YCIS Shanghai (Hongqiao)

YCIS Shanghai Hongqiao is best described as a bilingual primary school within an established international network. It combines a calm, community‑oriented campus atmosphere with an academic programme designed to keep doors open – into Chinese society and into international universities. Life on campus feels more “neighbourhood” than “mega‑campus”: students are known by name, parents are visible, and cultural events set the rhythm of the year.

YCIS Shanghai Hongqiao is best described as a bilingual primary school within an established international network. It combines a calm, community‑oriented campus atmosphere with an academic programme designed to keep doors open – into Chinese society and into international universities. Life on campus feels more “neighbourhood” than “mega‑campus”: students are known by name, parents are visible, and cultural events set the rhythm of the year.

YCIS articulates a mission to provide a “new paradigm in international education,” integrating Eastern and Western cultures to develop global citizens with bilingual proficiency and strong values. 

We believe that the core purpose of education is character formation, and it is the most important shared responsibility of the school and home.

We believe that each child is unique, with innate talents and gifts that should be nurtured to the fullest potential.

We believe that quality student-teacher relationships are at the heart of meaningful engagement, leading to highly effective learning and teaching.

We believe that Learning Communities best enable students and teachers to creatively and holistically explore different fields of knowledge, fostering individual and collaborative learning skills that are critical for the 21st century.

We believe in equipping our graduates with a deep respect for and understanding of world cultures, mastery of Chinese and English, plus proficiency in other modern languages, as well as a strong commitment to meeting challenges of their generation.

The philosophy emphasises co‑culture (deep respect for both Chinese and international traditions), co‑teaching, and whole‑person education across academic, emotional, social, physical, and moral dimensions. At the Hongqiao campus, this philosophy is visible in the bilingual classroom model, the prominence of Chinese language and culture, and a strong emphasis on community life and mutual respect among students from many national backgrounds.

Curriculum Description

At Hongqiao, students follow YCIS’s international curriculum, which is based on the National Curriculum for England, enriched with best‑practice elements from leading global systems and the school’s own Chinese Language and Culture Studies programme. Teaching is bilingual, with co‑teachers and significant time in both English and Chinese, and Mandarin has a strong presence as both subject and medium. The curriculum focuses on literacy, mathematics, inquiry‑based science and humanities, arts, PE, and character education, preparing students for the broader YCIS pathway that leads to IGCSE, IB Diploma, and alternative Hong Kong DSE routes in later years.