American Schools in Shanghai are a great choice for both local and expat families as they offer globally recognized curricula, outstanding academics plus a nurturing environment for children. Discover our selection of the best American Schools in Shanghai, including reviews, fees, and why families choose them.
Table of Contents
Why families choose the American Curriculum?
The American curriculum offers a broad and balanced educational approach supported by a wide range of co-curricular activities which equip all students with the skills they need in all subject areas. All American curriculum schools are based on high standards of achievement and for these, the US curriculum is one of the most widely used in international schools. The diploma is not only accepted for entry at all US universities but also increasingly by universities around the world.
Why study in an American School?
American schools are a popular choice for parents from all over the world. These schools are designed to provide a core curriculum that prepares students to enter schools, colleges, and universities in the United States and in a great number of countries throughout the world, and this has made American schools very popular among students wishing to enter into the best private colleges and universities in the world.
Why choose a school in Shanghai?
Shanghai is a lively and expansive city that offers expats a fusion of past and future and an incredible mix of East and West. Thanks to rich cultural history to sightseeing, its bustling nightlife, its art shows, and music festivals, this metropolis with around 24 million inhabitants, attracts every year several expats families moving there for business and enjoying the relatively low cost of living and its international atmosphere. The city offers a wide range of first-quality services in terms of entertainment, transport, healthcare, and education with prestigious and world-class international schools.
Top rated American Schools in Shanghai 2025
This American Schools list is informed by World Schools data—we consider parents and students reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
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The Western International School of Shanghai (WISS)
5 reviewsShanghai - ChinaInternational Schoolfrom 161975 to 275600 cnyThe Western International School of Shanghai (WISS) is a forward-looking school that has been inspiring young people from around the world since 2006.Read moreWhy parents choose this schoolInternational Baccalaureate -
Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi
0 reviewsPuxi - ShanghaiInternational Schoolfrom 137800 to 390000 cnyAt Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi the curriculum is academically rigorous, yet the education of the whole child is seen as critical. The wellbeing programme and range of co-curricular opportunities available to all children encourages academic, physical, social and emotional growthRead moreWhy parents choose this schoolBritish Curriculum -
Yew Chung International School of Shanghai
0 reviewsShanghai - ChinaInternational Schoolfrom 163600 to 359100 cnyYCIS Shanghai marks our first footprint in the Chinese mainland. Over the past 30 years, the school has expanded with six campuses across Puxi, Pudong and Lingang, offering a unique education pathway and competitive international curriculum for expatriate children aged 2 – 18.Read moreWhy parents choose this schoolBilingual Chinese English SpanishAmerican Curriculum British Curriculum Cambridge Curriculum OtherIntellectual Giftedness -
Shanghai Community International School
4 reviewsShanghai - ChinaInternational Schoolfrom 122000 to 277500 cnyEstablished in 1996 as one of Shanghai’s first international schools, Shanghai Community International School (SCIS) is a non-profit educational day school, governed by a self-perpetuating board of directors and overseen by the International Schools Foundation.Read moreWhy parents choose this schoolChinese English French SpanishInternational Baccalaureate -
Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong
0 reviewsPudong - ShanghaiInternational Schoolfrom 266000 to 390000 cnySince 2003, Dulwich Pudong has been a leading international school in Shanghai with a strong academic reputation.Read moreWhy parents choose this schoolBilingual Chinese EnglishBritish Curriculum International Baccalaureate -
Nord Anglia International School Shanghai, Pudong
0 reviewsPudong - ShanghaiInternational Schoolfrom 131193 to 375196 cnyFor over 20 years, NAIS Pudong has welcomed our students into a diverse international community, motivating them to achieve the best academic results and to attend the top universities in the world.Read moreWhy parents choose this schoolChinese EnglishBritish Curriculum International Baccalaureate -
The British International School Shanghai, Puxi
0 reviewsPuxi - ShanghaiInternational Schoolfrom 262385 to 375196For over 15 years, our high-scoring students have gone on to attend the top universities in the world. Our teachers coach, support and inspire students to achieve outstanding results.Read moreWhy parents choose this schoolChinese EnglishBritish Curriculum International Baccalaureate -
Shanghai French School (Lycée Français de Shanghai)
0 reviewsShanghai - ChinaInternational Schoolfrom 111000 to 192000 cnyAn international school that welcomes 1300 students of 40+ nationalities on two campuses. It offers the French curriculum with dedicated language streams and a program for non French speakers.Read moreWhy parents choose this schoolChinese English FrenchFrench CurriculumADHD Dyslexia -
Concordia International School Shanghai
4 reviewsShanghai - ChinaInternational Schoolfrom 226000 to 303000 cnyConcordia International School Shanghai offers a comprehensive American education, from Preschool to High School, focusing on holistic development and strong academics, including Advanced Placement.Read moreWhy parents choose this schoolChristianAmerican Curriculum
US Curriculum Preschools in Shanghai
US Curriculum Elementary Schools in Shanghai
US Curriculum Middle Schools in Shanghai
US Curriculum High Schools in Shanghai
US Curriculum Online Schools in Shanghai
How much do American Schools in Shanghai cost?
