Shanghai American School (SAS Puxi)

Shanghai American School is a long‑established, non‑profit international school offering a rigorous, US‑style college‑preparatory education on two campuses in Shanghai. The Puxi campus serves students from age 3 to Grade 12 with extensive AP and IB options, world‑class facilities, and a strong record of university placement.

Shanghai American School – Puxi Campus is a leading non‑profit international school serving students aged 3–18 in Shanghai’s Minhang district. Founded in 1912, SAS offers a rigorous American college‑preparatory programme that combines a US curriculum foundation with both Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP) pathways in high school. The Puxi campus features small classes, an experienced international faculty, and university‑level facilities for arts, athletics, and STEM learning. Beyond strong academic outcomes and global university placements, SAS emphasizes creativity, collaboration, leadership, and ethical global citizenship through extensive co‑curricular options and a vibrant, diverse school community.

Shanghai American School “inspires in all students a lifelong passion for learning, a commitment to act with integrity and compassion, and the courage to live their dreams.” Guided by this mission, the Puxi campus focuses on challenging, engaging learning experiences that promote curiosity, resilience, and personal responsibility. Students are encouraged to explore their strengths, pursue interests across academics, arts, and athletics, and contribute positively to their communities as ethical global citizens.

SAS envisions a learning community where every student is known, challenged, and inspired to reach their potential and shape a meaningful future. At Puxi, this vision translates into multiple “roads to success” through AP, AP Capstone, and IB DP, combined with rich opportunities in innovation, design, service, and leadership. The school aspires to graduate compassionate, confident young people who can thrive at top universities worldwide and lead with integrity in an increasingly complex, interconnected world.

The educational philosophy at SAS blends rigorous academics with whole‑child development. The Puxi campus believes students learn best in a challenging yet supportive environment that values inquiry, collaboration, creativity, and reflection. Teachers act as mentors and learning designers, using a mix of research‑based instruction, technology integration, and real‑world projects to make learning relevant and engaging. The school emphasizes balance, encouraging students to pursue passions in arts, athletics, service, and leadership alongside academic commitments.

Curriculum Description

From early childhood to Grade 12, SAS Puxi delivers a coherent, US‑style college‑preparatory curriculum that builds strong foundations in literacy, numeracy, science, and the humanities. In high school, students choose among robust pathways that include Advanced Placement (AP), AP Capstone, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), or carefully designed combinations of AP and IB courses. A comprehensive Global Languages programme offers Chinese, French, and Spanish from middle school through IB Language B, while electives span design, engineering, computer science, visual and performing arts, and more. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, problem solving, research, and communication skills, preparing graduates for selective universities around the world.