How to Apply to Shanghai American School
1. Submit the online application. Click here to complete the online application
process.
2. Submit the application-processing fee (RMB 2,500) Once the online
application is received; you will receive an invoice directly from the Finance
Office for payment of the application processing fee. This fee is non-refundable
and applies for the academic year of application only. The application will only be
processed after the fee has been received and notification given to the Office of
Admission.
3. Scan and submit passport pages Submit a copy of the photo identification
page, the entry stamp, and valid visa for the student and both parents.
4. Submit your academic transcripts/records We require school
records/academic transcripts of the student's current (full or partial) and previous
two years (as applicable). If necessary, school records must be translated into
English and authenticated by the current school/certified by an official translator.
Scanned copies will be accepted for the admission process.
5. Submit standardized achievement test results (See page 5). The Secondary
School Admission Test (SSAT) is the preferred Admission Test at SAS. While the
submission of other approved test scores is acceptable, please note that
additional testing at any grade level will be decided at the discretion of the
Admission Committee. The SSAT test must have been completed within the last
year and IOWA, Stanford, CTP4, SAT or ACT testing done within the last 6
months. For more information on how to register for the SSAT please visit their
website at www.ssat.org. Scores should be reported directly to Shanghai
American School using our SSAT school code: 7315.
6. Submit the following required additional forms:
a. Educational or Emotional Support Documentation (if applicable) Please
submit copies of any/all diagnostic test reports, current psychological educational
evaluations or other learning support profiles, special needs evaluations, 504
plans and Individualized Educational Program (IEP) if applicable. Our programs
are not designed to meet the instructional needs of students with complex
learning, language, and emotional or behavioral difficulties. Failure to provide this
information during the application process will result in SAS being unable to fulfill
its educational commitment and may result in denial of admission or a reversal of
an admission decision for an already accepted/enrolled student.
b. School Recommendation Forms (See page 6)
This form is required for all students applying for Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K -
Grade 5) to Grade 12 (Grade 6 - 12) and must be completed by the student’s
current school representative (as indicated on the form) and submitted directly to
the Office of Admission.
c. English and Math Teacher Recommendation Forms
(For the English form see page 7), (For the Math form see page 8)
These forms are required for all students applying for Grades 6 to 12 and must
be completed by the student’s current English and Mathematics teachers and
submitted directly to the Office of Admission.
We are unable to accept recommendations sent to SAS by parents.
d. Student Information Form (See page 9)
All students applying for Grades 6 to 12 must complete this form in their own
words and handwriting.
Submit Digital Photo of each applicant and both parents
Submit recent, color, individual passport size digital photos (200 x 250 pixel) of
each applicant and both parents.
Photographs must be with a white or blue background, clearly labeled with
passport names of each individual and sent as JPEG files.
Submit a signed "Permission to Release Official School Records"
(See page 9)
All supporting documents must be submitted to the Office of Admission:
Shanghai American School
Office of Admission
Puxi Campus
258 Jin Feng Road
Hua Cao Town
Minhang District
Shanghai, China 201107
Shanghai American School
Office of Admission
Pudong Campus
Shanghai Links Executive
Community
1600 Ling Bai Road, San Jia Gang
Pudong New Area
Shanghai, China 201201
Email scanned copies to: [email protected]
Visitation Review (Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten only)
A visitation review will be scheduled for all Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten
applicants that meet our admission criteria. Acceptance will be dependent upon
successful completion of the visitation process.
Visitations for the fall semester will be held in the months of May and August.
Students unable to attend any one of these visitations will be scheduled on an
individual basis. Detailed information will be sent to parents with a preacceptance letter.
High School Credits
For students applying for admission to grades 10 to 12, we will take into
consideration the number of credits reflected in the official transcript from your
current school. For all students in grades 9 to 12, the transcript must show that
the student will have a sufficient number of credits to meet our graduation
requirement of 24 credits. A passing grade in a yearlong course earns one credit.
A passing grade in a semester-long course earns a half credit.
Priority Criteria for Admission
Consideration for Admission to SAS is on a priority basis according to the
following categories:
1) Qualified dependents of U.S. Government employees
2) Qualified dependents of overseas-hired faculty
3) Siblings of students already enrolled at SAS
4) United States citizens
5) Other expatriate students with English proficiency
6) Other expatriate students
7) PRC National students who have permission from the Shanghai Municipal
Education Commission (SHMEC)
Recent changes instituted by the SHMEC require all students applying to
international schools in Shanghai be covered under a parents work visa
designated for Shanghai only. If a family wishes to resides in Shanghai and
attend school the working parents 'work visa' must be specifically designated for
Shanghai.