According to World Schools data, the yearly tuition fee for American Schools in ranges between $15100 and $19600. However, the cost varies significantly depending on various factors such as the school curriculum, extracurricular activities, location, and facilities, and can go up to $48200.
The average yearly cost is $18100, around $1900 per month, and can go up to the maximum monthly cost of $4900.
Additionally, most schools will also charge a one-time registration fee, and you also need to count an extra budget during the year for extracurricular trips, holiday camps, etc.
If you would like to explore American Schools in with yearly fee filters, please use our advanced search filters.
Understanding the US Curriculum
Latest News from Shanghai
Parent and Student Reviews of American Schools in Shanghai
- The warm community at SCIS helped me develop a sense of personal motivation and independence. This facilitated my transition into university where the ability to take responsibility for your own work is essential.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- SCIS played a key role in helping me to develop writing, analysis, and critical-thinking skills needed to succeed at the university level. Spending several years within SCIS’s small-school environment allowed me to receive personalized instruction from my teachers that proved critical in preparing me for life after high school.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- The biggest part of being signed as a college athlete at North Park University in Chicago (an NCAA Division III college in the United States), representing SCIS is being able to really put the school on the map. I really wanted to give back to a community where I’ve been provided with such great opportunities growing up here since fifth grade. There are so many people who have influenced me, past coaches from soccer, volleyball, and basketball. It’s different parts of the components of these sports that made me who I am and a big part of it is SCIS and the commitment to the sports. Without playing basketball or volleyball and the learning experiences I’ve had, I wouldn’t be who I am today.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- Concordia is a very special school. It not only focuses on academics, although it is very strong in academics, but also focuses on developing a kid’s other intelligences—for example drawing, technology, and even music—which makes kids more well-rounded.Read moreWritten November 13, 2023
- Concordia not only fosters kids in their academic development but also allows them to learn how to fundamentally become better people, which has a lifelong influence on them. Therefore, Concordia fits well with the educational philosophy of our family.Read moreWritten November 13, 2023
- One of the things that I really like about the way the Americans do education has been the emphasis on show-and-tell, the strong sense of confidence, the emphasis on communication… I think both my children have benefited greatly from that.Read moreWritten November 13, 2023
- I can see that at Concordia my son is cared for as an individual. His strengths are nurtured and weaknesses addressed. The teachers are very professional and dedicated. And most importantly, kids are very motivated, and truly love the school and the environment.Read moreWritten November 13, 2023
- My family and I have been embraced and welcomed by WISS community with open arms and we look forward to being a part of this family for many years to come.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- My children have lived in many different countries and attended many different international schools, they are the happiest they have ever been.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- I like the way WISS supports art and creativity. Kids are encouraged to develop their talent in all topics, from music to theatre, from painting to dancing, as well as all the other subjects, and they can express themselves in multiple ways.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- We like WISS because of its community. The multi-cultural atmosphere has given everyone, especially our son, the awareness, appreciation, and respect that they need when encountering different kinds of cultures in their lives. But the best thing about the school is how their education is integrated with the world and with current events. What they learn isn’t kept in their books, but it is often applied in their daily lives.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- It’s amazing here. There are so many people from all over the world and we are really engaged and involved in the WISS community and really feel it is our family here. We really like the method of teaching and the way the kids learn because it’s not just working in a very academic way. Its working on projects in a group and it’s really focused on teamwork.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- The warm community at SCIS helped me develop a sense of personal motivation and independence. This facilitated my transition into university where the ability to take responsibility for your own work is essential.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- SCIS played a key role in helping me to develop writing, analysis, and critical-thinking skills needed to succeed at the university level. Spending several years within SCIS’s small-school environment allowed me to receive personalized instruction from my teachers that proved critical in preparing me for life after high school.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- The biggest part of being signed as a college athlete at North Park University in Chicago (an NCAA Division III college in the United States), representing SCIS is being able to really put the school on the map. I really wanted to give back to a community where I’ve been provided with such great opportunities growing up here since fifth grade. There are so many people who have influenced me, past coaches from soccer, volleyball, and basketball. It’s different parts of the components of these sports that made me who I am and a big part of it is SCIS and the commitment to the sports. Without playing basketball or volleyball and the learning experiences I’ve had, I wouldn’t be who I am today.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- Concordia is a very special school. It not only focuses on academics, although it is very strong in academics, but also focuses on developing a kid’s other intelligences—for example drawing, technology, and even music—which makes kids more well-rounded.Read moreWritten November 13, 2023
- Concordia not only fosters kids in their academic development but also allows them to learn how to fundamentally become better people, which has a lifelong influence on them. Therefore, Concordia fits well with the educational philosophy of our family.Read moreWritten November 13, 2023
- One of the things that I really like about the way the Americans do education has been the emphasis on show-and-tell, the strong sense of confidence, the emphasis on communication… I think both my children have benefited greatly from that.Read moreWritten November 13, 2023
