Hiba Academy Shanghai vs Lucton School Shanghai

	H Hiba Academy Shanghai Shanghai, China	L Lucton School Shanghai Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 170,000 - 220,000	Fees / year RMB 195,000 - 255,000
Age range	Age range 6 - 18 years	Age range 12 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum Chinese National Curriculum, British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)	Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils 1,400	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language Mandarin, English	Instruction language English, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 2018	Opened 2018
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Hiba Academy Shanghai is at No. 235 Linyao Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai (200126). The school is in Pudong (near the Qiantan / Front Beach international business area) and is reachable via Pudong transport links; the address and location are listed on the school website.	Location Lucton School Shanghai is in Pudong New Area, at 90 Puhong West Road (上海浦东新区浦红西路90号) on a dedicated boarding campus. The school site and contact page list this postal address and campus location. For practical commuting or public-transport details the website does not give a full schedule — contact admissions for current travel advice.
Stages	Stages The school is organised into Primary, Junior High and High School. The Junior High section is described as covering grades/years 6–9; curriculum pages detail offerings for each level.	Stages Lucton is an upper‑school (Year 10–13) serving students aged about 14–18: Years 10–11 follow two‑year IGCSE courses and Years 12–13 follow two‑year A Level courses. The admissions booklet and curriculum pages set out the IGCSE and A Level structure.
School type	School type Hiba Academy Shanghai is a private (民办), Chinese–English bilingual school that operates as a day school; the site describes a mixed Chinese and expatriate teaching team and a ‘nationalised' private high school model. The website does not advertise boarding or residential provision.	School type The school is an independent, full‑boarding, mixed‑gender (boys and girls) British‑curriculum school. The admissions material and the boarding pages describe Lucton as a 100% boarding school for its student cohort.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school has an Inclusion Team that provides individual and group counselling and learning support; staff work with teachers to develop individualised support plans for pupils with additional needs.	Additional learning support The school offers ESL (English as a Second Language) support and an academic/pastoral team (academic tutors, house staff and a school nurse) with supervised study and evening prep. The school's public materials do not describe extended special‑needs provision, and an independent school directory notes the school is not currently able to recruit students with significant special learning needs — parents with specific SEN requirements should contact admissions to discuss individual cases.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Hiba Academy Shanghai is governed within the Wellington College Education (China) group and is linked to Wellington College in England (the governance pages describe WCEC oversight and the Wellington connection).	Country affiliation Lucton School Shanghai follows a British curriculum and is presented as an extension of the Lucton (UK) tradition; the school materials link the Shanghai campus to Lucton's UK history and curriculum model.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school website does not list any religious affiliation; its materials and governance information present the school as a secular, bilingual/academic institution.	Religious affiliation The school's published materials do not indicate any religious affiliation; Lucton Shanghai presents itself as a secular British‑curriculum boarding school.
School day structure	School day structure The website describes lesson programmes, wellbeing lessons, breaks and school lunches but does not publish specific daily start and finish times. For exact daily hours (and any year-level differences) the school asks parents to contact admissions.	School day structure A typical weekday timetable (example from the school booklet) shows breakfast 07:10–08:10, lessons from 08:10 with breaks and staggered lunches, co‑curricular/activity blocks from around 16:40–18:20, supper 18:20–19:00, evening prep 19:00–20:00, free time 20:00–21:30 and lights‑out at about 22:30. The admissions booklet provides this sample timetable and a more detailed school timetable in the handbooks.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school provides a daily school-bus service (available for pupils in Grade 1 and above) and states it cooperates with a professional transport provider to run routes; specific routes, stops and registration are managed through the school's admissions/school services team. For practical details contact admissions at admissions.has@hibaacademy.org or the school phone.	Bus service details The school notes shuttle/coach transport is used for off‑campus activities such as sports and trips, and the boarding handbook sets out arrival/drop‑off procedures for return days. The website and handbooks do not list a regular daily commuter bus route for day pupils (the school is 100% boarding), so parents should contact the admissions office for specific transport arrangements, schedules or third‑party providers.