Shanghai United International School vs Yew Chung International School of Shanghai

	S Shanghai United International School Shanghai, China	Y Yew Chung International School of Shanghai Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 215,000 - 303,000	Fees / year RMB 243,900 - 362,700
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 Bespoke Curriculum, British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 3,500	Pupils 2,400
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 25
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Chinese	Instruction language English, Mandarin
Opened	Opened —	Opened 1993
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 YCIS Shanghai operates five day-school campuses across Puxi and Pudong (examples: Gubei/Puxi and Century Park/Pudong). Campuses sit in established residential and expat neighbourhoods with access to major roads and public transport; exact campus addresses and maps are on the school site. For admissions or visits parents usually select the campus that matches their child's year group.
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 The school provides Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary education for students aged about 2–18 (K2–Year 13). Campuses are organised so different sites serve particular age ranges (ECE, Primary, Secondary).
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 YCIS Shanghai is a co‑educational international day school that follows a bilingual co‑teaching model (English and Mandarin) in its early years and primary classes. The school does not advertise boarding provision—its campuses operate as day campuses.
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 The school has a Learning Support function (EAL/SEN) that provides in‑class and withdrawal support, helps develop IEPs and administers assessments; specialist staff are listed in recruitment and student‑support materials. Admissions and placement for students with more significant needs are handled case‑by‑case and the school notes limits on the level of specialist provision available on campus.
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 YCIS Shanghai is part of the Yew Chung Yew Wah (YCYW) education network; the Shanghai campus opened in 1993 as the network's mainland China campus.
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 The school does not present a formal religious affiliation on its public overview pages; its materials focus on bilingual, cultural and character education rather than a particular faith.
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 Daily start/end times and break/lunch arrangements vary by campus and year group; the school publishes campus‑specific school calendars and timetables (see the School Calendar / Year Overview pages for each campus). Parents relocating should check the relevant campus calendar for precise daily hours.
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 YCIS offers an optional school bus service with multiple routes serving its campuses; routes, pick‑up/drop‑off points (commonly at compound gates) and fees vary by campus and year. Families can apply for bus service each year and should contact admissions or school services for the current routes, schedules and fees.
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 fees & registration deposit - Application fee: RMB 3,000 (one‑time, non‑refundable). - Registration / placement deposit: RMB 25,000 (one‑time; reported as refundable). Tuition fees (by year group) — annual and per semester Note: tuition is published on an annual basis; the school academic year is split into two semesters, so per‑semester amounts below are the annual fee divided by two (arithmetic shown). - Nursery 2 (age 2): Annual RMB 243,900 — Per semester RMB 121,950. - Kindergarten 1 (age 3): Annual RMB 264,800 — Per semester RMB 132,400. - Kindergarten 2 (age 4): Annual RMB 264,800 — Per semester RMB 132,400. - Kindergarten 3 / Reception (age 5): Annual RMB 313,900 — Per semester RMB 156,950. - Year 1 — Year 3: Annual RMB 313,900 — Per semester RMB 156,950. - Year 4 — Year 5: Annual RMB 320,200 — Per semester RMB 160,100. - Year 6 — Year 8: Annual RMB 350,200 — Per semester RMB 175,100. - Year 9 — Year 10: Annual RMB 356,400 — Per semester RMB 178,200. - Year 11 — Year 13 (upper secondary): Annual RMB 362,700 — Per semester RMB 181,350. Billing schedule & payment terms - Tuition figures are quoted annually; the school year runs as two semesters (see calendar). Specific invoicing dates, installment options and late‑payment terms are set in the school's Fees & Policies and on individual invoices. Boarding - YCIS Shanghai operates as a day school; boarding is not applicable. Other costs - Typical additional charges include: school uniform (available via the school's online order link), school bus/transportation, extracurricular activities/CCAs, field trips, examination fees (external IGCSE/IB charges where applicable), meals, textbooks and incidental or activity charges. The school's admissions materials and online shop reference these categories. Refund information (known items) - Application fee: non‑refundable. Registration/placement deposit: reported as refundable. Further refund rules for tuition and other charges are defined in the school's Fees & Policies document. Fee payment options - Reported accepted payment methods: online payment; cash in RMB; credit/bank card payment (in person — bank service charge may apply); and electronic/bank transfer. Bank transfer details and invoice instructions appear in admission/fees documentation. Discounts - A sibling discount (reported for large families) — example: a 5% tuition discount for families with three or more enrolled children — is reported in published fee summaries.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options The school operates a campus cafeteria where meals are available to students. A lunch-card system is used for cafeteria dining on Pudong and Puxi campuses.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership The school is part of the YCYW Education Network.
