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Q.
What kind of school is SHBS?
A.SHBS was founded by Mr. Wenguo “Bowen” Chen, one of the earliest pioneers of international education in China, in collaboration with Hongrun Holdings. The school aims to connect with high-quality educational resources worldwide and provide an international curriculum in English for students who are not in the compulsory education stage but who have the intention to pursue higher education abroad. It is adjacent to the Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, an AAAA-rated tourist area, in Qingpu District, and has been recognized as the “most beautiful international school in East China.” With convenient transportation, it is situated near the Line 17 metro. SHBS has been ranked among the top 80 on the Hurun Education List and the top 73 on the Forbes Ranking among more than a thousand international schools in China. It is accredited by Cognia, the most authoritative accreditation institution for international schools globally. The school has a strong reputation and impressive academic achievements.
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Q.
What is your curriculum system?
A.The school is authorized by the College Board and Cambridge Assessment International Education in the United Kingdom. The curriculum is primarily based on the American AP (Advanced Placement) courses and the Cambridge A-Level courses. In addition, there are a variety of subject preparatory courses available at different difficulty levels to cater to students with different abilities. This curriculum system is designed to be unique and reflects the core principle of “the best fit is the best.” It breaks away from rigid course arrangements and by implementing a flexible scheduling system, allowing students to choose their own courses from over 100 options based on their interests, preferences, and individual characteristics. Teachers provide one-on-one guidance to help students develop their course selection strategies and make the best choices that align with their personal development.
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Q.
What about the faculty strength and teaching team?
A.The teaching staff consists of 100% bilingual teachers with at least a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or higher. More than 80% of the Chinese teachers have overseas study or teaching backgrounds. The foreign teachers come from countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, etc. They all hold a master's degree or higher, and have extensive teaching experience. The teachers have graduated from top-tier universities such as Harvard University, Princeton University, Cornell University, the National University of Singapore, and more. The student-to-teacher ratio is 1:4, ensuring that teachers have ample time and energy to focus on each student.
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Q.
How is the tuition fee structured and what does it include?
A.The tuition fee for the Preparatory Year B is 176,000 RMB per academic year, and for Preparatory Year A and above, it is 195,000 RMB per academic year. In addition to the curriculum, the fee includes one-on-one college counseling, free IELTS/TOEFL courses, a variety of extracurricular activities, and access to dozens of elective courses offered each semester.
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Q.
“Is an international school suitable for a child who is weak in English? How do you assist with the transition?”
A.If students can pass the school's entrance test, there is no need to worry about not keeping up with English learning at the school. The school will select appropriate English courses based on the student's English proficiency level. For students who need to strengthen their English foundation, they can choose to take Basic English (EF1, EF2) ESL Bridge courses that are taught by both Chinese and foreign teachers. When students have relatively weak English foundations, there will be more English classes available to help them improve their English skills as quickly as possible.
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Q.
What assistance do you provide for standardized tests?
A.We offer specialized courses for standardized tests such as ACT, SAT, TOEFL, and IELTS, and these courses are provided free of charge. Additionally, our school serves as an ACT testing center, making it convenient for students to take the exam on campus. We provide a range of preparatory courses with different difficulty levels and stages to help students prepare efficiently and improve their scores.
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Q.
How are the accommodation and meals?
A.The accommodation consists of rooms shared by 3 to 4 students, equipped with private bathrooms, beds, wardrobes, and desks with chairs. Each floor is equipped with a laundry room with washing machines and dryers. There is also a late-night study room available for students who wish to continue studying after lights out.
The cafeteria is managed by Sodexo, a leading global catering brand. It offers a variety of options including Chinese cuisine, Western cuisine, and noodles. The menu changes daily to offer a variety of ingredients and flavors. Students can choose their meals based on their preferences.