When “Choosing A School” Becomes “Choosing A Community”
Sometimes, choosing a school is about more than just the curriculum—especially for international families.
When they leave their familiar countries, languages, and cultures to come to Shanghai, what they’re truly seeking is never just a place to learn, but a way of life where they feel accepted, understood, and connected—a place where a child can grow up with peace of mind, and a community where a family can put down roots with confidence.
At Harrow Shanghai, families from all over the world are coming together to build just such a vibrant, real-life “community.”
Part 1: “Integration and Connection” from an Italian Family
Samantha|That sense of belonging happened on the very first day.
Before arriving in Shanghai, Samantha’s family faced the realities typical of an international family: a new country, a new language, and a new environment.
But beyond that, they had one particular concern: coming from different cultural backgrounds, would they truly be able to integrate into the diverse community at Harrow Shanghai? They wanted their children to be exposed to different cultures, but they also hoped that their own family culture would be understood and respected.
But those concerns began to fade gradually after she attended her first Harrow Stay & Play event. The warm atmosphere on campus, the natural and interactive classroom environment, and the friendly relationships between teachers and students helped Samantha relax quickly. By the end of the event, she was even reluctant to leave.
After starting at Harrow, Samantha gradually began to show her love for school life. Every day when she came home, she would excitedly share what had happened at school: who she played with that day, what they explored in class, and what fun activities she tried.
Samantha’s mother later described: “We quickly realized that this wasn’t just a school—it was a community that welcomed us.”
This sense of connection gradually extended from her child to the entire family. From initially participating in school activities to later taking the initiative to get involved in community building, Samantha’s family has become an integral part of the Harrow Community. Before the end of one semester, Samantha’s mother took the initiative to organize a craft activity for the class, allowing the children to build connections through collaborative creation and leaving the class with precious memories.
From participants to observers, and then to active contributors. This is precisely what makes the Harrow community so special: every family is not only welcomed into the community but also has the opportunity to enrich it in their own way.
More importantly, the school encourages children to preserve their cultural identities. Children from different countries share their languages, holidays, and traditions in their daily lives, learning to understand and respect differences through authentic interactions. Here, internationalism is not just a concept—it is a way of life that is lived out every day.
Part 2: The Selection Logic of a Singapore Family
Aaliyah|Trust is the foundation of a community
Families from Singapore often have very clear criteria when it comes to education: whether the system is rigorous, whether communication is transparent, and whether their children are truly seen.
When Aaliyah joined Harrow Shanghai, she was in the Nursery program. For children at this stage, parents are concerned not only with the curriculum but, more importantly, with whether their children are happy, eager to explore, and gradually building self-confidence and independence.
When Aaliyah and her family visited Harrow for the first time, they saw more than just classrooms—they saw a comprehensive support system. The teachers’ professional judgment, detailed feedback, and consistent communication quickly helped them build trust.
Since starting at Harrow, Aaliyah’s daily progress has been a pleasant surprise to her parents. She loves exploring new things and enjoys the process of creating and trying new things. Every day when she comes home from school, she can’t wait to share what she learned that day, the fun activities she did, and the experiences she had with her friends.
Aaliyah‘s mom said: “Harrow strikes a great balance between play and learning. Aaliyah loves to explore, be creative, and try new things every day. We’ve seen her grow significantly in terms of self-confidence, curiosity, and independence.”
For international families, this ongoing, transparent, and traceable communication about their child’s growth is often more important than the curriculum itself. This is because it means that children are not only learning but also growing happily, gradually becoming more confident and proactive individuals.
Part 3: Why Harrow, rather than “Another International School”?
There are many excellent international schools in Shanghai. They offer different curriculum systems, different pathways to higher education, and each has its own unique educational philosophy. But behind these families’ choices, we see a more fundamental difference:
They choose Harrow, not only because it offers an international education, but also because it fosters a community that truly brings families together.
At Harrow Shanghai, parents are not bystanders; they are part of the community.
From farm field trips to family days, sports days, and book clubs, many of these activities are not organized solely by the school, but are created through the joint participation of the school, teachers, and parents.
Here, families bring not only their children, but also their own cultures, experiences, and enthusiasm. Every family can find its own way to connect.
At the same time, to help new families integrate more quickly, Harrow Shanghai continues to build closer communication channels between the school and parents. The Head Master personally established a parent community of nearly 1,000 members, where he and the teachers share daily updates on the children’s growth and development on campus. From memorable moments in the classroom to even the smallest steps of progress, parents are able to actively participate in their children’s growth.
New families also gain a deeper understanding of the school’s culture through activities such as morning coffee meetings with the headmaster, cycling, yoga, and tai chi. From their very first day on campus, they feel welcomed, understood, and supported. Because at Harrow, educational connections extend far beyond the classroom.
At Harrow Shanghai, multiculturalism is not just a background—it’s part of everyday life.
For international families, true internationalism isn’t simply about having students from different countries; it’s about children being able to maintain their own identities in a diverse environment while learning to understand and appreciate others. Here:
Italian families share their cultural traditions; Singaporean families bring different educational perspectives; Families from diverse backgrounds participate together in school life. Differences aren’t hidden—they become an important way for children to understand the world.
At Harrow Shanghai, for children, it’s not just a choice of school—it’s a long journey of growth.
For international families, the greatest challenge is often not gaining admission to a school, but finding consistent and stable support for their children’s growth in an ever-changing environment. From 18 months to 18 years old, Harrow Shanghai offers a continuous path of growth:
A stable educational culture, ongoing home-school partnerships, and a community network that supports children’s long-term development. This ensures that wherever their future may take them, they will carry with them a sense of belonging and confidence rooted in their time here.
The Purpose of School is to Bring Families Together
As the interview drew to a close, one phrase kept coming up: “The school belongs not only to the children, but to us as well.”
So when we look back at the reasons why families from different countries and cultural backgrounds chose Harrow, it becomes very clear. They are looking for more than just a place to learn; they are seeking a community that can support their children’s growth and help the entire family connect.
Here, children are seen, families are welcomed, and cultures are respected.
Because real international education isn’t just about cultivating children’s ability to engage with the world in the classroom; it’s also about helping them build the confidence to understand the world and embrace the future within a community filled with connection and support.
This is what Harrow Shanghai hopes to offer every family—a journey of shared growth.