International schools in Shanghai — a practical guide for expat families
Shanghai has one of Asia's strongest international school scenes. Most accept foreign passports, teach in English, and charge fees to match the quality. Here's how the system works, which schools are which, and how the application process goes.
How international schools work in China
- Two categories: international schools for foreign nationals (外籍人员子女学校) which may only enroll foreign-passport students, and bilingual/private schools which mainly serve Chinese students and may accept foreigners with restrictions.
- Passport rule: "International schools" officially require a foreign passport for the child (and, in practice, for at least one parent). If your child holds a Chinese passport, these schools usually cannot take them — bilingual schools are the route.
- Curricula: most follow IB, A-Level, or AP/US programs. Pick by your child's future university destination.
- Language: instruction is English; Mandarin is taught as a subject and most schools are strong at it.
The well-known schools at a glance
| School | Curriculum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai American School (SAS) | AP / US | The classic American school; two campuses (Pudong & Puxi); long waiting lists for some grades |
| Concordia International School | AP / US | Pudong, highly regarded American curriculum |
| Dulwich College Shanghai | IB / British | Strong British-Ib blend; campuses in Pudong and Puxi |
| Wellington College International Shanghai | IB | Pudong; prestigious British heritage |
| YCIS (Yew Chung International School) | IB / IGCSE | Long-established bilingual-heritage international school |
| BISS Puxi (British International School) | IB / British | Puxi (Changning), popular with British families |
| SCIS (Shanghai Community International School) | IB | Multiple campuses; long-standing, mixed nationalities |
| Shanghai French School / German School / Japanese School | National curricula | Language-specific options for French/German/Japanese families |
This is not exhaustive — Shanghai has 30+ international schools (British, Canadian, Singaporean, Korean, etc.). "Which school" is a research project: compare curricula, campus locations vs. your commute, and reputation by asking other expat parents (see below).
Fees and extras
- Tuition: roughly ¥200,000-350,000/year depending on school and grade level. Secondary years cost more than early years.
- One-time fees: application fee, enrollment fee, and capital levy (some schools) — budget ¥10,000-50,000 extra in year one.
- Extras: buses (¥5,000-15,000/year), lunches, uniforms, school trips, and after-school activities add meaningfully.
- Who pays: many multinational employers include international school tuition in expat packages (often with a cap per child). Negotiate this into your package before signing.
Applying: timing, waiting lists, documents
Start 6-12 months early
Desirable schools and grades fill up fast. Applications for the August intake often open the previous autumn. Waiting lists are real at SAS, Concordia, Dulwich and Wellington.
Prepare documents
Child's foreign passport, parents' passports/visas, the child's previous school records (transcripts, report cards), vaccination records, photos, and a completed application form. Some schools do a child assessment/interview.
Visit and tour
All major schools offer campus tours — do them with your child. Ask about class sizes, Mandarin program, special educational support (if relevant), and the parent community.
Watch the visa timing
Your child needs a proper visa/residence status (family S/Q residence permit tied to your employment) before enrolling — see the residence permit guide. Schools verify this.
Alternatives: bilingual schools and public schools
- Bilingual private schools (双语学校): teach both Chinese and Western curricula (often dual-track), accept foreign students, cost similar to international schools. Good for families wanting strong Chinese.
- Public schools: foreign children can sometimes attend local public schools (tuition-free) — an intense immersion option, but paperwork varies by district and most expat families choose international/bilingual unless they're staying very long-term.
- Homeschooling/online: some families use online international programs for flexibility, but it's a minority choice in Shanghai.
Questions & answers
Can my Chinese-passport child attend an international school?
Officially, foreign-nationals' children's schools require a foreign passport for the student. Chinese-passport holders usually attend bilingual private schools instead.
How much do international schools cost?
Tuition roughly ¥200,000-350,000/year depending on school and grade, plus enrollment and capital fees in year one and extras (buses, activities). Many employers cover tuition in expat packages.
When should I apply?
6-12 months before the August intake. Top schools have waiting lists; applications open the previous autumn. Ask your employer's HR for school-relation contacts — companies often have block relationships.
Which curriculum is best?
Decide by destination: AP/US for American universities, IB for international flexibility, A-Level/British for UK. Talk to other expat parents at the school's parent association — real experiences beat brochures.
What visa does my child need?
Your child should be on an S or Q family residence permit tied to your work permit. Schools verify visa status at enrollment. See the residence permit guide.
Related: Work permit & family residence · Housing near schools · Photos for applications