Shanghai United International School vs Suzhou Singapore International School

	S Shanghai United International School Shanghai, China	S Suzhou Singapore International School Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 215,000 - 303,000	Fees / year RMB 130,000 - 300,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Chinese Curriculum	Curriculum Singapore Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 3,500	Pupils 1,400
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Chinese	Instruction language English, Mandarin
Opened	Opened —	Opened 1996
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	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.	Location The URL you gave (ssis.asia) is the website for Shanghai Singapore International School (SSIS), not a Suzhou campus. SSIS's main campus is in Minhang District, Shanghai, with on-site directions and contact details on the site; it's reachable by road and is near established residential areas and transport links in southwestern Shanghai.
Stages	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.	Stages SSIS runs a continuous K–12 programme from Preschool (Pre‑Nursery/Kindergarten) through Primary (Grade 1–6) to Senior School (Grade 7–12). Senior School includes Cambridge Lower Secondary, IGCSE (Grades 9–10) and the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12).
School type	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.	School type SSIS is a co-educational international day school (K–12). The school does not advertise boarding facilities on its main site pages.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	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.	Additional learning support SSIS publishes an English Language Acquisition (ELA) programme for Primary students to support learners needing additional English instruction; the school also describes personalised learning approaches and school-based support but specific SEN caseload or detailed specialist services are described in admissions/downloadable registration materials. For specific individual needs it's best to contact the school's admissions or learning-support team.
Country affiliation	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.	Country affiliation The school is named Shanghai Singapore International School and references Singaporean education influences in its curriculum, but it operates as an international school in China rather than being a government school of Singapore.
Religious affiliation	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.	Religious affiliation SSIS does not list any religious affiliation on its public pages; it operates as a non-denominational international school.
School day structure	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.	School day structure The school's website describes standard K–12 timetabled days with breaks and a lunch period but does not publish a single fixed start/end time on the public overview pages; these times are typically provided to admitted families or in the registration pack. Contact admissions for exact daily timings for specific year groups.
Bus service details	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.	Bus service details SSIS offers a regular school bus service for families; the site lists a transportation email and notes an annual transport fee (with distance-based rates quoted in the tuition page). For route details, pickup points and booking deadlines the school asks parents to contact the transportation office directly. }
Fees	Fees
Fee details	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.	Fee details Application and Matriculation Fees - Application Fee: non-refundable, non-transferable — RMB 2,500. Payment is due within five working days of issuance. - Matriculation Fee: non-refundable, non-transferable — RMB 20,000. This fee cannot be applied to tuition. Tuition fees (annual and per-term amounts by year group) Note: the school offers either a single annual payment or termly (trimester) payments. Per-term figures below are calculated as the published annual fee divided by three (annual ÷ 3) to reflect the trimester payment option. This per-term breakdown is a calculated figure. - Toddler / Pre-N (Half Day) - Annual: RMB 130,000. - Approx. per term (annual ÷ 3): RMB 43,333. - Pre-Nursery to Kindergarten 2 - Annual: RMB 200,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 66,667. - Primary School (Grade 1 to Grade 6) - Annual: RMB 260,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 86,667. - Senior School (Grade 7 to Grade 8) - Annual: RMB 280,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 93,333. - Senior School (Grade 9 to Grade 10) - Annual: RMB 290,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 96,667. - Senior School (Grade 11 to Grade 12) - Annual: RMB 300,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 100,000. Optional / additional fees and typical ranges - English Language Acquisition (ELA) Programme (Grade 1–6 only): RMB 25,000 per academic year (payment required in full before service starts). - Transportation (regular school bus) per academic