Comparing 6 schools side by side in USD.
Address: No. 26, E Shan Road, Pudong New Area — the international division is on the Jincai High School Eshan Rd campus in central Pudong, close to Century Park. The school site gives the Pudong/Century Park location but does not list specific public-transport links; families usually check local metro/bus maps and the school for door-to-door directions.
JCID runs an Elementary (listed as Grades 1–5), Junior High (Grades 6–9) and Senior High (Grades 10–12) structure; fee pages on the site show these grade bands. The school operates both a Chinese section and an English section and implements IPC in the elementary years, the MYP in middle years and the IBDP in senior years.
JCID is the international division of Shanghai Jincai High School (an established Shanghai high school) and is authorized as an IB World School. The site shows the international division coexisting alongside the Chinese section and serving both local and international students.
The site describes language support such as ESL/CSL in the elementary curriculum and a range of after‑school programmes; it also describes school counselling and individual counselling for student mental health. The website does not provide a detailed Special Educational Needs (SEN) policy or a named learning‑support team — contact admissions to discuss specific additional‑needs arrangements.
The international division is part of Shanghai Jincai High School and was established with approval from the Shanghai Municipal Education Committee; it operates within the Chinese school system while offering international (IB and English‑section) programmes.
The school website does not indicate any religious affiliation.
The public pages visited do not list a regular start/end time or daily timetable for lessons and breaks. For exact school‑day hours and the daily schedule (including lunch and break times), contact the admissions or elementary/middle school offices listed on the site.
The school provides a school–home bus service for day students and lists route/fee options on its site (examples given: a Lianyang shuttle at RMB 4,000/semester, within‑10km routes at RMB 6,000/semester and over‑10km at RMB 8,000/semester; one‑way options and shared small‑route arrangements are noted). Parents register via the school's bus registration link.
The school requires students to wear school uniforms.
JCID was established in 2000 with approval from Shanghai Municipal Education Committee. It is the international division of Shanghai Jincai High School and is authorized as an IB World School.
Shanghai Jincai International School (JCID) delivers an international programme from Grades 1–12: the Elementary Department (Grades 1–5) uses the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) with core subjects (Language Arts, Mathematics, Chinese/Mandarin, IPC) plus specialist classes (music, art, drama, STEM, PE, library), ESL/CSL support, electives and after-school programmes. Grades 6–10 follow the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), providing the MYP's eight subject groups, interdisciplinary inquiry and the student-centred Personal Project. Grades 11–12 are taught as the IB Diploma Programme (DP), authorized in 2015, including the DP core (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, CAS) and a six-subject cohort model delivered in English. JCID's DP subject list includes language and literature (Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean), language acquisition, individuals & societies (Economics, Psychology, History), experimental sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), mathematics and fine art, with additional language and elective options. In parallel, the school operates a Chinese-section that follows local curricula and college-entrance preparation (including tailored tracks for Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan and overseas students) and can lead to a Shanghai Education Commission graduation diploma when requirements are met.
JCID's primary-school Code of Conduct states the school works “with parents and the entire community to ensure all students are fully supported academically, socially and emotionally,” and lists school activities used to develop students' identity, communication and respect for others. The primary site describes whole-school events (International Week, Chinese Culture Week, talent shows and festival activities) intended to give students opportunities to develop social skills and responsibility. The school's Academic Governance pages also show a “Students Center” and related curriculum/groups, indicating structured pastoral roles within the faculty. The website does not set out a named, detailed SEL curriculum on a public page; the available pages describe ethos, activities and pastoral support rather than a published SEL scheme.
The school's Academic Governance section lists a document titled “JCID Inclusive & Learning Support Requirement Policy,” indicating JCID has a formal inclusion/learning-support policy referenced on its site. The public webpage listing these governance documents does not, however, publish the policy text on the visible page (the policy is linked as a downloadable file rather than displayed). The site does not publicly enumerate which specific categories of special educational needs it supports on the visible pages, nor does it describe itself as a specialist SEN institution. For details of what needs are supported and specific procedures, the linked Inclusion policy would need to be consulted.
JCID's Academic Governance page lists a “JCID Language Policy,” showing the school formally records its language approach in policy documents. The school's teachers page also states the international division employs foreign teachers, which is factual staffing information published on the site. The publicly visible pages do not, however, describe a named EAL programme, dedicated EAL staff, assessment procedures for EAL learners, or specific EAL provision in detail. Therefore the website does not publicly disclose detailed EAL provision on its visible pages; the linked Language Policy would be the place to check for those details.
The school's Services page states that counselling is provided to students, teachers and parents for mental health and that mental-health education activities are launched to address students' mental problems. The page lists major intervention methods including basic psychological skills training for homeroom teachers and school staff, and individual counselling for students who may have mental health issues; it also mentions guidance for parents on family relationships and child development. These statements are presented on the school's Services page rather than as a separate published mental-health policy. For fuller procedural detail or referral arrangements, the site points to its services page and linked governance documents.
The school's Code of Conduct and other pages state JCID aims to provide “a safe, secure and purposeful learning environment,” which is published on the primary-school pages. The Academic Governance area lists a set of policies (assessment, language, inclusion, etc.) but the website's visible pages do not display a standalone child-protection or safeguarding policy by that name. The site therefore asserts a commitment to a safe environment in its ethos and governance listings but does not publish a clearly labelled, public child-protection/safeguarding policy on the visible pages; anyone needing the school's formal safeguarding procedures should request the relevant governance document directly from the school.
1. Confirm eligibility and basic requirements. JCID's admissions page specifies that the international division enrols overseas students, students from Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan who are permanent residents, and overseas Chinese whose parents work in Shanghai; applicants must be at least 6 years old, healthy, and have at least one semester of prior school experience. Parents should check that their child's passport/visa status and the parent's Shanghai work permit meet the school's requirements before applying.
2. Make initial contact and submit the online application. The school asks families to add the official WeChat account and complete the school's application form (Admissions & Recruitment Application) as the first administrative step; this is how the school registers new applicants and opens the file. Parents should save confirmation screenshots and the contact details given on the form, because the school uses the submitted contact information to arrange the next steps.
3. Prepare and send required documents to student affairs. JCID lists the documents it requires to process an application: photocopies of all family members' passports, photocopies of valid visa pages for the family, a photocopy of one parent's Shanghai work permit, the child's birth-certificate/passport page showing date of birth, the most recent one-year academic report from the child's current school, and six passport photos. The admissions page also notes that final document requirements may vary by applicant, so parents should expect the school to request additional or original documents at a later stage.
4. Tests and interview are scheduled after documents are received. The school states that applicants will be notified of the test date by email once documents are checked; tests vary by grade and typically include Chinese, English and mathematics. Parents should plan for both an assessment day and a short interview—arrange travel/time off in advance and make sure the child brings any required stationery or identification that the school asks for.
5. Offer, admission letter and enrolment notice. If the applicant passes the tests and interview, JCID issues an admission letter and an enrollment notice; those documents are required to complete registration and to arrange tuition payment. Parents should check the admission letter carefully for deadlines (deposit/enrolment deadline) and any specified conditions (e.g., submission of originals, medical checks).
