Curiosity in motion

It’s a familiar scene for many parents: a child at a desk, concentrating hard, trying to keep up with materials and concepts that only seem to increase each day. In such systems, though, that constant momentum can leave little room for students to fully understand or grow confident in what they learn.

At Shanghai Community International School, academic rigour looks different. In classrooms, it isn’t about making learning harder, but about making it deeper. You can see it in the moment a student connects ideas, asks critical questions, and uses what they learn to create and apply. In other words, pressure isn’t the dominating feeling. Instead, it’s curiosity at work.

And when students learn this way, something special happens. They grow more independent, more resilient, more confident. They gain just knowledge and real-world skills. That is why SCIS alumni leave ready, for university and life.

Hear from the students

Developing the whole child — beyond just learning academic content — is what SCIS is all about. It’s an approach that goes hand in hand with the International Baccalaureate (IB), which combines academics with learning experiences to empower students to grow into confident, self-directed learners.

SCIS is one of the first international schools in Shanghai to become an International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum World School. It is fully authorised to offer the IB's Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). This means students can fully benefit from a single connected learning journey from their earliest school days through to university preparation.

A big part of TOK happens outside the classroom too. Whether it’s seminars, discussions, or real-world experiences, students are exposed to different perspectives. Over time, they learn how to analyse complex issues and express their ideas with confidence. Meanwhile, the Extended Essay challenges students to go beyond surface-level understanding. In this 4,000-word independent research paper, they explore a subject they're interested in, developing their ability to think critically, conduct in-depth inquiry, and present well-supported arguments with confidence.

SCIS's IBDP students consistently outperform global averages, including 45/45 scores and twice as many top ranked IBDP scores compared to worldwide results.

Cutting-edge research and projects

Where do SCIS students go after graduation? Around the globe.

Each year, they earn places at leading universities, including Ivy League schools, Oxbridge, and renowned institutions across Asia, Canada, and Europe.

Daniel Eschtruth, Director of Schools

“With students representing more than 50 nationalities, global awareness isn't an add on at SCIS. Its embedded in daily learning. We connect rigorous academics with empathy, culture and service.

Preparation for life beyond school is where everything comes together. Rigor here means readiness-academic, emotional and social. We start early, guiding students to develop the habits that matter most: curiosity, organization, adaptability and collaboration.”