Introduction

Like the students we serve, life at Shanghai American School (SAS) is dynamic and ever changing. We would not have it any other way for in change there is growth, in growth there is development, and in development there is lifelong learning, all of which we believe are hallmarks of an excellent school community.

Roland Barth, former dean of the Harvard School of Education, describes a school as a Community of Learners; as a place in which "everyone is teaching and everyone is learning - simultaneously under the same roof." In this concept of a community of learners, all members of the school community, not just students but also teachers, administrators, staff and yes, parents too, should engage in learning together. This is our goal and this is our commitment as a school that we are all learners together. Additionally, we believe that inherent in the concept of a learning community is the notion of striving together, supporting each other and, throughout our community, maintaining our commitment to be learners each and every one.

Shanghai American School (SAS) offers the expatriate community in Shanghai an outstanding academic program at two locations to accommodate families who live on both sides of Asia's most vibrant city - Puxi in the city's west, and Pudong in the east. The comprehensive pre-K through grade 12 curriculum is closely aligned between both campuses to guarantee that all SAS students receive the same high-quality education. To this end, SAS recruits highly qualified teachers and administrators, who follow the best practices in education and current research.

The two campuses have been developed to specifically meet the needs of the curriculum, with facilities and learning resources that rival those of the best international schools. SAS takes pride in its student-teacher relationships and a climate of mutual trust and respect is encouraged within the school community. Individual's preferred learning styles are recognized and teachers use diverse teaching strategies to encourage independent learning. Classes have a maximum of 18 students and a concerted effort is made to balance class make up according to background, language, academic ability, nationality and gender.

(Source: Shanghai American School)