Waitpool
In the event enrollment at a grade level is at its capacity, the Office of Admission
will maintain a wait pool. The wait pool is maintained for the applying year only;
all applicants that are interested in the next school year must re-apply each
school year.
Tuition Payment
Once a seat is offered, the student must enroll at that time, and pay the tuition in
order to hold the seat for immediate or later entry within the school’s calendar
year. A family cannot defer a student’s entry for the next school year without
reapplying and submitting the necessary documentation and application fee.
APPLYING
GRADE
ASSESSMENT
•
•
Pre-K and
Kindergarten
•
•
Grade 1-3
•
•
No formal assessment is required
Students whose primary language is not English must have at least one
to two year(s) of formal English education prior to applying
A select group of applicants will be invited for an interview and visitation
session
Interviews are conducted on an ongoing basis while observational
sessions are held in May and August
A select group of applicants will be invited for an interview, and
interviews are conducted on an ongoing basis
Students whose primary language is not English may be required to
complete a language assessment
All standardized test results from the student's current school
•
Grade 4
and
Grade 5
•
•
If no standardized test scores are available, students may be required to
sit the Elementary Level SSAT - this test is offered to a select group
of students as a flex test at Shanghai American School; this will be
decided at the discretion of the Admission Committee
A select group of applicants will be invited for an interview, and
interviews are conducted on an ongoing basis
Students who's primary language is not English may be required to
complete a language assessment
All standardized test results from the student's current school
Grade 6
•
to
•
Grade 10
Grade 11
•
•
•
and
•
Grade 12
•
Middle and Upper Level SSAT (preferred), IOWA Basic Skills Test,
Stanford Achievement Test, or CTP4
A select group of applicants will be invited for an interview - interviews
are conducted on an ongoing basis
Students whose primary language is not English may be required to
complete a language assessment
Upper Level SSAT (preferred), SAT 1 or ACT.
Shanghai American School no longer accepts the PSAT as an
entrance assessment but it may be submitted as a review document
A select group of applicants will be invited for an interview - interviews
are conducted on an ongoing basis
Students whose primary language is not English may be required to
complete a language assessment
Checklist of Documents Required to Complete the Application Required
Application
Documents
Students applying Students applying Students applying
for Prefor Grades 6 – 8 for Grades 9 - 12
Kindergarten–
Grade 5
Online
Required
Application Form
Required
Required
Application Fee
Required
Required
Required
Copy of Passport Required
(Student &
Parent/s)
Required
Required
Color Digital
Photo
Required
Required
Required
School Records
Required
Required
Required
(current + 2 full
previous years)
(current + 2 full
previous years)
(current + 3 full
previous years)
Standardized Test Required for
Scores
grade 4 and 5
applicants
Required
Required
School
Required
Recommendation
Form
Required
Required
Math and English N/A
Teacher
Recommendation
Forms
Required
Required
Student
N/A
Information Form
Required
Required
Educational or
Emotional
Support
Documentation
If applicable
If applicable
Required
Required
If applicable
Signed
Required
Permission for
Release of Official
School Records
Please return this form to: S hanghai American School - Office of Admission
258 Jin Feng Road, Hua Cao Town, Minhang District
Shanghai, China 201107 Fax: (86 21) 6221-2060
Email: [email protected] (for scanned copies)
Confidential School Recommendation Form
FOR ADMISSION TO Pre-Kindergarten - Grade 5
Name of Applicant: _______________________________________ Date of Birth: _______________ Current Grade Level: _____
(as on passport)
month / day / year
To the Teacher: The above mentioned student is applying for admission to Shanghai American School, a college preparatory,
English-language international school in Shanghai, China.
Your recommendation is helpful to our placement process. We appreciate the time you spend to complete this form. Your
candid evaluation of the applicant will be of great value to the Admission Committee.
All information shared is considered confidential and disclosed only to the Admission Committee and other
school personnel as deemed necessary by the Office of Admission.
Always
Usually
Occasionally
Never
Demonstrates self-discipline
Responds positively to challenge of academic work
Focuses and maintains attention
Completes tasks independently
Communicates ideas clearly
Displays a well-balanced temperament
Shares materials
Cooperates with others during group activities
Exhibits age-appropriate study habits and organizational ability
Possesses a sense of humor
Demonstrates an age-appropriate reaction to criticism
Displays self confidence
Shows concern for others
1. How long have you known the student? _______________________
2. A
re the parents supportive?
