What Soong Ching Ling School does

Soong Ching Ling School is a 12-year integrated K-12 private education institution in Shanghai, China, founded in 2008 by the China Welfare Institute (established 1938 by Soong Ching-ling, Honorary President of the People's Republic of China). The school serves 1,700+ students across two parallel divisions: a Chinese Division (grades 1-12) implementing Chinese national curriculum with international enrichment, and an International Division (grades 1-12) serving foreign passport-holding students through bilingual instruction aligned with American Common Core and AP standards. The campus occupies approximately 150 mu (about 25 acres) in Qingpu District and features international-standard facilities including libraries, a theater, specialized arts and science rooms, sports complexes, and three on-campus international examination centers (AP, SAT, Johns Hopkins CTY). The school also operates an affiliated public primary school in Xuhui District through a strategic cooperation with the Xuhui District Government.

The school's core educational product is its bilingual curriculum architecture, integrating Chinese national curriculum with American Common Core standards and supplemented by proprietary features including the UCLA Global Classroom program (university-level credit courses taught by UCLA professors, with transcripts recognized by 98% of US universities), a College Board-certified AP Capstone Diploma Program, and specialized curricula such as FOSS Science (Lawrence Hall of Science/UC Berkeley), Journeys Reading, and ENVISION MATH 2.0. Technology infrastructure is limited to standard educational tools: RAZ-Kids reading platform integration, VR campus tours via 720yun.com, and the OpenApply admissions portal. Notable partnerships extend across elite universities (UCLA, Wake Forest, Johns Hopkins, Fudan, Shanghai Jiao Tong University), international sister schools (Hong Kong Diocesan Girls' School, Punahou School, St. Petersburg State School No. 547), and operational service providers (Sodexo for campus dining).

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring tuition and academic fees charged to enrolled families across both divisions, supplemented by fees for specialized programs, extracurricular activities, and examination services. Distribution is direct-to-consumer, with student recruitment conducted through the school's official website, WeChat platform, scheduled open house events, campus tours (including VR virtual tours), and direct enrollment applications. The teaching staff is described as 100% from prestigious universities or with prestigious school experience, 50% holding master's degrees or above, with all foreign teachers certified by China's Foreign Experts Bureau. The school is governed by the China Welfare Institute, a state-affiliated entity, and is not publicly traded.

Name

Soong Ching Ling School

Legal name

上海宋庆龄学校

Website

https://scls.org.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Soong Ching Ling School is a private 12-year K-12 institution in Shanghai founded in 2008 by the China Welfare Institute, serving 1,700+ students across Chinese and International Divisions with bilingual curricula, university-level partnerships (UCLA, Wake Forest, Johns Hopkins), and AP/SAT/CTY examination centers on campus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

English Learner (EL/ESL/ELL) & Bilingual Education Programs (EDAJAGAB)

Keywords

• K-12 education
• Bilingual education
• International curriculum
• College counseling
• Ap cap diploma

Headquarters

HQ city

Shanghai

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Fees: The school generates revenue primarily through tuition fees charged to enrolled students across both the Chinese Division and International Division for grades 1-12. Additional revenue includes fees for specialized programs, extracurricular activities, and examination services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Soong Ching Ling School is a 12-year integrated K-12 bilingual education institution (Grades 1-12) offering two parallel divisions: a Chinese Division following Chinese national curriculum standards and an International Division following American Common Core standards with AP coursework. The school delivers university-level credit courses through the UCLA Global Classroom partnership, comprehensive arts and athletics programs, and college counseling services, serving 1,700+ students from 30+ countries.

