Shanghai Singapore International School vs Shanghai United International School

	S Shanghai Singapore International School Shanghai, China	S Shanghai United International School Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 130,000 - 300,000	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 Singapore Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme)	Curriculum British Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Chinese Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 1,400	Pupils 3,500
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English, Chinese
Opened	Opened 1996	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Campus address: 301 Zhujian Road, Minhang District, Shanghai (201106). The school is in Minhang, a residential/urban district of Shanghai; it's primarily reached by private car or by the SSIS school-bus network that serves many neighbourhoods around the city.	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 SSIS is a K–12 school with three main divisions: Preschool (Early Years), Primary School and Senior School. The senior pathway includes IGCSE preparation and the IB Diploma for upper secondary students (the school serves ages roughly 2–18).	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 SSIS is a co-educational day school for expatriate students (no boarding provision). Official IB listing notes gender as co-educational and boarding status as day.	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 The Student Services team provides Academic Learning Support (personalised learning plans, small-group and one-to-one interventions and exam accommodations), English Language Acquisition support, and social–emotional counselling; the school describes collaborative, integrated support across divisions.	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 The school does not indicate a formal national or governmental affiliation. Its programmes explicitly include a Singapore curriculum pathway alongside Cambridge/IGCSE and the IB Diploma.	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 No religious affiliation is stated on the school website (SSIS presents itself as an international, secular K–12 school).	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 Published secondary sources list a typical school day of about 8:30 am to 3:30 pm for students; after-school activities run later (SSIS's ASP sessions and related bus runs extend to around 5:00 pm). Parents should confirm exact daily timings with admissions, as timetables can vary by division and year.	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 SSIS runs an optional, school-managed bus service in partnership with professional bus companies. The fleet is described as more than 70 buses equipped with CCTV, GPS tracking and first-aid supplies; each bus has a trained monitor. Routes cover roughly 300 neighbourhoods across 11 Shanghai districts, and SSIS provides free ASP (after-school programme) drop-offs to a set of locations. For route maps, schedules and booking you should consult the school's bus pages or contact Admissions.	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 Application & Matriculation Fees - Application Fee: RMB 2,500 (non‑refundable, non‑transferable). - Matriculation Fee (enrolment/entry fee): RMB 20,000 (non‑refundable, non‑transferable). Annual Tuition (by year group) — Academic Year 2025/2026 - Toddler / Pre‑N (Half day): RMB 130,000 per year. - Pre‑Nursery to Kindergarten 2: RMB 200,000 per year. - Grade 1 to Grade 6 (Primary): RMB 260,000 per year. - Grade 7 to Grade 8 (Lower Secondary): RMB 280,000 per year. - Grade 9 to Grade 10 (IGCSE): RMB 290,000 per year. - Grade 11 to Grade 12 (IB Diploma): RMB 300,000 per year. Per‑term (Trimester) amounts - The school offers an annual or termly (trimester) payment option; per‑term figures below are one‑third of the annual tuition (rounded). This per‑term breakdown is an arithmetic division based on the school's stated trimester payment option. - Toddler / Pre‑N: approx. RMB 43,333 per term. - Pre‑N to K2: approx. RMB 66,667 per term. - Grade 1–6: approx. RMB 86,667 per term. - Grade 7–8: approx. RMB 93,333 per term. - Grade 9–10: approx. RMB 96,667 per term. - Grade 11–12: RMB 100,000 per term. Optional / Additional Fees - English Language Acquisition (ELA) Programme (Grade 1–6): RMB 25,000 per year (payable in full before service). - Transportation (regular bus service): RMB 18,500/year (below 5 km) or RMB 20,000/year (5 km and above). Refunds prorated per school day (less handling fee). - Paid After‑School Programmes (selected ASPs): RMB 1,400–3,800 per 8‑week session (paid ASPs are charged separately). - Uniforms: ordered through the school's contracted vendor; a complimentary uniform credit is offered to eligible early re‑enrolling students. Actual uniform costs are charged via the vendor. Billing schedule, payment terms & methods - Payment options: Annual (one‑time) or Termly (trimester) payments. Accepted currencies: RMB and USD. Methods: point‑of‑sale (credit/debit cards, local UnionPay for RMB), and bank transfer (email proof to