Frequently Asked Questions

The majority of our 158 teaching faculty are from the United States. In addition, many teachers are from Canada, Australia, and China. All faculty members are certified teachers and 79% hold master’s degrees or higher. Nearly 72% of our teachers have over ten years teaching experience. We also enjoy a low annual teacher turnover rate.

North Americans comprise 56.6% of Concordia’s student body, while a total of 31 passports are represented across the entire student body. The top five passports represented are the United States (49.39%), Korea (9.11%), PRC-Hong Kong (13.02%), Canada (7.20%) and PRC–Taiwan (3.83%).

School begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 3:20 p.m. for all Early Childhood, Elementary and Middle School grade levels. High School starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:20 p.m.

Our core curriculum is offered in the English language. An English assessment may be given as part of the application. Concordia offers support in the Elementary and Middle School divisions.

Concordia has limited services for students with special learning needs or specific learning disabilities. We ask families whose children have specialized schooling requirements to provide documentation of these needs and the reasons for these requirements. Admission is contingent upon a match between the student’s needs and level of service that we can provide to ensure the student’s success.

Students applying for Grades 6 to 12 are requested to submit standardized tests such as MAP, PSAT, SAT, ACT or SSAT test results as part of the application process. The SSAT website (www. ssat.org) provides information about the test.  Additionally, we may require an English assessment to determine a student’s level of proficiency. Elementary students in Shanghai will be requested to have an assessment for curricular match.

At Concordia, we view the holistic development of each student as preparation for success in college and lifetime satisfaction. Counselors work with students 1-on-1 in all four years of school to help them identify their skills and interests, and then apply them to many developmental opportunities offered at Concordia and beyond. The counselors hold grade level meetings for all high school parents and students to offer guidance regarding course selection and university preparation. The focus intensifies for Grade 11 and Grade 12 students: In the spring of Grade 11, students and parents meet with their assigned counselor for individual discussion and guidance. In the fall of Grade12, counselors guide students through the university application process. We offer a full range of Advanced Placement (AP) courses (please see our High School Profile for a comprehensive list). As an approved SAT, ACT, and AP testing site, we administer the PSAT, SAT I, SAT II, ACT, and AP exams on campus. In addition, we coordinate on-campus recruiting visits from colleges and universities in search of highly qualified students.

From Grade 3 to Grade 8 we administer the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP), a test developed by Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA). MAP tests help determine each child’s instructional level and measure growth over the course of the school year. The MAP test is given in three areas:  math, reading, and language. It is administered twice a year.

Concordia graduates attend universities all over the world. Whatever a student’s aspirations, they can get there from Concordia. For a comprehensive list of matriculation for the past three years, please see our High School Profile.

Concordia welcomes students and families from all faith backgrounds. Because our community heritage is rooted in the 170-year-old educational traditions of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, we believe every child is a gift from God and are committed in Christian stewardship to educate each holistically in a nurturing environment. Our teachers care as much about your child’s well-being as they do about their academic standings. Teachers partner with students and parents in a learning community that facilitates holistic education with high expectations. The result is a challenging yet supportive environment where all can thrive.

Mandarin is compulsory and taught daily from Preschool through Grade 5. Students in Grade 6-8 choose from Spanish and Mandarin. Students in Grade 9 to Grade 12 choose from Spanish and Mandarin. All language programs include levels for students of differing language abilities.  Mandarin has two tracks- Mandarin as a Foreign Language and Heritage Mandarin. Students will take a placement test to determine their appropriate level.

Apple computers (desktops, laptops and/or iPads) are present in every classroom. Early Childhood classrooms have access to desktops and iPads. Grade 1 and 2 classrooms have one Apple iPad for each pair of students to use during the school day.  Grade 3 and 4 classrooms have one Apple iPad and one Apple laptop for each pair of students to use during the school day. Students in Grade 6 to Grade 12 participate in a one-to-one laptop program. Family purchase of the required laptop is an additional expense beyond tuition.  The computer technology does not replace paper and pencil; rather it is used to enrich and enhance the learning process. Students are expected to use the computer as an age-appropriate learning tool for research, written work, graphics and presentations. The computer technology and wireless environment on campus is supported by our on-site Tech Hub, which is an Apple Authorized Service Center.

A wide variety of activities are available after school—including sports, the fine arts and games. These are available to our students from Grade 1 through High School. The choices change seasonally. School fees cover activities unless otherwise stated. Transportation is provided following most co-curricular activities for students who have purchased school bus transportation. There are additional sport and community organizations that offer paid lessons/activities for students beginning in preschool that are hosted on campus.

Optional bus transportation is available for students in most areas of Pudong and some areas of Puxi before and after school. Bus transportation is also available to regular bus riders following most of the co-curricular activities and athletics programs. The bus fee is not included in the tuition.

All students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 wear a uniform, which consists of a Concordia polo shirt (white or navy blue) and navy or khaki bottoms. Elementary students (Kindergarten through Grade 4) wear navy blue bottoms; students in Grade 5 to Grade 12 wear either navy blue or khaki bottoms. Students in Grade 5 to Grade 12 also need a Physical Education uniform. All uniform items can be purchased through the school. A detailed uniform policy is available on our web site. Preschool and prekindergarten students do not wear the school uniform and should come dressed for comfort, ease of movement, and self-sufficiency for hygiene and toileting.

