Shanghai Community International School


Shanghai Community International School is a nursery to grade 12 international school in Shanghai, China. Established in 1996, SCIS integrates an international and U.S. curriculum at three campuses around Shanghai. The school’s mission is to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring learners who contribute positively to their communities.
Shanghai Community International School is a sister school to Hangzhou International School.

History

Shanghai Community International School was founded in 1996 for the children of expatriates residing in Shanghai, China. SCIS is a member of the East Asian Regional Conference of Overseas Schools and in 2001 received full accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. SCIS received a six-year term of accreditation by the National Council of Curriculum and Textbooks, becoming the first international school in Shanghai to achieve this distinction.
The school is operated under the aegis of the International School Foundation. ISF is a not-for-profit organization in Lansing, Michigan, USA, and accorded 501c3 status by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The foundation helped to establish the North Jakarta International School, the Shanghai Community International School, Hangzhou International School, the International School of Perth and the American International School of Cape Town.
All of these schools are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Each school is legally established according to its respective country’s prevailing regulations for educational institutions, and each offers a U.S.-based international school program for expatriate residents, who seek an international education.

Campuses and facilities

Shanghai Community International School operates on three campuses in Shanghai and one in Hangzhou:
SCIS has over 1700 students coming from more than 60 countries. Thirty-five percent of students are from North America, 30% of students are from Europe, and 30% of students are from Asia, with the remaining 5% coming from Africa, Australia, and South America.
SCIS has 210 teachers who are fully licensed in their area of teaching. They come from the USA, Canada, England, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. The school aims to keep its classroom size small to maximize personal attention.
SCIS draws from the North American system, with school hours for student attendance set from 8:00 to 3:00, Mondays through Fridays.

Curriculum

Shanghai Community International School is one of the first international schools in Shanghai to become fully authorized as an International Baccalaureate Continuum World School, a world-class academic program aimed at rigorous critical thinking and global citizenship. This accreditation extends across all SCIS Campuses, including Hongqiao and Pudong, providing a seamless program for students aged 2-18, covering the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme.
Primary Year Programme
Nursery to Grade 5
Primary Year Programme prepares students to become active, caring, lifelong learners who demonstrate respect for themselves and others and have the capacity to participate in the world around them. It focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both within and beyond the classroom.
In the Lower School, most subjects are taught by the homeroom teacher, except those mark which are taught by specialists:
English
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Mandarin Language and Culture*
Physical Education*
Integrate Computer Education*
Music*
Visual Arts*
Rhythm and movement*
Middle Years Programme
Grade 6 to Grade 10
Middle Year Programme is a challenging framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. The MYP is a five-year programme, which can be implemented in a partnership between schools. Students who complete the MYP are well-prepared to undertake the IB Diploma Programme.
Our core program in Grades 6-10 consists of Language & Literature, Language Acquisition, Sciences, Individuals and Societies, Health and Physical Education, Mathematics, Design and the Arts. These are delivered with the big picture in mind, purposefully contextualized to ensure students can see connections between their learning and the world around them, with some space to inquire and pursue their own interests, and with timely and actionable feedback built in to the process to ensure continuous growth. In addition, students have thirty minutes a day in Dragon Time – a fantastic opportunity to work in small groups with an advisor in a number of key areas including, social-emotional well-being, learning skills development, career-counselling as well as school and community spirit initiatives.
Diploma Programme
Grade 11 and Grade 12
Diploma Programme is designed as an academically challenging and balanced program of education with final examinations that prepare students for success at university and life beyond.
For IB Diploma students, course selections must meet the following requirements:
At least one Language & Literature class.
At least one Language Acquisition class. This requirement is waived for students enrolled in two Language A classes.
At least one Individuals & Societies class
At least one Science class*
Exactly one Math class
– The Core Block, which includes TOK, Research Skills, and coordination of EE and CAS, is required for all students in Grades 11 and Grade 12.
– Course selection must allow for three Higher Level and three Standard Level courses.
– SCIS Diploma candidates who choose not to pursue the full IB Diploma will work with the College Counselor and DP coordinator to develop an individualized program which meets all graduation requirements.
Standard Level classes meet for a minimum of 150 hours over the two years of the program while Higher Level classes meet for 240 hours. The extended meeting times for HL classes reflect the greater depth and complexity of the content studied. Most SCIS classes are taught with the levels combined. SL students are normally released for self-study during while HL content is being covered.
SCIS HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS
Students who opt out of the full IB Diploma will work toward the WASC accredited SCIS High School Diploma. SCIS Diploma students must complete a minimum of 25 year-long course credits during grades 9-12, and meet core requirements.
SCIS courses earn 1 credit per year, or 0.5 credits per semester. Students are expected to maintain a full course load during every year of enrollment.
Core Requirements:
Extended Essay: An individually researched scholarly essay connected to one of the subject groups, supervised by the EE Coordinator and internally assessed.
Creativity, Activity, Service: Engagement in a range of experiences leading to progress toward the CAS Learning outcomes.
Theory of Knowledge: Internally assessed completion of Theory of Knowledge requirements.
Subject Requirements

Language and Literature
Language Acquisition
Individuals & Societies
Sciences
Mathematics
Arts & Design
Physical and Health Education
Additional Coursework

Extracurricular activities

Students participate in a series of sporting events held under the jurisdiction of China International Schools Sports Association. A typical CISSA schedule of athletic events includes tournaments in volleyball, soccer and basketball, and includes some invitational events, such as cross-country, badminton and swimming. High school students participate at the Junior Varsity level or at the Varsity level. SCIS is also part of Association of China and Mongolia International Schools and China International Schools Sports Association.
Additionally, SCIS offers after-school activities, including Cheer-leading, Student Council, Model United Nations, Drama, Musicals, Dance Club, Jazz Band, Choir, Reading Clubs, Creative Writing, After-School Bands, Electronics Club, National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, Interact Club, and Global Issues Network.

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