Dipont Huayao Collegiate School Kunshan vs Shanghai Livingston American School

	D Dipont Huayao Collegiate School Kunshan Shanghai, China	S Shanghai Livingston American School Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 137,000 - 192,000	Fees / year RMB 133,825 - 221,823
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 17 years
Type	Type Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Chinese National Curriculum, American Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 480
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 15
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 2003
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Dipont Huayao Collegiate is on East Jingwang (Jingwang East) Road in the Kunshan Economic & Technological Development Zone (Kunshan, Suzhou, Jiangsu). It is in the Kunshan/greater-Suzhou area, within commuting distance of Shanghai, and reachable by local road links—parents relocating should check local transit or taxi routes from Kunshan or Suzhou.	Location SLAS is in Changning District at 580 Ganxi Road, a central area with many international residents; the campus was chosen for its proximity to expatriate neighbourhoods. Public transport and taxis are commonly used to reach the school; the school provides a door-to-door bus service for students (see Transportation).
Stages	Stages The school is described as an all-through campus serving early years through upper school: a preschool (ages around 2–6), an elementary school (Grades 1–5), a middle school (Grades 6–8) and an upper school (Grades 9–12).	Stages The school runs an Early Years program and Primary (elementary) years, plus Middle School and High School (Grades 9–12), with year-group pages and handbooks for each division. Admissions and placement testing determine entry level for newcomers.
School type	School type Dipont Huayao Collegiate is a co-educational, independent international/bilingual school operated by Dipont Education in partnership with the No.2 High School Affiliated to East China Normal University. The school offers both day places and boarding (boarder provision is noted in school information).	School type SLAS is a co-educational international school following an American-style curriculum and is WASC-accredited. It operates as a day school (no public boarding provision is listed).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Public-facing information highlights integrated academic and student‑life/pastoral programmes but does not publish a detailed special educational needs (SEN) policy online. If your child requires specific SEN or additional learning support (assessments, one‑to‑one support, therapy services, exam access arrangements), contact the admissions office for the school's current provisions and formal policy.	Additional learning support The school runs English Language Development (ELD/ESL) programmes for students who are acquiring English, with placement testing and regular assessment; primary years also have a Learning Support/Resource class for targeted literacy support. For specifics about support plans or specialist services, contact the Guidance/Learning Support team.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school is registered and based in China and is run by Dipont Education in partnership with East China Normal University's affiliated high school; it delivers a Sino‑American/blended Chinese–American curriculum rather than being formally affiliated to another country's government.	Country affiliation SLAS operates as an American international school (American curriculum orientation) rather than being affiliated with a national government or church.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is listed on the school's public information; it presents as a secular bilingual/international school.	Religious affiliation The school does not state any religious affiliation on its public pages; its mission and core values present a secular international school profile.
School day structure	School day structure The school's public pages and published brochure do not show specific daily start/finish times or the exact timing of breaks and lunch. For the most accurate day‑time schedule (term dates, start/end time, break and lunch arrangements), contact admissions before you relocate.	School day structure The website presents division-specific handbooks and calendars but does not publish a single, clearly listed daily start/end time for all students; start and finish times (and break/lunch arrangements) are normally set by division and are provided in student handbooks or on admission. Please check the relevant student handbook or ask Admissions for the exact times for your child's year group.
