Many people believe that a good education leads to a brighter future. Because of this, many strive to attend the “best” institutions such as Harvard and MIT. But the race starts far before then. Parents enroll their children in prestigious and academically rigorous high schools, just to get a better shot at these colleges. Like Bronx Science, there are many similar high schools around the world that are notorious for being academically rigorous, one of which is Shanghai High School in Shanghai, China.
Founded in 1865, Shanghai High School is currently one of the top high schools in China, requiring an entrance exam to get in. The campus is around 56 acres, and 45% of this land is growing with vegetation.
The school includes the local division and the international division. The local division offers a three-year high school program, with over 1,200 local students. Each year, over 70% of local division students enter top-tier universities in China.
The international division provides a complete 1-12 grade system for over 3,200 students from more than 60 countries and regions. The International division offers international courses such as IB and AP courses. More than 90% of international division graduates are accepted by prestigious overseas universities.
Over the years, Shanghai High School has had many notable alumni, including 105 individuals who are currently or have been leaders at the provincial or higher levels, a total of 57 academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, over 30 generals in the Army, and more than 200 university presidents and countless experts in various fields. One of the most famous alumni who came to America was the computer engineer and inventor An Wang, who was the co-founder of Wang Laboratories. It was also where my mom and grandpa went to school.
The idea of getting into one of the “top schools” has placed massive pressure upon American students. In China, the pressure and competition are even more fierce. Countless students study for life-changing tests in order to get into the high school or college that they want. But, does it live up to its title of one of the best high schools in China? Is it any different from American specialized high schools like Bronx Science?
To answer these questions, I interviewed James Wu, a Shanghai High School alumnus, who is currently a sophomore at The Australian National University (ANU).
Typical Day:
Shanghai High School’s local division is a boarding school. Grade 10 and 11 students are mandated to live on campus, but grade 12 students have the option of living off-campus. Four students share one room and a bathroom.
Students wake up at 6 a.m. and then go to the courtyard to do group stretches at 6:25. Before breakfast, students go to the classroom for morning study sessions. After eating breakfast and cleaning their dorms, students attend their 8 a.m. class. There are 5 classes in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. The classes are around 40 minutes each, with a 10-minute break in between each one. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., students have a 3-hour break where they hang out with friends or attend clubs. At 7 p.m., students have a night studying session until 9:15 p.m. Then they must go back to their dorms and turn off their lights by 9:50 p.m. Once the light turns off, the dorm supervisor will walk around to make sure all students are sleeping.
Each grade has a different lunchtime. The lunch, which has a fixed price set by the government, is the same for every student. For breakfast and dinner, students can choose from a vast selection of food and pay for the meal with a student discount.
School Curriculum:
Compared to other high schools in China, Shanghai High School is not as demanding in terms of school work. Wu explains that other specialized high schools have more homework and tests. Although there isn’t a lot of homework, students still spend significant time on these assignments to perfect them.
Students are assigned to one room for the entire 10th and 11th grades. Core classes include math, science, language, and English. It is not until 12th grade that they are allowed to choose a few classes from a plethora of electives. Wu chose traditional pastry baking, French, and computer science. In these classes, they have mentors (professors or specialists) from those specific fields. The wide range of choices allows students to expand their interests and talents.
For example, Wu speaks and writes English fluently. Besides learning the school’s requirements for the English course, Wu practices by conversing with native speakers. This helps him adapt to studying abroad.
Activities and Clubs:
Like Bronx Science, Shanghai High School has several activities and clubs for students. Every year, there are festivals, including, technology (robotics), art, and sport. Some of the students have won awards from notable competitions, excelling in their respective fields. This makes the festival very entertaining.
Similar to Bronx Science, Shanghai High School offers a wide range of clubs: the school currently offers over 30 student-led clubs. They range from drama to volleyball to even F1. These clubs are student-funded. Every school year, they have two club fairs, one where students register for clubs, and the other where students demonstrate their achievements over the school year.
Unlike Bronx Science, students are also mandated to learn survival skills. They go on field trips for 48 hours. They are assigned tasks which include cooking, lighting campfires, and setting up tents.
Shanghai High School even has a school TV station, which owns used TV broadcast equipment donated from Shanghai’s news station. Students are in charge of selecting topics, interviewing, production, and editing. Some of these programs are even broadcast on local television.
Shanghai High School also attends the International Mathematical Olympiad. So far, they have won 17 gold medals. They will be hosting it in 2026. This will be the first high school globally to host the competition.
Reflection
In both China and the United States, specialized high schools have a tight-knit community and difficult workloads. Students always strive to do their best, competing with other students. But is this all worth it?
The core classes vary based on the school. With Shanghai High School, for example, the teachers are not as demanding when it comes to homework. In fact, the purpose of these core classes is relatively the same as ours. They only teach the necessary information that students need to learn, but it doesn’t help students who want to pursue a specific major in higher-level education, undergraduate or graduate. Perhaps because of the relaxed regulations, the students take more initiative in choosing classes that will benefit them in the future.
This is where electives and special classes come in. Students are able to choose electives, more difficult and extra classes pertaining to the topic they want. This allows the student to discover possibilities and prepare for the student’s future. Bronx Science offers a wide range of these programs, like Exploring Graphic Novels and the Manne Institute. Shanghai High School also offers similar research programs.
Although specialized high schools are known for their rigorous classes, clubs and activities are also a huge part of school life. At Bronx Science, we have numerous clubs to choose from, ranging from academic-based ones to hobbies. Similarly, the clubs are student-led, allowing students to lead and manage clubs themselves. This wide variety of choices allows students to develop their interests and also serves as a stepping stone to college and higher education.
Besides increasing academic knowledge, specialized high schools also help students learn useful skills.
Wu said, “Living on campus allowed me to be more independent. Every week, parents can only visit us for two hours per week. So, we have to take care of ourselves. We are also not allowed to bring electronics to the campus.”
Even though he is almost 4,900 miles away from home, he quickly adapted to living abroad. Learning in such a competitive school encourages students to develop good habits, like managing time, taking initiative, and building a solid academic foundation. Even after decades of graduating, my mom is still able to help me with difficult math questions.
Specialized high schools around the world provide students with a good work environment, providing an abundance of opportunities and resources, and access to other students with the same ambitions. But it still boils down to the student’s willingness and dedication. Even though entering these schools might not directly lead students to their dream colleges, the skills and knowledge that were developed during their high school journey will be beneficial for their entire life.
Specialized high schools around the world provide students with a good work environment, providing an abundance of opportunities and resources, and access to other students with the same ambitions. But it still boils down to the student’s willingness and dedication.