Nord Anglia Chinese International School vs Shanghai Hong Qiao International School

	N Nord Anglia Chinese International School Shanghai, China	S Shanghai Hong Qiao International School Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 154,000 - 240,000	Fees / year RMB 173,500 - 260,000
Age range	Age range 6 - 18 years	Age range 1 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Chinese National Curriculum, IB (DP), Australian Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 2,500	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 25	Typical class size 8
Instruction language	Instruction language Mandarin, English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2016	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The school campus is at 1399 Jinhui (Jinhui) Road, Huacao Town, Minhang District, Shanghai (Minhang). The site is in the suburban Minhang area, roughly 15 km from Shanghai city centre and close to the Hongqiao transport hub (airport and large rail interchange).	Location Located in the Gubei/Changning (Hongqiao) area at 218 Yili Nan Lu (near Lanbaoshi/Golden Street), close to shops and expat neighbourhoods; the campus is within walking distance of nearby metro stations and served by local bus routes.
Stages	Stages NACIS serves primary and secondary year groups (generally listed as Grades 1–12 / ages about 6–18). Senior students follow an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (and international pathways in upper years).	Stages HQIS describes a full early-years to secondary structure — nursery/early years through upper school — serving roughly ages 18 months up to around 18 years (Nursery to Grade 12).
School type	School type The school is co-educational and operates as a day school with boarding options noted in public listings (day & boarding). It is part of the Nord Anglia Education group.	School type Co-educational day international school; the school runs a continuous K–12 model incorporating IB PYP in primary and an American/AP-aligned programme in the upper years.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support As part of the Nord Anglia network, the school is reported to provide learning-support and English/Chinese language support and in-class differentiation for students who need it; network schools typically operate inclusion or learning-support teams. NACIS's public pages do not publish a detailed SEN policy online; if your child has diagnosed or complex additional needs, contact the school's admissions or learning-support team to discuss assessments, available specialist support and any external-therapy arrangements.	Additional learning support The school lists English-as-an-Additional-Language (EAL) and targeted English support for students arriving with limited English; school listings also note learning-support provisions (parents should contact Admissions for case-specific details and documentation requirements).
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school is located in China and delivers a bilingual programme that blends the Shanghai national curriculum with international elements (Chinese and English mediums). It is not an embassy or church school and does not carry an affiliation to another country.	Country affiliation HQIS is an international (non-national) school; its programmes combine the IB Primary Years framework in early/primary years with American curriculum standards and AP courses in upper school.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is stated in the school's public materials; NACIS is presented as a non-denominational, secular bilingual school.	Religious affiliation The school is listed as a non-religious international school (no religious affiliation is indicated in official/major listings).
School day structure	School day structure Public information shows a typical school day beginning in the morning (students usually register between about 08:00–08:30) with classes running through the day and a normal finish time around 15:30 (exact times vary by year group and by term). The day includes a morning break and a lunch period; after-school activities and later bus departures are commonly offered on select days.	School day structure Typical published school hours are about 08:30 to 15:00 on weekdays; early-years/toddler classes may offer half‑day options while older classes attend full days (breaks and lunch are provided during the school day).
