The Best Private Schools in Shanghai

Discover the best Private Schools in Shanghai in this 2025 guide. Explore top-rated schools, tuition costs, parent reviews, and more.

The Best Private Schools in Shanghai

Private 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 Private Schools in Shanghai, including reviews, fees, and why families choose them.

Table of Contents

Why families choose a Private school in Shanghai?

Parents generally choose private schools because they offer a strong academic program, create the perfect studying environment with smaller classes, outstanding campuses and offer a wide choice of extra curricular activities such as sports and arts.Private schools also put more emphasis on specialties like art, music and athletics and many focus on integrating important 21st century skills in their programs.Private schools statistically perform very well on college or university entrance exams and many schools have a very high rate of students being accepted at the university of their choice.

Study in Shanghai

Shanghai is one of the four direct-controlled municipalities of China and the most populous city proper in the world, with a population of more than 24 million as of 2014.It is a global financial centre and transport hub, with the world's busiest container port. Located in the Yangtze River Delta, it sits on the south edge of the estuary of the Yangtze in the middle portion of the East China coast.The municipality borders the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang to the north, south and west, and is bounded to the east by the East China Sea. Shanghai is the commercial and financial center of mainland China, and ranks 13th in the 2017 edition of the Global Financial Centres Index published by the Z/Yen Group and Qatar Financial Centre Authority. In the last two decades Shanghai has been one of the fastest developing cities in the world.

Top rated Private Schools in Shanghai 2025

This Private Schools list is informed by World Schools data—we consider parents and students reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.

