Introduction
Your child's school choice shapes their future. Shanghai Foreign Language School Affiliated to SISU stands out in Shanghai. People call it SFLSID. The city approved it in 1999. It was one of the first world schools there.
SFLSID runs two campuses. The Hongkou Campus is at 295 Zhongshan North 1st Road in Hongkou District. The Changning Campus opened in September 2025 at 109 Anshun Road. Both share resources from Shanghai Foreign Language School. Shanghai International Studies University supports it. It is one of seven special schools in the People's Republic of China.
The school mixes two teaching styles. The Chinese education system gives strong STEM basics. Students get into top schools worldwide. Graduates attend Harvard, Stanford, Peking University, and Tsinghua. Does this school fit your family?
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School Overview and History
How it started
Shanghai Foreign Language School Affiliated to SISU started in 1963. Premier Zhou Enlai ordered its creation. The school is affiliated to Shanghai International Studies University (SISU). People call it "the cradle for language and diplomatic talents." This strong connection to SISU gives the school excellent resources and support.
The International Division began in 1999. China needed more global citizens. The division focuses on foreign language teaching. It prepares students for global universities and careers.
The Two Campuses
The Hongkou Campus is the main site. It runs the Synced Programme for Grades 6-9. It offers the Chinese Language and Culture Programme for international divisions in Grades 10-12. Students use modern classrooms, science labs, and Model UN rooms with translation gear.
The Changning Campus opened in September 2025. It offers the Bilingual IB/AP programme for Grades 6-12. The College Board approves these courses.
Both campuses share teachers and keep the same standards. The school's Global Network connects students worldwide.
Awards
SFLSID partners with schools overseas. They compete in global creative problem-solving contests. They join the Shanghai International Model United Nations Conference. Graduates attend Oxford, Cambridge, and Yale. Graduates attend Oxford, Cambridge, and Yale. These results boost the school's reputation.
SFLSID became an IB World School in 2018. The school code is 052556. The Confucius Institute named SFLSID a base for promoting Chinese. This shows the school's work in cultural communication.
Programs
English Track
IBDP Program
The IB programme serves Grades 11–12. Students study six subject areas: Language A, Language B, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Maths, and Arts.
The programme has three core parts. Theory of Knowledge (ToK) builds thinking skills. The Long Essay requires research. Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) involves community work. The programme uses AI Technology-Enhanced Language Learning to help students learn faster.
Most IB courses use English for teaching. Only the Chinese class uses Chinese. This keeps the mother tongue strong, too.
AP Program
The College Board creates AP courses. SFLSID offers Economics, Calculus BC, Statistics, Computer Science A, Physics C, Chemistry, Psychology, and Biology.
Students pick courses based on interests and future plans. AP courses match university content. Good AP scores help students get into college. Senior students get the most benefit.
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Chinese Track
Synced Programme (Grades 6–9)
This program is for expat families working in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese families like from Thailand, Indonesia. The Students need native Chinese skills (HSK 5 or HSK 6- as per school requirements)
Students take Chinese, Maths, English, Physics, and Chemistry. Primary English classes start in grade 6. The school uses "Five Syncs": same textbooks, teachers, activities, standards, and management.
The Hongkou Campus runs this programme. Students join all campus activities. This builds a strong cultural life.
World Chinese Programme
Language Growth
This China Studies Programme serves students from around the world. Their first language is not Chinese. The Hongkou Campus teaches Chinese language for Grades 10-12.
Teachers split classes by level: Starter, Middle, and Advanced. Courses include Deep Chinese Reading, HSK Prep, Reading, and Writing. The school also offers a Chinese Short-Term Programme for new students.
Teachers use full Chinese methods. Lessons include cultural content about Chinese society.
Cultural Learning
Students learn Chinese history and culture. Art courses include Folk Music, Calligraphy, and Paper-Cutting. Students join Cultural Walking Tours to visit ancient towns and cultural sites in Shanghai.
Global courses include World Geography and World Politics. English courses include TOEFL prep. This helps students apply to overseas universities.
Language Choices
Shanghai Foreign Language School offers ten languages. SFLSID provides French, German, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, Hebrew, Arabic, and Italian. Foreign language teaching is a strength of the school.
