On their path to university, YCIS secondary students journey through the Yew Chung Curriculum (Years 7-9) – a bilingual, international curriculum written by experts from the Curriculum and Professional Development Division, the International General Certificate of International Education (IGCSE) Programme (Years 10-11), and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) (Years 12-13).
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
YCIS Beijing students experience a bespoke, research-based international curriculum that merges the best of Eastern and Western traditions and subjects. The curriculum provides students with an authentic immersion into Chinese culture within an international and global school framework.
This allows us to approach study projects from a global perspective, foster cultural respect and develop fluency in two major world languages of the 21st century - English and Chinese. We also place great value on character development and provide various activities such as art, music, sports, charity and leadership opportunities to capture students' interest at all levels. This is what we refer to as "global education".
We pride ourselves in preparing our students to become adaptable enquirers and multilingual global citizens ready to take on esteemed positions within society.
YCIS Beijing is re-thinking and re-imagining schooling in order for students of the connected generation to be well-equipped for the demands of study and work that awaits them. This means redeveloping learning spaces, removing walls and changing traditional classroom furniture. But this is only part of the process. We are also changing how teachers and students connect, share and create.
The Early Childhood Centre and the Primary School have new open-plan areas. Each has also developed strong learning communities where learning is connected and engaging. Both are clear examples of why the shift is the best preparation for Secondary School.
We have a proven track record of excellent educational results in the IGCSE and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Moreover, our students invariably go overseas to study at top universities across the world, including:
Excellent educational and academic achievement is at the core of our approach.
Great success begins with excellent preparation, and learning in the lower secondary levels is important in its own right. It sets the groundwork for students to continually improve their capacities to think critically and creatively, manage their time, deliver tasks as required, and to work well with others. Our students are equipped with the necessary skills to overcome the challenges of an uncertain future.
For information about our Secondary School Profile, please click here.
At Yew Chung International School of Beijing, we are creating Learning Communities that increase students’ sense of belonging; create time and space for student-directed learning; refine assessment practices, and allow more opportunities for students from different year levels to work together. The traditional classroom arrangement of students sitting at desks in rows is disappearing and we are helping teachers and students to connect, share, create and reflect more effectively.
We have created Learning Communities around Years 7-9 as it offers us an increased capacity to effectively transition students from Primary to Secondary. The significant increase in teacher collaboration has allowed greater sharing to emerge, improved understanding of the needs of the students, and a focus on getting improved alignment of:
It has also increased our ability to identify and remove any unwarranted repetition. Additional support for both English and Chinese languages and an increase in time allocation for Physical Education provide an excellent balance of curriculum offerings. The introduction of G100 (100 minutes of Genius Hour negotiated projects) creates the opportunity for students to pursue an area of interest either independently or in a small group.
The creation of Years 7-9 Learning Communities offers the chance for specialist teachers to work with Year 6 students and for these students to access the specialist resources of Secondary. It is another element to the transition of students into the Secondary environment where the learning occurs in a different context from Primary School: more movement into different learning areas, more teachers having input and a greater responsibility and accountability for learning achievements. For learning to resonate, it must meet certain conditions. It must recognise prior learning and it must connect to knowledge, skills and understanding already achieved. Students must be asked to transfer these elements to a new challenge, and the narrative placed around the tasks must connect to the real world as the students perceive it.
We wish to encourage a much greater connection between home and school. It is important that parents/guardians are familiar with the key tools that provide them with information on their child's learning. Managebac (MB) is used by both teachers and students, and parents also have access. It is possible to track work and deadlines, and contact teachers all through Managebac. The WeChat updates are a good way to start discussions with children on what they are doing in school. Students will be using digital portfolios and student-led conferences to demonstrate their commitment to learning and level of success achieved, and share goals for future learning tasks.
The manner in which the teacher constructs the learning is critical for the level of engagement and stimulation of the student’s curiosity. Authentic learning and authentic assessment is never easy to achieve. This is especially so when schools have a history of disconnected teaching where the emphasis has not been on ensuring there is a clear meaning and link to the real world. Nor has there been a consistent desire to find ways to link the learning to physical, social or emotional worlds in which the students operate.
The level of understanding we now have about the way students learn and the conditions required tell us that we have to shift, bend, and shatter the traditional school model. This needs to occur if we are serious about developing in students the capacity to operate successfully in a future that requires not recitation of information but rather the transferable and transformative abilities that both further studies and future workplaces will require. This means that critical knowledge, skills and understanding relate to capacities of:
We have to nurture the self-confidence and leadership capacities of students through challenges, but achievable challenges.
