Shanghai Community International School

What Shanghai Community International School does

Shanghai Community International School (SCIS) is a non-profit, private foreign-international day school founded in 1996 and headquartered in Shanghai, China. It operates three campuses (Hongqiao Early Childhood Education, Hongqiao Main, and Pudong) and serves approximately 1,800 students aged 2-18 drawn from over 54 nationalities and 35 languages. SCIS is a fully authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum World School, delivering the Primary Years Programme (Nursery-Grade 5), Middle Years Programme (Grades 6-10), and Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12), with 100% of students gaining university acceptance and 15% admitted to top-10 global universities.

The core technology stack is centered on the Apple ecosystem (Apple Distinguished School 2024-2027, school-issued MacBooks for Grades 6-12, Smart Boards), a centralized double air filtration system maintained by PureLiving China, and BridgeU as the university counseling platform. The school is governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Directors and affiliated with the International Schools Foundation (ISF). Faculty comprise 189 educators, all certified in their instructional areas, with 108 holding master's degrees and 10 holding doctorates.

SCIS is entirely funded through student tuition and fees, with no government or private funding or fundraising activity. Tuition is all-inclusive, covering academics, technology, meals, transportation (including door-to-door bus service), uniforms, activities, and MacBook laptops for upper grades, and ranges from RMB 152,500 (Pudong preschool half-day) to RMB 335,500 (Hongqiao Grades 6-12) annually. Additional revenue streams include capital fees (RMB 25,000 new / RMB 5,000 returning), seat guarantee deposits (RMB 20,000), EAL fees (RMB 20,000), and application fees (RMB 2,750). Sales/go-to-market is direct admissions through the OpenApply portal across multiple rounds, supplemented by international education fairs, on-campus tours, and expatriate community referrals.

Name

Shanghai Community International School

Legal name

Shanghai Community International School

Website

https://scis-china.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Shanghai Community International School is a non-profit, IB Continuum World School founded in 1996, operating three campuses in Shanghai and serving approximately 1,800 expatriate students aged 2-18 from over 54 nationalities under an all-inclusive tuition model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

International Curriculum Early Learning Academies (e.g., IB Early Years) (EDACADAK)

Keywords

• International K-12 education
• IB curriculum programs
• Early childhood education
• University counseling services
• Student support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Shanghai

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Student Tuition and Fees: SCIS is a non-profit educational institution governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Directors, funded entirely through student tuition and fees. No government or private funding is received, and the school does not participate in fundraising. The tuition is all-inclusive, covering the SCIS program including general services, resources, activities, trips, and documentation at no additional cost.
2. Capital Fee: A one-time, non-refundable capital fee of RMB 25,000 for newly enrolled students, and an annual non-refundable capital fee of RMB 5,000 for returning students, used for ongoing school facility enhancements, capital purchases, building maintenance, and equipment.
3. Seat Guarantee Deposit: A refundable deposit of RMB 20,000 secures a seat upon acceptance, applied toward the first semester or annual fee.
4. EAL (English as an Additional Language) Fee: A one-time, non-refundable EAL fee of RMB 20,000 charged to non-native English-speaking students entering Grades 1-10 who require additional English language support.
5. Application Fee: A non-refundable application fee of RMB 2,750 per applicant (listed as RMB 3,000 on some pages), payable when a student's application is completed and submitted.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Shanghai Community International School (SCIS) provides full International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum education for students aged 2-18, delivering Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP) across three campuses in Shanghai. The school offers all-inclusive tuition that covers academics, meals, transportation, uniforms, after-school activities, and technology including MacBooks for Grades 6-12. Supplementary services include university counseling, English as an Additional Language (EAL) support, learning support, and over 100 after-school activities.