- I can see that at Concordia my son is cared for as an individual. His strengths are nurtured and weaknesses addressed. The teachers are very professional and dedicated. And most importantly, kids are very motivated, and truly love the school and the environment.Read moreWritten November 13, 2023
- My family and I have been embraced and welcomed by WISS community with open arms and we look forward to being a part of this family for many years to come.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- My children have lived in many different countries and attended many different international schools, they are the happiest they have ever been.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- I like the way WISS supports art and creativity. Kids are encouraged to develop their talent in all topics, from music to theatre, from painting to dancing, as well as all the other subjects, and they can express themselves in multiple ways.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- We like WISS because of its community. The multi-cultural atmosphere has given everyone, especially our son, the awareness, appreciation, and respect that they need when encountering different kinds of cultures in their lives. But the best thing about the school is how their education is integrated with the world and with current events. What they learn isn’t kept in their books, but it is often applied in their daily lives.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- It’s amazing here. There are so many people from all over the world and we are really engaged and involved in the WISS community and really feel it is our family here. We really like the method of teaching and the way the kids learn because it’s not just working in a very academic way. Its working on projects in a group and it’s really focused on teamwork.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- The warm community at SCIS helped me develop a sense of personal motivation and independence. This facilitated my transition into university where the ability to take responsibility for your own work is essential.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- SCIS played a key role in helping me to develop writing, analysis, and critical-thinking skills needed to succeed at the university level. Spending several years within SCIS’s small-school environment allowed me to receive personalized instruction from my teachers that proved critical in preparing me for life after high school.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- The biggest part of being signed as a college athlete at North Park University in Chicago (an NCAA Division III college in the United States), representing SCIS is being able to really put the school on the map. I really wanted to give back to a community where I’ve been provided with such great opportunities growing up here since fifth grade. There are so many people who have influenced me, past coaches from soccer, volleyball, and basketball. It’s different parts of the components of these sports that made me who I am and a big part of it is SCIS and the commitment to the sports. Without playing basketball or volleyball and the learning experiences I’ve had, I wouldn’t be who I am today.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- Concordia is a very special school. It not only focuses on academics, although it is very strong in academics, but also focuses on developing a kid’s other intelligences—for example drawing, technology, and even music—which makes kids more well-rounded.Read moreWritten November 13, 2023
- Concordia not only fosters kids in their academic development but also allows them to learn how to fundamentally become better people, which has a lifelong influence on them. Therefore, Concordia fits well with the educational philosophy of our family.Read moreWritten November 13, 2023
- One of the things that I really like about the way the Americans do education has been the emphasis on show-and-tell, the strong sense of confidence, the emphasis on communication… I think both my children have benefited greatly from that.Read moreWritten November 13, 2023
- I can see that at Concordia my son is cared for as an individual. His strengths are nurtured and weaknesses addressed. The teachers are very professional and dedicated. And most importantly, kids are very motivated, and truly love the school and the environment.Read moreWritten November 13, 2023
- My family and I have been embraced and welcomed by WISS community with open arms and we look forward to being a part of this family for many years to come.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- My children have lived in many different countries and attended many different international schools, they are the happiest they have ever been.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- I like the way WISS supports art and creativity. Kids are encouraged to develop their talent in all topics, from music to theatre, from painting to dancing, as well as all the other subjects, and they can express themselves in multiple ways.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- We like WISS because of its community. The multi-cultural atmosphere has given everyone, especially our son, the awareness, appreciation, and respect that they need when encountering different kinds of cultures in their lives. But the best thing about the school is how their education is integrated with the world and with current events. What they learn isn’t kept in their books, but it is often applied in their daily lives.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- It’s amazing here. There are so many people from all over the world and we are really engaged and involved in the WISS community and really feel it is our family here. We really like the method of teaching and the way the kids learn because it’s not just working in a very academic way. Its working on projects in a group and it’s really focused on teamwork.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- The warm community at SCIS helped me develop a sense of personal motivation and independence. This facilitated my transition into university where the ability to take responsibility for your own work is essential.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- SCIS played a key role in helping me to develop writing, analysis, and critical-thinking skills needed to succeed at the university level. Spending several years within SCIS’s small-school environment allowed me to receive personalized instruction from my teachers that proved critical in preparing me for life after high school.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023
- The biggest part of being signed as a college athlete at North Park University in Chicago (an NCAA Division III college in the United States), representing SCIS is being able to really put the school on the map. I really wanted to give back to a community where I’ve been provided with such great opportunities growing up here since fifth grade. There are so many people who have influenced me, past coaches from soccer, volleyball, and basketball. It’s different parts of the components of these sports that made me who I am and a big part of it is SCIS and the commitment to the sports. Without playing basketball or volleyball and the learning experiences I’ve had, I wouldn’t be who I am today.Read moreWritten February 25, 2023