommodations for students with diagnosed learning needs. The school lists Learning Support staff on its faculty pages, indicating specialist staff are in place to deliver these services. The website does not list specific categories of SEN (for example, dyslexia or autism) that it will or will not support. The school's public pages do not describe SSIS as a specialist SEN institution, instead presenting learning support as part of its broader Student Services.
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 SSIS publishes an English Language Acquisition (ELA) programme aimed at Grade 1–6 students who require additional English support, with dedicated ELA staff and integration of language support across the curriculum. The Student Services page describes ELA specialists working with classroom teachers and also references a Cambridge English programme for formal exam preparation. The ELA programme is offered as a year‑long, fee‑based option in the school's tuition schedule for primary grades. Contact details for ELA and student services are provided on the school site for families seeking placement or assessment.
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 counselling team provides individual and group counselling, crisis intervention, and social‑emotional support embedded into the curriculum and pastoral routines. SSIS publishes resources for wellbeing during school closures, including regular Student Wellness Surveys, digital pastoral curriculum content, and remote counselling by appointment. Counsellors are reachable via the published school contact email (counselling@ssis.asia) and the site highlights proactive outreach to students and families identified as needing extra support. These provisions are presented as part of the Student Services and Counselling function on the school website.
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 SSIS publishes a Child Protection Policy and states it has a Campus Safety Committee that conducts regular checks and enforces safety protocols to protect students' physical and emotional welfare. The school's Campus Safety Measures describe visitor procedures, ID/family card controls, and an Outdoor Activities Response Policy as part of its campus safety framework. The website provides a downloadable Child Protection Policy and directs enquiries to designated campus safety contacts. SSIS explicitly states a zero‑tolerance position on bullying, neglect and abuse and outlines procedures for responding to concerns.
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 Suzhou Singapore International School (operating as Shanghai Singapore International School on its website) was founded and invested in by Prime Group International and opened with the approval of the Ministry of Education, PRC on 3 September 1996. The school began with 18 students and nine teachers and expanded over the following decades with additional campuses and programmes. SSIS obtained authorisations for the IB Middle Years Programme (2003), the IB Diploma Programme (2005), Cambridge IGCSE (2011) and the IB Career-related Programme (2014), and continued campus and facilities development through the 2010s. In 2025 the school lists WASC accreditation among its credentials.
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 school serves an international student and family community and runs recurring community events that invite broad participation, such as the annual International Family Bazaar and preschool NatureFest. School-wide occasions including sports days and arts exhibitions bring students, staff and families together across grade levels. SSIS has also co‑organised external cultural events that engage the wider Singaporean and expatriate communities in Shanghai, for example Chingay@Shanghai.
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 SSIS's parent organisation is called the Parent Support Group (PSG); an elected PSG Executive Committee organises volunteer efforts and events across the school. Regular PSG activities listed on the school site include Book Week, Santa's Workshop, Chinese New Year celebrations, International Friendship Day, a Teacher Appreciation lunch and contributions to the International Family Bazaar. The PSG also coordinates parent volunteers who support classroom activities and extracurricular events, and it arranges workshops for parents delivered by staff, parent volunteers and external providers on parenting and academic topics. The PSG uses a dedicated contact address (psg@ssis.asia) for parents who wish to volunteer or participate. Overall, the PSG frames its role as a platform for parent involvement and for enriching students' learning experiences through organised events and workshops.
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 SSIS offers a Co-Curricular Programme (CCA) and an After School Programme (ASP). The CCA for Grades 1–6 develops leadership, social skills and interactions with teachers beyond academics. CCAs span sports (Floor Hockey, Gymnastics, Softball, Soccer, Basketball, Rock Climbing, Badminton), aesthetics (Dance, Creative Drama, Gu Zheng, Singing, Xylophone, Orchestra) and special-interest clubs (STEAM Club, Knitting Club, Lego Building Club, Origami, Scrapbooking). ASP runs three eight-week sessions for K1 to Grade 12; activities are organized by teachers and external vendors, with signups on the SchoolsBuddy platform.
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 Aesthetics Programme provides opportunities in art, dance, drama and music. Visual arts are showcased in campus exhibitions and students may participate in external art competitions. The Performing Arts Programme covers music, drama and dance, with platforms such as musical productions, festival celebrations, International Family Days, student talent competitions, summer concerts and external performances. The Music Programme offers instrument study in small groups, with vocal work, theory and music appreciation; SSIS is an ABRSM exam centre and has a dedicated Performing Arts Centre with a 646-seat auditorium.