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 Yew Chung International School of Shanghai educates expatriate children from K2 to Year 13 (ages 2–18) across its Puxi and Pudong campuses. Early Childhood (K2–K4) uses a bilingual co‑teaching model (one native English and one native Chinese teacher) and follows a play‑based approach guided by the UK “Development Matters” Early Years framework. Primary and lower secondary (Years 1–9) follow the school's YCIS international curriculum with integrated Chinese Studies and continued bilingual instruction. Upper secondary is a two‑stage external‑exam pathway: Years 10–11 sit Cambridge IGCSE subjects (the school is an authorised Cambridge Assessment centre) and Years 12–13 study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). YCIS Shanghai is accredited by NEASC and CIS, reports recent IGCSE and IB outcomes on its site, and offers modern languages (including Mandarin and Spanish) alongside the core curriculum, university guidance and co‑curricular 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 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 YCIS Shanghai states it delivers a school-wide Wellbeing Programme that is emphasised in daily lessons, weekly assemblies and other learning activities to develop students' social and emotional skills. The school names specific counsellors and pastoral staff who contribute to wellbeing work and describes character education activities (for example, annual Charity Week) as part of students' social development. Early Childhood and Primary classes use a bilingual co-teaching model (English and Chinese co‑teachers), which the school says supports students' identity, relationships and intercultural skills. Transition programmes and pastoral arrangements (homeroom teachers, year-level leaders and counselling teams) are described as supporting social and emotional needs during key moves (for example Primary→Secondary).
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) YCIS's published admissions guidance states applicants must be able to access the regular curriculum “without needing support beyond our English as an Additional Language programme and supplemental learning resources,” which indicates limited scope for intensive specialist SEN provision. The school's website does not present a detailed public list of the specific types of SEN it can support or a dedicated specialist‑SEN programme, and it is not described on the website as a specialist SEN institution. Where further or specialist services are required the admissions statement implies those needs may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis during application. Because the website does not publish a comprehensive SEN policy or an explicit list of conditions supported, families requiring significant specialist provision should contact admissions for definitive guidance.
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 YCIS Shanghai's admissions and curriculum pages state the school provides EAL (English as an Additional Language) support for students whose mother tongue is not English. The school describes EAL being delivered as a separate lesson in Primary and notes in transition guidance that English/EAL is taught by English co‑teachers together with an additional EAL teacher to support diverse learner needs. The Early Childhood bilingual co‑teaching model (English and Chinese teachers in each class) is presented as a core part of language access across the school. The website therefore documents that EAL provision exists but does not publish detailed programme syllabuses or class‑size/teacher‑ratio specifics online.
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 describes a Wellbeing Programme that is integrated into the curriculum and daily school life and names school counsellors who lead wellbeing and transition support. YCIS articles on wellbeing detail practical initiatives used during periods of remote learning (for example active‑movement challenges, wellbeing webinars and resilience workshops) and note assemblies and Life Skills elements that support students' mental health. Transition pages also state that counselling staff and year‑level leaders provide pastoral support during key changes, such as moving from Primary to Secondary. The website does not publish a formal student mental‑health policy with exhaustive lists of clinical services on the public pages, so families wanting clinical or specialist mental‑health support should enquire directly with the school.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding YCIS Shanghai publishes material stating that child protection and safeguarding are compulsory elements of staff training and school practice; the site describes annual in‑person child protection training for all staff, follow‑up online modules during the year, and mandatory Adult Codes of Conduct for staff and volunteers. The school reports that additional training on intimate‑care guidelines is provided for Early Childhood staff and that visitors who work with children must sign safeguarding acknowledgements before working on campus. YCIS also highlights that its broader accreditation and professional‑development programme includes child‑protection training for staff. The website provides a specific child‑protection/safeguarding page and news article outlining these requirements; for procedural details (reporting pathways, Designated Safeguarding Lead contact, external reporting) parents should consult the school's published Child Protection page or contact the school directly.
