Moving to Shanghai with children is exciting — but finding the right school is usually the first big decision families face, and it can feel overwhelming. With over 50 accredited international schools across the city, covering every major curriculum from British and American to IB, French, German, and Singaporean, the options are genuinely impressive. But not every school is right for every family, and in Shanghai, where you live and where your child goes to school are decisions that are deeply connected.
At Shanghai Rentals, we work with relocating families every week. We’ve put together this guide to help you understand the international school landscape — and how your choice of neighborhood (especially Old Xuhui/FFC and Jing’an, where we specialize) affects your school options.
First: The Puxi vs Pudong Divide
Before diving into individual schools, you need to understand Shanghai’s fundamental geography. The city is split by the Huangpu River into two very different sides:
Puxi (west bank) is the older, more characterful side of the city — home to the Former French Concession, Jing’an, Changning, and Hongqiao. Tree-lined streets, lane houses, boutique cafés, and a strong expat community infrastructure. Most families who want a European feel to their Shanghai life end up in Puxi.
Pudong (east bank) is the modern financial district — glass towers, wider roads, newer compounds, and proximity to the international airport. Families posted to financial sector companies often live here.
Why does this matter for schools? Rush hour traffic between Pudong and Puxi is severe. A school on the wrong side of the river can easily add 90 minutes to your daily commute. Most families wisely choose a school close to where they live. If you’re renting in Old Xuhui (FFC) or Jing’an — our areas of expertise — you’ll want to prioritise Puxi-based schools.
Curriculum Types: What’s Available
Shanghai’s international schools offer four main curriculum tracks:
- British — English National Curriculum → IGCSE → A-Levels (and often IB Diploma as an alternative at upper secondary)
- American — US Common Core framework → AP (Advanced Placement) courses
- International Baccalaureate (IB) — PYP (Primary Years), MYP (Middle Years), and Diploma Programme; popular with internationally mobile families as it transfers smoothly between countries
- Bilingual / Hybrid — Blend of Chinese national curriculum with English-medium international frameworks; generally more affordable and open to both foreign and Chinese passport holders
One important practical note: most fully international schools in Shanghai require at least one foreign passport holder in the family. Chinese mainland passport holders attend public or bilingual schools on a separate track. Always confirm eligibility directly with admissions before applying.
The Best Puxi Schools (Closest to FFC & Jing’an)
Shanghai American School (SAS)
Curriculum: American (AP + IB Diploma) Campuses: Puxi (258 Jinfeng Road, Minhang) + Pudong (1600 Lingbai Road, Sanjiagang) Ages: Pre-K through Grade 12 (ages 3–18) Fees (2026/27): RMB 260,500–316,800 per year
If there’s one name that carries genuine prestige in Shanghai’s international school world, it’s SAS. Founded in 1912, it is the oldest international school in China, and that history shows — in the quality of facilities, the depth of programming, and the strength of its alumni network. The two campuses together span over 100 acres, with world-class facilities including science labs, theatres, sports fields and swimming pools.
Academically, SAS punches hard. It was the first school in Asia to offer the AP Capstone diploma, and today offers both AP and IB Diploma pathways side by side — relatively rare even among premium schools. The school serves nearly 3,000 students representing more than 40 nationalities, giving it a genuinely diverse international community rather than a single dominant expat nationality.
The Puxi campus in Minhang is the more practical choice for families renting in Old Xuhui or Jing’an — a school bus ride rather than a cross-river commute. For North American families in particular, SAS is often the first school on the list.
The British International School Shanghai (BIS) Puxi
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum → IGCSE → A-Levels + IB Diploma option) Location: Changning District, Puxi Ages: 2–18 Fees (2025/26): Approximately RMB 190,000–295,000 per year
BIS Puxi is arguably the go-to choice for British and Commonwealth families living on the Puxi side. It’s part of the Nord Anglia Education group, which means access to collaboration programmes with institutions like MIT and Juilliard. The school has a well-established parent community and a strong record of UK university placements. Its Changning location makes it one of the most practical choices for families renting in the French Concession or Jing’an — it’s genuinely commutable without crossing the river.
Britannica International School Shanghai
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum → IGCSE → A-Levels) Location: Gubei, Changning (close to downtown Puxi) Ages: 18 months–18 years Fees (2025/26): RMB 244,700–346,000 per year
Britannica holds a distinctive position in Shanghai: it is the only British-owned school in the city, with 100% native English-speaking teachers from the British Isles. For families who want an authentically British environment — not just a British curriculum — this is an important distinction. Class sizes are deliberately small, and the pastoral approach is highly regarded by parents. The Gubei location is well-served by school buses and reasonably accessible from the FFC and Jing’an areas.
Yew Chung International School of Shanghai (YCIS)
Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, IB Diploma) + IGCSE Location: Multiple Puxi and Pudong campuses Ages: 2–18
YCIS was the first independent international school officially recognized by the Chinese government when it opened in 1993, and it remains one of Shanghai’s most respected names. The school’s bilingual Chinese-English teaching model — where Chinese and Western teachers work together in classrooms from the early years — makes it particularly popular with families who want their children to develop genuine Mandarin skills alongside a rigorous international curriculum. Multiple Puxi campuses make it accessible from most western Shanghai neighborhoods.
Shanghai Community International School (SCIS)
Curriculum: American (IB also available) Location: Puxi (Minhang) + Pudong campuses Ages: Pre-K through Grade 12 Founded: 1996
SCIS has been serving Shanghai’s expat community for nearly three decades, with a strong American-curriculum track and a warm, community-oriented culture. It’s a popular choice for North American families. The Puxi campus is in Minhang, which is a taxi or school bus ride from the FFC, but the school’s reputation for welcoming newly arrived families makes the journey worthwhile for many.