invoice@ssis.asia). Exchange rate for overseas remittances follows the People's Bank of China central parity rate on the first working day of the month. - Discounts: 10% sibling discount; 10% corporate discount for companies paying for five or more children (not cumulative). - Late payments: RMB 300 per day up to 7 days; persistent non‑payment may lead to suspension and withholding of records. Boarding - SSIS operates as a day school; boarding facilities are not provided. Refunds & withdrawal - Matriculation fee and other non‑tuition fees are non‑refundable. - If a student does not attend any school days in a term, that term's tuition will be refunded in full; if a student attends any day in a term, that term's tuition is payable and non‑refundable. - Late withdrawal without 30 days' written notice: 10% of the annual tuition is charged in lieu of notice. Optional service refunds (transport, ASPs, ELA) follow the terms in the registration pack.	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 —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The school has a uniform policy. Shanghai Xinxinle Dress Co., Ltd is contracted as the uniform vendor, and uniforms are ordered online with delivery to home addresses. The Sabres Store on campus provides sizing and fittings.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options The school provides catering with an in-house kitchen and publishes weekly menus planned by the Head Chef, including options across Chinese, Western, Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian cuisines. Produce mainly comes from Mahota Farm on Chongming Island, with other licensed suppliers; vegetarian meals and dietary accommodations are available. Food samples are retained for 48 hours and the kitchen is regularly inspected to ensure safety and compliance.	Food options —
House system	House system The school uses a House System with four houses: Ruby, Amber, Pearl, and Sapphire. All students and staff belong to a House and remain in the same House through their SSIS journey, including younger siblings. House activities include sports, music, debating and other competitions, with House points tallied to determine an annual Championship.	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership SSIS was founded and invested by Prime Group International. The Core Leadership Team leads the school, guiding curriculum development and daily operations.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details SSIS operates a K–12 pathway: Preschool (Pre‑Nursery–Kindergarten 2), Primary (Grades 1–6), Lower Secondary (Grades 7–8), a two‑year IGCSE course for Grades 9–10, and a two‑year IB Diploma for Grades 11–12. The Preschool programme aligns with Singapore's Nurturing Early Learners framework, and the Primary curriculum draws on Singapore Math and Science together with Cambridge Primary English. Lower Secondary follows the Cambridge Lower Secondary programme to prepare students for the IGCSE years, which in turn lead into the IB Diploma in Senior School. Chinese language and culture are taught across all stages with banded Advanced/Standard/Foundation classes from Grade 1, immersive culture lessons, and options to take Chinese at IGCSE and within the IB Diploma. The academic programme is complemented by structured co‑curricular activities (CCA/ASP) and specialist sports and arts offerings—examples include formal after‑school clubs as well as school programmes in golf and swimming.	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 SSIS states that its Student Services Team has prioritised an enhanced Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programme and embeds SEL across all divisions. The school references use of recognised SEL frameworks (including links to Harmony and ISCA materials) and describes Primary Pastoral Care lessons as opportunities for students to develop social and emotional skills. Counsellors and the Student Services team work with teachers to integrate SEL into curriculum lessons and run related parent workshops. These initiatives are described in school newsletters and the Student Services overview on the SSIS website.	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) SSIS describes Academic Learning Support within its Student Services provision, stating it offers personalised learning plans, differentiated instruction, small-group interventions, one-to-one mentoring and assistive technology to support students with diagnosed learning needs. The school's public pages list dedicated Learning Support staff and a Director of Student Services with qualifications and experience in Special Education, indicating an in‑school specialist team. SSIS also states that accommodations and modifications are available for assessments. The school's website does not enumerate specific diagnostic categories supported (for example dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder or ADHD) on its publicly available pages. SSIS is presented as a mainstream international school with in‑school learning support rather than as a specialist SEN institution.	