Concordia International School Shanghai vs Yew Chung International School of Shanghai

	C Concordia International School Shanghai Shanghai, China	Y Yew Chung International School of Shanghai Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 243,000 - 320,000	Fees / year RMB 243,900 - 362,700
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), SEN focussed, Bespoke Curriculum, IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme)	Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 1,200	Pupils 2,400
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 25
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 1998	Opened 1993
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Concordia International School Shanghai is located in the Jinqiao (Biyun) neighbourhood of Pudong, Shanghai; the visitor entrance is at 345 Huangyang Road and the school's mailing address is 999 Mingyue Road (postcode 201206). The campus sits in an international residential and commercial area with nearby metro and bus links (Taierzhuang Road / Line 9 is a short walk) and is reachable from both Pudong and Puxi.	Location YCIS Shanghai operates five day-school campuses across Puxi and Pudong (examples: Gubei/Puxi and Century Park/Pudong). Campuses sit in established residential and expat neighbourhoods with access to major roads and public transport; exact campus addresses and maps are on the school site. For admissions or visits parents usually select the campus that matches their child's year group.
Stages	Stages The school serves students aged about 3 to 18 and is organised into Early Childhood, Elementary School, Middle School and High School divisions (Preschool through Grade 12).	Stages The school provides Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary education for students aged about 2–18 (K2–Year 13). Campuses are organised so different sites serve particular age ranges (ECE, Primary, Secondary).
School type	School type Concordia is a co‑educational day school delivering an American‑style curriculum; it does not offer boarding. The school operates as an international school for students holding foreign passports.	School type YCIS Shanghai is a co‑educational international day school that follows a bilingual co‑teaching model (English and Mandarin) in its early years and primary classes. The school does not advertise boarding provision—its campuses operate as day campuses.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Concordia runs a Learning Support (LS) programme with LS specialists who work with classroom teachers to design interventions and accommodations. The programme supports a limited number of students with mild to some moderate learning needs through referral, in‑class support, and targeted interventions.	Additional learning support The school has a Learning Support function (EAL/SEN) that provides in‑class and withdrawal support, helps develop IEPs and administers assessments; specialist staff are listed in recruitment and student‑support materials. Admissions and placement for students with more significant needs are handled case‑by‑case and the school notes limits on the level of specialist provision available on campus.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school is approved by the Ministry of Education of China and the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission but is not an official national school of another country; it provides an American‑style education for expatriate families.	Country affiliation YCIS Shanghai is part of the Yew Chung Yew Wah (YCYW) education network; the Shanghai campus opened in 1993 as the network's mainland China campus.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Concordia was founded in the tradition of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and holds related school accreditation; it identifies as a Christian/Lutheran‑affiliated international school.	Religious affiliation The school does not present a formal religious affiliation on its public overview pages; its materials focus on bilingual, cultural and character education rather than a particular faith.
School day structure	School day structure Typical school start times reported are about 8:00 AM for Early Childhood, Elementary and Middle School and about 8:30 AM for High School, with a usual school day finishing in the mid‑afternoon (around 3:20 PM). Specific schedules (for example exam blocks or early‑release days) are published on the school calendar and can vary by week or division.	School day structure Daily start/end times and break/lunch arrangements vary by campus and year group; the school publishes campus‑specific school calendars and timetables (see the School Calendar / Year Overview pages for each campus). Parents relocating should check the relevant campus calendar for precise daily hours.
Bus service details	Bus service details Concordia offers optional paid bus transportation with morning, afternoon and late/activity routes; routes cover much of Pudong and some areas of Puxi. Families who pay for daily bus service may also use activity buses for no additional charge on participating ECA/athletics days. The bus service is run as a school‑arranged transport option and the fee is separate from tuition.	Bus service details YCIS offers an optional school bus service with multiple routes serving its campuses; routes, pick‑up/drop‑off points (commonly at compound gates) and fees vary by campus and year. Families can apply for bus service each year and should contact admissions or school services for the current routes, schedules and fees.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fee - Application fee: RMB 2,500 (non‑refundable). One‑time/new‑student fees - Capital (placement) fee: RMB 25,000 (one‑time, billed on acceptance; non‑refundable). - One‑time ELL support fee (where applicable, K–12): RMB 20,000. - Grade 6–12: families must provide a recent Apple laptop for student use (school specifies minimum model/specs). Tuition (per student) — full year and semester options - Preschool / Pre‑Kindergarten: Full year RMB 243,000 — Semester payment option RMB 124,000 per semester. - Kindergarten – Grade 5: Full year RMB 305,000 — Semester payment option RMB 155,000 per semester. - Grade 6 – Grade 8: Full year RMB 312,500 — Semester payment option RMB 158,750 per semester. - Grade 9 – Grade 12: Full year RMB 320,000 — Semester payment option RMB 162,500 per semester. Other recurring / optional costs - Bus transportation (optional, per student): RMB 22,000 per year. - School lunch (optional): ranges by division — approx. RMB 27–40 per day depending on grade. - Uniforms (K–12): approximate RMB 1,000 per year for Grades 1–12; Preschool/Pre‑K do not require the standard uniform. - Educational travel and