Bus service details	Bus service details There is no detailed, publicly posted information about a school bus provider or routes on the school's website pages reviewed. Many international schools in the region run parent‑arranged or school‑organised shuttle services, but Dipont Huayao Collegiate does not publish routes or a provider on its public pages—please contact admissions to request current bus/transport options, route maps and costs. Admissions contact shown on public pages: admissions@huayaocollegiate.com and the school phone numbers listed online. }	Bus service details SLAS operates a door-to-door school bus service for students living in Shanghai; the school publishes semester fees (e.g., RMB 9,000 within 15 km; RMB 9,300 over 15 km), a list of numbered routes and the bus office contact. The school notes it is not obliged to offer service outside existing routes, and parents register via the school's bus registration form. For route-specific enquiries contact the Transport office.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - No separate, publicly published application or registration fee was found for Dipont Huayao Collegiate School Kunshan in the official school material and major school-directory summaries reviewed. Tuition fees (by term and by year group) - Early years / Kindergarten (Nursery / K1–K3): RMB 68,500 per semester — equivalent to RMB 137,000 per year. - Primary (Grades 1–6): RMB 75,000 per semester — equivalent to RMB 150,000 per year. - Junior middle (Grades 7–9): RMB 85,000 per semester — equivalent to RMB 170,000 per year. - Senior / International high school (Grades 10–12): RMB 96,000 per semester — equivalent to RMB 192,000 per year. Billing schedule and payment terms - Published tuition figures are quoted on a per-semester basis; annual totals above are the sum of two semesters. Parents are required to complete payment as part of the enrolment/registration process for each semester. Evidence from school admissions material for Dipont-group schools shows tuition and other fees are normally collected when new students complete admission/registration formalities. - Specific deadlines for semester payments and late‑payment penalties were not publicly detailed in the school pages and directories reviewed. Boarding fees (if applicable) - The school does offer boarding; published notices indicate boarding availability begins in the lower grades (sources state boarding is offered from around Grade 3 in some notices and from Grade 5 in others). No separate, consistent boarding‑fee amount was published in the material reviewed. If boarding is required, expect an additional charge beyond the tuition figures above. Other costs and typical additional charges - Uniforms: A school uniform is part of student requirements at most comparable schools; no fixed uniform cost was publicly listed for this school in the documents and directories checked. - Meals, textbooks, consumables and exam fees (AP/standardised tests): These items are commonly billed separately at comparable international schools; no consolidated line items for these costs were published alongside the tuition figures for this school. - School transport: the school operates school‑bus routes serving Kunshan and nearby areas according to admissions notices; specific bus fares were not published. - Optional / one‑off charges (enrolment deposits, activity trips, learning‑support fees, insurance): no firm amounts for such one‑off or optional charges were publicly listed for Dipont Huayao Collegiate School Kunshan in the sources reviewed. Refund information - No school‑level refund policy or detailed refund schedule (for tuition, deposits or other fees) was publicly available in the admissions/fee notices and directories consulted. Where a school does publish refund terms they are usually included with the enrollment paperwork; no such terms were located in the public listings reviewed. Fee payment options - The school's public pages did not list a definitive menu of payment channels for Dipont Huayao Collegiate School Kunshan. For other Dipont‑group campuses and similar international schools in the region, common payment channels include corporate bank transfer for institutional payments and on‑site/QR payments for parent payments; electronic invoicing via the school finance/Engage system is used by related Dipont schools. Specific payment methods for this Kunshan campus were not published in the material reviewed. Notes and summary - The tuition values above are those published in public school-directory notices and school admissions summaries and are given per semester with the corresponding annual totals shown. Where a single term figure was reported, I have listed the semester figure and the two‑semester annual equivalent. - Several admissions and school‑information pages for the school repeat the same per‑semester tuition bands (Kindergarten RMB 68,500; Primary RMB 75,000; Junior middle RMB 85,000; Senior high RMB 96,000). Boarding and many ancillary fees are not presented as fixed public line items in the documents reviewed. If you would like this presented in a different currency or formatted for a database field, I have provided the figures here in Chinese renminbi (RMB) per your request.	