Best schools in Shanghai

The rapid expansion of education in Shanghai has led to some – but definitely not all – schools prioritising getting bums on seats over the quality of teaching and pupil welfare. So, rule number one is not to be dazzled into by spectacular facilities, which can mask a whole host of problems. 

Rule number two is to view the schools as international, following a British or American curriculum, rather than British or American schools. Most international schools in Shanghai are melting pots of nationalities and prospective parents are sometimes surprised that a school following a British or American system does not have a higher percentage of children from those countries enrolled at the school. In fact, in many schools following a British curriculum, British passport holders do not form the majority of enrolled pupils. The same is true for schools following an American curriculum and American passport holders.

The nationality mix of each school is different but, by and large, international schools in Shanghai have a large Asian population (Taiwanese, South Korean, Hong Kong born Chinese, Indian) alongside the Brits, Americans, Aussies and non-English speaking Europeans. Parents of native English speaking children sometimes complain that, as a consequence, the standard of English in classrooms varies enormously and that non-native speakers are given extra help with getting their English up to scratch in preference to native speakers, who might need help with more routine educational issues. It is not reported to be an issue in every school, or indeed every class, but it can be worth checking the school policy regarding admission of non-native English speakers, and additional ESL help once admitted. Also note that admission to some schools is dependent on applicants having a good standard of English (spoken and written), whereas other schools have a more relaxed policy. 

One thing you shouldn’t expect is that your children will be mixing with the locals at school. International schools within China are not open to Chinese passport holders unless they have special permission from the relevant education authorities. There are, however, plenty of Chinese children with one foreign parent or Chinese children born abroad, thus holding foreign passports. Foreign passport holders are eligible to attend local schools.

Waiting lists for the popular schools are long, especially for earlier year groups. So put your child’s name down for the school of your choice regardless of what you are told about their chances of getting in. Shanghai is a very transient place and there is a huge turnover of people, especially at the end of the school year in June/July and at Christmas, when many Australians return home in time for the start of a new school year (southern hemisphere, remember).

In fact, you might want to consider initially putting your children into different schools. It is obviously not ideal but it is very, very common in Shanghai. Eventually siblings all tend to filter into one school as coveted sibling priority exists in most schools.

Bear in mind that being politely persistent pays off in Shanghai. So whatever your preferred method of pressure – visits to the admin office, emails, calls, tears and tantrums (it has been done!) – keep at it for as long as it takes. If you do nothing, your child’s name will eventually work its way up the waiting list, by which time you could be packing your bags to move on, with your child having twiddled his thumbs for a couple of years at a mediocre school. Your aim is to make sure everyone relevant knows you are impressed by the school, think this is the best place for your child (who would, of course, fit right in) and that you will happily bake several hundred cup-cakes whenever required. Make it clear that you will move your child from his current school, mid-term if necessary, and back up your pleas with reports from previous schools or teachers. If your child is on the cusp of the birthday cut-off date for year groups, ask if there are any spaces in the year below or above, provided, of course, that this is academically appropriate for your child. This can work quite well where the starting dates of the school year, for the school in question, do not match up with schools in your home country.

Although not all schools will accept them, it is quite common for expat children to attend local kindergartens, where classes are either totally in Chinese or more commonly a mix of Chinese and English.