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - Hiba Academy Shanghai does not charge or accept any application or admissions fees. Tuition fees (per semester and per academic year) - Primary (Grades 1–5): Semester I RMB 85,000; Semester II RMB 85,000 — Annual total RMB 170,000. - Junior High (Grades 6–9): Semester I RMB 98,000; Semester II RMB 98,000 — Annual total RMB 196,000. - High School (Grades 10–12): Semester I RMB 110,000; Semester II RMB 110,000 — Annual total RMB 220,000. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is published on a per‑semester basis (Semester I and Semester II) for the 2025–2026 academic year. No specific invoice dates, payment deadlines or detailed late‑payment terms are published on the school's public admissions or parent resources pages. Boarding fees - Hiba Academy Shanghai does not operate a boarding programme; the school provides a daily school bus service for pupils in Grade 1 and above (bus service fees are charged separately). Other costs and typical additional charges - Meal fee: RMB 37.5 per meal (charged on actual consumption). - School bus fee: RMB 10,750 per semester (within 15 km) or RMB 12,250 per semester (over 15 km). - Uniform fee: published per set by grade and gender (examples: Boys G1‑2 RMB 3,575; Girls G1‑2 RMB 4,040). The school operates an online uniform shop and provides an online purchasing guide. - Voluntary extras charged separately by external providers: co‑curricular activities, school trips/events and individual instrumental tuition — these are billed separately and paid directly to providers. Refund information - The school's public admissions and parent resources pages note fee items but do not publish a detailed refund policy or specific refund procedures; the site does state government subsidies (where applicable) are deducted from tuition. No explicit refund schedule or terms are published on those pages. Fee payment options - The school's public admissions and parent resources pages list fees and suppliers (e.g., the online uniform shop) but do not publish a comprehensive list of accepted payment methods (bank transfer, card, Alipay/WeChat, etc.) or payment portal details. For the uniform shop the school links to an external online shop for orders.	Fee details Application fees - Admission deposit (入学意向金): RMB 20,000. This deposit is non‑refundable and is credited against the first year's tuition once the student enrolls. Tuition fees (annual and per‑term equivalents) - Annual tuition: RMB 195,000 per academic year. The school's published fee schedule shows a single annual tuition for its secondary/IGCSE–A Level programme rather than different tariffs by year group. - Termly equivalent: the school requires full‑year payment and does not publish termly billing; as an arithmetic equivalent (not published by the school), RMB 195,000 divided into three equal terms would be RMB 65,000 per term. (The school's published policy is to collect the full annual tuition.) Billing schedule and payment terms - The school states that parents are required to pay one year's tuition in a single payment (one‑off annual payment). The admission deposit is payable to secure a place and is non‑refundable. No separate termly billing schedule is published. Boarding and catering fees - Boarding fee (annual): RMB 34,700 per year. - Meals / catering fee (annual): RMB 25,300 per year. Other costs and charges - The following are explicitly stated as not included in the published tuition and are charged separately as applicable: private music tuition, school uniform, personal sports equipment, textbooks, external examination fees, and school trips or activities outside the published teaching programme. The school issues bills or separate notices for these items and charges according to the student's actual participation. A sibling discount of 20% on annual tuition for direct siblings is listed. Refund information - The admission deposit of RMB 20,000 is non‑refundable (it is offset against the first year's tuition after enrollment). No further published general refund schedule for tuition or boarding is provided on the school's fee page. Fee payment options - The school's published fee page does not specify accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, credit card or other channels) or detailed invoicing instructions. Payment method details are not listed on the published fee page.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements The school operates a 7×24-hour fully boarding environment. Students live on campus in a two-storey dormitory with floors designated for male and female housing. Each student has a single-bedroom with a bed, desk, and private storage; bathrooms are located at the end of each floor. A Director of Life and Student Care lives on the dormitory floor and works with resident staff and a health teacher to supervise daily life and wellbeing. Leaving the campus requires consent from the Director of Life and Student Care; the dormitory is guarded by security personnel and dormitory rules are published in the boarding handbook.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The school has a uniform policy. Uniforms promote pride and solidarity among pupils. Pupils and parents are expected to adhere to the policy and ensure uniforms are worn neatly and professionally.	Uniform requirement All students wear a school uniform.
Food options	Food options The school uses a world-leading catering service provider. All pupils eat school lunches unless exempt for religious or medical reasons. The school is nut-free; foods containing nuts are not permitted on campus; a healthy mid-morning snack is encouraged.	Food options The dining hall provides three meals daily, using fresh local ingredients to support growth and health. Menus are varied and regularly updated, with notices posted in the dormitory; themed fixed-menu options are offered to complement the school's Food Science extracurricular course. Boarders are required to eat in the dining hall unless unwell.