Product overview

Shanghai Community International School offers a comprehensive educational program as a full IB Continuum World School, providing Primary Years Programme (Nursery-Grade 5), Middle Years Programme (Grades 6-10), and Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12). The school operates three campuses across Shanghai serving students aged 2-18, with programs including Early Childhood Education, Lower School, Upper School, University Counseling, and extensive Language Learning programs (Mandarin, EAL, French, Spanish, and mother tongue languages). Student support services encompass EAL, Learning Support, and School Counseling. The school also provides over 100 after school activities, athletics, and arts programs as part of its holistic educational approach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Childhood Education

Quantifiable outcome

• 15% of graduates accepted to top 10 universities worldwide; 40% accepted to top 50 universities worldwide; 100% accepted to university of choice
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• University of Northern IowaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSCIS participates in recruitment through the University of Northern Iowa's overseas placement programme, one of several channels used for hiring qualified international educators.
• The International Educator (TIE Online)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSCIS uses TIE Online as one of its recruitment channels for finding qualified international teaching candidates.
• Search AssociatesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSCIS partners with Search Associates, a leading international school recruiting organization, to identify and hire experienced international educators.
• International Schools Services (ISS)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSCIS partners with ISS for international teacher recruitment, utilizing one of the largest networks of international school recruitment professionals.
• BridgeUcoreTechnology or IntegrationBridgeU is the main online college and career organizational and guidance tool used by SCIS university counselors to help students navigate the university application process. It provides personalized university recommendations, application tracking, and career guidance.
• PureLiving ChinacoreTechnology or IntegrationPureLiving China provides and maintains the centralized double air filtration system installed across all SCIS learning spaces to ensure optimal indoor air quality and student health.
• SinoUnited Health CliniccoreTechnology or IntegrationSCIS contracts nursing services through SinoUnited Health Clinic, providing certified nurses on campus during school hours and athletic events. Professional medical support is available across all three campuses.
• EducarecoreTechnology or IntegrationSCIS uses Educare Child Safeguarding annual training programmes for all adults regularly present on campuses. The five-module training covers child development, forms of abuse, recognizing and responding to abuse, reporting abuse, and general good practices.
• LanguageOneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLanguageOne, a non-profit Dutch mother tongue education organization, provides Dutch language and culture programmes at SCIS from Pre-school through IB Diploma level. Classes are offered both after school and integrated into the school day across multiple Shanghai and Suzhou locations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Shanghai American School: One of the largest and oldest American international schools in Shanghai, serving Pre-K through Grade 12 with a similar premium expatriate family target market. Direct competitor for Shanghai-based international school enrollment with comparable tuition tier and three-campus footprint.
• Dulwich College Shanghai: British international school in Shanghai offering IB curriculum across multiple campuses. Competes directly for expatriate families seeking premium IB continuum education with similar facility quality and tuition positioning.
• Wellington College International Shanghai: Premium British international school in Pudong, Shanghai offering IB programme for ages 3-18. Direct competitor in the Pudong catchment area, particularly for families seeking IB continuum with strong university placement outcomes.
• Yew Chung International School of Shanghai: Long-established international school in Shanghai with IB authorization and bilingual (English-Mandarin) curriculum. Competes for similar expatriate families, with comparable school-age range and similar reputation for multicultural community.
• Nord Anglia International School Shanghai: Premium international school in Shanghai operated by Nord Anglia Education, offering IB curriculum with strong technology and university preparation focus. Competes for high-income expatriate families seeking premium education with global network benefits.
• Shanghai Singapore International School: Established international school in Shanghai offering IB PYP, MYP, and DP across multiple campuses. Direct competitor for families seeking Singapore-style or IB education with similar premium positioning and expat focus.
• Shanghai United International School: Large international school group operating multiple campuses in the Hongqiao and Pudong areas of Shanghai. Operates in similar geographies to SCIS and competes for both expatriate and local Chinese families seeking international education.
• British International School Shanghai (BISS Puxi): British international school in Shanghai Puxi area offering IB programme for ages 2-18. Direct competitor in the same Puxi/Hongqiao catchment as SCIS with comparable size and IB continuum offering.
• Concordia International School Shanghai: Non-profit international school in Shanghai offering American curriculum with IB components. Similar non-profit governance model, comparable expatriate family focus, and competes in the Jinqiao/Pudong area.

Regional players

• Hangzhou International School: Non-profit IB Continuum school in Hangzhou serving similar expatriate and globally mobile family demographic. Comparable non-profit structure and IB curriculum offering, though operating in a different East China city rather than directly competing in Shanghai.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/shanghai-community-international-school
• Facebookfacebook.com/scis.china
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/shanghai-community-international-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/scis.china

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Shanghai Community International School