some grade‑specific costs: variable and billed separately. Boarding - Not applicable. Concordia operates as a co‑educational day school; no boarding program or boarding fees listed. Billing schedule and payment terms - Two payment options: single full‑year payment (once per year) or two instalments (semester payments). Specific invoice dates and due‑date instructions are issued by the school. Payment in RMB is standard; USD payments use a school set exchange rate updated on the first day of each month. Refunds - No detailed public refund schedule is provided on the school's published tuition/fees pages; one‑time acceptance and capital fees are listed as non‑refundable. For any refund or withdrawal terms, the school's billing/finance office handles individual cases. Accepted payment methods and banking details - Accepted methods: cash, check (U.S. checks accepted for tuition/fees), wire transfer, Alipay, WeChat Pay for some payments. School provides RMB and USD bank account details for transfers. Important: include student name on remittance to ensure correct credit.	Fee details Application fees & registration deposit - Application fee: RMB 3,000 (one‑time, non‑refundable). - Registration / placement deposit: RMB 25,000 (one‑time; reported as refundable). Tuition fees (by year group) — annual and per semester Note: tuition is published on an annual basis; the school academic year is split into two semesters, so per‑semester amounts below are the annual fee divided by two (arithmetic shown). - Nursery 2 (age 2): Annual RMB 243,900 — Per semester RMB 121,950. - Kindergarten 1 (age 3): Annual RMB 264,800 — Per semester RMB 132,400. - Kindergarten 2 (age 4): Annual RMB 264,800 — Per semester RMB 132,400. - Kindergarten 3 / Reception (age 5): Annual RMB 313,900 — Per semester RMB 156,950. - Year 1 — Year 3: Annual RMB 313,900 — Per semester RMB 156,950. - Year 4 — Year 5: Annual RMB 320,200 — Per semester RMB 160,100. - Year 6 — Year 8: Annual RMB 350,200 — Per semester RMB 175,100. - Year 9 — Year 10: Annual RMB 356,400 — Per semester RMB 178,200. - Year 11 — Year 13 (upper secondary): Annual RMB 362,700 — Per semester RMB 181,350. Billing schedule & payment terms - Tuition figures are quoted annually; the school year runs as two semesters (see calendar). Specific invoicing dates, installment options and late‑payment terms are set in the school's Fees & Policies and on individual invoices. Boarding - YCIS Shanghai operates as a day school; boarding is not applicable. Other costs - Typical additional charges include: school uniform (available via the school's online order link), school bus/transportation, extracurricular activities/CCAs, field trips, examination fees (external IGCSE/IB charges where applicable), meals, textbooks and incidental or activity charges. The school's admissions materials and online shop reference these categories. Refund information (known items) - Application fee: non‑refundable. Registration/placement deposit: reported as refundable. Further refund rules for tuition and other charges are defined in the school's Fees & Policies document. Fee payment options - Reported accepted payment methods: online payment; cash in RMB; credit/bank card payment (in person — bank service charge may apply); and electronic/bank transfer. Bank transfer details and invoice instructions appear in admission/fees documentation. Discounts - A sibling discount (reported for large families) — example: a 5% tuition discount for families with three or more enrolled children — is reported in published fee summaries.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements The school is a co-educational day school; boarding is not offered.	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Uniforms are required for all students from Kindergarten through Grade 12, with PE uniforms for Grades 5-12. Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten students do not wear the uniform; uniforms can be purchased through the school, and size charts and price lists are available.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Food service is provided by Aramark, a global food service company. EC, ES, and MS/HS lunch menus are published for Concordia students.	Food options The school operates a campus cafeteria where meals are available to students. A lunch-card system is used for cafeteria dining on Pudong and Puxi campuses.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The Concordia Board governs Concordia International School Shanghai. The Board establishes the mission and sets policies, and entrusts the educational program and business matters to the administration, faculty, and staff.	Governance and ownership The school is part of the YCYW Education Network.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Concordia delivers an American-style continuum from Preschool through Grade 12: the Early Childhood program (Preschool–K) is Reggio Emilia–inspired and integrates literacy, math, science, social-emotional learning and the arts with Mandarin and English-language support. The Elementary School (Grades 1–5) follows U.S. standards—Common Core for math and literacy, NGSS for science, C3 for social studies—and uses resources such as Bridges in Mathematics alongside daily Mandarin and balanced literacy instruction. Middle School (Grades 6–8) follows an American curriculum with an international focus; students study nine subject areas each year: Mathematics, Science, English, Social Studies, Physical Education, World Language, STEM, RSB and the Fine Arts. High School (Grades 9–12) requires a U.S.-style core (English, social studies, science, math, world language, fine arts, health, PE and spirituality) and offers Advanced Placement courses, Applied Learning pathways and Global Online Academy options; students meet defined credit-based graduation requirements to earn a Concordia high school diploma. Across all divisions the school embeds STEM, applied-learning, service, counseling and learning-support programs alongside extracurriculars and specialist arts instruction.	Curriculum details Yew Chung International School of Shanghai educates expatriate children from K2 to Year 13 (ages 2–18) across its Puxi and Pudong campuses. Early Childhood (K2–K4) uses a bilingual co‑teaching model (one native English and one native Chinese teacher) and follows a play‑based approach guided by the UK “Development Matters” Early Years framework. Primary and lower secondary (Years 1–9) follow the school's YCIS international curriculum with integrated Chinese Studies and continued bilingual instruction. Upper secondary is a two‑stage external‑exam pathway: Years 10–11 sit Cambridge IGCSE subjects (the school is an authorised Cambridge Assessment centre) and Years 12–13 study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). YCIS Shanghai is accredited by NEASC and CIS, reports recent IGCSE and IB outcomes on its site, and offers modern languages (including Mandarin and Spanish) alongside the core curriculum, university guidance and co‑curricular programmes.