House system	House system The house system mirrors Wellington College's model and operates across England and China. In Grades 6-8, each house is led by a housemaster or housemistress with a team of tutors who oversee academic and pastoral matters; from Grade 9 pupils work with a grade leader while staying in their house groups. In Primary (Grades 1-5) pupils are assigned to one of four houses, participate in inter-house competitions and earn tokens for positive learning and good conduct, helping develop leadership and a sense of belonging.	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership Hiba Academy Shanghai is governed by Wellington College Education (China) (WCEC). Governance rests with a central WCEC Executive Board and School Affairs Boards (SABs) for each school, supported by four sub-committees: Academic, Facilities and Services, Finance and HR, and Safeguarding and Child Protection. Governors include both executive and non-executive members drawn from Wellington College and WCEC, ensuring transparency and accountability; the governance model has been recognised by COBIS as a Beacon School for its governance practices.	Governance and ownership The Shanghai campus is part of Lucton School, a British private school; Shanghai opened in September 2018. The school is a member of accrediting bodies including ISC (Independent Schools Council), BSA (Boarding Schools Association), BAISIS, IAPS, CIE (Cambridge International Examinations), and SofH.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Hiba Academy Shanghai delivers a bilingual, China–international integrated curriculum from primary through senior secondary, combining the Chinese national curriculum with internationally recognised programmes. Primary years use 部编版语文 and Shanghai curriculum standards alongside immersive English, bilingual mathematics, inquiry learning, the arts, physical education and ICT. The junior-high programme (Grades 6–9) continues the bilingual model, follows national curriculum requirements while introducing broader subject depth (e.g., split sciences, geography, history, and expanded arts and PE) to prepare students for international courses. Senior secondary offers Cambridge IGCSE (age 14–16, across a wide subject range) followed by the two‑year International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12; the school is both a Cambridge International School and an IB World School. The high school also provides structured university and career guidance (a “Five Year Roadmap”) to support IGCSE/IB subject choices and tertiary applications.	Curriculum details Lucton School Shanghai follows a British secondary pathway: Years 10–11 study IGCSE and Years 12–13 study two‑year A‑Level programmes, with ESL support for English learners. The IGCSE offer (Years 10–11) includes core academic English, Chinese and Mathematics and a broad range of options such as Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Business, Economics, Computer Science, Design & Technology, Art & Design, Music, PE, Global Perspectives, Psychology, Drama and Japanese. At A Level (Years 12–13) students normally take three to four subjects from options including English, Chinese, Mathematics and Further Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Business, Computer Science, Design & Technology, Art & Design, Psychology, Music, Drama and modern languages; the school also offers an extended independent research qualification (EPQ/IPQ) and academic English preparation. Examinations are taken through standard UK international exam boards (Cambridge/CAIE, Edexcel and Oxford AQA) and the school is listed as an authorised centre for A‑Level examinations. The academic programme is complemented by STEAM, sports, music and other co‑curricular activities and is delivered in a full‑boarding, small‑cohort secondary setting for Years 10–13.
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 Hiba Academy Shanghai teaches a compulsory “幸福课” (wellbeing/SEL) for all students that covers six areas: self-identity, emotional and spiritual health, social skills, physical wellbeing, global citizenship, and health and safety. The primary programme is team-taught by two homeroom teachers to create a supported classroom environment, and key themes continue and deepen through the secondary years. The school runs workshops and lessons to develop empathy, self-awareness, resilience and independent learning, and integrates these topics into other activities and clubs. The school also operates a peer-psychology/peer-support system (心理同伴辅导员) with monthly training led by the psychology team.	Social & emotional learning The school describes a boarding-based pastoral environment that encourages daily peer communication, mutual support and shared responsibility as part of students' social development. It states that boarding life and house structures foster communication skills and a supportive community. Lucton also operates a tutor/mentor system and housemaster oversight to guide students academically and pastorally. The admissions and ‘why choose us' information specifies that each student is assigned a tutor, a housemaster and receives ongoing mentor support.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The website describes a student support team that provides learning support in individual and group formats, works with teachers to set personalised goals and support plans, and records individual student needs in dedicated files. The school conducts entrance psychological screening and maintains ongoing psychological health records for students identified as needing extra support. The site does not list specific categories of special educational needs (for example, dyslexia, ADHD, or other labelled conditions) nor does it identify the school as a specialist SEN institution. For details beyond the general learning-support provision described on the site, the school does not publicly specify which exact types of SEN it accepts or the full scope of specialist services.	Special educational needs (SEN) The school's official website does not publish a dedicated page describing specialist SEN (special educational needs) provision or a named learning-support department. Lucton's site discusses pastoral care and tutor/house systems but does not detail which types of SEN it can support or list specialist SEN staff. Independent school listings indicate the school currently does not provide dedicated staff/programmes for students with special learning needs. Because the school's own site does not specify SEN provision, further details should be requested directly from admissions.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school presents a bilingual/dual-language educational model and examples of English curriculum activities (e.g. workshops and English department events), but the website does not publish a dedicated EAL programme or explicit EAL provision for learners of English as an additional language. There is no clearly signposted EAL policy, specialist EAL team, or language-entry support described on the public site. Therefore, the school does not publicly disclose specific EAL support details on its website.	