In anticipation of the Beijing International School Expo on January 16-17, we’re highlighting local and international schools around Beijing from the upcoming 2016-2017 beijingkids School Choice Guide, which comes out on January 4
House of Knowledge is an independent school established in Beijing in 2007. HoK believes that tomorrow’s leaders need an excellent foundation, cultivated in an international environment that is both caring and challenging. HoK’s unique Reggio Emilia inspired kindergarten curriculum trains students to acquire critical thinking and collaboration skills by teaching them how to “learn to learn.” At HoK’s Elementary School, students chose between an English/Chinese program and German/English program, depending on what curriculum and languages the student wants to acquire. Furthermore, students have the option of acquiring a third language as part of the daily program. Our mission is to provide a sustainable child-driven education that engages students in active learning, with a multi-sensory approach that allows children the freedom to explore. Languages are taught through “content based instruction”, which is an approach to language instruction that integrates the presentation of topics or tasks from subject classes (e.g math’s, science) within the context of teaching second foreign language. The modest size of the elementary school allows for an intimate child-centered environment where students thrive.
Founding date: 2007
Age range: 18 months-11 years
Grades offered: Pre-K to Elementary
School type: International School and Kindergarten
Total area: 1,600 sqm (Chaoyang Park campus); 5,000sqm (Quanfa campus)
Curriculum description: Reggio Emilia inspired, English Elementary is a US Common Core Standards based curriculum, combined with 40% Chinese National curriculum; German Elementary uses the Thüringer Bildungs programm, and US Common Core Standards based curriculum
Boarding program: No
Number of students: Over 150 Students
Is the school accredited by the Ministry of Education? Yes (Chaoyang Education Bureau)
Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes
Local Chinese students accepted? Yes
Tuition fees for the 2015-2016 academic year:
• Application fee: RMB 2,000
• Nursery (18 months-3 years): RMB 71,400 (2 half-days per week), RMB 82,200 (3 half-days), RMB 91,200 (5 half-days), RMB 107,500 (5 full-days)
• Kindergarten: RMB 140200
• Pre-School: RMB 143,500
• G1-5: RMB 177,200
• Placement fee: RMB 16,000
• Bus fee: RMB 8,500–10,800 (depends on distance km)
• Lunch fee: RMB 7,500 per year
Type of lunch offered and cost: Western food
Nationality of students: German, US, Chinese, and more
Primary teaching languages: English and Chinese program or German, English, and Chinese program
Average class size: Nursery max: 16; Kindergarten max: 20; Preschool Max: 20; Elementary: 20
Average teacher/student ratio (as of October 2015): Nursery: 1:4, Kindergarten: 1:5, Preschool: 1:6, Elementary: 1:10 School hours: Nursery, Kindergarten and Preschool: 8:30am-3:30pm; Elementary: 8:15 – 3:45pm
After-school activities: Soccer, ballet, jazz dance, magic, ukulele, kung fu, baking, Super Science, chess, Creative Movement, Chinese painting, piano, gardening, and more
Special needs programs offered? Yes, at the discretion of the school
Extra help offered? ESL
Scholarships offered? No
School facilities: Smart boards, dedicated art rooms, libraries, multi-level classrooms, under-floor heating, in-house chef, swimming pool, parents’ corner, outdoor playground and kids’ kitchen, indoor gym and more
School nurse/doctor available on campus? Yes, full-time
Contact: (400 650 7747, admissions@hokschools.com) www.hokschools.com
• Shunyi Campus: North Gate of Quanfa Gardens, 18 Maquanying, Shunbai Lu, Chaoyang District (6431 8452) 好思之家国际学校朝阳区顺白路马泉营路18号泉发花园北门外
• Chaoyang Park Campus: Victoria Gardens, 15 Chaoyang Park Xilu, Chaoyang District (6538 2624) 好思之家国际幼儿园朝阳区朝阳公园西路15号维多利亚花园公寓
Photo: Courtesy of House of Knowledge International School and Kindergarten