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Concordia describes a P–12 counselling and guidance programme that delivers social–emotional learning through classroom, small-group and individual sessions, and trains Student Ambassadors to welcome and support new students. The Early Childhood/Kindergarten guidance programme uses the Second Step curriculum for explicit SEL instruction (skills for learning, empathy, emotion management and problem solving). The high school has also recently revised its advisory programme to emphasise SEL at the grade‑level advisory level. Counselors work with teachers and parents to support transitions and adjustment, and confidentiality is stated as a priority in counselling.	Social & emotional learning YCIS Shanghai states it delivers a school-wide Wellbeing Programme that is emphasised in daily lessons, weekly assemblies and other learning activities to develop students' social and emotional skills. The school names specific counsellors and pastoral staff who contribute to wellbeing work and describes character education activities (for example, annual Charity Week) as part of students' social development. Early Childhood and Primary classes use a bilingual co-teaching model (English and Chinese co‑teachers), which the school says supports students' identity, relationships and intercultural skills. Transition programmes and pastoral arrangements (homeroom teachers, year-level leaders and counselling teams) are described as supporting social and emotional needs during key moves (for example Primary→Secondary).
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) Concordia publishes a Learning Support Program (LSP) that is delivered by Learning Support (LS) Specialists who co‑plan with classroom teachers and provide interventions, accommodations and monitoring. The LSP states the school can support a limited number of students with mild and some moderate learning needs and uses a referral process for admission and exit. The school describes collaborative planning between LS Specialists, classroom teachers and parents as the primary model of support. Concordia does not present itself as a specialist SEN institution; its published materials indicate mainstream inclusion with targeted support for qualifying students.	Special educational needs (SEN) YCIS's published admissions guidance states applicants must be able to access the regular curriculum “without needing support beyond our English as an Additional Language programme and supplemental learning resources,” which indicates limited scope for intensive specialist SEN provision. The school's website does not present a detailed public list of the specific types of SEN it can support or a dedicated specialist‑SEN programme, and it is not described on the website as a specialist SEN institution. Where further or specialist services are required the admissions statement implies those needs may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis during application. Because the website does not publish a comprehensive SEN policy or an explicit list of conditions supported, families requiring significant specialist provision should contact admissions for definitive guidance.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language Concordia publishes an English Language Learning (ELL) programme that uses WIDA assessment for identification, employs ELL Specialists to provide language scaffolds and co‑teaching, and offers English Language Development (ELD) courses for middle and high school students. The ELL page explains exit criteria (WIDA scores, classroom tasks and academic progress) and emphasises home‑school partnership and ongoing monitoring.	English as an additional language YCIS Shanghai's admissions and curriculum pages state the school provides EAL (English as an Additional Language) support for students whose mother tongue is not English. The school describes EAL being delivered as a separate lesson in Primary and notes in transition guidance that English/EAL is taught by English co‑teachers together with an additional EAL teacher to support diverse learner needs. The Early Childhood bilingual co‑teaching model (English and Chinese teachers in each class) is presented as a core part of language access across the school. The website therefore documents that EAL provision exists but does not publish detailed programme syllabuses or class‑size/teacher‑ratio specifics online.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Concordia's published support for student mental wellbeing is delivered through its P–12 counselling team, which runs whole‑school, small‑group and individual work and operates a Care and Concern team to monitor social and academic adjustment. The School Health & Safety page notes on‑site registered nurses and explicitly states counselling staff provide support for emotional and stress‑related difficulties. The school has published a Middle School Wellness programme addressing six dimensions of wellness (spiritual, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and emotional).	Mental wellbeing The school describes a Wellbeing Programme that is integrated into the curriculum and daily school life and names school counsellors who lead wellbeing and transition support. YCIS articles on wellbeing detail practical initiatives used during periods of remote learning (for example active‑movement challenges, wellbeing webinars and resilience workshops) and note assemblies and Life Skills elements that support students' mental health. Transition pages also state that counselling staff and year‑level leaders provide pastoral support during key changes, such as moving from Primary to Secondary. The website does not publish a formal student mental‑health policy with exhaustive lists of clinical services on the public pages, so families wanting clinical or specialist mental‑health support should enquire directly with the school.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding Concordia's website indicates child safeguarding is part of its counselling and staff training work: the counselling team runs a Care and Concern group and the school has hosted professional events that included sessions on child safeguarding, reporting protocols and staff training. The School Health & Safety page also refers to emotional health and the role of counselling staff in supporting students. However, the school does not publish a standalone child‑protection policy document accessible from its public website pages that we could locate; a formal, dedicated child protection policy is not publicly disclosed on the site.	