year: - Below 5 km: RMB 18,500 per year. - 5 km and above: RMB 20,000 per year. - The transportation fee must be paid in full before the school commencement date; refunds for transportation are pro‑rata per school day less a RMB 400 handling fee. - Paid After‑School Programmes (ASP): most ASPs are complimentary, but paid ASP sessions (8-week session) typically range RMB 1,400–3,800. Paid ASPs must be paid in full before the session; refund rules depend on timing and minimum enrolment. - External examination/test fees (IGCSE, IB, AP, SAT, HSK, Cambridge English, etc.) are not included in the tuition and will be charged separately when applicable. Daily school lunch is included in the tuition. - Uniforms: uniforms are ordered through the school's approved vendor; specific item prices are set by the vendor. The school offers an early‑re‑enrolment complimentary uniform credit for eligible returning students. The on‑site Sabres Store allows try‑ons. Billing schedule and payment terms - Payment frequency options: - Annual (one-time payment), or - Termly (trimester) payments. - Application Fee and Matriculation Fee: timing requirements — Application Fee due within five working days of issuance; Matriculation Fee payment after offer is normally required within five working days. - Late payment charge: RMB 300 per day applied to overdue tuition fees for up to 7 days; after this period the school may suspend the student, withhold reports/transcripts, or offer the place to applicants on the waitlist. Refund and withdrawal terms - Withdrawal notice: parents must submit written notice to the divisional principal at least 30 days before the student's last day of school; otherwise days will be counted as absence and may affect refunds. - Late Withdrawal Notice Surcharge: if less than 30 days' notice is given, 10% of the annual tuition fee is deemed payable in lieu of notice. - Full‑term non-attendance: if a student does not attend any school days in a term, that term's tuition will be refunded in full. Partial attendance: if the student attends any day in a term, the full term's tuition is payable and non‑refundable. Annual payment discounts will be forfeited if the student withdraws mid‑year. - Optional services refund examples: - Transportation: pro‑rata refund per school day (1/180 of annual fee) less RMB 400 handling fee. - ELA Programme: fees are non‑refundable and non‑transferable. - Paid ASPs: full refund if withdrawn before the ASP start; no refunds once the ASP has started (unless minimum numbers not met). - Matriculation fee and other specified non‑tuition fees are non‑refundable. Refunds are processed after the student's last day; overseas transaction fees for refunds are borne by parents and refunds are made to the original payer. A VAT e‑fapiao (tax receipt) will be issued upon payment confirmation. Boarding - No boarding fees are listed; the fees schedule and enrolment materials describe day services and optional transport but do not include boarding provisions. (No boarding programme/boarding fees are published.) Discounts and concessions - Sibling discount: 10% discount on the total annual tuition fee for families enrolling two or more siblings. - Corporate discount: 10% discount on the total annual tuition fee for companies enrolling and paying for five or more children of their employees. - Note: sibling and corporate discounts cannot be applied to the same student. Accepted currencies and payment methods - Accepted currencies: RMB and USD for payments. - Payment methods accepted: - Point‑of‑Sale (POS): credit or debit cards (local UnionPay cards accepted for RMB payments). - Bank transfer: payment to the school's designated bank account; email proof of payment with student full name and class to invoice@ssis.asia. The exchange rate for overseas remittances is based on the central parity rate set by the People's Bank of China on the first working day of each month; any exchange differences are borne by parents. Other practical notes on fees - Tuition covers textbooks/library use, online resources, basic stationery, school‑sponsored CCAs/complimentary ASP offerings, compulsory Shanghai learning trips (within the city), technology fees, and daily lunch for students. External exam fees, optional off‑Shanghai trips, specialist fee‑based services, and certain optional programmes are charged separately. - VAT e‑fapiao will be issued after payment; you may request specific details (student name, period of study) to be added to the fapiao. If you need any of the numeric figures presented above in another currency or as exact instalment amounts calculated to a specific rounding convention, indicate which currency and rounding you prefer and I will compute them directly.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement SSIS has a formal school uniform. Shanghai Xinxinle Dress Co., Ltd is the uniform vendor since March 2019, and uniforms are ordered online with home delivery in about one week. The Sabres Store on campus offers fitting and purchase, with hours 08:00–09:00 and 11:40–14:00; contact sabrestore@ssis.asia or +86 21 6221 9288 ext. 7487.