Bus service details	Bus service details The school operates a student bus service; public listings indicate school-provided buses and set routes (details, stops and fees are managed by the school). For exact route maps, pickup/drop-off points, fees and registration procedures contact NACIS Admissions directly — these arrangements are updated each academic year.	Bus service details HQIS operates a school-bus service for families (third‑party or school-managed routes are offered) and school listings show published bus fees in past information — exact routes, stops and current fees are managed by the school and should be confirmed with Admissions.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - No school-specific application, enrolment or resourcing fees for Nord Anglia Chinese International School (Minhang) are published in the public sources consulted. The school's publicly listed fee pages examined include only tuition figures. Tuition fees (by year group) - Grade 1 to Grade 5: RMB 154,000 per year. - Grade 6 to Grade 9: RMB 180,000 per year. - Grade 10 to Grade 12: RMB 230,000 per year. (These figures are presented as the school's published annual tuition amounts by year group.) Billing schedule and payment terms - Nord Anglia schools operate a three-term academic year (Term 1 late August/early September to December; Term 2 January to March; Term 3 April to June). School fees are generally payable in advance on or before the first day of each term. Where advance payments cover multiple terms, income is recognised across those terms. A full term's notice of withdrawal is commonly required for refund of prepaid tuition at a majority of group schools. Boarding fees (if applicable) - Boarding is indicated as available at the Minhang campus; however, no specific boarding-fee amounts for Nord Anglia Chinese International School (Minhang) were published in the public fee pages reviewed. Other costs (uniform, transport, meals, trips, exams) - The school's published public fee details reviewed list only tuition by year group and do not include itemised charges for uniform, bus, lunch or trip fees for Minhang. Note that other Nord Anglia campuses commonly publish optional/compulsory additional charges (e.g., school bus, uniforms, residential trip or lunch provider charges) as separate line items; those examples are illustrative of the group but are not specific Minhang figures. Refund information - The Nord Anglia group's published terms indicate that, at the majority of group schools, a full term's notice of withdrawal is required for refund of prepaid tuition; this is the group-level practice identified in the materials reviewed. No Minhang-specific refund schedule or refundable deposit amounts were published in the sources consulted. Fee payment options - No Minhang-specific payment method instructions were published in the public fee pages located. Nord Anglia schools commonly accept bank transfers and provide bank details on campus fee pages; for example, other Nord Anglia China campuses publish bank account details for RMB and USD payments. Parents should note that payment timing (advance, termly) follows the term schedule above.	Fee details Application and one-time fees - Application fee: RMB 2,000 (one‑time). - Matriculation / refundable deposit: RMB 15,000 (listed as a one‑time refundable deposit / registration amount in public fee listings). Tuition fees (annual amounts by year group) - Nursery (full‑day): RMB 173,500. - Preschool / Pre‑Kindergarten: RMB 185,800. - Kindergarten: RMB 210,000. - Primary (Years 1–5): RMB 257,000 (some public listings report RMB 247,800 for certain primary years; both figures appear in public sources). - Secondary (Years 6–12): RMB 260,000 (some public listings report RMB 247,800 for secondary as well). Billing schedule and payment terms - Public fee listings show tuition quoted as annual amounts. Termly breakdowns or exact term‑dates for instalments were not published in the sources reviewed. - Some listings note one‑time matriculation/registration and miscellaneous charges in the first year in addition to annual tuition. Boarding - No boarding / no boarding programme listed for this school. Other costs and recurring extras - School uniform: public listings indicate an approximate uniform cost (examples show around RMB 1,000 as a typical estimate). - School bus: sample figures cited in public listings include roughly RMB 7,200 (single route) to RMB 9,900 (return), depending on route. - Meals: several sources state lunch is included in published tuition amounts. Refund information - The one‑time deposit is listed as refundable in public fee summaries; full refund policies, timelines, and conditions were not published in the material reviewed. Fee payment options - Publicly accessible listings do not provide a clear definitive list of accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, local payment portal). A dedicated payment portal reference appears in public profiles, but specific accepted methods were not listed in the sources reviewed. Summary of source coverage: application fee, deposit and annual tuition figures by year group are consistently reported across several public listings; however, detailed termly installments, exact payment methods, and full refund policy wording were not publicly available in the documents accessed.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements The school provides a full boarding programme with a house system to enhance students' social engagement and self-management. Each dormitory accommodates four students. For safety, dorm access is via a card for students and staff. Boarding facilities are well-equipped and provide a home-like environment with holistic pastoral care. Boarding students have access to a range of activities and courses, including rowing, CAS, and cooking. The school provides 24-hour on-campus medical support and nutritious meals.	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Nutritious meals are provided on-site as part of the boarding provision.	Food options —