Private Elementary Schools in Shanghai

  • Smiling International School
    1 reviews
    Ferrara - Emilia Romagna
    Cambridge, IB Diploma
    From 6980
    eur
  • Shanghai Community International School
    4 reviews
    Shanghai - China
    From 122000
    cny
  • The British International School Shanghai, Puxi
    0 reviews
    Puxi - Shanghai
    IB Diploma, IGCSE
    From 262385
  • OBS / Obersee Bilingual School
    0 reviews
    Wollerau - Höfe
    From 32000
    chf
  • Prem International School
    0 reviews
    Chiang Mai - Northern Thailand
    IB Diploma, IB MYP, PSAT, SAT
    From 372400
    thb
  • Verita International School, Athens
    0 reviews
    Athens - Central Greece
    A Level, IGCSE
    From 6500
    eur
  • BEPS International School
    0 reviews
    Brussels - Belgium
    IB Diploma
    From 16800
    eur
  • Knowledge Gate International School Muscat
    0 reviews
    Muscat - Muscat Governorate
    A Level, IGCSE
    From 2618
    omr
  • Dallas International School
    0 reviews
    Dallas - Texas
    American Diploma, French Baccalaureate, IB Diploma
    From 22000
    usd
  • The British International School Abu Dhabi
    5 reviews
    Abu Dhabi - Emirate of Abu Dhabi
    BTEC, IB Diploma, IGCSE
    From 50300
    aed
  • Sharjah English School
    0 reviews
    Sharjah - Emirate of Sharjah
    A Level, AS, IGCSE
    From 27390
    aed
  • American International School Vienna
    0 reviews
    Vienna - Austria
    American Diploma, AP, IB Diploma
    From 12000
    eur
  • American School of The Hague
    3 reviews
    The Hague - South Holland
    From 14650
    eur
  • ISSH International School of Schaffhausen
    0 reviews
    Schaffhausen - Switzerland
    IB Diploma
    From 24590
    chf
  • Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi
    0 reviews
    Puxi - Shanghai
    A Level, IB Diploma, IGCSE, SAT
    From 137800
    cny
  • International School Ho Chi Minh City
    4 reviews
    Ho Chi Minh City - Ho Chi Minh
    IB Diploma
    From 240900000
    vnd
  • The Metropolitan School of Panama
    0 reviews
    Panama City - Panama
    IB Diploma
    From 10974
    usd
  • Epsom College in Malaysia
    0 reviews
    Bandar Enstek - Negeri Sembilan
    A Level, IGCSE
    From 95850
    myr
  • Smiling International School
    1 reviews
    Ferrara - Emilia Romagna
    Cambridge, IB Diploma
    From 6980
    eur
  • Shanghai Community International School
    4 reviews
    Shanghai - China
    From 122000
    cny
  • The British International School Shanghai, Puxi
    0 reviews
    Puxi - Shanghai
    IB Diploma, IGCSE
    From 262385
  • OBS / Obersee Bilingual School
    0 reviews
    Wollerau - Höfe
    From 32000
    chf
  • Prem International School
    0 reviews
    Chiang Mai - Northern Thailand
    IB Diploma, IB MYP, PSAT, SAT
    From 372400
    thb
  • Verita International School, Athens
    0 reviews
    Athens - Central Greece
    A Level, IGCSE
    From 6500
    eur
  • BEPS International School
    0 reviews
    Brussels - Belgium
    IB Diploma
    From 16800
    eur
  • Knowledge Gate International School Muscat
    0 reviews
    Muscat - Muscat Governorate
    A Level, IGCSE
    From 2618
    omr
  • Dallas International School
    0 reviews
    Dallas - Texas
    American Diploma, French Baccalaureate, IB Diploma
    From 22000
    usd
  • The British International School Abu Dhabi
    5 reviews
    Abu Dhabi - Emirate of Abu Dhabi
    BTEC, IB Diploma, IGCSE
    From 50300
    aed
  • Sharjah English School
    0 reviews
    Sharjah - Emirate of Sharjah
    A Level, AS, IGCSE
    From 27390
    aed
  • American International School Vienna
    0 reviews
    Vienna - Austria
    American Diploma, AP, IB Diploma
    From 12000
    eur
  • American School of The Hague
    3 reviews
    The Hague - South Holland
    From 14650
    eur
  • ISSH International School of Schaffhausen
    0 reviews
    Schaffhausen - Switzerland
    IB Diploma
    From 24590
    chf
  • Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi
    0 reviews
    Puxi - Shanghai
    A Level, IB Diploma, IGCSE, SAT
    From 137800
    cny
  • International School Ho Chi Minh City
    4 reviews
    Ho Chi Minh City - Ho Chi Minh
    IB Diploma
    From 240900000
    vnd
  • The Metropolitan School of Panama
    0 reviews
    Panama City - Panama
    IB Diploma
    From 10974
    usd
  • Epsom College in Malaysia
    0 reviews
    Bandar Enstek - Negeri Sembilan
    A Level, IGCSE
    From 95850
    myr