6. Pay fees and complete registration. Tuition is payable each semester (two semesters per academic year) and the school lists fees in RMB (USD may be accepted at the current exchange rate). The published per‑semester tuition rates on the admissions/fees page are: Elementary (Grades 1–5) RMB 34,000; Junior High (Grades 6–9, English section) RMB 38,000; Senior High (Grades 10–12) RMB 38,000 (Chinese section shows a different miscellaneous amount); there is also a uniform fee and miscellaneous fees for materials/textbooks/field trips. Parents should confirm the exact amount, the accepted payment methods, and any deadlines directly with admissions before transferring funds.
7. Practical follow-up and contact. Because some requirements (visa pages, work permit, residency status) are regulated by Shanghai authorities and can affect eligibility, parents should keep copies of all immigration/work documents and follow up promptly if the school requests originals or additional paperwork. If you have questions or need clarifications (test content by grade, available class sections, boarding vs. day options), contact the elementary or middle/high admissions lines and emails published on the school site—JCID provides separate contact numbers and emails for elementary and for middle/high admissions.
JCID's admissions and tuition pages do not advertise any school-wide scholarships, merit awards, or published fee‑remission programs for incoming students. External school listings and fee summaries likewise report tuition and miscellaneous fees but do not list scholarship programmes for JCID. If you are exploring fee assistance, special cases (for example, sibling arrangements, staff discounts, or one‑off hardship support), or external scholarship schemes, contact the admissions office directly to ask whether any discretionary reductions or programmes exist and what documentation would be needed. For reference, use the admissions contact numbers and emails shown on the school site when you enquire.
JCID's official admissions page and the school's published enrolment information do not describe a formal waitlist or ‘pool' system; the published procedure describes document submission, testing, interview and then issuance of an admission letter when a candidate passes. Because the school's public materials do not mention a waitlist, parents who are concerned about capacity or timing should ask admissions directly whether (a) applications are processed on a rolling basis, (b) there is a waiting list for specific grades or sections, and (c) how the school notifies families if a place becomes available. The international schools databases that summarize JCID list “no deadline” and that students can join after the academic year begins, which suggests rolling intake rather than a formal, published waitlist — but for an authoritative answer please contact the school's admissions office.
Harrow Beijing's main (Hegezhuang) campus is in Hegezhuang Village, Cuigezhuang, Chaoyang District, Beijing (No. 287 Hegezhuang Village). The school publishes a separate City Campus for very early years; admissions materials list campus addresses and practical travel information.
The school accepts students aged about 2–18 and is organised into Kindergarten/Lower School (Pre‑Prep), Prep (Years 2–6) and Upper School (Prep, Senior and Sixth Form / Years 7–13).
Harrow Beijing is an international, co‑educational school for Chinese and foreign pupils (ages 2–18). The school's public pages describe day programmes across the phases; boarding is not described on the Harrow Beijing site (note: some other AISL Harrow schools do offer boarding). For confirmation about boarding options contact admissions.
Harrow Beijing has a Learning Support Department with a full‑time Learning Support Coordinator in both Lower and Upper School, dedicated intervention teachers, and access‑arrangement support for external exams; the team works with families, teachers and external specialists including an educational psychologist.
Harrow Beijing is part of the Harrow family and the AISL Harrow Schools network; it traces its heritage to Harrow School in London.
The school's public information does not identify a religious affiliation; pastoral provision is presented as non‑denominational and focused on wellbeing and safeguarding.
Morning care (Breakfast Club) is available; a parent newsletter notes breakfast‑club drop‑off from about 07:05 with students heading to class shortly before 08:00. Typical published school‑day times used in school listings are roughly 08:00 to mid/late afternoon (around 16:30), but exact start/finish times and after‑school activity schedules vary by year group and are given in the school handbook.
The school offers a school‑bus service; route maps, timings, fees and the transport provider are described in the Admissions Information Centre and the school handbook (the admissions team handles route allocation). For current routes, pick‑up points or to register for transport contact admissions by phone or email.
The school uses a House System to structure pastoral care and student life.
Harrow Beijing runs a values‑led programme from Early Years to Sixth Form: Early Years (ages 3–5) follow the AISL Harrow Early Years Curriculum (AHEYC) / Little Lions kindergarten framework.
In Primary (Years 1–6) the school teaches the English National Curriculum integrated with the International Primary Curriculum, with daily Mandarin, Expressive Arts and a specialist emphasis on PE and outdoor education.
The Prep phase (Years 7–8) provides a broad foundation across subjects to prepare students for Upper School.
In the Senior Phase (Years 9–11) students consolidate learning and are prepared to sit GCSE/IGCSE examinations in Year 11.
The Sixth Form (Years 12–13) follows a two‑year A‑Level programme (with options for a three‑year pathway) and Harrow Beijing lists A‑Level subjects including Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design Technology, Economics, Mandarin, Further Mathematics, English Literature, Geography, History, Mathematics, Media Studies, Music, Physics, Psychology and Theatre Studies, plus EPQ and other enrichment awards.
Harrow Beijing states that pastoral care is central to its provision: pupils are assigned tutors and are managed within a House system, supported by Assistant Heads, Pastoral Leads and counsellors. The school delivers a formal PSHE curriculum in the Lower School and an equivalent wellbeing programme in the Upper School; PSHE content and delivery are guided by UK and Chinese policy frameworks. The school also cites structured tutor time, student voice bodies (including a whole-school student council and the Shaftesbury Society), and regular review of the PSHE programme. These elements are described on the school's Pastoral Care page and in the school's PSHE policy.
Harrow Beijing publishes a Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) policy (last updated January 2025) that sets out admissions considerations, referral procedures and the types of support available. Published examples of provision include EAL/Chinese acquisition programmes, learning support (small-group literacy and maths), dyslexia intervention, social skills training, fine-motor skills work, referral to the school psychologist or external specialists, and Individual Education Plans (IEPs) with regular review. The policy describes how students are admitted to, and returned from, specialist support programmes and how access arrangements for public examinations are managed. The school presents SEND provision as part of its mainstream inclusive offer and does not present itself as a specialist SEN institution in its published policy documents.
Harrow Beijing's English Language Acquisition Policy (last updated 04 February 2025) states that English acquisition is a primary focus and sets out a whole-school CLIL approach with multiple pathways: mainstream differentiation, targeted ‘‘push-in'' or ‘‘pull-out'' support, short- or long-term intensive English programmes, and EAL-qualified teaching staff. The policy names classroom programmes and approaches (for example Read Write Inc phonics in Early Years/Lower School, Talk for Writing, Voice 21 oracy approaches, and structured reading schemes) and specifies assessment frameworks (Pearson GSE in Upper School; Bell Framework in Lower School). Staffing and quality measures are described (EAL teacher qualifications minimum CELTA or equivalent, CPD for CLIL, and timetabling to reflect language needs).
Harrow Beijing describes a counselling and psychological support structure: the school's safeguarding/pastoral pages describe a counselling team led by an in‑house Educational Psychologist, and a parent newsletter notes a full‑time school psychologist plus two emotional counsellors available to students. The PSHE/wellbeing curriculum, tutor system (including Close Personal Tutoring/CPT) and assemblies are cited as routine opportunities to support student wellbeing and signpost help. The school states that referrals to the school psychologist or other specialists form part of its support pathways, and that counselling staff and pastoral teams work with tutors and House leaders. These arrangements are described in the school's safeguarding, pastoral and parent communications.
