In anticipation of the Beijing International School Expo on January 24-25, we will be highlighting local and international schools around Beijing from the upcoming 2015-2016 beijingkids School Choice Guide, which comes out on January 20.
Keystone Academy, which enrolled its inaugural class in the fall of 2014, blends distinctive traditions in eastern, western, and international education, creating an academically-outstanding “new world school.” It is a unique and exciting option for local and expat families in China, especially for those who want to raise a culturally- and cognitively-bilingual child. The school offers a bilingual immersion program in Chinese and English, with a strong emphasis on Chinese culture and identity woven into the curriculum. It enables character-building and community in a residential setting. Keystone is a day school through Grade 6 with optional boarding in Grades 7 and 8; boarding is required in Grades 9 through 12. The boarding program is structured similarly to the American boarding school tradition where faculty families live in residence with the students.
Founding date: 2014
Age range: 5-19
Grades offered: Foundation up to Grade 10 in 2015
School type: International day and boarding school
Total area: 90,000sqm
Number of students: In first year 290 (1,800 when fully enrolled)
Is the school accredited by the Ministry of Education? Yes
Accreditations: IB and WASC candidate status
Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes
Local Chinese students accepted? Yes
Tuition fees (2014-2015 academic year):
• Application fee: RMB 2,000
• Primary School day tuition: RMB 220,000
• Middle School day tuition: RMB 250,000
• Middle School boarding tuition: RMB 350,000
Lunch offered: Nutritious Chinese, western, and vegetarian options
Nationality of students: Three-to-one ratio for Chinese to foreign students
Primary teaching language: Chinese or English depending on the grade
Average class size: 18 (primary), 15 (middle school)
Average teacher/student ratio: 1:6
School hours: 8am-3.30pm
After-school activities: Sports, music, visual arts, drama, and activities related to traditional Chinese culture
Extra help offered? ESL (English as a Second Language)
Scholarships offered? Yes
School facilities: Three libraries, a performing arts center designed by a Harvard professor of architecture, science and technology labs, art spaces, an athletic field for soccer, three indoor gymnasiums, a 25m swimming pool, a fitness center, indoor and outdoor running tracks, outdoor play spaces for primary school, and two residence halls
School nurse or doctor available? Yes
Contact: 11 Anfu Jie, Houshayu, Shunyi District (8049 6008, admission@keystoneacademy.cn) www.keystoneacademy.cn 顺义区后沙峪安
富街11号
Word from a Parent:
“We hope our daughter can grow into someone who is not only deeply connected to her Chinese identity but also a compassionate individual who possesses a global vision and realizes her self-worth. Choosing a truly exceptional international school is a top priority for us and our daughter. Many of the international schools from the city we live in do not aim to provide a wholesome learning experience that fosters every aspect of their students’ potential and abilities. In fact, their educational approach is still primarily test-focused; it’s just that they have substituted the gaokao with the SAT and the TOFEL. We are delighted that Keystone Academy’s teaching philosophy aligns with the educational plans we envisioned for our daughter, and we genuinely believe that Keystone matches our vision of what an ideal international school should be. Last but not least, our daughter has shown a strong desire for independence, and is fully committed to accepting new challenges to develop and demonstrate that independence. We respect her wish, and this is why we sent her across the country to be a boarding student at Keystone.”
– Mother of Nancy (Grade 9, China)
Photo: Courtesy of Keystone
