As one of Shanghai’s first international schools, Shanghai Community International School (SCIS) has served as an essential cornerstone in the lives of many. With a 25-year legacy of cultivating global-minded, well-rounded, and intellectually curious students, and within the framework of a fully authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum World School, SCIS is truly unique. SCIS is a caring environment that nurtures children to reach their true potential. This is accomplished with a holistic approach that takes into account all aspects of the child’s development. In the last 25 years, we have meticulously curated a school community that is reflective of diverse strengths, cultures, and identities brought together by the shared attributes of compassion, care, and conscientiousness. Click here to read about our 25 years of commitment to the community. 

SCIS has a wide-ranging footprint across Shanghai, with campuses located on both sides of the Huangpu River, in Pudong and Puxi. In Pudong, we are conveniently located in the Zhoupu area, only a 30-minute bus ride away from the popular residential business district of Lujiazui in downtown Pudong. In Puxi, we are uniquely located near central, downtown Shanghai, within the popular residential business district of Gubei, only a 20-minute bus ride away from the popular residential areas of Hongqiao, Xuhui, Xujiahui, Xintiansi, and JingAn. Door-to-door bus service is provided to all of our students as part of our school program, providing convenient access to all our campuses for families living and working across Shanghai. Please find more information regarding our transportation services here.

There are currently 1,700 students within our community across the three campuses, making SCIS one of the largest international schools within Shanghai. At the same time, SCIS is proud to have fostered an extremely strong community, with a small school and a close-knit community feel. Our students, families, and faculty feel at home at SCIS. 

With over 60 nationalities and more than 40 languages represented across our community, SCIS is one of the most diverse international schools in Shanghai and a preferred school choice amongst the international community. As a fully authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum World School, SCIS attracts the brightest and most holistic students from all parts of Eastern and Western Europe, Australia, India, North America, South America, and other parts of South East Asia who call Shanghai home. We are intentional about ensuring that each of our homeroom groups is a representation of SCIS’s international community. 

It is our constant endeavor to ensure a 50:50 gender ratio in each of our classrooms. 

Average Class Size: 

• Early Childhood 14-18 students 
• Lower School 18-20 students 
• Upper School 20-22 students

Average Teacher to Student Ratio: 

• Early Childhood 1:7 
• Lower School 1:12 
• Upper School 1:14
   

Students at our Hongqiao Early Childhood Education (ECE) Campus (Nursery, Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten) attend school from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm within our full-day program and from 8:30 am–12:00 pm within our half-day program. The half-day program is only available for Nursery and Preschool students. 

Students at our Hongqiao Main Campus (Grades 1-12) attend school from 8:00 am–3:00 pm. 

Students at our Pudong Campus (Early Childhood & Grades 1-12) attend school from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. Students enrolled in Nursery and Preschool have the option of attending school from 8:00 am–12:00 pm within our half-day program. 

The SCIS tuition and fees cover the full, standard school program. The SCIS program includes school-provided services, when available, at no additional costs to families. School provided services include transportation to and from school, daily lunch at school (for full-day students), one “startup” set of the school uniform, and for Upper School students (grades 6–12), compulsory travel (i.e. Annual China Trips) and use of a MacBook laptop. Depending on campus and grade level, the standard tuition ranges from RMB 122,000 to RMB 277,500. To review the full details of the tuition and fees, please find the SCIS Tuition & Fees Pro Forma here. 

Yes, as part of the school program, which is covered by the SCIS tuition and fees, we offer daily school lunches (for full-day students), one “startup” set of the school uniform, and door-to-door bus service to all our students. For our Upper School students (grades 6–12), the school program includes compulsory travel (Annual China Trips) and the use of a MacBook laptop for their academic work. Read more information about our all-inclusive school program here.

Yes, a Sibling Discount of Five Percent (5%) will be extended to all families with three or more students enrolled at SCIS.

Yes, SCIS offers multiple Early Payment Discount opportunities of up to a Seven Percent (7%) discount on tuition fees only when annual tuition fees are paid in full according to the early payment deadlines (between March and May of the preceding school year). Read more about our discount policies here. 

At the beginning of each semester, we offer a ‘New Family Orientation’ to introduce you and your children to the school, as well as provide a comprehensive packet of information to guide your family throughout your transition to the SCIS community.

