Primary Schools in Shanghai for Expat Families: A Complete Guide

The primary years — roughly ages 5 to 11 — are the period when children in Shanghai expat families are most adaptable, most able to absorb Mandarin, and most likely to make strong social connections that last throughout their time in the city. Choosing the right primary school is therefore one of the most consequential decisions of a Shanghai posting.

This guide covers the major international primary school options, the curriculum choices you will face, and the practical factors that should inform your decision — with costs, locations, and application logistics included.

Who Can Attend: The Passport Requirement

Eligibility for international schools in Shanghai is restricted to children holding foreign passports. Chinese law prohibits international schools from admitting Chinese citizens, including children registered as Chinese nationals who may also hold a foreign passport. China does not recognise dual citizenship. Any child who has been registered with Chinese nationality is subject to this restriction regardless of their other passport status. For full detail, see our Shanghai international schools hub.

The Primary Curriculum Choices

The first major decision is curriculum. In Shanghai, the main options are:

Curriculum	Schools	Ages (approx.)	Qualification at Primary Stage
English National Curriculum (British)	Dulwich, Harrow, Wellington, BISS, NAIS Pudong	5–11	Internal assessments; SATs at Year 6 (some schools)
IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)	SCIS, NAIS Pudong, BISS, Dulwich, YCIS	3–12	PYP Exhibition at Year 6
American / Common Core	Shanghai American School, Concordia	5–11	Internal grades; standardised testing
Bilingual (English + Mandarin)	YCIS, several bilingual private schools	2–11	School-specific
French	Lycée Français de Shanghai	2–11	French curriculum
German	German School Shanghai	2–11	German curriculum

At primary level, the curriculum choice is less consequential than at secondary — children adapt between systems more easily. What matters more at primary is:

• The quality and stability of teaching staff
• The Mandarin language programme
• The social and community feel
• Proximity to your home

The Major International Primary Schools

Dulwich College Shanghai (Pudong and Puxi)

Both Dulwich campuses deliver the English National Curriculum supplemented by the IB PYP at primary level, with IGCSE and IB Diploma at secondary. Dulwich is academically respected and has strong arts and sports facilities. Tuition starts from approximately RMB 138,000 for Early Years, rising through primary. Both campuses draw from large, socially varied expat communities.

Nord Anglia International School Shanghai Pudong (NAIS Pudong)

NAIS Pudong uses the English National Curriculum at primary, enriched by the IB PYP framework and the school's global collaboration programmes with Juilliard (music and performing arts) and MIT (STEM). Annual primary fees start at approximately RMB 175,000–250,000 depending on year group. The school has a large campus (up to 1,800 students) in Pudong, making it a good fit for families who value broad extra-curricular provision.

BISS Puxi (British International School Shanghai)

BISS follows the English National Curriculum at primary with IB PYP integration, and is located in Changning district, Puxi. Annual primary tuition runs from approximately RMB 272,000 upwards. As a Nord Anglia school, BISS benefits from the same global learning partnerships as NAIS Pudong.

Wellington College International Shanghai

Wellington uses the English National Curriculum enhanced by the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) at primary level. Located in Hongqiao, Puxi. Annual primary fees for Years 1–5 are approximately RMB 324,600 — at the premium end of the market but reflecting strong facilities and a co-educational British boarding-school ethos applied to a day school format.

Shanghai American School (SAS)

SAS operates two campuses (Pudong and Puxi) and follows an American curriculum from Kindergarten through Grade 5. Each campus has approximately 2,500 students across the full K-12 range, creating a large, socially rich environment. Annual elementary tuition is approximately RMB 260,000–280,000. SAS is the school of choice for American corporate families and those targeting US university pathways, but welcomes all nationalities.

Concordia International School Shanghai

Concordia is based in Jinqiao, Pudong, and follows an American curriculum from Pre-K through Grade 12. It is notable for its strong Mandarin programme (available at every level from Pre-K) and its co-curricular provision. Concordia sits in the heart of the Jinqiao residential compound area, making it particularly convenient for families living in that district.

Yew Chung International School (YCIS)

YCIS is unique in Shanghai for its co-principal bilingual model: every primary class is led by one Western-trained teacher and one Chinese teacher, delivering genuine bilingual instruction in English and Mandarin from the earliest years. YCIS also offers the IB PYP. There are campuses at Gubei (Puxi) and Pudong. Annual primary tuition is approximately RMB 250,000–272,000. The co-principal model makes YCIS a natural first choice for families who strongly prioritise Mandarin acquisition.

Lycée Français de Shanghai (LFSH)

The French school operates on two Eurocampus sites (Qingpu and Yangpu) and is the obvious choice for French-speaking families. Primary fees run at approximately RMB 122,000–142,000 per year — more affordable than the British premium schools. The German School Shanghai shares the Qingpu campus.

Comparing Primary-Specific Considerations

Factor	Key Schools
Strongest Mandarin programme	YCIS (bilingual), Wellington, Concordia
Largest primary community	SAS (both campuses), NAIS Pudong
Most affordable fees	LFSH, NAIS Pudong (lower years)
Most central Puxi location	BISS Puxi, YCIS Gubei
Best for Pudong families	Concordia, SAS Pudong, NAIS Pudong

Primary Mandarin: A Decision Point

If your family is in Shanghai for three years or more, investing in strong Mandarin acquisition at primary is almost always worthwhile. Mandarin acquired before age 11 tends to embed more durably than language learning at secondary level, and children with functional Mandarin have a significant life advantage.

All major international schools offer Mandarin as a subject from primary. However, there is a wide spectrum between schools that offer Mandarin as a foreign language (typically one to three periods per week) and YCIS, which delivers half the curriculum in Mandarin through the co-principal model.

For a short-term posting of two years or less, continuity of English curriculum is usually more important than Mandarin depth. For longer stays, a bilingual or Mandarin-intensive programme almost always pays dividends.

Applying and Fees

Applications to international primary schools in Shanghai should be submitted as early as possible — ideally nine to twelve months before your intended start date for the most popular year groups. See our detailed guides on applying to international schools in Shanghai and waiting lists.

For a full fee comparison including one-time enrolment costs, see our Shanghai international school fees guide.

How Global Investments Can Help

A Shanghai posting with primary-age children is often a pivotal period for family wealth planning. The costs are substantial — school fees alone can reach RMB 400,000+ per year per child — and many families are simultaneously managing a property or mortgage at home. Global Investments works with internationally mobile clients to ensure that financial structures work efficiently across jurisdictions, supporting both the day-to-day costs of expat life and longer-term wealth-building goals. Speak to our team for a confidential conversation. Visit our guides library for more resources.

This guide is for information only. School fees, curricula, and admissions processes change; always verify directly with each school. Property values and investments can fall as well as rise.