北京耀中國際學(xué)校家長常見問題

　　1. How is YCIS Beijing unique? What makes YCIS Beijing different from other international schools?

　　YCIS Beijing is unique due to its philosophy and objectives that combine the best of Eastern and Western cultures by promoting fluency in two major world languages, creating a holistic learning environment, and preparing students as global citizens.

　　A Co-Principal and Co-Teaching model embodies the East and West philosophy. ECE and Primary Co-Teachers offer students the advantage of language development, cross-cultural understanding, and increased individual attention.

　　The Yew Chung international curriculum equips children not only to be bilingual, but also global-minded, competitive, appreciative, skilled and caring global citizens. Students are nurtured in a multicultural environment with a fully rounded and balanced education which transforms them into global thinking individuals.

　　This holistic approach to education involves cooperation with parents, family, and the community.

　　2. What curriculum do you use?

　　The school follows the Yew Chung international curriculum. The ECE programme (K2-K4) is fully bilingual and based on the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage from England.

　　For Years 1-9, an internationalised version of the National Curriculum for England is used, which includes a Chinese Language and Culture programme, Primary Violin programme, and Character Education.

　　The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is used for Years 10-11, while the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is used for the last two years of Secondary education, Years 12-13, enabling university entrance.

　　3. How much Chinese is offered at YCIS Beijing?

　　As a bilingual school, we make Chinese (Putonghua) a compulsory course. Primary and Secondary students study Chinese language for a full period every day, with the addition of a Chinese Culture class (also taught in Putonghua) once per week in the Primary Section. The Chinese Curriculum at YCIS Beijing is divided into two sections: Chinese as First Language (CFL), and Chinese as an Additional Language (CAL). Students are placed into different levels according to their language background, needs and ability. Please refer to the “Chinese Curriculum” section of this website for more Chinese curriculum information.

　　4. Is YCIS Beijing accredited?

　　YCIS Beijing is proud to be one of six international schools in China to undergo an accreditation process jointly with the National Centre for School Curriculum and Textbook Development (NCCT), Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accreditation agencies. As a result of this process, YCIS Beijing is now accredited through NEASC, CIS and NCCT.

　　On a curriculum level, YCIS Beijing is authorised to offer the Cambridge International Examinations and as an IB World School, we offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme in Years 12-13.

　　5. Does the school have a career or guidance counsellor?

　　YCIS Beijing provides career counselling to students from Year 10 through to Year 13. Special programmes run throughout the year in which students receive support and guidance with respect to career paths, subject selections, and the university and college application process. The school's University Guidance Counsellor works with students on an individual and group basis to prepare them for life after YCIS Beijing.

　　6. What colleges and universities do your students get offers from?

　　Graduates from YCIS Beijing attend top universities worldwide and study in a broad range of disciplines. For a complete list, please contact the Admissions Office or refer to the University Acceptance Profile.

　　7. Do you have additional languages offered at YCIS Beijing aside from English and Chinese?

　　Learning a child’s mother tongue is essential for language development. For additional languages (French, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, etc.), some Primary and Secondary students choose to take classes after school or through their respective embassy community programmes.

　　IGCSE students (Years 10-11) are welcome to sit for additional modern foreign language examinations, as we are a test centre and can provide syllabi and suggestions for further self-taught languages.

　　At IB level, students with English or Chinese as their mother tongue take A1 language; for students whose first language is a different language we offer School Supported A1 (the study of world literature). Arrangement for IB self-taught languages can be made. Acceptance depends on the ability and the resources available.

　　8. What is the experience and background of your teachers?

　　Our teachers have an average of 10 years of teaching experience.

　　Our international teachers represent 15 nationalities, including China, UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

　　37.25% of our teachers hold a Master’s degree or higher.

　　Our teachers have been with YCIS for an average of 3.6 years.

　　Total teaching staff to student ratio is 1:7.

　　9. Does the school have after-school activities?

　　Yes, for students in Year 1 and above. Through its After-School Activities (ASA), YCIS Beijing offers a wide range of after-school activities to students two afternoons per week. Some examples of activities that have been offered in the past are soccer, basketball, floor hockey, inline skating, Chinese cultural crafts, Lego technology and many more. Many of these activities are free, but some do have a cost involved when outside experts come onto campus.

　　10. What amount of homework should students expect?

　　The school will ensure that homework is an integral part of the curriculum and is planned and prepared alongside all other programmes of learning. Teachers will give homework according to the age, ability and circumstances of the students.

