My name is Randal Eplin and I’m the Head of School here at AISB-Hope International. The 2020-21 school year marks my thirty-fifth year in education. I have worked for fourteen years in Florida public schools and twenty-two years overseas. During these thirty-five years, I have worked in a variety of different schools and on a corresponding variety of campuses.

When I was both the admissions director and the K-12 principal at the International School of Latvia (ISL), the director and board built a five million euro facility and it was beautiful. I have always believed in my heart that the quality of a school is directly determined by the quality of its teachers, but it was difficult to even hold a conversation with new and prospective families about the school’s curriculum and excellent teachers after they toured the beautiful new school facilities in Pinki, Latvia – the campus had convinced them.

When I think about my experience since last May here at AISB-Hope International, it reminds me somewhat of ISL. Before the new construction, ISL shared a campus with an agricultural school. It was an old three-story building with uneven heating, and it badly needed a paint job. AISB-Hope International was much the same at our previous location on Crab Island, but we built out and did our best to maximize the use of that facility.

When we found our current location, one of my team members asked, “Can you see a school here, Randy?” And I replied, “I certainly can!” We embarked on a building design in late May with Way To Life Design (WTL Design) and concluded the restructuring and remodeling of our three-story, 4,500-square meter building in October 2020. The new campus, which has the capacity for up to four hundred students, features an outdoor seven-a-side football pitch, basketball and volleyball courts, and play areas for our students that are a drastic improvement from our previous location.

As a Head of School, I value hearing from my parent community, so I can think of no better way to describe this new facility than to share how one of our parents described the building when it was about eighty-five percent complete:

“You know Mr. Eplin, from the outside, our new school does not look like anything special, but once you get inside the school, it feels so big, spacious, warm and inviting. The high ceilings, AQI filters in each classroom, the brand new furniture, and the earth tones chosen for the design make this an inviting place for my child to study.

Our families also noticed amenities such as wide hallways, spacious classrooms, a dance room, two beautiful art rooms, and a Chemistry lab, as well as a Physics lab, with state-of-the-art equipment.

Many of our families who have been with us for years shared that this is a dream come true for our school. For eight years, we only dreamed of finding a property, designing a school, and building something like what we now have. Although I still believe that it is the quality of our teachers that makes our school successful, our current campus certainly enhances the educational experience for our students. Not only do we have a stimulating and warm environment for our students, we offer an outstanding academic program that includes AP courses as well as the AP Capstone Diploma program.  We use the Common Core Standards for Mathematics and Language Arts and follow modified American-based standards for all subjects from K-12. Our students graduate and matriculate to top universities around the world.

In closing, I would like to invite you to book a tour of our school to see our new campus and have a discussion about how our unique qualities might just be the perfect fit for your family. We offer a character education program that is second to none and adopt a worldview that emphasizes a love-based and grace-oriented education for your child. Simply scan the QR code below to book a tour with us. I look forward to shaking your hand and helping you explore what I believe is a great opportunity for your children to learn, grow, and thrive at AISB-Hope International.

Images: Uni You

This year, COVID-19 has turned the world upside down, and this year’s high school seniors experienced a final year unlike any we’ve ever seen before. But life goes on and despite the chaos, students at international schools all over Beijing are graduating in good spirits and high hopes for the future. We spoke to some of these leaders of tomorrow about their future plans, and advice for younger students. Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

Hello, I am Sophia B and I was born in Taiwan. I am graduating from AISB-Hope International.

This fall semester I will be attending Biola University in California and I hope to major in nursing.

My favorite high school memory was playing sports with my friends. I loved playing sports and it was also a great way for me to build new friendships.

The teachers at my school are very kind and they want the best for every student there. They challenge us and help us grow to become a better student. This school taught me to be a hardworking person and most importantly it taught me to step out of my comfort zone and try new experiences.

Sophia B

I have tried many different study strategies, like studying in a group, making flashcards, or copying materials. But there is one study strategy that I like and will help me succeed in college, which is studying verbally with someone else. I would ask someone to quiz me and then I will explain the answer to them. Talking about the answers help me understand and learn better.

My favorite teacher would be my PE teacher because I really enjoy her classes. She is fun to be around with. She is also my volleyball coach and she pushes us to try our best. She believes in all of her players and she challenges us to be better. She is also generous because she would buy us food after we finished a tournament.

The Biola University campus, where Sophia will be studying next year

If I could go back and change one thing about my high school experience, I would change how shy I was. I want to step out of my comfort zone and be more courageous to try new things. I of course also want to change the coronavirus situation and wish that it did not happen, so every senior could enjoy their last high school year with their friends. I am devastated that I missed a lot of senior activities planned this year, but I am still thankful that I have a way to connect with friends and talk with them.

In life, building strong friendships is more important than academic success. Academic success is important of course because it will help you with college applications, but high school is just four years of our life, but the friends that we make will be there for us even after high school. My friends helped me enjoy high school and without them, the school will be stressful and boring. Friends will support and encourage you for life.

My final message to my school is that we are not alone when we are dealing with difficult situations. Look around you, you have friends who will support you and you have teachers who will help you. I also want to encourage students to step out of their comfort zone and try new things.

KEEP READING:  The Senior Year That Wasn’t: Haerin L. 

Photos: Sophia B, Biola University