Livingston American School

In Brief

A small American-curriculum school (California/AP) tucked into Changning. Around 30+ nationalities. Door-to-door bus covers most of the city.

The community is the genuine strength. The PTA is active, parents know each other, and the head of school is reachable. According to one parent, "the school community is very close." If you want a small, family-feel school where your kid won't get lost, it delivers that.

Be clear-eyed on the trade-offs. The campus is dated — fine, clean classrooms, but the building shows its age and parents grumble about heating and AC. Several parents flag uncertified or inexperienced teachers, and turnover among staff has been a real issue. One reviewer put it bluntly: "in the last two years over 40 teachers have left." Many families move kids to bigger schools (Concordia, SAS, SCIS) before middle school, partly because facilities and academic depth don't keep pace at the upper grades.

Watch the bill. Tuition is mid-tier by Shanghai standards, but parents consistently mention extras stacking up — uniforms, MAPS, trips, tech fee, lunch, bus, workbooks. Ask for a fully loaded number before signing.

A note on the leadership culture. Staff reviews online describe the head as hands-on but tough, with a few using stronger words. One teacher said working there is "like being in a toxic relationship." Take it with the usual grain of salt, but it's a consistent theme worth raising in the school visit.

Bottom line for your friend: SLAS works well as a smaller, lower-key American option for early years if proximity and community matter more than facilities or pedigree. For middle and high school, most families end up looking elsewhere — worth planning that exit before you arrive, not after.