Food options	Food options —	Food options Food is sourced from Mahota Farm at Chongming Island and other licensed suppliers. An in-house purchasing department manages the process with no intermediaries and reviews suppliers and products regularly. The weekly menus include Chinese, Western, Japanese, South Korean and Southeast Asian dishes, with vegetarian options and accommodations for dietary restrictions; preschool meals are tailored, and Chinese festival foods are served.
House system	House system —	House system SSIS uses a House System with four houses: Ruby, Amber, Pearl and Sapphire. All students and staff are assigned to a house and remain in the same house throughout their SSIS journey, with younger siblings able to join the same house. The system supports a range of activities and competitions, and house points determine a yearly House Championship.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership SSIS was founded and invested by Prime Group International.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	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.	Curriculum details SSIS's Preschool (Early Years) is bilingual, aligns with Singapore's Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) framework and is organised around seven learning areas (Aesthetics; Discovery of the World; English literacy; Chinese; Motor skills; Numeracy; Social and emotional development). Primary School follows a Singapore‑based curriculum drawing on Singapore Math and Science with Cambridge Primary English and a three‑track Chinese Language and Culture programme (Basic, Singapore system‑based, Advanced integrating Singapore and Shanghai curricula). Senior School is divided into three stages: Grades 7–8 follow the Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme (CLSP) to prepare for IGCSE; Grades 9–10 take Cambridge IGCSE with four compulsory subjects (English, Chinese, Mathematics, Science) plus up to six option subjects designed to enable the Cambridge ICE group award. Grades 11–12 study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP); SSIS states that 100% of students undertake the IBDP, which comprises six subject groups and the DP core (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS). Across all stages the school supplements subject learning with STEAM, sports, arts and co‑curricular activities, Mandarin immersion and technology integration (ICT/Computer Science/Robotics), and uses ManageBac for home‑school communication and personalised learning records.
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 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.	Social & emotional learning SSIS describes a whole-division wellbeing and pastoral care programme delivered through form time, wellbeing lessons and assemblies to develop students' social and emotional skills. Counsellors and form tutors lead the programme and the school reports structured pastoral activities such as character and leadership camps and house-based programmes. The Senior School also operates a Mentor Programme that assigns students a teacher mentor for regular guidance on academic and personal matters. The school links pastoral care directly with academic guidance, noting counsellors, form tutors and heads of houses as part of the support structure.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) SSIS's Student Services page states the school provides Academic Learning Support including personalised learning plans, one‑to‑one and small‑group interventions, assistive technology, and examination accommodations for students with diagnosed learning needs. The school lists Learning Support staff on its faculty pages, indicating specialist staff are in place to deliver these services. The website does not list specific categories of SEN (for example, dyslexia or autism) that it will or will not support. The school's public pages do not describe SSIS as a specialist SEN institution, instead presenting learning support as part of its broader Student Services.
English as an additional language	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.	English as an additional language SSIS publishes an English Language Acquisition (ELA) programme aimed at Grade 1–6 students who require additional English support, with dedicated ELA staff and integration of language support across the curriculum. The Student Services page describes ELA specialists working with classroom teachers and also references a Cambridge English programme for formal exam preparation. The ELA programme is offered as a year‑long, fee‑based option in the school's tuition schedule for primary grades. Contact details for ELA and student services are provided on the school site for families seeking placement or assessment.
