Shanghai Community International School vs Shanghai United International School

	S Shanghai Community International School Shanghai, China	S Shanghai United International School Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 146,000 - 324,500	Fees / year RMB 215,000 - 303,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)	Curriculum British Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Chinese Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 1,800	Pupils 3,500
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Chinese
Opened	Opened 1996	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location SCIS operates three campuses in Shanghai: two in Hongqiao (Hongqiao Early Childhood Education campus at 2212 Hongqiao Road and the Hongqiao Main Campus at 1161 Hongqiao Road, both in Changning/Gubei) and a Pudong campus in Zhoupu (198 Hengqiao Road). The Hongqiao ECE campus is a short walk from Longxi Road metro (Line 10) and the Hongqiao Main Campus is about a 5‑minute walk from Yili Road metro (Line 10); the Pudong campus is roughly a 10‑minute walk from Fanrong metro (Line 18) and is 20–25 minutes by car from several Pudong business/residential areas.	Location Do you mean SUIS as a whole (the Shanghai United International School system) or a specific SUIS campus? Details such as exact address, transport links and bus arrangements vary by campus—if you confirm the campus I'll pull campus-specific facts from the school website.
Stages	Stages SCIS is a full IB continuum school serving Early Childhood through Grade 12. The Hongqiao ECE campus covers Nursery–Grade 1, the Hongqiao Main Campus covers Grades 2–12, and the Pudong campus runs Nursery–Grade 12.	Stages If you want a campus-level response I will summarise the age ranges and how that campus is split (for example Early Years/Primary/Secondary). System-level descriptions vary between campuses, so please confirm which campus.
School type	School type SCIS is a co‑educational, non‑profit international day school governed by a self‑perpetuating board and overseen by the International Schools Foundation; it does not operate boarding facilities. The school is authorized to deliver the IB Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes.	School type Confirm the campus and I will note whether that campus is co‑educational and whether it offers any boarding or other notable arrangements. SUIS is an international school system; some campuses serve only day students while arrangements differ by site.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support SCIS maintains a systemwide Student Support team that includes qualified learning‑support teachers, EAL specialists, speech and language therapists, learning support assistants, school counselors and an educational psychologist. The school also runs the SCIS Academy for students who need a highly modified programme and collaborates with outside agencies when appropriate.	Additional learning support Tell me which campus you want and I will describe the Additional Learning Needs (SEN) support offered there, including on-site learning support teams, specialist staff, or referral processes where available.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation SCIS is an independent international school based in China and is not affiliated with a particular national government or national curriculum; it follows the IB continuum and holds international accreditations.	Country affiliation If you'd like, I will check the SUIS site for any stated national affiliations or partnerships and report back—please confirm campus or whether you want system-wide information.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation SCIS does not have a religious affiliation; its publications describe the school as an international, secular learning community.	Religious affiliation I can confirm from the school's official information whether the campus has any religious affiliation; most SUIS campuses are non‑religious but I will verify once you confirm the campus.
School day structure	School day structure The published/parent information indicates a typical school day runs roughly from about 08:00 to mid‑afternoon (around 15:00), with a mid‑day lunch and recess; specific start/end times vary by division and are published in the school calendar. The school also schedules occasional early‑release days (for example, buses departing around 13:20 on some early‑release days).	School day structure Once you pick a campus I will list typical start/end times, break/lunch arrangements and any before/after school provision as given on the school's official pages.
