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 is now available.
Beijing SMIC School was founded in 2005 to serve families employed by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Company (SMIC) in Yizhuang. However, this changed when the school opened its doors to non-company employees over the years. The school has a teaching staff of over 200 (of which nearly one quarter are foreigners) serving over 1,500 students from Pre-K to Grade 9 in both English and Chinese.The SMIC English Track is an international-style division within a Chinese private school. The program offers an American-style curriculum taught in English based on US Common Core standards, a diverse after-school program, and a Chinese language program. The school aims to encourage excellence, a sense of honor, community, and joy in its students.
Founding date: 2005
Age range: 3-14
School type: Local private school with an American-style English language division
Total area: 29,000sqm
Grades offered: Kindergarten to Grade 8 (English), pre-kindergarten to Grade 9 (Chinese). Will eventually include high school.
Number of students: Over 1,500
Is the school accredited by the Ministry of Education? Yes
Accreditations: Preparing for WASC accreditation
Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes
Local Chinese students accepted? Yes
Tuition fees (2014-2015 academic year):
• Test fee: RMB 300
• Chinese Kindergarten: RMB 43,600
• Chinese Grades 1-6: RMB 34,500
• Chinese Grades 6-9: RMB 40,600
• English Kindergarten: RMB 61,800
• English Grades 1-5: RMB 75,500
• English Grades 6-8: RMB 85,200
• Uniform fee: RMB 555
• Bus fee: RMB 1,600 per semester (within BDA), RMB 5,000 per semester (Wangjing)
• Daily snacks: RMB 400 per semester
Lunch offered: Choice of Chinese or Western options
Nationality of students: China, US, South Korea, Canada, and Japan (more than 17 countries and regions)
Primary teaching languages: Chinese in Chinese Track and English in English Track
Other languages taught: French and Japanese
Average class size: 18
Average teacher/student ratio: 1:8
School hours: 7.50am-3pm
After-school activities: Fourteen academic electives (French, Japanese, Literature, Science and IT), ten instrumental and choral music electives, drama, Photoshop, band, eight fine arts electives, and 38 sports electives (including inter-school competitions in soccer, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and track and field)
Extra help offered? ESL, CSL, tutoring
School facilities: Solar-powered electronics lab, library, auditorium, lit track and field arena, gym, and air purifiers in every class.
School nurse or doctor available? Yes, two doctors and two nurses on staff
Contact: 9 Liangshuihe Erjie, Beijing Economic Technological Development Area (BDA), Yizhuang (5802 6784, 6785 3030/3155/2108, admissions@bjsmicschool.com) www.bjsmicschool.com 亦庄北京经济技术开发区凉水河二街9号
Word from a Parent:
“Beijing SMIC School’s English Track has grown enormously since my older girl enrolled four and half years ago. The American curriculum amended with Chinese classes provides the students with bilingual fluency. The school culture and activities expose students to a global perspective and so much more. Both of my girls have been with SMIC English Track since first grade, and I am so grateful that they are happily learning in this warm and caring environment.”
– Charlene Zhang, mother of Grace (age 10) and Nicole Ma (age 8)
Photo: Courtesy of SMIC