　　In the Primary Section, all students are expected to read every night as well as undertake assignments and work from other subjects, as assigned. Depending on the child, year group and nature of the homework, times will vary among year levels.

　　11. What are your school hours?

　　School hours depend on the programme attending. The following is a breakdown of school hours by campus:

　　K2 half-day: 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

　　K2-4 full-day: 8:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

　　Year 1 to Year 13: 8:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

　　12. What are the class sizes?

　　The class sizes differ by the year level. ECE classes vary between 16 and 24 students depending on age levels. Within Primary, two full-time Co-Teachers oversee students learning and progress with 25 students per class. With two fully trained teachers in each class from K2 to Year 6 and the deployment of specialised teachers in Chinese, English as an Additional Language, Art, Music and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the actual student-teacher ratio is quite advantageous compared to other schools, and when students break into language classes, they are often in smaller groupings. In Secondary, ratios are one teacher to a maximum of 25 students until Year 12 and Year 13 with IB classes having one teacher to a maximum of 20 students. However, the number is often lower given the variety of course subjects and distribution of students who enrol for specific classes.

　　13. Does YCIS Beijing require a uniform?

　　Yes, for students in K3 and above. The uniform is an important feature of our school. Upon enrolling in the school, one uniform set is provided free of charge. A summer and winter regular dress uniform and a summer and winter sport uniform are provided; additional sets may be purchased from the school at an extra cost. Students are required to acquire the uniform prior to commencing classes. Please check out our interactive uniform guide book. Click here.

　　14. Does your school provide hot lunches?

　　Yes. While students are able to bring home lunches to school, hot lunches are available through an international catering company which manages the cafeteria for the school. The school lunches are not included in the school fees, except for K2 full-day students.

　　15. Does the school provide school bus transportation?

　　Yes, the school has many bus routes available for all campuses. The school bus is optional, as some families prefer to make alternative arrangements for transportation. Normally the pick-up/drop-off point is at the main gate or clubhouse of each housing compound. Three working days are required to process new bus request applications, if indeed the addition is possible. Please check with the School Office for details of times and routes.

　　16. Does YCIS Beijing accept non-English speakers?

　　YCIS Beijing accepts students of ranging language abilities and cultures with students currently representing more than 45 nationalities. Building competency in language is core to the YCIS philosophy and objectives. YCIS Beijing has language specialists and a research-based Chinese Language and Culture programme to develop students bilingually.

　　Many students graduate from YCIS Beijing with bilingual IB Diplomas that provide access to top universities worldwide.

　　17. Do you accept new students during the school year?

　　Yes. Families who are a part of the international community relocate frequently and YCIS Beijing has ongoing enrollment. For the IGCSE and IB programmes, timing is important in order to complete course work, tests and meet university admissions deadlines.

　　18. What is the placement deposit? What is it used for?

　　The purpose of the placement deposit is two-fold:

　　to hold a place at the school for the following school year, and

　　to settle any outstanding fees after the student’s withdrawal

　　Once a placement deposit is received, we issue you a receipt. Please keep this receipt as you will need to return it when we refund the placement deposit. The placement deposit will not be credited against the tuition fees, and will not, in and of itself, guarantee a school placement; all other admissions and school requirements still must be met.

　　NOTE: The placement deposit is a one-time, refundable, non-interest bearing deposit required to secure your child(ren)'s place(s) when you accept the offer of placement issued by the school. The placement deposit will only be refunded to the person or company that paid it initially.

　　19. Do you guarantee places for students in your schools?

　　No. Only after a completed application is submitted to the school (please see the “Admissions” section of this website) and the application fee is paid can the process begin. An extensive review of the application materials, past reports and recommendations will occur. There may also be an interview, a placement test, and/or a subject selection process involved (depending on the year level). If the application is approved, an Offer of Placement letter will be issued and a seat reserved upon payment of school fees (by the specified deadline). Existing students have automatic seat reservations (due to the placement deposit) until school fees are due. Deadlines are set each year.

　　20.Does the school have a parent organisation?

　　Yes. The YCIS Beijing Parent Organisation is thriving. Parents can participate in a large variety of seminars, classes, and school community events. There are monthly Parent Organisation meetings at school and a Parent Luncheon spot is chosen around Beijing to increase participation of parents who live far from school or hold professions.

北京耀中雙語國際學(xué)校家長常見問題