Admissions
Who Can Apply to WISS?
WISS welcomes students of any nationality, background, or religion who are seeking an IB education in Shanghai.
Eligibility
- Foreign passport holders of any nationality; Hong Kong (SAR), Macau (SAR), and Taiwan (PRC) residents
- Chinese passport holders where one or both parents hold a foreign passport
- Families who qualify under Shanghai Education Committee regulations
Sibling priority
Siblings of currently enrolled WISS students receive priority consideration when places are limited.
If you are unsure whether your family qualifies, please contact our admissions team before applying.
Age Requirements by Programme
- Pre-Nursery: 2.5 years old (toilet trained) by 1 February
- Nursery: 3 years old (toilet trained) by 1 September
- Pre-Kindergarten: 4 years old by 1 September
- Kindergarten: 5 years old by 1 September
- Grade 1: 6 years old by 1 September
- Grade 2 and above: placement determined by Admissions Team based on educational history, country of origin, and assessment results
English Fluency
Students applying to WISS will be assessed for English speaking, reading, and writing ability. As the primary language of academic instruction is English, preference is given to students who are functional — or show strong potential to become functional — at their grade level in English.
All incoming Secondary students whose first language is not English must, at minimum, be at a level from which they can work toward completing the IB English B program by graduation, alongside self-directed study of their mother tongue.
Guardianship
Local government requirements regarding proper guardianship mean that WISS may enroll students who are: (a) residing with at least one parent, or (b) residing with an approved guardian (with power of attorney).
Under local regulations, students are not permitted to be under the supervision of non-resident guardians. Students not living with at least one parent or authorized guardian cannot be enrolled at WISS.