Expat children rarely attend public schools in Shanghai. Foreigners prefer sending their children to private international schools instead. However, many younger foreign children attend local kindergartens to better integrate into Chinese culture (especially with language exposure). All international schools will have Mandarin language classes. For adults interested in learning Mandarin, there are many courses and language schools geared towards working professionals.

Harrow International School

There are many international schools in Shanghai. Even if those institutions can be expensive, they tend to be the obvious choice for those wanting a quick transition for their children. Most of the reputable international schools either follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum or the curriculum taught in their respective home countries. The primary teaching language is usually English or the language of the school’s home country. Standard coursework often does feature some local curriculum, and many schools teach Mandarin or from a very young age.

It can sometimes be hard to find a place in the international school that you want. Waiting lists can be extensive, and admissions can be very competitive. Companies that regularly employ foreigners sometimes reserve positions in these schools for their employees. There are some basic admissions requirements for being accepted into one of these schools, such as interviews, placement tests and a general application.

As the Chinese economy and its expat population continues to expand, more foreigners are sending their children to public schools in China. Foreigners are becoming more comfortable with the idea of staying in the country for the long-term, and some want their children to assimilate as well as they can. As is the case elsewhere, some public schools are better than others. Overall, the best schools in Shanghai offer high standards and may even be more competitive and rigorous than the schools in an expat's home country. Most public schools exclusively work in Chinese, however, with few concessions made for foreign students. Furthermore, they often focus less on critical thinking and more on rote learning.

Datong High School

The majority of private schools are Chinese-taught, but some offer instruction in English. Private schools in Shanghai attract students from diverse, but generally wealthier backgrounds. Tuition is higher than public schools, but still lower than international schools. The city’s private schools offer better facilities and a wider range of extra-curricular activities than state schools.

YK Pao School