A snapshot: schools in Shanghai considered (but not necessarily chosen) by English-speaking expats.
Schools with a full GSGI review are noted with 
next to their names.
(pending) means that the school is on our list to review.
By full GSGI review, we mean school write-ups that are completely selected, researched, visited and written by our own editors. Our final reviews take the good with the bad, warts and all, but we look for a preponderance of good before we drill down for in-depth details and descend on the school for an exhaustive visit. We are aware of the other schools on this page and we continually add or remove schools, as deemed appropriate.
International schools
British International School Shanghai Puxi (pending)
National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ IB Diploma; ages 2-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 1,970 students
BISS Puxi, owned by Nord Anglia Education, offers an international version of the National Curriculum for England. On two campuses in the south-west of the city and non-selective (no English requirement) teaching pupils from 18 months to 18 years. Students study for IGCSEs at 16 and then take the two year International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
Concordia International School Shanghai (CISS)
Adapted American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,055 students
Opened in 1998, with the support of the Hong Kong International School, with which it still has close relations. All ages on one campus, and offering a US education and college preparation to over 25 nationalities with American passport holders in a clear majority. In JInqiao, a favourite residential spot for expats in Shanghai.
Click here to read our full review of Concordia International School Shanghai.
Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong
National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ IB Diploma; ages 2-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 1,400 students
Located in the expat suburb of Jinqiao in Pudong and also on a new campus in Puxi, across the river. An international school catering to students from all over the world, Americans (often American born Chinese) and British forming the largest cohorts. Offering an English education but substituting the International Baccalaureate Diploma for A Levels. A delightful kindergarten section called ‘Ducks’ (with a long waiting list), housed in a separate building.
Click here to read our full review of Dulwich College Shanghai.
Harrow International School ((pending)
National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level: ages 18 months-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; privately owned; 1,400 students
Fourth Harrow International School, which was opened in 2016 in the northern part of Pudong on a state of the art, brand new campus with the welcome features of an air-filtration system and roof-top gardens. Licensed by Harrow School to an independent owner but incorporating the ethos of its UK parent. Pupils of 26 nationalities taught in English throughout.
Nord Anglia International School Shanghai Pudong (formerly BISS Pudong) ((pending)
National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ IB Diploma; ages 1-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 1,800 students
Formerly, the British International School of Shanghai Pudong, now owned (as is BISS Puxi) by the rapidly growing Nord Anglia Education group of international schools, who run a stable of schools in China. Follows the same academic programme as its counterparts in the UK, making a school switch simple for returning Brits. As with other Nord Anglia schools, there is an arts programme designed with the Julliard school in New York and a STEM programme, devised with MIT.
Shanghai American School (SAS)
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP/ IB Diploma; ages 4-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 2,700 students
Considered modern and forward-thinking and amongst the best schools in Asia, following the American curriculum. SAT scores and AP results are well above national averages and leavers head to a spectacular range of universities and colleges. Over 40 nationalities; the majority US passport holders but Asian (often US born) students dominate, particularly at the Puxi campus. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Click here to read our full review of Shanghai American School (SAS)
These schools have been brought to our attention but until we have reports from parents, we are unable to consider reviewing them.
Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi
National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ IB Diploma (starting 2021); ages 2-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned
The second branch of Dulwich schools to open (2016) in Shanghai. Expanding their educational offering upwards and starting their first International Baccalaureate Diploma programme in 2021. Owned and run by Dulwich College Management International as is their sister school, in Shanghai Pudong, founded in 2003.
Shanghai Community International Schools
PYP/ MYP/ IB Diploma; ages 2-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,800 students
Located on campuses both sides of the Huangpu river in Shanghai. Two in Changning (Hongqiao ECE for nursery and kindergarten, Hongqiao for grades 1-12) and one in Pudong (nursery – grade 12). Now over 20 years old and an International Baccalaureate World School, accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Shanghai Livingston American School (LAS)
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 600 students
Opened in 2003, to provide an American-style education and on the current campus in the Changning District since 2005. Following the American (Californian public school) curriculum and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) since 2009. The global school population is offered intensive ESL classes, to enable class participation in double-quick time.
Shanghai Singapore International School (SSIS)
Adapted curriculum/ MYP/ IGCSE/ IB Diploma/ IB Careers; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 1,400 students
Founded in 1996, integrating its campuses in 2019.Teaching over 40 nationalities but with a large cohort (20 per cent in both cases) from Singapore and South Korea. One of the few schools in Shanghai to offer the International Baccalaureate Careers Programme. Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS).
Shanghai United International School Gubei (SUIS)
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level/ IB Diploma; ages 5-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 1,985 students in all four schools
Founded by one of the largest education organisers in China, the Xiehe Group of over 40 schools and kindergartens in Shanghai and other Chinese cities. Four schools in Shanghai (three in Minhang, one in Pudong) with varying curricula, for example SUIS Pudong follows the National Curriculum of England, leading to IGCSEs and A Levels and SUIS Gubei an adapted East meets West Curriculum followed by the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Parents need to the curriculum offered by each school carefully
Western International School of Shanghai (WISS)
PYP/ MYP/ IB Diploma/ IB Careers; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 800 students
Located in Xujing Town, west of the city, half an hour from downtown Shanghai and close to Hongqiao International Airport. An 18 acre modern, purpose-built campus providing an all-through education. A selective International Baccalaureate World School and the first one in China to offer all four IB programmes, including the IB Careers Related Programme. They also provide a significant exposure to Chinese language and culture.
Yew Chung International School Pudong (YCIS Pudong)
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ IB Diploma; ages 2-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 2,350 students
Part of the Yew Chung network with schools in China and the Silicon Valley in California. Five campuses in Puxi and Pudong, in the south-western area of Shanghai, providing a bilingual environment (an international and a Chinese teacher in each class). Also, a strong Chinese language and culture programme. Over 50 different nationalities represented and dually accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).