YK Pao School
YK Pao School is a non-profit private bilingual K-12 school in Shanghai (founded 2007) serving ~1,600 students across three campuses with a Chinese-English immersion curriculum combining the Chinese National Curriculum with IGCSE and the IB Diploma, expanding to Hong Kong in 2026.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersShanghai, China
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What YK Pao School does
YK Pao School is a non-profit private bilingual K-12 school founded in 2007 in Shanghai in memory of shipping magnate Sir Yue-Kong Pao. The school operates three dedicated campuses in Shanghai — Wuding (Primary, Years 1-5), Hongqiao (Middle School, Years 6-8), and Songjiang (High School, Years 9-12, located in Thames Town) — plus a fourth campus opening in Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong in September 2026. The core academic programme combines the Chinese National Curriculum with international frameworks including IGCSE and the IB Diploma, delivered through a Chinese-English immersion model with the proprietary "Chinese Four Courses" anchoring cultural heritage.
The school serves approximately 1,600 students from China and overseas, employing 237 staff with campus-specific principals and an Executive Principal. Academic offerings include the bilingual core, character education, the Zhixing China service-learning programme, university counselling, boarding (Years 9-12), and co-curricular activities spanning sports, arts, and clubs. The school holds CIS, WASC, IBO, Cambridge IGCSE, and Boarding Schools Association accreditations and reports a 100% IBDP bilingual pass rate with placements at Ivy League, Oxford, Cambridge, and Caltech.
Revenue is generated primarily through tuition (RMB 84,000-108,000 per semester, plus RMB 9,800-13,800 boarding fees per semester) supplemented by donations. All revenue is reinvested under the non-profit structure supported by the YK Pao Education Foundation, which has received over RMB 100 million in cumulative donations since 2010. The school recruits families via information sessions, online applications (OpenApply and Jinshuju), assessments, and parent interviews, marketed through its website, WeChat (ID: ykpaoschool), media coverage, and the annual Global Education Forum. The Hong Kong launch represents the school's first cross-border expansion, operated by the newly established HK Pao Sohmen Education Foundation.
YK Pao School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- YK Pao School
- Legal name
- Shanghai Private YK Pao School (上海民办包玉刚实验学校)
- Website
- https://ykpaoschool.cn
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- YK Pao School is a non-profit private bilingual K-12 school in Shanghai (founded 2007) serving ~1,600 students across three campuses with a Chinese-English immersion curriculum combining the Chinese National Curriculum with IGCSE and the IB Diploma, expanding to Hong Kong in 2026.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
YK Pao School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 International Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), 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
- Language Immersion & Bilingual Private Schools (EDAJABAL)
Keywords
Where YK Pao School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shanghai
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices4 records
Markets served
YK Pao School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue from tuition fees charged per semester for different grade levels (Primary: RMB 84,000; Middle: RMB 95,000; High School: RMB 95,000-108,000). Additional revenue from boarding fees (RMB 9,800-13,800 per semester). School is non-profit with all revenue reinvested in operations and development.
- Donations and Foundation Support: Supplementary funding from the YK Pao Education Foundation, established donors, and community contributions. Since foundation establishment, over RMB 100 million has been donated for campus development, scholarships, faculty, bilingual education, and holistic education initiatives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Primary School (Years 1-5): RMB 84,000 per semester |
| Subscription | Annual | Middle School (Years 6-8): RMB 95,000 per semester |
| Subscription | Annual | High School Year 9: RMB 95,000 per semester |
| Subscription | Annual | High School (Years 10-12): RMB 108,000 per semester |
| Subscription | Annual | Boarding Fee (5-day week): RMB 9,800 per semester |
| Subscription | Annual | Boarding Fee (Full week): RMB 13,800 per semester |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
YK Pao School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
YK Pao School is a non-profit private bilingual international school offering Year 1-12 education through a Chinese-English immersion programme that combines the Chinese National Curriculum (CNC) with international qualifications (IGCSE and IBDP). The school operates three campuses in Shanghai — Wuding (Primary), Hongqiao (Middle), and Songjiang (High School) — and is launching a fourth campus in Hong Kong in September 2026.
