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

Epoch Kindergarten currently has three locations in Beijing: one in the Yongtai area of Haidian, one near Xiangshan (Fragrant Hills), and a main campus along the Liangma River near the US Embassy. This bilingual chain was founded by American and Chinese partners, combining American and Chinese educational philosophies as well as Montessori. All of the teachers are well-qualified and many are certified Montessori educators. The school’s International Classes are taught by full-time experienced native English-speaking teachers with Chinese assistants. Epoch also has an extensive range of extracurricular activities based on children’s interests. Full day and half-day classes are offered at all locations along with limited boarding options.

Founding date: 2005
Age range: 18 months-6 years
Grades offered: Preschool
School type: Private kindergarten with boarding option
Total area: Around 3,000sqm per campus
Number of students: More than 500 across all campuses
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)*:
• New student fee (includes uniforms, school bag, and bedding): RMB 1,200
• Bilingual class: RMB 3,280 per month
• International class: RMB 5,000 per month
• Lunch fee: RMB 480 per month
*May vary according to campus. Meals are included in the tuition.
Lunch offered: Three meals and two snacks per day with a special kitchen for kids and a menu planned by a nutritionist.
Nationality of students: China, US, Canada, Philippines, Russia
Primary teaching language: Chinese
Other languages taught: English
Average class size: Maximum 30, minimum 15
Average teacher/student ratio: 1:6
School hours: 7.30am-5.30pm
After-school activities: English, dancing, drawing, roller skating, taekwondo, piano, guzheng, western and Chinese cooking
School facilities: Outdoor playground, library, multi-purpose room, piano room, and more
School nurse or doctor available? Yes, full-time
Contact: www.epoch-school.com, 5829 3820 (admissions and general enquiries)
• Yongtaiyuan Campus: A-17 Yongtaiyuan Xindibiao Area, Haidian District (8275 1372/3) 海淀区永泰园甲17号
• Binheyuan Campus: Bldg 4, 41 Taihua Binheyuan, Nanshiliju, Chaoyang District (5829 3988/3821) 朝阳区南十里居41号院
4号楼
• Xiangshan Shangli Campus: Xiangshan Nanlu (within Shangli Foreign Language School), Haidian District (5114 9551, 186 1155 2230, 186 0052 5217) 海淀区香山南路（尚丽外国语学校内） 

Word from a Parent:
“Kindergarten is children’s first chance to enter society. When my daughter entered kindergarten for the first time, I was very worried about her. Fortunately, the teachers at Epoch were experienced and helped us get through this period. Mary has learned a lot about sharing and being respectful to others. Kindergarten has been like a family, full of happiness and warmth. Our daughter’s growth makes us very happy. We are particularly grateful to all the teachers for taking care of and educating the children. Their love and devotion will help them grow into happy and healthy kids.”
– Wenchang Guo (China), father of Mary (age 4)

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.

Epoch Kindergarten currently has three locations: one in Haidian, one near Xiangshan (Fragrant Hills), and the main campus in Liangmaqiao. The bilingual schools were founded by American and Chinese partners. Based on Montessori principles, the curriculum combines American and Chinese teaching styles. Teachers are all well-qualified, and many are certified Montessori teachers. Epoch international classes feature full-time experienced native English-speaking teachers and Chinese teaching assistants. Epoch also offers an extensive range of extracurricular activities based on children’s interests. The school has full-day and half-day classes, as well as limited boarding options.

Founding date: 2005

School type: Local private and boarding kindergarten

Grades offered: Kindergarten

Is the school registered with the Ministry of Education? Yes

Tuition fees (2013-2014 academic year):
Application fee: RMB 1,200
Bilingual Class: RMB 2,580/month
International Class: RMB 5,000/month

Lunch offered: Three meals and two snacks a day with a special kitchen for kids and a menu designed by dietician

Age range: 1.5-6

Number of students: Over 500

Nationality of students: China, US, Canada, Philippines, Russia

Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes

Local Chinese students accepted? Yes

Primary teaching language: Chinese

Other languages taught: English

Class size: 15-30

Teacher/student ratio: 1:6

School hours: 7.30am-5.30pm

After-school activities: English corner, dancing, drawing, roller-skating, taekwondo, piano, guzheng, Western and Chinese cooking

School facilities: Outdoor playground, library, multi-purpose room, piano room, and more

Total area: Around 3,000sqm

School nurse or doctor available? Yes

Contact:
• Bldg 4, 41 Nanshiliju,Taihua Binhe Garden (near the US Embassy), Chaoyang District (5829 3820, epoch@epoch-school.com) 朝阳区泰华滨河苑（近美国大使馆）南十里居41号4号楼
• Xiangshan Nanlu, Haidian District (5114 9551, 186 1155 2230, 186 0052 5217, epoch@epoch-school.com) 海淀区香山南路
• A-17 New Landmark Area, Qinghe Yongtai Garden, Haidian District (8275 1372, epoch@epoch-school.com) www.epoch-school.com
海淀区清河永泰庄新地标A-17

Word from a Parent:
 “Our daughter has done really well at Epoch and just finished her second year. She really likes her teachers. We can tell that not only is she getting a good education, but also exposure to Chinese culture and language. Epoch was also the most affordable of all the kindergartens we considered.” Joan Fulkerson (US), mother of Kally (4)

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 Epoch