Frequently Asked Questions

Seventy-five percent of our 166 teaching faculty are from North America. All faculty members are certified teachers and 83% hold master’s degrees or higher. Nearly 77% of our teachers have over 10 years of teaching experience. We also enjoy a low annual teacher turnover rate. 

North Americans comprise 55.5% of Concordia’s student body, while a total of 32 passports are represented across the entire student body. The top four passports represented are the United States (49.3%), South Korea (8.4%), PRC-Hong Kong (14.1%), and Canada (6.2%).

School begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 3:20 p.m. for all Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School students. High School starts at 8:25 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m.

Our core curriculum is offered in the English language. An English assessment may be given as part of the application. Concordia has an ELL program for English Language Learners from Kindergarten to Grade 10. Students will receive push-in and/or pull-out support depending on the level of assistance needed.

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 reason for these requirements. Admission is contingent upon a match between the student’s needs and the level of service that we can provide to ensure the student’s success.

Students applying for Grade 6- Grade 12 are requested to submit standardized test results such as MAP, PSAT, SAT, ACT, or SSAT as part of the application process. Additionally, we may require an English assessment to determine a student’s level of English language proficiency. Kindergarten to Grade 4 students in Shanghai will be requested to have an English assessment and possible other assessments for the curricular match.

At Concordia, we view the holistic development of each student as preparation for success in college and life satisfaction. Counselors work with students 1-on-1 in all four years of high 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. We offer a full range of Advanced Placement (AP) and Applied Learning courses. We coordinate on-campus recruiting visits from colleges and universities in search of highly qualified students. Also, we host a University Fair in the fall and spring, with 200-300 universities attending each event. During the pandemic, High School has connected with many universities virtually and has held college fairs online.

From Grade 3-Grade 8, we administer the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP), a test developed by the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA). The MAP test is given in three areas: math, reading, and language, and it is administered twice per school year. As an approved SAT, ACT, and AP testing site, we administer the PSAT, SAT I, ACT, and AP exams on campus.

Concordia graduates attend universities all over the world. Whatever a student’s aspirations, they can get there from Concordia. For a comprehensive list of matriculations for the past 3 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-Grade 4. Students in Grade 6-12 choose between Spanish and Mandarin. All language programs include levels for students of different language abilities. Mandarin has two major tracks: the Chinese Language and Literature (CLL) track and the Chinese Language and Culture (CLC) track.

Apple computers are present in every classroom. Early Childhood classrooms have access to iPads. Each student in Kindergarten to 4 is provided with an individual iPad to use in class but also to take home during Online/Hybrid/Distance learning. Grade 3 and 4 iPads are equipped with a keyboard and stylus.  Students in Grade 5 to 12 participate in a one-to-one laptop program. Grade 5 students are provided with a school-owned laptop, and starting in Grade 6, families purchase the required laptop. Technology does not replace paper and pencil; rather, it is used to enrich and enhance the learning process. Students are expected to use technology as an age-appropriate learning tool for research, written work, graphics, and presentations. School provides training on how to use technology wisely and has rules and guidelines for parents and students to abide by

A wide variety of activities are available after school, including sports, fine arts, and STEM. These are available to our students from Grade 1 through High School. The options change seasonally. School fees cover activities unless otherwise stated. Transportation is provided following most co-curricular activities for students who are enrolled in the school bus transportation service.

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-Grade 12 wear a uniform that consists of a Concordia polo shirt (white or navy blue) and navy blue or khaki bottoms. Students in Kindergarten-Grade 4 wear navy blue bottoms; students in Grade 5-12 wear either navy blue or khaki bottoms. Students in Grade 5-12 also need a PE uniform. All uniform items can be purchased through our uniform vendor, Cre8te. Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten students do not wear the school uniform but should come dressed for comfort, ease of movement, and self-sufficiency for hygiene and toileting.

Shoes and sneakers are students’ choices for footwear. Rubber flip-flops and crocs are not allowed. Sneakers with non-marking soles are required for PE.

Concordia is committed to creating a foundation for the entire family’s success and to fostering a strong partnership between school and home. Our Parent Support Organization (PSO) offers many ways to strengthen that partnership. The PSO hosts monthly parent meetings, and parents are invited to become involved in a variety of classroom and school activities. Regular PSO and parent-driven activities include the international fair, Christmas bazaar, dress for theme day, 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 together to ensure new students and families adjust quickly to not only living in Shanghai but also connecting with the Concordia community. In the Elementary School, counselors assist students that are transitioning into Concordia. Teachers coordinate buddies in the classroom to help new students get connected. From Grade 5-12, 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. Our Parent Support Organization also plays a vital role in connecting new families with current ones.

   Textbooks and most school supplies are provided and included in tuition. All students should bring a reusable water bottle and a backpack.

Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten:

·    Healthy snack for morning break time

·    Small sleeping bag & pillow for rest time.

Kindergarten – Grade 4:

·    Healthy snack for morning break time

Grade 5 – 12:

·    Middle and High School students supply their own notebooks and writing implements.

·    Large spiral notebooks, three-ring binders, and 3-hole punched loose-leaf paper can be difficult to find in Shanghai. Although these are not required, some students prefer these supplies. Families may wish to purchase these in their home country.

·    Students who participate in the orchestra or band should bring their instruments as Concordia does not rent instruments. Our instructors can provide information regarding purchasing an instrument in Shanghai.

·    Students in Grade 6 – 12 will need a family-purchased laptop computer. Model specifications and requirements can be found on our website.

Email is the primary means through which the school communicates with the parent community.  Regular information and updates are sent weekly in a school-wide newsletter FOCUS, as well as updated on the school’s mobile application and website. The website and mobile application are great sources of information about the school. Dedicated emails are also sent to parents as needed from each division office or from different leaders from across the school. Students in grades 5-12 also have individual accounts in Powerschool, our student information management system, where parents can be informed about their class schedules, academic performance, and more. Each division also uses dedicated software to facilitate student-teacher and parent-teacher communication and for assigning work. Early Childhood and Elementary School both use Seesaw, while Middle School and High School use Canvas. Each division has a parent WeChat group for notices..