Philosophy
“修身,齐家,治国,平天下”
“A person must first manage one’s self in good spirit, then contribute to family, community, nation, and the world.”
The philosophy of the Yinghua Academy Middle School is based on this ancient Chinese proverb from Confucian philosophy. The curriculum and instructional practices provide rigorous academics which prepare students for Advanced Placement coursework in any high school, combined with a greater sense of becoming a global citizen. Each year students research, design, and implement projects in social studies, science, Chinese, mathematics, and the arts that build upon the theme of community at a local, national, and international level, also known as the Global Citizenship Program.
Middle School Immersion Program
The Middle School Program is a continuation of the Chinese Elementary immersion program. Middle School students can continue content-based Chinese instruction in a 50% Chinese, 50% English immersion environment. Students continue Chinese learning with an intensive Chinese Language Arts, Culture and Literature course, and Music and Social Studies classes conducted in Chinese.
Curriculum Standards
The middle school curriculum follows the following standards:
- Minnesota State Standards
- Pre-Advanced Placement Standards
- National Standards in Foreign Language Education
- Core Knowledge Sequence
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM
Pre-Advanced Placement coursework
- English literature and composition
- Chinese language and culture
- World History, Biology beginning in the seventh grade
- Chemistry beginning in the eighth grade
Singapore Math coursework
Expanded specialist programming
- Music and art
- Health/wellness and physical education
- Various service-learning projects
Enrichment opportunities during the school day (recess alternative)
- Student council, yearbook, school newspaper
- Special-interest and academic clubs
- Instrumental lessons, dance, theater, and calligraphy
- A variety of enrichment activities are also offered afterschool
Sister-school relationship with a middle school in Inner Mongolia, China. Yinghua students regularly connect with peers in China by email, video-conferencing, and through other technology to communicate, collaborate on academic projects, and develop authentic social language.
Eco-education partnership integrating environmental stewardship through Urban Stewards program, City Connections program, and Urban Understory program
Eighth grade capstone opportunity to travel to China, with stops in Beijing and at the sister school to meet Chinese friends.
Links
Yinghua Curriculum – website page
Eighth Grade Curriculum Map – coming 2011