Product overview
YK Pao School is a pioneering non-profit international bilingual school in Shanghai offering a comprehensive Year 1-12 educational programme across three Shanghai campuses. The core offering is the Chinese-English immersion bilingual programme, combining the Chinese National Curriculum (CNC) with international standards. The school operates three distinct campuses: Wuding Campus (Years 1-5, Primary School), Hongqiao Campus (Years 6-8, Middle School), and Songjiang Campus (Years 9-12, High School). High school students study IGCSE and IBDP complemented by the Chinese Four Courses. The school also offers residential boarding (Years 9-12), co-curricular activities, university counselling, character education, and Chinese culture programmes. A new branch, YK Pao School Hong Kong, is planned to open in September 2026.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Primary School Curriculum (Wuding Campus, Years 1-5) Rigorous bilingual curriculum for Years 1-5 combining the Chinese National Curriculum with selected elements from international learning syllabuses, located at the Wuding Campus in Shanghai's Changning District. Tuition: RMB 84,000 per semester.
- Middle School Curriculum (Hongqiao Campus, Years 6-8) Comprehensive bilingual curriculum for Years 6-8 integrating the Chinese National Curriculum with international approaches, situated at the Hongqiao Campus. Tuition: RMB 95,000 per semester.
- High School Curriculum (Songjiang Campus, Years 9-12) Advanced bilingual curriculum for Years 9-12 offering IGCSE and IBDP programmes complemented by the Chinese Four Courses, located at Thames Town in Songjiang District. Tuition: RMB 95,000 per semester (Year 9) and RMB 108,000 per semester (Years 10-12). Has achieved 100% IBDP bilingual pass rate.
- Residential Life (Boarding Programme) Boarding facilities available for Years 9-12 students at the High School Songjiang Campus, offering 5-day (RMB 9,800 per semester) or 7-day (RMB 13,800 per semester) accommodation options.
- YK Pao School Hong Kong New international school branch spanning over 8,000 square meters in the heart of Kowloon Tong, opening with Years 1-3 in September 2026. Operated by the YK Pao Education Foundation under the same bilingual education model as Shanghai, with IB candidate school status in process.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% IBDP bilingual pass rate achieved by graduating classes
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use YK Pao School
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
YK Pao School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
YK Pao School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- HK Pao Sohmen Education FoundationcoreEstablished to continue the philanthropic legacy of Sir YK Pao, the foundation operates both Shanghai campuses and the new Hong Kong campus opening 2026. Led by Co-Founders Professor Anna Pao Sohmen and Philip Pao Sohmen.
- Shanghai Municipal Education CommissioncoreOrganized the 2024 Global Education Forum at Songjiang Campus with theme 'World Citizens with Chinese Hearts - Innovation and Growth'. Commission partners with school on AI education initiatives including the Youth AI Olympiad.
- Cambridge InternationalcoreCambridge International provides IGCSE curriculum framework and examinations, enabling YK Pao School's high school students to earn internationally recognized qualifications alongside Chinese curriculum components.
- International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)coreIBO authorized YK Pao School as an IB World School in 2015, providing IBDP curriculum framework and assessment standards for Years 11-12 education with 100% bilingual pass rate achieved.
- Council of International Schools (CIS)coreCIS granted accreditation confirming YK Pao School meets international education standards for student preparation, faculty, facilities, and governance.
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)coreWASC accreditation (2017) affirms YK Pao School's academic quality and institutional effectiveness meeting US standards for educational excellence.
- The Boarding Schools Association (BSA)minorUK-based association providing standards and best practices for YK Pao School's boarding programme at the Songjiang Campus.
- Lincoln Center for the Performing ArtsminorOngoing collaboration since 2016 bringing world-class jazz performances and educational programmes to YK Pao School, enriching arts education.