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language SSIS publishes an English Language Acquisition (ELA) programme for Grade 1–6 and a Cambridge English programme, and describes ELA specialists who collaborate with classroom teachers to integrate language support across the curriculum. The school's tuition page lists a fee for the English Language Acquisition (ELA) Programme for Grades 1–6, confirming a formal, fee‑based ELA offering. The faculty directory also names an ELA Coordinator and ELA teachers, indicating staffed provision. These materials show SSIS publicly discloses active EAL/ELA support rather than no provision.	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 SSIS provides individual and group counselling through its Student Services Team and names counsellors assigned to different divisions on its site. The school states counsellors offer crisis intervention, pastoral care lessons, and work with teachers to embed wellbeing into the curriculum. SSIS newsletters and staff profiles describe parent workshops on topics such as executive functioning, supporting teenagers and home wellness tools. The Director of Student Services is presented as having responsibilities for wellbeing and inclusive practice. These counselling and wellbeing supports are described on the SSIS website.	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 SSIS states it has a Child Protection Policy, a Campus Safety Committee, and a zero‑tolerance position on bullying, neglect or any form of abuse. The school's public pages describe practical safeguarding measures including staff safety training (first aid/CPR/AED), visitor ID procedures, segregated toilets, and strict student‑release processes. Pastoral Care lessons are identified as part of students' education about personal boundaries and safety. SSIS indicates these child protection procedures are communicated to staff and parents and provides contact points on its website for enquiries. For the full policy text and procedural detail the school directs readers to its Child Protection Policy and school contacts.	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview SSIS operates a bespoke Minhang campus with on-site spaces for academics, arts, sports, and student life. Facilities include an Amphitheatre and an Auditorium, multiple cafeterias, and an Early Year Library, plus a Performing Arts Centre, Dance Room, and Music Studio. The campus houses STEM and learning spaces, including Physics, Chemistry, and Biology laboratories, an iMac Lab, STEAM fabrication and Maker spaces, and a Knowledge Hub. On the sports side, SSIS provides an Indoor Gymnasium, a Fitness Centre, a Swimming Pool, a Gymnastics Room, a natural-grass football pitch, and an outdoor track; a Golf Learning Centre and a Golf Driving Range support its golf programme. The campus also features a Farm to School space and a Chinese Culture Room. A Virtual Campus Tour showcases these spaces.	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 SSIS provides on-campus sports facilities including an Indoor Aquatic Centre, a fully equipped fitness room, a natural-grass football pitch, an outdoor track, a gymnastics room, an indoor gymnasium, and multi-purpose spaces for a range of sports. The SSIS Go Swim Programme provides swimming instruction from an early age. The Golf Learning Centre and Golf Driving Range support the golf programme on campus, with on-course practice at Sun Island Kunshan Golf Club (a 27-hole championship course).	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Academic spaces include Physics Lab, Chemistry Lab, and Biology Lab to support hands-on science learning. The iMac Lab supports digital and creative work, while STEAM spaces encompass Fabrication Space, Maker Space, Robotics facilities, and related Creative/Engineering activities. The Knowledge Hub serves as a central learning commons for research and collaboration, and the Early Year Library supports literacy development in the youngest cohort.	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 SSIS offers a broad range of extracurricular opportunities through its Activities Overview, including sports, aesthetics, and clubs via the Co-Curricular Programme and After School Programme. The school is a Duke of Edinburgh International Award Centre, offering Bronze, Silver or Gold awards with mentor support for Senior School students aged 13+. Learning Outdoors provides field trips, excursions and camps, including the Farm to School project and organized outdoor experiences. The Weekend Programme offers paid activities from external vendors to deepen skills beyond the classroom, and a House System supports student leadership and belonging through various clubs and activities.	