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Shanghai Hong Qiao International School

China, Shanghai

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

Independently researched by doris.
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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees RMB 173,500 - 260,000
Ages 1 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum
Typical class size 8
Introduction

Shanghai Hong Qiao International School (HQIS) is an English‑medium international day school in Changning District, Shanghai (218 Yili Rd South) providing continuous education for children aged 1 to 18. The school publishes an emergent early‑years programme and delivers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme in primary; at secondary level it follows an American standards‑based pathway (Common Core) with Advanced Placement (AP) options and AP Capstone available as part of the senior programme. HQIS's language of instruction is English and the school lists additional language provision in Mandarin, Japanese, Korean and French. Published materials and directory listings note a modern, “green” campus (new build/renewability emphasis in recent campus descriptions), on‑site AP test administration, university‑counselling services and a programme of project‑based learning, student societies and house activities. The school also references online learning partnerships (Global Online Academy) and an emphasis on bilingual Mandarin provision alongside its international curriculum.

218 Yili Rd (S), Changning District, Shanghai, China, 200335

The Essentials

Shanghai Hong Qiao International School has typical class sizes of 8, instruction in English.

Location
Located in the Gubei/Changning (Hongqiao) area at 218 Yili Nan Lu (near Lanbaoshi/Golden Street), close to shops and expat neighbourhoods; the campus is within walking distance of nearby metro stations and served by local bus routes.

Stages
HQIS describes a full early-years to secondary structure — nursery/early years through upper school — serving roughly ages 18 months up to around 18 years (Nursery to Grade 12).

Type
Co-educational day international school; the school runs a continuous K–12 model incorporating IB PYP in primary and an American/AP-aligned programme in the upper years.

Additional learning support
The school lists English-as-an-Additional-Language (EAL) and targeted English support for students arriving with limited English; school listings also note learning-support provisions (parents should contact Admissions for case-specific details and documentation requirements).

Country affiliation
HQIS is an international (non-national) school; its programmes combine the IB Primary Years framework in early/primary years with American curriculum standards and AP courses in upper school.

Religious affiliation
The school is listed as a non-religious international school (no religious affiliation is indicated in official/major listings).

School day structure
Typical published school hours are about 08:30 to 15:00 on weekdays; early-years/toddler classes may offer half‑day options while older classes attend full days (breaks and lunch are provided during the school day).

Bus service
HQIS operates a school-bus service for families (third‑party or school-managed routes are offered) and school listings show published bus fees in past information — exact routes, stops and current fees are managed by the school and should be confirmed with Admissions.
Fees

Annual tuition at Shanghai Hong Qiao International School ranges from RMB 173,500 to RMB 260,000 for 2026/27.

Application and one-time fees
- Application fee: RMB 2,000 (one‑time).
- Matriculation / refundable deposit: RMB 15,000 (listed as a one‑time refundable deposit / registration amount in public fee listings).

Tuition fees (annual amounts by year group)
- Nursery (full‑day): RMB 173,500.
- Preschool / Pre‑Kindergarten: RMB 185,800.
- Kindergarten: RMB 210,000.
- Primary (Years 1–5): RMB 257,000 (some public listings report RMB 247,800 for certain primary years; both figures appear in public sources).
- Secondary (Years 6–12): RMB 260,000 (some public listings report RMB 247,800 for secondary as well).

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Public fee listings show tuition quoted as annual amounts. Termly breakdowns or exact term‑dates for instalments were not published in the sources reviewed.
- Some listings note one‑time matriculation/registration and miscellaneous charges in the first year in addition to annual tuition.

Boarding
- No boarding / no boarding programme listed for this school.

Other costs and recurring extras
- School uniform: public listings indicate an approximate uniform cost (examples show around RMB 1,000 as a typical estimate).
- School bus: sample figures cited in public listings include roughly RMB 7,200 (single route) to RMB 9,900 (return), depending on route.
- Meals: several sources state lunch is included in published tuition amounts.

Refund information
- The one‑time deposit is listed as refundable in public fee summaries; full refund policies, timelines, and conditions were not published in the material reviewed.

Fee payment options
- Publicly accessible listings do not provide a clear definitive list of accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, local payment portal). A dedicated payment portal reference appears in public profiles, but specific accepted methods were not listed in the sources reviewed.

Summary of source coverage: application fee, deposit and annual tuition figures by year group are consistently reported across several public listings; however, detailed termly installments, exact payment methods, and full refund policy wording were not publicly available in the documents accessed.
Academics

Shanghai Hong Qiao International School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum for students aged 1 to 18.