Harrow Beijing publishes a safeguarding statement and describes a multi‑person Safeguarding Team with several Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs), phase safeguarding committees and staff trained to an "internationally recognized standard." The school names an Assistant Head of School as a DSL and reports participation in regional safeguarding work (FOBISIA Executive Safeguarding Committee); it also states that safeguarding practice is subject to internal and external audits and AISL governance inspections. The Pastoral Care page and the Safeguarding section link to the school's safeguarding policy and describe safer‑recruitment procedures, training and the formation of online‑safety and pastoral safeguarding committees.
1. Initial enquiry and visit. During a visit or Open Day you will be shown the facilities, meet admissions/academic staff and have an opportunity to ask about year-group availability and programme detail. Parents who cannot visit can use the school's online resources (virtual tour, prospectus, videos) before applying.
2. Submit the online application and pay the registration fee. Applications are made through the school's online portal (harrowbeijing.openapply.cn) and the school charges a one‑time registration fee of 3,500 RMB payable at the point of application; the application should include required documents such as passport pages, recent school reports (two years), a teacher reference and photos. The Admissions Quick Guide lists exactly which documents are required and confirms the registration fee and online submission URL. Early application is recommended because demand is high and waiting-list priority is based on submission date.
3. School review, consultation and age placement. After you submit the application the Admissions team will review the documents and confirm the appropriate year group using the school's age-placement guide (placements follow dates of birth). Depending on the child's age and the year group applied for, the school may arrange a consultation, assessment or interview with academic staff; details and timing are set by the Admissions Office after they receive a completed application. Note that Harrow Beijing describes itself as academically selective; where academic requirements are not met or spaces are limited, this will affect the decision or placement offered.
4. Specific entry rules for older year groups. The school does not permit direct entry to Year 11 or Year 13 and does not permit entry to Year 10 or Year 12 after the October half‑term for that academic year—parents should plan timing accordingly if applying for those year groups. For applicants seeking direct entry into Year 12 (A Level), the school specifies academic prerequisites (a minimum of five GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above and Grade B or above in any intended A‑Level subject). If you are applying for a senior place, confirm the exact subject and examination equivalency requirements with Admissions.
5. Offer, acceptance and deposit timeline. If a place is offered the school will send a formal Offer and an Acceptance Form; parents are asked to sign and return the Acceptance Form and to make the advance payment of tuition fees by the deadline. The school typically guarantees a place for two weeks after an offer is made to allow return of the Acceptance Form and payment; if the acceptance and payment are not completed by the deadline the place may be offered to another applicant. For payment the Admissions Quick Guide gives bank details and requests clear name/year‑group references on transfers.
6. Fees, sibling discounts and other cost notes. Harrow Beijing publishes year‑by‑year tuition for the academic year (example: Pre‑Nursery and Nursery 228,600 RMB; Reception 259,600 RMB; Year 1 282,600 RMB; Year 9–11 336,000 RMB; Year 12–13 356,600 RMB for 2025–2026); the school also notes that certain year groups offer an English Intensive class that incurs additional fees. Sibling discounts are applied to the youngest child in order of birth (2nd child 5%, 3rd child 10%, 4th and subsequent 15%). Check the Tuition Fees document and the Admissions Quick Guide for the currently published year, and ask Admissions about any additional charges (bus, meals, uniforms, optional programmes).
7. Final preparation and start. Once the Acceptance Form is returned and the advance payment is processed, the school will confirm the enrolment and provide practical information (timetables, uniform, bus routes, canteen). Ensure that visas/permits (for international applicants) and any medical or other documentation requested are ready well before the start date. If no space is immediately available but your child meets entry requirements, the school will place them on a waiting list (see below).
Harrow Beijing runs scholarship programmes and also participates in larger AISL Harrow scholarship initiatives. The school's admissions pages and the Harrow Scholarship information note that Harrow Beijing has offered scholarships such as the AISL Scholarship, a 20th Anniversary Scholarship, and the 450 Scholarship in recent cycles; the AISL Harrow scholarship rounds have included fully funded (tuition‑free) two‑year A‑Level awards targeted at outstanding Sixth‑Form applicants. Scholarship programmes change from year to year (eligibility criteria, application windows, assessment dates and whether full or partial funding is offered), and the school's announcements give the specific application deadline and assessment/interview timetable for each competition (for example, an AISL Harrow scholarship round listed application and assessment dates for the 2025–27 cycle). For current scholarship offerings, eligibility rules and how to apply, contact the Admissions Office or refer to the Harrow Scholarship pages and the AISL Harrow scholarship portal linked from the school website.
Harrow Beijing operates a waiting‑list system. If an applicant meets the school's academic and social entry requirements but no places are available at the time of application, the student will be placed on a waiting list until a space becomes available. The Admissions Quick Guide states that priority on the waiting lists is determined by the date the completed application was submitted, which is why the school recommends early application. If you are placed on the list, contact Admissions to confirm your child's position and to update any changed circumstances or documents; Admissions can advise typical wait times for the specific year group.
Keystone Academy is in the northeastern suburbs of Beijing: No. 11 Anfu Street, Houshayu Town, Shunyi District (postcode 101318). The campus is in the Shunyi district near Beijing Capital International Airport and is reached by the S11/Jingcheng and local roads; the school's admissions office lists the campus address and phone for directions.
Keystone is a full K–12 school split into Primary (early years/primary), Middle (MYP-style curriculum) and High School (IB Diploma in Grades 11–12). The website presents distinct Primary, Middle and High School pages and materials for each division.
Keystone is a private, co-educational K–12 school that operates both day and residential (boarding) programs. The school's Residential Life program describes dormitory living and student supervision; students are required to board starting in Grade 9.
The school runs a Student Development Support Centre (CSD) that provides academic support plans, accommodations and ongoing case management; the centre also helps coordinate with external specialists when needed. The admissions policy asks families to disclose learning support needs so the school can assess whether it can provide appropriate support.
Keystone is an independent school located in China; its program explicitly weaves a Chinese curricular thread into a bilingual, international model rather than being affiliated to a foreign national school system.
The school does not identify with any religion on its official pages; its materials present Keystone as a secular 'world school' focused on bilingual and experiential education.
The school's published schedules vary by program and year group and the site does not offer a single public bell-time table for all divisions. Example program pages show typical arrival for programs around 8:15–8:30 and program-day end times near 15:30, and the FAQ notes after-school activities and evening boarding routines for residential students (including supervised study periods). For exact daily start/end and break times you should request the current parent handbook or contact admissions.
Keystone provides a paid school-bus service (route and fee details vary by year and program). Summer/short-program pages list school-bus fees and typical pick-up (around 8:15) and drop-off (around 15:30) times for day programs, and the FAQ notes a school bus service for after-school activities (e.g., 16:30 pick-up after clubs). For route coverage, fees and pick-up/drop-off points the admissions office can provide the current routes and pricing.
