SmartShanghai met with Susanne Hess, Principal at German School Shanghai (Deutsche Schule Shanghai, DSS), to hear her thoughts on education, what makes DSS stand out, and what parents should consider when choosing a school in Shanghai. As part of our education directory, we think it's best to hear directly from the people leading these institutions. Here's what she had to say.
Watch the video below:
Can you briefly introduce yourself and your background in education?
My name is Susanne Hess. I was born and raised in Germany. I have been the principal of the German School Shanghai for almost seven years now. I love Shanghai, and I love the German School Shanghai, which is why I have remained committed to my work here as principal for so long.
My professional journey began as a teacher. From there, I moved into school leadership as Head of Department and later worked at an institute for school development, supporting the evaluation and advancement of successful schools. Before joining the DSS, I served as principal of a large secondary school in southern Germany.
I am not someone who can do the same thing day after day, year after year. After a certain time, I always feel a sense of restlessness and ask myself: what new and exciting professional challenge might there be for me? I constantly need new impulses. Being given the opportunity to come to Shanghai and work at the German School has been — and still is — a great gift for me. It is new, exciting, and unique—and at the same time, I have remained true to my true calling: working with children and young people. I never wanted to do anything else.
There is no more rewarding profession. Nothing is better or more meaningful than working with young people. Nothing is fixed or decided yet; everything is still developing, open, and oriented toward the future. Accompanying children and young people on their journey, guiding them, advising them, supporting them, teaching them, imparting knowledge, and also practicing thinking and judgment with them so that they increasingly become capable of independent thought and decision-making—this is what I have always wanted to do, and what I continue to do, even as a principal.
"There is no more rewarding profession, nothing better or more meaningful than working with young people."
For more than 25 years, I have felt great joy in watching children and young people grow, in seeing who they become and how they find their paths, and in knowing that I have contributed a small part to helping them look toward a successful future with happiness and confidence. What inspires me most about my work in education and as a principal is this enabling, this showing of paths, this trying things out, this "daring together". Of course, the young people themselves must ultimately take the steps and act.
There is so much potential within young people, within children—we must support them in discovering what lies within them. That is my task—together with the school team.
What makes your school unique in Shanghai's education landscape?
The German School Shanghai is unique within the landscape of international schools in Shanghai. We are a non-profit organization with a single goal: to provide excellent education and upbringing for children and young people. We do not sell education as a business model—we understand it as a true mission.
In addition, we are a German school in the truest sense. We do not follow an IB curriculum; instead, we offer education and qualifications "Made in Germany," such as the German Abitur. We educate young people based on German values in upbringing and the German commitment to education, with excellence across all areas, with a well-established curriculum of academic subjects and extracurricular focuses proven in Germany, while at the same time incorporating strong Chinese and, naturally, international elements in Shanghai.
Our main language is German. We issue German report cards, teach according to curricula approved in Germany within a subject framework agreed upon with Germany, and award qualifications that are fully reviewed and recognized in Germany. Our teachers are trained in Germany, making education at the German School Shanghai truly "Made in Germany." At the same time, English plays a significant role, and of course, in Shanghai, Chinese as well — alongside European languages such as Latin, French, and Spanish.
We offer all natural sciences at the highest level, as well as computer science, sports, music, and the arts. Education in Germany focuses on the whole person and views the entire future world as a place of learning. In line with this philosophy, our students are meant to develop into well-rounded global citizens: highly educated, independent thinkers who are compassionate, responsible, and capable of sound judgment - individuals who are ready to stand up for the world of tomorrow.
"Education in Germany focuses on the whole person and views the entire future world as a place of learning."
That is what makes the German School Shanghai special: education in Shanghai that is international and shaped by Chinese influences, yet distinctly guided by the high-quality standards of German education.
Another distinctive feature of our school is that while students naturally compete and are expected to perform, they learn, even more importantly, to achieve their goals together as a team — to realize ideas and bring them to life by sharing responsibility. This is what the world of tomorrow needs: responsibility for one another and the ability to work as a team. These are skills that can only be learned in a strong community — at our school, together with parents, students, and staff.
"We prepare outstanding graduates who go on to succeed at universities around the world."
"Exploring together. Growing securely. Shaping worlds"—this is our guiding principle. It captures everything that makes our school special. Combined with recognized German certificates and qualifications that also reflect the Chinese context and Shanghai's international character, we prepare outstanding graduates of the German education system who go on to succeed at universities around the world.
This is what makes us unique—and it also connects us to a strong global network of German schools abroad, supported and promoted by Germany.
What are you most proud of at your school?
Looking back on the past school year, we had many memorable moments and achievements, including another concert featuring our orchestra, choir, big band, and school band. So many children and young people were involved. It was fantastic! Our third-graders performed an English-language musical, and our students distinguished themselves in numerous competitions at both national and international levels. They achieved outstanding results in German and international science and mathematics competitions, demonstrated exceptional debating skills at the East Asian regional level of Jugend debattiert, and earned numerous top placements at the Hummingbird Music Awards in Shanghai.
One of the major highlights of last school year was hosting the East Asian Games, a sporting event that brought together 140 students from German schools across the region and celebrated athletic excellence, teamwork, and international exchange, all organized and managed by our dedicated school team. Adding to the success of the event, our students achieved excellent results and emerged as the overall winners of the Games.