Curriculum
Shanghai Hong Qiao International School (HQIS) provides an English-medium K–12 programme for students from about 18 months to 18 years, combining an emergent early‑years approach, the IB Primary Years Programme in primary, and an American standards‑based pathway with AP options in secondary. Early childhood (approximately 18 months–3 years) follows an emergent, play‑and‑inquiry based curriculum. From roughly age 3 through Grade 5 (up to about age 12) HQIS delivers the IB PYP as its primary/transdisciplinary programme. For middle and high school (approximately ages 12–18) the school follows American curriculum standards (Common Core alignment) and provides Advanced Placement (AP) course options alongside personalised college and career counselling. Instruction is in English with additional language offerings (including Mandarin and other modern languages), and the broader programme includes enhanced science and mathematics elements, project‑based learning and a range of co‑curricular activities.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
HQIS describes a “whole‑person” / character‑development approach and lists student societies, service committees and programmes that support student development, which align with social‑emotional aims. However, the school does not appear to publish a named, detailed SEL curriculum or a clear staff structure for an SEL programme on its publicly available pages. Information about pastoral structures or dedicated SEL staff (for example named social‑emotional counsellors or an SEL coordinator) is not publicly detailed in the sources reviewed. Families should contact the school directly for up‑to‑date, specific information about SEL delivery and staffing.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
HQIS advertises on public profiles that it provides a Learning Support programme and employs learning‑support staff to assist students with additional needs, and third‑party school listings state there is a Learning Support Coordinator who works with teachers to create classroom modifications. These sources describe the provision as a limited programme for students with mild learning needs rather than a full specialist SEN school. The school is therefore not presented as a specialist SEN institution; instead it offers in‑school learning support and individualised classroom adjustments. For details about which specific needs are supported and assessment or referral processes, the school should be contacted directly.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Publicly available profiles for HQIS list EAL (English as an Additional Language) provision and describe EAL as an offered/enhanced programme and an extension activity for students still developing English language skills. Several third‑party school summaries explicitly list EAL classes or EAL support among the school's language offerings. The exact structure (levels, timetabling, or named EAL staff) is not fully detailed on the sources reviewed, so parents should request the school's current EAL programme outline for specifics.

Mental Wellbeing
HQIS public summaries mention student societies, service committees and personalised college/career counselling which can contribute to student wellbeing, but those sources do not describe a named whole‑school mental‑health or wellbeing programme or a dedicated mental‑health team. At least one third‑party listing notes there is no on‑site educational psychologist reported in its profile of the school. The school does not publicly disclose detailed information about dedicated mental‑health staffing, counselling processes or wellbeing protocols in the materials reviewed; families seeking specifics (school counsellors, referral pathways, crisis procedures) should ask the school directly.

Safeguarding
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding and child protection in the sources reviewed. For authoritative information on HQIS's safeguarding policies, designated safeguarding officers, and child‑protection procedures, please request the school's safeguarding policy or confirmation from the school directly.
Parent Experience

History
Shanghai Hong Qiao International School began in 1997 as Rainbow Bridge International School, opening with just two preschool classes (about 18 students) and expanding over the following years. The elementary division opened in 2003, and the school gained International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme authorization in 2012. As the student body and programmes grew, the school moved to a new Gubei campus and adopted the Hong Qiao International School name in the mid‑2010s. These milestones are described in historical summaries and local school listings.

Community
HQIS describes a multinational student body (commonly reported as representing roughly 30–35 nationalities) and a programme of co‑curricular opportunities, student societies and service committees that extend learning beyond the classroom. The school runs regular community events that are public-facing—examples in recent years include school Earth Day celebrations and summer camp programmes that welcome families and local participants. Parents are invited to Open Days and other on‑campus events that connect families, staff and students.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Public event listings and school profiles show an active parent community and regular parent‑focused activities (for example, Open Days and family events tied to Earth Day and seasonal programmes). These sources document parent engagement at HQIS but do not provide a detailed, publicly posted description of a formal PTA's internal structure, officer list or meeting schedule. For specific information about the school's Parent‑Teacher Association (roles, committees, volunteer opportunities and how to join), the school's admissions office is the usual contact—admissions contact details are listed in the school directory entries. If you'd like, I can draft a short email you can send to admissions asking for the PTA constitution, current officers, and a list of upcoming parent volunteer opportunities.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Check eligibility and timing: Before starting an application, confirm your child's visa/status and the grade level you are applying for — HQIS requires a Shanghai residence permit, diplomatic visa, or an employer letter stating a visa will be obtained for the student and parents, and immunization records are required. Plan for placement testing or interviews for Kindergarten and above; Nursery–Pre-K students have a different interview process. If you need an immediate start (mid‑year entry) note that HQIS accepts students after the academic year begins but spaces may be limited.