Keystone Academy provides a residential life program on campus. Beginning in Grade 9, students are required to board on campus; boarding and meal fees are 110,250 RMB per academic year. Dorms are supervised by dorm parents—teachers who live in private apartments on each hallway; each student room has a private en suite bathroom, and there are student lounges with kitchen facilities. The residential program includes 24/7 supervision, academic support, library access after hours, outings and activities, and a Health Center.
Meals are provided as part of the boarding arrangement, with boarding and meal fees included in the annual cost (110,250 RMB).
The school operates as a non-profit organization; Beijing Keystone School is described as a non-profit Chinese school.
Keystone Academy (北京市鼎石学校) operates a K–12 bilingual (Chinese–English) programme that deliberately integrates elements of the Chinese national curriculum with international curricula and a boarding model. In the primary school the programme uses a dual‑language immersion approach and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), combined with a distinctive “China” thread that embeds Chinese language, culture and national curriculum standards. The middle school covers Grades 6–9 and explicitly blends the China national curriculum with the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) alongside continued bilingual, inquiry‑based learning. The high school prepares students for the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB DP), including the DP core (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS) and a bilingual/China‑focused approach to TOK and the curriculum in Years 11–12. Across all stages Keystone emphasizes experiential learning, outdoor education and a broad co‑curricular programme (KAP) and provides university‑counselling support to prepare students for tertiary study.
Keystone integrates social and emotional learning across its curriculum and residential programme: Primary and Middle School pages describe CARE time, advisory groups (each student has a faculty advisor), experiential learning and co-curricular activities aimed at social and emotional development. The school's mission and programme pages also emphasise character and community-building as a core part of student development. Residential Life describes dorm parents and structured dorm activities that foster mentoring, conflict mediation and leadership development outside class time. These elements are presented as school-wide, routine provisions rather than a single separate SEL course.
The website describes a Student Development Centre and names learning-support teachers and psychologists in school communications, indicating an in‑school learning-support function. A programme page and news items reference “learning support” staff working with students (for example in short programmes such as Readers Theatre). The site does not list a public catalogue of specific categories of Special Educational Needs it accepts, nor does it describe itself as a specialist SEN institution. For clarity, the school's public pages show learning-support staff exist but do not specify which exact SEN conditions are supported.
Keystone operates a bilingual-immersion model and states that “every teacher…teaches not only his or her subject, but also languages,” which underpins language support across the curriculum. The site also publishes specific language-targeted programmes (for example a Readers Theatre short programme described as designed for students for whom English is a second language). These descriptions show EAL support is provided through the school's bilingual model and designated learning-support staff rather than a separately labelled EAL department. The website does not present a standalone, itemised EAL admissions policy or tiered EAL levels on public pages.
Keystone states that student mental, emotional and physical well‑being “drives everything we do,” and describes integration of well‑being into curriculum (CARE time), advisory groups and the residential programme. The site names psychologists and counsellors within its Student Development Centre in news content, and the Residential Life page lists counselling and support services plus a Health Center. Those pages indicate counselling and learning‑support staff are available as part of routine student services, but the website does not publish a public, detailed clinical or referral pathway for specialist mental‑health care.
The website states faculty and staff are trained in child‑protection and describes measures for student safety in residential life, including dorm parents who provide 24/7 supervision, an advising system, counselling/support services and an on‑site Health Center. Residential Life and the Primary School well‑being page explicitly refer to staff training in child protection and to systems intended to ensure safety and security. The public site does not appear to publish a separate, detailed child‑protection policy document or a named online safeguarding policy page for external download.
1. Create an application account (OpenApply) and start your child's application. Keystone asks families to open an account on keystoneacademy.openapply.cn and begin the online application as the first step; because places are limited there is an application cap for the Foundation Year, Grade 1 and Grade 7, so families interested in those grades should start as early as possible. If you have previously applied to Keystone or registered for an admissions event with the same email, you can log in with that address rather than creating a new account.
2. Expect the school to invite scheduled meetings and assessments within a few business days. After you submit the initial application, the Admissions Office will email guidance to schedule a parent meeting and a student meeting/assessment (the site notes this guidance usually arrives within 2–3 working days). Parents should watch the inbox they used for the application and be ready to propose times for those meetings.
3. Prepare and request required school documents and recommendations. Keystone asks applicants to request a current teacher recommendation through the application system; personal recommendation letters are optional. School records must be provided according to the grade: applicants for Foundation Year–Grade 3 should supply one and a half years of school reports; applicants for Grades 4–11 should supply two and a half years of reports.
4. Complete the written statements and (where required) student essay inside the application. Families must complete a parent statement in the OpenApply account; applicants in Grades 6–11 are also required to complete a student essay in the application. These written materials are part of the Admissions Committee's review packet.
5. Track application progress online and wait for committee review. You can log in to your OpenApply account at any time to check whether the application file is complete; completed files are submitted to the Admissions Committee for discussion. Keystone states final decisions are normally communicated in early spring for on-time applicants; families should plan for a multi-week review timeline once the file is complete. If you have particular timing constraints (for example mid‑year entry), contact Admissions directly to discuss options.
6. Post‑decision practical steps if accepted. The school's scheduled next steps typically include formal acceptance communication and then the usual enrolment actions (parents are asked to follow the admissions office's instructions to complete enrollment paperwork and any required payments). For short programs and Archway offerings the site explicitly states that fees are collected after acceptance; for full-year enrolment the Admissions Office will provide the enrollment checklist and payment instructions at the acceptance stage.
7. Be aware of grade availability and language/age requirements. Keystone indicates primary entry grades they plan to admit each year (notably Grade 1 and Grade 7) and says other grade-level admissions depend on vacancies from departing families; Grade 1 entrants must be six years old by August 31 of the entry year. The school also notes applicants for Grade 1 and above should have sufficient Chinese and English to access the bilingual, immersion curriculum. Parents should contact Admissions early to confirm whether there are current openings for the grade you need.
Keystone operates both merit‑based scholarships and need‑based financial aid; families must submit a scholarship application in addition to the standard admission application. The school states it offers named scholarships (for example the Academy's “Scholar” awards reported in school news) and has an established scholarship/financial aid program intended to help talented students who cannot otherwise afford tuition. The Admission Policy and FAQs make two points parents should note: (1) scholarship applicants complete a separate scholarship form as part of the process, and (2) limited financial aid is awarded on the basis of demonstrated need and is managed annually by the Admissions Office. Selection is competitive and the school treats scholarships and admissions as related but distinct evaluations — if you intend to seek assistance, complete both the main application and the scholarship form and be prepared to supply any supporting materials the admissions team requests. For the most up‑to‑date guidance on application deadlines, required financial documents and the scale of awards, contact admission@keystoneacademy.cn or consult the school's scholarship pages and admissions office directly.
Keystone does not present a public, numbered “first‑to‑be‑offered” waitlist on its website; instead, the school describes a rolling process for reviewing late/over‑capacity applications and vacancies. The Admissions Policy explains that if spaces become available, the school will review overdue applications from late April onward on a rolling basis, and that places in many grades (especially Grade 1 and Grade 7) are limited and only other grades are considered when space opens up because current families depart. Practically, that means families whose applications arrive after the main deadline or who apply for non‑standard grades should expect their files to be held in a rolling admissions pool and reviewed against available seats rather than being placed on a public, position‑based waitlist. Parents who want to be considered for an unexpected vacancy are advised to keep their application current in OpenApply and to contact admission@keystoneacademy.cn to confirm their interest and status.