Fee details Application fee - Application Fee: RMB 2,200 (non‑refundable). Tuition fees (2025–2026) — annual and per‑term (school year organized in three trimesters) Note: SLAS charges tuition as annual amounts; all fees are payable in advance for each term. The school calendar shows the academic year divided into three trimesters; therefore the per‑term figures below are the annual fee divided by three. Annual and per‑term figures are shown in RMB. - Nursery / Pre‑School / Pre‑Kindergarten - Annual: RMB 133,825 - Per term (133,825 ÷ 3): RMB 44,608.33. - Kindergarten - Annual: RMB 163,350 - Per term (163,350 ÷ 3): RMB 54,450.00. - Elementary School (Grade 1–5) - Annual: RMB 202,860 - Per term (202,860 ÷ 3): RMB 67,620.00. - Middle School (Grade 6–8) - Annual: RMB 214,990 - Per term (214,990 ÷ 3): RMB 71,663.33. - High School (Grade 9–12) - Annual: RMB 221,823 - Per term (221,823 ÷ 3): RMB 73,941.00. Required supplemental and recurring fees - Capital Fee (one‑time, mandatory per child): RMB 8,000. Refund only if written withdrawal is received before the first day of classes; no refund once the semester has begun. - Technology Fee (annual, Grades K–12): RMB 2,000 per child. - School Bus (door‑to‑door) — charged per semester: - Within 15 km: RMB 9,000 per student per semester. - Over 15 km: RMB 9,300 per student per semester. - School Lunch (prepaid daily): RMB 35 per day (covers lunch and snacks as described by the school). - Other miscellaneous charges may apply (examples listed by the school include SAT testing fees, MAP testing fees, uniforms for performances/activities and house T‑shirts). Some miscellaneous items are specifically listed as non‑refundable in the school refund policy. Billing schedule and payment terms - All fees are to be paid in advance for each term. Any new student enrolling mid‑semester must pay in full for the current month upon enrollment. All fees must be paid on or before the first day of term; students may not attend if fees are unpaid. SLAS reserves the right to change fees without prior notice. Boarding fees - Boarding: SLAS operates as a day school; no boarding program or boarding fees are listed. Tuition is presented as "full day" and transportation services are provided by the school. Other costs and uniform - School Uniform: A uniform policy and downloadable uniform catalogue are provided; the school indicates parents are responsible for purchasing required uniform pieces. The website provides a uniform catalogue and dress code but does not list fixed uniform prices on the public page. Uniform items and performance/activity‑specific uniform pieces are referenced. - Additional likely costs (examples identified by the school): extracurricular activity fees, performance uniforms, testing fees (MAP/SAT), textbooks or replacement costs for lost/damaged items, and any charges related to extracurricular trips or house events. Some of these items are explicitly non‑refundable if incurred. Refund information (key points) - Tuition refunds: - Withdrawals made in writing by August 1 (before Fall semester) or December 1 (before Spring semester) are eligible for a 100% tuition refund. - Written notification received after those dates but before the beginning of classes: 90% tuition refund. - No refund for the currently enrolled semester once classes begin, except in limited circumstances (e.g., if the school requests a student to leave for behavior/academic reasons the Committee may approve a prorated refund). The student's issued fapiao for refunded tuition must be returned to the school. - Capital fee refund: only if withdrawal is received in writing before the first day of classes; no refund once the semester begins. - Transportation refund: written notification two (2) weeks prior to the start of the semester is required for a refund; no refund once the semester has begun. Lunch refunds require one (1) week's written notice and will be prorated. Certain fees (Registration Fee, Seat Guarantee Fee, MAPS Testing Fee and similar) are specifically listed as non‑refundable. Outstanding financial obligations are deducted from any refund. Fee payment options and bank details - Accepted payment methods: bank transfer, RMB or USD check, or cash. If paying by bank transfer, forward a copy of the bank remittance with the student's name and grade. If paying in USD, the exchange rate is calculated at the current bank exchange rate used by the school. All fees must be paid on or before the first day of term. - School bank account information (as provided for payments in RMB or USD): - Bank Name: Fubon Bank Shanghai Hong Qiao Sub‑Branch. - RMB Account Number: 50100001100004085. - USD Account Number: 50100001200004087. - SWIFT: FSBCCNSH. - Payment remark: Student's English name and grade level. If you require these figures presented in another currency, or need them formatted differently for a database, the numeric values above are the school's published amounts in RMB for the 2025–2026 school year.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement A school uniform is required. The dress code uses a white or blue polo as the main garment. Shirts, sweaters, or any apparel not containing the school logo may not cover the polo. Bottoms must be black or blue and include pants, shorts, skirts, or dresses; blue jeans are allowed if there are no holes, tears, or logos.
Food options	Food options —	Food options Lunch and snacks are provided daily. Early Years receive a warm lunch and two snacks; elementary students receive a warm lunch and one snack. The prepaid daily lunch fee is RMB 35.