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 Chinese Language and Culture Programme combines the national Chinese and Singaporean curriculums. Chinese language classes are differentiated to accommodate diverse abilities: daily Advanced Chinese, Standard Chinese and Foundation Chinese; from Grade 9, students can study Chinese as Language and Literature, another language, or start Chinese as a new language during IGCSE and IB. An Immersive Chinese Culture Class covers traditional culture, poetry, calligraphy and geography. The programme provides platforms for student language expression, including the International Schools Chinese Debating Competition, the Footprint anthology, Chinese Culture Week and Sabres Broadcasting.
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 Sports, aesthetics and clubs are integral to SSIS's holistic education, with opportunities outside the classroom. The school offers a broad range of clubs and after-school activities across athletics, arts and special-interest groups; signups occur on the SchoolsBuddy platform. The SSIS Weekend Programme provides paid activities by external vendors to develop skills and progress. Learning Outdoors offers farm-to-school experiences, excursions and camps to broaden horizons and connect learning to the real world.
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 SSIS is a Duke of Edinburgh International Award Centre; Senior School students aged 13 and above can pursue the DoE Award at Bronze, Silver or Gold levels with teacher mentors. The DoE sections include Voluntary Service, Skills, Physical Recreation, Adventurous Journey and, for Gold, a Residential Project. The programme emphasizes learning beyond the classroom, resilience, independence, goal setting and community involvement.
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 DoE Award fosters leadership, independence and self-management through student-led learning with guided support. Sabres Broadcasting develops bilingual public speaking and media communication skills, offering opportunities to speak in English and Chinese and to participate in live broadcasts. SSIS provides additional avenues for student leadership through school events and projects showcased in SSIS publications and events.
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 Sports form a core part of SSIS's program, with facilities including four indoor basketball courts, three all-purpose soccer fields, a competition swimming pool, an athletic track, tennis courts and spaces for fitness and dance. The school runs specialized programs such as the SSIS Golf Programme and the SSIS Go Swim Programme. Learning Outdoors supports wellbeing through field trips, excursions and the farm-to-school project to connect physical activity with environmental awareness.
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 curriculum is Singapore-based and international, with Preschool and Primary taught to the Singapore Curriculum and then progression to IGCSE and IB Diploma Programmes. The Chinese Language Programme aggregates the national Chinese and Singapore curricula; from Grade 1, students are placed into Advanced Chinese, Standard Chinese, or Foundation Chinese; from Grade 9, Chinese can be studied as Language and Literature, as an additional Language, or as a new language within IGCSE and IB Diploma.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The school encourages bilingual focus among multilingual students. Mandarin and English are core languages of study.	Bilingual teaching SSIS uses a bilingual education model combining English instruction with Chinese language learning through a Cambridge English Programme and a Chinese Language Programme (CLASS Model).
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 The Chinese Language and Culture Programme includes an Immersive Chinese Culture Class, with a learning approach that blends language study with hands-on experiences. Platforms include the International Schools Chinese Debating Competition, the Footprint anthology, Chinese Culture Week, and Sabres Broadcasting.
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 (Only school-level awards/recognitions explicitly reported on the SSIS website in the past five years are included below; I did not include student-level prizes or internal student awards.) - Listed in Forbes China: "Forbes China International School Annual Selection" — SSIS was named on Forbes China's 2025 annual list of international schools (post dated June 20, 2025). The school's news item presents this as an external selection/recognition of the school. - China League IB ranking (2024) — SSIS is reported to have secured 8th place in the 2024 China League IB Table (news post dated December 2, 2024). This is an external ranking placed to the school rather than to individual students. - School trophy for International Economics Olympiad (IEO) preliminary round — SSIS reports that all 23 students who took the IEO preliminary test on December 12, 2024 passed and that "the school was awarded a trophy" for that result (reported in the Senior School newsletter, posted February 26, 2025). The school-level trophy is described in the newsletter. Notes and limits: - I reviewed only information published on the SSIS website and included items where the school itself is the named recipient. External recognitions such as rankings and listings are presented as the school reports them on its site. - Items mentioned on the SSIS site that relate to student awards, internal prize ceremonies, or that describe the school as a "finalist" (for example the China Schools Awards 2022 finalist mention) were not counted as school "wins" here because the site either describes them as finalist status or attributes the award to students. Where helpful, I included exact post dates and source links (citations) so you can verify details directly.