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 YCIS Shanghai operates multiple campuses in Puxi, Pudong and Lingang to serve students from Early Childhood through Upper Secondary. The school maintains a bilingual English-Chinese program. The Lingang campus features a library, large flexible classrooms with interactive touchscreen technology, air filtration units, music and multi-purpose rooms, and maker spaces with rooftop garden space. The Puxi campus includes a swimming pool located on the B1 level as part of a fitness centre that also contains a gym, rock climbing walls and a dance studio.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities The Puxi campus has a swimming pool on the B1 level as part of a fitness centre with a gym, rock climbing walls and a dance studio. The Lingang campus has an all-weather sports field and a gymnasium for sports and CCAs. YCIS Shanghai supports a broad sports program with teams and competitions, including swimming, football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, touch rugby and badminton, with participation in CISSA, SISAC and ACAMIS.
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 The Lingang campus features large, bright flexible classrooms with interactive touchscreen technology and air filtration units. It also includes a library housing a large collection of English and Chinese literature, as well as music and multi-purpose rooms and colourful maker spaces. The theatre and sports facilities, including a gymnasium and a swimming pool, are part of Lingang's ongoing campus development.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities Campus Life offers diverse co-curricular activities (CCAs). YCIS Shanghai provides swimming programmes and swim teams at the Puxi campus, and maintains a wide range of sports teams; the school competes in CISSA, SISAC and ACAMIS and has earned trophies in multiple sports.
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 YCIS Shanghai was established in 1993 and is described on the school website as the first independent international school in Shanghai to be officially recognised and registered with the Chinese government. The school grew from YCIS's Hong Kong roots and is part of the broader Yew Chung Yew Wah (YCYW) Education Network; YCYW traces its origins to 1932 and positions YCIS Shanghai as its first mainland China campus. Over the past three decades the school expanded to multiple campuses across Puxi, Pudong and Lingang to serve Early Childhood through Upper Secondary students.
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 YCIS Shanghai's public pages note a multicultural student body across several campuses (the site cites students from 50+ nationalities and a student population in the low thousands). The school and the YCYW network run recurring community-wide activities — for example the annual Founder's Day (a network-wide celebration with campus-level sports, assemblies and family activities) and the network's ‘Learning Communities' programme that connects students, teachers and sometimes parents across flexible learning spaces. The school's “Our Community” section groups information for parents, students and alumni and points to campus-specific events and communications channels.
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 The YCIS Shanghai website includes a dedicated “Our Parents” area and a Parents Login portal, but it does not publish a single, clearly labelled city‑wide “PTA” page in the public site menus. The site's event coverage shows parents taking part in campus activities (cheering at Founder's Day runs, family picnics, and house competitions) and school news frequently highlights campus-level, parent‑facing events. Based on the publicly available pages, parental engagement appears organised at the campus level through parent portals, event volunteer opportunities and campus communications rather than through a single public PTA document — for exact details (committee contacts, formal meeting schedules or volunteer sign-ups) the school directs parents to their campus office or the Parents Login. If you'd like, I can check the school's parents portal or contact pages for current campus PTA contacts or recent parent‑run events (I would need permission to search deeper or you can share any login materials).