Mental wellbeing	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.	Mental wellbeing The school's counselling team provides individual and group counselling, crisis intervention, and social‑emotional support embedded into the curriculum and pastoral routines. SSIS publishes resources for wellbeing during school closures, including regular Student Wellness Surveys, digital pastoral curriculum content, and remote counselling by appointment. Counsellors are reachable via the published school contact email (counselling@ssis.asia) and the site highlights proactive outreach to students and families identified as needing extra support. These provisions are presented as part of the Student Services and Counselling function on the school website.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding SSIS publishes a Child Protection Policy and states it has a Campus Safety Committee that conducts regular checks and enforces safety protocols to protect students' physical and emotional welfare. The school's Campus Safety Measures describe visitor procedures, ID/family card controls, and an Outdoor Activities Response Policy as part of its campus safety framework. The website provides a downloadable Child Protection Policy and directs enquiries to designated campus safety contacts. SSIS explicitly states a zero‑tolerance position on bullying, neglect and abuse and outlines procedures for responding to concerns.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	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.	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	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.	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	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.	History Suzhou Singapore International School (operating as Shanghai Singapore International School on its website) was founded and invested in by Prime Group International and opened with the approval of the Ministry of Education, PRC on 3 September 1996. The school began with 18 students and nine teachers and expanded over the following decades with additional campuses and programmes. SSIS obtained authorisations for the IB Middle Years Programme (2003), the IB Diploma Programme (2005), Cambridge IGCSE (2011) and the IB Career-related Programme (2014), and continued campus and facilities development through the 2010s. In 2025 the school lists WASC accreditation among its credentials.
Community	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.	Community The school serves an international student and family community and runs recurring community events that invite broad participation, such as the annual International Family Bazaar and preschool NatureFest. School-wide occasions including sports days and arts exhibitions bring students, staff and families together across grade levels. SSIS has also co‑organised external cultural events that engage the wider Singaporean and expatriate communities in Shanghai, for example Chingay@Shanghai.
Parent teacher association	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.	Parent teacher association SSIS's parent organisation is called the Parent Support Group (PSG); an elected PSG Executive Committee organises volunteer efforts and events across the school. Regular PSG activities listed on the school site include Book Week, Santa's Workshop, Chinese New Year celebrations, International Friendship Day, a Teacher Appreciation lunch and contributions to the International Family Bazaar. The PSG also coordinates parent volunteers who support classroom activities and extracurricular events, and it arranges workshops for parents delivered by staff, parent volunteers and external providers on parenting and academic topics. The PSG uses a dedicated contact address (psg@ssis.asia) for parents who wish to volunteer or participate. Overall, the PSG frames its role as a platform for parent involvement and for enriching students' learning experiences through organised events and workshops.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual SSIS offers a Co-Curricular Programme (CCA) and an After School Programme (ASP). The CCA for Grades 1–6 develops leadership, social skills and interactions with teachers beyond academics. CCAs span sports (Floor Hockey, Gymnastics, Softball, Soccer, Basketball, Rock Climbing, Badminton), aesthetics (Dance, Creative Drama, Gu Zheng, Singing, Xylophone, Orchestra) and special-interest clubs (STEAM Club, Knitting Club, Lego Building Club, Origami, Scrapbooking). ASP runs three eight-week sessions for K1 to Grade 12; activities are organized by teachers and external vendors, with signups on the SchoolsBuddy platform.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative The Aesthetics Programme provides opportunities in art, dance, drama and music. Visual arts are showcased in campus exhibitions and students may participate in external art competitions. The Performing Arts Programme covers music, drama and dance, with platforms such as musical productions, festival celebrations, International Family Days, student talent competitions, summer concerts and external performances. The Music Programme offers instrument study in small groups, with vocal work, theory and music appreciation; SSIS is an ABRSM exam centre and has a dedicated Performing Arts Centre with a 646-seat auditorium.