Concordia International School Shanghai

History

Founded in 1998, Concordia has grown from 22 students and 14 staff members under the direction of founder Allan Schmidt to its current enrollment of over 1,200 students from pre-K to grade 12 under the direction of Gregg A. Pinick, head of school. In August 2007, the school opened its new elementary school building (replacing an existing structure) and the David F. Rittmann Fine Arts Center (featuring a 450-seat theater to support the drama program, 2D and 3D art rooms, art gallery, band/choir/orchestra rooms, and music practice rooms). For the start of the 2015/2016 school year, Concordia added a new welcome center, cooking studio, drama room, business center, student media center, artificial turf, and a blue track to the school. For the start of the 2016/2017 school year, Concordia added new wall extensions, enclosing passages between, and into, buildings, a new music department office, a new Luther meeting room, and a middle school classroom (where the old Luther room used to be).

Religious affiliation

Concordia follows the traditional education of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS). This schooling system focuses on three main elements: body, mind and spirit. Concordia International School Shanghai is one of the three international schools in Asia operated by the LCMS. Concordia welcomes families and students of all faiths.

Programs and services

Concordia International School Shanghai offers several programs throughout the year for students from pre-K to grade 12. Programs range from sports such as soccer, softball, tennis, swimming, basketball, volleyball, baseball, cross country, track, and ultimate frisbee.

Concordia is a member of the Asia Pacific Activities Conference which hosts competition events for international schools in P.R.C. China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. Concordia also participates in APAC with various athletics and arts teams.

Concordia International School Shanghai is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). In addition, Concordia is also a member of associations, such as ACAMIS and EARCOS.

Uniform policy

Concordia International School Shanghai is a private school, and as such, it adheres to a uniform policy which is intended to reflect the ethos of the school. Students have a role in the selection of the uniform, which is based on khaki and blue pants or skirts and a navy blue or white polo shirt. (This is excluding the somewhat frequent free dress days). Moreover, starting from the 2016/2017 school year, the student council worked with the high school administration, slightly modifying the uniform policy for the high school to allow any school related jackets, including ones received from co-curricular activities, to be worn during the school day.

Extracurricular activities

The school is a participant of the Asia Pacific Activities Conference (APAC), an athletic and arts program for international schools in six countries across East Asia.

Concordia is the host school of CISSMUN, a model United Nations conference that is affiliated with The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN).

Every year, Concordia, Shanghai Community International School (SCIS), Shanghai American School and other schools have a soccer day for the elementary school, which Shanghai American school initiated.

School statistics

A full list of school report can be seen at Concordia's website.

"Great school with good beliefs, great topnotch teachers, and no bullying you get what you paying for" - Former student in years 2014-2016