Dulwich College Shanghai (Puxi Campus)
Curriculum: British + IB Location: Puxi (newest campus) Ages: 2–18
Dulwich College is a prestigious British name with a strong Shanghai presence, and the newer Puxi campus has been welcomed by families who previously had to consider Pudong. The school sits on 40,000 sqm of green campus space — unusual for central Puxi — and combines the rigour of the British curriculum with a strong co-curricular programme in sports and the arts.
French School of Shanghai (Lycée Français de Shanghai)
Curriculum: French National Curriculum → Baccalauréat Location: Puxi Ages: 3–18
For French families (and Francophone expats from Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, and elsewhere), the Lycée Français is the natural choice. It follows the official French national curriculum and is accredited by the French Ministry of Education. The community is tight-knit and welcoming, and the school’s Puxi location makes it accessible from the FFC — which has historically had a strong French expat presence.
German School Shanghai (Deutsche Schule Shanghai)
Curriculum: German National Curriculum Location: Hongqiao Campus (Puxi) + Pudong Campus Ages: 5–18 Founded: 1995
The German School is the natural home for German-speaking families, offering a full German curriculum from primary through to the Abitur (German university entrance qualification). The Hongqiao Puxi campus is accessible from the western Puxi neighbourhoods. Non-German-speaking expats occasionally choose the school for its rigorous academic approach and strong Mandarin programme, though German language proficiency is required.
Pudong Schools Worth Knowing
Even if you’re living in Puxi, it helps to understand the Pudong landscape — especially if your workplace is there, or if you’re comparing options.
Concordia International School Shanghai
Curriculum: American (AP courses) + IB Diploma Location: Pudong (Jinqiao area) Ages: Pre-K through Grade 12
Concordia is one of Shanghai’s most established American-curriculum schools, affiliated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and accredited by both WASC and ACSI. It’s particularly well-suited to families living in Jinqiao or the Kangqiao residential areas of Pudong. The school has an unusually strong pastoral culture and is frequently mentioned as one of the most welcoming schools for newly arrived families — a real advantage when children are adjusting to life in a new country.
Nord Anglia International School (NAIS) Shanghai Pudong
Curriculum: British + IB Diploma Location: Pudong Ages: 6–18
The flagship Nord Anglia campus in Pudong is a premium British and IB school with extensive sports, arts (via the Juilliard collaboration), and STEM (via MIT) enrichment. For families posted to Pudong, this is a top-tier option.
Wellington College International Shanghai
Curriculum: British + IB Location: Pudong Ages: 3–18
Wellington is in Pudong’s newly build Qiantan area. It carries the prestige of one of the UK’s most famous independent schools and offers a broad curriculum in a spacious campus environment. Fees are at the premium end of the market.
Shanghai Singapore International School (SSIS)
Curriculum: IB + Singaporean curriculum, IGCSE Location: Puxi (Minhang) + Pudong campuses Ages: 2–18 Fees (2025/26): RMB 173,500–260,000 per year
SSIS has been operating since 1996 and is well-regarded for its blend of Singaporean rigour and international breadth. The IB Diploma results are consistently strong, and the school attracts a diverse international student body. It’s a good fit for families from Southeast Asia, as well as those who value strong academic outcomes with a slightly more affordable fee structure than some of the premium British schools.
A More Affordable Option: Fudan International School
Curriculum: American / IB Location: Xuhui campus + multiple others Fees: From approximately RMB 82,000 per year
Worth mentioning for budget-conscious families: Fudan International School is a public university-affiliated school offering a genuine international curriculum (US framework with IB Diploma option) at significantly lower fees than the fully private schools. The Xuhui campus is conveniently close to the FFC area. Academic standards are high, though the workload is demanding — some parents note the intensity can be challenging for children used to more balanced international environments.
Key Practical Advice for Families Relocating to Shanghai
Apply early — very early. Popular year groups at schools like Concordia and Nord Anglia can fill by January for August entry. If you know your move is coming, start the application process 9–12 months ahead.
The Puxi/Pudong decision matters more than the school name. A slightly less prestigious school 15 minutes from home will serve your child better than the “best” school across the river during rush hour.
Foreign passport is required for most international schools. This applies to the child or at least one parent, depending on the school. Mainland Chinese passport holders should look at bilingual schools specifically.
Budget for more than tuition. Annual fees are just the starting point. Families should budget separately for school bus (RMB 20,000–45,000 per year), lunch, uniforms, and exam fees at IGCSE and IB level. Total annual costs sometimes can run RMB 50,000–70,000 above headline tuition.
School choice often drives neighbourhood choice. Many families we work with choose their apartment after deciding on a school, not before. If you’re weighing a school in Changning, a lane house in Old Xuhui or a compound in Jing’an puts you well within practical commuting distance — and in some of Shanghai’s most sought-after neighbourhoods for expat living.
How We Can Help
At Shanghai Rentals, we specialise in finding expat families the right home in Old Xuhui (FFC) and Jing’an — the two neighbourhoods that put you closest to Puxi’s best international schools, Shanghai’s finest café culture, and the tree-lined streets that make this city genuinely special to live in.
If you’re relocating to Shanghai and want to talk through the school-neighborhood balance, our team speaks fluent English and knows these areas inside out. Get in touch with Tomas — we’d love to help you find your Shanghai home.
Fees and school information are based on 2025/2026 academic year data. Always verify directly with individual schools, as fees and curricula are reviewed annually.
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