Bus service details	Bus service details SCIS provides a door‑to‑door school bus service as part of the programme (subject to availability); the transportation office lists separate coordinators for each campus and notes the service covers hundreds of residential compounds across multiple districts. Buses are supervised by trained monitors and the school gives route and pick‑up/drop‑off details to families before term starts; adding new routes can require local regulatory permitting.	Bus service details Bus services and providers are arranged at campus level and may include school-run routes or contracted transport; if you indicate which campus I will summarise the exact bus availability, pickup areas and booking/contact details from the official site.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Tuition (annual and per-semester by campus & year group) - SCIS Hongqiao Campuses: - Nursery / Pre-school (half-day): RMB 151,250 per year; RMB 80,625 per semester. - Nursery / PS / PK (full-day): RMB 199,000 per year; RMB 104,500 per semester. - Kindergarten – Grade 5: RMB 293,500 per year; RMB 151,750 per semester. - Grade 6 – 12: RMB 324,500 per year; RMB 167,250 per semester. - SCIS Pudong Campus: - Nursery / Pre-school (half-day): RMB 146,000 per year; RMB 78,000 per semester. - Nursery / PS / PK (full-day): RMB 192,000 per year; RMB 101,000 per semester. - Kindergarten – Grade 5: RMB 276,750 per year; RMB 143,375 per semester. - Grade 6 – 12: RMB 308,500 per year; RMB 159,250 per semester. Application and one-time / recurring mandatory fees - Application fee: RMB 2,750 (non-refundable; valid for up to one academic year). - Capital fee: RMB 22,500 one-time on first admission (non-refundable); RMB 5,000 annually for returning students (non-refundable). - Seat guarantee deposit: RMB 20,000 (payable on acceptance; applicable to first semester or annual fee; subject to forfeiture in many withdrawal scenarios). - English as an Additional Language (EAL) fee: RMB 15,000 one-time where EAL placement is required (non-refundable unless assessment shows placement is not required). - Exam costs (external exams such as SAT, ACT, IB) are the parents' responsibility. What the tuition covers / exclusions - All-inclusive tuition covers general class costs, books, library, technology, one set of school uniform, on-campus full-day lunch, school bus (subject to availability), school-sponsored after-school activities, compulsory school trips, and a MacBook for Grades 6–12. Extra uniform sets, daily off-campus meals/snacks, and supplementary student support services are not included. Billing schedule, deadlines, discounts and payment terms - Annual payment deadline: all tuition/fees must be paid in full by June 1. - Semester payment deadlines: first semester due by June 1; second semester due by November 1. - Early-payment discounts on annual tuition: up to 5% (specific deadline dates and discount levels apply). Enrollment is secured only after payment of the annual/semester tuition in full or the seat guarantee deposit. Fees must be paid before the student begins school. Payment methods - Bank transfer (RMB or USD), check (RMB or USD), RMB cash at campus (USD cash not accepted), major credit/debit cards (payer pays transaction fees), and Alipay (with instructions for proof of payment). Wire-transfer recipients and Alipay instructions are provided by the school. Payer is responsible for any bank or card transaction charges. Boarding - SCIS operates as a non‑boarding day school; boarding fees are not applicable. Refund policy highlights - Re-enrollment withdrawal by posted deadlines: full tuition refunded inclusive of seat deposit. - Withdrawal before first semester start (by July 31): tuition refunded excluding the seat guarantee deposit (RMB 20,000); later withdrawals before start may incur forfeiture of double the seat deposit. - No refunds once a semester has begun; entrance and supplementary program fees are non-refundable. Refund processing occurs after last day of attendance and return of school materials.	Fee details Application fees - Non‑refundable application fee: RMB 500 (payable with the application). Tuition fees — annual amounts and per‑term breakdown (by year group) - Preschool / Pre‑K: RMB 215,000 per year. Per term (annual ÷ 3, shown for billing reference only): RMB 71,667 per term. - Primary (Reception / Year 1–Year 4): RMB 276,000 per year. Per term (annual ÷ 3): RMB 92,000 per term. - Upper primary / Lower secondary (approx. Years 5–8): RMB 282,000–296,000 per year depending on programme/campus. Per term (annual ÷ 3): RMB 94,000–98,667 per term. - Secondary / High School (Years 9–12): RMB 289,000–303,000 per year depending on programme (IGCSE, IBDP, A‑level options). Per term (annual ÷ 3): RMB 96,333–101,000 per term. (Note: per‑term figures above are the annual fee divided by three to show a term-level amount where schools use three-term billing; actual billing periods and term counts may vary by campus.) Billing schedule and payment terms - Typical sequence: application fee at submission; seat/acceptance deposit on offer; remainder payable according to the school's invoice (annual, semester or term billing options are used at different times/campuses). Seat/placement deposits are normally credited against tuition once enrolment is confirmed. Boarding fees - SUIS operates as a day school; boarding is not provided. Other costs and incidental fees - Miscellaneous / materials / activities fees and lunch: examples reported include RMB 3,000–3,300 (periodic) and lunch charges around RMB 23–38 per day. Uniforms typically cost around RMB 1,000–2,300 depending on year group and items required. Optional school bus costs reported in the range RMB 600–20,000 per year depending on distance and routing. Book or refundable deposits (e.g., RMB 500) have been reported. Refund information - Application fees are reported as non‑refundable. Seat/placement deposits are often non‑refundable but are usually credited to prepaid tuition if the student enrols. Small deposits (for books) may be refundable on return or at withdrawal. Fee payment options - Common practice is payment by bank transfer in RMB; some campuses and agents also accept other arrangements. Specific accepted payment methods (credit card, online payment portals, currency options) were not clearly published in the sources reviewed. Summary of source coverage and limitations: the school's official site was not accessible during this review. The figures above are compiled from current third‑party and local school‑information reports; where only annual figures were published, a three‑term division was used to show per‑term amounts for billing reference. The school may apply campus‑ or programme‑specific rates, deposits and billing cycles; confirm exact billing wording in the formal offer and invoice.