For families weighing up international schools in Shanghai that carry a child the whole way to a globally recognised diploma, YCIS is one of the founding names. Opened in 1993, it was the first independent international school in the city to be recognised by and registered with the Chinese authorities, and it has grown into a network of campuses spread across both sides of the Huangpu river. This profile sets out what GlobalSchoolGuide Editorial has verified: its curriculum, campuses, fee band and admissions rhythm.
We are independent and no school pays to be listed here, so treat this as a reference for relocating parents rather than promotion. Where a detail could not be confirmed, we mark it as not published rather than guess.
At a glance
Curriculum and academics
YCIS is an authorised IB World School offering the IB Diploma Programme in the senior years, with examinations in May. Younger children follow the Yew Chung curriculum, which draws on learning standards from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Australia, before moving into Cambridge IGCSE at around age fourteen and then the two year Diploma. The school reports that more than half of its graduates earn the bilingual IB Diploma, a route that recognises strength in both English and Chinese.
The feature that sets YCIS apart is its co teaching model, where a Western and a Chinese teacher share the early years and primary classroom, so children learn in two languages from the start rather than treating Mandarin as a single timetabled lesson. Chinese language and culture run through the whole school. For families comparing the city's options by curriculum, our roundup of the best international schools in Shanghai places YCIS alongside its peers.
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Yew Chung International School Shanghai fees
Yew Chung International School Shanghai fees sit in the premium band for the city, in line with the established Western international schools rather than the more affordable bilingual options. The school publishes a current schedule each academic year and tuition rises with each stage, with the IB Diploma years the most expensive, so treat any figure you find second hand as a guide and confirm the live numbers with admissions before you budget. Families enrolling three or more children qualify for a tuition discount.
- Registration: a one off application or registration charge, normally non refundable
- Deposit: a refundable or part refundable deposit to confirm a place once offered
- Capital or building levy: common at established Shanghai internationals, charged on top of tuition
- Extras: the school bus across Puxi and Pudong, lunches, uniform, trips and examination entry
Admissions
YCIS admits for a late August start in line with the northern hemisphere academic year, and considers applications year round where places exist. Admissions reviews previous school reports and, in the older year groups that lead to external examinations, may assess English and core subjects. Younger children are assessed mainly on stage and readiness rather than formal testing.
Demand is strongest at the early years entry points and at the transition into secondary, so register ahead of the new session and ask about occasional places if you are relocating mid year. Because the campuses admit by stage and location, apply to the site that matches your child's age and where you intend to live.
Location and who goes there
YCIS spreads across the city by design. The Puxi campuses sit in Hongqiao and the Gubei New Area on the western side, long established expatriate districts with familiar shops, clinics and housing. The Pudong campuses at Regency Park and Century Park serve the eastern business and residential belt around the Lujiazui financial district and the Jinqiao expatriate enclave. The spread means a family can usually find a YCIS campus within a sensible commute, which matters in a city where crossing the river at peak times can add a long stretch to the day.
The community reflects that geography: an international mix of expatriate families posted to Shanghai for work, drawn by an English medium education with a genuine bilingual element and a clear route to universities worldwide. For the wider landscape of districts, curricula and fees, see the Shanghai city hub and our guide to international school fees in Shanghai.
Reviews
We do not yet have verified parent reviews for Yew Chung International School Shanghai. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish reviews only once we can confirm they come from real families. If your child attends or has attended YCIS, we would value your first hand account. Share your experience through the school reviews hub and help the next relocating family decide with better evidence.
Frequently asked questions
How much are YCIS Shanghai fees?
Yew Chung International School Shanghai sits in the premium band for the city. Tuition rises with each stage and is highest in the IB Diploma years, and the school publishes a current schedule each year. A registration charge, a deposit and extras such as transport and lunches sit on top, so confirm the live figures with admissions.
Does YCIS Shanghai offer the IB?
Yes. YCIS is an authorised IB World School offering the IB Diploma Programme in the senior years, with examinations in May, following Cambridge IGCSE in the middle years. The school reports that most of its graduates earn the bilingual IB Diploma.
When was YCIS Shanghai founded?
YCIS Shanghai was founded in 1993 and was the first independent international school in the city to be recognised by and registered with the Chinese government. It has since grown to several campuses across Puxi and Pudong.
How many campuses does YCIS Shanghai have?
YCIS runs campuses on both sides of the river, with Puxi sites in Hongqiao and the Gubei New Area and Pudong sites at Regency Park and Century Park, serving children from the early years to the senior school by stage and location.
Is YCIS Shanghai a bilingual school?
YCIS uses a co teaching model in the early and primary years, where a Western and a Chinese teacher share the classroom so children learn in English and Mandarin together, with Chinese language and culture running throughout the school.
