This is one of the most popular schools in Shanghai with its own unique characteristics, education style, and good-tempered students. The school adheres to the educational philosophy of "active participation, hard practice," with the goal of training "modern Chinese who are going into the world" and aims to train the next generation with foreign language and computer skills who are well-developed morally, intellectually, and physically.

They emphasize a liberal education with instruction that provides both breadth and depth. The curriculum includes a combination of Chinese national requirements, bilingual studies, and IB programs. At the center of its mission is the cultivation of leadership skills and an international vision based on the characteristics of “benevolence, elegance, and confidence.”

The school is well-respected throughout Asia for its foreign language instruction, including German, Japanese, French, and Spanish. Other major subjects, such as history, geography, information technology, biology, and mathematics are taught in both English and Chinese. It is also distinctive for producing and using its own textbooks in its classes.

The school currently offers two IB programs: the Diploma Programme (DP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP.) The DP is a two-year program offered to students in their last two years of high school. Students pursue a six-course program with each course chosen from a specific discipline, thus ensuring breadth of experience in languages, social studies, experimental sciences, and mathematics. The MYP is offered to students between the ages of 11 and 16. It emphasizes interdisciplinary learning. Students are required to study Chinese, a second language, humanities, science, mathematics, arts, physical education, and technology.

The school’s annual enrollment is about 150 to 160 DP students and 100 MYP students. About 80% of its DP graduates pursue post-secondary education in the United States and 70% of MYP graduates pursue high school studies in the US. As a whole, every year the school employs about 40 to 50 foreign teachers.