Nanjing International School is located at Xue Heng Lu 8, Xian Lin University City, in the Qi Xia District of Nanjing, PRC 210023. The campus sits in Xianlin University City, across from international restaurants and nearby residential areas. The school occupies a large, purpose-built site of about 80,620 square metres and holds LEED Silver certification.
NIS offers Pre-K to 12 education within an IB Continuum. The Primary School covers Pre-K to Grade 5 and the Secondary School covers Grades 6 to 12.
NIS is co-educational and operates as a fully inclusive, non-profit international school. It is an IB World School offering the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP).
The Learning Support Services (LSS) team comprises four specialists who work with classroom teachers to provide targeted interventions, accommodations, and individualized learning plans. English Language Support and Counselling are also available to support learners with diverse needs.
There is no formal country affiliation.
NIS has no religious affiliation.
Early Years follow a full-day schedule with a start at 8:00 a.m. and a finish at 3:00 p.m. Primary School schedules are issued by the homeroom teacher, and Secondary timetables are managed by the school leadership as part of the IB continuum.
Bus transport is provided through HomeCaught to cover routes serving most international compounds in Nanjing. Buses are supervised, GPS-tracked, and driven by trained staff; parents pay the bus fees and coordinate with a dedicated buses manager for pickups and drop-offs.
Students in Grades 1-12 have options from Western Grill, Asian Station, Salad Bar, and Sandwich Bar, with Vegetarian and Daily Special choices. Snacks are served at the Deli, with seating on the ground floor and mezzanine. All dining options are provided and managed by AdenEdge, a branch of Aden Group, and NIS is a nut-free and single-use plastics-free campus.
The school has a house system with three houses: Taiping, WuTaiShan, and XuanWu. Members include students, parents, and staff; inter-house competitions are held throughout the year, and the house with the most points is awarded the house shield.
The school is a not-for-profit, independent institution owned 100% by its parent community. It is governed by a volunteer board of elected trustees drawn from parents, staff and the NIS community, which sets policy and oversees strategic direction and financial stability. The Association of NIS includes all parents and board members; an Annual General Meeting is held each September to review the year and approve plans and budget.
Nanjing International School (NIS) is an IB World School offering an IB Continuum Pre-K to 12 curriculum. The IB programmes at NIS are PYP for Pre-K to Grade 5, MYP for Grades 6–10, and DP for Grades 11–12. The PYP focuses on the development of the whole child through transdisciplinary inquiry, while the MYP includes service learning as a core element. The Diploma Programme lasts two years (Grades 11–12) and comprises six subject groups plus the DP Core (Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay); the school also recognises a Global Citizen Diploma for activities beyond academics. English is the language of instruction; language offerings include a German Mother Tongue programme and IB-integrated language courses. NIS emphasises inquiry-based, student-centred learning with inclusive practices and provides university counselling to support DP students.
Nanjing International School supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through a proactive, school‑wide Counselling programme that addresses both academic and social‑emotional development from Pre‑K to Grade 12. The University Counselling Programme focuses on overall personal development and wellness as part of student wellbeing. The Learning Support Services team provides targeted support to students and collaborates with families on individualized learning plans. The English Language Learning (ELL) team provides targeted language support across the school, and in Primary, ELL teachers are integrated into classrooms to support English acquisition within the regular learning environment. The JEDI initiative—Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion—underpins everyday practices and aims to build a sense of belonging and remove barriers to learning.
Nanjing International School describes itself as an inclusive learning community and states it accepts students with mild to moderate support needs. A Learning Support Services team comprises specialists who work across the school to provide targeted support to students and to develop individualized learning plans. English Language Support (ELL) is provided by a dedicated team of specialists who support English language learners across the school; in Primary, ELL teachers are embedded in classrooms. Counselling supports the whole child's academic and social‑emotional development, complementing other supports for learners with additional needs. The school emphasizes removing barriers to access as part of its inclusion approach.
English Language Support (ELL) is provided by a team of specialists who work across the school to provide targeted support for English language learners. In Primary, ELL teachers are integrated into classrooms, supporting English acquisition within the context of the regular learning environment. This arrangement reflects the school's inclusive approach to language development within mainstream classes. The ELL provision is part of the broader inclusion framework described on the Inclusion pages.
The Counselling programme is proactive and focuses on the academic and social‑emotional development of the whole child from Pre‑K to Grade 12, and the University Counselling Programme emphasizes overall personal development and wellness. Counselling services are designed to support students' mental wellbeing as part of their holistic education. The inclusion framework and JEDI ethos reinforce a supportive sense of belonging and relationships as foundational to wellbeing. These provisions operate in concert with Learning Support and ELL to support diverse learners.
Nanjing International School prioritises Child Protection, with procedures based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Safeguarding provision is organized into Prevention, Operational, and Strategic components, including police checks for all employees, contractors, and volunteers; a Code of Conduct (English and Chinese) signed by staff; and clear reporting pathways for abuse or neglect. Visitors sign in and wear identification badges, and the Visitor's Code Conduct is enforced. A designated Child Protection Officer, Child Protection Team, and Child Response Team coordinate safeguarding across the school. The NIS Child Protection Policy and Procedures are available in English, Chinese, and Korean.
Step 1: Enquiry and/or school tour. Begin by making an enquiry or arranging a tour to learn about NIS and determine if the school fits your child's needs. Tours can be booked through the Book Tour option in the Admissions area, or you can contact the admissions team for more information. This step helps families decide whether to proceed with the online application. If you decide to move forward, you proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Online application. The OpenApply online form is how your family introduces themselves to NIS. All applications are completed online, and each child requires a separate application. The system allows you to return to the application later, and all necessary supporting documents are uploaded during this process. Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance.
Step 3: Admissions interview. After the online application and documents are received, the Admissions Team will schedule an interview to determine if NIS is a good fit for your family and your child's learning needs. The interview includes an in‑person session with your child, and they can ask questions about the school. Students in Grade 3 and above will be assessed on reading, writing, maths, and language during or after the interview, and initial online interviews may be conducted for families outside Nanjing; a second interview may be arranged if more information is needed.
Step 4: Assessment. Admissions testing is diagnostic and does not affect eligibility. All applicants for Grade 3 and above will take a MAP assessment to gauge maths and literacy against grade‑level standards. If English is not the home language, Grade 9 and above will take the WIDA English language test to determine if English Language Learning (ELL) support is needed.
Step 5: Interview with Principal. The Primary or Secondary Principal will meet with the family, and they may be accompanied by a Learning Support specialist if relevant. In Primary, the Deputy Primary Principal is also present. This interview provides a final opportunity to discuss learning needs and fit.
Step 6: Final decision. Following the Principal Interview, the Admissions Committee reviews the application package and interview results and makes a recommendation to the School Director, who makes all admissions decisions. Families are notified of the admissions decision through an OpenApply email generally within one week of the Principal Interview. Grades are then placed according to the school's guidelines: Primary (Early Years to Grade 5) and Secondary (Grade 6 to Grade 12) with age guidelines by August 31.
No discounts or scholarships are offered.