Safeguarding YCIS Shanghai publishes material stating that child protection and safeguarding are compulsory elements of staff training and school practice; the site describes annual in‑person child protection training for all staff, follow‑up online modules during the year, and mandatory Adult Codes of Conduct for staff and volunteers. The school reports that additional training on intimate‑care guidelines is provided for Early Childhood staff and that visitors who work with children must sign safeguarding acknowledgements before working on campus. YCIS also highlights that its broader accreditation and professional‑development programme includes child‑protection training for staff. The website provides a specific child‑protection/safeguarding page and news article outlining these requirements; for procedural details (reporting pathways, Designated Safeguarding Lead contact, external reporting) parents should consult the school's published Child Protection page or contact the school directly.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The Concordia campus is purpose-built and environmentally sustainable, designed to support learning, play, and artistic development. The campus uses geothermal heating and cooling, reducing energy costs and environmental impact, and rooftop space is used for horticultural education. Spaces are available for High School, Middle School, and Elementary School students to use during and after school for training and play. The Phoenix Center houses maker labs, a drama room, and a gym to support hands-on learning and physical development. The Rittmann Center for the Fine Arts includes a 300-seat theater, music rehearsal rooms, studios for 2D/3D art and photography, and a gallery; the center is being redeveloped starting June 2025 to add a swimming pool and other modern spaces. The FIFA-certified soccer pitch on campus supports training and competition.	Facilities overview YCIS Shanghai operates multiple campuses in Puxi, Pudong and Lingang to serve students from Early Childhood through Upper Secondary. The school maintains a bilingual English-Chinese program. The Lingang campus features a library, large flexible classrooms with interactive touchscreen technology, air filtration units, music and multi-purpose rooms, and maker spaces with rooftop garden space. The Puxi campus includes a swimming pool located on the B1 level as part of a fitness centre that also contains a gym, rock climbing walls and a dance studio.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The Phoenix Center includes a gym for indoor physical education and activities. The FIFA-certified soccer pitch on campus provides an international-standard venue for training and matches. Outdoor spaces on campus support training and competition across divisions. Concordia joined the Asia Pacific Activities Conference (APAC) to expand opportunities for regional athletic competition.	Sports facilities The Puxi campus has a swimming pool on the B1 level as part of a fitness centre with a gym, rock climbing walls and a dance studio. The Lingang campus has an all-weather sports field and a gymnasium for sports and CCAs. YCIS Shanghai supports a broad sports program with teams and competitions, including swimming, football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, touch rugby and badminton, with participation in CISSA, SISAC and ACAMIS.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Maker labs are available in the Phoenix Center for hands-on learning, along with a drama room and a gym. The Rittmann Center for the Fine Arts contains a 300-seat theater, music rehearsal rooms, and multiple art studios and a gallery. The campus provides a STEM room for science, technology, engineering, and math learning, and a culinary art lab to support applied learning. Redevelopment of the Rittmann Center began in June 2025 to add a swimming pool and modern spaces for arts and activities.	Academic facilities The Lingang campus features large, bright flexible classrooms with interactive touchscreen technology and air filtration units. It also includes a library housing a large collection of English and Chinese literature, as well as music and multi-purpose rooms and colourful maker spaces. The theatre and sports facilities, including a gymnasium and a swimming pool, are part of Lingang's ongoing campus development.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Concordia's Extracurricular Program includes activities, sports, and clubs that run parallel to the curriculum. Extracurricular activities are organized into Exploration, Fine Arts, Literacy, Service & Leadership, Sports & Movement, and STEM. The program offers 60 EC Extracurriculars for Early Childhood, 250 for Elementary School, 140 for Middle School, and 160 for High School. The Concordia Theatre program provides two high school productions and one middle school production each year, with an elementary musical produced annually. The school also participates in competitions such as the ASDAN International STEM Challenges.	Extra curricular facilities Campus Life offers diverse co-curricular activities (CCAs). YCIS Shanghai provides swimming programmes and swim teams at the Puxi campus, and maintains a wide range of sports teams; the school competes in CISSA, SISAC and ACAMIS and has earned trophies in multiple sports.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History A group of U.S. individuals—backed by multinational corporations, American expatriates, U.S. foreign-service personnel and the People's Republic of China—began planning the school in 1997. Educators from Hong Kong International School were sent to Pudong and Concordia opened in September 1998. The school began under Head of School Dr. Allan Schmidt with 22 students and 14 staff. Concordia was founded in the tradition of LCMS schools, maintains formal connections with sister schools (Hong Kong International School and Concordia International School Hanoi), and operates independently in China rather than as part of other Concordia groups.	History YCIS Shanghai was established in 1993 and is described on the school website as the first independent international school in Shanghai to be officially recognised and registered with the Chinese government. The school grew from YCIS's Hong Kong roots and is part of the broader Yew Chung Yew Wah (YCYW) Education Network; YCYW traces its origins to 1932 and positions YCIS Shanghai as its first mainland China campus. Over the past three decades the school expanded to multiple campuses across Puxi, Pudong and Lingang to serve Early Childhood through Upper Secondary students.
