In anticipation of the Beijing International School Expo today and tomorrow, we will be highlighting local and international schools around Beijing from our newly released 2015-2016 beijingkids School Choice Guide.

The Children’s International Bilingual Academy (formerly known as the Children’s Learning Center of Beijing) has served the Chinese and expat communities in Shunyi for over a decade. CIBA uses an integrated international curriculum based on American and British national standards. The Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework and Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guide the planning, implementation, and reflection of learning programs that meet all children’s needs. Both frameworks have strong emphasis on play-based learning, as play is a necessary tool in young children’s learning and brain development. The framework also emphasizes communication and language learning through early literacy, numeracy, and social and emotional development CIBA also uses the Chinese Thematic Curriculum.

Founding date: 2002
Age range: 18 months to 7 years
Grades offered: Pre-Nursery to Year 2
School type: International bilingual school
Number of students: 80
Is the school accredited by the Ministry of Education? Yes
Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes
Local Chinese students accepted? Yes
Tuition fees* (2015-2016 academic year):
• Application fee: RMB 1,500 (non-refundable)
• Pre-Nursery: RMB 55,000
• Nursery: RMB 60,000
• Foundation Stage 1: RMB 65,000
• Reception: RMB 67,500
• Year 1 and 2: RMB 72,000
• Transportation: RMB 30-70 per day (depending on distance)
• Lunch fee: RMB 35 per day
*Fees for all grades include ABC Music and Mommy and Me dance classes.
Lunch offered: Western and Chinese options
Nationality of students: US, Germany, Sweden, Australia, China, UK, and more
Primary teaching languages: Chinese and English
Average class size: 12 (Pre-Nursery), 16 (Nursery), 20 (FS1), 20 (Reception), 12 (Year 1-2)
Average teacher/student ratio: 1:3 (Pre-Nursery), 1:4 (Nursery), 1:5 (FS1), 1:6 (Reception), 1:7 (Year 1-2)
School hours: 8.30am-5.30pm
After-school activities: English oral class, dance, English singing class, piano, and Chinese art
Extra help offered? CSL, ESL and support
School facilities: Music room, activity room, play area, library, dancing room, playground, garden, sand pit, a large trampoline, and climbing equipment
School nurse or doctor available? No, but teachers are trained in emergency first aid
Contact: 3052-3056 Gahood International Villas, Shunyi District (EN or CH: 8046 7082/3122, wendy@clcbkids.com) www.cibabeijing.com 顺义区后沙峪嘉浩别墅 3052-3056

Word from a Parent:
“My husband and I are teachers at an international school and have three children. My eldest daughter Michelle attended CIBA four years ago. The teachers are very responsible. My daughter always had fun there, so we decided to send our son Beau to CIBA too. He attended CIBA for one and half years. He always cried at first, but the teachers were patient and learned what his favorite toys were very quickly. After two weeks, my son happily said goodbye to me as I dropped him off. My youngest daughter Katherine has attended CIBA since September and is happy at school. My husband and I no longer worry and CIBA gives us a big discount!”
– Carly Shekhar (US), mother of Michelle (age 6), Beau (4), and Katherine (2)