House system	House system —	House system Students are divided into four houses: White Tigers, Black Lions, Red Lynx, and Silver Snow Leopards. Houses participate in events to earn points, supporting the school values and fostering mentorship across grades.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership The school is Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredited since 2009, an official ACT testing site, and a SAT test site. It is a member of SISAC and an ACAMIS partner and is approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education and Shanghai Education Commission.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Dipont Huayao Collegiate School Kunshan runs a Preschool through Grade 12 programme (Preschool, Elementary, Middle and Upper School). Preschool uses an integrated bilingual early‑years approach, while Elementary and Middle combine the Chinese national curriculum with international standards such as the American Common Core/NGSS and include a layered English‑medium pathway (middle grades levels CP, CP‑A, ECP and ECP‑I). The Upper School delivers a Sino‑American high‑school curriculum developed with U.S. partners (e.g., Shattuck‑St. Mary's), offers honors/ECP/AP track options, and is an authorized College Board AP school (AP code 694680) with students prepared to sit AP exams. Across all stages the school emphasises bilingual instruction, STEAM, arts and co‑curricular learning with personalised learning plans and advisory support; students may be placed or move between instructional levels based on assessment. The school issues standard Chinese full‑time elementary/middle/upper school graduation certificates and prepares students for AP qualifications and international university entry.	Curriculum details Shanghai Livingston American School follows an American-style curriculum from Early Years through Grade 12 and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The Early Years Program emphasizes inquiry, discovery and social‑emotional foundations, while Primary (Pre‑K–Grade 5) focuses on reading, writing, science and Common Core–aligned mathematics (Go Math/HMH). Middle School (Grades 6–8) continues the four core areas (English language arts, math, science, social studies) and adds electives and interdisciplinary units to prepare students for secondary study. High School (Grades 9–12) is organized as a U.S. college‑preparatory program offering core subjects, world languages, arts, technology and PE, with Advanced Placement (AP) course options (for example AP Calculus, AP Psychology, AP World History) and support for AP/SAT/ACT testing. SLAS issues formal high‑school credentials — the LAS Diploma (27 credits) and an Advanced Studies Diploma (30 credits) — and operates as an official ACT test site; transcripts and AP experience are used for university admission.
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 Dipont Huayao Collegiate names a school‑wide Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator: Ms Lijuan is described as the Secondary School counsellor and the school's SEL coordinator, indicating a named staff role with responsibility for SEL across the school. The school's published interview describes the coordinator working with students individually and in small groups and acting as a liaison among students, parents, teachers and administrators. That article also states students may seek support from their tutors and psychological staff, showing SEL work is integrated with the school's pastoral contacts.	Social & emotional learning Shanghai Livingston American School publishes a clear set of core values (Proficient Communicator, Confident Individual, Compassionate Citizen of the World, Creative Thinker) that are used explicitly to guide student behaviour and recognition. The school operates a house system (four Houses) that places students and staff into mixed-age communities, awards House Points for demonstrating core values, and runs inter-house activities to build belonging and mentorship. The school's calendar and news show regular community events (for example Spirit Week) and a Community Service programme that reinforce social engagement and character development. These elements together comprise the school's publicly described approach to social and emotional learning.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision or the types of SEN it can support on its official website or in its main public profiles. No dedicated SEN policy, list of supported conditions, or a named SENCo/learning‑support team was found in the school's public materials during this review. If you need definitive details about individual learning‑support arrangements or whether the school can support a particular need, I can search for contact details so you can request formal documentation from the school.	Special educational needs (SEN) The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision on its website. A search of the SLAS site and public pages does not show a dedicated learning‑support or SEN policy or a list of specific needs the school can support. Because detailed SEN provision, staffing, or specialist services are not described online, it is not possible from the school's public materials to state which types of SEN are supported or whether SLAS is a specialist SEN institution. For admissions the site refers to testing and placements in language programmes but not to formal SEN pathways.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school does not publicly disclose information regarding an established EAL (English as an Additional Language) programme on its official website. Public staff/employee comments note that some students have limited English and that the school provides "TF support" (teaching support) in practice, but there is no formal, detailed EAL programme description available in the school's public pages. If you would like, I can try to contact the school or locate admissions materials that might list any EAL screening or language‑support services.	English as an additional language SLAS operates English Language Development (ELD) provision for students acquiring English: new students take placement tests and, based on results, may be placed into standard classes, advanced classes, or ELD courses. The Secondary ELD page explains that ELD students are taught subjects (English, science, history) at levels matched to their English proficiency, and that the ESL Advancement Exam (EAE) is administered twice yearly to assess readiness to move into standard English classes. The admissions information also notes that ESL tests are administered for grades 1–8 and that placement decisions (regular program, system ELD, or recommendation to seek intensive English elsewhere) are based on those results. These are the school's publicly described EAL/ELD arrangements.