Western International School of Shanghai (WISS)

  • 555 Lianmin Lu, by Huqingping Highway
  • 联民路555 号, 近沪青平公路
  • Qingpu
  • 6976 6388
  • admissions@wiss.cn
  • http://www.wiss.cn

Western International School of Shanghai (WISS) Description

The Western International School of Shanghai (WISS) is the first and only full continuum World IB School in Chinese mainland Educating young people from across the globe in a caring and inspirational environment since 2006 and WISS strives to send compassionate, brave, ethically-minded global citizens into the world. As an IB World School, WISS is uniquely placed to promote new perspectives and broaden the minds of the children in our care; deepening their sense of understanding and wonder.

Working with children from the age of 2.5 to 18, our students represent more than 50 different nationalities. This exciting blend of cultures and ethnicities allows us to explore challenging aspects of the world around us through a rigorous curriculum of inquiry-based learning. Whether our students are with us for a year or two, or stay through to graduation and move on to the university of their dreams, we want our young people to look back on WISS as a time when their love of learning was awakened and they began to touch the lives of those around them.

Inspiring minds to shape the future.


Photos of Western International School of Shanghai (WISS) (8)

Map of Western International School of Shanghai (WISS)

IB Programmes

Our IB Programmes at WISS

WISS follows a complete IB curriculum from Nursery to G12. Running the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP – as a Candidate School), and the Diploma Programme (DP), WISS provides an entire and unbroken IB curriculum model leading to the most sought after qualification for university entry in the world. WISS also provides a G13 facility for students who need an extra year of academic support before sitting their IB Diploma exams. WISS is an IB World School and as such it has been visited, inspected, and approved by the International Baccalaureate Organization. IB World Schools maintain their high quality through regular professional development of staff, effective delivery of cutting-edge teaching practice, and a rigorous approach to inquiry-based learning. Schools authorized by the IB must put students at the center of everything they do, treat learning holistically from multiple perspectives, emphasize strong communication skills, and promote intercultural awareness. The IB carries out regular evaluations to ensure schools provide a culture of learning in line with international philosophy and goals.

Overview of the IBO

The International Baccalaureate Organization is a non-profit educational organization that was established in 1968. It is governed by a 17-member Council of Foundation, and is funded by fees from IB world schools, with additional income from workshops and catalogue sales. Donors provide support for development projects that otherwise cannot be implemented from the organization’s budget.

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Primary Years Programme

Our Philosophy

The intention of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) is to support students’ efforts to construct meaning from the world around them by drawing on their prior knowledge, by providing provocation through new experiences, and by providing time and opportunity for reflection and consolidation. This constructivist approach respects the students’ developing ideas and understandings of the social and natural world; it continually stimulates students’ revision and refinement of their models of how the world works. It implies a pedagogy that is significantly, but not necessarily completely, dependent on students’ inquiry, where he planning incorporates a range of experiences that acknowledges the diversity of students’ prior knowledge. The PYP is designed for students aged 3 to 12. It provides a curriculum framework that encourages students to develop international mindedness through a transdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning.

Our Curriculum

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP):

  • Prescribes a curriculum framework of essential elements—knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes, and action
  • Promotes a particular set of attitudes—appreciation, commitment, confidence, cooperation, creativity, curiosity, empathy, enthusiasm, independence, integrity, respect and tolerance– that
  • Establishes that the learning must be engaging, relevant, challenging and significant and must touch upon themes of global significance
  • Provides opportunities for students to build meaning and refine understanding, principally through structured inquiry
  • Is conceptually driven
  • Is characterized by learning environments that are stimulating and provocative
  • Provides a holistic approach to developing the whole child-social, emotional, physical development

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Middle Years Programme

Our Philosophy

The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) aspires to deliver to students a school experience that is motivated by a sense of wonder and powered by the joys inherent in discovery.  The MYP experience is driven by creative and critical thinking, outfitting students with the desire and skills to understand and impact their world. MYP students are well-rounded students, they respond to challenges with optimism and an open mind, they are confident in their own identities, make ethical decisions, join with others in celebrating our common humanity and are prepared to apply what they learn in real-world, complex and unpredictable situations.

Our Curriculum

  • addresses students’ intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being
  • provides students opportunities to develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need in order to manage complexity and take responsible action for the future
  • ensures breadth and depth of understanding through study in eight subject groups
  • requires the study of at least two languages (language of instruction and additional language of choice) to support students in understanding their own cultures and those of others
  • empowers students to participate in service within the community
  • helps to prepare students for further education, the workplace and a lifetime of learning

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Diploma Programme

Our Philosophy

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) is designed as an academically challenging and balanced programme of education with final examinations that prepares students, normally aged 16 to 19, for success at university and life beyond. The programme is normally taught over two years and has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities.

Our Curriculum

All Diploma Programme students participate in the three course requirements that make up the core of the DP Model: TOK, CAS and the extended essay. Reflection on all these activities is a principle that lies at the heart of the thinking behind the Diploma Programme.

Strongly committed to the principle of developing the whole person, the IB believes that this is best achieved by identifying and developing clearer and more explicit aims for and relationships between TOK, CAS and the extended essay. Specifically, the IB believes a coherent view of the core will:

  • support the interconnectedness of learning
  • support concurrency of learning
  • support the IB continuum of education and the learner profile
  • support a broader view of the subject disciplines.