2. Complete the online application: Applications are submitted via the school's online system (OpenApply); you must upload a completed application form, digital photos of student and parents, passports (first page and visa page) for student and parents, the student's birth certificate, and immunization records. For Kindergarten and above you must also upload school reports for the current and two previous academic years (certified English translations if the originals are in another language). Keep scanned copies ready in standard formats (PDF/JPEG) so the application can be processed without delay.

3. Pay the non‑refundable application fee and supply any additional documents: Once the online application is complete you will be asked to pay a non‑refundable application fee (listed as RMB 2,000 in the school's OpenApply listing) before the application is processed. Admissions will not schedule assessments/interviews until the fee and required documents are received, so plan bank transfers or online payment accordingly. If your child requires learning support or ESL services, include any relevant assessment or reports at this stage to help the school review placement and resources.

4. Assessment, interview and scheduling: After your application and payment are received, HQIS schedules an interview and (for Kindergarten and above) an admissions test; the school's published timeline indicates interviews are usually scheduled within five working days of a complete application. Nursery to Pre‑K applicants attend with a parent/guardian; Kindergarten and older students come for testing and an interview with parents. Expect the school to assess English ability, basic literacy/numeracy (for school‑age applicants), and social readiness for younger children; bring any current school reports to the interview.

5. Offer letter, invoice and deadlines: If a place is offered you will receive a formal acceptance letter together with the tuition invoice (OpenApply notes an acceptance and invoice are sent — typically within five working days after the interview). Offers normally specify a payment deadline and a deposit to secure the place; published third‑party listings show a refundable deposit amount (commonly reported as RMB 15,000) and additional one‑time charges — confirm the current amounts with admissions. Pay attention to the invoice deadlines; failure to pay by the stated date can result in the offer being withdrawn or the place being given to another family.

6. Tuition, deposits and published fee ranges: Annual tuition figures vary by source and by year — third‑party fee listings for 2025–26 show different published ranges (for example, Finder.school lists Kindergarten and K–12 figures in the CNY 173,500–260,000 range while OpenApply directory pages show other annual amounts), so treat online summaries as estimates. Confirm the current year's tuition schedule, miscellaneous fees, and whether billed amounts are for full‑day/half‑day options directly with admissions before accepting an offer. Also ask whether fees are billed annually or by term, what payment methods are accepted, and whether there are sibling discounts or other adjustments.

7. Enrollment, class visit and transition: The school typically arranges a class visit and transitional information after acceptance to help students settle in; parents should ask for the class visit date and any orientation materials. Make sure vaccination records, passport copies, and proof of residency/visa are ready to hand in at enrollment, and confirm bus, lunch, and uniform arrangements if applicable. If you anticipate a late arrival (after term start), notify admissions early so they can advise on assessments and integration steps.

8. Contact and follow up: If any part of the process or the fee schedule is unclear, contact HQIS admissions directly (admissions email appears on school directory listings) and request written confirmation of deadlines, amounts, and any conditions tied to offers. Keep copies of all submitted documents and payment receipts; if a decision is time‑sensitive, ask admissions for an explicit timeframe in writing. Because fee schedules and policies are updated periodically, always confirm the current policy for the academic year you plan to enroll in.

Scholarships
OpenApply's directory entry for HQIS lists “Scholarships Available: Yes,” but the school does not publish a detailed scholarship or financial‑aid policy in the public directory pages found during this search. No authoritative public page with scholarship eligibility criteria, application deadlines, award amounts, or selection criteria was found in the sources searched; that means the scope and rules for any scholarships or fee assistance are not clearly stated online. If you are interested in financial assistance, contact HQIS admissions directly (use the admissions email/phone listed in the school directory) and request: (a) whether scholarships or fee assistance are offered for the year you are applying, (b) the application process and deadlines for any awards, and (c) required documentation (for example, financial statements, essays, or academic records). Because scholarship availability, eligibility rules, and amounts can change year to year and are often limited, ask for written confirmation and any application forms so you have the official policy on record.

Waitlist
According to the school's online directory listing, HQIS does operate a waiting‑list system (OpenApply's school profile marks “Waiting List: Yes”). Publicly available listings do not publish detailed waitlist mechanics (for example, whether placement is strictly by application date, by need/grade priority, or by assessment outcome). In practice, this typically means if a place is not immediately available you may be offered a waitlist position and then moved to an offer if and when a space opens; confirmations and deadlines are generally handled in writing by admissions. Because specific priority rules and typical wait times are not published in the public listings, ask admissions for (1) your child's precise position on the waitlist, (2) any actions that move a child up the list, and (3) how long waitlist offers remain valid so you can plan accordingly.
School Events
The school has not added events
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