Product overview

Soong Ching Ling School is a 12-year integrated education institution (K-12) offering both Chinese Division and International Division programs. The school provides comprehensive educational services including foundational academic courses, AP courses, UCLA Global Classroom university credit courses, after-school activities, arts and sports programs, and college counseling services. The Chinese Division covers primary school (Grades 1-5), middle school (Grades 6-9), and high school (Grades 10-12) with a focus on Chinese curriculum enhanced with international perspectives. The International Division serves foreign passport holders with bilingual education following American curriculum standards and AP courses. Key product offerings include the UCLA Global Classroom partnership, expert forum series (Soong Ching Ling Forum), international art festivals, TEDx events, and various extracurricular activities including music ensembles, sports teams, and robotics clubs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Chinese Division (中国部) Chinese Division covering primary school (Grades 1-5), middle school (Grades 6-9), and high school (Grades 10-12), implementing a 12-year integrated curriculum focused on Chinese foundational education with international perspectives, designed for Chinese domestic students preparing for Gaokao and international university applications.
• International Division (国际部) International Division providing bilingual education for Grade 1-12 students following American curriculum standards (Common Core) with extensive AP course offerings, designed for foreign passport-holding students seeking international-standard education and pathways to global universities.
• UCLA Global Classroom Program Partnership program with UCLA providing university-level credit courses taught by UCLA Global Classroom professors, including macroeconomics, microeconomics, statistics, 19th century American history, American popular culture, physical geography, and GIS. Students receive UCLA transcripts with transferable credits recognized by 98% of US universities.
• AP Capstone Diploma Program AP Capstone Diploma Program certified by College Board, focusing on university-level research, collaboration, and presentation skills for International Division students.
• College Counseling Service (升学指导) Four-year college counseling and career planning program providing individual consultations, course selection guidance, summer program planning, extracurricular activity planning, and university application support for high school students.
• Soong Ching Ling Forum (宋庆龄讲坛) Campus cultural project inviting renowned experts and scholars to interact with students and inspire their development, featuring speakers from various fields including scientists, astronauts, diplomats, and educators.
• International Art Festival (国际艺术节) Annual international art festival bringing together students from over 30 countries to celebrate art and cultural exchange at Shanghai Grand Theatre.
• International Cultural Week (国际文化周) Annual cross-disciplinary cultural week celebrating international cultures and languages with activities and performances.
• Scientist Workstation (科学家工作站) Annual science and technology innovation program featuring guest scientists and hands-on scientific activities for students.
• VR Campus Tour Virtual reality campus tour allowing prospective parents and visitors to explore school facilities remotely.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of graduates gain admission to top-tier universities domestically or internationally
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Korea Dongguk University (韩国同德女子大学)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Korean university president and delegation visited SCLS in October 2024 for exchange discussions, indicating potential educational collaboration.
• ACT ChinacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2023ACT China and SCLS Chinese Division High School co-organized the 2025 Fall Global University Expo and College Counseling Parent Salon, attracting students and parents to learn about international university admissions.
• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - Global Classroom ProgramflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2018SCLS partnered with UCLA in May 2018 to establish the 'Global Classroom' program, making SCLS the first basic education school in Shanghai to partner directly with a top-tier US university. UCLA professors teach courses on campus, and students receive UCLA transcripts with transferable credits recognized by 98% of US universities. Courses include macroeconomics, microeconomics, statistics, 19th-century US history, American popular culture, physical geography, and GIS. A new memorandum of cooperation was signed in September 2023 to extend and deepen the partnership.
• Wake Forest University (维克森林大学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for academic writing and research programs. Wake Forest professors, led by the Director of Academic Writing, teach academic writing, academic inquiry, biotechnology, drama, leadership, educational development psychology, and global competitiveness courses.
• Johns Hopkins University (约翰·霍普金斯大学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing CTY (Center for Talented Youth) gifted student programs. The school serves as a permanent test center for Johns Hopkins CTY gifted student selection, and connects students with university research and academic resources.
• Hong Kong Diocesan Girls' School (香港拔萃女书院)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister school partnership signed in October 2023 under the support of China Welfare Institute. Aims to promote student cultural integration, broaden learning perspectives, and build a bridge of friendship and communication for youth in both Shanghai and Hong Kong.
• Punahou School (美国普纳荷学校)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister school relationship maintained for 12 years. Punahou School is Sun Yat-sen's alma mater. Regular exchange visits between the schools allow students to experience each other's educational environments and cultures.
• St. Petersburg State School No. 547 (俄罗斯圣彼得堡547学校)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister school relationship with regular online cultural exchange sessions, especially during holidays and New Year celebrations. The partnership was highlighted during the 40th anniversary of Shanghai-St. Petersburg sister city relations.
• East China Normal University Affiliated Secondary School (华东师范大学第二附属中学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool-to-school inter-institutional cooperation for educational research, teacher exchange, and curriculum development.
• Fudan University (复旦大学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic exchange and research cooperation between SCLS and Fudan University.
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University (上海交通大学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScience practice project partnership. The school signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Shanghai Jiao Tong University's School of Education to build an integrated education ecosystem bridging basic and higher education.
• China Welfare Institute (中国福利会)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school's founding and operating organization. China Welfare Institute was founded by Soong Ching-ling in 1938 and operates across eight major sectors including maternal and child health, preschool education, school education, after-school education, children's theater, children's publishing, elderly welfare, and public welfare funds.
• SuZhou Middle School (苏州中学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister school and partner in the Yangtze River Delta Demonstration Basic Education Community Platform, launched alongside the SCLS Expert Committee inauguration in December 2020.
• Sodexo (索迪斯)coreOthersGlobal catering management group engaged to provide campus dining services. The team of 58 trained professionals prepares nutritious meals designed by Sodexo nutritionists and reviewed by the Parent Committee, with 18 dining stations offering Chinese and Western cuisine for 898 students.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Shanghai American School: Premier US-curriculum K-12 international school in Shanghai (Pudong and Puxi campuses). Directly comparable to SCLS International Division in target families, American standards-based curriculum, and elite university placement focus.
• Dulwich College Shanghai: British international school in Pudong serving a similar premium expatriate and affluent Chinese family base. Comparable bilingual/international offering and competitive for the same top-tier university outcomes SCLS highlights.
• Nord Anglia School Shanghai (NAS Shanghai Pudong): Premium international school in Shanghai within a global network, offering IB and bilingual pathways. Competes directly for high-fee, internationally mobile families in the same Pudong/Qingpu catchment.
• Wellington College International Shanghai: Premium British-curriculum K-12 international school in Shanghai targeting affluent Chinese and expatriate families. Directly comparable in pricing tier, facilities, and university placement marketing.
• Yew Chung International School Shanghai: Long-established bilingual international school in Shanghai with Chinese-Western dual curriculum. Closely comparable in offering bilingual K-12 pathways and serving both Chinese and expatriate students.
• Shanghai United International School: Group of private K-12 schools in Shanghai offering bilingual and international tracks. Overlaps with SCLS in serving affluent Chinese families seeking international pathways from primary through high school.
• Shanghai Singapore International School: Premium international school in Shanghai offering IB and Singapore-style pathways. Comparable to SCLS International Division in international curriculum mix and premium positioning.
• Concordia International School Shanghai: Non-profit American-style international school in Shanghai serving both expatriate and Chinese families. Comparable in mission, premium positioning, and US university placement focus.
• British International School Shanghai (Puxi): British-curriculum international school in Puxi serving a similar premium market segment. Comparable to SCLS in tuition tier, university placement, and affluent family targeting.

Broad incumbents

• China Welfare Institute (CWI) Affiliated Kindergartens & Schools Network: CWI operates multiple kindergartens and schools across China under Soong Ching Ling's legacy. Relevant as a peer/parent ecosystem for talent pipeline and curriculum IP, though focused on earlier childhood and basic education rather than K-12.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Soong Ching Ling School