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Language Learning

Diverse Language Options

Language learning is very important at WISS. With a community of close to 50 nationalities and over 40 languages spoken, we endeavour to support not only new language learning but also the opportunity for students to maintain their mother tongues. Recognizing the significance of mother tongue language development, WISS continually explores opportunities to work with cultural and embassy groups to offer as many mother tongue programmes as possible.  Mother tongue is defined as the language you would speak as a ‘native’ of your home country, but of course we know that our families are multi-cultural and may have a less well-defined set of language needs. For more information on languages at WISS, or if you would like to try and set up a mother tongue language programme, please contact our Head of Modern Languages, Mirjam Berghuis at mberghuis@wiss.cn.

English Language

WISS offers a curriculum that takes into account each student’s individual needs. Each student will work through a step by step continuum of learning goals. Equality of access to the curriculum for all students, including those who learn English as an Additional Language (EAL), is ensured by both direct language support from specialist teachers and a whole school approach in the daily classroom. Additionally, we aim to ensure that all EAL pupils are able to:

  • Use English confidently and competently
  • Use English as a means of learning across the curriculum
  • Where appropriate, make use of their knowledge of other languages

Our EAL specialist teachers have had extensive experience working with children learning English as an additional or second language. The EAL teachers work closely with the main classroom teachers to identify the particular learning needs of English Language Learners. Children are taught English both within the classroom and in small groups working with the EAL specialist who uses resources specifically geared to second language enhancement. Where English is not strong enough to access the curriculum, Chinese or another second language will be replaced by extra English until the level of proficiency increases.

Chinese Language

In this ever evolving and changing world, with so many people becoming globally mobile, the need for bilingualism is paramount. At WISS all students may study Chinese as an additional or native language. The language programme will be further enhanced through school assemblies, performances, presentations and field trips around Shanghai. Chinese is the only language other than English that is offered at every ability level from Nursery through to G12.German, French, Spanish, Dutch, Japanese, and others.

Other Mother Tongue Programmes

German, French, Spanish, Dutch, Japanese, and others.

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University Acceptance

WISS's Class of 2018 has been pulling in some very impressive college and university acceptances! 

WISS students are proving to be very competitive across the globe and have earned spots in the top ranked universities world-wide according to Times Higher Education World University Rankings, U.S. News & World Report Global Rankings, and QS World University Rankings 2017-2018 publications. 

Some highlights include King’s College London in the United Kingdom, The University of Melbourne in Australia, The University of Toronto in Canada, and The University of Hong Kong in Hong Kong. 

In addition, our students have been accepted to many of the top 50 universities in the United States as reported by US News & World Report’s National Rankings, earning acceptances to universities such as The University of Southern California, Boston University, and The University of Rochester. 

Additionally, one of our students was accepted into the very prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, which is regularly considered to be in the top 5 of music conservatories in the United States. 

(Check the full university list below)

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WISS offers a vibrant array of extra-curricular activities.

EY and Primary students enjoy one afternoon of activities per week. There are also many after-school activities offered daily and on weekends.

Some of the activities available include: Stoke City FC Academy at WISS, ISTA Performing Arts Academy Shanghai, GAIL, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Youth Innovation Academy, various sports and athletics (football, swimming, basketball, volleyball, track and field, dance, gymnastics, rock climbing, ultimate Frisbee, mother tongue language clubs (Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Swedish ), Model United Nations, Student Government, Community Choir, Community Orchestra, instrument lessons, drama, Little Chefs, Robotics, and many others.

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First Week of School (19)

Arrange to visit the school campus by contacting our admissions office.

Our Admissions staff will arrange a tour of the campus and will answer any further questions that you may have.

At this time, you will have the opportunity to view classes in progress (during school hours) and meet with key staff.

Telephone :  +86 (021)6976 6388

Book a tour : http://www.wiss.cn/admissions/tours/

Online application : http://www.wiss.cn/admissions/online-application/

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International Day

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WISS International Day is a hallmark event celebrating our community's diversity! Students teachers and parents eagerly await this day every year as the colors, rhythms, and tastes of 50 different nationalities mingle, showcasing many cultures and traditions. 

In addition, it is a time to honor and recognize our host country and beloved neighborhood, Xujing. Government officials, local performers, and students from Xujing Primary and Middle School were all invited to join the festivities. 

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This year's event also highlighted WISS's compassionate spirit with the first ever Country Hamper Raffle for Cambodia initiated by one of our parent volunteers. Each country group donated a hamper full of goodies representing their culture for the raffle. 

Over 16,000RMB was raised for the WISS Cambodia Project which is dedicated to provide food security, dental hygiene, recycling initiatives and access to clean water for the surrounding village.  

 

Please click here to check our latest events.

Western International School of Shanghai is proud to announce our Scholarship program for enrolled and admitted students. The scholarships available to WISS students are:

 

WISS Outstanding Achievement Scholarship

WISS Outstanding Achievement Scholarship awards scholarships in various amounts to students who excel in an area they are passionate about-academics, sports, art, music, etc. 

WISS IB Diploma Full Academic Scholarship

WISS IB Diploma Full Academic Scholarship is available to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and show promise of excelling in the IB Diploma Programme.

WISS Scholarships for University

WISS Scholarships for University awards outstanding graduates a scholarship towards university tuition fees paid directly to the university they will be attending.

 

For more information about the requirements and details of these scholarships, please contact scholarships@wiss.cn.

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