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 - International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) — SSIS is authorised to deliver multiple IB programmes: the Middle Years Programme (MYP; authorised May 2003), the Diploma Programme (IBDP; authorised 2005), and the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP; authorised 2014). Authorisation means the IBO has evaluated and approved SSIS to implement those specific IB curricula and related quality standards. - Cambridge International Examinations (Cambridge IGCSE) — SSIS received Cambridge authorisation in 2011 to offer the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). Cambridge authorisation indicates the school is approved to teach and assess Cambridge programmes and examinations. - Council of International Schools (CIS) — SSIS received full CIS accreditation (first noted in 2010) and has undergone CIS evaluation visits (including a documented accreditation visit/re-accreditation process). CIS accreditation is an external, ongoing quality-assurance process that evaluates a school's governance, curriculum, staffing, and student support against international standards. - National Centre for School Curriculum and Textbook Development (NCCT) — SSIS received full accreditation from NCCT in 2010. This is a China-based accreditation/approval indicating alignment with the national centre's curriculum and textbook standards (as reported by the school). - Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) — SSIS earned initial WASC accreditation on May 13, 2025. WASC is a U.S.-based regional accrediting commission; WASC accreditation indicates the school meets recognised standards in areas such as curriculum, leadership, teaching, and student wellbeing.
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. Create an OpenApply account. Parents must register at SSIS's OpenApply portal before they can submit an application or sign up for open days; this account is the school's primary channel for application notifications and next-step instructions, so use a reliable email address you check regularly. (Make the account at https://ssis-sh.openapply.cn and keep the login details safe.) 2. Complete and submit application documents via OpenApply. All required documents must be uploaded to OpenApply and any non-English/Chinese documents must be translated by an authorised translation company; bring original documents to the Admissions Office for verification on the day of the Admissions Assessment. Required paperwork varies by nationality—examples include the SSIS Registration Kit, signed Code of Conduct and Confidential School Recommendation (for Grade 1+), the child's birth certificate and vaccination record, the family's passport pages, and Shanghai residence/permit or property/tenancy proof—so check the list that applies to your family and prepare certified copies before applying. 3. Pay the application fee (and follow payment timing). After you submit documents, SSIS issues a proforma invoice; the non-refundable application fee (RMB 2,500 for AY2025/2026) must be paid at least five working days before the Admissions Assessment date using bank transfer or on-site card/cash as instructed by SSIS Finance. Keep proof of payment and email any bank-transfer receipts to the school when requested—missing payment deadlines can delay or invalidate your booking for an assessment. 4. Attend the Admissions Assessment. All applicants are required to complete an Admissions Assessment; SSIS Admissions will contact you with the assessment schedule and details once they have a complete application. After the assessment SSIS will notify you of the outcome. 5. Complete the application by paying the matriculation fee and confirming enrolment. If your child is offered a place you are asked to pay the non-refundable matriculation fee (RMB 20,000 for AY2025/2026) within five working days to secure the place; tuition choices (annual or termly) and optional services (school bus, ELA programme at RMB 25,000/yr for Grades 1–6, paid ASPs) are detailed in the Registration Pack and on the Tuition & Fees page. Read the Registration Pack's payment schedule, discount rules (10% sibling or corporate discount conditions), and refund and late-payment policies carefully—late-payment penalties and enrolment consequences are explicitly stated.
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 —
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 SSIS's published enrolment materials reference a waitlist: the Registration Pack and fee policy state that if a student is suspended or leaves for non-payment the school may “offer the student's seat to new applicants on the waitlist.” That language indicates SSIS maintains a pool of applicants it can draw on when places become available, but the website and Registration Pack do not publish a detailed public waitlist protocol (for example: ranking criteria, how long applicants remain on the list, or automatic expiry of a position). Therefore, if you want to know how the waitlist would apply to your child (how places are prioritised, expected waiting times, or whether acceptance requires immediate matriculation-fee payment), contact the Admissions Office directly (admission@ssis.asia / +86 21 6221 9288) for current practice and your applicant's position. Note: the statement about offering seats to waitlisted applicants appears in the school's refund/late-payment section and is the basis for the above summary; the rest is an informed inference because the school does not publish a full waitlist procedure.
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