If a grade level reaches capacity, students are placed in a waiting pool (waitlist). The school operates a diversity policy, and the maximum number of any one nationality group at any grade level is 30%.
Utahloy International School Zengcheng (UISZ) is in Xiangshan Community, Zengliang Street, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou — the school's address is No.99 (also shown as No.957 in some older references) Guofeng 1st Street / Tashan Avenue, Zengcheng, postcode 511316. The campus sits in a large, lakeside/botanical setting in Sanjiang Town, about an hour from major cities in Guangdong and roughly two hours to Hong Kong by road, so commuting times can be significant depending on where you live.
UISZ runs a continuous programme from early years / kindergarten through to Year 12 (K–12). The school delivers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) in primary, the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) in lower secondary, and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in senior secondary; there is also an option to follow the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) in Years 11–12.
The school is co-educational and offers both day-school places and a residential (boarding) programme; the boarding community is known as Dragon House. UISZ is run by the Utahloy Education Foundation and operates as an international, English-medium school in China.
UISZ provides Student Support Services including English-as-an-Additional-Language (EAL/EALL), Special Educational Needs (SEN) support, and counselling; the school describes itself as inclusive and aims to provide individualised support within its resources. The admissions guidance asks parents to declare diagnosed learning needs and supply supporting reports so the school can assess whether it can meet a child's needs.
The school is based in Guangzhou, China, and is part of the Utahloy Education Foundation (UEF) group; it is not affiliated to a foreign government or single-country education system.
UISZ is secular (no religious affiliation).
Lesson time generally starts in the early morning (school communications reference activities around 8:15–8:30) and the school day finishes in the mid‑afternoon (third‑party listings typically show finish times around 15:20–15:35). There are the usual morning break(s) and a lunch period; exact start/finish times and daily schedules vary by year group, so check with Admissions for the current term timetable.
Utahloy operates an optional two‑way school-bus service that covers routes for Guangzhou and the surrounding districts (zones that include parts of Zengcheng), with licensed buses, drivers and bus assistants reported in school information. UISZ posts about regular bus safety drills, and the broader Utahloy schools use a bookings/management system (SchoolsBuddy) for routes and late‑bus arrangements — contact admissions/transport if your compound or neighbourhood is not listed, as new routes are sometimes added.
Utahloy International School Zengcheng delivers a full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum—IB Early Years, the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP)—and also offers a two‑year Hong Kong DSE senior route. The PYP is taught from Early Years (K3) through Year 5 with a transdisciplinary Programme of Inquiry (K3–Year 5: four units in Kindergarten, six units in other years). The MYP is provided through Years 6–10 (students study eight subject areas including languages, sciences, maths, arts and design) and culminates in Year‑10 eAssessments for the IB MYP Certificate. The DP is offered in Years 11–12 with the standard six subject groups, three Higher/three Standard Level courses and the core components (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS) for university preparation. As an alternative senior pathway, the HKDSE programme runs two years of full‑time senior secondary study with a 4+2+1 structure (four core subjects, two electives from specified options, plus Physical Education). The wider curriculum scope includes English as an Additional Language (EAL), modern languages and mother‑tongue support, technology and learning support services.
Utahloy Zengcheng describes Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) as part of its Student Support Services and says the school's counsellor delivers SEL content and life-skills education in the curriculum. The site refers to PSPE (personal, social, and physical education) lessons in primary and life-skills programmes in secondary that cover safeguarding and student awareness. The school states counselling is used to help students develop strategies to manage social and emotional challenges. Parents, teachers and specialists are described as collaborating through regular meetings to monitor social-emotional progress. (Sources: school Student Support Services and Counselling pages).
The school states it is an inclusive school and that its Learning Support provision supports students with social, emotional, behavioural or physical/medical needs. UISZ reports having an SEN coordinator who develops targeted interventions and uses measures such as small-group interventions and Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs) where needed. The site describes a multi-tiered Student Support Services model and collaboration with external experts when additional expertise is required. The school does not present itself as a specialist SEN institution; its materials describe mainstream inclusion within school resources rather than specialist-only provision. (Sources: Student Support Services and Counselling pages).
UISZ publishes an EAL programme that uses an internationally recognised placement test on entry and organises English Language Acquisition into six phases (students may enter at any phase based on placement). The school provides three hours per week of Academic Skills classes to support academic language development and embeds grammar, vocabulary and cultural content in contextualised units. To maintain inclusion, the school combines differentiated instruction across subjects with a Structured English Immersion (SEI) model in Sciences and Humanities and focused small-group EAL lessons. The site also notes an EAL coordinator who designs immersive language programmes. (Source: EAL programme page; Student Support Services news).
The school states it offers confidential individual and group counselling delivered by a trained counsellor who consults with parents, teachers and administrators to support students' personal and social development. Counselling is presented as part of broader Student Support Services and is used to help students develop coping strategies and resilience. Year-level guidance and university/career counselling are also described for older students as part of pastoral provision. The school notes collaboration with external specialists when extra support is needed. (Sources: Counsellor & Learning Support Services page; Student Support Services news).
UISZ publishes a Child Protection & Safeguarding page that says child welfare is the school's first priority and that its policy is aligned with PRC laws and international definitions (WHO, UNCRC referenced). The school lists safeguarding measures including a clear child protection policy, designated Child Protection Officers, a staff Code of Conduct, criminal background checks for staff and volunteers, a designated teacher response team, and annual staff training on child protection procedures. The site also describes PSPE and life-skills lessons aimed at helping students understand safeguarding issues and school procedures. Reporting procedures and cooperation with relevant authorities are cited as part of the school's responsibilities. (Source: Child Protection & Safeguarding page).
1. Prepare to apply — Confirm eligibility and gather documents. UISZ accepts only students holding valid foreign passports or residents of Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan; children holding PRC passports are not eligible to enrol. Parents should assemble the required documents before starting the online application: passports and residency documentation for parents and the student, the student's birth certificate, a passport photo, at least two years of school reports (with verified English translations if needed), a recent vaccination record, and any learning‑support or medical reports if applicable. Having these ready avoids delays, because the Admissions Office requires uploads during the application and may not process incomplete submissions.
2. Submit the online application (OpenApply) and pay the application fee. Applications are submitted through the school's OpenApply portal; within the portal you will upload the documents listed above and request a confidential reference from the student's most recent teacher or principal (for Years 1–12). The non‑refundable application fee is RMB 2,000 and the school will not process the application without this payment; families who are currently outside mainland China may submit passport copies first and supply visa/residence permits later. Depending on the student's age and prior English experience, the school may require an English assessment as part of the application; after submission the Admissions Office schedules an interview with the Head of Division.
3. Admissions review — school assesses fit and capacity. Admission decisions are made by school leaders (Head of Division, Head of Admissions, and Head of School) based on whether the student can benefit from UISZ's programmes, the school's capacity to meet the student's needs, results of any assessments, references, and the availability of places. The school is inclusive and aims to support English Language Learners and students with mild learning needs, but may decline admission where it judges enrolment would not be in the best interests of the student or school (for example serious past disciplinary expulsions or lack of appropriate documentation). Parents should be prepared to provide clear academic records and, when relevant, detailed learning‑support documentation so the school can evaluate capacity to meet needs.