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual The school has six campuses located in Puxi, Pudong and Lingang.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language The school provides a bilingual learning environment in which English and Chinese are equally valued; in Early Years, classes are led by one native English-speaking and one native Chinese-speaking teacher.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision In Early Childhood, the programme is bilingual and co-teachers support English and Chinese language development. In Primary, Chinese remains important and is used extensively, while more subjects are taught in English. Students have at least one hour of English and one hour of Chinese classes daily; Mathematics and Topic are co-taught in English and Mandarin; Specialist classes (Art, ICT, PE, Music) are taught in English. EAL (English as an Additional Language), CAL (Chinese as an Additional Language), and CFL (Chinese as a First Language) support is provided. In Primary, the English National Curriculum is adapted for an international context with Chinese culture and character education included.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The school uses a bilingual learning environment in Early Childhood where Chinese and English are equally valued. Each Early Years class has a co-teaching team of one native English-speaking teacher and one native Chinese-speaking teacher to provide an immersive, bilingual experience. In K2, two co-teachers and a full-time classroom assistant support the learning in small classes. In K3 and K4, the two-co-teacher model continues to support a fully bilingual experience.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs The co-teaching model creates an immersive bilingual environment across Early Childhood, with English and Chinese language development supported simultaneously. K2 and K3/K4 experiences are bilingual with equal emphasis on both languages, weaving Eastern and Western cultures into daily activities.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards I searched the school's official website for school-level awards dated within the past five years (January 1, 2021–December 31, 2025) and found the following items that the school (not individual students) received. Each entry lists the award, the date reported on the school site, and a one-line explanation of its significance: - Staff Development and Wellbeing Award — British Chamber of Commerce China Schools Awards 2022 (awarded at the CSA ceremony on 24 February 2023; reported on the YCIS site 1 March 2023): recognised Yew Chung Yew Wah Education Network's (YCYW) long-term commitment to staff development, training and wellbeing; the award highlights the network's practices and systems for teacher/professional development and staff support. - Outstanding Contribution Award (School) — RAISE2023 (RAISE 2023: 6th Asia International Schools Conference & China International Schools 30th Anniversary awards; event reported 10 November 2023, YCIS article dated 23 November 2023): presented to YCIS Shanghai as a school-level recognition for distinctive contribution to the international school sector in China. Note on scope and sources: these two school-level awards are the only awards for the school explicitly reported on YCIS Shanghai's official website within the specified five-year window. The site contains many reports of student-level examination prizes (e.g., Cambridge ‘Top in China/Top in World') and internal scholarship announcements; per your request I did not include student awards or scholarships and have only listed awards that the school (or the school as an institution) received and that are documented on the school website.
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations Below are the accreditations and authorisations listed on YCIS Shanghai's official website, with a one-line explanation of each and why it matters: - Council of International Schools (CIS): an international school accreditation body that evaluates whole-school quality against international benchmarks; CIS accreditation signals that a school meets widely-recognised international standards for governance, teaching, safeguarding and continuous improvement. - New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC): a U.S.-based regional accrediting organisation; NEASC accreditation indicates the school meets standards commonly used for school recognition and quality assurance in the U.S. and internationally. - National Centre for Curriculum and Textbook (NCCT) / joint China accreditation participation: YCIS Shanghai was selected to participate in the NCCT–CIS–NEASC joint accreditation process and was accredited under that joint review; NCCT involvement indicates the school has been evaluated in the context of Chinese national curriculum/textbook authorities as part of a recognised joint accreditation pathway. - Cambridge Assessment / authorised Cambridge Examination Centre (IGCSE): the Secondary School is authorised as a Cambridge Assessment examinations centre for IGCSE, meaning it is approved to offer and administer Cambridge IGCSE qualifications on site. - International Baccalaureate (IB) — IB World School (IB Diploma Programme, IBDP): the school is authorised to offer the IB Diploma Programme at upper secondary level, which means it has met the IB organisation's requirements for curriculum, teacher support and assessment for the diploma.
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. Initial enquiry and eligibility check — Contact the YCIS Shanghai Admissions team to start. Parents should confirm that the family meets local eligibility rules for international schools in Shanghai (typically foreign passports and supporting residency/visa documents) before applying; the school's Admissions pages explain these requirements and offer an Age Placement Guide and Application Checklist to help determine the correct year level. If you plan to transfer from another YCIS campus, note that internal transfers are facilitated with reduced paperwork. 2. Book a visit / information meeting — Arrange a campus visit, open day or a virtual meeting with Admissions to see the campus, ask about bus routes, meal service, EAL provision and learning-support capacity, and to confirm which campus (Puxi, Pudong or Lingang) you prefer. Parents should bring photo ID and the child's most recent school reports to the meeting, and ask for the Application Checklist so they can prepare documents correctly. Visits are useful to confirm practical matters (bus stops, start times) that affect daily logistics. 