Competitions at the DSS

Competing in National and International Competitions

Our students regularly achieve excellent results in a wide range of prestigious competitions in Germany and around the world. Taking part helps them develop their communication and language skills, analytical and creative thinking, problem-solving strategies, teamwork, presentation skills and ability to work across disciplines. At the same time, students discover their individual talents, deepen their subject knowledge and challenge themselves by competing with their peers at a high level.

Natural Sciences & Technology

International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO)

The IJSO brings together biology, chemistry and physics, encouraging interdisciplinary thinking and fostering team spirit in international groups.

International Biology Olympiad (IBO)

Our students deepen their knowledge of biology and tackle challenging theoretical and practical tasks at an international level.

International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO)

In this chemistry olympiad, our students tackle complex chemical challenges, design experiments and develop their scientific thinking.

International Physics Olympiad (IPhO)

Through challenging theoretical and experimental tasks, our students deepen their understanding of physics and develop their analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Understanding the World Through Curiosity and Creativity

We encourage our students to ask questions, develop their own ideas and actively engage with the world around them. Through a wide range of projects, they deepen their knowledge, recognise connections and explore their own approaches to solving problems. We give them the freedom to take responsibility, try new approaches and learn from mistakes. In this way, we nurture their curiosity, creativity and problem-solving skills, helping them grow into independent individuals who can apply their abilities to challenging tasks and competitions.

Mathematics & Computer Science

Mathematics Without Borders

In this international team competition, our students strengthen their teamwork, logical thinking and structured approach to solving complex mathematical problems.

Kangaroo Mathematics Competition

Creative multiple-choice questions spark our primary school students’ curiosity about mathematical concepts and nurture their mathematical thinking, as well as their enjoyment of numbers and logic.

Mathematics Olympiad

From primary school onwards, our students take on challenging mathematical problems that require perseverance, concentration and in-depth mathematical thinking.

Youth Computer Science Competition (JwInf)

Through the German Youth Computer Science Competition, our students learn to code, solve algorithmic challenges and deepen their understanding of computer science.

Informatics Beaver Competition

Through playful, logical and practical challenges, even our youngest students explore fundamental concepts of computer science.

Business & Entrepreneurship

Business Plan Competition for Students

Working in teams, students at our Fachoberschule develop their own business ideas, create business plans, analyse markets and present their concepts to a jury. The competition encourages innovation, a sense of responsibility and entrepreneurial thinking, while providing practical preparation for university and the world of work.

Celebrating Sport

East Asian Games (OAS)

In 2026 we hosted the 8th East Asian Games and took first place, ahead of the German School Tokyo Yokohama and Taipei European School! We are already looking forward to the next OAS in 2028 at the German Embassy School Beijing.

Annual PASCH Basketball Cup

The PASCH initiative brings together more than 2,000 schools worldwide, including German Schools Abroad and schools where German is taught as a foreign language and links with Germany play an important role. Each year, basketball enthusiasts from PASCH schools across the region, including Suzhou, Nanjing, Wuxi and Hangzhou, come together to compete in exciting matches, connect with one another and exchange ideas.

Language, Culture & Society

National Reading Competition

In this nationwide reading competition, our students present passages from their favourite books to an audience, developing their reading skills, expressive abilities and self-confidence.

Jugend debattiert (Youth Debating Competition)

The competition develops students’ ability to construct persuasive arguments, think critically, work as a team and present their views with confidence. The German School Shanghai regularly takes part in the Asia regional competitions, competing against other German Schools Abroad in the region.

Model United Nations (MUN)

At regional and international Model United Nations (MUN) conferences, our students represent delegates from different countries, debate global issues in English and develop diplomatic solutions. Along the way, they deepen their understanding of international affairs and strengthen their analytical thinking, teamwork and negotiation skills.

Diercke Geography Competition

In the renowned Diercke Geography Competition, our students demonstrate their in-depth knowledge of map skills, countries and global connections.

Federal President’s History Competition

Our students regularly take part in the renowned Federal President’s History Competition, investigating the past in their local surroundings through research, interviews with contemporary witnesses and the discovery of historical artefacts.

Music & Art

Jugend musiziert

Our talented young musicians regularly take part in leading music competitions across China, including the “China Youth Music Competition – Hummingbird Music Award”, which is based on the Jugend musiziert concept and co-organised by the German competition.

Excellent German Education

As a recognized "Excellent German School Abroad", the DSS stands for the highest educational standards, a multilingual profile and a diverse international learning environment.

Successful Sports Teams

Our school teams regularly achieve outstanding results in regional and international competitions and represent the DSS in tournaments such as the East Asian Games or in soccer throughout Asia.