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language The Chinese Language and Culture Programme combines the national Chinese and Singaporean curriculums. Chinese language classes are differentiated to accommodate diverse abilities: daily Advanced Chinese, Standard Chinese and Foundation Chinese; from Grade 9, students can study Chinese as Language and Literature, another language, or start Chinese as a new language during IGCSE and IB. An Immersive Chinese Culture Class covers traditional culture, poetry, calligraphy and geography. The programme provides platforms for student language expression, including the International Schools Chinese Debating Competition, the Footprint anthology, Chinese Culture Week and Sabres Broadcasting.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies Sports, aesthetics and clubs are integral to SSIS's holistic education, with opportunities outside the classroom. The school offers a broad range of clubs and after-school activities across athletics, arts and special-interest groups; signups occur on the SchoolsBuddy platform. The SSIS Weekend Programme provides paid activities by external vendors to develop skills and progress. Learning Outdoors offers farm-to-school experiences, excursions and camps to broaden horizons and connect learning to the real world.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service SSIS is a Duke of Edinburgh International Award Centre; Senior School students aged 13 and above can pursue the DoE Award at Bronze, Silver or Gold levels with teacher mentors. The DoE sections include Voluntary Service, Skills, Physical Recreation, Adventurous Journey and, for Gold, a Residential Project. The programme emphasizes learning beyond the classroom, resilience, independence, goal setting and community involvement.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional The DoE Award fosters leadership, independence and self-management through student-led learning with guided support. Sabres Broadcasting develops bilingual public speaking and media communication skills, offering opportunities to speak in English and Chinese and to participate in live broadcasts. SSIS provides additional avenues for student leadership through school events and projects showcased in SSIS publications and events.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sports form a core part of SSIS's program, with facilities including four indoor basketball courts, three all-purpose soccer fields, a competition swimming pool, an athletic track, tennis courts and spaces for fitness and dance. The school runs specialized programs such as the SSIS Golf Programme and the SSIS Go Swim Programme. Learning Outdoors supports wellbeing through field trips, excursions and the farm-to-school project to connect physical activity with environmental awareness.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision The curriculum is Singapore-based and international, with Preschool and Primary taught to the Singapore Curriculum and then progression to IGCSE and IB Diploma Programmes. The Chinese Language Programme aggregates the national Chinese and Singapore curricula; from Grade 1, students are placed into Advanced Chinese, Standard Chinese, or Foundation Chinese; from Grade 9, Chinese can be studied as Language and Literature, as an additional Language, or as a new language within IGCSE and IB Diploma.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching SSIS uses a bilingual education model combining English instruction with Chinese language learning through a Cambridge English Programme and a Chinese Language Programme (CLASS Model).
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs The Chinese Language and Culture Programme includes an Immersive Chinese Culture Class, with a learning approach that blends language study with hands-on experiences. Platforms include the International Schools Chinese Debating Competition, the Footprint anthology, Chinese Culture Week, and Sabres Broadcasting.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards (Only school-level awards/recognitions explicitly reported on the SSIS website in the past five years are included below; I did not include student-level prizes or internal student awards.) - Listed in Forbes China: "Forbes China International School Annual Selection" — SSIS was named on Forbes China's 2025 annual list of international schools (post dated June 20, 2025). The school's news item presents this as an external selection/recognition of the school. - China League IB ranking (2024) — SSIS is reported to have secured 8th place in the 2024 China League IB Table (news post dated December 2, 2024). This is an external ranking placed to the school rather than to individual students. - School trophy for International Economics Olympiad (IEO) preliminary round — SSIS reports that all 23 students who took the IEO preliminary test on December 12, 2024 passed and that "the school was awarded a trophy" for that result (reported in the Senior School newsletter, posted February 26, 2025). The school-level trophy is described in the newsletter. Notes and limits: - I reviewed only information published on the SSIS website and included items where the school itself is the named recipient. External recognitions such as rankings and listings are presented as the school reports them on its site. - Items mentioned on the SSIS site that relate to student awards, internal prize ceremonies, or that describe the school as a "finalist" (for example the China Schools Awards 2022 finalist mention) were not counted as school "wins" here because the site either describes them as finalist status or attributes the award to students. Where helpful, I included exact post dates and source links (citations) so you can verify details directly.