In the Lower School, new students adjust through the support of their homeroom teacher who supports the social and emotional growth of all students within an intentionally designed positive community culture. The IB Learner Profile attributes of “caring” and “principled” form our shared agreements of how we participate in our classroom and school communities and homeroom students begin every day with a welcoming morning meeting circle. Additionally, homeroom teachers assign new students a “buddy” in the homeroom whose job is to make sure the student learns the school hallways and routines and has companionship at lunch and recess times. The Lower School counselor supports new students who may need additional help in their adjustment. 

For our Upper School Students, we have a devoted Pastoral Care Program designed to ensure all students, including our new students, have an opportunity to develop the relationships, attitudes, and skills that contribute to a positive community. New students will be assigned to a faculty advisor and current student “buddy” to ensure a smooth transition to the SCIS community. The Upper School counselors support new students who may need additional help in their adjustment. 

Our teachers have a wealth of experience in helping new students transition into the classroom and school community. We have a comprehensive Student Support Team and counselors on staff who can help if there are any transitional concerns.

Starting from Kindergarten, students have the option to choose from a wide range of clubs and after-school activities. These activities allow students to find new passions while continuing in others and provide opportunities for team building and leadership. All after-school activities are supported by faculty, providing guidance and other opportunities to connect with students. Additionally, SCIS works with a wide range of outside vendors to offer a vast array of additional extra-curricular opportunities for our students and families. To learn more about our after-school activities, please click here. 

At SCIS, we offer end-to-end support for university applications to our IB Diploma students. From shortlisting colleges to reviewing essays, our team of experienced college counselors will help the student find their right fit university or college based on their interests, location preference, areas of academic strengths, and abilities to cope with rigor. While most applications are made to the leading US, Canadian, and UK universities, our counselors are also equipped to work with students considering colleges in European countries, South Korea, and other countries in Asia as well as Australia. Of our amazing students, 100% of graduates are accepted to the university of their choice, ranging from over 23 different country locations, with 15% of graduates accepted to worldwide top-10 universities and 40% of graduates accepted to worldwide top-50 universities. It should be noted, the university acceptance rate for graduates with an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, an opportunity offered to 100% of all SCIS students, is significantly higher than that for graduates with other high school diplomas. Find the latest news about our class of 2020-21 admits here. 

On their path to making positive contributions to their communities, SCIS alumni have attended many prestigious universities and colleges across the globe. Of our amazing students, 100% of graduates are accepted to the university of their choice, ranging from over 23 different country locations, with 15% of graduates accepted to worldwide top-10 universities and 40% of graduates accepted to worldwide top-50 universities. It should be noted, the university acceptance rate for graduates with an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, an opportunity offered to 100% of all SCIS students, is significantly higher than that for graduates with other high school diplomas. Most university applications are made to the leading US, Canadian, and UK universities. Other destinations include countries in Europe, South Korea Japan, and Hong Kong. A full list of our admits from the class of 2020-21 can be found here. 

Yes, very much so! Parents can volunteer in the classrooms and we have a wonderful Parents and Friends Association (PAFA), which is a fundamental part of the school community. PAFA helps with school events, organizes fundraisers, and promotes social activities.

Yes. At SCIS, except for our language acquisition subjects (i.e. Mandarin, French, Spanish), all subjects/courses/modules are taught entirely in English. Furthermore, our robust and highly successful English support program allows us to offer an entirely English-speaking environment to our student body that is comprised of students from over 60 nations from across the globe and who represent more than 40 different languages. Details of our very popular and effective English as an Additional Language program can be found here. 

Being an international school, SCIS offers a robust English as an Additional Language program from Grades 1 – 10 to support students' development of their English proficiency. Visit our English as an Additional Language page for details of our very popular and effective English as a Second Language program.  

SCIS is proud to promote a strong Mandarin language program. The overwhelming majority of our student body chooses to study Mandarin as part of the foreign language requirement. New students are assessed to determine which level of Mandarin instruction would align with their learning needs and they are then placed in any of the 10+ Mandarin levels we offer. Mandarin is taught for approx. 40 minutes every day in the Lower School. All Upper School students can study mandarin either through Language and Literature classes or Language acquisition.

Early reading and writing skills begin in Nursery and are systematically taught according to developmental readiness and age-group norms. Typically, by the end of Pre-kindergarten (4-year-olds), students should be able to recognize and write the letters of the alphabet, display strong letter-sound correspondence, read and write their names, and other familiar words, and showcase a willingness to explore diverse languages in their environment. 

