International Schools in Shanghai

As a major global city, Shanghai has a number of top international schools offering foreign curricula. The International Baccalaureate and the national curricula of the UK and US are the most popular.

The best international schools in Shanghai have modern facilities and offer a good mix of academics and extracurricular activities. Small class sizes, highly qualified teachers and a diverse student body can also be expected. The most desirable schools often have limited space, so we recommend applying early to secure a seat.

International schools benefit not just an expat child’s education but can also ease the adjustment to life in Shanghai. A familiar curriculum can be comforting in such a new and different environment and allows for an easy transition to schools back home, should the family return.

When moving your family to Shanghai, it’s essential to carefully consider where in the city you’ll live to avoid long commutes. Some top international schools in the city offer transport and meal services, which can ease the burden on parents.

An additional benefit to enrolling your children in an international school in Shanghai is that these schools frequently offer Mandarin language classes and cultural immersion programmes, allowing children to learn about Chinese culture in a familiar environment.

Here is a list of the most prominent international schools in Shanghai.

International schools in Shanghai

British International School Shanghai, Puxi

BISS is a diverse school of 2,000 students from more than 50 countries around the world. The school has excellent facilities, well-qualified teachers, varied extracurriculars and a top-tier academic programme. Read more

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum and Cambridge IGCSE) and International Baccalaureate 
Ages: 2 to 18

Nord Anglia International School Shanghai, Pudong

NAIS Shanghai, Pudong is an established and leading international school in Shanghai, Pudong, offering the British and International Baccalaureate curricula. The school specialises in driving academic excellence while fostering a love for lifelong learning in its students. Read more

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum and Cambridge IGCSE) and International Baccalaureate 
Ages: 2 to 18

Britannica International School, Shanghai

Britannica International School, Shanghai, is a centrally located British school for pupils aged 2 to 18 with the English National Curriculum at the core of its education programme. The school’s purpose-built campus features a wide range of facilities. Read more

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-levels) 
Ages: 2 to 18

Concordia International School Shanghai

With an average SAT score higher than that of students in the US, Concordia offers a prestigious American-based education. Classes are limited to 18 students, ensuring that students receive individualised attention. Teaching is entirely in English, but the importance of Mandarin is emphasised with daily language classes in preschool and elementary school. Read more

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: American 
Ages: 3 to 18

Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong

Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong is a proudly British school that believes in educating and inspiring students by encouraging them to learn from everything they do. Founded in 2003, the school has a diverse student body of over 1,600 pupils of more than 40 different nationalities. Read more

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum and Cambridge IGCSE) and International Baccalaureate 
Ages: 2 to 18

Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi

Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi is a school of teachers who are passionate about their chosen field and believe in the benefits of small class sizes to nurture and support the individual child. Read more

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum and Cambridge IGCSE) and International Baccalaureate 
Ages: 2 to 18

Shanghai American School

The Shanghai American School has an excellent academic programme, offering a number of choices and routes to graduation. Although the most common nationalities at the school are American and Canadian, there’s plenty of room for diversity, with the student body as a whole being made up of 45 different nationalities. Read more

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: American and International Baccalaureate 
Ages: 3 to 18

Shanghai Community International School

Shanghai Community International School is a fully certified IB World School. The school has exceptional facilities across three centrally located campuses. Resources such as Smart Boards, science labs and 3D printers are freely available, making it easy for teachers to integrate technology into the classroom. Read more

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate 
Ages: 2 to 18

Western International School of Shanghai

With students of more than 50 nationalities, Western International School of Shanghai is a diverse school that has no dominant or majority nationality in its student population. Offering the full range of IB programmes, the Western International School of Shanghai is well-equipped to offer its students a high-quality, globally minded education. Read more

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate 
Ages: 2.5 to 19

Yew Chung International School of Shanghai

Yew Chung International School of Shanghai has five centrally located campuses in the city: two in Pudong and three in Puxi. The school nurtures and encourages bilingualism, with two teachers ‘co-teaching’ in Mandarin and English throughout kindergarten and elementary school. There are also English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Chinese as an Additional Language (CAL) programmes. Read more

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum and Cambridge IGCSE) and International Baccalaureate 
Ages: 2 to 18