Private Middle Schools in Shanghai

  • Georgia School Ningbo (GSN)
    3 reviews
    Ningbo - Zhejiang
    American Diploma, AP, PSAT, SAT
    From 115000
    cny
  • Epsom College in Malaysia
    0 reviews
    Bandar Enstek - Negeri Sembilan
    A Level, IGCSE
    From 95850
    myr
  • OBS / Obersee Bilingual School
    0 reviews
    Wollerau - Höfe
    From 32000
    chf
  • Swiss International School Dubai
    0 reviews
    Dubai - Emirate of Dubai
    IB Diploma
    From 53000
    aed
  • International Bilingual School of Provence
    0 reviews
    Luynes - Aix-en-Provence
    Cambridge, French Baccalaureate, IB Diploma, IGCSE
    From 10250
    eur
  • J. Addison School
    1 reviews
    Markham - Toronto
    From 18000
    cad
  • H-FARM International School
    1 reviews
    Vicenza - Veneto
    IB Diploma
    From 9500
    eur
  • Institut auf dem Rosenberg
    6 reviews
    St Gallen - Switzerland
    A Level, American Diploma, AP, IB Diploma, IGCSE, TOEFL
    From 150000
    chf
  • International School Ho Chi Minh City
    4 reviews
    Ho Chi Minh City - Ho Chi Minh
    IB Diploma
    From 240900000
    vnd
  • Fairfax Christian School
    1 reviews
    Sterling - Virginia
    From 30000
    usd
  • The Western International School of Shanghai (WISS)
    5 reviews
    Shanghai - China
    IB Diploma
    From 161975
    cny
  • Lincoln International Academy
    0 reviews
    Santiago de Chile - Chile
    Cambridge, IB Diploma
    From 3418785
    clp
  • The British School of Brazil
    0 reviews
    Sao Paulo - Brazil
    A Level, IB Diploma, IGCSE
    From 90000
    BRL
  • Branksome Hall Asia
    0 reviews
    Seogwipo City - Jeju
    IB Diploma
    From 20188000
    krw
  • Verita International School, Athens
    0 reviews
    Athens - Central Greece
    A Level, IGCSE
    From 6500
    eur
  • Copenhagen International School
    0 reviews
    Copenhagen - Capital Region of Denmark
    IB Diploma
    From 141000
    dkk
  • Yew Chung International School of Shanghai
    0 reviews
    Shanghai - China
    Cambridge, IB Diploma, IGCSE, SAT
    From 163600
    cny
  • International School of Amsterdam
    0 reviews
    Amsterdam - North Holland
    IB Diploma
    From 18775
    eur
  • Georgia School Ningbo (GSN)
    3 reviews
    Ningbo - Zhejiang
    American Diploma, AP, PSAT, SAT
    From 115000
    cny
  • Epsom College in Malaysia
    0 reviews
    Bandar Enstek - Negeri Sembilan
    A Level, IGCSE
    From 95850
    myr
  • OBS / Obersee Bilingual School
    0 reviews
    Wollerau - Höfe
    From 32000
    chf
  • Swiss International School Dubai
    0 reviews
    Dubai - Emirate of Dubai
    IB Diploma
    From 53000
    aed
  • International Bilingual School of Provence
    0 reviews
    Luynes - Aix-en-Provence
    Cambridge, French Baccalaureate, IB Diploma, IGCSE
    From 10250
    eur
  • J. Addison School
    1 reviews
    Markham - Toronto
    From 18000
    cad
  • H-FARM International School
    1 reviews
    Vicenza - Veneto
    IB Diploma
    From 9500
    eur
  • Institut auf dem Rosenberg
    6 reviews
    St Gallen - Switzerland
    A Level, American Diploma, AP, IB Diploma, IGCSE, TOEFL
    From 150000
    chf
  • International School Ho Chi Minh City
    4 reviews
    Ho Chi Minh City - Ho Chi Minh
    IB Diploma
    From 240900000
    vnd
  • Fairfax Christian School
    1 reviews
    Sterling - Virginia
    From 30000
    usd
  • The Western International School of Shanghai (WISS)
    5 reviews
    Shanghai - China
    IB Diploma
    From 161975
    cny
  • Lincoln International Academy
    0 reviews
    Santiago de Chile - Chile
    Cambridge, IB Diploma
    From 3418785
    clp
  • The British School of Brazil
    0 reviews
    Sao Paulo - Brazil
    A Level, IB Diploma, IGCSE
    From 90000
    BRL
  • Branksome Hall Asia
    0 reviews
    Seogwipo City - Jeju
    IB Diploma
    From 20188000
    krw
  • Verita International School, Athens
    0 reviews
    Athens - Central Greece
    A Level, IGCSE
    From 6500
    eur
  • Copenhagen International School
    0 reviews
    Copenhagen - Capital Region of Denmark
    IB Diploma
    From 141000
    dkk
  • Yew Chung International School of Shanghai
    0 reviews
    Shanghai - China
    Cambridge, IB Diploma, IGCSE, SAT
    From 163600
    cny
  • International School of Amsterdam
    0 reviews
    Amsterdam - North Holland
    IB Diploma
    From 18775
    eur