- Round SquareminorInternational network of schools sharing educational ideals; YK Pao School hosted Round Square China-Japan-Korea Cluster Meeting in 2018.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
YK Pao School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hong Kong International School (HKIS): Premier non-profit international school in Hong Kong serving K-12 with IB. Most direct comparable for YK Pao's planned Hong Kong campus, especially given overlapping target families in Kowloon Tong and similar mission-driven ethos.
- Shanghai World Foreign Language School (上海世界外国语中学): Long-established Shanghai private school with bilingual programs and strong domestic plus international university placement. Competes with YK Pao for top-tier Shanghai families seeking bilingual pathways.
- Chinese International School (CIS) Hong Kong: Hong Kong's leading bilingual (English-Chinese) international school offering IB through both English and Chinese tracks. Closely mirrors YK Pao's bilingual model in the same Kowloon Tong catchment as the planned HK campus.
- Shanghai United International School (上海协和双语学校): Multi-campus Shanghai private bilingual school group (Wellington College partnership) offering K-12 bilingual programs with strong international university placement. Closely comparable in target families, curriculum mix, and pricing tier.
- Dulwich College Shanghai: Premium British-curriculum international school in Shanghai serving primarily expatriate and affluent Chinese families through IGCSE and IB. Comparable in premium positioning and university placement focus, but anchored on English-language curriculum.
- Shanghai Pinghe Bilingual School (上海平和双语学校): One of Shanghai's most prominent private bilingual K-12 schools, similarly combining Chinese curriculum with international pathways. Directly competes with YK Pao for affluent Shanghai families seeking bilingual IB/overseas-university outcomes.
Broad incumbents
- Shanghai American School (SAS): Largest and oldest international school in Shanghai, serving primarily expatriate families with AP curriculum. Competes for premium Shanghai families but is anchored on US standards rather than bilingual IB.
- Wellington College International Shanghai: Shanghai-based British international school (partnered with SUIS) offering premium K-12 with strong university placement. Comparable premium positioning with globally recognized Wellington College brand.
- Nord Anglia International School Shanghai: Shanghai campus of global Nord Anglia network offering premium international K-12 education. Competes for the same affluent Shanghai families but is part of a larger global group with broader brand and resources.
Emerging players
- Dehong Shanghai Chinese International School: Shanghai-based bilingual K-12 school combining Chinese national curriculum with international programs under the Dehong network. Comparable bilingual model and target segment, but smaller scale and newer presence than YK Pao.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
YK Pao School social profiles
Digital presenceYK Pao School compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
YK Pao School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
YK Pao School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
YK Pao School subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
YK Pao School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
YK Pao School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about YK Pao School
What does YK Pao School do?
YK Pao School is a non-profit private bilingual international school offering Year 1-12 education through a Chinese-English immersion programme that combines the Chinese National Curriculum (CNC) with international qualifications (IGCSE and IBDP). The school operates three campuses in Shanghai — Wuding (Primary), Hongqiao (Middle), and Songjiang (High School) — and is launching a fourth campus in Hong Kong in September 2026.
Is YK Pao School a public or private company?
YK Pao School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was YK Pao School founded?
YK Pao School was founded in 2007. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is YK Pao School based?
YK Pao School is headquartered in Shanghai, China, in the Asia region.
How does YK Pao School make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations and Foundation Support.
Who are YK Pao School's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hong Kong International School (HKIS), Shanghai World Foreign Language School (上海世界外国语中学), Chinese International School (CIS) Hong Kong, Shanghai United International School (上海协和双语学校), Dulwich College Shanghai and Shanghai Pinghe Bilingual School (上海平和双语学校). Broad incumbents are Shanghai American School (SAS), Wellington College International Shanghai and Nord Anglia International School Shanghai. Dehong Shanghai Chinese International School is listed as an emerging player.
Does YK Pao School have an API?
No public API is recorded for YK Pao School.
What industry is YK Pao School in?
YK Pao School's product category is K-12 International Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJABAG, International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.), with a secondary code of EDAJABAL, Language Immersion & Bilingual Private Schools. Its NAICS code is 61111 and its SIC code is 8200.