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school publishes information about on‑site mental‑health support: it names two counsellors (a Secondary counsellor/SEL coordinator and an Elementary counsellor), describes their qualifications, and explains that the school has a dedicated counselling room with relaxation and one‑to‑one areas and sandplay equipment. The article notes the counsellors provide individual and small‑group counselling, emotional support activities and act as liaisons with families and teachers. These published items indicate the school operates an in‑school counselling service rather than outsourcing all mental‑health work.	Mental wellbeing The school's published staff and administration pages identify a Guidance Department and named guidance staff (including a Head of Guidance and guidance counsellor roles), indicating an organised counselling structure for students. The Health & Safety page notes on‑site nursing and procedures for students who become ill while at school, and the school refers to pastoral measures such as supervised campus activities and emergency plans. SLAS also describes community-building initiatives (houses, community service, events) that the school presents as part of its supportive environment. The website does not publish a detailed mental‑health policy or a publicly available counselling service protocol beyond these staff roles and general statements.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school does not publish a standalone child‑protection or safeguarding policy on its publicly accessible website pages that were reviewed for this request. Public materials do, however, describe pastoral contacts and counselling access—students are invited to seek help from tutors and the school counsellors and a counselling room is available for one‑to‑one support. If you need the school's formal safeguarding/child‑protection policy or reporting procedures, I can look for a published policy document or contact the school to request it.	Safeguarding SLAS's Health & Safety page states concrete measures: students are supervised at all times, visitors must check in and wear passes, students are released only to approved individuals, playground and campus safety measures are in place, and the school runs regular emergency drills and maintains an emergency plan. The school also names a school nurse and describes health/hygiene procedures for sick students awaiting parent pickup. However, the school does not publish a separate, detailed child‑protection or safeguarding policy on its public site that sets out reporting procedures, designated safeguarding leads, or formal child‑protection protocols. The above statements are based on the school's Health & Safety and staff pages.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school operates a campus in Kunshan Economic & Technological Development Zone, Suzhou, Jiangsu. It serves students from preschool through Grade 12 and provides a blended Chinese and American curriculum.	Facilities overview The school opened its original campus on August 26, 2003. In January 2005 the school moved to Ganxi Road, in the Changning District. The campus was selected for its location in an area inhabited by international expatriates and has been modernized and upgraded to provide an outstanding and safe setting for expatriates seeking a seamless education program and for American students returning to the United States or other English-speaking countries. The library system includes an extensive library with age-appropriate books in the Primary and Secondary libraries. The school offers bus service to all students living in Shanghai. More than thirty nationalities study at SLAS.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities The library comprises an extensive collection in both the Primary and Secondary libraries. A Course Catalog is available for download and outlines offerings across Early Years through High School. The school organizes information resources such as a School Calendar and Student Handbooks for students. The Guidance Department supports student planning and life after school, and the Summer Reading 2025 program is offered. A Summer Enrichment Program is listed in the Information section.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities Co- and extra-curricular offerings are emphasized across academics, arts, and athletics. The Parents-Teacher Association (PTA) engages parents and plans field trips and community service trips to a rural sister school. Wildcats athletics and other inter-school activities are part of the program, with events such as the ACAMIS Vox Cup noted in latest news. Spirit Week, Halloween Parade, and cultural activities are featured in school news. The school serves a diverse student body with 30+ nationalities and offers a range of clubs and activities through its community and guidance pages.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Dipont Huayao Collegiate School Kunshan opened to its first students in 2020 (originally launched as Shanghai Huaer Collegiate School Kunshan) as part of Dipont Education's independent-school development program. The campus was developed in collaboration with local partners, drawing on a relationship with East China Normal University (East China Normal University Affiliated Second Middle School is cited in local listings) and Dipont's curriculum and school‑building experience. Recruitment for senior leadership began in 2019 and the school grew through staged year‑group intakes as the campus facilities were completed. The school's name was updated to Dipont Huayao Collegiate School Kunshan in early 2022 as it became fully integrated into Dipont's network of schools.	History Shanghai Livingston American School was founded after a January 2001 visit by founder Thomas Sheng and advisor (former U.S. Congressman) Robert Livingston to Beijing seeking permission to open American-style schools; China's Vice Premier Li Lanqing approved the first campus in Shanghai. SLAS was established to implement an American educational system from pre‑school through grade 12, following California public school curriculum and standards. The school's founding leadership recruited an experienced principal and a teaching staff chosen for prior classroom and administrative success. From its early years SLAS emphasized technological literacy, arts and humanities, ESL support for non‑native English speakers, and student safety as central priorities.