Community	Community Concordia's community is internationally diverse, with families representing more than 30 nationalities. Parents and staff engage through an active Parent Support Organization and regular school communications; typical community occasions organized or supported by parents include Back-to-School events, an International Festival and an annual Christmas Bazaar. The school also highlights student-led service and applied-learning projects—most recently the student social enterprise Xiaohusai, which earned external recognition—showing community engagement extends beyond on-campus events.	Community YCIS Shanghai's public pages note a multicultural student body across several campuses (the site cites students from 50+ nationalities and a student population in the low thousands). The school and the YCYW network run recurring community-wide activities — for example the annual Founder's Day (a network-wide celebration with campus-level sports, assemblies and family activities) and the network's ‘Learning Communities' programme that connects students, teachers and sometimes parents across flexible learning spaces. The school's “Our Community” section groups information for parents, students and alumni and points to campus-specific events and communications channels.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association All parents of enrolled students are automatically members of Concordia's Parent Support Organization (PSO). The PSO provides leadership opportunities (PSO Board positions) and plans major community events such as the Back-to-School Bash, International Festival and the Christmas Bazaar. It coordinates volunteer-run committees and sales—examples include Used Book Sales, Treat Sales and Used Uniform Sales—that both build community and raise funds. The volunteer-run Phoenix Shop, created by five parents in 2006, operates on campus to sell Concordia spirit wear and is staffed by parent volunteers during lunch and after school. The school runs parent meetings, Parent Connect sessions and parenting workshops (with recent meetings held via Teams), giving parents ways to connect, volunteer and access resources. The PSO also raises funds to support yearly activities and the PSO Program Grant that funds school projects and programs.	Parent teacher association The YCIS Shanghai website includes a dedicated “Our Parents” area and a Parents Login portal, but it does not publish a single, clearly labelled city‑wide “PTA” page in the public site menus. The site's event coverage shows parents taking part in campus activities (cheering at Founder's Day runs, family picnics, and house competitions) and school news frequently highlights campus-level, parent‑facing events. Based on the publicly available pages, parental engagement appears organised at the campus level through parent portals, event volunteer opportunities and campus communications rather than through a single public PTA document — for exact details (committee contacts, formal meeting schedules or volunteer sign-ups) the school directs parents to their campus office or the Parents Login. If you'd like, I can check the school's parents portal or contact pages for current campus PTA contacts or recent parent‑run events (I would need permission to search deeper or you can share any login materials).
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Concordia International School Shanghai uses an American‑style curriculum that blends core subjects with Advanced Placement (AP) courses and Applied Learning experiences. The high school program parallels U.S. standards and includes English, Social Studies, Science, Mathematics, World Language, Fine Arts, Health, Physical Education, and Spirituality, with an AP Curriculum and Applied Learning opportunities. The school has a strong STEM program, including a school‑wide robotics initiative and recognition for STEM achievements. English is the primary language of instruction, and Mandarin is taught across grades with daily Mandarin lessons and two pathways in Mandarin study.	Academic & intellectual The school has six campuses located in Puxi, Pudong and Lingang.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Fine Arts offerings include Visual Arts, Music, Choir, and Theatre. Fine Arts are integrated into the curriculum and supported as part of the overall student experience.	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Mandarin is offered from Preschool through Grade 12, with two pathways: Chinese Language & Literature and Mandarin as a Foreign Language. Elementary students have daily Mandarin lessons, with a program that emphasizes language immersion, culture, and literacy. The Mandarin program fosters cultural awareness, identity, and critical thinking through language study.	Cultural & language The school provides a bilingual learning environment in which English and Chinese are equally valued; in Early Years, classes are led by one native English-speaking and one native Chinese-speaking teacher.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Concordia supports a broad range of extracurricular activities across academics, arts, and sports. National History Day (NHD), CISSMUN, and VEX Robotics are among the activities that engage students and build collaborative skills. Students also participate in APAC Championships and other interscholastic competitions.	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service Xiaohusai is a student‑run social enterprise that sources fair‑trade tea from Yunnan farmers to fund scholarships and education initiatives. Xiaohusai earned the International School Award 2025 for its community impact. The school emphasizes service via projects such as gifts for migrant children and educational partnerships abroad.	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The AP Curriculum is complemented by Applied Learning courses that extend beyond AP content and support leadership and professional skill development. College counseling offers guidance and preparation for university admissions. Student‑led initiatives, including Xiaohusai, provide hands‑on leadership, entrepreneurship, and teamwork opportunities.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Wellness is integrated through the Middle School Wellness program, which addresses six dimensions of wellness: spiritual, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and emotional. The curriculum includes Health and Physical Education as core components. Sports, fitness, and mindfulness opportunities are emphasized through the extracurricular and athletic programs.	