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Shanghai Singapore International School (SSIS) was founded in 1996, opening its first year with 18 students and nine teachers. Over the next two decades the school expanded campuses (relocating to Hua Cao Town in 2001 and adding a second campus in 2003), grew its secondary provision, and obtained authorisations for international programmes in stages (including IB MYP in 2003 and the IB Diploma Programme in 2005). The school continued physical and programme development through the 2010s and into the 2020s—adding facilities such as an aquatic centre and staff residence, integrating campus locations in 2019, completing a major expansion in 2020, and earning WASC accreditation in 2025. These milestones and programme authorisations are documented on the school's history page.	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 SSIS describes its community as a partnership of a diverse teaching faculty, parents and students; the teaching staff come from more than 20 countries and the school highlights active parent engagement and alumni connections. The school regularly runs community-facing events and projects—examples in recent years include school fairs, seasonal celebrations, family activity days and school-hosted public events such as TEDx and the International Family Bazaar. SSIS also promotes community involvement through outreach and volunteer projects that connect students and families with broader service activities.	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 At SSIS the parent body is organised as the Parent Support Group (PSG); its stated mission is to enrich student life and the wider SSIS community through involvement in educational, social and charity events. The PSG operates as a volunteering platform and is led by an Exco Committee that plans and runs events each year; parent volunteers contribute skills and time across activities. Regular PSG-organised activities named on the site include Book Week, Santa's Workshop, Chinese New Year celebrations, International Friendship Day, the Teacher Appreciation lunch and the International Family Bazaar. Parents who wish to volunteer are invited to contact the PSG Exco Committee at psg@ssis.asia. In addition, SSIS runs a Parent Education Programme of workshops for caregivers and families (delivered by staff, parent volunteers and external providers) to support lifelong learning for parents; enquiries for that programme can be sent to community@ssis.asia.	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 SSIS offers a Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) Programme with term-based options that promote leadership and social skills. CCA offerings include sports (Floor Hockey, Gymnastics, Softball, Soccer, Basketball), aesthetics (Dance, Creative Drama, Gu Zheng, Singing and Performing, Xylophone and Orchestra), and special-interest clubs (STEAM Club, Lego Building Club, Origami, Scrapbooking). The After School Programme (ASP) runs three 8-week sessions and includes activities organized by teachers and external vendors.	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative SSIS provides an Aesthetics Programme with opportunities in art, dance, drama and music. Co-Curricular activities include Dance, Creative Drama, Gu Zheng, Singing and Performing, Xylophone and Orchestra. The programme helps students build self-confidence, broaden horizons, and nurture an appreciation of the arts.	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language SSIS offers a Chinese Language Programme that combines national Chinese and Singaporean curriculums. From Grade 1, students are banded into Advanced Chinese, Standard Chinese and Foundation Chinese. From Grade 9, students may study Chinese as Language and Literature or start Chinese as a new language during IGCSE and IB Diploma programmes; immersion is supported through Chinese Culture activities such as Chinese Culture Week and the Footprint anthology, and the school participates in the International Schools Chinese Debating Competition.	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies SSIS offers a broad range of clubs and after-school activities across sports, arts and special interests. CCA offerings take place during school hours and sign-ups are managed via the SchoolsBuddy app. These activities foster social development and personal interests.	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service Community service clubs are part of the Co-Curricular Programme and the After School Programme. Students participate in volunteering and social responsibility initiatives as part of holistic education. These activities connect students with the wider community and reinforce a culture of service.	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional CCA and ASP programmes develop leadership qualities and professional skills. SSIS references its Future Global Leader's Attributes and provides opportunities for student leadership and project management. ASP runs three 8-week sessions with activities organized by teachers and external vendors.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing SSIS emphasizes health and wellness through sport and physical education. SSIS participates in inter-school associations such as CISSA, SISAC, ACAMIS and the Shanghai Swim League, and offers Golf and Go Swim programmes. Facilities include an indoor Aquatic Centre, a fitness room, a grass football pitch, an outdoor track, a gymnastics room, an indoor gymnasium and multi-purpose spaces.	