Community	Community The school describes a blended Chinese–Western approach and began with several hundred students at opening, building a mixed community of local and international families that engages around academics, co‑curricular programmes and college guidance. The campus and Dipont group materials show regular, school‑run family and recruitment events (open/experience days) as well as curriculum‑linked activities such as career exploration projects and university exhibitions that bring students, parents and external speakers together. The school's college‑counselling programme publishes parent‑facing sessions (small talks, group briefings and one‑to‑one meetings) and the school has advertised semester experience/open days for families to visit and participate.	Community The SLAS community is internationally diverse, with more than thirty nationalities represented among students. School life includes regular curricular and co‑curricular events — examples on the school news feed include Spirit Week and a Halloween parade, seasonal concerts, science and engineering fairs, culinary projects (Wildcats Kitchen) and trips such as visits to the Zotter chocolate factory, and participation in regional competitions like the ACAMIS Vox Cup. The school also runs community service activities and coordinates occasional service trips to a rural sister school as part of its broader community engagement.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association The SLAS Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is structured to gather input from parents, teachers and students and to meet regularly to identify concerns, design improvement plans, and recognize achievements. PTA members help plan experiential programs including a fall and spring overnight field trip and community service trips to a newly selected rural sister school. The PTA page lists an executive board with named officers and community liaisons (for example, Rupali Singh — President; Leah Wang — Secretary; plus Chinese, Japanese and Korean community liaisons). The site provides a contact form for parents to send questions or messages to the PTA. The PTA's stated role focuses on practical coordination of family‑school activities and direct parent involvement in planning those trips and meetings.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual The school offers classes for students from age 2 up to Grade 12 (Nursery to Grade 12).
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision The school follows an American curriculum and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). English language development (ELD) is provided for students acquiring English, with primary and secondary ELD programs. Secondary ELD offers English, science, and history classes for ELD students based on English proficiency. Chinese language classes are available as part-time enrollment. The Summer Enrichment Program includes English and Chinese language learning.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards I searched the school's site (News/Blog and Accreditation pages) for awards given to the school itself during the most recent five-year period (January 1, 2021–December 31, 2025). The school's site does not list any awards presented to the school as an institution in that time span. The site does show (a) a 2024 Hongqiao Friendship Award item, but the award and certificate were presented to the school's legal representative, Mr. Thomas Sheng, not to the school as an institution, and (b) multiple posts describing student or team awards and competition results (for example a 2023 Hackathon where students won a category). Because you asked only for awards awarded to the school (not to individuals or students), there are no qualifying school-level awards listed on the SLAS website in the specified five-year period. If you would like, I can: - double-check other public pages (for example archived newsletters or SLAS magazines linked on the site) for any institute-level recognitions not shown in the News feed, or - contact the school's admissions or communications office for an up-to-date list of any institutional awards (I can draft an email for you to send).