House system	House system The school uses a house system to promote social engagement and self-management among students. Dormitories are separated by gender floors and allocated by age group so that students in the same year group live together. Each dormitory houses four students.	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The NACIS Shanghai Minhang is part of Nord Anglia Education.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Nord Anglia Chinese International School (NACIS) Minhang is a bilingual school for ages 6–18 (Grades 1–12) that combines the Shanghai National (Chinese) Curriculum with international programmes. For Primary and Lower Secondary (Grades 1–9) NACIS delivers the Shanghai National Curriculum integrated with international approaches, taught bilingually in Mandarin and English across core areas such as Chinese, English, mathematics, science, arts, physical education and STEAM. In Upper Secondary (Grades 10–12) students follow internationally recognised qualifications: the school runs Cambridge/IGCSE-style courses in the 14–16 phase and then offers choices between Cambridge A‑Level and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for the final two years (the school also references its own NACIS High School Diploma pathway). The IBDP is taught in the standard six‑subject configuration with the DP core (Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and CAS), while A‑Level is provided as the two‑year, subject‑specialist route; NACIS supports external exam entry and university preparation. The formal curriculum is complemented by extensive co‑curricular and partnership programmes (for example collaborations with The Juilliard School, MIT, UNICEF and IMG Academy) and differentiated, level‑based assessment to support bilingual progression.	Curriculum details Shanghai Hong Qiao International School (HQIS) provides an English-medium K–12 programme for students from about 18 months to 18 years, combining an emergent early‑years approach, the IB Primary Years Programme in primary, and an American standards‑based pathway with AP options in secondary. Early childhood (approximately 18 months–3 years) follows an emergent, play‑and‑inquiry based curriculum. From roughly age 3 through Grade 5 (up to about age 12) HQIS delivers the IB PYP as its primary/transdisciplinary programme. For middle and high school (approximately ages 12–18) the school follows American curriculum standards (Common Core alignment) and provides Advanced Placement (AP) course options alongside personalised college and career counselling. Instruction is in English with additional language offerings (including Mandarin and other modern languages), and the broader programme includes enhanced science and mathematics elements, project‑based learning and a range of co‑curricular activities.
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 NACIS describes a house-based boarding programme and “holistic pastoral care” that supports students' social development, and its website highlights extensive co‑curricular provision (the Nord Anglia network cites more than 270 activities) that the school says help develop teamwork and resilience. A 2021 school article about boarding notes student-led initiatives such as a student “wellbeing hub” and regular one‑to‑one check‑ins by boarding staff, indicating structured peer and staff support in residential life. These sources show the school uses boarding, house structures and wide extracurricular involvement as part of its SEL approach.	Social & emotional learning HQIS describes a “whole‑person” / character‑development approach and lists student societies, service committees and programmes that support student development, which align with social‑emotional aims. However, the school does not appear to publish a named, detailed SEL curriculum or a clear staff structure for an SEL programme on its publicly available pages. Information about pastoral structures or dedicated SEL staff (for example named social‑emotional counsellors or an SEL coordinator) is not publicly detailed in the sources reviewed. Families should contact the school directly for up‑to‑date, specific information about SEL delivery and staffing.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) HQIS advertises on public profiles that it provides a Learning Support programme and employs learning‑support staff to assist students with additional needs, and third‑party school listings state there is a Learning Support Coordinator who works with teachers to create classroom modifications. These sources describe the provision as a limited programme for students with mild learning needs rather than a full specialist SEN school. The school is therefore not presented as a specialist SEN institution; instead it offers in‑school learning support and individualised classroom adjustments. For details about which specific needs are supported and assessment or referral processes, the school should be contacted directly.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The NACIS website emphasises a bilingual programme and tailored language learning within its curriculum, but it does not publish a specific English‑as‑an‑Additional‑Language (EAL/ESL) programme, EAL staffing structure, or EAL entry/assessment processes on its public pages. Because the school's public materials do not provide further detail, the school does not publicly disclose information regarding specific EAL provision.	English as an additional language Publicly available profiles for HQIS list EAL (English as an Additional Language) provision and describe EAL as an offered/enhanced programme and an extension activity for students still developing English language skills. Several third‑party school summaries explicitly list EAL classes or EAL support among the school's language offerings. The exact structure (levels, timetabling, or named EAL staff) is not fully detailed on the sources reviewed, so parents should request the school's current EAL programme outline for specifics.