English as an additional language Lucton Shanghai publishes an ESL page stating that ESL is a required course for students whose first language is not English and is an integral part of the school's curriculum. The site says ESL provision and hours are decided by the admissions committee with parental agreement and that students with weaker English are offered one-to-one or small-group tuition. The page also notes students are prepared for English proficiency tests such as IELTS and TOEFL as part of university preparation. A downloadable ESL course description is available from the school's academic pages.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Hiba Academy Shanghai has a named wellbeing/psychology team and a counselling studio; the site describes daily availability of the counselling space (open five hours per week for drop-ins) and both one-to-one and group counselling options. The school runs classroom-based mental health education using locally approved materials, operates an online counselling channel and provides a dedicated psychology email (xinli.has@hibaacademy.org) for students and parents. The school also runs peer-support counsellor training, carries out routine psychological screening for new entrants, and keeps individual psychological records to guide follow-up support.	Mental wellbeing The school states it has an on-site medical room with resident medical staff who register students' health on admission and manage medications. Pastoral pages and the school's stated philosophy emphasise proactive pastoral care and a tutor/housemaster system to guide students and respond to needs. Recent news items on the site refer to the school supporting students through exam periods and balancing academic pressure with community activities. The website does not, however, publish a separate, detailed counselling or clinical-psychology service description. For details about specialist mental-health support or external referrals, contact the school directly.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school states that child protection and campus safety are priorities, and it operates formal safeguarding policies and procedures that cover campus facilities, security, catering and transport. All staff undertake annual child-protection training and sign the school's safeguarding policy and staff code of conduct each year; recruitment includes background checks in line with International Task Force recommendations. The school cites its commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and describes ongoing policy and training work to maintain safeguarding standards.	Safeguarding The school's published statements of ethos and pastoral information affirm a commitment to pastoral care and to preventing harassment, bullying (including online) and other unacceptable behaviours. Admissions and pastoral pages describe a tutor/housemaster structure and residential supervision that form part of day-to-day child welfare arrangements. The medical-room policy and registration process are presented as part of student care and safety procedures. The website does not appear to publish a standalone child-protection or safeguarding policy document; for formal policy texts and named safeguarding leads the school directs enquiries to its contact and admissions offices.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Hiba Academy Shanghai offers a 12-year education across Primary, Junior High and High School. The curriculum blends Eastern and Western practices within the Chinese national curriculum to give pupils a holistic, internationally minded education. The program emphasises Chinese heritage and culture alongside an international outlook, supported by a wellbeing programme to aid psychological and physical development. The campus provides state-of-the-art sports facilities including a swimming pool, a dance studio, a gymnasium, and outdoor fields and courts. The school operates three libraries (Primary, Junior High, High School) with over 40,000 English- and Chinese-language resources, supported by five full-time librarians. The campus is located at No. 235 Linyao Road, Pudong, Shanghai 200126, China, and on-site services include a healthcare centre, air-quality monitoring, school catering, and a daily bus service for students.	Facilities overview Three teaching blocks house 20 classrooms and laboratories plus specialty spaces for creative work. A 303-seat multipurpose hall hosts lectures, music performances and drama. A music center next to the hall provides seven practice rooms and rehearsal spaces. A two-storey open library offers flexible spaces for group work and independent study. The campus includes an indoor gym, a climbing wall, a rooftop basketball court, tennis courts and a central playing field, with design and technology classrooms equipped with advanced equipment and flexible breakout areas. Boarding houses provide 184 single rooms with common areas and teacher accommodation; the dining hall seats over 120 and AV/tech infrastructure supports the whole campus.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Sports facilities are described as state-of-the-art, including a swimming pool, a dance studio, a gymnasium, and outdoor fields and courts. Pupils engage in physical education and sport as a core part of the curriculum, guided by experienced PE teachers and swimming coaches. A 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool with appropriate timing and diving infrastructure has been highlighted as part of the school's swimming program. These facilities support a broad range of activities and competitions, reinforcing lifelong healthy participation in sport.	Sports facilities The indoor gym, a dedicated fitness center and a climbing wall provide indoor physical activity options. A rooftop basketball court and on-site tennis courts extend outdoor play. A central playing field supports team sports and PE programs.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Hiba Academy Shanghai provides a 12-year education across Primary, Junior High and High School, combining the Chinese national curriculum with English-language elements to create a bilingual learning environment. The bilingual model uses Chinese and Western co-teaching to develop fluency in both languages and to deliver multi-subject bilingual learning. English instruction uses native English-speaking teachers, and bilingual approaches are applied to subjects such as Mathematics and Natural Science. The curriculum emphasises cross-curricular links, inquiry-based learning, and a strong wellbeing component to support holistic development. The High School offers university and career guidance, including a Five Year Roadmap for HE applications and pathways to IGCSE/IBDP, with dedicated staff supporting subject choices and progression. The library system supports English- and Chinese-language learning with three libraries and a professional staff, underpinning research and study across all levels.	Academic facilities Three teaching blocks include 20 classrooms and laboratories. Design and technology classrooms are equipped with advanced equipment and flexible breakout spaces. A two-storey open library offers spaces for group work and independent study.