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations - International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) — SSIS is authorised to deliver multiple IB programmes: the Middle Years Programme (MYP; authorised May 2003), the Diploma Programme (IBDP; authorised 2005), and the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP; authorised 2014). Authorisation means the IBO has evaluated and approved SSIS to implement those specific IB curricula and related quality standards. - Cambridge International Examinations (Cambridge IGCSE) — SSIS received Cambridge authorisation in 2011 to offer the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). Cambridge authorisation indicates the school is approved to teach and assess Cambridge programmes and examinations. - Council of International Schools (CIS) — SSIS received full CIS accreditation (first noted in 2010) and has undergone CIS evaluation visits (including a documented accreditation visit/re-accreditation process). CIS accreditation is an external, ongoing quality-assurance process that evaluates a school's governance, curriculum, staffing, and student support against international standards. - National Centre for School Curriculum and Textbook Development (NCCT) — SSIS received full accreditation from NCCT in 2010. This is a China-based accreditation/approval indicating alignment with the national centre's curriculum and textbook standards (as reported by the school). - Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) — SSIS earned initial WASC accreditation on May 13, 2025. WASC is a U.S.-based regional accrediting commission; WASC accreditation indicates the school meets recognised standards in areas such as curriculum, leadership, teaching, and student wellbeing.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	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.	Admissions 1. Create an OpenApply account. Parents must register at SSIS's OpenApply portal before they can submit an application or sign up for open days; this account is the school's primary channel for application notifications and next-step instructions, so use a reliable email address you check regularly. (Make the account at https://ssis-sh.openapply.cn and keep the login details safe.) 2. Complete and submit application documents via OpenApply. All required documents must be uploaded to OpenApply and any non-English/Chinese documents must be translated by an authorised translation company; bring original documents to the Admissions Office for verification on the day of the Admissions Assessment. Required paperwork varies by nationality—examples include the SSIS Registration Kit, signed Code of Conduct and Confidential School Recommendation (for Grade 1+), the child's birth certificate and vaccination record, the family's passport pages, and Shanghai residence/permit or property/tenancy proof—so check the list that applies to your family and prepare certified copies before applying. 3. Pay the application fee (and follow payment timing). After you submit documents, SSIS issues a proforma invoice; the non-refundable application fee (RMB 2,500 for AY2025/2026) must be paid at least five working days before the Admissions Assessment date using bank transfer or on-site card/cash as instructed by SSIS Finance. Keep proof of payment and email any bank-transfer receipts to the school when requested—missing payment deadlines can delay or invalidate your booking for an assessment. 4. Attend the Admissions Assessment. All applicants are required to complete an Admissions Assessment; SSIS Admissions will contact you with the assessment schedule and details once they have a complete application. After the assessment SSIS will notify you of the outcome. 5. Complete the application by paying the matriculation fee and confirming enrolment. If your child is offered a place you are asked to pay the non-refundable matriculation fee (RMB 20,000 for AY2025/2026) within five working days to secure the place; tuition choices (annual or termly) and optional services (school bus, ELA programme at RMB 25,000/yr for Grades 1–6, paid ASPs) are detailed in the Registration Pack and on the Tuition & Fees page. Read the Registration Pack's payment schedule, discount rules (10% sibling or corporate discount conditions), and refund and late-payment policies carefully—late-payment penalties and enrolment consequences are explicitly stated.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	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.	Waitlist SSIS's published enrolment materials reference a waitlist: the Registration Pack and fee policy state that if a student is suspended or leaves for non-payment the school may “offer the student's seat to new applicants on the waitlist.” That language indicates SSIS maintains a pool of applicants it can draw on when places become available, but the website and Registration Pack do not publish a detailed public waitlist protocol (for example: ranking criteria, how long applicants remain on the list, or automatic expiry of a position). Therefore, if you want to know how the waitlist would apply to your child (how places are prioritised, expected waiting times, or whether acceptance requires immediate matriculation-fee payment), contact the Admissions Office directly (admission@ssis.asia / +86 21 6221 9288) for current practice and your applicant's position. Note: the statement about offering seats to waitlisted applicants appears in the school's refund/late-payment section and is the basis for the above summary; the rest is an informed inference because the school does not publish a full waitlist procedure.
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