Students are admitted and placed in a grade after considering their age, achievement level, grade level at their previous school, emotional and physical maturity and fluency in English. Nursery candidates must be 3 years old by 1^st January.

Upon admission, students are provided with a learning program based on their readiness and maturity. Promotion to a higher grade or retention in a lower grade is based on a student's ability and achievement, rather than on parent's request. When necessary, teachers, administrators and parents meet to discuss concerns regarding grade level placement.

Parents of students who have special learning needs will need to consult with SSIS to be sure that SSIS has resources to serve their child before arriving in Shanghai or before applying for admission. Parents coming from countries where ample support services are available should be aware that SSIS has limited resources to work with students who have special needs.

The age requirements for admission (based on the applicant’s year of birth) for the next three Academic Year are shown in the table below:

Year Level	US/IBO Grade Level	2011/2012	2012/2013	2013/2014
		Year of Birth	Year of Birth	Year of Birth
Nursery	Preschool	2008	2009	2010
Kindergarten 1		2007	2008	2009
Kindergarten 2		2006	2007	2008
Primary 1	Grade 1	2005	2006	2007
Primary 2	Grade 2	2004	2005	2006
Primary 3	Grade 3	2003	2004	2005
Primary 4	Grade 4	2002	2003	2004
Primary 5	Grade 5	2001	2002	2003
Primary 6	Grade 6	2000	2001	2002
Secondary 1	Grade 7	1999	2000	2001
Secondary 2	Grade 8	1998	1999	2000
Secondary 3	Grade 9	1997	1998	1999
Secondary 4	Grade 10	1996	1997	1998
High School 1	Grade 11	1995	1996	1997
High School 2	Grade 12	1994	1995	1996