The Physical Education Department provides an exciting and engaging learning experience for all. Through offering a wide range of courses and activities to all year groups, we encourage our young people to take ownership of their own physical, emotional and mental well-being by building their knowledge and understanding of diet and exercise.
Pupils will partake and be assessed in a range of activities throughout their time in the Physical Education department. These include, but are not limited to, football, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, swimming and fitness.
Through all of these experiences, our students will also develop skills needed for learning and working in life.
Pupils who are skilled and motivated enough may sign up for our IGCSE Physical Education course. This course develops students' physical skills in addition to their knowledge and understanding of sports and exercise. Pupils who succeed in this course may be interested in working in careers such as sports scientists, PE teachers, physiotherapists, sports coaches/consultants, diet and fitness instructors, etc.
The Experiencing China Programme sends our Secondary School students to various parts of China to gain first-hand experience of life beyond Beijing. Students visiting iconic sites related to Chinese history and spending time with people living in a rural environment, acquire new understanding and appreciation of the host country. Students learn much from one another as they travel to and from Beijing and learn together through lectures, practical workshops and challenging activities such as mountain biking and Shaolin Temple Kung Fu.
The Habits of Mind and Visible Thinking Strategies help students stay on path to effective learning. The Habits of Mind provides a way to remind and support students as they journey through the educational landscape: managing impulsivity which is a challenge for many people; applying knowledge to new situations; striving for accuracy; metacognition, and perseverance. Visible Thinking Strategies also provides a framework for students to solve problems in different ways. The DeBono CoRT format opens up a thinking process that allows students to think differently.
Homeroom/ Tutor Time
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 3
Break time
Lesson 4
Lesson 5
Lunch time
Lesson 6
Lesson 7
Co-curricular activity (optional)
The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination is a university entrance examination established by the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government. It is highly regarded in Hong Kong SAR, and has also gained a strong global reputation because of its internationalised educational philosophy and wide recognition.
The HKDSE is a three-year programme designed to prepare students for the examination, covering four compulsory core subjects—Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, and Citizenship & Social Development, as well as two to three elective subjects.
The HKDSE Examination is held in March-May each year and is open to all nationalities.
Core Subjects: Chinese Language; English Language; Mathematics and Citizenship & Social Development
Elective Subjects: 2-3 elective subjects out of 19 elective options (e.g. Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Chinese Literature, etc.)
Other learning experiences: Values Education; Social Services; Work-related experience; Arts development; Sports development
According to the Hong Kong secondary school curriculum, "Other Learning Experiences (OLE)" is one of three learning components that complements core and elective subjects, enabling students to achieve holistic development.
Source: Education Bureau, Hong Kong SAR Government.
The Yew Chung Yew Wah (YCYW) Education Network was established in Hong Kong, China with an extensive network of schools in locations including Hong Kong SAR, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Qingdao, Yantai, Zhejiang Tongxiang, as well as Silicon Valley in the United States and Somerset in the United Kingdom, providing quality education and growth opportunities to more than 12,000 students and teachers worldwide each year. With over 90 years of experience in operating schools across the region, YCYW has a robust educational foundation and is well-versed in the teaching philosophy and environment in Hong Kong SAR, offering students a diverse array of learning resources both locally and internationally. The YCIS Shanghai HKDSE Programme and instruction are provided by a tripartite team from Hong Kong SAR, the Chinese mainland, and overseas, allowing for a blend of strengths that helps students broaden their horizons and develop holistically. By bringing quality HKDSE educational resources from Hong Kong SAR to the Chinese mainland, students can receive a high-level HKDSE education at home, eliminating the need to travel to Hong Kong SAR for studies. This approach not only stabilises students' family life but also provides their parents with convenience in both work and daily life.
YCIS Shanghai delivers the HKDSE curriculum in English (except for Chinese and Citizenship and Social Development subjects), aiming to develop students into confident and proficient English users. Through an immersive language environment, students enhance their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, laying a solid foundation for a smooth transition to university studies and future career requirements. Practical application and interactive learning enable students to express their ideas confidently and participate in discussions. Students not only learn the complexities of English as a language but also can learn in English, which fosters an understanding of diverse cultures behind different languages, thus gaining a competitive edge in their academic and professional careers. At YCIS Shanghai, teaching extends beyond the classroom into flexible Learning Communities, encouraging teachers and students to creatively and comprehensively explore various fields of knowledge. In addition to academic development, we place great emphasis on the development of students' soft skills, including communication, adaptability, creativity, and critical thinking. The school provides abundant resources to ensure that students acquire essential personal and collaborative learning skills for the 21st century, becoming lifelong learners.
