Changning District's history with international schools dates back to the late 19th century.
Founded in 1879, St. John's University was once regarded as the city's most prestigious institution of higher learning, the Harvard of Shanghai, if not China.
Supported by the American Episcopal Church, it was originally a secondary school.
Gradually, more and more college courses were added. In 1905, it gained university status and was one of the first universities in the country.
St. John's graduates, primarily Chinese from rich families at that time, are now scattered around the world.
It is said that nowadays, whenever people encounter older Shanghainese who speak flawless English and also appear to have a broad outlook and cultural background, most probably they would turn out to be the graduates of St. John's.
Many of them occupy the highest positions in government and business, both in China and in Chinese communities abroad.
Currently home to the East China University of Politics and Law, the former campus of St. John's still retains the atmosphere of a small western university.
The old architecture shows a unique blend of western style with Chinese characteristics.
The oldest building, now known as the "Taofen Building," was constructed in 1894. Most of the others were constructed from the 1900s to the 1930s.
Two other foreign schools, McTyeire School and St. Mary's School, were once the city's best secondary schools for girls.
The two schools attracted the daughters of the city's wealthiest Chinese. Famous alumnae include the famous Soong Sisters: Qingling (Mrs Sun Yat-Sun), Ailing (Mrs H.H. Kung) and Meiling (Mrs Chiang Kai-Shek), the famous writer Eileen Chang and Gong Peng, the first female assistant of China's foreign minister.
The two schools still exist and are thriving.
After liberation, the two schools merged and in 1952, the new school was named as Shanghai No.3 Girls' School. It is also the city's only all-girls high school.
Located on Jiangsu Road, the campus, which covers an area of about 5.3 hectares, resembles that of a western school, with red-brick roofed buildings, large lawns and plenty of trees.
According to Ba Wei, a teacher at the school, it continues to produce successful graduates and has a strong link with schools from more than 10 countries and regions around the world.
Ever since the construction of the Hongqiao Development Zone in the early 1990s, more and more foreign expatriates have chosen Changning District as their new home in Shanghai, creating a need for international schools.
They have a wide choice in the district. During the past years, more than 10 international schools, from kindergartens to high schools, have been set up.
"We think that we have found the most ideal location to launch our school in the city," said Zhang Hong, co-principal of the Hong Kong-based Yew Chong International School, which features three campuses in the city, two of which are located in Changning.
In 1993, the school opened its first branch in the city on the district's Shuicheng Road. It is one of the earliest international schools officially recognized by and registered with the Chinese government.