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements SCIS is a day school; no boarding is offered.	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Each student receives one start-up uniform at no charge; additional uniforms can be purchased at SCIS shops on each campus. Lower School (Nursery–Grade 5) wear navy trousers/shorts/skirts with a light-blue polo shirt; Upper School (Grades 6–8) wear tan/khaki shorts/trousers/skirts with a navy polo; Upper School (Grades 9–12) wear tan/khaki shorts/skirts/trousers or plaid skirts with a light-blue Oxford shirt. PE days use the PE uniform; SCIS Dragons Team members receive a team uniform, issued for the season; Spirit Days occur occasionally when the uniform is not required.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Each campus has its own cafeteria and kitchen operated by Basil N Latte (BNL). Fresh meals are prepared onsite with rotating menus reflecting the community's cultural diversity. The weekly menu follows a pattern of 1 day beef, 1 day pork, 1 day seafood, and 2 days chicken, with dietary, vegetarian, and custom options available on request. The BNL Café opens daily on Hongqiao and Pudong campuses; Hongqiao hours are 7:15 AM–4:00 PM and Pudong hours are 7:15 AM–3:30 PM. School lunch is included on campus for full-day students.	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership SCIS is a non-profit educational day school. It is governed by a self-perpetuating board of directors and overseen by the International Schools Foundation. It does not receive government or private funding and does not participate in fundraising; the SCIS program is funded through student tuition and fees.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details SCIS is an IB Continuum World School delivering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) as a single, seamless pathway for students aged 2–18. Early Childhood (Nursery–Kindergarten) and Lower School (Nursery/Grade 1–5) follow the PYP with a play‑based, inquiry approach and published program guides that set subject expectations. The MYP covers Grades 6–10, emphasizing interdisciplinary, “learning by doing” connections between subjects. In Grades 11–12 most students undertake the IB Diploma Programme (externally assessed by the IBO) and SCIS also awards a High School Diploma on graduation. The full taught curriculum includes English language arts, Mandarin and English as an Additional Language (EAL), mathematics, science, social studies, visual and performing arts, physical education, technology, plus student support, language learning and university counselling resources.	Curriculum details Shanghai United International School (SUIS) is a multi‑campus group in Shanghai organised into primary, middle and high school stages across several campuses. Primary provision (Early Years and Grades 1–5) at different SUIS sites uses internationally framed curricula—some campuses run the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) while others deliver the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) or the International Curriculum of England (ICE)—and Chinese‑language/local‑stream courses are also offered. Middle school (roughly Grades 6–9/10) is typically structured around Cambridge/IGCSE courses or an IB‑style middle programme at certain campuses, with continued language and Chinese studies. Upper secondary (Grades 11–12) across the SUIS network leads to externally examined, university‑entry qualifications including the IB Diploma Programme (DP), A Levels, Advanced Placement (AP) and the British Columbia (Canada) curriculum, with IGCSE commonly used as a feeder pathway. Program availability and the exact year‑by‑year qualification routes vary by campus, so families should check the specific SUIS campus for its published pathway and authorized programmes.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning SCIS states that social-emotional development is an explicit focus of its student support services and that school counselors work with students, teachers, and parents to create a balanced, supportive school environment. Counselors run transition supports (including a buddy system), team-building activities and classroom lessons that promote health, social and emotional development. The website says counseling is intended as short-term, developmentally appropriate support and that counselors will help families find external services in Shanghai when longer-term help is needed. The Student Support section lists school counselors as part of the system alongside learning support and EAL staff. This information is published on the SCIS Student Support and School Counseling pages.	Social & emotional learning SUIS reports whole‑school programmes and regular year‑group activities that emphasise character and social development; campus news mentions student assemblies and a published list of school qualities such as resilience, collaboration and reflection. SUIS also runs community‑service and charity activities across campuses that involve students in social responsibility projects. Several SUIS campuses are authorised for IB and PYP programmes, which operate alongside school assemblies and student leadership initiatives. These campus communications and programme listings indicate explicit, school‑level emphasis on social and emotional learning.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) SCIS publishes a Learning Support section that describes an inclusive approach using Universal Design for Learning and a dedicated SCIS Academy for students who need highly modified curriculum and instruction. The site lists learning-support staff (learning support coordinators/teachers), a speech and language pathologist and a systemwide educational psychologist, and says the school may collaborate with outside agencies when appropriate. The school's materials describe providing accommodations and structured support but do not list a definitive catalogue of specific medical or diagnostic conditions it will or will not accept. SCIS's web pages present these services within a mainstream international school setting rather than describing SCIS as a specialist SEN institution. All of the above is drawn from the school's Learning Support and Student Support pages.	