CHINA HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMME Immerse yourself in Chinese language and culture at YK Pao School
THE PROGRAMME YK Pao School's China High School Programme gives students the opportunity for short-term enrolment at Pao School, a leading UK-style boarding school in Shanghai, China. Students study a combination of specialised courses in Chinese language, history and culture, along with a core academic programme in English. 
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There are three programmes designed for students in years 9 through 12 (US grades 9 through 12):
A one-year programme for students in years 9, 10, 11, or 12
A two-year IGCSE programme for students in years 9-10
A two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for students in years 11-12
The goal of the programme is to allow students to make substantial progress in Chinese language study, gain a deeper understanding of the culture and traditions of China, develop global awareness and leadership skills, gain greater self-awareness, independence, maturity, and confidence, and develop lifelong friendships with Chinese classmates.
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THE CURRICULUM YK Pao School’s teachers hail from all over the world, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, and Singapore. In years 9-10, students study the two-year IGCSE curriculum, a leading international curriculum used in over 20 countries. Students study five compulsory subjects and one optional subject. Compulsory subjects include English, Chinese, Science, Mathematics and History. Optional subjects include Music, Computer Science, Drama, Business Studies, Global Perspectives, Geography, Sociology and Art and Design. At the end of year 10, students will take external exams given by the Cambridge International Examination Board to acquire relevant subject certificates. In years 11-12, students study the two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), a leading university preparation curriculum used in over 140 countries. The IBDP emphasises interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking, intercultural understanding and an international mind-set. The IBDP curriculum is made up of six subject groups – English Language and Literature, Chinese Language and Literature, Sciences, Mathematics, Humanities and the Arts. In addition, the IBDP curriculum has three core elements – the extended essay, theory of knowledge, and creativity, action, and service. Most universities in the United States and Canada recognise the quality of the IBDP by giving advanced placement and course credit. “Highly selective institutions like Stanford perceive IB students as strongly prepared, capable, ready to take on the challenges of the curriculum that we offer. Our schools tend to have a higher expectation for students coming in just because of the nature of our student bodies are highly prepared and IB students are among those who are ready to tackle whatever it is we can offer them at the very beginning.” -Debra Von Bargen, Stanford University’s Assistant Dean of Admissions (Source: International Baccalaureate Organisation website)
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THE ARTS The arts are an integral part of life at YK Pao School and help students tap into their own creativity and imagination. The visual arts programme encompasses techniques in various media, including drawing, painting, printing making, sculpture, and photography. The drama programme provides students with opportunities to get involved with all aspects of theatre production, from performance to design and technical support. Past productions have included Antigone, Twelfth Night, and the Rocky Horror Picture Show. The music programme focuses on composing, performing, and listening in order to develop the ‘full musician’.
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Facilities
Clubs and Ensembles
Art classrooms
Orchestra
Drama club
Pottery room
Pep band
Actors ensemble
Design lab
Jazz band
Design
Music classrooms
String orchestra
Photography
Music practice rooms
Choir
Chinese ceramics
Dance studio
Acapella choir
Chinese crafts
Black box theatre
Piano duets
Chinese calligraphy
Outdoor amphitheater
Rock band
Chinese painting
Auditorium
Chinese drum ensemble
Ballet
Chinese instrumental ensemble
Modern dance
Gu Qin (Chinese zither)
Chinese folk dance
Musical theatre
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SPORTS At YK Pao School, we recognize sports as an essential part of whole person education and value its importance for our students’ physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. Students can engage in sports at both recreational and competitive levels, and our school teams regularly compete in local and regional competitions.
Facilities
Representative Sports
Running track
Badminton
Volleyball
Football pitch
Basketball
Water Polo
Indoor gymnasium
Cross country
Fencing area
Football (soccer)
Underground sports arena
Swimming
Indoor swimming pool
Table tennis Track & Field
Non-Representative Sports, Fitness, and Wellness Activities Fencing
Swimming
Fitness
Taichi
Floorball
Tennis
Golf
Touch rugby
Pilates
Ultimate Frisbee
Spinning
Weightlifting
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CHINESE CULTURE PROGRAMME The School’s Chinese Culture Programme seeks to enable students to appreciate and draw upon the richness of Chinese culture in their everyday lives. The programme covers language and literature, philosophy and religion, politics, history, geography and economics, arts, sports, visits to scenic spots, and customs. Students have opportunities to engage in a wide-range of cultural activities from tea appreciation and calligraphy to wushu and the game of Go. Cultural events are held throughout the year including poetry recitals, Chinese opera performances, and celebrations of traditional festivals such as the Spring Festival. These events and activities bring traditional and contemporary Chinese culture to life, enabling students to truly immerse themselves in Chinese culture during their time at YK Pao School.
