Top International Schools in Shanghai

Overview: IB Diploma · — · CN¥140K–CN¥156K

Shanghai High School International Division (SHSID) is a highly regarded K-12 international school founded in 1993 as the international arm of historic Shanghai High School (est. 1865). Serving approximately 3,500 students from over 60 countries across four Shanghai campuses, SHSID offers a rigorous blend of IB Diploma, AP, and Cambridge A-Level curricula exclusively to expatriate children. The school places strong emphasis on STEM education and multilingual communication, with English as the primary instruction language and Chinese as a core subject. Accredited by Cognia and the Council of International Schools (CIS), SHSID is recognized as one of China's leading international schools.

Overview: IB PYP, IB MYP · 2–18 · CN¥166.4K–CN¥268.7K

Western International School of Shanghai (WISS) is a private international day school in Qingpu, Shanghai, offering the full IB curriculum from Pre-Nursery through Grade 12. Founded in 2006, WISS was Mainland China's first IB Continuum World School, educating over 700 students from 50+ nationalities representing nearly 40 languages. The school delivers a balanced programme of Academics, Sports, Arts, and Community Service underpinned by IB inquiry-based pedagogy. With a 16-acre campus featuring two indoor pools, an astroturf football field, a professional performing arts centre, and design/robotics labs, WISS provides an exceptional learning environment. The 2023 graduating class achieved a 100% IB Diploma pass rate, with all graduates receiving offers from leading universities worldwide.

Overview: A-Level, IB Diploma · 2–18 · CN¥166.9K–CN¥366.3K

Yew Chung International School of Shanghai (YCIS Shanghai) is Shanghai's first government-approved independent international school, founded in 1993 and serving over 2,500 students from more than 50 countries across six campuses. The school's distinctive co-teaching model pairs a native English-speaking teacher with a native Chinese-speaking teacher in every classroom, delivering a genuinely bilingual education from Early Childhood to Upper Secondary. Offering the Cambridge IGCSE and IB Diploma Programme, YCIS consistently achieves a 100% IBDP pass rate and sends graduates to the world's leading universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, UCLA, and LSE. With a 7:1 student-teacher ratio and more than 200 co-curricular activities, YCIS provides a richly supportive environment grounded in whole-person education and the mission of Building a Bright Future for Humanity.

Overview: AP, IB Diploma · 3–18 · CN¥246K–CN¥311K

Shanghai American School (SAS) is a non-profit international day school founded in 1912, operating two campuses in Shanghai with approximately 3,000 students of over 40 nationalities. SAS offers an American curriculum culminating in AP or IB diplomas. The school emphasizes project-based, creative learning and global citizenship. Graduates consistently gain admission to top universities worldwide, with annual placements among the highest of any international school in Shanghai.

Overview: British National Curriculum, IGCSE · 2–18 · CN¥275.2K–CN¥399K

Harrow Shanghai is a prestigious British-curriculum international day school located in Pudong, Shanghai, serving students aged 1.5 to 18 (Pre-Nursery through Year 13). Founded in 2016 as the fourth Harrow international school globally, it combines the 450-year heritage of Harrow School London with the dynamism of modern Shanghai, blending Eastern and Western educational traditions. The school delivers outstanding academic outcomes—averaging 67% A*/A at A-Level and 88% A*/A at IGCSE—while nurturing leadership, arts, and sport through a rich co-curricular programme. Its modern 37,000 sqm campus features two indoor sports halls, an Olympic-length swimming pool, 12 science labs, a drama studio, and a two-level library. Graduates go on to leading universities worldwide including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, and LSE.

Overview: IB Diploma, IGCSE · — · CN¥278.4K–CN¥389K

Nord Anglia International School Shanghai, Pudong (NAIS Pudong) is a private day international school founded in 2002, serving approximately 300 students aged 2–18 across Early Years through Year 13. Part of the global Nord Anglia Education group, the school delivers the English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, and the IB Diploma Programme, consistently achieving an average IB score of 37 points. Unique partnerships with MIT, Juilliard, and UNICEF enrich learning with world-class STEAM, performing arts, and global citizenship programmes. Students from over 40 nationalities thrive in a small, inclusive community with a 9:1 student–teacher ratio and free EAL support.