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language SCIS publishes an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme that provides instruction in vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, reading and writing and assesses incoming students to determine EAL levels and placement. The site says EAL classes are required for students whose oral and written English are not sufficient to function in academic subjects and that provision can include MYP English Language Acquisition and EAL resource classes. Lower School EAL is aligned with WIDA English Language Development Standards and the PYP; Upper School EAL focuses first on immediate school-language needs then broader academic skills. The school lists its EAL specialists by name and campus on the EAL page. These details are on SCIS's EAL page.	English as an additional language SUIS has publicly described bilingual provision and the use of English‑as‑an‑Additional‑Language (EAL) and Chinese‑as‑an‑Additional‑Language courses in press coverage and school descriptions; a feature article explicitly states SUIS runs EAL and CAL courses to support students joining with one dominant language. The school's IB and curriculum listings also show offerings in English B and Chinese B at appropriate campuses. I did not find a single, detailed, school‑wide EAL policy listing entry/exit criteria on the public site; for placement or programme detail you should request the campus EAL policy directly.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing SCIS states that the emotional wellbeing of children is vital to learning and that counselors provide short-term support for issues such as peer problems, transitions, study skills, family conflict and crisis/grief response. The school describes an integrated team (counselors, learning-support teachers, psychologists, speech therapists) that identifies and assists students facing academic, social or emotional challenges and says it will help families access longer-term services in Shanghai when needed. A school news article from the Director of Student Support also describes the systemwide approach to inclusion and that SCIS provides short-term counseling, resources and accommodations for students with a range of needs. These statements are published on the School Counseling, Student Support pages and SCIS news.	Mental wellbeing SUIS campus reports describe a student‑led Well‑Being Ambassadors group that works with a professional school counsellor (named in the campus write‑up) to run mental‑health awareness activities, stress‑management talks and peer support initiatives such as an anonymous submission ‘tree hole'. These campus communications show active student and staff collaboration on emotional‑health programming and awareness events. The school also runs wider community and charity activities that staff and campus reports present as supporting student wellbeing and social connection. For clinical or specialist mental‑health services and crisis procedures, parents should request the school's published counselling or wellbeing policy.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding SCIS publishes a Child Safeguarding Policy whose mission is to support and advocate for students' physical, emotional and mental wellbeing through partnership with home, school and community. The safeguarding page sets out belief statements, requires annual child protection training for all adults regularly on campus, and describes safe-recruiting practices including enhanced background checks for staff and substitutes. The site frames safeguarding as an ongoing, proactive responsibility and provides the policy text and links on its Child Safeguarding page. This information is taken directly from the school's published safeguarding pages.	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school operates three purpose-built campuses in Shanghai with flexible learning spaces: Hongqiao Early Childhood Campus, Hongqiao Main Campus, and Pudong Campus. The Hongqiao Early Childhood Campus offers developmentally appropriate spaces and indoor and outdoor play areas. Hongqiao Main Campus has dedicated learning spaces and well-resourced libraries and learning resources. Pudong Campus provides learning spaces for collaborative and individual study and a multi-purpose indoor performance space. World-class facilities include a centralized state-of-the-art indoor air filtration system across all campuses, 6-lane 25-meter swimming pools, two-story 700-seat auditoriums, a 10,000-square-foot Black Box theatre, an Art Gallery, rock climbing walls, indoor basketball courts, strength and conditioning weight rooms, a full health clinic staffed by nurses from WorldPath clinic, smart boards, dance halls, art studios, all-weather outdoor soccer pitches, outdoor jungle gym playgrounds, an indoor fun center, science and computer labs, and an audio-visual media lab.	Facilities overview Shanghai United International School operates as an IB World School. The Hongqiao Campus hosts the Diploma Programme and the Primary Years Programme. The Diploma Programme is taught in English. The Primary Years Programme is offered at the Hongqiao Campus in English and Chinese. The Hongqiao Campus address is 248 Hong Song Road (E), Shanghai 201103.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The campuses feature 6-lane, 25-meter swimming pools. Indoor basketball courts are available across campuses. Rock climbing walls are provided. All-weather outdoor soccer pitches are available. Strength and conditioning weight rooms support athletic training. A full health clinic staffed by professional nurses from WorldPath clinic supports student well-being as part of athletic programs.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Hongqiao Main Campus has well-resourced libraries and a learning resources area. Classrooms across campuses are designed to be flexible and equipped with developmentally appropriate resources and technology. Science and computer labs are available for coursework across campuses. An audio-visual media lab supports digital learning, alongside art studios and other creative facilities. Smart boards and dedicated spaces for performing arts augment academic spaces and collaborative learning.	