Montessori School of Shanghai, now known as Nebula School, is a bilingual Montessori school in Shanghai. Founded in 2005, it is accredited by the American Montessori Society and the Middle States Association, and teaches children from infancy to around age 9 across several campuses. It is one of the longest running dedicated Montessori options in the city, covered in our Shanghai Montessori schools hub.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | Bilingual Montessori curriculum, English and Mandarin; no external exam boards at this stage |
| Stages | Infancy to around age 9, covering toddler, primary and lower elementary |
| Founded | 2005; since rebranded as Nebula School |
| Accreditation | American Montessori Society (AMS) and Middle States Association (MSA-CESS) |
| Fee band | Early years and lower primary tier |
| Campuses | Qingpu, Xuhui and Minhang districts |
Curriculum and academics
The school delivers a bilingual Montessori curriculum in English and Mandarin, with prepared classrooms, mixed age groups and child led learning. Across toddler, primary and lower elementary levels, children work through mathematics, language, science, geography, sensorial and practical life materials, guided by teachers who hold AMS, AMI or MACTE Montessori credentials. The school describes itself as the only AMS accredited Montessori school in Shanghai.
Because it covers infancy to around age 9, families plan the transition to a middle and senior school in good time. To weigh how the Montessori stage feeds into the city's through schools, read our Shanghai fees guide and our Shanghai Montessori schools hub together.
Work out the real annual cost
Model tuition, registration, deposit and bus charges into one honest yearly figure before you apply.
Montessori School of Shanghai fees
As an early years and lower primary school, Montessori School of Shanghai sits below the full K to 12 tiers in our Shanghai international school fees guide, well under the premium band of roughly RMB 280,000 to 360,000 paid for senior places. Dedicated Montessori settings vary by campus and level, and the school does not publish a single citywide figure, so treat any number as illustrative and confirm with the campus you are considering.
Beyond tuition, budget for a registration or application fee, a deposit, meals and optional bus, and check whether fees are quoted per term or per year. Model the full annual cost with our fee calculator before you commit.
Admissions
The school admits on a rolling basis, which is normal for Montessori settings where places open as children move up through the levels. Families enquire, visit a classroom, apply and place a deposit, and there is no academic entrance test at these ages; the focus is on the child settling and on the family's fit with the Montessori method.
If you are relocating mid year, ask about availability in the relevant level at your preferred campus, as the toddler and primary rooms fill first. Confirm the documents required, including passport and any health records, ahead of your move.
Location and who goes there
The school runs campuses across the Qingpu, Xuhui and Minhang districts, spanning the west and centre of Shanghai. Because young children travel short distances, families choose the campus nearest home, so each site serves its own local catchment of expatriate and local families who want a bilingual Montessori start.
The community is a mix of international and Chinese families drawn to AMS accredited Montessori in two languages. To see how the Montessori stage fits with the primary and senior schools families move into next, start from the Shanghai city hub and the Shanghai Montessori schools hub.
Montessori School of Shanghai reviews
We do not yet hold any verified parent reviews for Montessori School of 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 the school, under either its Montessori School of Shanghai or Nebula School name, we would value your account of the classrooms, the teaching, settling in 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 Montessori School of Shanghai fees?
As an early years and lower primary school, it sits below the full K to 12 tiers, well under the RMB 280,000 to 360,000 premium band paid for senior places in Shanghai. Fees vary by campus and level and are not published as one citywide figure, so confirm directly and add registration, a deposit, meals and bus.
What ages does Montessori School of Shanghai take?
The school teaches children from infancy to around age 9, covering toddler, primary and lower elementary levels across its campuses.
Is Montessori School of Shanghai the same as Nebula School?
Yes. Montessori School of Shanghai has been rebranded as Nebula School, so you may see both names. It remains a bilingual Montessori school accredited by the American Montessori Society.
When do Montessori School of Shanghai applications open?
The school admits on a rolling basis as places open through the year. Families enquire, visit a classroom, apply and place a deposit; there is no academic entrance test at these ages.
Is Montessori School of Shanghai a good school?
It is an established, AMS accredited bilingual Montessori school, one of the longest running in the city. We publish ratings only from verified reviews, so visit a classroom, check teacher credentials and plan the move to a primary school.
