Editor's Description

Co-educational, all-through (ages 3-18) day school founded in 1998. CISS is affiliated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The campus is in Jinqiao, with ten acres of indoor and outdoor facilities, including several maker spaces and labs designed for hands-on work in 3D printing, coding, robotics, and cooking. The school follows a U.S. style education with high school students studying the Advanced Placement curriculum. There’s also a focus on applied learning, giving students practical experience in fields such as enterprise, and over 175 co-curricular activities to choose from.

Self Introduction

Concordia International School Shanghai is a co-educational day school for students aged 3 to 18, located in the heart of Jinqiao, one of Shanghai’s largest international communities. Concordia is recognized for its dedication to academic excellence and for providing well-developed sports, arts, service, and applied learning programs. Our caring and passionate faculty deliver a comprehensive American-style curriculum and pioneer programs that guide students toward life success—no matter how they define it. By partnering with engaged parents, we cultivate the best outcomes for each student. The community at Concordia creates the ideal foundation for the entire family’s success.

At Concordia, it’s not just about the grades. It’s about balance. When we say we educate the whole child we mean that we invest in and tend to every part of each student: spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually.

Our parents are partners with us in this process, helping their student to find his or her own unique balance. With this partnership and shared values, every child wins.

• Year Founded 1998
• Age of Students 3-18
• Number of Students 1300

Curriculum

Concordia follows an American curriculum that meets United States university entrance standards. A broad base of subjects in all academic areas is required for graduation. The curriculum is adaptable, within limits, to the academic needs of individual students.

Early Childhood

Concordia follows an American early childhood education program philosophy and utilizes many Early Learning Goals developed by the United States to ensure children are learning at their highest potential. A caring, nurturing environment is critical for a young child’s success, and we strive to provide the best place for kids to learn. In our full-day ECE programs, academics, motor skills, and social/emotional skills all play equally important roles in the development of our youngest learners.

Elementary School

Our Elementary School ranges from grade 1to grade 4 and is designed to build a solid foundation in the fundamental areas of literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies. Students are also exposed to Mandarin language study and various areas of fine arts and physical education. An intentional focus on the integration of technology enhances classroom learning and broadens our students’ view of all that is possible in their digital world.

Middle School

Encompassing grades 5 to 8, our Middle School bridges elementary and high school. During these important years, students are presented with increased expectations for independence, responsibility, and leadership, all within a supportive and positive environment. With the 1-to-1 MacBook program starting in grade 5, students take more ownership of technology and explore expanded use of those tools in their day-to-day learning. Our middle school scholars excel through rich opportunities in academics, creativity, and service.

High School

Throughout high school, grades 9 to 12, our focus is on providing life experience and a more tailored academic curriculum. Advanced Placement (AP) classes are offered at Concordia as a way to challenge our students to excel across disciplines. To support Concordia’s mission of holistic education, our high school students may typically enroll in up to one AP course in Grade 10, three AP courses in Grade 11 and four AP courses in Grade 12 and opt for elective options across all disciplines.

Applied learning is inherent in virtually all areas of the curriculum, from science to visual arts, and reaches all grade levels. These experiences for authentic application encourage academic vitality by providing students opportunities to build unique connections between academic studies and real-world endeavors. Such learning opportunities are found in abundance throughout the school. The high school program offers applied learning courses that allow students to find a topic they love, go deep, and make learning more personal.

Teacher Demographics

Concordia’s teaching faculty are qualified, seasoned educators, who contribute to the education of the whole child through intentional academic programs and relevant service learning and co-curricular activities. They come from diverse backgrounds and have lived and taught at schools around the world.

79% hold MA/MS or doctorate degrees

68% have over 10 years of teaching experience

Languages Taught

Daily compulsory Mandarin classes from Preschool through grade 7 and elective Mandarin courses beyond that provide opportunities for students to either discover Mandarin as a foreign language or to deepen it at the heritage level.

Spanish as a foreign language is available to students starting at grade 8 through high school.

Extracurricular Activities

Concordia provides more than 175 co-curricular activities that offer additional opportunity for learning and enrichment. Concordia athletic teams participate in the Asia Pacific Activities Conference (APAC), Shanghai International Schools Activities Conference (SISAC), and the China International Schools Sports Association (CISSA). High School students also participate in a wide range of co-curricular activities such as National Honor Society, Model United Nations, language clubs, and math club. Middle School activities range from video production, architecture, and drafting to robotics, tennis, badminton and rock climbing. The Elementary School offers activities such as cooking, choir, 2-D and 3-D art, and coding to name a few.