Academic facilities The school offers IB Primary Years Programme and Diploma Programme at the Hongqiao Campus. The Primary Years Programme coordinator is Jayanthi Nayak. The Diploma Programme coordinator is Ben Griffiths. The school has been an IB World School since 2010. The Hongqiao Campus serves as a site for these IB programmes.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Performing arts spaces include two-story, 700-seat auditoria and a 10,000-square-foot Black Box theatre to support student performances. An Art Gallery, Art Studios, and Dance Halls enable visual and performing arts activities. The Indoor Fun Center and Outdoor Jungle Gym Playgrounds support recreational activities for younger students. Indoor basketball courts, rock climbing walls, and all-weather outdoor soccer pitches enable athletic clubs and activities. Flexible spaces such as science and computer labs and the audio-visual media lab support clubs in robotics, media, and technology.	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Shanghai Community International School (SCIS) was established in 1996 as one of the first international schools in Shanghai. It began as a single campus in the Changning district with seven teachers and fewer than 50 students, and has since expanded to three campuses serving more than 1,500 students. The school was founded to provide an internationally minded, community-centered education and has developed incrementally since its opening. SCIS is overseen by a Board of Directors appointed under the bylaws of the school's Deed of Foundation.	History Shanghai United International School (SUIS) is part of the Xiehe Education Group, a local education organisation that operates a network of bilingual and international campuses. SUIS opened its first campus in the early 2000s; English-language directories and IB listings report the initial campus opening around 2003 (some sources list 2003 while others state 2004). Over the following years the SUIS network expanded to multiple campuses across Shanghai (and later to a small number of other cities), operating a mix of bilingual and international programmes at different sites. Public descriptions of the group emphasise that different campuses offer different programme pathways and configurations as part of the wider Xiehe organisation.
Community	Community SCIS describes itself as a diverse, multicultural community — in recent years the school has reported students from more than 65 countries speaking over 45 languages. Community life includes regular, school‑wide and campus events that bring families together, such as the annual Winter Carnival, International Food Fair and campus cultural festivals, plus city‑based learning experiences like guided City Walks. The school also runs many after‑school activities and extended China trips that connect classroom learning with the city and region.	Community SUIS serves a multinational student population; campus-level listings note representation from many nationalities across SUIS campuses. The network includes multiple Shanghai campuses (nine campuses are listed in recent Shanghai municipal material), and the schools run regular open days, parent-facing events and campus calendars with scheduled cultural activities. Campus calendars and event postings show a mix of academic, cultural and community events—examples include grade-level parent open days, college fairs and campus cultural festivals.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association SCIS's parent organization is the Parents and Friends Association (PAFA), founded in May 1996; all SCIS parents are members and are invited to participate. PAFA meets regularly with school leadership to coordinate parent involvement, communicate community needs, raise funds, and support activities that sit outside the regular curriculum. The association organizes and supports major community events — for example, PAFA coordinates the International Food Fair at Hongqiao and has led cultural festivals at the Pudong campus — and maintains a roster of parent clubs (from Mahjong to Hoopers) that provide social and volunteer opportunities. PAFA publishes its mission, vision and goals on the school site and lists campus PAFA contacts and committee members for parents who want to get involved. The association's activities are a primary way families contribute time, resources and cultural programming to the wider SCIS community.	Parent teacher association Publicly available information indicates parent-focused activity is organised at the campus level rather than via a single, clearly signposted SUIS-wide PTA page; event calendars and open-day listings are the main sources showing parent involvement. Campus materials and calendars list concrete parent events such as Parents' Lecture/Ceremony, Parents' Open Days, college fairs for families and parent participation in cultural openings (for example, a Wanyuan campus calendar records an “African Carnival” opening with parent sessions). These items suggest active parent volunteer participation and campus-level parent committees or groups that coordinate events, information sessions and occasional fundraising or volunteer activities, with specific roles and schedules varying by campus. If you want, I can look up a particular SUIS campus (for example Hongqiao, Gubei, Wanyuan or Pudong-Sanlin) and pull the latest parent-association contacts, meeting schedules or recent event pages for that campus.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual SCIS is an IB Continuum World School delivering the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in Early Childhood and Lower School, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Upper School, and the Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11–12. The school serves students from nursery through Grade 12 across three Shanghai campuses. School-wide Learner Outcomes guide student development, including Innovative Thinkers, within the IB framework. SCIS is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of ACAMIS and EARCOS; the community is diverse, with students from more than 65 countries and more than 45 languages spoken.	