Philosophy
The Yinghua Academy Elementary School program was founded on the desire to encourage students to develop intellectual curiosity and critical thinking skills, as well as broad and deep knowledge in language arts, math and science, social studies, and the arts – all while studying Mandarin Chinese.
At Yinghua Academy, we strive for excellence in education, respect for diversity, and strength of character. We provide a rigorous academic program centered in language immersion and cultural literacy. Our caring and dedicated faculty, staff and administration work together with our parents, community partners and School Board to create a safe, healthy, rewarding and fun learning environment for our students.
Program
The four core principles of Yinghua Academy guide our work with elementary school students: Safety, Speak Chinese, Study, and Happiness. Every day, students are reminded of these principles at Morning Meeting, where they gather as a group for thirty minutes before classes to enjoy songs, dances, exercises, character education, announcements, and school spirit. After Morning Meeting, students return to their classrooms for instruction.
Instruction at the Elementary School is rooted in an “early total foreign language immersion” environment. Based on research of effective immersion programs:
- Students in grades K-1 receive full content instruction in Mandarin, including math, science, social studies, and Chinese language arts/culture.
- Students in grades 2-3 continue Mandarin immersion in these content areas, but have the addition of 60 minutes of instruction in English.
- Students in grades 4-5 have 90 minutes of English instruction and demonstrate strong gains in English literacy.
Student achievement on standardized tests proves that this method works. By third grade, immersion students consistently outperform non-immersion peers on statewide assessments of English.
The academic rigor of the Elementary Program prepares students for future academic success in our pre-AP (advanced placement) Middle School. Students develop good work habits by having homework once a week in Kindergarten, and an appropriate amount of daily homework for their age in grades 1-5.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAM
- Dynamic, interactive classrooms with many songs, gestures, and movement
- Music, Art, and Physical Education classes
- School library containing the largest collection of Chinese books for young students in Minnesota, in addition to over 1,000 books in English
- Character education built into the curriculum
- Field trips and artist/expert residencies built into the curriculum at every grade level, including ongoing partnerships with Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Northern Clay Center, and the Science Museum of Minnesota
- Sister School relationship with Nongda Fuxiao, a primary school in Inner Mongolia, China
- Aftercare, Enrichment, and Extra-Curricular activities
- Fifth grade capstone field trip to Widjiwagan, a YMCA camp in Ely, MN for a week-long experience integrating lessons on Minnesota history, team-building, and environmental stewardship
Links
Yinghua Curriculum – Website Page