Yes

English as an Additional Language

Mandarin, French, Spanish. SAS also has supported students studying literature in Arabic, Norwegian, Dutch and Korean, to name a few.

Pre-Kindergarten: 12-14 students
Kindergarten: 15 students
Grade 1: 16 students
Grade 2: 17 students
Grades 3 to 12: 18 students
Pre-K to Grade 1 – Every classroom has a teacher assistant to assist the class teacher at all times.
Grade 2 to Grade 5 – Teachers share one or more teacher assistants between each grade level.

18

Yes

At Shanghai American School, technology is integrated into teaching and learning in age-appropriate ways across every grade level and subject. SAS follows ISTE Standards, an internationally-recognized framework designed to prepare students for success in a connected, digital world. In addition to foundational technology skills, ISTE standards foster creativity, communication, collaboration, innovation, and computational thinking. We also promote Digital Citizenship, which encompasses safe, ethical, and legal use of technology and social interactions involving technology.

IB Diploma, Advanced Placement, SAT, ACT

The most recent academic profiles for SAS can be found at https://www.saschina.org/academics/high-school.

Yes

The amount of homework varies by grade levels and gradually increases to the heavier academic load of the school's college preparatory program. The amount of time a child spends each night on homework depends upon his or her academic background, study skills, maturity level, and organizational skills.

SAS does not have a gifted program. However, it is a school of high expectations and provides individual focus on student learning. If your child is advanced in some areas, the teachers will teach them according to their level.

Our two-part counseling approach engages an experienced team devoted to School Counseling in each division, PreK-12, nurturing and scaffolding all stages of social-emotional development and learning. You’ll also find that taking the long view toward life beyond SAS presents a host of different needs. Thus, a professional College Counselor is added for each student during high school, in order to apply the time and expertise necessary to help your child succeed in their next chapter.

At SAS, admissions decisions are based on a review of each candidate's English language proficiency, demonstrated academic achievement, and developmental, social, and behavioral background. Alignment between family and school expectations are also reviewed. Interviews are not requirements of the application process but may be requested to assist with an application review.

Some divisions are at capacity. SAS does not have a wait list but instead maintains a wait pool for highly qualified students. A student can be placed in the wait pool only after his/her application has been reviewed and recommended by the Admissions Committee. In times of limited space, priority consideration (not automatic placement) is given to returning students, overseas applicants, US passport holders, those with siblings currently attending SAS, and those with stronger academic English proficiency. The wait pool is maintained for the applying school year (August – June) only. Applicants interested in the next school year will be asked to reapply.

At SAS, we have a rolling admissions process, so there is no deadline.

Yes.

8:00

15:00

SAS operates a fleet of over 112 buses, with half of them being electric. Each student bus is accompanied by a bus monitor to ensure the safety of the children on the road. Additionally, all buses are equipped with GPS, allowing parents to track the live location of their child(ren) while they are in transit.

At the cafeterias of SAS, selection is the prevailing theme. For Middle and High School, students are greeted with Asian and Western choices including salads, sandwiches, noodles, pasta, pizza, and vegetarian dishes. Pre-K and Grade 1 students’ set menus include proteins, vegetables, fruit or dessert, and a drink. Grade 2-5 students’ options include international food selections, salads, sandwiches, fruit or dessert, and a drink.

Yes

No

At SAS, you’ll find full-time athletic trainers, extensive fitness centers, unmatched facilities, and dedicated coaches to maximize the athletic performances of our students. Between our two campuses, students have over 100 activities to choose from. Elementary school students have ASAs (after school activities) covering painting, yoga, science experiments, basketball, and computer programming, among others. They also participate in annual soccer and track and field days. Middle school students have the opportunity to participate in CISSA (China International School Sports Association), a league founded by our Pudong campus in 2000. Activities include touch rugby, soccer, cross country, floor hockey, and swimming. Other middle school ASAs offer Ultimate Frisbee, coding, robotics, Model United Nations, photography, rock climbing, and more.

High school students can participate in APAC (Asia Pacific Activities Conference) events, competing with international schools in Vietnam, Korea, Hong Kong, Philippines, Japan, and across China. SAS was a founding member of the conference in 1995 and to date, has won over 100 APAC championships across competitions in all 12 sports, plus forensics. APAC events also include choir, dance, band, theater, and orchestra.

Physical education

Between SAS' two campuses, students have over 100 activities to choose from. Elementary school students have ASAs (after school activities) covering painting, yoga, science experiments, basketball, and computer programming, among others. They also participate in annual soccer and track and field days.

Middle school students have the opportunity to participate in CISSA (China International School Sports Association), a league founded by our Pudong campus in 2000. Activities include touch rugby, soccer, cross country, floor hockey, and swimming. Other middle school ASAs offer Ultimate Frisbee, coding, robotics, Model United Nations, photography, rock climbing, and more.

High school students can participate in APAC (Asia Pacific Activities Conference) events, competing with international schools in Vietnam, Korea, Hong Kong, Philippines, Japan, and across China. SAS was a founding member of the conference in 1995 and to date, has won 101 APAC championships across competitions in all 12 sports, plus forensics. APAC events also include choir, dance, band, theater, and orchestra.

SAS has unmatched facilities – many of which are at university level. Student athletes may take advantage of multiple gym and fitness rooms, courts, fields, pitches and tracks.

Established in 1912, Shanghai American School is Shanghai’s most storied international school. Visitors to SAS tend to come away with the same conclusion: “I wish I would’ve gone to school here when I was a kid.” It’s an understandable observation. Because the educational experience of SAS excels in many ways. Looking for a rigorous academic environment that can prepare your child for some of the world’s most laudable colleges, universities and fine arts programs? You can find that here. Seeking a philosophy that will nurture your child both inside and outside the classroom? Let us tell you about our dozens of clubs, service learning opportunities, and sports teams that range from participatory up to a varsity-level program that has earned 101 APAC championships. Searching for top facilities? Ours are unmatched in Shanghai, and our not-for-profit status means all revenue that goes into the school stays in the school, continually making the SAS experience even better. All of which has caused more than a few alumni to return to campus, look around, and say, “I wish I was still in school here.”

Whether students are at SAS for a year or from Pre-K through graduation, their time here is spent on a well-mapped journey of academic excellence. This journey – built on the foundation of our Mission and Learner Outcomes – includes a conceptual approach to math that allows each grade to seamlessly build upon the previous one. It includes putting learning into practice, like when science classes create chemical reactions that send thousands of ping pong balls soaring into the sky. It includes multiple language offerings and a Chinese program that deepens students’ appreciation of – and ability to thrive in – our host country, as well connections through arts and technology that expand learning in all other areas. It includes the support of a robust ESL (English as a Second Language) program to help Elementary, Middle, and High School students achieve academic success even if their Mother Tongue language is not English. And it includes the choice of both the AP and IB programs. Combined, these offerings reflect our individualized approach to learning, helping the post-SAS years be, well, whatever our students want them to be.