3. Complete the online application — Submit the official online application through YCIS's admissions portal and select the preferred campus. The portal collects basic family and student details and prompts for the required uploads (passport copies, proof of residency/visa where required, recent school report, immunisation record and any support plans). Completing the online form early in the admissions cycle is recommended; make sure the uploaded documents are clear and translated into English if necessary. 4. Application fee, deposit and invoice expectations — After submission you should expect to be informed about any application fee and, if an offer is made, the acceptance deposit/enrolment fee and payment deadlines. Published fee summaries used by multiple school-fee services show a one‑time application fee (reported around RMB 3,000) and a refundable enrolment deposit (reported around RMB 25,000), but families should confirm the current amounts and payment methods with Admissions and on the official invoice before paying. Keep receipts and read the school's withdrawal/refund policy in the Fees documentation. 5. Assessment and interview — For placement the school will consider academic history, English proficiency, special skills/talents, social‑emotional readiness and date of birth; applicants may be asked to complete age‑appropriate placement tests and attend an interview (in person or online). Younger children may have play‑based assessments; older applicants are usually given subject/English assessments and a short interview. If English is limited, the school will assess whether the child can access the regular curriculum with the school's EAL support (students who require specialist or intensive SEN support beyond the school's published provision may not be admitted). 6. Offer, contract and acceptance — If a place is offered you will receive an offer letter or invoice that sets out the deadline to accept, deposit/payment instructions, and the contract terms. Read the contract carefully for start date, payment schedule, minimum enrolment period and any conditions attached to the offer (for example, proof of residency or work permit if not already provided). Parents normally accept by returning a signed contract and paying the required deposit by the stated deadline to secure the place. 7. Preparation before start date — Once the place is confirmed, arrange school uniform sizing, school bus registration (if needed), meal plan choices, and provide any medical or learning‑support documentation requested. If your child needs EAL support, coordinate with the school about initial assessments and any recommended resources so they can start with appropriate support. Ask Admissions for arrival/orientation dates and the school calendar so you can plan travel and housing around term start dates. 8. Onboarding and placement adjustments — On the child's first weeks the school will typically complete induction and may make minor placement adjustments once they have observed the student in class; keep lines of communication open with the class teacher and the Admissions/Year‑Level leader. If your child is moving mid‑year, expect a formal placement assessment and an agreed in‑year start plan, including catch‑up or bridging suggestions. Parents should maintain copies of medical forms, prior reports and any individual education plans, as these speed the placement process. 9. Follow‑up and appeals — If an application is declined or a child is placed in a different year level than expected, ask Admissions for written feedback and guidance on re‑application or alternative options (including the waiting pool if applicable). If you plan to reapply or update application materials, send the improved documents and new reports to the Admissions office so they can re‑assess when a vacancy arises. YCIS also supports transfers within the YCYW network, which can simplify moves between sister campuses.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships YCYW (the Yew Chung Yew Wah network) operates a network scholarship programme that is implemented at YCIS campuses, including YCIS Shanghai. The programme awards merit‑based scholarships for academic excellence, leadership, service and subject/talent strengths; award categories include the Madam Tsang Chor‑hang Memorial Scholarship, Yew Chung Yew Wah Subject & Talent Awards, and Yew Chung Yew Wah IGCSE/IB/A‑Level Academic Awards. Eligible applicants are typically current or prospective students in the upper years (network guidance and campus notices commonly reference Years 7–13), and external applicants are usually required to submit admission materials and take designated tests (CEM/CPT or equivalent) before scholarship application. Scholarship support varies by award and campus; the network's published material indicates tuition‑fee waivers ranging from partial (about 15%–25% for some awards) up to full (100%) and durations commonly from two to three years depending on the scholarship type, with an annual review and a selection process that includes a written application and panel interview. YCIS Shanghai publishes its own scholarship announcements and timeline (application season, short‑listing, panel interviews and final decisions—application windows are usually in the November–January period with interviews and decisions in the months that follow), so families should contact the YCIS Shanghai Admissions or scholarship email for current deadlines, application forms, and the exact percentage and duration available at that campus.
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 YCIS schools keep a waiting pool when a year level is full rather than a single‑ranked public queue; applicants who meet the admission criteria but cannot be placed immediately may be held in that pool until space becomes available. Priority considerations used when moving candidates from the pool to offer places include sibling status, campus balance and curriculum/age fit; parents are advised to confirm whether they must re‑confirm interest to remain in the pool and how long a pool placement is valid at the specific campus. The practice of maintaining a waiting pool and giving sibling priority is used across the YCYW/YCIS network (for example, another YCIS campus page explicitly states a waiting pool is maintained when a year level is full), so expect similar local practice at YCIS Shanghai and check with Admissions for campus‑specific details and timelines.
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