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STUDENT CLUBS AND ORGANISATIONS Student clubs and organisations give students opportunities to try new things, discover their interests and talents, as well as develop leadership skills. Leadership Opportunities Student-elected leaders have a real impact on life at YK Pao School. Leadership opportunities include Student Government, student ambassadors, House prefects, team captains, and club leaders. Student Clubs and Organisations Student Government
Debate
Astronomy club
Pao Broadcast
Wee Studio
Environmental protection club
Pao Weekly
Yearbook
Community service
Movie appreciation club
Translation and interpretation club
Engineering club
STEM Journal
Computer programming club
Gardening club
Woodwork club
French club
Model United Nations
Spanish club
Global issues
YK Pao School has helped me grow as an individual because it has given me many leadership opportunities. In Year 10, I became a student ambassador and was given the chance to introduce our school to prospective students. Next year, in Year 11, I will be a prefect and will help our dorm parents look after the students and organise house parties and events. These leadership opportunities allow me to get to know more students and help me gain more confidence in my work. -Huiwen, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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CULTURAL & EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
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Excursions around Shanghai The school provides many opportunities for students to engage with the local community and communities across China and the region. Excursions are regularly organized to take advantage of the rich cultural offerings of Shanghai and its surrounding cities. These include day trips to Zhujiajiao water town, organic farms on Chongming Island, the Science and Technology Museum, and numerous classical and contemporary art museums around Shanghai. Zhi Xing China Programme Our flagship Zhi Xing China Programme is a unique and exciting blend of academics and real-world experiential projects that take place outside the regular classroom walls. Zhi Xing China Programme participants study minority cultures in Guizhou Province, explore the geography of Sanya, go on a historical and cultural tour of the ancient Buddhist grottoes of Dunhuang in Gansu Province, a major stop on the ancient silk road, and participate in service trips to Guangxi, Sichuan, and Guangdong Provinces. Global Programmes We firmly believe in the importance of fostering an international perspective and provide opportunities for students to travel abroad and learn about a country’s history, culture, and language. Students have opportunities to experience short-term exchanges with partner schools in the US, UK, Australia, Canada and Singapore. As a member of the Round Square network, students also have opportunities to take part in international service projects and student conferences.
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UNIVERSITY & CAREER COUNSELLING The University and Career Counselling Office provides individual advising to students about higher educational opportunities. Our team of experienced university counsellors assists students in identifying colleges and universities which best match their strengths and interests and also provide support and advice in completing the necessary applications. Counsellors present a number of day and evening workshops throughout the year for students and parents on topics ranging from writing a college essay and standardized testing to visiting colleges and financial and merit aid. In addition, the Office hosts university admissions representatives from around the world on our campus to meet face-to-face with students and answer their questions. The University and Career Counselling Office organises a Career Speaker Series to allow students to learn about different careers, the training that’s required for each career, and what they can do to further explore this career. The Office also arranges job shadowing and internships to give students opportunities to directly explore different careers. Students have attended presentations by professionals in a variety of fields, including journalism, law, sustainable fashion, education, graphic design, and architecture, and have completed internships at a range of organisations, including Deloitte, IKEA, and xPartner Robotics.