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school's site and news articles show activity supporting wellbeing: staff wellbeing workshops (for example yoga and art sessions) are described in teacher‑training posts, and the boarding article records student initiatives such as a student wellbeing hub and routine pastoral contact in boarding life. The homepage also refers to holistic pastoral care within the boarding programme, indicating the school includes structured welfare routines for residential students. There is no publicly available standalone mental‑health policy or a named counselling team described on the public site.	Mental wellbeing HQIS public summaries mention student societies, service committees and personalised college/career counselling which can contribute to student wellbeing, but those sources do not describe a named whole‑school mental‑health or wellbeing programme or a dedicated mental‑health team. At least one third‑party listing notes there is no on‑site educational psychologist reported in its profile of the school. The school does not publicly disclose detailed information about dedicated mental‑health staffing, counselling processes or wellbeing protocols in the materials reviewed; families seeking specifics (school counsellors, referral pathways, crisis procedures) should ask the school directly.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding NACIS is part of the Nord Anglia Education group, which publishes a comprehensive Safeguarding Policy and states that safeguarding is a core organisational priority; Nord Anglia also recently announced senior safeguarding appointments to strengthen group practice. Job postings and school communications for NACIS reference standard vetting and background checks for staff, reflecting the group‑level safeguarding commitments applied to the school.	Safeguarding The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding and child protection in the sources reviewed. For authoritative information on HQIS's safeguarding policies, designated safeguarding officers, and child‑protection procedures, please request the school's safeguarding policy or confirmation from the school directly.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school is a day and boarding campus in Minhang District, Shanghai, affiliated with Nord Anglia Education. It provides a safe, spacious environment with international teaching facilities and advanced technology to support learning. The Phase I campus features a 400-seat hall, and Phase II adds a 550-seat theatre and a dedicated performing arts center. The campus includes a 25‑meter indoor pool, a standard football pitch, an indoor athletics area, a basketball court, a tennis court, and a rock climbing wall. All classrooms have interactive whiteboards, and science labs include laser cutters, 3D printers and a makerspace. The learning resource centers and two libraries support study and research.	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Phase II includes a sports building with a 25‑meter indoor pool, a standard football field, an indoor athletics area, a basketball court, a tennis court, a professional training pool and a rock climbing wall.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities All classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards. Primary classrooms accommodate 24–26 students and include dedicated music, science and information technology spaces. In the secondary division, classrooms are complemented by multi‑purpose rooms including advanced music facilities, a design studio, dedicated computer labs, science labs, art studios, a photography darkroom and two drama studios. Senior students have independent learning spaces. The school operates learning resource centers in both phases, offering open study spaces, books, computers and staff support. The performing arts facilities include a 400‑seat hall and a 550‑seat theatre, with advanced sound and lighting. The campus also houses two libraries to support study and research.	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Extracurricular activities include a broad range of offerings such as sports teams and community service, along with global collaboration projects. The social education goals describe providing diverse learning opportunities to develop social responsibility, teamwork and global citizenship, and to support student‑led CAS projects. The Nord Anglia Global Campus connects NACIS students with peers in 31 countries and enables participation in STEAM competitions and sports, fostering collaboration and international networks.	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Nord Anglia Chinese International School (NACIS Shanghai) was founded in September 2016 and has since expanded into a K–12 bilingual campus serving a large student body (the school's site states a roll of around 2,500 students). It is operated as part of the Nord Anglia Education group, a UK-based owner and operator of international schools. NACIS's public materials note the development of purpose-built facilities, a boarding programme and partnerships with external organisations for curricular enrichment.	History Shanghai Hong Qiao International School began in 1997 as Rainbow Bridge International School, opening with just two preschool classes (about 18 students) and expanding over the following years. The elementary division opened in 2003, and the school gained International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme authorization in 2012. As the student body and programmes grew, the school moved to a new Gubei campus and adopted the Hong Qiao International School name in the mid‑2010s. These milestones are described in historical summaries and local school listings.