□ Yes □ No
Please provide comments:_________________________________________________________________________________
3. Please describe the student’s performance in the following areas:
Quality of work: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Leadership skills: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Peer interactions: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Faculty interactions: _____________________________________________________________________________________
4. Has the student ever received any academic, behavioral, or similar support within or outside of school?
□ Yes □ No
If yes, what type of support has the student received? ________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Has the student ever been supported by a special program (i.e.: gifted and talented, learning difficulty, speech and/or
language therapy, resource, behavioral, etc.) or had any individualized testing (i.e.: intelligence testing, writing, reading
and math diagnostics and/or psycho-educational testing)?
□ Yes □ No
If yes, what type of program and/or testing has the student received or taken? ___________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Please add any additional comments that will help us to facilitate this student’s transition to SAS. __________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Academic strengths and weaknesses: ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name of Applicant: _________________________________________________
(as on passport)
□ Yes
□ No
9. Is this student currently enrolled in an ESL (English as a Second Language)/ESOL (English for Speakers of Other
Languages) program?
□ Yes
□ No
8. Does this student have grade-level appropriate English skills?
If yes, please rate the student’s proficiency level on a scale of 1 – 8 by checking one box below:
□ 1
□ 2
□3 □4 □5
□6
□7
□8
(New to English)
(Native Speaker)
10.If this student is in a school without English as the language of instruction, how many hours of English instruction per
week does the student receive? __________________ ; how many years has the student studied English? ____________
11.Did your school make any special accommodations for this student? □ Yes
□ No
If yes, please explain in detail:_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
12.Has the student missed more than 10 days of school during any school year?
□ Yes
□ No
If yes, please explain in detail:____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
13.How would you rate this applicant?
As a person (circle one):
Outstanding
Above average
Average
Below average
As a student (circle one):
Outstanding
Above average
Average
Below average
I recommend this applicant for admission to Shanghai American School
with great enthusiasm
with confidence
with reservation
I do not recommend
Print Name ______________________________________________ Professional Title ____________________________________
School Name ____________________________________________
School Phone Number _______________________________
Evaluator’s Signature ______________________________________ Date (mm/dd/yy) ____________________________________
Email Address ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Comments: (please feel free to add any comments here) ________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please return this form to: S hanghai American School - Office of Admission
258 Jin Feng Road, Hua Cao Town, Minhang District
Shanghai, China 201107 Fax: (86 21) 6221-2060
Email: [email protected] (for scanned copies)
Confidential School Recommendation Form
FOR ADMISSION TO GRADES 6 to 12
Name of Applicant: _______________________________________ Date of Birth: _______________ Current Grade Level: _____
(as on passport)
month / day / year
To Principals or Designee: The above mentioned student is applying for admission to Shanghai American School, a college preparatory, English-language international school in Shanghai, China.
We appreciate the time you spend completing this confidential form, and request that the person most knowledgeable
about the student respond to the questions below. The checklist helps us evaluate areas of general interest. Your candid
evaluation of the applicant will be of great value to the Admission Committee.
All information shared is considered confidential and disclosed only to the Admission Committee and other
school personnel as deemed necessary by the Office of Admission.
Outstanding
Above Average
Average
Below Average
Not Applicable
Motivation
Attitude
Participation
Achievement
Reaction to criticism
Self confidence
Concern for others
Reaction to setbacks
Personal conduct
Personal integrity
General emotional stability
General level of maturity
Sense of humor
Perseverance
1. Is the student in good standing and eligible to re-enroll in your school in the next grade level? □ Yes
□ No
2. Has any disciplinary action ever been taken on the student? □ Yes
□ No
3. Has any disciplinary action involved alcohol or drugs?
□ Yes
□ No
4. Are parents cooperative?
□ Yes
□ No
5. Please provide your assessment of the student’s integrity: _____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Please describe the student’s relationships with peers: ________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Please describe the student’s interactions with adults: ________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Please describe any disciplinary issues pertaining to this student: _______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. Please tell us anything else you can about the student that will help us understand him or her better as a student and as
a person: ______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name of Applicant: _________________________________________________
(as on passport)
10.Did your school make any special accommodations for this student?
□ Yes
□ No
If yes, please explain in detail: ____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
11.Has the student missed more than 10 days of school during any school year?