Private High Schools in Shanghai

  • OBS / Obersee Bilingual School
    0 reviews
    Wollerau - Höfe
    From 32000
    chf
  • St. Stephen's School Rome
    0 reviews
    Rome - Lazio
    IB Diploma
    From 28960
    eur
  • La Côte International School Aubonne
    4 reviews
    Aubonne - Vaud
    IB Diploma, IGCSE, Swiss Matura
    From 18900
    chf
  • H-FARM International School
    1 reviews
    Vicenza - Veneto
    IB Diploma
    From 9500
    eur
  • Rugby School Japan
    0 reviews
    Tokyo - Japan
    A Level, AS, IGCSE
    From 5000000
    jpy
  • English Schools Foundation (ESF Schools)
    0 reviews
    Hong Kong - China
    IB Diploma
    From 93700
    hkd
  • Dallas International School
    0 reviews
    Dallas - Texas
    American Diploma, French Baccalaureate, IB Diploma
    From 22000
    usd
  • St. Joseph’s Institution International
    7 reviews
    Singapore - South-eastern Asia
    IB Diploma, IGCSE
    From 37000
    sgd
  • Copperfield International School Verbier
    0 reviews
    Verbier - Valais
    IB Diploma
    From 34000
    chf
  • International School of Brussels
    0 reviews
    Brussels - Belgium
    American Diploma, IB Diploma
    From 18825
    eur
  • Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi
    0 reviews
    Puxi - Shanghai
    A Level, IB Diploma, IGCSE, SAT
    From 137800
    cny
  • Institut Montana Zugerberg
    5 reviews
    Zug - Switzerland
    From 32900
    chf
  • Nord Anglia International School Dublin
    0 reviews
    Dublin - Ireland
    From 12620
    eur
  • Newington College
    0 reviews
    Sydney - New South Wales
    Cambridge, IB Diploma, IGCSE
    From 24390
    aud
  • Verita International School, Athens
    0 reviews
    Athens - Central Greece
    A Level, IGCSE
    From 6500
    eur
  • Yago School
    1 reviews
    Seville - Andalusia
    IB Diploma
    From 7200
    eur
  • Nexus International School, Malaysia
    0 reviews
    Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia
    IB Diploma, IGCSE
    From 44730
    myr
  • Fairfax Christian School
    1 reviews
    Sterling - Virginia
    From 30000
    usd
  • OBS / Obersee Bilingual School
    0 reviews
    Wollerau - Höfe
    From 32000
    chf
  • St. Stephen's School Rome
    0 reviews
    Rome - Lazio
    IB Diploma
    From 28960
    eur
  • La Côte International School Aubonne
    4 reviews
    Aubonne - Vaud
    IB Diploma, IGCSE, Swiss Matura
    From 18900
    chf
  • H-FARM International School
    1 reviews
    Vicenza - Veneto
    IB Diploma
    From 9500
    eur
  • Rugby School Japan
    0 reviews
    Tokyo - Japan
    A Level, AS, IGCSE
    From 5000000
    jpy
  • English Schools Foundation (ESF Schools)
    0 reviews
    Hong Kong - China
    IB Diploma
    From 93700
    hkd
  • Dallas International School
    0 reviews
    Dallas - Texas
    American Diploma, French Baccalaureate, IB Diploma
    From 22000
    usd
  • St. Joseph’s Institution International
    7 reviews
    Singapore - South-eastern Asia
    IB Diploma, IGCSE
    From 37000
    sgd
  • Copperfield International School Verbier
    0 reviews
    Verbier - Valais
    IB Diploma
    From 34000
    chf
  • International School of Brussels
    0 reviews
    Brussels - Belgium
    American Diploma, IB Diploma
    From 18825
    eur
  • Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi
    0 reviews
    Puxi - Shanghai
    A Level, IB Diploma, IGCSE, SAT
    From 137800
    cny
  • Institut Montana Zugerberg
    5 reviews
    Zug - Switzerland
    From 32900
    chf
  • Nord Anglia International School Dublin
    0 reviews
    Dublin - Ireland
    From 12620
    eur
  • Newington College
    0 reviews
    Sydney - New South Wales
    Cambridge, IB Diploma, IGCSE
    From 24390
    aud
  • Verita International School, Athens
    0 reviews
    Athens - Central Greece
    A Level, IGCSE
    From 6500
    eur
  • Yago School
    1 reviews
    Seville - Andalusia
    IB Diploma
    From 7200
    eur
  • Nexus International School, Malaysia
    0 reviews
    Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia
    IB Diploma, IGCSE
    From 44730
    myr
  • Fairfax Christian School
    1 reviews
    Sterling - Virginia
    From 30000
    usd

