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.
Daystar Academy is a kindergarten to Grade 6 non-profit school that offers a balance of Montessori-based English education and the Chinese National Curriculum, with students spending half their day in each language environment. This innovative approach connects two cultures and implements the strongest attributes of both Western and Eastern teaching methodologies.
Founding date: 2002
School type: Non-profit, local day school
Is the school registered with the Ministry of Education? Yes
Accreditations: Process will begin in 2014-15
Tuition fees (2013-2014 Academic Year):
- Toddler half day RMB 45,000; full day RMB 63,000
- Kindergarten RMB 95,000 – 105,000
- Kindergarten (half-day for 3 years only) RMB 57,000
- Elementary RMB 110,000
One time elementary entrance fee: RMB 30,000
Bus fee: RMB 7,000-13,000/year (optional)
Lunch fee: RMB 25-30/day (optional)
2014-15 tuition fees were unconfirmed at the time of going to print
Food offered: In-house staff provides organic meals sourced from local farms. Lunches are approximately 95 percent organic. Chinese and Western food is served.
Types of scholarships/discounts offered: 5 percent sibling discount for second child and 15 percent for third child. Other scholarships based on financial need available.
Age range: 22 months to 12 years old.
Number of students: 242
Nationality of students: 19 nationalities represented including China, US, and Australia.
Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes
Local Chinese students accepted? Yes
Primary teaching language: Half-day Chinese, half-day English
Languages taught: Chinese and English only
Class size: Kindergarten has 25 students per class; Elementary 22 students per Chinese class and 28 students per English class.
Teacher/student ratio: Kindergarten 12:1; Elementary Chinese classes 22:1; Elementary English classes 14: 1.
After school activities offered: Art classes, basketball, RAD ballet, soccer, cooking, computers, drama, gymnastics, kung fu, Lego robotics, table tennis, mini-tennis, track and field, yoga, and music.
Extra help offered: Specialized ESL and CSL programs available.
School facilities: Energy efficient modern campus, gymnasium, outdoor sports facilities, professional stage, dance studio, instrument practice rooms, library, ICT lab, and workshop with cooking facilities.
Total area of campus: 20,000sqm
School nurse: Yes
Contact: 2 Shunbai Lu, Chaoyang District (8430 2654 or 5603 9446 admissions@daystarchina.cn/heatherz@daystarchina.cn) 朝阳区顺白路2号
Word from a parent:
“Having called Beijing home for almost 16 years, we know our school options and we chose Daystar because it offers the most balanced bilingual curriculum in the city. Our girls jump effortlessly between Chinese and English – spoken and written – and they will leave in Grade 6 confident and fluent in both languages. Beyond academics, Daystar is leading the way in character education, placing great importance on high personal aims for each child and building a community that is respectful and compassionate. Our children flourish in this warm, nurturing environment. What do our daughters enjoy the most? We would say the field trips to museums or historical sites, or maybe yoga or kite-making after school activities but the truth is, their favorite time is lunch time when they eat delicious (and parents note – organic!) food with their ‘family’ group.”
– Laura and Dominic Johnson-Hill (British), parents of Winnie (Grade 3), Rosemary (Grade 1)
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 Daystar Academy