Welcome to the Shanghai American School’s “Back to School” page!

We've prepared this information to assist all new and re-enrolled parents and students to get ready for the 2008-2009 school year.  Some of the information pertains to all students and some to only the new and transferred student.  Please read the information carefully and mark your calendar for orientation and start dates according to your enrollment status and grade level. Here are important beginning-of-school events and times for August:

On the Puxi campus . . .

1. Orientation day for new and transfer students and parents, grades 1-12, will take place on Tuesday, August 19. Check-in will begin at 8 a.m. outside of the Performing Arts Center (PAC); sessions begin at 9 a.m in the PAC. Orientation will last throughout the day, ending at approximately 3 p.m. Orientation Agenda (pdf)

2. Returning elementary and middle school students and parents are welcome to return to campus on Wednesday, August 20. Elementary School Principal Mary Lane and Middle School Principal Bernadette Carmody will send details of the activities planned for returning students on this day.

3. Returning high school students will be welcomed back on the first day of school on Thursday, August 21. High School Principal Alan Knobloch will send details of all the plans for the high school's opening day.

4. Visitation/Orientation Day for Kindergarten and Pre-K (4) students will take place on Thursday, August 21. Parents should plan to remain at school for the orientation while their children participate in the visitation. The first day of school for all new and returning Kindergarten and all new Pre-K (4) students is on Friday, August 22.

5. Additional Information from the Puxi Campus principals, including a welcome letter, back- to-school lists and more, is available here.

On the Pudong campus . . .

1. Orientation day for new and transfer students and parents, grades 1-12, will take place on Wednesday, August 20. Check-in will begin at 8 a.m. at the main gate and orientation will begin in the HS gymnasium; sessions begin at 9 a.m. Throughout the day, orientation sessions will take place in various areas across the Pudong campus, ending at approximately 3 p.m. Orientation Agenda (pdf)

2. Returning students will be welcomed to the new school year on the first day of school on Thursday, August 21. Elementary School Principal Dennis Bissmeyer, Middle School Principal Ron Roukema, and High School Principal Jon Borden will send details of the special activities and programs planned for the opening of school on the Pudong campus.

3. Visitation/Orientation Day for Kindergarten and Pre-K (4) students and parents will take place on Thursday, August 21. Parents should plan to remain at school for the orientation while their children participate in the visitation. The first day of school for all new and returning Kindergarten and all new Pre-K (4) students is on Friday, August 22.

4. Visitation/Orientation Day for Pre-K (3) students and parents will take place on Friday, August 22, from 9 a.m. - 12 noon. Parents should plan to remain with their children for this 9 a.m.- noon PK 3 visitation. The first day of school for all Pre-K (3) students will be on Monday, August 25.

5. Additional Information from the Pudong Campus principals, including a welcome letter, back- to-school lists and more, is available here.