Tips for Choosing the Right Private School

Latest News from Shanghai

Parent and Student Reviews of Private Schools in Shanghai

  • Tom, Greene’s alumnus: “I am an alumnus of Greene’s, and have been a doctor for 20 years. I have a lot to thanks Greene’s and the tutors for, having gone from an E grade in June to a B in the same November! As I recall I had an hour per week physics, as well as the occasional practical, and then a lot of homework in between. This worked well for me.” (2011)
    Read more
    Written January 19, 2024
  • Guardian of Student: “I don’t think he could have been happier anywhere else in the country. He was in the right place with the right people who adjusted to his needs every single time. You stepped in at every point and made the difference he needed.” (2019)
    Read more
    Written January 19, 2024
  • Willow, Greene’s alumna: “I was sceptical about starting in January and not September but I actually drastically improved grades in that short time. The one-to-one allows you to get through the relevant content without covering things that aren’t useful so it’s possible to achieve a lot in a few months.” (2020)
    Read more
    Written January 19, 2024
  • Konstantin, Greene’s student: “At Greene’s, I have one-to-one tutorials. It’s really cool because all of the attention from tutors goes straight to you. That’s amazing because any question that you have, you can get the answer to. In one tutorial you can study a new topic and in another you can say “I’m not really clear about this topic” and you can take another look at it.” (2023)
    Read more
    Written January 19, 2024
  • Parent of Oliver, Greene’s alumnus: “The staff are extremely professional and Greene’s have provided a first-class service throughout.” (2023)
    Read more
    Written January 19, 2024
  • Johnnie, Greene’s alumnus and transfer student: “I now feel better placed to take my exams than I did this time last year, partly due to the way Greene’s has bolstered my academic confidence and changed my attitude towards examinations, making them seem a far more achievable feat.” (2023)
    Read more
    Written January 19, 2024
  • Pradnya, Greene’s alumna: “Despite being a new experience, the tutorial style was a great match due to its personalised approach: I received detailed feedback on assignments, trial examinations, and tutorials. I was excited to attend every tutorial, knowing that my tutors shared the same enthusiasm for the subject and had extensive knowledge that enabled in-depth conversations.” (2023)
    Read more
    Written January 19, 2024
  • Pedro Perino, youngest driver to compete in the European Le Mans Series and Greene’s student: “Greene’s helps me to drive better; it enables me to do things at my own pace. I am able to focus and divide my time between studying and racing – having the option to do face-to-face or online lessons really helps me emotionally and academically.” (2023)
    Read more
    Written January 19, 2024
  • Lucia, who received A*A*A grades in her recent A levels at Greene’s, recalls her academic experience: “I would like to thank my tutors and in particular my Personal Tutor from Greene’s, who motivated, inspired, and kept me on track – even when I suddenly decided to apply to university with a UCAS deadline of just one week! Greene’s helped me achieve academic success by getting the results to enable me to enrol in the best university of Economics and Business in Portugal. And helped guide me academically through a difficult period of my life.” (2022)
    Read more
    Written January 19, 2024
  • The videos you have all made, the activities you have thought of and the ability to keep the Ermitage community upbeat, happy and engaged as learners during this time has been amazing. My daughter has continued to be motivated to learn and keep up with her lessons and school work, despite the new way of working. This is thanks to all the efforts of your teaching team and the previous work that you have done with her to help her to grow as an individual (not just academically).”
    Read more
    Written February 25, 2023
  • NLCS Jeju doesn’t expect children to have outcomes from every experience. Instead, they look for happiness and satisfaction. Children respond well to this philosophy. My daughter became more active, positive and engaged. She feels safe and comfortable with teachers always there for her and supporting her to become a better person.
    Read more
    Written February 25, 2023
  • My son is an only child and, before entering into the boarding programme, he was very immature. He has learnt to be more independent and thoughtful – now he is much more mature and even takes care of his parents.