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations Below is a concise list of the accreditations, approvals and formal memberships the school displays on its website, with one-line explanations of each item and why it matters. - Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) — SLAS states it has been accredited by WASC since 2009. WASC is a U.S.-based regional accreditor whose review confirms that a school meets recognized standards for curriculum, student achievement and institutional integrity; accreditation helps other schools and universities accept the school's credits and transcripts. - Approval/Accreditation by the Chinese Ministry of Education — the school states it is approved and accredited by the Chinese Ministry of Education, which means it is authorised by national education authorities to operate within China. - Approval/Accreditation by the Shanghai Educational Committee — the school states it is approved and accredited by the Shanghai Education Committee, indicating local municipal-level authorisation and oversight. - Membership in the Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS) — SLAS lists ACAMIS membership; ACAMIS is a regional organisation that facilitates inter-school collaboration, professional development and organised competitions (sports, arts, academics) across China and Mongolia. - Membership in the Shanghai International Schools Association (SISA) — SLAS lists SISA membership; SISA fosters cooperation and inter-school activities among international schools in Shanghai. - Official ACT testing site — SLAS notes it is an authorised ACT test centre, which means the school can administer the ACT to students on campus (useful for college-bound students).
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. First contact and school visit — Start by contacting the school to request information, book a campus tour or an open day, and confirm application windows. The school runs public recruitment notices and open‑day dates (for example, the school published open‑day dates and recruitment notices for the 2025 intake). Parents should confirm whether the open day is for a particular year group and prepare identification (parent ID and child documents) for on‑site registration. 2. Submit an application — Complete the school's application form (online or paper) and provide the required documents: the child's passport or ID, recent school reports or transcripts, birth certificate, immunisation records, and parent/guardian contact and residency documents. For some year groups the school asks applicants to register through local online enrolment systems when relevant (the school's 2025 notices referenced the local Kunshan enrolment system for certain cohorts); private applicants typically submit direct applications to the school's admissions office. Parents should check deadlines (schools often publish specific application windows in spring for autumn entry) and whether an application fee or supporting forms (eg. guardian forms, translation/notarisation) are needed. 3. Assessment and interview — Applicants usually take an age‑appropriate assessment or attend an interview: play‑based assessments for early years, English and mathematics tests for primary and middle grades, and subject/portfolio assessments or English interviews for older students. Dipont schools and the Kunshan campus have reported using entrance interviews and tests as part of admission screening; expect the school to schedule either an on‑campus assessment or an online interview if you are overseas. Parents should prepare copies of recent term reports and, for older students, any standardised test scores or sample work the school requests. 4. Offer, deposit and contract — If the school offers a place you will typically receive an offer letter with the fee schedule, deadline to accept and the required deposit or guarantee to hold the place. The school's published fee figures (see Fees) indicate a range by year group; be ready to confirm whether the quoted fee is for day‑student or includes boarding, and to ask what is refundable and the payment deadlines. Parents should read the enrolment contract carefully for billing cycles (semester vs annual), cancellation and refund terms, and any additional compulsory charges (meals, insurance, buses). 5. Registration, visa/guardianship and local formalities — After accepting an offer you will complete registration paperwork with the school and, where applicable, arrange visa/guardianship documentation for international students. The school is registered with local education authorities and issues certificates on completion; local regulations can affect which students may be admitted and what residency/visa documents are required, so confirm with the school which proofs they need (eg. passports, residence permits, parents' work or residence documentation). If your child is a Chinese national living overseas or a resident of Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan, different documents may be required—ask admissions for a checklist. 6. Pre‑start arrangements and orientation — The school will publish orientation dates, transport/bus routes and boarding move‑in procedures (the school's public notices include school bus routes and a boarding option). Before term starts, check uniform lists, start‑of‑term medical checks or vaccinations the school requires, and the timetable for parent‑teacher communications. Parents should also confirm who to contact for day‑to‑day questions (admissions office phone/email) and how tuition invoices will be issued.	Admissions 1. Check whether your child meets the school's age/grade cut‑off before you apply. SLAS publishes grade cut‑off dates for each school year (for example the Age Requirement table for 2025–2026 lists exact birth‑date ranges for Nursery through Grade 12); use that table to confirm the correct grade and to avoid later re‑placement. If your child has not completed a full year in a grade by the fall entrance date, SLAS may require re‑enrollment in the same grade. 