Community	Community NACIS describes a bilingual, multinational school community that runs regular cultural and extracurricular programmes — including performing-arts, STEAM and global-service activities — and participates in Nord Anglia's regional events and global initiatives. The school's public news and partner reports show NACIS both taking part in and hosting multi-school events (for example, a Nord Anglia performing-arts festival held in Shanghai in 2025).	Community HQIS describes a multinational student body (commonly reported as representing roughly 30–35 nationalities) and a programme of co‑curricular opportunities, student societies and service committees that extend learning beyond the classroom. The school runs regular community events that are public-facing—examples in recent years include school Earth Day celebrations and summer camp programmes that welcome families and local participants. Parents are invited to Open Days and other on‑campus events that connect families, staff and students.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association Public event listings and school profiles show an active parent community and regular parent‑focused activities (for example, Open Days and family events tied to Earth Day and seasonal programmes). These sources document parent engagement at HQIS but do not provide a detailed, publicly posted description of a formal PTA's internal structure, officer list or meeting schedule. For specific information about the school's Parent‑Teacher Association (roles, committees, volunteer opportunities and how to join), the school's admissions office is the usual contact—admissions contact details are listed in the school directory entries. If you'd like, I can draft a short email you can send to admissions asking for the PTA constitution, current officers, and a list of upcoming parent volunteer opportunities.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school partners with MIT to deliver STEAM cross-disciplinary education. The program integrates science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to foster inquiry and problem-solving. Students engage in interdisciplinary challenges, including projects related to space exploration such as the MOXIE initiative. Teachers participate in MIT-based professional development to keep instruction at the cutting edge.	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The school collaborates with Juilliard School to provide world-class performing arts education across dance, drama, and music. Students access expert instruction from Juilliard-affiliated teachers and participate in immersive arts learning, including performing arts camps in Switzerland, China, and the United States. The program builds confidence, self-expression, and appreciation for the arts.	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language All students receive high-quality bilingual instruction and access the IB program. The Nord Anglia global campus connects 31 countries, enabling cross-cultural collaboration and participation in international projects and competitions, including STEAM challenges and sports events. The collaboration develops cross-cultural communication skills and global-mindedness.	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Nord Anglia works with IMG Academy to provide high-level sports training and personal development programs, with access to expert coaches and health resources. The collaboration supports participation in international competitions and joint projects across Nord Anglia schools.	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service The school partners with UNICEF to support social impact programs aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Students undertake recycling and other community projects, participate in World Children's Day activities, and may join UNICEF-led initiatives such as high-level forums for student ambassadors.	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Student ambassadors engage with UNICEF HLPF opportunities, and the school supports student-led CAS projects and leadership development through its global campus platform. These experiences foster leadership and professional skills across a globally connected student body.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing The campus includes a professional theatre with a 550-seat capacity and two water-sports centers, set in a spacious and safe environment. The school partners with IMG Academy to provide high-level sports training and wellbeing resources to support physical and mental health.	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The school provides a bilingual learning environment with English language development support for learners with different proficiency levels and offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The school offers bilingual teaching for primary, middle, and high school students, with teaching arranged for ages 6 to 18.	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards From the school website (past five years, 2021–2025) I found one award given to the school itself: 1) "卓越成就奖" / "Outstanding Achievement Award" — awarded to NACIS at RAISE2023 (November 2023). One-line explanation/significance: this award (presented at the RAISE2023 Asia international schools conference / China international schools 30‑year ceremony) was given to a group of relatively young but notable international schools (those established within 10 years) and is presented on the school's site as a recognition of the school's progress and standing in China's international education sector. Notes on scope and sources: I limited the awards list to items explicitly presented on the school website and excluded all items that the site attributes to individual students or student teams (for example IGCSE/IGEM/competition results and project grants) because you asked for awards given to the school itself. If you'd like, I can broaden the search to external sources (press, Nord Anglia group announcements or third‑party listings) to check whether additional school‑level awards appear outside the NACIS website.	