4. Admissions response and wait pool. After review you will receive a formal admissions response: an offer will be accompanied by an official enrolment letter and a debit note listing payment deadlines required to secure the place. If the year level applied for is full, UISZ may place the child in a wait pool (referred to on the site as a “wait pool”); if a space becomes available the Admissions Office will contact parents to discuss the enrollment timeline. If denied, the school will issue a formal letter explaining the reasons for refusal. Parents should act promptly on any debit note to secure a place and confirm timelines for deposit and tuition payment.
5. Confirm enrolment and pay tuition (timing, inclusions, and discounts). Tuition is charged either annually or by semester; day tuition is stated as inclusive of meals, textbooks, after‑school activities and a contribution towards field trips. UISZ's published tuition schedule includes specific per‑year/grade fees for the 2025–26 academic year and the school offers a 5% discount for full‑year payments made in advance before the specified deadline (May 1, 2025 for the 2025–26 schedule). Parents should review the exact annual or semester amounts for their child's year group (these are listed in the school's tuition charts) and check the payment deadlines on the enrolment debit note.
6. Boarding, transport, sibling bursary and other levies. Boarding is charged separately (rates shown for 5‑day and 7‑day boarding, plus daily flexi options); transportation is optional and charged by zone for day and 5‑day boarders (the transport levy is subsidised by the school). UISZ also publishes a sibling bursary that applies to the second and subsequent concurrently enrolled children (the bursary applies to basic tuition only and excludes boarding, transport and other fees). Parents planning boarding, school transport or multiple children at UISZ should budget for these additional fees and confirm exact amounts and payment schedules on the school's fee tables and the enrolment documents.
UISZ operates a time‑limited scholarship programme (published for the 2025–2026 academic year) with separate application windows and award types for current students and new starters. For current students the application period shown is May 1–May 31, 2025; for new starters it is May 1–July 31, 2025. Awards are given in categories such as Academic Excellence, Artistic Excellence, Athletic Excellence and Community Engagement; prize levels and quantities are published for IB (MYP/DP/PYP) and DSE programmes — examples from the 2025–26 announcement include first, second and third prizes with amounts such as RMB 60,000 (first prize for selected MYP/DP students), RMB 30,000 (second prize), and RMB 20,000 (third prize) for current students, and for new starters awards that can include half or full tuition fee awards or cash amounts depending on programme and prize ranking (the scholarship posters list programme‑specific prizes for IB and DSE). Applications require academic evidence (transcripts from the past two years), a personal statement, and shortlisted applicants will have a final student interview conducted in English; DP and MYP eligibility minimum averages are specified on the announcement (for example minimum average DP 4.5, MYP 5.0 as shown for the 2025–26 cycle). All awards published for 2025–26 are single‑year awards and subject to the school's interview and selection process. Parents should refer to the scholarship announcement and contact admissions@uiszc.org with questions or to confirm current scholarship availability and application deadlines in future years.
Yes — UISZ uses a wait pool system (the website refers to a “wait pool” rather than a formal numbered waitlist). When a year level has reached capacity, students who meet the admissions criteria may be placed in the wait pool for future consideration; the Admissions Office will contact parents if a space becomes available and discuss the enrolment timeline. Parents should note that placement in the wait pool does not guarantee a later offer, and the school's decision to offer a place will depend on capacity and the school's assessment of fit at the time a vacancy arises. For precise position or timing questions, contact admissions@uiszc.org or the Admissions Office directly.
Wellington College International Shanghai is in the Qiantan International Business District, Pudong New District (No.1500 Yao Long Road; campus main gate listed as No.100 Hai Yang Xi Road). The school also operates a separate Early Years Centre (No.195 Tongwan Road). The nearest metro is Oriental Sports Center (Lines 6, 8 and 11 — exit 4 is the recommended exit and involves a short walk via Yaoti/Yaolong roads).
The school runs an Early Years Centre for children aged c.2–5 (Pre‑Nursery, Nursery, Reception), a Primary/Prep phase and a Secondary phase up to Year 13. Years 10–11 follow IGCSE programmes and Years 12–13 study the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP); the school's published age range is from the Early Years through to graduation around age 18.
Wellington Shanghai is a co‑educational private international day school offering a bilingual (English–Mandarin) curriculum and is part of the Wellington College Education (China) group, linked to Wellington College in the UK. The Shanghai campus does not operate a boarding programme (students must reside in Shanghai with a parent).
The school has a Learning Support department that provides bespoke support for pupils with learning difficulties, working with class teachers, families and — where needed — external specialists. Support is planned, reviewed regularly and sits alongside the school's pastoral and wellbeing provision.
The campus is affiliated with Wellington College (the founding school in the UK) and is part of the Wellington College Education (China) network — it is an independent international school rather than a government/state school.
The Shanghai campus does not present itself as a faith school on its website. (For context, the original Wellington College in the UK has historical Church of England roots, but the Shanghai campus does not advertise a religious designation.)
The school notes that every school day begins with a pastoral session; break and lunch arrangements and exact school start/end times vary by year group. Detailed daily timetables and term‑specific schedules are published to parents via the school calendar/parent portal — contact Admissions or consult the calendar/parent resources for the precise times for the year group you are considering.
Wellington provides an optional daily school‑bus service operated with a licensed third‑party transport company; routes cover many pick‑up points (the school cites more than 130 in Puxi and 70 in Pudong) and each bus is staffed by a bus monitor responsible for pupils on the journey. Parents register via the EDU365 bus platform; the school publishes a general annual bus fee and a separate Welly Line (local) route and fee schedule (the website shows the Welly Line fee and the standard annual fee with termly breakdowns).
The school does not offer boarding. All students must reside in Shanghai with at least one parent.
Uniforms and sports kits are mandatory. The dress code is specified for each year group, and the uniform shop is on the first floor of Building A next to the V&A Café.
Catering is provided by Aden. Menus include daily Asian and Western options such as sandwiches and noodles with vegetarian choices, and allergens are posted; the environment is nut-free.
The house system comprises eight houses: Combermere, Hill, Hopetoun, Wellesley, Stanley, Lynedoch, Hardinge and Orange. Pupils are allocated to a house on joining and remain in it; houses coordinate academic, artistic and sporting activities and foster school identity.
The school is governed by Wellington College Education (China) (WCEC). The governing framework includes the WCEC Executive Board, School Affairs Boards and four sub-committees (Academic, Facilities and Services, Finance and HR, Safeguarding). Appointments come from Wellington College in the UK and WCEC.
Wellington College International Shanghai delivers a bilingual (English–Mandarin) curriculum across Early Years, Primary and Secondary stages, integrating Mandarin as a core subject and offering a Dual Language Pathway.
The Early Years Centre (Pre‑Nursery, Nursery, Reception; ages 2–5) follows a bespoke programme linked to the UK Early Years Foundation Stage with play‑based and inquiry approaches.
The Primary School (Years 1–6) uses the English National Curriculum adapted for international learners, delivered through a concept‑based Programme of Inquiry and substantial Chinese language provision.
The Secondary School serves ages 11–18 (Years 7–13): pupils study towards IGCSE qualifications in Years 10–11 (core English, mathematics, sciences plus options in humanities, languages, arts and PE).
