Cities / Shanghai / Western International School of Shanghai
Western International School of Shanghai
A full IB continuum school in Qingpu with a strong reputation for community, Mandarin support, and a less pressured atmosphere than the Pudong heavyweights. Around 700 students, which is part of the appeal.
In brief
A full IB continuum school in Qingpu with a strong reputation for community, Mandarin support, and a less pressured atmosphere than the Pudong heavyweights. Around 700 students, which is part of the appeal.
WISS opened in 2006 and is one of the few schools in China authorised across all four IB programmes, PYP through MYP and DP, with the Career-related Programme as well. Around 50 nationalities on campus and a manageable 700 students mean teachers know the children. The Qingpu location suits families based west of the city and means a longer commute for those in central Puxi or Pudong.
Parents talk about a genuine sense of community, friendly office staff, dedicated teachers, and strong support for new arrivals settling into China. Mandarin provision is taken seriously and works well for most. Fees are notably lower than Wellington or Dulwich, which families weigh against the smaller scale of facilities and a smaller secondary cohort. Families wanting IB across the full range and a village feel tend to fit here. Those wanting a large sixth form peer group look elsewhere.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Nursery / Nursery | 2 | CN¥165,385 |
| Pre-Kindergarten | 4 | CN¥194,000 |
| Kindergarten | 5 | CN¥229,405 |
| Primary (Grades 1-5) | 6 | CN¥250,745 |
| Secondary MYP (Grades 6-10) | 11 | CN¥264,325 |
| Secondary DP / CP (Grades 11-12) | 16 | CN¥267,332 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee (non-refundable) | CN¥2,500 | |
| Capital Fee (one-time, new students) | CN¥20,000 | |
| Placement Fee (annual, offsets tuition) | CN¥20,000 |
Reviews
- Parent reviews are consistently warm about the school's international feel, activities, facilities, and administration. Several parents praise the move into the school as a positive transition.
- Staff signal is more mixed. Teachers praise colleagues, community, supportive staff, and facilities, but several say management has become less education-focused and that the post-pandemic period brought negative changes.
- Location is a recurring practical caution, with staff noting that the campus can feel far from the city.
Positives
- Parent satisfaction. Parents praise the school community, activities, facilities, and administrative experience.
Considerations
- Management and staff morale. Staff value colleagues and community, but some describe management and post-pandemic changes negatively.
- Location. The campus location is flagged as far from the city by some staff.
Leadership
Jeremy Williams
Jeremy Williams is the Head of School at the Western International School of Shanghai, committed to fostering a safe and nurturing learning environment for all students. He believes in the importance of developing each child's potential through a holistic approach to education.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01