Shanghai Community International School

Shanghai Community International School (SCIS)
Location
Changning Shanghai China
Information
Type	Private International
Established	1996
Sister school	Hangzhou International School
SCIS-Hongqiao Head of School	Dan Eschtruth
SCIS-Pudong Head of School	Derek Luebbe
Faculty	200+
Grades	Nursery-12
Enrollment	1700+
Average class size	20
Campus	Puxi Pudong
Campus size	810 acres
Athletics	19 sports
Mascot	Dragons
Website	www.scis-china.org

Shanghai Community International School (SCIS) 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 provide students with the opportunities to pursue academic and personal excellence in nurturing, international community environments.

Shanghai Community International School is a sister school to Hangzhou International School (HIS).

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^[1] and in 2001 received full accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).^[2] 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.^[3]

The school is operated under the aegis of the International School Foundation (ISF).^[4] 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 (1990), the Shanghai Community International School (1996), Hangzhou International School (2002), the International School of Perth (1999) and the American International School of Cape Town (2001).

SCIS, Pudong Campus

All of these schools are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). 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 (and local nationals where permitted), who seek an international education.^[3]

Campuses and facilities

Shanghai Community International School operates on three campuses in Shanghai and one in Hangzhou:

• SCIS-Hongqiao ECE Campus (nursery-Kindergarten): 2212 Hongqiao Road, Changning, Puxi, Shanghai, China 200336
• SCIS-Hongqiao Main Campus(grades 1-12): 1161 Hongqiao Road, Changning, Puxi, Shanghai, China 200051
• SCIS-Pudong Campus (nursery-12): 198 Hengqiao Road, Zhoupu, Pudong, 201315

SCIS Hongqiao ECE Campus (Nursery to Kindergarten)

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.^[3] Class size/student-teacher ratio in preschool is 14:1, with one teacher assistant; from pre-Kindergarten is 16:1 with one teacher assistant; and from 1st to 12th grade is 18:1.^[5]

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.^[3] The school aims to keep its classroom size small to maximize personal attention.^[6]

SCIS is based on the North American system (grade levels, similar structure of class offerings, daily schedule, yearly calendar), with school hours for student attendance set from 8:00 to 3:00, Mondays through Fridays.^[3]

Curriculum

Shanghai Community International School (SCIS) is one of the first international schools in Shanghai to become fully authorized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum World School, a worldclass 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 (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP).

SCIS Hongqiao Campus (Grade 1 to Grade 12)

Primary Year Programme (PYP)
Nursery to Grade 5
Primary Year Programme (PYP) 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 (Language Arts)
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Mandarin Language and Culture*
Physical Education*
Integrate Computer Education*
Music*
Visual Arts*
Rhythm and movement*

Middle Years Programme (MYP)
Grade 6 to Grade 10
Middle Year Programme (MYP) 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 (DP).

Our core program in Grades 6-10 consists of Language & Literature, Language Acquisition (a choice of Mandarin, Spanish or French), Sciences, Individuals and Societies, Health and Physical Education, Mathematics, Design and the Arts (a choice of Music, Drama, Media and Visual 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 (DP)
Grade 11 and Grade 12
Diploma Programme (DP) 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 (Language A).
At least one Language Acquisition class (Language B). 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 (Theory Of Knowledge), Research Skills, and coordination of EE (Extended Essay) and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service), is required for all students in Grades 11and 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 (SL) classes meet for a minimum of 150 hours over the two years of the program while Higher Level (HL) 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 courseload during every year of enrollment.

Students with ILPs under the Learning Support program, may work towards modified expectations, as appropriate.

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 (CISSA). 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 (JV) level (D2) or at the Varsity level (D1). SCIS is also part of Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS) and China International Schools Sports Association (CISSA).^[3]

Additionally, SCIS offers after-school activities (ASAs), including Cheer-leading, Student Council, Model United Nations, Drama, Musicals, Dance Club, Jazz Club, Choir, Reading Clubs, Creative Writing, After-School Bands, Electronics Club, National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, Interact Club, and Global Issues Network.^[3]

Press

• SCIS recognized for their high quality Early Childhood Education programs.^[7]
• SCIS records outstanding AP results.^[8]
• Little Star Magazine Shanghai reported that SCIS experienced a “record amount of enrollment growth.” ^[9]
• SCIS hosts Shanghai Invention Convention.^[10]
• Little Star Magazine Shanghai recognized SCIS for their dedicated efforts to become a “green school.”^[11]
• SCIS recognized for their community service projects.^[12]
• Little Star Magazine Shanghai highlights unique Upper School China Trip experience.^[13]
• SCIS is recognized by Good Schools Guide International as one of the top schools in Shanghai.^[14]
• Shanghai City Weekend voted SCIS as one of the top 3 schools in Shanghai that build character in their students.^[15]
• Shanghai Family lists SCIS as one out of only three schools in Shanghai that offer a certified and viable US-based curriculum.^[16]
• China Service Mail lists SCIS as one of the best international schools in Shanghai.^[17]
• SCIS is listed on Chalksmart.com, the recognized guide to international schools in Shanghai^[18]

See also

• List of international schools in the People's Republic of China
• List of international schools in Shanghai

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shanghai Community International School.

• Shanghai Community International School