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Co-Curricular Activities span arts, sports, enrichment, service and adventure, with programmes designed to extend learning beyond daily classes. Pupils participate in expeditions and trips, including outdoor camping and subject-related visits, and engage in activities such as World Scholars' Cup, Model United Nations and World Leadership Programme. Wellington College's partnership provides opportunities for visits to England. The Arts department offers a sequence from visual arts, design technology, music and performing arts through to IGCSE and IBDP study. Sport and wellbeing are integrated with clubs and events, and enrichment activities run throughout the year to broaden interests and skills.	Extra curricular facilities The on-site facilities support a broad program of extracurriculars across music, drama and the arts. There are dedicated spaces for music practice, performances and drama productions. STEAM labs and other flexible spaces support extended project work and clubs. The Shanghai Lucton School Equestrian Centre provides equestrian activities. Sports facilities support on-site activities, including the gym, climbing wall, rooftop court, tennis courts and central field.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Hiba Academy Shanghai (Shanghai Huili School) opened in 2018 as part of the Wellington (China) Education Group's rollout of Huili bilingual schools. The school is a member of the Wellington Education Group, an organization that traces its origins to Wellington College in the UK and has been expanding its network of schools in China and beyond. Wellington (China) established its first China school in 2011 and created the Huili bilingual strand to broaden access to its dual-culture approach; Shanghai Huili was established within that development plan.	History Lucton's roots trace back to the original Lucton School in Herefordshire, England, which was founded in 1708; the Shanghai campus presents itself as an overseas branch of that historic school. The Shanghai campus was planned from 2016 and opened in September 2018 as Lucton School Shanghai. Since opening it has maintained formal links with the UK school—UK governors and senior staff took part in the 2018 opening and leaders from the UK have visited the Shanghai campus. These points are described on the school's history and news pages and in coverage of the 2018 opening.
Community	Community The school community includes students, families, and faculty who are invited to participate as education partners in school life. Community activities range from cultural celebrations (for example, Spring Festival/New Year cultural programming) to interschool and regional sports competitions and award programs. The campus also participates in group-wide events linked to the Wellington network, and the school publishes regular news items reporting community and extracurricular activities.	Community Lucton Shanghai is structured as a full‑boarding secondary community and the school's website and news feed show regular campus news, term events and celebration days. The school marks an annual Founders'/Founding Day tied to the opening date (early September) and publishes weekly campus updates and event reports; visits from staff of the UK school have been recorded in the school's news coverage. Boarding life, scheduled weekends and co‑curricular programmes are recurring features of the community calendar described in the school's news and activities pages.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The school's parent body is organised as “Friends of Huili” (FOH); membership includes parents, staff and students and begins when a family joins the school community. FOH operates via a committee of six parent representatives (one chair and five vice-chairs) chosen by voluntary nomination and vote, and the committee works alongside the head. The group's stated aims are to organise cultural, social and fundraising activities, to create family-focused events and to support student opportunities such as community service and career/leadership activities. Typical events run or supported by FOH include a winter market, a summer carnival and an annual dinner; the committee's structure is intentionally flexible so parents can volunteer in different roles.	Parent teacher association There is no publicly accessible page on Lucton School Shanghai's website that describes a formal, named Parent‑Teacher Association (PTA). Parent engagement that is publicly documented includes open days and "校长见面会" (principal meetings) for families, the school's Founders'/Founding Day celebrations, and regular parent communications through the school newsfeed and announcements. These parent‑facing events (open days/principal meetings) are described in the school's admissions and news material, and the school's principal has addressed parents in posted messages. For confirmation about an organised PTA, parent committees, volunteer groups or a calendar of parent activities, the most direct route is to contact the school's admissions/admin office (email and phone are listed on the site). If you'd like, I can draft an email or phone script to request specific PTA details from the school.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Hiba Academy Shanghai offers a 12‑year education encompassing Primary School, Junior High and High School. The curriculum blends Eastern and Western approaches within the Chinese national curriculum to support holistic development and an international outlook. The academic programme aims to develop lifelong learning skills through a rigorous, connected approach across subjects.	Academic & intellectual The school follows English-style teaching and offers small class sizes with a flexible learning approach. It continues the British teaching tradition and emphasizes strong student participation and autonomy.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The school provides a broad arts curriculum delivered by specialist teachers, with opportunities for visual arts, design and technology, music and performing arts as part of the core curriculum and co‑curricular activities.	Arts & creative The school provides facilities for drama, music, arts, and other creative pursuits, including an on-site cinema and dedicated music practice rooms.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Classes are taught in a bilingual English‑Chinese environment. The Primary school uses a blended Chinese and English language model, with English taught by native speakers and an emphasis on bilingual proficiency. Junior High maintains a Chinese‑English learning environment designed to promote high bilingual standards.	Cultural & language The school runs ESL English courses for non-native speakers as part of the curriculum, with additional IELTS/TOEFL preparation to support university applications.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Co‑curricular activities and enrichment programmes extend learning beyond the classroom, including excursions, clubs and participation in global programmes such as the World Scholars' Cup, Model United Nations and the World Leadership Programme. There is a close partnership with Wellington College in England that provides additional visits and activities.	Social & hobbies The campus offers a wide range of co-curricular activities under its extended program, including sports and arts, with access to facilities like a university-style campus environment.
