About
Our History
From a pioneering IB World School in 2006 to mainland China's only IB Continuum School today.
Founded 2006
A vision for international education in Shanghai.
WISS was founded in 2006 with a clear mission: to inspire curious, principled, internationally minded learners through the International Baccalaureate. From day one, we built our school around inquiry, language acquisition, and the IB learner profile.
Year after year, WISS layered new programmes, partnerships, and distinctions — including full IB authorisations, Explore China, community Saturday School, and global collaborations. In 2017 we became the first IB Continuum World School in mainland China. Today our 28-acre, purpose-built campus — designed by Weimar Architects of the Bauhaus University — supports every facet of inquiry, athletics, creativity, and service.
Milestones
A journey marked by firsts.
- 2006 — WISS opened
- 2010 — Accredited to offer the IB PYP and IB DP
- 2012 — Accredited to offer the IB MYP
- 2014 — Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC); partnership with the International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA)
- 2016 — Awarded the Magnolia Award by the City of Shanghai
- 2017 — Accredited to offer the IB CP, becoming the first IB Continuum World School in mainland China
- 2018 — His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, visited WISS
- 2019 — Joined the Council of International Schools (CIS)
- 2020 — Partnership with the Sustainability Management School (SUMAS), Switzerland and Italy
- 2026 — WISS 20th anniversary