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations Listed on the NACIS (Shanghai, Minhang) website: 1) International Baccalaureate (IB) — the school's site describes its IBDP offering and presents the Diploma Programme as part of its senior-school curriculum. One-line explanation/significance: The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is a two-year, internationally recognised pre‑university qualification for 16–19 year olds; authorization to offer the DP signals a school has met IB standards for curriculum, assessment and teacher preparation. 2) A‑Level — the school's A‑Level page describes an A‑Level pathway for Years 11–12. One-line explanation/significance: A‑Levels (Advanced Levels) are UK-style subject-based qualifications usually taken over two years and accepted by many universities worldwide; offering A‑Levels indicates the school delivers that recognised UK curriculum pathway. 3) NEASC (candidate school) — NACIS's site explicitly notes it is a NEASC candidate school. One-line explanation/significance: NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) is a U.S.-based regional accrediting association with a Commission on International Education; candidate status means the school is engaged in NEASC's multi‑year self‑study and peer‑review process toward formal accreditation.	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Be prepared to say which year/grade you are applying for and your preferred start month; Shanghai regulations mean the school will also ask for parental/guardian details early in the process. The school publishes that applications are open year‑round on a rolling basis, so early contact helps clarify current availability. 2. Discover the school — Parents are invited to visit the campus (open days and one‑to‑one visits are available) to see facilities and meet staff; use the visit to confirm whether day or boarding (the school offers both) fits your family. During a visit you can also ask for a copy of the full fee schedule, transport routes, meal arrangements and any grade‑specific entry guidance. Keep notes from the visit (key contacts, deadlines, any special entry requirements) because these are used later in the application and interview stages. 3. Apply for a place — Complete and submit the online application form and upload the required supporting documents; the online form requires two parent/guardian profiles and allows you to save progress and return later. Required documents differ for mainland and non‑mainland applicants — examples include passport/ID pages, household registration or residence permits, recent school reports, birth certificate and (for certain grades) a Chinese/English personal statement — so check the grade‑specific list before you submit. Filling the form fully and attaching the correct documents speeds processing; the school's online form explicitly states incomplete parental information will delay progression. 4. Application review and interview — Once the application is complete the Admissions team will review documentation and contact you to arrange a family interview (and any age‑appropriate assessments if required). Be ready to discuss your child's academic history, language levels (the form asks about English and Chinese proficiency) and any additional educational needs so the school can assess appropriate placement and support. Ask at this stage what assessment format (subject test, interview, or classroom‑based activity) applies to your child's year level so you can prepare. 5. Offer of place — If the application and interview are successful the school will send an official offer by email; the offer letter will set out the place offered, the fee terms, and any conditions (for example final documents or medical/registration paperwork). Read the offer carefully for acceptance deadlines, payment deadlines and notice periods; some administrative steps (e.g. government registration for mainland students) must be completed separately and on time. If you need clarification about any clause in the offer (refundability of deposits, refund conditions, or start date), contact Admissions before paying. 6. Confirm enrolment and pay tuition — To secure the place you must follow the payment instructions in the offer (the school lists annual tuition rates on its site: Primary ¥154,000; Middle ¥180,000; High School ¥240,000). After payment you will receive confirmation and further joining instructions (uniforms, bus registration, lunch account setup, start‑of‑term timetables and any mandatory health/registration forms). If you expect to need a payment schedule, sibling discounts, or flexible arrangements, raise these with Admissions before you accept so they can confirm what (if any) options are available.	Admissions 1. Check eligibility and timing: Before starting an application, confirm your child's visa/status and the grade level you are applying for — HQIS requires a Shanghai residence permit, diplomatic visa, or an employer letter stating a visa will be obtained for the student and parents, and immunization records are required. Plan for placement testing or interviews for Kindergarten and above; Nursery–Pre-K students have a different interview process. If you need an immediate start (mid‑year entry) note that HQIS accepts students after the academic year begins but spaces may be limited. 2. Complete the online application: Applications are submitted via the school's online system (OpenApply); you must upload a completed application form, digital photos of student and parents, passports (first page and visa page) for student and parents, the student's birth certificate, and immunization records. For Kindergarten and above you must also upload school reports for the current and two previous academic years (certified English translations if the originals are in another language). Keep scanned copies ready in standard formats (PDF/JPEG) so the application can be processed without delay. 3. Pay the non‑refundable application fee and supply any additional documents: Once the online application is complete you will be asked to pay a non‑refundable application fee (listed as RMB 2,000 in the school's OpenApply listing) before the application is processed. Admissions will not schedule assessments/interviews until the fee and required documents are received, so plan bank transfers or online payment accordingly. If your child requires learning support or ESL services, include any relevant assessment or reports at this stage to help the school review placement and resources. 