Teachers and buildings
Teachers
SFLSID has a 1:6 ratio for 2024-2025. This means six Chinese teachers per one foreign teacher. Foreign teachers come from English-speaking countries. The Faculty Directory lists all teachers.
Most teachers hold master's degrees. Science teachers often have PhDs. English teachers have strong English skills. Many hold TEM-8 certificates The Foreign Language Discipline Development Research Committee trains all language teachers.
Teachers use modern methods and information technology tools. Students do well in global exams.
Campus Buildings
Both campuses have modern classrooms with smart boards and media devices. Science labs support Science and Technology Education. The library offers print and electronic choices.
Special spaces include art studios for music education, fine arts, and drama. Piano rooms exist for practice. Computer rooms provide technology access. These support the Arts at SISU programmes.
Dorms fit all grades with private bathrooms and air conditioning. The cafeteria offers Chinese and Western meals for about RMB 15 per meal. Sports buildings include outdoor fields, indoor gyms, basketball courts, and track areas. These support physical education classes and sports activities daily.
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Student Activities
School Programs
Students join Maths, Physics, and Chemistry contests. Model UN builds diplomatic skills. The Robotics Club mixes engineering with programming.
Partners include the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics. Another is the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory. Both belong to the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Students join the American Maths Contests and other international competition challenges.
Arts and Culture
Creative clubs include:
- Musical Theatre Society
- Drama Club
- Comic Club
- Calligraphy and Painting Club
- Computer Club
The school hosts international cultural festivals each year. Students share performances, art, and food from different countries. Chinese Culture Festivals teach traditions. These build cultural communication skills.
Sports and Community
Sports include football, basketball, football, and track. Teams build fitness and teamwork. Students compete against other schools.
Community service connects students with local needs. Overseas exchanges include U.S. and European study tours. Students visit ancient towns and meet scholars.
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Tuitopn fees
Yearly tuition: RMB 76,000 per year
Extra fees per semester:
- Sy nced Program: RMB 800
- Foreign Chinese Program: RMB 800
- IB Program: RMB 1,800
These fees cover textbooks. Unused money gets paid back.
Other separate costs:
- Uniform fees
- Meal costs (approximately RMB 15 per meal)
- Housing charges
Why Choose SFLSID
Strong Results
In 2025, USA AP track students had full admission to the Top 30 U.S. schools. Over 75% got into the Top 20 schools and the Top 10 liberal arts colleges. Schools include Harvard, Stanford, Yale, and Princeton.
The Chinese national curriculum for foreign students had full admission to top Chinese schools in 2025. Student Graduates also attend Kyoto School, Toronto School, Oxford, Cambridge, and Sydney School.
The "one-student-one-file" system tracks progress and enables personal support.
Personal Care
The school creates custom plans for each student. Teachers meet with parents regularly. They work together to match the student's needs and family goals. Regular talks happen between parents and the school. Personal meetings develop plans that match family hopes and student goals.
Growth files track schoolwork, arts, sports, social work, and leadership. Teachers, counselors, and parents review these and adjust learning plans.
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Cultural Balance
SFLSID follows "National Identity and World View." This balances Chinese culture with global skills. The programme has strong foundations from Chinese education. It adds global methods. These include critical thinking and independent research.
Multi-language teaching creates fluent speakers. This opens doors to world careers and graduate programmes.
Full Growth
SFLSID goes beyond schoolwork. Model UN builds leadership. Community service builds duty. Arts programmes build creativity. Sports teams build fitness and teamwork. Science programmes develop new thinking.
This approach produces well-rounded graduates ready for school challenges and future careers.
Conclusion
Shanghai Foreign Language School mixes heritage with new ideas. The school offers tough schoolwork and has skilled teachers. It provides modern buildings and proves admission success. Two campuses offer special programmes for different students' needs.
The Chinese-Western programme builds strong foundations and develops global views. The "one-student-one-file" system gives each learner personal support. Strong language teaching creates skilled speakers who work across cultures with ease.
But the right school depends on your child. Think about their needs and how they learn. Know their goals. Do the programmes match your school plans? Does the campus culture fit your values? Does the cost match the results?
Alifa Education Services matches families with the right world schools. Our team checks your child's school profile and reviews their language abilities. We understand their dreams and suggest good choices. We guide you through application forms and help with test prep. We explain how to get in.
Book a free consultation with us today. Make a smart choice about your child's education.
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