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision Primary School uses a Singapore-based curriculum, including Singapore Math and Science, and Cambridge Primary English. The Preschool programme includes English Language and Literacy and Chinese Language and Culture as learning areas. From Grade 1 onwards, Chinese language instruction is differentiated into three competencies: Advanced Chinese, Standard Chinese, and Foundation Chinese. In Senior School, Chinese language learning is integrated within the CLSP, IGCSE, and IBDP pathways, with Chinese offered as a Language and Literature option or as an additional language in IGCSE/IBDP.	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching Preschool is a bilingual learning environment with one English-speaking and one Chinese-speaking teacher per class. From Grade 1 onwards, Chinese language instruction is organized into three competencies: Advanced Chinese, Standard Chinese, and Foundation Chinese. The Chinese Language and Culture Programme aggregates both the national Chinese and Singaporean curriculums and emphasises bilingualism and multilingualism. Senior School follows three stages—Grades 7-8 CLSP, Grades 9-10 IGCSE, and Grades 11-12 IBDP—and includes integrated Chinese language study.	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs Preschool offers an immersive bilingual curriculum with dual-language teaching in English and Chinese culture. The Chinese Language and Culture Programme provides immersive Chinese learning with daily Advanced Chinese, Standard Chinese, and Foundation Chinese classes. The programme features platforms for language immersion such as the International Schools Chinese Debating Competition and the Footprint anthology. The class model uses an interdisciplinary approach to apply vocabulary learned in Chinese language lessons and extends learning beyond the classroom.	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations • Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) — SSIS earned initial accreditation from WASC (Accrediting Commission for Schools), a US-based regional accrediting body that evaluates whole-school quality in areas such as curriculum, leadership and student wellbeing. • Council of International Schools (CIS) — SSIS holds CIS international accreditation (including a successful re-accreditation exercise reported by the school); CIS accreditation signals alignment with internationally-recognised standards for governance, teaching, student support and continuous improvement. • International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) authorisations — SSIS is authorised to deliver IB programmes: Middle Years Programme (MYP, authorised 2003), Diploma Programme (IBDP, authorised 2005) and Career-related Programme (IBCP, authorised 2014). These authorisations indicate the school meets the IBO's programme and implementation requirements. • Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) authorisation — SSIS was authorised to offer Cambridge IGCSE (authorisation recorded in the school history), meaning it meets Cambridge's requirements to deliver that examination curriculum. • National Centre for School Curriculum and Textbook Development (NCCT) — SSIS received full accreditation from NCCT (a PRC body) in 2010, which reflects compliance with relevant national regulations and standards for schools serving expatriate children. • Swim England Learn-to-Swim programme provider accreditation — SSIS is an approved Swim England Learn-to-Swim programme provider (noted as one of the only approved providers in Shanghai/China on the school site); this is a programme accreditation for the school's swim curriculum and teacher training pathway.	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Create an OpenApply account. SSIS requires every applicant to register an OpenApply account before submitting an application or signing up for an Open Morning; this account is how the school sends all application notifications. Parents should register on SSIS's OpenApply link and keep the account login details and email address current because the admissions team uses it for test schedules, invoices and final offers. 2. Complete and submit required documents via OpenApply. The school lists specific document sets depending on the applicant's family status (for example: expatriate families, Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan citizens, children born in foreign countries to Chinese citizens, and families with SHMEC approvals), and documents must be translated into English or Chinese by an authorised translation company. Bring original documents to the Admissions Office for verification on the day of the Admissions Assessment; common items include the SSIS Registration Kit, Code of Conduct (G1+), Confidential Recommendation (G1+), birth certificate, vaccination record, latest school report and parent residency/employment paperwork. Review the document checklist carefully because omissions will delay processing. 