Community & service	Community & service Wellbeing and community programmes encourage social responsibility and service, with a dedicated wellbeing curriculum and inclusion team to support social and emotional development. The school runs a calendar of events and activities that foster community engagement.	Community & service The school articulates a pastoral framework with dormitory life and a mentor system to support students beyond academics.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The High School offers university and career guidance, including a structured timeline for HE applications and subject choices for IGCSE and IB DP, supported by university and career counsellors. A 1–2–1 advisory model and regular workshops help pupils plan their future pathways.	Leadership & professional The school assigns a dedicated course teacher, a dorm supervisor, and a mentor to each student to guide balanced study and activities.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Wellbeing is a compulsory part of the curriculum, with a programme that covers self‑identity, mental and emotional health, social development, physical well‑being, global citizenship, and health and safety. Inclusion and counselling support are provided to meet diverse pupil needs.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school operates a 100% boarding environment with dormitory management and a family-like school culture intended to support student well-being.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The school teaches Chinese and English. Primary delivers a bilingual program with a Chinese curriculum and English instruction, taught by Chinese and international teachers. English instruction follows the English national curriculum blended with Shanghai requirements, with native English-speaking teachers supporting language learning. Junior High continues the Chinese-English bilingual environment, with a curriculum designed to promote bilingualism and English-language development across subjects.	Language provision The school teaches in English with dedicated ESL support for non-native speakers and offers additional language study through its extension program.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching Bilingual teaching uses Chinese and English instruction across subjects. Primary uses a Chinese curriculum with English language instruction delivered through co-teaching by Chinese and international teachers. The Chinese and Western co-teaching approach creates an immersive bilingual learning environment, with native English-speaking teachers supporting language learning. Pupils develop bilingual proficiency across languages and disciplines.	Bilingual teaching The school uses a bilingual holistic education with an immersion model blending British and Chinese pedagogies.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs An immersive bilingual learning environment is provided in Primary and Junior High, with Chinese and international staff co-teaching across subjects to support language development. The curriculum blends the Chinese national curriculum with English-language teaching and Western educational practices to enhance cross-subject learning. The approach emphasises bilingual fluency and international-mindedness through multi-subject learning.	Immersion programs The school employs an immersion model of education.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards From the school website (past five years, school‑level recognitions awarded to the institution rather than to individual students): - 2024 “惠立杯” (Hiba Cup) Long‑Yangtze (Yangtze Delta) Youth Swimming Invitational — school group (school team) finished first overall (team / school‑group champion; Shanghai Youth Swimming League & Hiba Cup event), with the school reported as taking the school‑group top score and winning the team trophy on 26 May 2024. This is a competition trophy awarded to the school's team performance rather than an individual student award. No other school‑level awards (that were explicitly described on the Hiba Academy Shanghai website as awards given to the school itself) were found in the site's news and accreditation pages within the past five years. If you would like, I can broaden the search to include external sources (local news, competition organisers or accreditation bodies) to confirm whether the school has additional institutional awards or recognitions beyond what the school website publishes.	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations Below are the accreditations and formal memberships Hiba Academy Shanghai lists on its website (each entry includes what the accreditation/membership is and why it matters): - IB World School — The school is authorised to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP); this indicates the school meets the IB Organisation's standards for delivering the two‑year pre‑university Diploma curriculum. - Cambridge International School (Cambridge Assessment) — Hiba states it is a Cambridge International School and offers Cambridge IGCSEs; this shows the school is approved to deliver Cambridge secondary qualifications (IGCSE) that are used by many international schools worldwide. - Council of International Schools (CIS) — the site lists membership of CIS (sometimes described as being a CIS school); CIS is an international membership organization that supports school improvement and runs a school accreditation process (membership indicates engagement with CIS standards and networks). - WASC (ACS WASC / Western Association of Schools and Colleges) — the school's news page reports it received official WASC accreditation in mid‑2025; WASC is a U.S. regional accrediting body whose accreditation confirms a school has met independently assessed standards of institutional quality and continuous improvement. Note: the school's website also shows links and partnerships with other external organisations and examination services (for example DofE, ACT, College Board, GL Assessment) but those appear on the site as programme affiliations or partner links rather than explicitly described on the site as separate accreditations. Where the site explicitly states an accreditation or official authorisation, I have listed it above.	