Yew Chung International School of Shanghai (YCIS Shanghai) offers early childhood to primary and secondary education programmes. Using an international curriculum based on the framework and schemes of work from the National Curriculum for England (NCE), the school also ensures a smooth transition between different Key Stage Levels of education through to graduation.

One major goal of YCIS Shanghai is to develop life long learners that will still be highly inquisitive long after their formative education has been completed. The Key Stage Levels nurture the students by ripening their skills and abilities to work independently and co-operatively, teaching them to think critically rather than focusing simply on the acquisition of knowledge, and by developing a global mindset tolerant of all things and everyone.

While English is the primary language of instruction, YCIS Shanghai also focuses on bilingual learning. A strong Chinese language studies programme and the co-teaching of Western and Chinese teachers in classrooms, expose students to two of the world's most commonly used languages. Students are expected to attain a high level of fluency in both oral and written English and Chinese.

Years 10 and 11 students study the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Programme which is equivalent to North American Grades 9 and 10. Years 12 and 13 centre on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. YCIS Shanghai is a fully accredited IB World School.