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.

The motto of the Russian Children’s Education Center is “To know, to feel, to do,” signifying a commitment to hands-on learning. The Russian-centered program seeks to nurture children’s cognitive activity, curiosity, and desire for self-knowledge while stimulating their imagination and developing creativity, speech, and intellectual abilities. The school focuses on increasing children’s self-awareness and establishing an environment of emotional support. Learning materials feature the super popular animal characters from the Russian animation Smeshariki, also known in China as Kaixinqiu (开心球).

Founding Date: January 2011

School type: Russian preschool, kindergarten, grade school, and culture center with bilingual Russian/English program

Is the school registered with the Ministry of Education? No

Tuition fees (2013-2012 Academic Year): RMB 6,500/month (full day); RMB 5,000/month (half day)

Lunch fee: Lunch is included in the tuition fees for preschool and kindergarten, but Grade 1 students from the new school program pack their own lunch. Includes Russian and European cuisine.

Transportation fee: Varies according to distance and frequency. Most parents pick their kids up, but RCEC has the option of being dropped off at home if pre-arranged with the school.

Age range: 3-12

Number of students: 150

Nationality of students: Russia, US, Hungary, Israel, Belarus, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and more

Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes

Local Chinese students accepted? Yes

Primary teaching language: Russian

Languages taught: Russian, Chinese, English

Class size: 20

Teacher/student ratio: 1:10

School hours: 8.30am-6pm

After school activities: Music, art, English, and Chinese

Total area of campus in square meters: 650 square meters

School facilities: Brand new campus with nearby park, spacious classrooms with large work areas, big bright windows for natural light, and children’s furniture. Classrooms are tailored to meet the developmental needs of each age group.

Contact: Rm 101, 1/F, Bldg 2, Qiumadu, 2 Shangjialou Lu, Chaoyang District (8436 1864, zr@smeshariki.cn.com) www.smeshariki.cn.com 朝阳区尚家楼路2号院裘马都2号楼1层101

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 RCEC

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.

Muffy’s Parkside Kindergarten blends the best of Chinese and Western educational theory to create a tailor-made learning environment that maximizes each child’s unique abilities and talents. Our students are encouraged to explore, experiment and express themselves through a curriculum based on Multiple Intelligence research, supported by Montessori and Reggio learning practices in a whole day English immersion setting.  We aim to increase our student’s passion for education, while building a foundation of competences to prepare them for lifetime of learning in both China and abroad.

Founding date: 2003

School type: International kindergarten

Grades offered: Nursery, pre-school and kindergarten

Is the school registered with the Ministry of Education? Yes

Tuition fees (2014-2015 Academic Year):
Application fee: RMB 800 (non-refundable)
One-year tuition: RMB 99,800
Deposit (includes application fee): RMB 10,000

Lunch and Dinner fee: RMB 6,500 per year

Transportation fee: RMB 8,000 per year, RMB 4,500 half year, RMB 1,200 a month

Age range: 2-6

Number of students: 420

Nationality of students: China (90 percent), US, Canada, Korea, and UK

Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes

Local Chinese students accepted? Yes

Primary teaching language: English

Class size: 13-18

Teacher/student ratio: 1:6 (maximum)

School hours: 8.30am-5pm (hours vary depending on school location)

After school activities: Our exciting Global Track after school activities include: academics, sports, art classes, Yoga, Debate, Science and cooking

School facilities: Multipurpose classrooms, indoor gym, library, music room, art room, media room, big outdoor playground facility.

Total area of campuses:
Wunliu – 2,800 sqm building
Wangjing – 3,000 sqm building
Xiangshan – 800 sqm building

School nurse: Yes

Lunch offered: Chinese

Contact: Three campuses: Wanliu, Wangjing, Xiangshan (400 6633 282) www.muffys.cn

Word from a Parent:
“My son has been studying in Muffy’s for almost two years. Apart from the obvious enhancement of his language capability and physical strength, what I have been most grateful for is how his natural instinct has been carefully nurtured and respected. Muffy’s has always focused on multiple intelligence development and its teachers are required to establish a good relationship with kids just like friends. When they are staying together, the teachers are sensitive to each student’s characteristics and potential to which they give timely encouragement and guidance. As a result my son has developed independence, confidence and optimism.”
Luo Ronghui (China), mother of Wilson (4)

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 Muffy’s Kindergarten

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.

Ivy Bilingual School offers a curriculum based on the Multiple Intelligences theory and provides an immersive bilingual program, where both Chinese and Western teachers interact with children throughout the day. There are two Bilingual Schools in Beijing.

Founding date: 2006 (Ocean Express campus); 2008 (Orchid Garden campus)

School type: International bilingual preschool and kindergarten

Grade levels: Nursery to kindergarten

Tuition fees (2013-2014 Academic Year):
Ocean Express Campus: RMB 8,100 per month (full day)
Orchid Garden Campus: RMB 7,750/month (full day)

Lunch fee: Optional (contact school for latest info)

Transportation fee: Optional (contact school for latest info)
Age range: 2-6

Number of students: 175 (Ocean Express campus); 100 (Orchid Garden campus)

Nationality of students: Canadian, Japanese, French, German, American, Chinese

Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes

Local Chinese students accepted? Yes

Primary teaching language: Chinese and English

Class size: 20-25

Teacher/student ratio: 1:5-1:8

School hours: 8.30-11.30am (half day); 8.30am-4pm (full day)

After school activities: N/A

School facilities: An outdoor playground, bilingual library, a large indoor playroom, a multiple-purpose room, and a children’s kitchen for cooking classes

School nurse: Yes

Contact: Ocean Express campus: Bldg E, Ocean Express, 2 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District. (8446 7287/7286/7921, info-OE@ivyschools.com) www.ivyschools.com 朝阳区东三环北路2号远洋新干线E座

Orchid Garden campus: Orchid Garden, Xinjin Lu, Cuigexiang, Chaoyang District. (8439 7080/7087/7665 info-OG@ivyschools.com) www.ivyschools.com 朝阳区崔各乡新锦路18号卓锦万代

Word from a Parent:
“We are very pleased to have chosen Ivy Schools for our son Freddie’s first experience with school.  He enjoys meeting his friends and teachers every morning and is always happy to be at school. There has never been a sad look or tear whenever ‘school’ is being mentioned. At the age of 2 he is starting to discover the world around him. Ivy Schools has helped in encouraging Freddie’s curiosity and learning through the wide range of activities it provides.I am always struck by how upbeat and friendly everyone at Ivy Schools is, from the helpers at the gate, to office staff and teachers – even those that are not from Freddie’s class! It means a lot that the staff remembers children’s names and always have a kind word to share with them.”
Jwee San, mother of Freddie (3)

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 Ivy Bilingual School