4. Assessment, interview and scheduling: After your application and payment are received, HQIS schedules an interview and (for Kindergarten and above) an admissions test; the school's published timeline indicates interviews are usually scheduled within five working days of a complete application. Nursery to Pre‑K applicants attend with a parent/guardian; Kindergarten and older students come for testing and an interview with parents. Expect the school to assess English ability, basic literacy/numeracy (for school‑age applicants), and social readiness for younger children; bring any current school reports to the interview. 5. Offer letter, invoice and deadlines: If a place is offered you will receive a formal acceptance letter together with the tuition invoice (OpenApply notes an acceptance and invoice are sent — typically within five working days after the interview). Offers normally specify a payment deadline and a deposit to secure the place; published third‑party listings show a refundable deposit amount (commonly reported as RMB 15,000) and additional one‑time charges — confirm the current amounts with admissions. Pay attention to the invoice deadlines; failure to pay by the stated date can result in the offer being withdrawn or the place being given to another family. 6. Tuition, deposits and published fee ranges: Annual tuition figures vary by source and by year — third‑party fee listings for 2025–26 show different published ranges (for example, Finder.school lists Kindergarten and K–12 figures in the CNY 173,500–260,000 range while OpenApply directory pages show other annual amounts), so treat online summaries as estimates. Confirm the current year's tuition schedule, miscellaneous fees, and whether billed amounts are for full‑day/half‑day options directly with admissions before accepting an offer. Also ask whether fees are billed annually or by term, what payment methods are accepted, and whether there are sibling discounts or other adjustments. 7. Enrollment, class visit and transition: The school typically arranges a class visit and transitional information after acceptance to help students settle in; parents should ask for the class visit date and any orientation materials. Make sure vaccination records, passport copies, and proof of residency/visa are ready to hand in at enrollment, and confirm bus, lunch, and uniform arrangements if applicable. If you anticipate a late arrival (after term start), notify admissions early so they can advise on assessments and integration steps. 8. Contact and follow up: If any part of the process or the fee schedule is unclear, contact HQIS admissions directly (admissions email appears on school directory listings) and request written confirmation of deadlines, amounts, and any conditions tied to offers. Keep copies of all submitted documents and payment receipts; if a decision is time‑sensitive, ask admissions for an explicit timeframe in writing. Because fee schedules and policies are updated periodically, always confirm the current policy for the academic year you plan to enroll in.
Scholarships	Scholarships NACIS Shanghai's public admissions pages (English and Chinese) do not publish a school scholarship or bursary programme on the pages we reviewed. The site and the online application materials focus on required documents, entry procedures and tuition information rather than on financial aid. If you want to explore scholarships, fee assistance or any special reductions (for example for exceptional circumstances or sibling arrangements), ask Admissions directly at apply@nacis.cn — they can confirm whether any internal or Nord Anglia group‑level opportunities are available and explain eligibility and the application process.	Scholarships OpenApply's directory entry for HQIS lists “Scholarships Available: Yes,” but the school does not publish a detailed scholarship or financial‑aid policy in the public directory pages found during this search. No authoritative public page with scholarship eligibility criteria, application deadlines, award amounts, or selection criteria was found in the sources searched; that means the scope and rules for any scholarships or fee assistance are not clearly stated online. If you are interested in financial assistance, contact HQIS admissions directly (use the admissions email/phone listed in the school directory) and request: (a) whether scholarships or fee assistance are offered for the year you are applying, (b) the application process and deadlines for any awards, and (c) required documentation (for example, financial statements, essays, or academic records). Because scholarship availability, eligibility rules, and amounts can change year to year and are often limited, ask for written confirmation and any application forms so you have the official policy on record.
Waitlist	Waitlist The school's website states that applications are accepted on a rolling basis but does not publish a formal waitlist policy or pool mechanics on the public admissions pages. If a specific year group is full, the Admissions team is the best source to explain whether they operate a waiting list, how they prioritise offers, and whether any holding deposit or timed offer acceptance applies. For clarity about current availability and any waitlist practice, contact apply@nacis.cn or the Admissions phone contacts listed on the site.	Waitlist According to the school's online directory listing, HQIS does operate a waiting‑list system (OpenApply's school profile marks “Waiting List: Yes”). Publicly available listings do not publish detailed waitlist mechanics (for example, whether placement is strictly by application date, by need/grade priority, or by assessment outcome). In practice, this typically means if a place is not immediately available you may be offered a waitlist position and then moved to an offer if and when a space opens; confirmations and deadlines are generally handled in writing by admissions. Because specific priority rules and typical wait times are not published in the public listings, ask admissions for (1) your child's precise position on the waitlist, (2) any actions that move a child up the list, and (3) how long waitlist offers remain valid so you can plan accordingly.
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