2. Complete the official application form and collect required documents. SLAS requires a completed, signed application form plus a completed medical form and vaccination record, recent academic records (varies by division), a sealed recommendation letter (teacher for elementary; administrator for middle/high), two passport photos, and photocopies of student and parents' passports and visas. The school states incomplete application forms or missing documents will delay or prevent consideration, so assemble everything before submission. 3. Pay the non‑refundable application fee and submit the file. The application fee is RMB 2,200 and must be paid and received before the Admissions Committee will evaluate the application; SLAS will not refund this fee whether or not the student is accepted. The application pages and bank information on the website give instructions for bank transfer and for emailing completed files to the Admissions Office. If you plan to pay by transfer, include the student's English name and grade as the transfer remark to help the office match the payment. 4. Expect assessment or testing where required. SLAS may require admissions testing for any applicant; when campus testing is not possible the family is responsible for arranging impartial testing at the student's present school. ESL/ELD testing is commonly administered for grades 1–8 and will determine placement in the regular program, the school's ELD program, or advise seeking intensive English elsewhere until passing. Tests are not shared in advance and the school controls how results are released. 5. Provide confidential references if requested and keep contact details current. The school may require confidential letters of reference prior to a final decision; it is the family's responsibility to ensure reference forms are returned in a timely and sealed/confidential manner. SLAS will contact families by phone, fax or email for testing or additional information, so make sure the Admissions Office has accurate contact details. 6. Admissions review, priority and rolling decisions. SLAS operates rolling admissions and reviews complete application files throughout the year; however final placements are governed by Board policy that establishes admission priority categories and wait‑list standing (a student's position can change if higher‑priority applicants apply). If a grade is full, qualified applicants may be placed on a wait list or otherwise handled according to the school's priority policy. For status checks or timeline questions contact the Admissions Office directly. 7. If offered a place, follow the written acceptance steps and pay required fees to confirm enrollment. Official acceptance letters include start dates and class assignments; families must complete the enrollment/fee steps by the deadlines in that letter. Required one‑time and annual fees (capital fee, technology fee, annual tuition by grade) are detailed on the Tuition Fees page — note that some fees (for example the capital fee) are refundable only before term start and others are non‑refundable. Keep copies of any payment receipts or fapiao required for refunds. 8. Arrange ancillary services and confirm start‑of‑term logistics. If you need bus service, school lunch, or other services, add them during enrollment — the site lists bus semester costs and the daily lunch charge. SLAS requires that term fees be paid on or before the first day of term and states students may not attend if fees are unpaid. If you need special arrangements (late arrival, testing accommodations), notify Admissions in advance.
Scholarships	Scholarships The school has publicly advertised a scholarship programme. In 2023 the school launched an “HC Scholarship” programme that named several categories (for example: a navigation/entry scholarship, a principal's nomination, subject‑competition awards and standardised‑test excellence awards). Local school listings and admissions notices indicate scholarships are awarded based on entrance exam performance, in‑school academic results and competition/standardised test outcomes; specific award criteria, application or nomination procedures and the percentage (or amount) of tuition covered are determined by the school and should be confirmed with admissions. If you are interested in scholarship support, ask admissions for the current scholarship types, eligibility thresholds (eg. minimum test scores or prize/competition results), application deadlines and whether an award is a one‑off discount or renewable each year.	Scholarships SLAS operates a scholarship and financial awards program intended to help bridge the gap between full tuition costs and what a family can pay. The school states it awards scholarships for a range of areas including academic achievement, community service, artistic and musical ability, English language excellence, and athletics, and that decisions consider both the student's abilities and the family's financial need. The Financial Awards page describes a flexible payment plan and an active awards program but does not publish standard award amounts or a public application form; families interested in financial assistance should contact the Admissions or Finance Office to request the application process, deadlines, documentation required (income/need documentation, supporting materials), and timelines. SLAS recommends discussing financial aid options with Admissions so the school can explain available awards and required steps.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist SLAS uses rolling admissions and maintains wait lists governed by the school's Board policy and its priority system. The website states that admission is subject to a priority order set by the Board and that a student's position on wait lists can change if applicants with higher priority apply; SLAS also references seat guarantees (a seat‑guarantee fee is listed as non‑refundable in the refund policy). The school does not publish a public, detailed ranking of priority categories on the site; for specifics (how priority is assigned, whether siblings, staff or returning students receive priority, or how seat guarantees work in practice) the Admissions Office should be contacted directly. If a grade is full, qualified applicants will be placed on the wait list and offered enrollment as spaces become available under the established priority rules.
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