□ Yes
□ No
If yes, please explain in detail:____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
12.How long have you known the student? ________ Would you be willing to discuss this student with us? □ Yes
□ No
I recommend this applicant for admission to Shanghai American School
with great enthusiasm
with confidence
with reservation
I do not recommend
Print Name ______________________________________________ Title _______________________________________________
School Name ____________________________________________ School Phone Number ________________________________
Evaluator’s Signature ______________________________________ Date (mm/dd/yy) _____________________________________
Email Address ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Comments: (please feel free to add any comments here) ________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please return this form to: S hanghai American School - Office of Admission
258 Jin Feng Road, Hua Cao Town, Minhang District
Shanghai, China 201107 Fax: (86 21) 6221-2060
Email: [email protected] (for scanned copies)
Confidential English Teacher Recommendation Form
FOR ADMISSION TO GRADES 6 to 12
Name of Applicant: _______________________________________ Date of Birth: _______________ Current Grade Level: _____
(as on passport)
month / day / year
To the English Teacher: The above mentioned student is applying for admission to Shanghai American School, a college preparatory, English-language international school in Shanghai, China.
Your recommendation is helpful to our placement process. We appreciate the time you spend completing this form. Your
candid evaluation of the applicant will be of great value to the Admission Committee. All information shared is considered confidential and disclosed only to the Admission Committee and other school personnel as deemed necessary by the Office of Admission.
Outstanding Above Average
Average
Below Average
Not Applicable
Shows academic potential
Ability to express original and creative thought
Writing conventions are strong
Writes with fluency
Reading ability
Speaks fluently
Intellectual curiosity
Motivation
Attitude
Participation
Takes risks
Reaction to criticism
Self confidence
Personal integrity
General emotional stability
General level of maturity
1. How long have you known the student? ___________________________________________________________________
2. List the courses you have taught the student and indicate the level of difficulty (accelerated, honors, or regular): _______
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Please describe the student’s performance in the following areas: Quality of work: ________________________________
Leadership skills: ____________________________________ Peer interactions: ____________________________________
Faculty interactions: _________________________________ Academic strengths and weaknesses: __________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Does this student have □ above grade-level, □ grade-level, □ below grade-level English skills? Please explain in detail if
below grade-level: ______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Is this student currently enrolled in an ESL (English as a Second Language)/ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program? □ Yes
□ No If yes, what is the student’s level of proficiency? _________________________________
Please explain:_________________________________________________________________________________________
6. If this student is in a school without English as the language of instruction, how many hours of English instruction per
week does the student receive? ______________________; how many years has the student studied English? _________
7. Did your school make any special accommodations for this student? If yes, please explain in detail: _________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name of Applicant: _________________________________________________
(as on passport)
8. How would you rate this student?
As a person (circle one):
Above average
As a student (circle one):
Above average
Average
Average
Below average
Below average
I recommend this applicant for admission to Shanghai American School
with great enthusiasm
with confidence
with reservation
I do not recommend
Print Name ______________________________________________ Professional Title _____________________________________
School Name ____________________________________________ School Phone Number ________________________________
Evaluator’s Signature ______________________________________ Date (mm/dd/yy) _____________________________________
Email Address ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________________
______________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Comments: (please feel free to add any comments here)
Please return this form to: S hanghai American School - Office of Admission
258 Jin Feng Road, Hua Cao Town, Minhang District
Shanghai, China 201107 Fax: (86 21) 6221-2060
Email: [email protected] (for scanned copies)
Confidential Mathematics Teacher Recommendation Form
For admission to grades 6 to 12
Name of Applicant: _______________________________________ Date of Birth: _______________ Current Grade Level: _____
(as on passport)
month / day / year
To the Mathematics Teacher: The above mentioned student is applying for admission to Shanghai American School, a
college preparatory, English-language international school in Shanghai, China.
Your recommendation is helpful to our placement process. We appreciate the time you spend completing this form. Your
candid evaluation of the applicant will be of great value to the Admission Committee. All information shared is considered confidential and disclosed only to the Admission Committee and other school personnel as deemed necessary by the Office of Admission.