3. Pay the application fee (and note its timing and refund rule). After you submit documents you will receive a proforma invoice from SSIS Finance; the application fee must be paid at least five working days before the scheduled Admissions Assessment. The SSIS tuition-and-fees page lists the Application Fee for AY2025/2026 as 2,500 (amounts published by the school) and states the fee is non‑refundable and valid only for the applying school year — plan to submit payment promptly using the accepted methods (bank transfer or on‑site by card/cash). Keep the bank receipt or card payment confirmation; the admissions office will require proof on occasion. 4. Attend the Admissions Assessment. All applicants must complete an Admissions Assessment; once SSIS has a complete application they will contact you with the assessment date and details. Register for a test date through the Admissions Test page (the form asks for applicant name, passport, DOB, grade applied and preferred test date); parents should arrive on campus prepared to show originals and arrive early so the child can settle — the school provides test dates and registration instructions via OpenApply or the Admissions Test form. If your child requires language support or special arrangements, contact admissions in advance to discuss accommodations. 5. Receive outcome and pay the matriculation (registration) fee. Successful applicants receive an SSIS Admissions Notification; once you receive the notification you must pay the Matriculation Fee within five working days to confirm the place. For AY2025/2026 the Matriculation Fee is shown as 20,000 on the SSIS fees page and is described as non‑refundable and not applicable against tuition — budget for this payment and retain the confirmation for school records. 6. Complete enrolment payments and service selections. After place confirmation you will be invoiced for tuition and any optional services (examples published for AY2025/2026: annual tuition by grade, the ELA programme, and school bus fees). Tuition amounts published by SSIS for AY2025/2026 are shown on the school site by grade band (examples: Pre‑N to K2 ≈ 200,000; Grade 1–6 ≈ 260,000; Grade 11–12 ≈ 300,000) and the ELA programme (Grade 1–6) and bus fees are listed as separate charges — check the Registration Pack download for payment deadlines, instalment options and refund/withdrawal policies. Confirm preferred services (bus route, ELA enrolment) before the school start date because some services require full pre‑payment. 7. Practical notes and contact details. Keep copies of all submissions and receipts, and check OpenApply frequently for messages from SSIS during the process.	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 Historic scholarship programmes and current status: SSIS has run scholarship programmes in the past and published details in a school news update (posted April 23, 2020) that described three scholarship types — IBDP scholarships (two tiers: an ‘Excellence' award covering 100% of tuition and a ‘Merit' award covering 50% tuition for the two‑year IB Diploma intake) and Aesthetics and Athletics awards (each described as covering 50% tuition with annual renewal conditions). The 2020 news post also described an application process that included submission of papers, interview by a scholarship committee, specific eligibility by grade band and published deadlines for that year. Because the SSIS Scholarships page currently shows a placeholder message (“Stay tuned for more info on scholarships”), these published 2019/2020 details should be treated as historical and subject to change. For current scholarship availability, eligibility criteria, application forms and deadlines contact scholarships@ssis.asia or the Admissions Office — they can confirm whether the IBDP, Aesthetics or Athletics scholarships (or any other financial assistance) are being offered for the intake year you are applying to. Additionally, SSIS lists a School Services Request form that references a Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS); if you need need‑based support or formal financial‑assistance information, request the school's FAS documentation directly.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist SSIS does not publish a public waitlist or central ‘pool' policy on its website pages for admissions; the admissions pages and the online admissions sections do not describe an open waiting-list procedure. Because many international schools manage places internally (for example holding offers, running year‑level capacity checks, or placing applicants ‘on hold' when classes are full) the most reliable way to learn current availability or whether you would be placed on a waitlist is to contact the Admissions Office directly (admission@ssis.asia, +86 21 6221 9288 or the enquiry form on the SSIS site). If you need a formal waitlist status for planning (work visas, housing, or timing) ask the admissions officer to confirm in writing whether a place is available or if your application will be held on a waiting list and what position or expected timeframe applies.	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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