Sixth Form (Years 12–13) follows the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP); Mandarin study routes include IGCSE Mandarin in Years 10–11 and IB language options (ab initio, Chinese B, or Chinese A at SL/HL) in the Diploma years.
Wellington states that pastoral care is central to the College and that every school day begins with a pastoral session led by class teachers, form tutors, heads of year and tutors to provide one-to-one and group discussions, quiet self‑study and wellbeing reflection. The school says its wellbeing curriculum was developed in partnership with the Institute of Positive Education and includes age‑appropriate PSHE elements and mindfulness to build emotional literacy. Pastoral provision is described as operating across Early Years to Year 13, with class teachers taking the lead in Early Years/Primary and heads of year and tutors leading in Senior School. Specific staff roles named on the site include heads of year, tutors and specialists from the Pupil Services department.
The College's website describes a Learning Support department that provides support and guidance to pupils with learning difficulties at varying levels and that the school works closely with teachers, pupils and parents to identify, plan and review bespoke support. The school states that, in some cases, it will engage external partners where the need demands it, and the site references external speech‑language specialists in related events. The website does not present Wellington College International Shanghai as a specialist SEN institution; provision is described as school‑based Learning Support rather than specialised residential or specialist SEN provision. Specific diagnostic categories (for example, autism spectrum disorder, specific learning disorders, etc.) are not listed on the public pages.
Wellington publishes a dedicated explanation of its EAL provision: pupils are grouped by ability into three tiers (beginners, intermediate and highly proficient) and may receive targeted small‑group intervention, in‑class EAL teacher support or enrichment and challenge as appropriate. The site names a Director of English as Additional Language and describes practices such as withdrawal groups, in‑class support from EAL teachers and a 1:1 reading programme with interns to develop English proficiency. The pages emphasise immersion in an English‑rich environment alongside structured support to develop both conversational and academic English.
The school describes a central Pupil Services hub that includes counselling, life coaches and learning support and states that wellbeing is delivered through timetabled lessons and specialist interventions. A news article on the site reports that the Pupil Services team includes trained coaches, counsellors, staff trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and art therapists, and that there are fortnightly wellbeing lessons from Year 1 to 13 developed with the Institute of Positive Education. The site also refers to workshops from external specialists (for example ELG) and parent workshops as part of the wider mental‑health provision. Specific hour‑by‑hour service schedules or clinical treatment protocols are not published on the public pages.
Wellington's safeguarding pages state the College has robust child‑protection policies and procedures, requires all staff to read and sign the Safeguarding Policy and Staff Code of Conduct annually, and provides annual safeguarding training for staff. The school says it follows the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection for recruitment and requires rigorous background checks for staff appointments. The site gives a named contact for safeguarding concerns (Designated Safeguarding Lead, Gemma McDonagh) and offers the full Safeguarding Policy as a downloadable document. For details of policy text, reporting routes or statutory timings, the site directs readers to the downloadable safeguarding policy.
1. Initial enquiry and information-gathering. Contact the Wellington Admissions team (phone and email are published on the school site) or use the online enquiry/OpenApply link to request the Admissions booklet and the application checklist; parents should download and read the booklet and checklist so they know exactly which documents the school requires.
2. Complete the online application. Applications are submitted via the school's OpenApply portal; you will need to upload the documents listed on the published checklist (for example: passport/ID, recent school reports and any assessment records). There is a non‑refundable application fee (RMB 3,500) that must be paid for the application to be reviewed — make sure you attach all required files before submitting.
3. Assessment scheduling and format. After a completed application is received the school arranges an age‑appropriate Wellington admission assessment; assessments are usually held at the campus but can be arranged remotely if your child lives outside Shanghai. Parents should prepare for an assessment that looks at age‑appropriate literacy, numeracy and learning behaviours — the school notes assessment results are considered but are not the sole basis for decisions.
4. Admissions Committee review and decision timing. Applications (including assessment outcomes and submitted documents) are reviewed by the Admissions Committee; the school aims to notify applicants within five working days but warns that busier year groups may take longer. Keep in regular contact with your assigned admissions officer if you need a faster update or if you must meet any internal deadlines.
5. Offer, acceptance and deposits. If you receive an offer the school issues an offer letter; to secure the place parents must accept the College's terms and pay the stated resource fee (the site lists RMB 18,000) within the published acceptance window (the school's page specifies a five‑day deadline). Check the offer letter carefully for the exact payment deadline and the method (bank transfer instructions/terms will be on the letter).
6. Waiting pool / provisional placement (if no place is immediately available). If no places are available you may be placed in the school's waiting pool (the school uses the term “waiting pool” rather than a simple first‑come queue); placement into that pool only happens after a completed application, assessment and a recommendation by the Admissions Committee. The school emphasises that the waiting pool is managed by “best fit” (not strictly by application date) and that not all applicants in the pool will be offered a place.
7. Practical documents, timelines and re‑application. An application remains valid for one academic year (August–June); if you wish to apply for the following year you must submit a fresh application. Parents should also prepare routine documents (proofs of guardianship/residency, up‑to‑date school reports, immunisation/health records where required) in advance to avoid delaying assessment and review.
8. Fees, what they cover and when to review them. The school publishes a detailed fee schedule (the site's 2025–26 schedule lists annual and term breakdowns by year group) and states which items are included (most curriculum materials, basic co‑curricular activities and some trips) and which are excluded (school lunches, uniform, transport, individual music tuition and voluntary trips). Parents should download the full fee schedule from the school site and check the exact figure for their child's year group before accepting an offer.
9. Final enrolment steps and contact. After you accept an offer and complete payment, follow any onboarding instructions from Admissions (medical forms, start‑date confirmation, orientation details). If you have timing constraints (relocation dates, visa timing, sibling placements) communicate these early to your Admissions officer as published contact details are available on the school site.
Wellington Shanghai runs a Fellows & Scholars programme plus means‑tested bursaries. The Fellows Programme recognises pupils (years 10–13) for exceptional contribution in academics, the arts or sport and does not carry a monetary award; Fellows gain additional enrichment opportunities. The Scholars (scholarship) awards are merit‑based, limited in number, focused in Academics, Arts or Sport, carry a bespoke programme of study and may include a fee reduction (the school's communications and news posts reference scholarships that can provide either 50% or 100% reductions in tuition for successful applicants). Applicants for scholarship consideration are typically identified or nominated by subject/department leaders during the admissions process (the site notes there is no separate formal application for scholarship — nominations are reviewed by a scholarship committee). In addition, the College offers bursaries for families in financial need; bursaries are awarded annually after objective means testing and the level of support is limited, so families should contact Admissions for the specific process and timeline. For full details, eligibility criteria and current deadlines consult the school's Fellowship, Scholarship and Bursaries page and the scholarship announcements on the school site.
Wellington College International Shanghai operates a formal waiting pool (referred to on the site as a “waiting pool”). A child is placed into the waiting pool only after the application has been completed, the assessment has been carried out and the Admissions Committee has recommended placement. The school states that the waiting pool is managed by suitability/best fit rather than strictly by application order, and that families will be contacted if a place becomes available; it also warns that not all applicants in the pool will ultimately receive an offer.