Western International School of Shanghai (WISS)

At the Western International School of Shanghai (WISS), we are passionate about welcoming new families to our Community.

WISS is a top-tier international school for children between the ages of 2.5 and 17+, and welcomes students and parents interested in joining our Early Years, Primary School, and Secondary School Programmes.

WISS offers a rolling admissions policy, which allows us to accept applications for new students at any time throughout the school year. This is one of the ways that we support our prospective families as we consider the needs of families who may relocate to Shanghai throughout the school year. As part of our Admissions Process, WISS upholds a non-discriminatory admissions policy and enrolls eligible students who would like to experience a WISS Education regardless of race, religion, cultural orientation, or country of origin.

Founded in 2006, WISS offers students and parents a wealth of experience in high-quality international education. In addition to our rigorous academic programmes, the vast array of After-School Activities, and carefully selected partnerships that form our Distinguishing Programmes, we strive to cultivate lifelong learning within each of our students and prepare them to be successful beyond WISS.

We also know that every family, and every child, is unique, and you may have questions that extend beyond what is available on our website. Therefore, I invite you to get in touch with our experienced international admissions team, which is available for any questions, to guide you through every step of the admissions process, and assist you with that vital aspect of finding the best-fit school for your child.

Reach out to the Admissions Team today to start your journey at the Western International School of Shanghai.

Admission Process

Enquiry

The first step is to express your interest in the Western International School of Shanghai by submitting an enquiry form on our website or contacting our admissions office directly.

We recommend that you join us for one of our Open House Events or for a Bespoke Campus Tour. These are great ways to experience the WISS Culture and atmosphere.

Our team of Admissions Advisors will provide you with key information about the school, our programmes and activities, and answer any initial questions you may have.

Application

Once you've gathered all the necessary information, you can complete the online application form. This form will ask for personal details about your child, their educational background, and any supporting documents such as transcripts or recommendation letters.

Assessment

• After your application has been reviewed, we may require additional placement assessments or observational assessments.
• These assessments help us understand your child's academic abilities, language proficiency, and overall fit for the school.

Review and Descision

• Our admissions committee carefully reviews each application and assessment result. Based on this evaluation, a decision will be made regarding the student's admission to WISS.
• We strive to communicate our decision within a reasonable timeframe to ensure a smooth process for families.

Enrolment

If a student is accepted, the next step is to complete the enrollment process. This involves signing the Offer of Placment, paying any necessary tuition fees, and providing any additional required documentation.

General Information

• It's important to note that the specific steps and requirements may vary slightly depending on the grade level and individual circumstances.
• We encourage you to reach out to our admissions office for detailed information and guidance throughout the process.

Admission Criteria

Eligibility

Admission is open to all foreign passport holders with no preference given to any one nationality. Preference will be given to families with siblings already attending WISS.

PRC Regulations

In compliance with Chinese government regulations, WISS can accept applications from foreign passport holders or residents from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

Applications can also be received by any Chinese passport holder who has one or both parents holding a foreign passport, or those who qualify to apply under the regulations of the Shanghai Education Committee.

Guardianship

Local government requirements in regard to proper guardianship of students mean that WISS may accept students who are a: a) resident with at least one parent, or b) resident with an approved guardian (with power of attorney).

Students are not permitted, under local regulations, to be under the supervision of non-resident guardians. Students who are not living with at least one parent or authorized guardian cannot be enrolled at WISS.

English Fluency

Students applying to WISS will be assessed for English speaking, reading, and writing ability. As the school wishes to maintain an environment where English is the primary language of academic instruction, preference is given to those students who are most functional or have the greatest potential to be functional at their grade level in English.

All entering Secondary students not having English as their native language must, as a minimum, be at a level from which they can work to complete the IB Subsidiary English B program by graduation, along with self-taught study of their mother tongue language.

Age Placement

Student Entering the Early Years Programme should be:

• toilet trained and 2.5 years old by February 1st of the year entering Pre-Nursery
• toilet trained and three years old by September 1st of the year entering Nursery four years old by September 1st of the year entering Pre-Kindergarten
• five years old by September 1st of the year entering Kindergarten
• six years old by September 1st of the year entering Grade 1.

Application Documents

Applications are completed through Open Apply, and all requested documents are uploaded to the platform.

Personal Documents

• Completed Online Application.
• Copy of student birth certificate.
• Copy of student and parent passports.
• Copy of student and parent Shanghai issued residence permit, diplomatic visa, or letter from your employer affirming that a visa will be procured.
• ID Photos (Head & Shoulder Passport Style photos) for each member of the family.
• Completed Medical Form and Immunization Records

Academic Records

• School reports for the current and previous two academic years (Certified translations into English are required for reports in other languages.)
• For Pre-Kindergaten to Kindergarten: school reports from the current year is required (if available)
• For Grades 1 to 8: school reports from the current and previous two years
• For Grades 9 and 10: school reports from the current and previous 2 years
• For Grades 11 and 12: all school reports beginning from Grade 9, including the current year.

Supporting Documents

• Early Years Parent Questionnaire - to be completed for applicants to the WISS Early Years Programme.
• Confidential Principal/Teacher Recommendation Form.
• Standardized Test Scores (if available)
• Relevant educational or medical evaluations, IEPs, or other reports about learning needs (if applicable)
• Completed Transportation Request Form (if applicable)