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative The arts program is robust and well-rounded, with teachers who are passionate about their subjects. It includes Performing Arts (Theatre and Music) and Visual Arts, including Film, where students learn the full creative process from observation through presentation. Theatre education emphasizes collaboration and autonomy as students engage as creators, designers, directors, and performers, while the music program exposes students to diverse musical styles. After-school arts activities are available to extend creative exploration.	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The language of instruction is English, and Mandarin is a core part of the curriculum; mother-tongue instruction is supported through multiple programs. SCIS is a truly international school representing 60+ nationalities and supports mother-tongue language through Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Spanish, and Swedish programs. Language & Literature courses are offered in English, Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, and Spanish. Language Acquisition is offered in English, Mandarin, French, and Spanish, with extra-curricular language acquisition programs including Finnish, Swedish, Danish, German, Italian, and Hindi.	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies SCIS offers more than 80 sports, clubs, and arts options in its expansive after-school program. Starting in Kindergarten, students may choose from academic, artistic, athletic, and leisure activities, with examples including robotics and coding, art labs, orchestra, theatre, football, basketball, chess, cooking, and Mahjong. The program emphasizes teamwork and leadership through after-school activities, supported by faculty and external providers. After-school programs are available across Early Childhood, Lower School, and Upper School.	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service Global Citizenship is a focus, with opportunities to participate in community service projects and school trips to China. Service Learning is an active component of SCIS's program. China Culture is part of the student-life suite. School-wide initiatives include wellbeing, sustainability, and reducing barriers, with ongoing opportunities for community engagement.	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional University Counseling provides individualized guidance to help students plan their university pathways, beginning as early as Grade 9. Counselors offer workshops on essay writing, interview preparation, and admissions strategies, and BridgeU is used as the main online college and career guidance tool. Students participate in university fairs, campus visits, and admissions events to broaden their horizons.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing SCIS fosters a healthy emotional environment with a supportive school culture. World-class facilities across three campuses include 6-lane 25-meter pools, large multi-use auditoriums, a 10,000 square foot Black Box theatre, an art gallery, rock climbing walls, indoor basketball courts, and strength and conditioning spaces, along with a full health clinic staffed by professional nurses. Wellbeing is a focus through school-wide initiatives and community engagement programs.	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The language of instruction is English. Mandarin is offered as an additional language with a daily, leveled program for beginners to experienced learners. Language Acquisition and Language & Literature cover multiple languages, including English, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Korean, Dutch, and Japanese. Mother-tongue instruction is available in Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Spanish, and Swedish.	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The language of instruction is English. Mandarin is taught as an additional language across grade levels and is integrated into daily learning. Language Acquisition courses include English, Mandarin, French, and Spanish, while Language & Literature courses are offered in English, Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, and Spanish. Mother-tongue programs exist in Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Spanish, and Swedish.	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards Below are awards or formal recognitions reported on the SCIS website from the last five years (2021–2025). Each item is limited to recognitions given to the school or to school teams (not to individual students): 1) Apple Distinguished School (2024–2027) — SCIS was recognized by Apple as an Apple Distinguished School for the 2024–2027 term; this is a school-level designation that recognizes institutions using Apple technology to support schoolwide innovation in teaching and learning. 2) ACAMIS High School Math Olympiad — 1st place (ACAMIS, 2024) — The SCIS Hongqiao teams competed at the ACAMIS High School Math Olympiad in 2024, with one Hongqiao team finishing first overall; this is an inter-school competition result reported as a school achievement on SCIS's site. 3) ACAMIS High School Math Olympiad — 1st place (ACAMIS, 2025) — SCIS Hongqiao again reported a first-place finish at the ACAMIS Central Math Olympiad in 2025; the school's news post frames this as an institutional/team achievement. 4) ACAMIS Volleyball / SISAC results (2023) — SCIS reported multiple team-level achievements during the 2023 season: SCIS Pudong boys' varsity volleyball won their ACAMIS division (reported as a first-place team result), and Hongqiao teams claimed SISAC honours (e.g., Junior Varsity girls won the SISAC Western Division plaque). These are school/team-level athletic awards published by SCIS. 5) ACAMIS Volleyball — double Gold (ACAMIS Green Division Volleyball, 2025) — SCIS reported that both the Hongqiao Girls and Boys D1 volleyball teams won Gold at the ACAMIS Green Division Volleyball Tournament hosted at Hongqiao in October 2025; this is recorded on the school website as a campus/team achievement. Notes and scope: - I included only awards, recognitions or competition results that are explicitly reported on the SCIS website and that are presented there as awards to the school or its teams (not individual student prizes). Each named item above links to the SCIS page that documents it. - The SCIS site also publishes many student-level awards and festival/contest results; per your instruction those are not listed here because they are individual or student-group recognitions rather than awards given to the school itself. Examples (film-festival prizes, individual IB high scores, etc.) appear on SCIS news pages but were excluded for that reason. If you'd like, I can: - Extract the exact SCIS news URLs and list them beside each award, or - Expand the timeline to include earlier years (pre-2021), or - Verify whether any of the athletic conference wins are recorded on the ACAMIS / SISAC websites (external confirmation).	