The students rushed to class to greet their teacher, eager to show off the glittery, goofy, colorful creations bobbing atop their heads for the school’s annual “Crazy Hair Day.” However, when they entered and saw their teacher, they met her with gasps and laughs; their teacher was every bit as passionate about the activity as they were and had ensured that every strand of her hair stood on end like a troll doll.

“Crazy Hair Day” is just one of the many fun and offbeat activities that CBD-based AnRic Little Montessori Room holds for its students every year. During a recent interview, co-founder Yinan An (who is also a lifetime member of the American Montessori Society), along with lead teacher and assistant principal Jennifer Sau, discussed how such outside-the-box activities foster creativity and a sense of community at the school.

Crazy Hair Day gives kids a chance to let their creativity run free

“We don’t celebrate holidays in a conventional way at this school,” explains An. “A lot of holidays, even Children’s Day, have become very commercial, and have too great a focus on buying gifts. We want to have people rethink those notions and focus on education, community, and deeper values.”

AnRic acknowledges and values that different cultures celebrate different holidays, but tries to celebrate those holidays in a more creative way, all the while eschewing commercialism and gift-giving, and aspects that can label a culture. The AnRic staff encourages alternatives like introducing certain foods and traditions or stories regarding the holidays. Case in point: introducing children to the many versions of Santa Claus around the world.

The school’s staff encourage that approach not only with “Crazy Hair Day” — an event that encourages risk-taking and showcases students’ imagination and sense of fun — but also with community-driven events like “Special Visitors Day,” potluck breakfasts and dinners, a New Year party, and a summer fair.

AnRic’s most recent New Year Party, an event enjoyed by students, teachers, and parents

In recent years, AnRic’s summer fairs have happened in conjunction with neighboring Central Park, where bazaars and markets are sometimes put on. While there, students sell homemade snacks or other wares, the proceeds of which are entered into the school’s financial aid fund for children who require financial support for tuition fees, fund facilities for special needs students, and other initiatives. Similarly, on “Special Visitors Day” students are allowed to bring in a guest such as a friend or relative i.e. people who aren’t normally involved in school activities. 

At the school itself, AnRic Little Montessori Room’s staff endeavor to build a sense of community for the student body and their families. Close ties are fostered during annual potluck dinners and breakfasts, for which the highly multicultural student body and their parents stack their classrooms with “everything from baozi to sushi to Swedish meatballs” according to Sau, who adds that this seemingly simple activity offers students a crucial opportunity to learn about each other’s cultures.

Events and activities large and small are a major part of the annual calendar at AnRic

AnRic also holds home visits for all children at the beginning of the school year, which can be a valuable opportunity for the students to play host to their teachers, show what their home life is really like and also help with separation anxiety. Then there is, of course, the New Year party, one of AnRic’s biggest annual events. The New Year party serves as a chance for the students, parents, and staff to gather, dress up a bit, and enjoy a delicious feast together. More importantly, it also helps children develop a sense of art appreciation. Children’s individual artworks are put up for silent auction so children, families, and friends may bid for them. Each class also has an auction for their own annual art project, a collaborative masterpiece of art that every child and teacher in the class helps to create. All the proceeds go to the school’s financial aid fund.

An and Sau say they are heartened by how these activities help the students bond with one another. Another benefit: the enthusiastic reaction of the parents. An says, “We are excited to see the parents join us and get involved. We are lucky to have very supportive parents.”

This post is paid for by AnRic Little Montessori Room.

Photos: AnRic Little Montessori Room

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.

AnRic Little Montessori Room (AnRic) is a small multicultural classroom that caters to children from both local and foreign backgrounds. The school aims to help children develop into self-directed learners, flexible thinkers, creative problem solvers, empathetic citizens and resilient individuals. The foundation of AnRic LMR was built on the Montessori method, however other educational philosophies such as Reggio are also embraced. The school offers a fully bilingual curriculum so that children are immersed in an environment where both English and Chinese are consistently used all day. Children learn in an environment with a true sense of community, with special attention given to issues such as personalized support for separation anxiety. AnRic LMR is a full international member school of the American Montessori Society. The lead teacher has certification by the American Montessori Society as well as dual masters degree in early childhood education and special education.

Founding date: April 2012
School type: International bilingual preschool
Grades offered: Preschool
Is the school registered with the Ministry of Education? No
Accreditations: Full international member of the American Montessori Society (AMS)
Tuition fees (2014-2015 academic year):

• Application fee: RMB 2,000
• Half day: RMB 7,880
• Full day: RMB 9,280
• Refundable deposit: RMB 5,000
• Lunch fee: RMB 800/month
• Insurance: RMB 180 (students under 3) or RMB 365 (students over 3)

Lunch offered: Catered by government-appointed food company with both Chinese and Western options
Age range: 2.5-6
Number of students: Maximum capacity of 23
Nationality of students: US, Japan, UK, China, New Zealand, Sweden, Colombia, Canada, Finland
Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes
Local Chinese students accepted? Yes
Primary teaching languages: English and Chinese
Class size: Maximum 23
Teacher/student ratio: 1:5
School hours: 8.30am-12.30pm (half day), 8.30am-3.30pm (full day)
After-school activities: Ice skating, piano, swimming, and ballet. AnRic plans to also introduce drama, golf, and yoga
Special needs programs: Yes, available on a case-by case basis.
School facilities: Indoor gym, outdoor playground, reading area, parents’ room, and piano room
Total area: 300sqm
School nurse or doctor available? No
Contact: 9 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District (6591 8169, admissions@anricedu.com) www.anricedu.com 朝阳区光华路甲9号

Word from a Parent:
"My daughter has been thriving at AnRic Little Montessori Room since she started last fall. I used to be an educator, so the learning pedagogy and quality of teachers were my top considerations. The teachers are excellent and their approach helps students become happy, independent learners. The intimate atmosphere has helped Kaili develop social and leadership skills. Parents are encouraged to be involved in the school."

– Teresa Woodland (US), mother of Kaili (age 6)

For more information on the 2014-2015 School Choice Guide email 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 AnRic