Accreditations Below are the accreditations/memberships the school lists on its website (the school's own page is cited first). Each line includes a brief, factual explanation of the organisation and why membership matters. - ISC — Independent Schools Council. The school's site lists ISC membership; ISC is an umbrella body for UK independent school associations that represents and coordinates standards, advocacy and sector services for member schools. - BSA — Boarding Schools' Association. Listed on the school site; the BSA (part of the BSA Group) provides professional development, boarding-sector guidance and best-practice resources for boarding schools. Membership signals engagement with UK boarding standards and CPD. - BAISIS — British Association of Independent Schools with International Students. Listed on the school site; BAISIS focuses on academic and pastoral practice for schools that recruit international students and runs training and peer-support for member schools. Membership indicates the school participates in that network and its international-student-focused CPD. - IAPS — Independent Association of Prep Schools. Listed on the school site; IAPS is an association for independent preparatory schools that provides guidance, inspection and sector support—membership is commonly used as a marker of conformity with its membership criteria and quality monitoring. - CIE — Cambridge (Cambridge Assessment) / Cambridge International. Listed on the school site; Cambridge Assessment International Education (often shown as CIE) is a major international exam and qualification provider (IGCSE, A-Level syllabuses/exams). Association/recognition by Cambridge indicates the school teaches and/or registers students for those externally set assessments. - SoH / SofH — The Society of Heads (often abbreviated S of H). Listed on the school site; the Society of Heads is a UK association of heads of independent schools that provides networking, professional discussion and sector representation. Membership signals association with that heads' network.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Decide eligibility and read the school's published admissions rules. Parents should confirm age and residency criteria (for example, the 2025 brochure specifies primary applicants born between 1 Sep 2018 and 31 Aug 2019 and that the school's招生范围 is Pudong). Confirm whether your child is applying as a local-age candidate, a直升 (internal promotion) candidate, or as an插班/transfer — each category has different documentary requirements. 2. Prepare required documents and proof of eligibility. For local/统招 places the school and district require identity and residency documentation (e.g., household registration or proof of eligibility) and, for some categories, employer contracts or social-insurance evidence (for staff-child categories). Have originals and clear copies ready because the District Education Bureau will verify资格材料. 3. Submit your application through the official municipal systems during the published window. The brochure and admissions page state that parents must register online through“一网通办” or the 上海市义务教育入学报名系统 in the specified dates (example 2025 windows shown in the 招生简章). Do not pay any third‑party intermediaries; the school states it only accepts direct family applications. If you are applying for an插班/transfer (middle or high school entry outside the unified window), the site asks you to complete the school's information/registration form so the admissions team can follow up. 4. Note selection method and verification steps. For standard义务教育招生 the District organizes分类计划 and (where applicable) conducts computer-based random allocation (电脑随机录取) and dossier verification on specified dates — students who fail verification are not admitted. Parents should watch the official schedule and be prepared to provide any additional verification requested by the district on the verification dates. 5. Understand assessments and interviews (where relevant). The school's public materials for the compulsory-education intake state the school will not run advance tests, interviews or academic exercises for those admissions categories (the brochure lists three commitments to this effect). For non-compulsory or transfer admissions, the school's admissions page indicates the office will contact families after you submit the transfer registration form; follow the admissions officer's instructions about any school assessments or meetings. 6. Offer, acceptance and fees. If an offer is made or a place is allocated, parents must follow the school's instructions and the district's timelines to accept the place and complete enrolment paperwork. The school's published tuition and service fees (term-by-term tuition, canteen, bus, uniform rates) and the statement that the school does not charge application or registration fees are on the admissions/fees page — parents should budget for the listed tuition and voluntary activity fees and confirm the current year's final approved rates with the school. 7. Final enrolment steps and practical matters. After acceptance, complete payment, submit any outstanding documents, and make arrangements for transport, uniforms and optional activities. If you expect to request fee adjustments (for example, as a student who qualifies for public subsidy), discuss this with the admissions office because the site notes some public subsidies will reduce billed tuition.	Admissions 1. Submit the online application and documents. Parents should complete the school's application form and upload required documents through the school's application portal (the site links to luctonstaff.schoolis.cn). Prepare scanned copies of current school reports, passport/ID and any English-language evidence (transcripts, certificates) before you start so the upload step is smooth. 2. Testing and interviews arranged by the admissions office. After you submit the application the school arranges the UKiset online test (the school references the official UKiset site for details), a student oral test and a parent interview; the school lists the test/interview location as Lucton School Shanghai (Pudong). Expect the admissions office to notify you of test dates and the materials the student should prepare (e.g., reading/writing tasks, short presentation or portfolio for arts candidates). 3. Admissions committee review and decision. The school's admissions committee evaluates the application, test results and interview; successful applicants receive either conditional or unconditional offers. If offered a place parents must sign the admissions agreement and pay the non-refundable RMB 20,000 enrollment intention deposit by the specified date — that deposit is credited against the first year's tuition once the student enrolls. 4. Waitlist or non‑acceptance outcomes. The school states that if intake is full applicants will be placed on a waiting list; applicants who do not meet the entrance standard will be informed that they are not accepted. Parents should note the school's wording that placement on the waiting list occurs when places are full, and should keep the admissions office informed of any change in the child's circumstances (e.g., updated reports or test results) while waiting. 5. Final enrolment steps before term starts. Once the tuition payment deadline is met and documents/forms are returned, the school will confirm enrolment and invite the family to the school's orientation/enrolment guidance day; the site also notes that tuition for the year is normally collected in a single payment. Parents should check the school's invoice and receipts carefully, and be ready to pay additional out-of-fee items (books, private music lessons, extracurricular trips) which are billed separately.