YCYW embraces the mission of "Aligning with Science and Technology, Aligning with Culture and Arts, Aligning with Love and Charity" (The Three Alignments), providing students with abundant learning resources and opportunities for holistic development. In a learning environment rich in technology, sports, and the arts, students at YCIS Shanghai can explore and nurture their interests through a wide variety of curricular and co-curricular activities, with numerous competitions and performance platforms to showcase their talents and skills. YCIS Shanghai places great emphasis on character education, helping students develop the right values. While striving for academic excellence, students are also nurtured to become responsible, compassionate, and service-minded global citizens, committed to building a better world and taking action to achieve this goal.
The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination is a university entrance examination established by the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government. It is highly regarded in Hong Kong SAR, and has also gained a strong global reputation because of its internationalised educational philosophy and wide recognition.
The HKDSE is a three-year programme designed to prepare students for the examination, covering four compulsory core subjects—Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, and Citizenship & Social Development, as well as two to three elective subjects.
The HKDSE Examination is held in March-May each year and is open to all nationalities.
Core Subjects: Chinese Language; English Language; Mathematics and Citizenship & Social Development
Elective Subjects: 2-3 elective subjects out of 19 elective options (e.g. Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Chinese Literature, etc.)
Other learning experiences: Values Education; Social Services; Work-related experience; Arts development; Sports development
According to the Hong Kong secondary school curriculum, "Other Learning Experiences (OLE)" is one of three learning components that complements core and elective subjects, enabling students to achieve holistic development.
Source: Education Bureau, Hong Kong SAR Government.
The Yew Chung Yew Wah (YCYW) Education Network was established in Hong Kong, China with an extensive network of schools in locations including Hong Kong SAR, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Qingdao, Yantai, Zhejiang Tongxiang, as well as Silicon Valley in the United States and Somerset in the United Kingdom, providing quality education and growth opportunities to more than 12,000 students and teachers worldwide each year. With over 90 years of experience in operating schools across the region, YCYW has a robust educational foundation and is well-versed in the teaching philosophy and environment in Hong Kong SAR, offering students a diverse array of learning resources both locally and internationally. The YCIS Shanghai HKDSE Programme and instruction are provided by a tripartite team from Hong Kong SAR, the Chinese mainland, and overseas, allowing for a blend of strengths that helps students broaden their horizons and develop holistically. By bringing quality HKDSE educational resources from Hong Kong SAR to the Chinese mainland, students can receive a high-level HKDSE education at home, eliminating the need to travel to Hong Kong SAR for studies. This approach not only stabilises students' family life but also provides their parents with convenience in both work and daily life.
YCIS Shanghai delivers the HKDSE curriculum in English (except for Chinese and Citizenship and Social Development subjects), aiming to develop students into confident and proficient English users. Through an immersive language environment, students enhance their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, laying a solid foundation for a smooth transition to university studies and future career requirements. Practical application and interactive learning enable students to express their ideas confidently and participate in discussions. Students not only learn the complexities of English as a language but also can learn in English, which fosters an understanding of diverse cultures behind different languages, thus gaining a competitive edge in their academic and professional careers. At YCIS Shanghai, teaching extends beyond the classroom into flexible Learning Communities, encouraging teachers and students to creatively and comprehensively explore various fields of knowledge. In addition to academic development, we place great emphasis on the development of students' soft skills, including communication, adaptability, creativity, and critical thinking. The school provides abundant resources to ensure that students acquire essential personal and collaborative learning skills for the 21st century, becoming lifelong learners.
YCYW embraces the mission of "Aligning with Science and Technology, Aligning with Culture and Arts, Aligning with Love and Charity" (The Three Alignments), providing students with abundant learning resources and opportunities for holistic development. In a learning environment rich in technology, sports, and the arts, students at YCIS Shanghai can explore and nurture their interests through a wide variety of curricular and co-curricular activities, with numerous competitions and performance platforms to showcase their talents and skills. YCIS Shanghai places great emphasis on character education, helping students develop the right values. While striving for academic excellence, students are also nurtured to become responsible, compassionate, and service-minded global citizens, committed to building a better world and taking action to achieve this goal.
YCIS Beijing Is a Child-Safe School
Click HERE for our Child Protection Policies and Procedures
© Yew Chung International School of Beijing 2022. All rights reserved