By the end of kindergarten (5 years old) students should be able to recognize and read common words, express simple concepts through writing using inventive spelling, and read simple stories. By the end of first grade (6 years old), students should have a solid understanding of the English language, be able to read and write simple to complex sentences, and be able to communicate through writing in various forms. Literacy and writing across the curriculum remain a primary focus throughout one’s school career at SCIS.

Yes. SCIS is dedicated to providing a diverse and inclusive learning environment for all. We welcome students who learn differently, as we believe that diversity enriches the whole community. Mild to moderate learning support can be provided, given that we feel confident in our abilities to meet the needs of students who learn in their unique way. Read more about our Learning Support program here.

At SCIS, we measure each student’s growth against a criterion-related assessment system developed by the International Baccalaureate Organization. Throughout the academic year, we provide opportunities for the students to exhibit transfer of skills across disciplines through formative as well as summative assessments. These assessments promote a deep understanding of subject content as well as develop critical- and creative-thinking skills. Some of these assessments may be carried out in the form of personal projects, collaborative presentations, research-based submissions, writing sample submissions as well as unit tests. 

Our approach to assessments is both holistic and comprehensive. It adheres to the high standards of academic rigor we uphold at SCIS while also providing an enriching learning environment for each of our learners. 

The IB continuum of international education for students aged 3 to 19 years old is unique because of its academic and personal rigor. This globally recognized framework of education challenges students to excel in their studies and their personal development. An IB education contributes to the intellectual curiosity, creativity, and future-ready skill development of students. It helps them develop into global citizens of the world who respond to challenges with optimism and an open mind, are confident in their own identities, make ethical decisions, join others in celebrating our common humanity, and are prepared to apply what they learn in real-world, complex and unpredictable situations. Approaches to teaching and learning IB programmes are taught by teachers who explicitly help students learn how to develop the attitudes and skills they need for both academic and personal success. Six key pedagogical principles underpin all IB programmes. Teaching in IB programmes is: 

• based on inquiry 
• focused on conceptual understanding 
• developed in local and global contexts 
• focused on effective teamwork and collaboration 
• differentiated to meet the needs of all learners 
• informed by assessment (formative and summative)

As an International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum World School, SCIS is authorized to deliver the Primary Years Programme (PYP). The IB PYP is an integrated curriculum that is relevant, challenging, and engaging for learners from Nursery to Grade 5. It is an inquiry-driven, concept-based curriculum framework that actively encourages students to ask questions and seek answers to the world around them. Read more about the PYP Programme here.

Inquiry-based learning involves:

• Exploring, wondering, and questioning;
• Experimenting and playing with possibilities;
• Making connections between previous learning and current learning;
• Making predictions and acting purposefully to see what happens;
• Collecting data and reporting findings;
• Clarifying existing ideas and reappraising perceptions of events;
• Deepening understanding through the application of a concept;
• Developing and testing theories;
• Researching and seeking information;
• Taking and defending a position;
• Solving problems in a variety of ways

As an International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum World School, SCIS is authorized to deliver the Middle Year Programme (MYP). The IB MYP is a challenging framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. The MYP is a five-year programme, consisting of eight subject groups: language acquisition, language and literature, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, arts, physical and health education, and design. In years 4 and 5 (grades 9-10), students have the option to take courses from six of the eight subject groups, which provides greater flexibility. The MYP offers a unique approach, relevant to a global society in the 21st century. It aims to help students develop their understanding, their emerging sense of self, and responsibility in their community. At SCIS, the MYP framework offers our middle schoolers a solid foundation to prepare for the rigor and demand of high school. Read more about the MYP here. 

As an International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum World School, SCIS is authorized to deliver the Diploma Programme (DP). The IBDP is offered to students of Grades 11 and 12 and is designed as an academically challenging and well-balanced program of education with final examinations that prepare students for success at university and life beyond. Students choose courses across six subject groups. Three of these subjects are chosen at a higher level (HL) and three at a standard level (SL). Regardless of the level, the student is expected to demonstrate a grade level understanding and development of the concepts taught. Students are also expected to complete other key modules such as Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and Creativity, Action & Service (CAS) to earn their diploma. IBDP students from across the world earn admission to competitive global universities each year. Research also shows that while IBDP students have tremendous breadth and depth of knowledge, they also flourish physically, emotionally, mentally, and ethically. Read a recent report issued by the IB Board here about “IB Students’ Preparedness for Success in the 21st Century” and read more about the IBDP here.