Dancing to the top!
Fourth-grader Josephine, together with her dance partner, won the world championship title in the Latin Dance U10 category at the 72nd International Championships in London.
The pair triumphed over 20 competing couples across three demanding rounds, showcasing their skill in Cha-Cha-Cha, Samba, Rumba, and Jive.
We sat down with the nine-year-old champion and her parents to discuss her journey to the top, what she loves most about the German School Shanghai, and why they chose the school for her.
9-year-old Josephine is in Grade 4, and has attended the German School Shanghai since 2017
What was it like to take part in the International Championship? How did you prepare for it?
It was a huge honor and a very exciting experience for me—especially since it was only my second performance in England!
To prepare, I took the train to the Suzhou in Anhui Province every weekend to train intensively with my dance partner for two full days. I also practiced at home during the week.
When did you start dancing? How long have you been doing Latin dance, and what do you enjoy most about it?
I started with ballet when I was three years old. I've been learning Latin dance for two years now—it's a demanding style, but I really enjoy the rhythmic movements.
Can you tell us about your competition journey? How did you qualify for the World Championship?
Last year, I participated in the 2024 World Cup Dance Competition and the 2024 Cimen International Dance Festival, winning the championship title in the 'Standard Solo Elite' category at both events.
This year, at the 2025 Cimen International Dance Festival, I once again claimed victory, earning the championship title in the 'Latin Girl Solo Elite Rising Star U10'.
The annual International Championship event in the UK is generally open to all participants—but since the level is extremely high, you really need dedication and hard work to compete successfully.
How long have you been at the German School Shanghai (DSS), and what do you like most about DSS?
I've been at the German School Shanghai since I was 18 months old—so it's already been eight years!
I really like how big the school is and how many classes and children there are. I especially love the new primary school hallway—it now has lots of play areas, so we can have fun there during our breaks.
I also enjoy the after-school clubs a lot. Last year, for example, I joined the Pop Dance Club, which I really liked.
Editor's Note
The kindergarten of the German School Shanghai welcomes children from 18 months of age until they start the primary school.
With around 300 extracurricular activities ranging from kindergarten to secondary school level, children and young people of the German School Shanghai are offered the chance to pursue their interests, discover new things and develop their talents.
Additionally, the Afternoon Club, which runs daily from 3pm to 5pm, complements the full-day program for children from the regular kindergarten group and primary school children upon request — flexibly tailored to the needs of the families.
Every day, children can look forward to a varied program ranging from sports and music to creative projects. Homework supervision is also included.
All offers can be booked either on a daily basis or for the whole week.
Interview with Josephine's Mother
Why did you choose the German School Shanghai?
Josephine joined the German School Shanghai when she was 18 months old, starting in the 'Ladybug' group of the nursery. Eight years later, she practically knows every tree on campus!
Her father is from Hamburg, Germany, and I am from China. Growing up in a bilingual and bicultural family—speaking Chinese, German, and English—it was clear to us from the start that she should receive an authentic German education while living in China.
The German School Shanghai follows the official German educational standards, which is crucial for expatriate families like ours. We wanted Josephine to keep up academically with children of her age group in Germany.
Since we live in China, Chinese is Josephine's first language, and her daily life is strongly influenced by Chinese culture. After school, she spends much of her time learning and dancing with Chinese friends—growing up as a truly multilingual and multicultural global child.
Editor's Note
For 30 years, the German School Shanghai has been providing German education in Shanghai and has been recognized as an 'Excellent German School Abroad' by the Federal Foreign Office and the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany.
The primary language of instruction is German, and the school offers a German language program (Deutsch als Fremdsprache (DaF) / Deutsch als Zweitsprache (DaZ)) for children who have little or no knowledge of the language.
In your opinion, what makes the German School Shanghai special?
With every school year, we become more aware of the profound and positive influence the DSS educational philosophy and methodology have on Josephine.
In primary school, the emphasis is on fundamental knowledge and learning skills. Core subjects such as German, Mathematics, and English are thoroughly taught and deepened.
Teachers never overwhelm the students with too many assignments; instead, they focus on developing thinking skills, practical abilities, and encouraging children to manage their own study time independently.
Beyond the classroom, the school offers a wide variety of extracurricular clubs (AGs) starting as early as preschool—always a highlight for Josephine at the beginning of each semester.
She has already explored many areas, from crafts, science, and computer studies to sports—and, of course, dance.
Through the Pop Dance Club, she represented DSS at this year's dance festival and performed at major community events such as the Summer Fair and the Christmas Market.
We consider the German School Shanghai an ideal educational environment. It systematically fosters learning habits and critical thinking while emphasizing the holistic development of interests and character.
After school, children have enough time to pursue their passions without being under excessive academic pressure—allowing them to grow in both body and mind.
We deeply appreciate how Josephine's dedication to her interests, her resilience in facing challenges, her calm attitude toward setbacks, and her grounded personality have all been shaped by the educational ideas and campus culture of DSS.
What are your hopes for Josephine's future?
We hope that Josephine grows up healthy and happy, becoming someone who truly knows herself, loves life, and values who she is.
As parents, we strive to broaden her horizons and open up opportunities for her wherever possible. As she grows older, this will help her to form a clearer sense of what she wants to do and who she wants to become.
Whether she decides to continue pursuing dance or to return to Germany to study and work, we will support her unconditionally. Her life experiences, insights, and confidence will enable her to make the best decisions for herself.
For international children like Josephine, their future is undoubtedly shaped by globalization. Children who receive an education following the German system in China are well-prepared for an international life and work environment—influenced by two outstanding cultures, proficient in three or more languages, and equipped with a global mindset.
Campus Tour & Open House
Open House
The German School Shanghai Open House is an opportunity to visit the campus and meet the principal and pedagogical team:
January 14, 2026
Yangpu Campus, 758 Jiangwancheng Lu, by Yinhang Lu, Yangpu District 江湾城路758号, 近殷行路
Campus Tour
If you would simply like to gain a comprehensive impression of the modern facilities and inspiring learning environment, the upcoming Campus Tour would be most suitable for you:
January 8, 2026
Hongqiao Campus, 350 Gaoguang Lu, by Zhuguang Lu, Qingpu District 高光路350号, 近诸光路
To book your place, simply scan the QR code on the poster above.
[All images courtesy of the German School Shanghai]
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