YK Pao School is a IB school in Shanghai, China. Founded in 2007. It serves 1,600 students for students aged 14–18. Annual tuition ranges from $23,184 to $29,808 USD.
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Location & Getting There
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Key Details
Scholarships Available
The Pao School Scholarship Programme is run through the YK Pao School Foundation and has supported over 90 students. Awards include: Chinese Immersion Scholarship (for international students whose parents' native language is not Chinese, awarded in Year 5 for Years 6–12, equivalent to 10% of tuition); Junior Secondary Boys Scholarship (all-round excellence, nominated in Year 5 for Years 6–8, equivalent to 10% of tuition); Senior Secondary Grade II Scholarship (nominated in Year 8 for Years 9–12, equivalent to 10% of tuition); Senior Secondary Grade I Scholarship (nominated in Year 10 for Years 11–12, open to internal and new students, equivalent to 10% of tuition). Selection criteria include academics, character, extracurricular achievement and community contribution.
Key facts
About
YK Pao School is a pioneering non-profit international Chinese school in Shanghai, founded in 2007 in memory of shipping magnate Sir Yue-Kong Pao. With over 1600 students, it offers a unique Year 1-12 Chinese-English immersion bilingual programme that nurtures the whole person and prepares students to be engaged global citizens. The residential programme is a core part of the school experience, embedding values of compassion, integrity, and balance.
School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.
Why Families Choose
Innovative Chinese-English immersion bilingual programme, whole-person education philosophy, strong residential community, international student body, founded in honour of Sir Yue-Kong Pao
Fees & Financials
| Grade / Year | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Year 6-8 (Middle) | RMB 190,000 |
| Year 1-5 (Primary) | RMB 168,000 |
| Year 9 (High School) | RMB 190,000 |
| Year 10-12 (High School) | RMB 216,000 |
Conversions to USD use exchange rates as of April 2026.
Original currency: RMB 168,000 - 216,000. 0
Admissions Process
- 1Learn about the school and create an online account on the school portal to schedule visits and submit an application. 2) Check eligibility by Shanghai Municipal Education Commission category (Shanghai hukou, non-Shanghai hukou, HK/Macau/Taiwan residents, international passport holders) and prepare required documents (school reports, passport/visa, photos, test scores). 3) Submit the online application form and upload documents; no application fee required. 4) Academic assessment of English, Chinese and Mathematics via own criteria, report review, and written assessments (especially for Middle and High School entry). 5) Interview or family meeting for shortlisted applicants; High School includes written exams and interviews. 6) Receive offer by email with acceptance instructions and payment deadlines. 7) For boarding (Years 9–12), indicate preference at application; boarding placement confirmed by school with per-semester boarding fees. 8) Attend new-student orientation; budget for meals, uniforms and optional programme fees in addition to tuition.
Admissions Details
The official admissions pages do not publish a formal waitlist process. Third-party listings indicate that Year 1 entry is highly competitive and waiting lists are commonly used by Shanghai schools. Prospective parents are advised to contact admissions directly for waitlist status.
Boarding Life
Residential campus community focused on core values of compassion, integrity and balance; programme described as a transformational part of the school experience
Residential programme rooted in whole-person education; students live on campus as part of a caring community, boarding age 14-18
Student Life
The Songjiang (High School) campus uses a house system with House Prefects and a Housemaster or House Mistress. In each residential building, two to three students serve as House Prefects supporting boarding life. Houses hold monthly meetings and house dinners, and the Common Room serves as an activity hub.
A school uniform is worn at the Primary School. On Unity Day, Primary School students wear white instead of the school uniform.
The canteen offers three meal choices: Chinese, Western, or a noodle dish. The dining environment is lit by natural light.
Facilities & Programmes
Wellbeing & Safety
The school runs a counselling programme with named counsellors and dedicated social-emotional health staff. Parent-facing events include Counsellor-Parent Coffee Mornings. The school uses a positive discipline approach with a designated Positive Discipline Facilitator. Pastoral support, counselling progress reports to parents, and transition support are described. Anti-Bullying Week and SEL lessons are part of the programme.
The school states commitment to safeguarding and child welfare; all posts are subject to background checks in line with international child-protection recommendations. Safeguarding and child protection are listed as components of the pastoral care framework, with staff training and student/parent communications on child-protection practice. Anti-bullying programmes and positive discipline policies form part of the school's approach to a safe environment.
Student Demographics
School Background
Non-profit private