Admission Criteria


Each Concordia applicant is considered based upon a well-rounded review of prior report cards, test scores, and teacher recommendations; however, at the most basic level, admission to Concordia requires the applicant to meet the following criteria:

English Proficiency

Students must be proficient in speaking, listening, reading and writing the English language. Concordia does not offer ESL (English as a Second Language) support as a separate program. An additional English assessment will be given to candidates based on the following:

  • Native and home languages
  • Number of years in an English-language curriculum
  • School records
  • Teacher recommendation forms

Foreign Passport Requirement

Concordia can only accept students with a valid foreign passport or an official letter of approval to attend Concordia from the Shanghai Education Commission. Please e-mail admissions@concordiashanghai.org if you have a question about eligibility.

Math Evaluation and Testing: Pre-and Post-Admittance

  • Students must be at or above grade level in mathematics; Grade 9 (Algebra I), Grade 10 (Geometry) and Grade 11 (Algebra II). As a criterion for acceptance, students may be asked to take a screening test that demonstrates, at a minimum, mastery of concepts related to their current grade level. (Please note: calculators will not be allowed during testing.) Here is a list of Math Resources that can help your child prepare for this test.
  • Math Placement testing after acceptance is required of all students entering Grade 6 to Grade 12. Please download the Math Placement Testing FAQ document in the upper right hand corner of this page.

Standardized Testing

Grade 8 and High School (Grades 9 – 11):

  1. SSAT is required for High School applications, however:
  2. If a student has not taken the SSAT, we can accept some standardized tests in lieu of SSAT. These three tests include: SAT, PSAT and ACT.
  3. If a student cannot schedule the SSAT National Test during the school year (Oct-June in US and Canada, Nov-April internationally) and they do not have other standardized test results, they must contact SSAT and arrange for a Flex test.

Middle School (Grades 6 – 7):

    1. SSAT is required for Middle School applications, however:
    2. If a student has not taken the SSAT, we can accept some standardized tests in lieu of SSAT. These tests include: CTP4, CTP5 and Iowa.
    3. If a student cannot schedule the SSAT National Test during the school year (Oct-June in US and Canada, Nov-April internationally) and they do not have other standardized test results, they must contact SSAT and arrange for a Flex test.

      Mandarin Language Placement

      New Concordia students are interviewed upon arrival and tentatively placed. Anecdotal evidence is collected during the first two weeks of class and adjustments are made when necessary. Students who have attended Concordia previously are placed in the appropriate level based on a combination of class performance, teacher recommendation and achievement on the end of the year assessment.

      Specialized Learning Needs

      Admission to Concordia is contingent upon a match between the student’s needs and level of service available. We ask families whose children have specialized schooling requirements to include documentation and full disclosure* of these needs and the reasons for these requirements with the application. Concordia does not offer a separate program for students with special learning needs or specific learning disabilities.

      *Failure to disclose full history of learning needs can result in dismissal from the school.

      School Re-Enrollment Policy

      Re-enrollment occurs every February and is not automatic. Students who have been invited to re-enroll for the following academic year will be sent an email from the Admissions office requiring confirmation of student re-enrollment and a deposit to hold the seat. As of April 1, open seats for the following academic year will be offered to incoming applicants.