Scholarships	Scholarships The school publishes two named scholarship programmes and guidance on applying: - “叔蘋奖学金”: a high‑level Wellington (China) group scholarship aimed at academically and behaviourally strong students from domestic working‑class households. It is available to students in Year 8 and above; the school states the award level can reach up to 110% of the annual tuition and successful recipients may be able to continue the award to graduation if they meet ongoing conditions. Applicants who receive the scholarship are also offered university‑guidance and career support. Application/selection details are handled by the school; the admissions page describes eligibility and scope. - 惠立奖学金: introduced in 2020 and targeted at students (also from Year 8 and above for 2025–26) who show strong academic, sporting or artistic performance, leadership potential and alignment with 惠立 values. The award can cover up to 50% of annual tuition and is intended to recognise broader contribution to the school community. How to apply and assessment process: applicants are asked to submit a bilingual personal statement (no more than one A4 page) that states the category being applied for and reasons for the application, sent to admissions.has@hibaacademy.org. Successful applicants will be invited to a school scholarship assessment event. The site also refers to additional personalised support programmes — contact admissions for timelines, document templates and current deadlines. Note that scholarship availability, criteria and amounts are published for the 2025–26 cycle on the admissions page; confirm current‑year details with the admissions office before applying.	Scholarships The school publishes a formal scholarship programme with several named categories and clear percentage reductions of tuition. Awards are described as requiring selection by exam and interview and applicants must meet entrance requirements; the main categories listed are: the Peirpont (皮尔蓬特) all-round scholarship (100% tuition reduction), an academic scholarship (50% tuition reduction), and a set of specialist scholarships — arts, music, sports and equestrian — each described as giving 20% off annual tuition. For many categories the page lists required supporting materials for the selection process (examples include transcripts and competition certificates for academic awards; portfolios and recommendation letters for arts; multiple instrument certificates and performance for music; competition records and a recommendation for sports; training videos, certificates and a recommendation for equestrian candidates). All scholarships are awarded as a percentage reduction of tuition (the page states they apply to the tuition component) and the school says awards are reviewed annually — continuation into subsequent years depends on meeting the school's performance expectations. For application deadlines, the scholarship application form and any current availability, the school asks families to contact the admissions office directly.
Waitlist	Waitlist Hiba Academy Shanghai follows the municipal and district procedures for义务教育 allocation rather than operating a conventional school‑run waiting list for its standard intake: the 招生简章 describes classification of plans, district verification and computer random allocation (电脑随机录取) as the official route for admitted students. For internal直升 students there is a separate直升录取 process and published直升结果; for插班/transfer requests the school asks parents to submit an information/registration form and the admissions office will contact families — in practice that creates a contact/interest pool for transfers but the school does not describe a formal, published waitlist mechanism for the unified intake. If you want to be placed on any informal transfer pool or be informed of openings, submit the school's information form and request that the admissions team keep your details on file.	Waitlist Lucton School Shanghai operates a waiting list when admissions are full. The school's published process states that when the intake is full an applicant will be placed on a candidate/WAITLIST rather than being offered immediate admission; the site does not publish details such as waitlist order, typical wait times or explicit prioritisation rules. Because the public page gives only this high-level statement, parents who want to understand their child's current position, expected wait time, or whether any deposit is required if/when a place becomes available should contact the admissions office directly (the site lists phone +86 21 5809 3060 and admin@luctonsh.com).
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