List the courses you have taught the student and indicate the level of difficulty (accelerated, honors, or regular):
____________________________________,_____________________________________,_______________________________
By the end of this academic year, this student will have completed (please check all appropriate boxes):
o Mathematics course
o A full year Algebra II course
o Mathematics course with approx. ½ Pre-Algebra or Algebra
o including Trigonometry
o A full year Algebra course
o Pre-Calculus, which includes analytic trigonometry
oincluding quadratics solved by factoring
o Calculus
o including quadratics solved by formula
oAdvanced Placement AB
o A full year Geometry course
oAdvanced Placement BC
o IGCSE o MYP (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
o Other____________________________(please describe)
Please list current course textbook and author. How much of the text will be/was completed by the end of the school year?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Which math course would be the most appropriate for this student next year? ______________________________________
Please evaluate the student’s ability in relation to other students of the same age/grade you have taught. Please
check the appropriate box for each item below. Outstanding Above Average Average Below Average Not Applicable
Academic potential
Knowledge of basic skills
Accuracy in use of basic skills
Problem-solving ability
Reasoning ability
Understanding of the underlying ideas and concepts
Willingness to accept the challenges of the more difficult problems and exercises
Command of mathematics when compared to other
students whom you have taught
Effort
Overall performance
If the student is weak in any area listed above, please elaborate or add any additional information: ____________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Did your school make any special accommodations for this student? If yes, please explain in detail: ___________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please check those areas that the student has or will have studied by the end of this school year, and indicate the depth at which
the topic has been studied.
Mastery
Linear Equations and Linear Functions
Graphing Linear Functions
Algebra 1
Solving Systems of Equations
Quadratic Functions and Equations, with graphing
Factoring Binomials and Trinomials
The Quadratic Formula
Operations on Rational Expressions
Competence
Acquaintance
Name of Applicant: _________________________________________________
(as on passport)
Mastery
Competence
Acquaintance
Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Congruent Triangles
Quadrilaterals
Angles in Polygons
Similar Figures
Circles
Geometry
Areas of Polygons and Circles
Areas and Volumes of Solids
Coordinate Geometry
Transformations
Right Triangle Trigonometry
Pythagorean Properties
Constructions
Formal Proof
Use of Geometer’s Sketchpad or similar software
Laws of Exponents
Exponential and Logarithmic Functions, Base 10
Exponential and Logarithmic Functions, Base e
Adv.
Algebra
Inequalities
Matrices
Conic Sections
Use of graphing calculator: model:___________
Sequences and Series (Arithmetic and Geometric)
Law of Sines and Cosines
Trigonometry
Trigonometric Functions, including graphing
Solving Trigonometric Equations
Trigonometric Identities and Formulae
How long have you known the student? __________
I recommend this applicant for admission to Shanghai American School
o with great enthusiasm
o with confidence
o with reservation
o I do not recommend
Print Name ______________________________________________ Professional Title _____________________________________
School Name ____________________________________________ School Phone Number ________________________________
Evaluator’s Signature ______________________________________ Date (mm/dd/yy) _____________________________________
Email Address ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Comments: (please feel free to add any comments here) ________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please return this form to: Shanghai American School - Office of Admission
258 Jin Feng Road, Hua Cao Town, Minhang District
Shanghai, China 201107 Fax: (86 21) 6221-2060
Permission to Release Official School Records
Dear Parents of Applicant,
Please present this form to your student’s current school for a release of school records. All school records
must be translated into English by the school or certified by an official translator. Faxed copies will be accepted for the admission
process. Official transcripts/records and all original signed forms are required prior to your student’s start date at SAS.
Date:
_______/________/________
month
day
year
School Name: __________________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________ Email: __________________________________
City, State & Zip Code: __________________________________________________________________________________
Country: _______________________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone number: ______________________________________________________________________________________
The following student has applied for admission to Shanghai American School.
We request copies of all academic school records for:
Student Name: _________________________________________________________________
(as on passport)
Date of Birth: ________/_____/__________
month / day / year
Grade Applying for: _______________
Please
fax records or email scanned records to the Office of Admisson
Fax: (86 21) 6221-2060
Email: [email protected]
Please
send the offical transcripts or records via priority mail to the Office of Admisson
Shanghai American School – Office of Admission
258 Jin Feng Road
Hua Cao Town, Minhang District
Shanghai, China 201107
School profile or summary of your school’s grading policy/system.
Academic records that include reports for the previous three (3) school years. Please submit the records in English.
Standardized achievement, intelligence or aptitude test scores (if applicable).
Teacher and/or counselor observations and comments (if applicable).
Results of any special academic or psychological educational evaluations (if applicable).
Health records or health concerns.
Signature of Parent:
12
Date:
/
/
month day year