Many people, when they hear about Shanghai French School, might assume it's only for French students. But that's not true. Shanghai French School is an international, nonprofit school welcoming more than 1,550 students of over 60 nationalities, from Pre-Kindergarten to the French Baccalaureate (ages 2 to 18), across its Qingpu and Yangpu campuses. Interestingly, many of these families had little or no knowledge of French before choosing the school. So what drew them here? Let's hear their stories.
Jameson Family (British family)
We chose Shanghai French School because we believe in the importance of languages and cultural understanding. In a future world that values global togetherness, being able to understand and speak other languages is invaluable. I also have a deep respect for the francophone world, which can challenge the dominance of English. Both my wife and I studied languages in school, so we feel that this is the direction we want for Emma.
The French School also has a strong academic track record with many options after high school. Another reason is the French school network worldwide, which is a great advantage if we need to move to another country.
I appreciate that it is very careful about the use of technology and screen exposure, with less emphasis on iPads and more on traditional French handwriting, which is beautifully artistic. This traditional learning approach appeals to us.
The Chow Family (American family)
Being expatriates, when looking for schools we focused on international schools. We looked at different systems—American, British, French, and so on.
What really stood out to us about Shanghai French School was that it was the only truly trilingual school we found in Shanghai. Most international schools are monolingual, with English as the main language and other languages as additional courses. While some are bilingual, LFS is unique in that they don't just teach languages—they use them as mediums for other courses. I think language is not just about ability, it's about shaping ways of thinking and exposing kids to culture, giving them a more global perspective.
We also looked at the diversity of the student body, which is very international at LFS. It's not just French families; there are students from all over. That was really important for us because we want Theodore to have a sense of belonging to a global community, and not be limited in his identity as a virtue of a singular nationality.
Hibiki's family (Japanese Family)
Honestly, we didn't know about the school at first. A friend told us about it and we checked the WeChat page. There happened to be an open house at Qingpu, so we went.I spoke to one of the directors there and immediately felt something good, especially seeing how much they highlighted art during Art Week. That really stood out, as Hibiki loves art. We've been taking him to a weekly casual art class because it's the one thing that helps him focus.
Also, I work in fashion, so I've made a lot of French and European friends here. Many of them speak three or four languages. My wife's relatives in Germany and Switzerland do too, and that's something we really wanted for Hibiki.We felt Shanghai French school would give him that international exposure.
Rahman Family (Indian family）
One of the main reasons we chose Shanghai French School is becausewe really wanted our daughter to learn multiple languages.Having lived in different cities in India and then in China, I've learned that to truly understand a culture, you need to connect with the local community, and for that, learning the language is key.
My wife and I visited many schools and gathered a lot of information. While several schools were also pretty good, we found that not many offeredsuch a complete and structured language program as LFS.We wanted Anya not only to speak English and Chinese but also another language — French — and later discovered that students evenget to learn a fourth language in middle school!
Another aspect we really value is that most French teachers at the school are certified educators from France,most of whom have been with the school for many years. Although we weren't familiar with the French curriculum at first, my daughter integrated very well from the beginning, and we're very grateful to the teachers who helped her (and us) navigate this new system. We now make it a point to visit all her previous teachers whenever we go to school to thank them, because we feel it's important.
Stefan and Sofia family (Serbian family)
We were looking for a school that would not only offer strong academics but also develop independent thinking and global-mindedness. A school that would keep nurturing their Chinese language and cultural knowledge. So some friends, both in the international community here and Chinese friends, recommended LFS, and after visiting the campus and learning more about the curriculum, we knew it was the right fit. We were especially impressed by the French system's focus on critical thinking, deep reasoning, and the ability to construct arguments, qualities we value highly for our children's development.
>> Non-native families embracing French education.
A major reason many families choose Shanghai French School is the FLSco program. The FLSco program helps non-French-speaking students integrate smoothly into the French education system. Starting from K3, it enables children to progressively acquire the language skills and academic foundations they need to succeed. Many of the non-French-speaking students currently enrolled at Shanghai French School began their journey through this program, which typically lasts about two years.
>> French Education
You may be wondering, where do Shanghai French School students go after graduation? And is the French Baccalaureate widely recognized?
The French Baccalaureate is a rigorous, internationally recognized program that prepares students for higher education worldwide, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and across Europe, just like the IB, A-Levels or AP. In France, it also provides a distinct advantage when applying to prestigious institutions.
Spanning the final two years of high school, the program allows students to specialize by choosing three main specialties while still following a balanced core curriculum. It is renowned for fostering critical thinking and academic rigor.
Assessment is based on a combination of continuous evaluation and final written and oral exams, providing a well-rounded measure of students' abilities. Compared to other diplomas, the Baccalaureate places greater emphasis on language proficiency as a graduation requirement.
Learn more here: Differences Between the French Baccalaureate, A-levels and AP
Shanghai French school Open Days!
Interested about Shanghai French School? Welcome to their Open Days on the Qingpu and Yangpu campuses in November and December!
This is the perfect occasion for families to:
- Meet the LFS team including the school leadership.
- Benefit from a detailed presentation of the curriculum, the language streams, as well as the program.
- Meet non-French speaking students.
- Ask all your questions.
- Discuss with families who have enrolled their children at the LFS.
- Visit the campuses, discover the LFS infrastructure.
If you want to join one of the open houses, simply scan one of the QR codes below:
Shanghai French school share sessions in Mar:
Rethinking Education | Zhou Yijun at LFS
What is the true purpose of education?
In this livestream, renowned Chinese journalist Zhou Yijun shares her perspective on the French education approach and reflects on topics such as autonomy, dialogue, culture, and confidence in learning.
Shanghai French school share sessions in April:
LFS Education Insight Series will take place in April with Frédéric Guilleray, focusing on practical insights from cognitive science.
Do you have any questions? Scan the QR code to contact our Admissions team!
admissions@lyceeshanghai.com
+86 (21) 3976 0555 ext.501
+86 (21) 6897 6589 ext.758
+86 130 5203 8803
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