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Concordia International School Shanghai
上海协和国际外籍人员子女学校
Concordia International School Shanghai; 上海协和国际外籍人员子女学校
Address
	999, Mingyue Road, ; Pudong District, Shanghai 201206; Shanghai; China
Coordinates	31°14′N 121°35′E / 31.233°N 121.583°E
Information
Type	International School, Denominational
Religious affiliation(s)	Lutheran
Established	1998
Head of School	Eric Semler
Grades	PK3–12
Color(s)	Blue, Yellow
Mascot	Phoenix
Website	concordiashanghai.org

Concordia International School (Chinese: 上海协和国际外籍人员子女学校) is a private, Christian, co-educational international school located in Pudong, Shanghai, China.^[1] Founded in 1998,^[2] the school is a part of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS). It provides an American-style education from preschool through high school.

Located in the Jinqiao town of Pudong New Area, the school offers well-developed academic, sports, fine arts, service, and applied learning programs. Concordia's education philosophy emphasizes the development of students as well-rounded individuals, focusing on nurturing each student intellectually, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

Academics

Concordia’s academic program spans four school divisions: early childhood, elementary school, middle school, and high school.

Early Childhood

Concordia’s early childhood program for children aged 3 to 5 is divided into Preschool-3 for children who are age 3 by September 1 and Preschool-4 for those who are age 4 by September 1. The curriculum follows an American early childhood education philosophy, incorporating Early Learning Goals from the United States. It focuses on academic, motor, and social/emotional development.

Elementary School

The elementary school at Concordia, covering grades 1 to 5, aims to build foundational skills in literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies. The curriculum encourages students to develop self-awareness and leadership skills. It integrates Mandarin language study, fine arts, physical education, and digital literacy.

Middle School

The middle school, for grades 6 to 8, addresses the transitional needs of students between 10 and 14 years old. The program fosters independence, responsibility, and leadership within a supportive environment. A 1-to-1 individual MacBook program is introduced in grade 6 to enhance technological skills and learning autonomy.

High School

The high school curriculum, covering grades 9 to 12, offers a diverse range of subjects, including Advanced Placement courses. Concordia's high school program adheres to American curriculum standards, allowing students to tailor their studies to their academic and personal interests.

Applied Learning

Across all grade levels, applied learning is integrated into the curriculum, connecting academic studies with real-world applications. The high school program includes several Applied Learning courses, enabling students to explore personal interests in depth.

Fine Arts

The fine arts program at Concordia International School Shanghai is an integral part of both the academic curriculum and co-curricular activities at all grade levels. The program includes music, theatre, and visual arts, with students beginning their exploration in elementary school and advancing through more specialized opportunities as they progress. The school's fine arts department organizes over 20 musical and choral performances and up to five theatre productions annually across its three divisions. Artworks by students are displayed on campus and contribute to a cross-divisional art exhibition each year around a shared theme.

The music program at Concordia comprises eight bands, eight choirs, and seven string orchestras, aiming to develop students' musical skills and appreciation. Middle and high school students participate in several performances open to the community each year.

The theatre program at Concordia includes two major performances annually—a play in the fall and a musical in the spring—preparing students for various aspects of theatre, including community, university, or professional involvement.

Sport and Activities

The athletics program at Concordia encompasses a wide range of sports, with over 60 teams participating in 30 different sports annually. The school's membership in four activities conferences—APAC, SISAC, ACAMIS, and CISSA—enables extensive athletic competition and interaction with other school communities.-16 Concordia's athletic facilities include multiple gyms, a FIFA Two-Star soccer pitch, outdoor track, tennis courts, and spaces for sports medicine and strength conditioning programs. These facilities and programs aim to support the development of students' athletic skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

The school offers a range of extracurricular activities alongside its sports and arts programs. These activities, led by staff, volunteer parents, or external professionals, cater to a variety of interests such as STEM, arts, service, and leadership. Extracurricular offerings include National Honor Society, Model United Nations, Vex Robotics, Quiz Bowl, World Scholars Cup, and Tri-M Music Honor Society.

Campus and Facilities

Concordia International School Shanghai is situated on a 10-acre (4.0 ha) campus, specifically designed to enhance student learning and development. The campus includes purpose-built facilities that cater to the diverse needs of its student body, ranging from academic spaces to creative and athletic areas. These facilities are strategically developed to support a comprehensive educational experience.

The Lower Building (formerly the elementary school building) opened in 2007 and caters to younger students with specialized spaces for music, art, and physical activities. The Intermediate Building (formerly the Middle School building) opened in 2005 and is utilized by various grade levels and includes homerooms, a choir room, and administrative offices. The Upper Building (formerly the High School building), the newest on campus, was designed by American architecture firm Perkins Eastman and opened in 2009. The spaces houses classrooms, science labs, and the fitness center, as well as the Welcome Center, High School offices, and other administrative areas.

The Phoenix Center, established in 2003, serves as a versatile space with maker labs, a drama room, and a gym. It hosts various activities and events, including school assemblies and community gatherings. The Rittmann Center for the Fine Arts, named after form head of school Dr. David Rittmann, was completed in December 2007 and includes a 350-seat theater, rehearsal rooms, studios for 2D/3D graphics and photography, and a gallery area. It serves as a hub for creative and cultural activities.

History

In 1997, the idea for Concordia International School Shanghai was conceived following suggestions from multinational corporations, American expatriates, U.S. foreign-service personnel, and the People’s Republic of China. Inspired by the model of the Hong Kong International School (HKIS), the founders aimed to establish an institution that emphasized a comprehensive education and holistic development.

A team of educators from HKIS arrived in Pudong in 1998 to establish the school. They selected the Jinqiao Export Processing Zone for its proximity to residential areas, beginning the school's development in this location.

The first academic year started in 1998 with 22 students and 14 staff members, led by founding Head of School, Dr. Allan Schmidt.

Over the years, the school has undergone significant growth and transformation. In 2018, Concordia International School Shanghai celebrated its 20th Anniversary, and in 2023, it marked its 25th Anniversary, reflecting on its continued commitment to education and community development.

In 2019, Concordia International School Shanghai paid a US$4M dividend to the LCMS to help pay off the LCMS's debt.^[3]

Awards and Commendations

Concordia International School Shanghai has received several accolades from notable entities in international education. In 2021, The Excelligent named the school among the Best-in-class American Schools Around the World. Newsweek listed Concordia as one of the leading international schools in China in 2022, a recognition echoed by World Schools in 2023. The school also featured in Hurun's top 15 schools ranking in 2022. In BonApp's 2023 Asia International School Ranking, it was ranked in the top three. Moreover, in November 2023, Concordia was awarded the China International School Practitioner on Teenager Research by KingLead.

References

^ "Campus Maps Archived 2016-05-03 at the Wayback Machine." Concordia International School Shanghai. Retrieved on October 3, 2015. "Concordia International School Shanghai 999 Mingyue Road Jinqiao, Pudong, Shanghai 201206" and "上海协和国际学校中国浦东金桥明月路999号（201206）"
^ "About Us". Archived from the original on 2015-03-15. Retrieved 2015-04-20.
^ https://reporter.lcms.org/2019/synods-external-debt-is-no-more-a-milestone-achievement/