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision Mandarin is taught as part of the curriculum through a Mandarin Program. An English Language Learning (ELL) Program provides individualized language support across all divisions to help students access the curriculum. ELL includes English Language Development (ELD) courses in Middle School and High School. The curriculum is an American-style program aligned across Early Childhood through High School.	Language provision In Early Childhood, the programme is bilingual and co-teachers support English and Chinese language development. In Primary, Chinese remains important and is used extensively, while more subjects are taught in English. Students have at least one hour of English and one hour of Chinese classes daily; Mathematics and Topic are co-taught in English and Mandarin; Specialist classes (Art, ICT, PE, Music) are taught in English. EAL (English as an Additional Language), CAL (Chinese as an Additional Language), and CFL (Chinese as a First Language) support is provided. In Primary, the English National Curriculum is adapted for an international context with Chinese culture and character education included.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The school uses a bilingual learning environment in Early Childhood where Chinese and English are equally valued. Each Early Years class has a co-teaching team of one native English-speaking teacher and one native Chinese-speaking teacher to provide an immersive, bilingual experience. In K2, two co-teachers and a full-time classroom assistant support the learning in small classes. In K3 and K4, the two-co-teacher model continues to support a fully bilingual experience.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs The co-teaching model creates an immersive bilingual environment across Early Childhood, with English and Chinese language development supported simultaneously. K2 and K3/K4 experiences are bilingual with equal emphasis on both languages, weaving Eastern and Western cultures into daily activities.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards (Only items explicitly shown on the school website and awarded to the school or a school division; dates are the dates shown on the site.) • ITEEA STEM School of Excellence, ITEEA 2024–25 — Concordia reports it was named an ITEEA 2024–25 STEM School of Excellence (the only K–12 school in Asia to receive the recognition); this is a program-level recognition from the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association that highlights the school's integrative STEM program work. (Jan 16, 2025). • China International School Innovative Competitiveness Top 50 (KingLead Research) — Concordia reports being ranked No. 2 in the national Top 50 (category: schools for children of foreign personnel) and No. 1 in Shanghai in KingLead's list; this is a national-level innovation competitiveness ranking reported by the school. (Newsroom post dated Mar 4, 2024). • Shortlisted / Top 10 (World's Best Schools Prizes) — the school reports being shortlisted as a Top 10 school in the "Supporting Healthy Lives" category of the World's Best Schools Prizes (T4 Education / World's Best Schools); the site describes this as a Top 10 shortlist for the school's wellness work. (Page referencing shortlist dated Aug 15, 2024). • Education Insights — Top 10 Most Valuable Schools in Asia (2023) — Concordia's website states the school was featured in Education Insights' list of the Top 10 Most Valuable Schools in Asia for 2023 and includes a school media interview reference; this is a third-party recognition noted on the school site. (Listed on the school homepage/newsfeed). • Newsweek / Education Insight coverage (Leading International Schools, 2023) — the school's homepage/newsfeed references being named in Newsweek Education Insight's coverage of leading international schools in 2023; the site presents this as a media recognition included in the school's public recognitions. • KingLead China International Kindergarten Ranking — Early Childhood division ranked 2nd nationwide (KingLead China International Kindergarten Ranking Top 30) — the school reports its Early Childhood division ranked No. 2 in China and No. 1 in Shanghai in the KingLead kindergarten ranking. (Newsroom post dated Jun 21, 2025). Notes: - I excluded awards and recognitions that the school's site attributes specifically to individual students or student groups rather than to the school as an institution (for example the site's item about a student-run social enterprise winning the International School Award names the enterprise/students as the recipient; per your instruction that is not to be included). - All items above were taken from the Concordia International School Shanghai website (English and Chinese pages on the concordiashanghai.org domain). If you'd like, I can expand any entry with the exact site paragraph or provide direct links to the specific news posts or pages cited above.	Awards I searched the school's official website for school-level awards dated within the past five years (January 1, 2021–December 31, 2025) and found the following items that the school (not individual students) received. Each entry lists the award, the date reported on the school site, and a one-line explanation of its significance: - Staff Development and Wellbeing Award — British Chamber of Commerce China Schools Awards 2022 (awarded at the CSA ceremony on 24 February 2023; reported on the YCIS site 1 March 2023): recognised Yew Chung Yew Wah Education Network's (YCYW) long-term commitment to staff development, training and wellbeing; the award highlights the network's practices and systems for teacher/professional development and staff support. - Outstanding Contribution Award (School) — RAISE2023 (RAISE 2023: 6th Asia International Schools Conference & China International Schools 30th Anniversary awards; event reported 10 November 2023, YCIS article dated 23 November 2023): presented to YCIS Shanghai as a school-level recognition for distinctive contribution to the international school sector in China. Note on scope and sources: these two school-level awards are the only awards for the school explicitly reported on YCIS Shanghai's official website within the specified five-year window. The site contains many reports of student-level examination prizes (e.g., Cambridge ‘Top in China/Top in World') and internal scholarship announcements; per your request I did not include student awards or scholarships and have only listed awards that the school (or the school as an institution) received and that are documented on the school website.
