For the coming weeks, we will be highlighting local and international schools around Beijing from our upcoming 2014-2015 School Choice Guide, which comes out in early February 2014. Scroll down for more information on how to participate in our annual school choice fair in March 2014.
Positive Foundations School (PFS) is an international school dedicated to educating young children. At PFS, we believe children learn by doing. Our curriculum is carefully designed to provide engaging, developmentally appropriate activities that encourage children to be confident, competent and independent learners. Children explore, create, and discover in a home-like bilingual environment. Experienced teachers design lessons to meet each child’s individual learning goals, and employ Montessori methodology to teach a curriculum based on American standards. Enrichment classes include art, music, dance, kung fu, language, and cooking. Teachers and Teaching Assistants are trained and certified in Infant through Adult First Aid and CPR by the American Heart Association. PFS uses high-quality educational aids and Montessori learning materials. All teachers are trained and certified by NAMC (North American Montessori Council).
Founding date: November 2009
Type of school: International bilingual kindergarten
Grades offered: Toddler through Kindergarten
Is the school registered with the Ministry of Education? Yes
Accreditation: NAMC
School fees (for the 2013-2014 academic year): RMB 80,000
Registration fee: RMB 2, 000
Lunch fees: RMB 10,000; nutritious snacks and lunches (with vegetarian options) prepared on-site, using locally grown organic produce. Menu includes Chinese and Western dishes. Vegetarian and Muslim meals
Transportation fee: start from RMB 8,000
Age range: 18 months – 6 years old
Number of students: Capacity for 60 students
Nationality of students: China, US, UK, Belgium, Japan, Germany
Local Chinese students accepted? Yes
Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes
Primary teaching language: English, Chinese
Other languages taught: No
Class size: maximum 15
Teacher/student ratio: 1:5
School hours: 9:00 – 15:30
Special needs programs offered: Decided on a case-by-case basis
School facilities: Three spacious classroom full of natural light, indoor and outdoor play and PE areas, napping room, library; all equipped with high quality teaching materials imported from North America and Europe.
Total area of campus in square meters: 632
School nurse/doctor: No
Contacts: 2099 Gahood Villa, Houshayu, Shunyi District ( 8046 6302 (Chinese) or) 8046 1546 (English), pfsschool@126.com) www.pfsmontessori.com 顺义区后沙峪西白幸庄嘉浩别墅3006
Word from a parent:
My son, Yuki, has been with PFS over 2 years, and my daughter, Ellie, has been there for 1. When I first visited PFS, I was attracted by the atmosphere. The school was filled with nice and warm wooden educational toys and wooden furniture. Although my husband and I usually don’t speak English to our children, they both quickly learned English. Sometimes they speak English with each other at home; when I hear their conversations, I can see that the native English-speaking teachers work very hard to help them learn English. Chinese staff is also very loving, caring, and hardworking. They look after my children very well so that they learn Chinese in a natural and comfortable way. Their Chinese teachers even teach 三字经(San Zi Jing), a classic that Chinese children learn. When Yuki sang it at home, he made his Chinese father very proud. My husband and I are always pleased to see Yuki and Ellie come home with big smiles. Teachers often tell us that they are very happy to see our children. This always makes us feel special.
Ayako Ono (Japanese), mother of Yuki (4) and Ellie (age 3).
For more information on the 2014-2015 School Choice Guide e-mail editor@beijing-kids.com and click here to view the 2013-2014 School Choice Guide on ISSUU. For more information on our upcoming School Choice Fair on March 1-2, 2014, please e-mail schoolchoicefair@truerun.com.
Photo courtesy of Positive Foundations School