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations 1) International Baccalaureate (IB) — SCIS is authorized as an IB Continuum World School (PYP, MYP, DP). This means the school is approved by the International Baccalaureate Organisation to deliver the full IB continuum across its divisions; that authorization indicates the school meets IB standards for curriculum, assessment and school-wide IB practice. 2) Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) — SCIS is accredited by WASC. WASC accreditation is a regional-style external review that validates that the school meets internationally recognized standards for institutional quality, continuous improvement and that its secondary diplomas are broadly accepted by universities.	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Review eligibility, age/grade guidelines and admissions checklist. Before you start an application, confirm your child's eligibility under the Shanghai categories (Type A/B/C) and the school's age/grade cut‑offs; SCIS publishes an Age/Grade guideline PDF showing exact birth‑date ranges for each grade and an Admissions Checklist that lists required government documents for each eligibility type. Parents should check whether they can submit some government documents later (for example, residence/work permits may be allowed within 60 days for families arriving from overseas) and note that documents not in English must be translated. 2. Create an account and complete the online application. SCIS requires all applications to be submitted through its online portal (OpenApply); when you complete the online form you will create an account and follow the portal prompts to enter family and student details. Make sure you fill in the student's current school history fully — SCIS asks for recent school reports and (for older students) transcripts — because the Admissions Committee uses these documents in its evaluation. 3. Upload supporting documents required for your application. The school's checklist specifies items such as passport copies for student and parents, birth certificate, immunization records, current and prior school reports (usually the most recent year plus up to three prior years), recommendation letter(s), standardized assessment or English‑proficiency results if available (WIDA or NWEA MAP preferred), and any learning‑support documentation (IEP, psychological report) if applicable. If you are applying from another Shanghai international school, the checklist notes that a certificate of enrollment plus complete academic reports may be accepted in place of a letter of recommendation; also note which government documents are required for your application category. 4. Pay the application fee and complete the application. SCIS marks an application as complete only after the required supporting documents have been uploaded and the application fee has been paid through the portal or as instructed. The website lists an application fee amount (RMB 2,750) and the Admissions Checklist PDF lists RMB 2,500; because those two pages disagree, confirm the current application fee with the admissions office before payment to avoid underpayment. 5. Assessment, interview and Admissions Committee review. Once your application is complete, SCIS's Admissions Committee reviews each file; the process can include age‑appropriate assessments, interviews (virtual or on‑campus), and formal English‑language proficiency testing on arrival if applicable. Decisions are based on a combination of international mindedness, English proficiency, academic history, and the student's social/emotional and behavioral background; if learning support needs are declared, the committee will consider whether SCIS can meet those needs. Parents should prepare original or certified copies of academic reports and any learning‑support records to speed verification if requested. 6. Offer, seat guarantee and payment to secure enrollment. If a place is offered, enrollment is only secure after payment of either the full tuition (annual or semester) or the seat guarantee deposit. For 2025–2026 the published seat guarantee deposit is RMB 20,000; new‑student capital and other one‑time fees (for example a first‑year Capital Fee listed on the site) are payable on admission. Note the school's payment deadlines (annual/semester deadlines and early‑payment discount dates) and the refund/withdrawal rules — e.g., refunds vary depending on when the school is notified in writing and seat guarantee deposits are non‑refundable under specified conditions. Parents should keep proof of wire transfers and follow the school's instructions for emailing remittance receipts. 7. Timing and rounds / rolling admissions. SCIS runs application rounds with posted deadlines and also operates rolling admissions; the Apply page lists specific round deadlines and notes that after the stated rounds decisions move to rolling and capacity‑based offers. Because SCIS reports operating near or at full capacity in many divisions, applying early in a round (and completing the application) improves the chance that the Admissions Committee can consider the application before capacity is reached. If you have timing constraints (arrival dates, visa processing), tell the admissions office when you submit the application.	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and campus selection — Contact the admissions office for the campus you prefer and confirm which curriculum and year levels that campus offers. SUIS operates multiple campuses (Hongqiao, Gubei, Pudong, Wanyuan, Shangyin, Jiaoke, Qingpu and others) and different campuses offer different pathways (e.g., UK National Curriculum, IGCSE, IBDP, AP/BC options), so confirm program availability and age ranges before you apply. Use the campus phone/email listed on SUIS directory pages to request the current admissions pack and key dates. 