Accreditations	Accreditations • Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) — WASC is a US-based regional accrediting agency; the school states it completed its third seven-year WASC accreditation cycle in June 2022 (this confirms an ongoing formal review of school-wide quality and continuous improvement). • National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA) — NLSA is the accreditation commission for schools of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; Concordia notes NLSA accreditation as part of its faith-based school accreditation and continuous-improvement process. • Approved by the People's Republic of China Ministry of Education and the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission — the school's about page states that it is approved by these local authorities to operate as an international school for children of foreign passport holders in Shanghai (this is a regulatory approval required to operate in China).	Accreditations Below are the accreditations and authorisations listed on YCIS Shanghai's official website, with a one-line explanation of each and why it matters: - Council of International Schools (CIS): an international school accreditation body that evaluates whole-school quality against international benchmarks; CIS accreditation signals that a school meets widely-recognised international standards for governance, teaching, safeguarding and continuous improvement. - New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC): a U.S.-based regional accrediting organisation; NEASC accreditation indicates the school meets standards commonly used for school recognition and quality assurance in the U.S. and internationally. - National Centre for Curriculum and Textbook (NCCT) / joint China accreditation participation: YCIS Shanghai was selected to participate in the NCCT–CIS–NEASC joint accreditation process and was accredited under that joint review; NCCT involvement indicates the school has been evaluated in the context of Chinese national curriculum/textbook authorities as part of a recognised joint accreditation pathway. - Cambridge Assessment / authorised Cambridge Examination Centre (IGCSE): the Secondary School is authorised as a Cambridge Assessment examinations centre for IGCSE, meaning it is approved to offer and administer Cambridge IGCSE qualifications on site. - International Baccalaureate (IB) — IB World School (IB Diploma Programme, IBDP): the school is authorised to offer the IB Diploma Programme at upper secondary level, which means it has met the IB organisation's requirements for curriculum, teacher support and assessment for the diploma.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Check eligibility and required government documents. Before you begin the online application, confirm your family meets Shanghai Municipal Education Commission (SHMEC) eligibility categories and that you can provide the required government documents (passports, residence permits, work permit/employment verification, birth certificate, etc.). Concordia requires at least one parent to be resident in Shanghai while the child is enrolled; failure to maintain required documents can lead to dismissal and forfeiture of fees, so gather certified/translated copies now. 2. Start the online application (OpenApply) and pay the application fee. Eligible applicants must complete the school's online application portal (concordiashanghai.openapply.cn) and upload initial documents; after submission you will receive a customized checklist in your applicant account. The application fee is paid through that process (the site lists a non-refundable application fee); keep the payment receipt and note the portal account login for future checklist items. 3. Upload supporting academic records, recommendations and any learning-needs documentation. The admissions checklist asks for previous report cards, test results, and teacher recommendations; if your child has diagnosed learning needs or specialized schooling requirements, include full documentation and disclose these up front because admissions decisions are made case-by-case based on available support. Concordia states that failure to disclose a full history of learning needs can result in dismissal, so be thorough and contact Admissions to discuss any supports your child may require. 4. Prepare for interviews and assessments (if required). Depending on grade level and the initial application review, Concordia may request an interview and/or English-language and academic assessments (math, reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing, etc.); Preschool/Pre-K have different language expectations than Kindergarten–Grade 12. If the grade has reached wait-pool status, the school notes that required assessments may be scheduled only when space becomes available, so ask Admissions about timing if you need a prompt assessment. 5. Receive the admissions decision and complete acceptance steps. The admissions committee evaluates academic/behavioral records, English proficiency, support needs and overall fit; the school will notify families of decisions by email. If you receive an offer, a non-refundable Capital Fee (listed on the tuition page) is billed upon acceptance and generally must be paid within the timeline provided in the offer to secure the place. 6. Complete enrollment paperwork, payments and operational arrangements. After acceptance, follow the Enrollment instructions (submit any outstanding SHMEC documents, arrange tuition payment in RMB or USD per the school's payment instructions, and be aware of one-time fees: ELL support fee where applicable, and laptop requirements for Grades 6–12). Also arrange optional services (bus, lunch, uniforms) and confirm start-of-term logistics; if you have questions about billing or currency conversion, contact the Business Office or Admissions directly.	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and eligibility check — Contact the YCIS Shanghai Admissions team to start. Parents should confirm that the family meets local eligibility rules for international schools in Shanghai (typically foreign passports and supporting residency/visa documents) before applying; the school's Admissions pages explain these requirements and offer an Age Placement Guide and Application Checklist to help determine the correct year level. If you plan to transfer from another YCIS campus, note that internal transfers are facilitated with reduced paperwork. 2. Book a visit / information meeting — Arrange a campus visit, open day or a virtual meeting with Admissions to see the campus, ask about bus routes, meal service, EAL provision and learning-support capacity, and to confirm which campus (Puxi, Pudong or Lingang) you prefer. Parents should bring photo ID and the child's most recent school reports to the meeting, and ask for the Application Checklist so they can prepare documents correctly. Visits are useful to confirm practical matters (bus stops, start times) that affect daily logistics. 3. Complete the online application — Submit the official online application through YCIS's admissions portal and select the preferred campus. The portal collects basic family and student details and prompts for the required uploads (passport copies, proof of residency/visa where required, recent school report, immunisation record and any support plans). Completing the online form early in the admissions cycle is recommended; make sure the uploaded documents are clear and translated into English if necessary. 