Search Associates welcomes the vibrant Soong Ching Ling School (SCLS), a K–8 day school that opened in 2008 in Shanghai, China. The school is named for Madame Soong Ching Ling, sometimes referred to as the “mother of modern China,” whom SCLS says is
“. . . still loved by the people of China and the world. She is remembered for her integrity, inspiration, and compassion for the noble causes supporting humanity. Her mission to bring leaders together in an effort to honor people is carried out each day in and out of the classrooms. Our school is honored to be named after this woman of such impeccable qualities."
Shanghai is a world-class city with amenities of every kind; just as an example, it has two international airports that will serve most teachers' travel needs. Local shops as well as global retail brands are readily available. The city is also quite safe, probably safer than many other international cities of its size. Most teachers live in modern and furnished high-rise apartments, close to the city center and take free school transport to and from work. Most of the popular residential districts are about a 30-minute commute from school, varying with traffic. SCLS says, “You will love it here!”
The SCLS property is 40 acres of lush green lawns, gardens, and mature trees in the western suburbs of Shanghai. The campus, bordered on three sides by canals, has plenty of room for expansion of the facilities. The brand-new middle school building features sixteen state-of-the-art classrooms, a resource center with computers, and meeting rooms. The building was designed for middle school students to transition into a world of more independence, individual responsibility, class selection, collaborative learning, team-building activities, class meetings, and club activities. Another new building, the Center for Arts and Sciences, boasts stunning science labs and art centers on the second floor as well as an Idea Lab and massive art gallery on the ground floor. Currently under construction: the large library to cater to the middle and high schools, a theater with seating for a thousand, dance rooms, lecture halls, and research labs. The primary school facilities include a library, indoor swimming pool, tennis court, track, soccer field, basketball courts, large playgrounds, indoor gym, table tennis room, dance studios, computer labs, art studios, dining room, science lab, and a room devoted to STEM.
Currently enrolled at SCLS are 504 K–8 students, 65% of whom are Chinese and 15% of whom are from North America; however, a total of nineteen nationalities are represented at the school. SCLS follows the U.S. Common Core Curriculum. All subjects are taught in English during primary school, except for Chinese language and the Shanghai Math program. By Grade 5, however, students begin to transition from Chinese to English in math classes, and by middle school, all math is taught in English. Of the 69 total teaching staff, 34 are from North America, 31 are from China, and two are from the U.K.
The school year is punctuated with many special events and festivities: Flag Ceremony every Monday, Library Week, Storyteller Week, Book Fair, Sports Day, Spring Spelling Bee, and Campus Garden Care. Extracurricular activities include a variety of sports, such as swimming, soccer (football), basketball, track and field, cross country, badminton, volleyball, and table tennis. After school, students can study in the library, meet with friends in a social area called the "White House," attend a club meeting, like English in Action, Art in Action, Glee Club, or get involved in one of the school’s many community service offerings. The middle school students have accepted a global challenge, called NAIS 20/20, where they team with students in the U.S. to try to develop solutions to one of the world’s twenty major problems. “The Box of Love” is an all-school program, supporting earthquake victims with shoe boxes filled with warm clothing and basic school supplies. Middle school students can also join Student Council, visit the local senior citizens home, or go on the field trip to Beijing to visit the home of Madame Soon Ching Ling.
SCLS is interested in hiring singles and couples and would consider interns as well. They will also consider newly-certified teachers with exceptional qualities and outstanding, experienced teachers who are not certified. Teachers are not required to hold their academic degree in the subject they will be teaching. In China, one can obtain a work visa up to the age of 60.
The benefits include a large monthly stipend for housing, full tuition benefits for one child, and professional development. SCLS clarifies regarding the latter: “We are in the formative stages with professional development, but opportunities to attend local professional meetings and to bring in consultancy support on a subject-specific basis have been approved.” Worldwide health insurance (excluding the U.S.) is fully covered and includes emergency evacuation. There are local employment opportunities for non-teaching spouses. This package allows for some savings or the chance for a thrifty family of four to live on one salary.
To gain access to Soong Ching Ling School’s full profile on the Search Associates database, including a list of all open positions, candidates can apply for membership by clicking here. Candidates already registered can easily access the school profile directly through their dashboards.
Please Note: The information presented about this school was valid on the date published. This information may change, and the most up-to-date information can be found on the school profile.
