Concordia Shanghai: Cultivating Tomorrow’s Global Citizens

The premier international school combines academic rigor with holistic development to prepare students for lifelong success.

At Concordia International School Shanghai, education extends far beyond textbooks and test scores. When the school’s Big Data Analytics students presented their research at the University of Oxford’s 2024 International Conference on Big Data and Education (ICBDE), they exemplified what holistic education looks like in practice—combining academic excellence with real-world application and global engagement.

Since 1998, Concordia has pursued a comprehensive approach to education in Shanghai’s vibrant Jinqiao community, seeing every student as an individual with unique gifts. The school’s mission centers on cultivating this potential, recognizing that true learning encompasses social, emotional, intellectual and moral development. This philosophy shapes every aspect of school life, from classroom instruction to community service development.

“At Concordia, nurturing curiosity and independent thinking begins with the relationships and connections we build across our community,” explains Head of School Dr. Eric Semler. “We know that for students to truly take intellectual risks and explore boldly, they need to feel safe—not just physically, but emotionally as well. Our school culture prioritizes that sense of safety and belonging so every student feels supported to ask questions, take risks and grow.”

This holistic vision manifests through innovative programs that blend learning with purpose. Third Culture Coffee, a student-led social enterprise, teaches entrepreneurship while addressing community challenges in the rural province of Yunnan. The Giving Tree Project enables Grade 8 students to develop leadership skills by organizing awareness campaigns and delivering gifts to children in need, illustrating how academic learning translates into compassionate action.

Concordia’s commitment to whole-child development is reflected in its comprehensive arts and athletics programming. As part of reinvesting in the needs of students and the future of learning, the school has begun the redevelopment of the Rittmann Center, an enduring hub of creativity and community for nearly two decades. The reimagined Rittmann Arts and Activities Center, scheduled for completion in summer 2027, will span 13,710 square meters and unite academics, arts, athletics and wellness under one roof. With sustainability at its core, the facility will include a professional theater and a competition pool, embodying Concordia’s belief that true excellence emerges when diverse disciplines converge.

Faculty development also reflects this comprehensive approach. Teachers collaborate across disciplines while building expertise in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and Universal Design for Learning to address the unique needs of every student.

“At Concordia Shanghai, we believe education goes beyond academics—it’s nurturing the whole child to thrive in a rapidly changing world,” Dr. Semler emphasizes. “What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to academic excellence paired with a dynamic community grounded in shared values, where every student feels safe, valued and inspired to grow.”

Learn more about Concordia International School Shanghai at www.concordiashanghai.org.