4. Application fee, deposit and invoice expectations — After submission you should expect to be informed about any application fee and, if an offer is made, the acceptance deposit/enrolment fee and payment deadlines. Published fee summaries used by multiple school-fee services show a one‑time application fee (reported around RMB 3,000) and a refundable enrolment deposit (reported around RMB 25,000), but families should confirm the current amounts and payment methods with Admissions and on the official invoice before paying. Keep receipts and read the school's withdrawal/refund policy in the Fees documentation. 5. Assessment and interview — For placement the school will consider academic history, English proficiency, special skills/talents, social‑emotional readiness and date of birth; applicants may be asked to complete age‑appropriate placement tests and attend an interview (in person or online). Younger children may have play‑based assessments; older applicants are usually given subject/English assessments and a short interview. If English is limited, the school will assess whether the child can access the regular curriculum with the school's EAL support (students who require specialist or intensive SEN support beyond the school's published provision may not be admitted). 6. Offer, contract and acceptance — If a place is offered you will receive an offer letter or invoice that sets out the deadline to accept, deposit/payment instructions, and the contract terms. Read the contract carefully for start date, payment schedule, minimum enrolment period and any conditions attached to the offer (for example, proof of residency or work permit if not already provided). Parents normally accept by returning a signed contract and paying the required deposit by the stated deadline to secure the place. 7. Preparation before start date — Once the place is confirmed, arrange school uniform sizing, school bus registration (if needed), meal plan choices, and provide any medical or learning‑support documentation requested. If your child needs EAL support, coordinate with the school about initial assessments and any recommended resources so they can start with appropriate support. Ask Admissions for arrival/orientation dates and the school calendar so you can plan travel and housing around term start dates. 8. Onboarding and placement adjustments — On the child's first weeks the school will typically complete induction and may make minor placement adjustments once they have observed the student in class; keep lines of communication open with the class teacher and the Admissions/Year‑Level leader. If your child is moving mid‑year, expect a formal placement assessment and an agreed in‑year start plan, including catch‑up or bridging suggestions. Parents should maintain copies of medical forms, prior reports and any individual education plans, as these speed the placement process. 9. Follow‑up and appeals — If an application is declined or a child is placed in a different year level than expected, ask Admissions for written feedback and guidance on re‑application or alternative options (including the waiting pool if applicable). If you plan to reapply or update application materials, send the improved documents and new reports to the Admissions office so they can re‑assess when a vacancy arises. YCIS also supports transfers within the YCYW network, which can simplify moves between sister campuses.
Scholarships	Scholarships Concordia's public website does not list a general family-facing scholarship or means-tested financial-aid program for incoming students. The site does show the Concordia Fund (a donor program that supports student/faculty enrichment projects) and describes employee tuition benefits for faculty children under specific employment arrangements, but it does not present an open scholarship application process or standard tuition-remission program for the general applicant pool. If you are seeking fee assistance, sponsored places, or employee-related tuition benefits, contact the Admissions or Human Resources offices directly to ask whether any limited-sponsored places, staff benefits, or special arrangements might apply in your case — contact details are provided on the school's contact page.	Scholarships YCYW (the Yew Chung Yew Wah network) operates a network scholarship programme that is implemented at YCIS campuses, including YCIS Shanghai. The programme awards merit‑based scholarships for academic excellence, leadership, service and subject/talent strengths; award categories include the Madam Tsang Chor‑hang Memorial Scholarship, Yew Chung Yew Wah Subject & Talent Awards, and Yew Chung Yew Wah IGCSE/IB/A‑Level Academic Awards. Eligible applicants are typically current or prospective students in the upper years (network guidance and campus notices commonly reference Years 7–13), and external applicants are usually required to submit admission materials and take designated tests (CEM/CPT or equivalent) before scholarship application. Scholarship support varies by award and campus; the network's published material indicates tuition‑fee waivers ranging from partial (about 15%–25% for some awards) up to full (100%) and durations commonly from two to three years depending on the scholarship type, with an annual review and a selection process that includes a written application and panel interview. YCIS Shanghai publishes its own scholarship announcements and timeline (application season, short‑listing, panel interviews and final decisions—application windows are usually in the November–January period with interviews and decisions in the months that follow), so families should contact the YCIS Shanghai Admissions or scholarship email for current deadlines, application forms, and the exact percentage and duration available at that campus.
Waitlist	Waitlist Concordia operates a wait pool system rather than an automatic long public waitlist for grades that have reached capacity. The school's Admissions/Requirements pages flag specific grade levels as being at “wait pool” status and state that, when capacity is reached, applicants are placed in the wait pool rather than being immediately assessed or placed. Priority consideration within the wait pool is not an automatic placement; Concordia lists priority factors used when choosing among wait-pool applicants: siblings currently enrolled or applying, returning students in good standing, stronger academic English proficiency, and students with prior attendance at U.S. or American international schools. The site also explicitly notes that if a requested grade is at wait-pool status and an applicant requires an assessment, the assessment will be scheduled only if and when space becomes available — so families on the wait pool should expect possible delays to assessment and placement and should keep Admissions informed of any changes in status.	Waitlist YCIS schools keep a waiting pool when a year level is full rather than a single‑ranked public queue; applicants who meet the admission criteria but cannot be placed immediately may be held in that pool until space becomes available. Priority considerations used when moving candidates from the pool to offer places include sibling status, campus balance and curriculum/age fit; parents are advised to confirm whether they must re‑confirm interest to remain in the pool and how long a pool placement is valid at the specific campus. The practice of maintaining a waiting pool and giving sibling priority is used across the YCYW/YCIS network (for example, another YCIS campus page explicitly states a waiting pool is maintained when a year level is full), so expect similar local practice at YCIS Shanghai and check with Admissions for campus‑specific details and timelines.
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