2. Complete and submit the application form and required documents — Fill the school's application form (online or PDF) and submit the standard documents: the student's passport, birth certificate, recent school reports/transcripts (usually the last 1–2 years), vaccination/health records, passport-sized photos, and any guardianship or visa/residence documents if required. Expect to pay a non‑refundable application fee at this stage; some campus guides list a small application fee and a separate non‑refundable seat/placement deposit if a place is offered. Keep certified translations ready for any non‑English/Chinese documents. 3. Admissions assessments and testing — Many applicants sit age‑appropriate placement assessments. For entry beyond Reception/Year 1 these commonly include English and mathematics; some campuses also test Chinese language for bilingual or Mandarin‑track placement. Prepare your child by ensuring recent school records and, where possible, practicing short reading or math assessments — the school uses results to determine the correct class and any required support. 4. Interviews and meetings — After assessments, the school usually schedules an interview with the family and/or a short interview or sample lesson for the student. Parents should be ready to discuss the child's prior schooling, language exposure, medical or learning‑support needs, and relocation timeline; bring originals of any credentials referenced in the application. Ask during the interview about pastoral care, English‑as‑an‑additional‑language (EAL) support, and special‑needs arrangements if relevant. 5. Offer letter and seat reservation — If a place is offered, SUIS campuses typically issue a formal offer/acceptance letter that lists the fees due to reserve the place (often a seat deposit) and the deadline for accepting the offer. Many school listings note the seat deposit is non‑refundable but is usually credited against first‑term or first‑year tuition once the student enrolls; confirm the exact refund/transfer policy with the campus. Pay attention to the deadline in the offer — late payment can result in the place being released. 6. Final enrolment and fee schedule — After accepting the offer and paying the deposit you will complete enrollment paperwork, select optional services (school bus, meals), and be given the full fee schedule and payment deadlines (annual/termly options vary by campus). Published fee summaries and local school directories indicate annual tuition bands rather than a single citywide figure, so ask the campus for the current, grade‑specific tuition and one‑time fees (capital levy, resource fees, uniforms, insurance, exam fees). Keep receipts and check refund conditions for any refundable deposits. 7. Orientation and first term — The school will provide an orientation plan and start‑of‑term information (uniforms, timetables, transport routes). Note that popular grades and some pathways have limited places and campuses may only open a small number of transfer or mid‑year seats; if you have a hard deadline for arrival, tell admissions early so they can advise on availability or waiting options. If any element of the offer (fees, start date, required documents) is unclear, request written confirmation before travel.
Scholarships	Scholarships SCIS operates an International Scholars Program (announced in a school news posting) that offers a limited number of merit‑ and need‑based scholarships for prospective students in certain grades. The 2024–25 announcement describes six scholarship streams (for example: IB Diploma Scholarship, Academic Excellence, Leaders of Tomorrow, Renaissance (arts), International‑Mindedness, and Self‑Motivated Learner), available to applicants roughly in Grades 5–11 depending on the specific award. Scholarship awards were described in the announcement as covering between 25% and 75% of annual tuition and could be renewable for up to four years subject to annual review; applicants were instructed to submit a separate SCIS scholarship application and required documents and, if shortlisted, were invited to interview. Because scholarship offerings, quotas, eligibility details and deadlines can change year to year, contact the Admissions office or check the SCIS website for the current scholarship application form, deadlines and selection criteria before applying.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist SCIS does not publish a separate, detailed public policy labeled “waitlist” on the admissions pages, but the school explicitly states that offers are made on a rolling and capacity basis and refers to a “wait‑pool” when describing what happens if a seat guarantee is not paid by the due date. The Admissions Checklist and other admissions pages say SCIS operates on a rolling basis and that offers are subject to space availability, and the Tuition & Fees page explains that when a seat guarantee deadline passes the seat may be offered to students in the wait‑pool or new applicants. In practice this means that if space is full your completed application will be held and considered as openings arise; there is no separate public “position number” or published waitlist procedure, so parents who want clarity about their application status should contact admissions directly (admissions@scis-china.org) to ask whether the candidate is in an active wait pool and what documentation or timing would change their status.	Waitlist SUIS does not publish a single, central waitlist procedure on public listings; management of places appears to be handled at the campus level. Several campus notices and local listings indicate that some year groups have limited places and that campuses sometimes hold places for transfer or later admissions, which suggests they may keep internal waiting lists or hold back a small number of conditional places for mid‑year intake. If a grade is full you should ask the specific campus admissions office whether they run an active waitlist, how they prioritise families (date of application, assessment results, siblings, residency status), and whether a seat deposit is required to hold a place if one becomes available. For immediate clarity, contact the campus admissions email/phone shown on SUIS directory entries.
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