What makes me particularly proud is not only the remarkable talent of our students but also the dedication of our teachers and staff, who support and nurture these talents in an exceptional way. Whether in science, mathematics, languages, music, sports, or public speaking, our students continue to earn recognition, embrace challenges, and achieve success. Their accomplishments reflect the breadth of opportunities our school offers and the commitment with which our students make the most of them.
And when, at the end of the school year, I look out at our graduation ceremony and see all these remarkable young people who have been part of our school community and are now embarking on their own paths, it fills me with immense pride.
What's something new or exciting happening at your school this year?
The German School Shanghai is a very dynamic school. Some may think that a "German" school stands for tradition and continuity, but that certainly does not apply to us. We are an incredibly dynamic, open, and forward-looking school.
We continuously invest in innovation, excellence, and the future readiness of our students. This year, we are taking multiple new steps to further strengthen our educational offering and uphold our commitment as a leading German school abroad. A key focus is digital innovation and artificial intelligence. From primary school onwards, students benefit from state-of-the-art tablets, an AI-powered learning chatbot developed by our school, and exciting new collaborations in the fields of artificial intelligence, coding, and robotics, empowering them to develop future-ready skills and explore emerging technologies from an early age.
At the same time, we continue to invest in outstanding people and programmes. We have expanded our team with additional computer science specialists, welcomed a new Head of Kindergarten, and further enriched our co-curricular offering. Students can look forward to an extended after-school programme from nursery to Grade 6, more opportunities in music, and an even stronger emphasis on science through competitions, hands-on projects, and the return of popular initiatives such as our bee project.
Another highlight is the completely redesigned canteen and café at our Hongqiao Campus, creating a vibrant new hub for our school community with a modern atmosphere and a wide variety of fresh food options.
Together, these developments ensure that our students benefit from an inspiring learning environment that combines academic excellence, innovation, and a strong sense of community.
What advice do you give to parents choosing a school in Shanghai?
I find it is not so easy to give advice to parents. All parents want the best for their children: success, happiness, and a good path in life. And there are as many different paths as there are children.
Still, I would say this: parents should never be guided by fear — fear is a poor advisor. I believe that parents, too, must trust their children and have confidence in them. And I would always choose a school that fosters exactly that. Children need to meet people who help them grow, not diminish them—people who see them, take them seriously, encourage them, inspire them, and challenge them.
"Parents should never be guided by fear"
So, dear parents, talk to school teams, attend events and open houses, and meet the students and the people who work with them. Are they positive, open, approachable, and authentic? Do they have thoughtful ideas about education? Do they work well as a team? If so, you are in the right place.
And above all, do not be afraid. There are many paths, and your child will find their own. I am certain of that.
What does a typical day look like for your students?
Our children and young people arrive at school at 8:00 a.m. The school day then begins and lasts at least until 3:00 p.m. for everyone — in kindergarten, primary school, and secondary school. Older students also have classes and activities until 5:00 p.m. and sometimes beyond that. All students are provided with meals in the canteen and in a small café at the piazza.
Extracurricular activities and enrichment programs are integrated around the school day: for younger students as part of the daily structure, and for older students afterwards. The German School is, in any case, a full-day school that structures the day through a rhythm of academic learning and extracurricular experiences.
Subject lessons alternate with self-directed learning periods and study sessions. Time in the library alternates with science classes; sports and movement energize language learning.
Midday includes atelier periods for individualized learning, deeper exploration, and setting academic focus areas. The extracurricular program ranges from sports and computer science to creative activities and language learning.
In parallel, the school offers its own music program, allowing all students to learn an instrument individually at school.
An afternoon club from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. provides care for younger children beyond core hours. The Family Club on Saturdays offers leisure and sports activities for children as well as opportunities for parents to meet and connect.
For the children and young people, the German School Shanghai is more than just a school—it is a piece of home, a second home that connects them and offers opportunities for growth in every direction.
What's one thing you wish more people knew about your school?
I believe the German School Shanghai is somewhat underestimated. We tend to be modest — which may also be something "typically German" —and we do not like to boast about ourselves or our programs. Many people think we are "too German," but that is not true. We are "German" in terms of quality standards, excellence, and our understanding of education, but we are fully international in our language offerings, highly modern and innovative in our science programs, and above all, international in the global recognition of our qualifications.
With the German Abitur, students can study anywhere in the world — every university accepts our graduates, in Germany, in Europe, and globally. Sometimes it feels as though this is questioned. But our Abitur is valuable, demanding, and therefore highly respected.
"With the German Abitur, students can study anywhere in the world"
We also offer so much that we could afford to be less modest — especially a strong school community that truly stands together and sees itself as a "we." The German School Shanghai not only offers children and young people, but also parents, many opportunities to participate, to get involved, and to be an active part of the school.
I believe this is an essential aspect of schooling: that teachers and parents listen to each other, exchange ideas, and together seek the best path for the children and young people, and that parents are taken seriously as partners.
And finally, isn’t it wonderful that at the German School Shanghai, everything revolves around children, young people, and their educational journeys—and nothing else? Our school has a non-profit structure, which means it is solely focused on what truly matters: What is important for the children and young people entrusted to us, and what do they need in order to grow?