    Read more
    Written February 25, 2023
  • Tom, Greene’s alumnus: “I am an alumnus of Greene’s, and have been a doctor for 20 years. I have a lot to thanks Greene’s and the tutors for, having gone from an E grade in June to a B in the same November! As I recall I had an hour per week physics, as well as the occasional practical, and then a lot of homework in between. This worked well for me.” (2011)
    Read more
    Written January 19, 2024
  • Guardian of Student: “I don’t think he could have been happier anywhere else in the country. He was in the right place with the right people who adjusted to his needs every single time. You stepped in at every point and made the difference he needed.” (2019)
    Read more
    Written January 19, 2024
  • Willow, Greene’s alumna: “I was sceptical about starting in January and not September but I actually drastically improved grades in that short time. The one-to-one allows you to get through the relevant content without covering things that aren’t useful so it’s possible to achieve a lot in a few months.” (2020)
    Read more
    Written January 19, 2024
  • Konstantin, Greene’s student: “At Greene’s, I have one-to-one tutorials. It’s really cool because all of the attention from tutors goes straight to you. That’s amazing because any question that you have, you can get the answer to. In one tutorial you can study a new topic and in another you can say “I’m not really clear about this topic” and you can take another look at it.” (2023)
    Read more
    Written January 19, 2024
  • Parent of Oliver, Greene’s alumnus: “The staff are extremely professional and Greene’s have provided a first-class service throughout.” (2023)
    Read more
    Written January 19, 2024
  • Johnnie, Greene’s alumnus and transfer student: “I now feel better placed to take my exams than I did this time last year, partly due to the way Greene’s has bolstered my academic confidence and changed my attitude towards examinations, making them seem a far more achievable feat.” (2023)
    Read more
    Written January 19, 2024
  • Pradnya, Greene’s alumna: “Despite being a new experience, the tutorial style was a great match due to its personalised approach: I received detailed feedback on assignments, trial examinations, and tutorials. I was excited to attend every tutorial, knowing that my tutors shared the same enthusiasm for the subject and had extensive knowledge that enabled in-depth conversations.” (2023)
    Read more
    Written January 19, 2024
  • Pedro Perino, youngest driver to compete in the European Le Mans Series and Greene’s student: “Greene’s helps me to drive better; it enables me to do things at my own pace. I am able to focus and divide my time between studying and racing – having the option to do face-to-face or online lessons really helps me emotionally and academically.” (2023)
    Read more
    Written January 19, 2024
  • Lucia, who received A*A*A grades in her recent A levels at Greene’s, recalls her academic experience: “I would like to thank my tutors and in particular my Personal Tutor from Greene’s, who motivated, inspired, and kept me on track – even when I suddenly decided to apply to university with a UCAS deadline of just one week! Greene’s helped me achieve academic success by getting the results to enable me to enrol in the best university of Economics and Business in Portugal. And helped guide me academically through a difficult period of my life.” (2022)
    Read more
    Written January 19, 2024
  • The videos you have all made, the activities you have thought of and the ability to keep the Ermitage community upbeat, happy and engaged as learners during this time has been amazing. My daughter has continued to be motivated to learn and keep up with her lessons and school work, despite the new way of working. This is thanks to all the efforts of your teaching team and the previous work that you have done with her to help her to grow as an individual (not just academically).”
    Read more
    Written February 25, 2023
  • NLCS Jeju doesn’t expect children to have outcomes from every experience. Instead, they look for happiness and satisfaction. Children respond well to this philosophy. My daughter became more active, positive and engaged. She feels safe and comfortable with teachers always there for her and supporting her to become a better person.
    Read more
    Written February 25, 2023
  • My son is an only child and, before entering into the boarding programme, he was very immature. He has learnt to be more independent and thoughtful – now he is much more mature and even takes care of his parents.
    Read more
    Written February 25, 2023