Shoes, sneakers and sandals are students’ choice; only rubber flip-flops & crocs are not allowed. Elementary students must wear socks and sandals must include a strap that wraps behind the heel. Sport shoes with non- marking soles are required for physical education.

Concordia is committed to creating a foundation for the entire family’s success and fostering a strong partnership between school and home. Our Parent Support Organization (PSO) offers many ways to strengthen that partnership. The PSO hosts monthly on-campus parent meetings, and parents are invited to become involved in a variety of classroom and school activities.  Regular PSO and parent-driven activities include book fairs, classroom parties, teacher appreciation events, the Phoenix Shop “spirit store,” and fundraising.

We understand that transition is challenging no matter where you are coming from. At Concordia, our teachers, counselors, administrators and families work to ensure new students and families adjust quickly to not only living in Shanghai but also to connecting with the Concordia community. In the Elementary School, counselors assist students that are transitioning in and out of Concordia. Teachers coordinate buddies in the classroom to help new students get connected. From Grade 5 to Grade 12, the Student Ambassador program plays a key role in welcoming new students and helping them feel at home in addition to the support provided by our counselors. We also have access to other community resources that offer programs, activities and extracurricular classes to help meet the needs of our new families. Our parent organization also plays a vital role in connecting new families with current ones.

Early Childhood (Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten): Most school supplies are provided and included in tuition.  Students should bring a healthy snack for morning break time, a reusable water bottle, a backpack, and a small sleeping bag and pillow for rest time. A supply list will be provided to newly enrolled Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten students.
Elementary School (Grades 1-4): Most school supplies are provided and textbooks are included in tuition. Students should bring a healthy snack for morning break time, a reusable water bottle and a backpack.
Middle School (Grades 5-8):  Most school supplies are provided and textbooks are included in tuition. Students should bring a healthy snack for morning break time, a reusable water bottle and a backpack.
•      Students who participate in the orchestra or band should bring their instrument, as Concordia does not rent instruments. Our instructors can also provide information regarding purchasing an instrument in Shanghai.
•      Students in Grade 6 to Grade 8 will need personal laptop computers. All models of Apple laptop (Pro, Air, Pro Retina) are acceptable if the hard drive/flash drive is 256GB or greater (500GB recommended). Parents may purchase the laptop directly from Apple or from any Apple Authorized Reseller, including Solution Keys (visit http://store.solutionkeys.com/ laptop/apple.html) which is the company that Concordia contracts to staff the Tech Hub Apple Service Center.              
  High School (Grades 9-12): High School students should bring a reusable water bottle and a backpack.
•      High school textbooks are included in tuition but high school students supply their own notebooks and writing implements. Large spiral notebooks with and without pockets, three ring binders, and 3-hole punched loose-leaf notebook paper can be difficult to find in Shanghai. Although these are not required, some students prefer these supplies; you may wish to purchase in your home country.
•      All high school students will also need a personal laptop computer. All models of Apple laptop (Pro, Air, Pro Retina) are acceptable if the hard drive/flash drive is 256GB or greater (500GB recommended). Parents may purchase the laptop directly from Apple or from any Apple Authorized Reseller, including Solution Keys (visit http://store.solutionkeys.com/ laptop/apple.html) which is the company that Concordia contracts to staff the Tech Hub Apple Service Center.
  •      The required calculator for high school math and science courses is the TI Nspire.  The recommended calculator model is the TI Nspire CX CAS.    The TI Nspire CX (non-CAS) is also an acceptable model but will somewhat limit functionality in comparison to the CAS. Students should acquire the calculator prior to their first day of school.
  •      Students who participate in the orchestra or band should bring their instrument, as Concordia does not rent instruments. Our instructors can provide information regarding purchasing an instrument in Shanghai.

EMAIL

Email is the primary means through which the school communicates with its parent body. Students in Grade 5 to Grade 12 also have individual Aspen accounts, an on-line resource to keep parents informed of their children’s classroom activities as well as their children’s academic performance. Weekly communication is provided on a school level newsletter through "The Focus".

Concordia Website

• Concordia’s website is an information resource accessible from around the world
  • Student/Family Handbook-accessed via the Parent page of the website within the division specific information
  • Policies and Procedures as applied to students in a specific division

Aspen

• Online resource to keep parents informed of their children’s classroom activities and academic performance
• One login to access the information all of your children
• Student in Grades 5 through 12 have individual accounts
• Provides access to the
  • Family Directory
  • Staff Directory-also available on Concordia website
  • Guardianship, Parent Pledge, HS Pre-arranged Absence forms
• Direct questions about Aspen to aspen@concordiashanghai.org

WECHAT

• All-School WeChat Account
  • Share community news and stories every week

Parent Feedback

• Parent Coffees
  • Used to inform, to instruct, to listen and to respond
  • Personal connection developed with the division leadership team of Administration, Counselors and Directors
  • Summaries of all Parent Coffees are accessible from the Community Bulletin
• Annual Survey:
  • Parents provide feedback anonymously in a climate survey
• Three-Way Conferences
  • Parents, with their child, meet their child’s teacher

Procedures for Handling Questions or Concerns

Parents are invited to make an appointment with their child’s teacher at any time by contacting the teacher directly. Similarly, meetings can be booked with the counseling staff or the administration in the same manner.