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University Matriculation The Class of 2017, YK Pao School’s inaugural class, was made up of 49 students UNITED STATES (39 STUDENTS)
UNITED KINGDOM (7 STUDENTS)
Barnard College
Seattle University
Durham University
Beloit College
Syracuse University
King’s College, London
Boston University (2)
Tulane University
Loughborough University
California Institute of the Arts
University of California, Berkeley (2)
The University of Sheffield
Chapman University
University of California, Davis
University College London
Colby College
University of California, Irvine (2)
University of Oxford
Columbia University
University of California, Los Angeles
University of the Arts London
Dartmouth College Georgia Institute of Technology
University of Chicago
Marist College
University of Connecticut
Miami University, Oxford
University of Notre Dame
New York University (3)
University of Rochester
BTK Berlin Design School
Northeastern University (2)
University of Southern California
CHINA (1 STUDENT)
Pennsylvania State University
Worcester Polytechnic University
Xing Wei College
CANADA (1 STUDENT) University of British Columbia GERMANY (1 STUDENT)
Pitzer College (2) Reed College Rhode Island School of Design Savannah College of Art and Design
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LIFE IN SHANGHAI RESIDENTIAL LIFE Students in the China High School Programme live in the school’s dormitories and share rooms with Chinese classmates, allowing them to use their language skills in a relaxed environment outside of the classroom. Each dormitory hallway is supervised by faculty members who live on site and are responsible for students’ safety and well-being. A team of professionals provide students with health care and counselling services at the school’s Wellness Centre, which is open 24 hours a day. Through living away from home, students learn to get along with their peers as well as with adults in a safe and nurturing environment. With professional guidance, they learn to make independent decisions, practice selfmanagement and organise a balanced schedule of learning, sports, activities and hobbies.
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At the core of boarding school, in my opinion, is the concept of independence. Students are put into a situation where they no longer have their parents to monitor and care for them. I truly think this is a great experience for any high school student. As a result of spending this time at a boarding school I am far more prepared for a college environment and less likely to take it as a shock. I excel when I am on my own. I love independence and I am so far loving my stay at YK Pao School. Boarding school has helped me and surely others step away from the coddling of parents and become more independent and capable of dealing with life’s issues on my own. –Augustine, Chicago, Illinois
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LIFE IN SHANGHAI
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Shanghai has become the most dynamic and cosmopolitan city in China. Home to approximately 30 million, it is the largest city in China by population and is known not only for its historical landmarks, but also its rapid development, leading its reputation as the ‘economic capital’ of China. Students live on YK Pao School’s Songjiang campus, located in a quiet residential area in Shanghai’s historic Songjiang district and 45 minutes away from the city centre. Songjiang is home to a multitude of cultural treasures, from the ancient town of Sijing to the Tang Dynasty era Buddhist stone pillar and Zuibaichi, a classical garden that dates back to the Song dynasty.
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ADMISSIONS YK Pao School welcomes applications for admission to Years 9, 10, and 11. Students admitted into the China High School Programme must have demonstrated suitable academic achievement in their current school. They also should have a willingness to immerse themselves in a new culture and language and demonstrate the maturity and openness suitable for life in an overseas boarding environment. Students of var ying levels of Chinese language – from beginner to advanced – can be enrolled. Admissions representatives regularly travel overseas and can meet with interested students and families. 21
For more information about admissions, please contact YK Pao School's Office of Admissions. Email: admissions@ykpaoschool.cn Tel: (+86) 21 6167 1999 Web: www.ykpaoschool,cn Address: 1800, Lane 900 North Sanxin Road, Songjiang District Shanghai, China 201620
SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AID Financial Aid YK Pao School is committed to attracting and admitting a student body with diverse talents, interests, and backgrounds. Our commitment to financial aid enables the school to offer students who might not otherwise have access to a YK Pao School education the opportunity to enroll regardless of their financial circumstances. Scholarships The Chinese Immersion Scholarship recognises students who demonstrate academic excellence, internationalmindedness, and a strong interest in Chinese language and culture. Any student applying to a two-year programme (Year 9-10 IGCSE or Year 11-12 IBDP) at YK Pao School is eligible for a scholarship.
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YK Pao School is named after Sir Yue-Kong Pao, a renowned Chinese businessman, statesman, and educational philanthropist who dedicated himself to supporting the development of China. After achieving success in business and politics, he focused his energies on providing educational opportunities for Chinese youth. Founded in 2007, YK Pao School is a private, not-for-profit, coeducational Chinese school for day students in years 1-8 and day and boarding students in years 9-12. We have over 1200 students with more than 15 nationalities represented. Our pioneering Chinese-English dual language immersion programme focuses on high academic standards, nurturing the whole person, developing individuals with strong character, and helping our students develop an international mindset.