The WhereNext Value Score (0-100) measures what families get for what they pay — smaller class sizes, more nationality diversity, more accreditations, stronger learning support, and richer activities relative to cost. 28 international schools in Shanghai are scored. Median Value Score: 68/100. Highest-scoring: Shanghai High School International Division at 82/100 (tuition $19,476–$21,683 USD). This is NOT a quality ranking — it's cost-versus-features.
Key facts
▸28 schools scoredWhereNext Value Score (0–100) — class size + nationality diversity + accreditations + learning support + activities, normalised by cost.
▸Median value: 68/100the 50th-percentile school in Shanghai.
▸Top: Shanghai High School International Division82/100 value score · $19,476–$21,683/yr tuition.
▸Median tuition: $26.7k/yrpublished tuition midpoint across 28 schools.
▸Methodologyvalue = features ÷ cost · NOT a quality ranking · CC BY 4.0 underlying data.
“Est. all-in” is a WhereNext-modeled estimate — published tuition plus typical fees for the city (registration, transport, uniform, activities). It is not the school's itemised fee schedule — verify final fees with the school.
How the Value Score works
The WhereNext Value Score starts at 50 (neutral) and adjusts across six dimensions: class size (−10 to +15), diversity (+0 to +10), accreditations (+0 to +10), learning support (+0 to +8), activities richness (+0 to +5), and a cost-tier adjustment that boosts cheaper schools and discounts premium-tier schools that don't justify their pricing through other dimensions.
Important: the Value Score is NOT a quality ranking. A school with strong educational outcomes can have a moderate Value Score if it sits in the premium tier; a smaller, cheaper school with good fundamentals can score higher on Value while still being a different fit for your family.