Lycée Français de Shanghai is a French international school in Shanghai and part of the AEFE network, the agency that oversees French education abroad. Founded in 1995 as the École Française de Shanghai, it teaches the French national curriculum from maternelle through to the French Baccalauréat for children aged 2 to 18. It runs two campuses, in Qingpu and Yangpu, and educates more than 1,500 students of over 60 nationalities.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | French national curriculum to the Baccalauréat; general, European and international streams |
| Stages | Maternelle to Terminale, ages 2 to 18 |
| Founded | 1995, originally as the École Française de Shanghai |
| Accreditation | AEFE network (Agency for French Education Abroad) |
| Fee band | Mid to premium for Shanghai |
| Campuses | Qingpu (west) and Yangpu (north) |
Curriculum and academics
The school follows the French national curriculum, so decisions on progression and the Baccalauréat carry the same value as in any French school at home or abroad. It offers a general stream, a European stream and international American and Chinese streams, plus a dedicated programme for non French speaking pupils to help newcomers join. Teaching is principally in French, with English and Chinese throughout and German or Spanish added from Grade 7.
For families on a French education path, the AEFE link is the key draw, since it keeps a child within a recognised, transferable system. To weigh it against the city's English language options, read our best international schools in Shanghai guide, and ask the school for its recent Baccalauréat results and university destinations.
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Lycée Français de Shanghai fees
As an AEFE network school, Lycée Français de Shanghai sits in the city's mid to premium band rather than at the very top. Our Shanghai international school fees guide records the city's premium tier at roughly RMB 280,000 to 360,000, and AEFE schools commonly fall below that, with first child enrolment and registration charges set by the network. French families may also be eligible for support through the AEFE scholarship system.
Beyond tuition, budget for a first enrolment fee, an annual registration charge, and optional bus and meals, and note that fees can differ slightly between the two campuses. Model the full annual cost with our fee calculator and put the school against alternatives on our compare tool.
Admissions
The French academic year starts in September, so the main intake aligns with it, with mid year entry possible where places allow. Admission is built around continuity within the French system, so children transferring from another French or AEFE school move across smoothly, while non French speakers are assessed for the dedicated FLSco support programme. Families apply with school records and, for older pupils, recent reports.
Confirm which campus has space in your child's year group, since Qingpu and Yangpu serve different sides of the city and fill independently. As a school for children of foreign nationals, eligibility follows Chinese regulations.
Location and who goes there
The two campuses sit on different sides of Shanghai. The Qingpu campus is in the west, near the Hongqiao and western residential areas where many French and European families live, while the Yangpu campus serves the north of the city. Families almost always choose the campus nearest home, so the practical decision is driven by where you settle rather than by any difference in curriculum.
The community is strongly French and Francophone, with a wider international mix reflecting the school's 60 plus nationalities. To weigh Lycée Français against the city's English language and bilingual schools, including fees and where families cluster, start with the Shanghai city hub.
Lycée Français de Shanghai reviews
We do not yet hold any verified parent reviews for Lycée Français de Shanghai. GlobalSchoolGuide is an independent guide and no school pays to be listed, so we publish a rating only once we have collected enough verified first hand accounts to be fair to both the school and to families reading them. We would rather show nothing than show an invented score.
If your family has attended either the Qingpu or Yangpu campus we would value your account of admissions, teaching, the streams and value for money. Share it through our school reviews hub and we will add verified contributions to this page.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Lycée Français de Shanghai fees?
As an AEFE network school, Lycée Français de Shanghai sits in the city's mid to premium band, commonly below the RMB 280,000 to 360,000 premium tier. Add a first enrolment fee, an annual registration charge and optional bus and meals, and confirm the current schedule, which can differ slightly between campuses.
What curriculum does Lycée Français de Shanghai follow?
The school follows the French national curriculum from maternelle to the Baccalauréat, within the AEFE network. It offers general, European and international American and Chinese streams, plus a support programme for non French speaking pupils.
When do Lycée Français de Shanghai applications open?
The main intake aligns with the September start of the French academic year, with mid year entry possible where places allow. Children transferring from another French or AEFE school move across within the system.
Who can enrol at Lycée Français de Shanghai?
The school welcomes French and international families on a French education path. As a school for children of foreign nationals, eligibility follows Chinese regulations, and non French speakers are assessed for the dedicated FLSco programme.
Is Lycée Français de Shanghai a good school?
Lycée Français de Shanghai is an established AEFE network school keeping children within a recognised, transferable French system. We publish ratings only from verified reviews, so weigh recent Baccalauréat results, the right stream and a campus visit.
