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Welcome to Yinghua Academy
Yinghua Academy students in third through sixth grade have reason to celebrate as overall 92% of the students passed the state math test, and 84% passed the state English reading test. Even more significant are the passing rates of just the immersion grades (3rd and 4th): these scores are even higher with 93% passing the math test, and 86% passing the English reading test. Further if we consider just the third grade scores, (as the group of students who have experienced Chinese immersion since Kindergarten and for two years have only received 60 minutes of English reading instruction daily) 87% of the students passed the English reading test, while 98% passed the math test. This proves to us that not only are our students keeping up with their monolingual peers in other schools, but in fact they are surpassing them statistically. Our curriculum design and model seems to be working per the research it is based on. Additionally it is also important to note, that our very new middle school program is also successful with middle school students passing 100% English reading, and 90% in math. Science test scores and growth rates have not yet been published. We are looking forward to that data in the coming weeks. Also, please note all students individual results will be mailed out in late July or early August, as we have not yet received these documents from the department of education. The MCA is the state exam for all students in public schools in Minnesota. The state averages for passing these tests range between 60%-70%, depending on the grade level and subject. As you can see, Yinghua students, even with the majority of their instruction delivered in Chinese, far exceed their monolingual peers. We are pleased to see that the data indicates the Chinese immersion experience is working! Of course we always continue to strive for excellence in everything we do, and plan to push the reading scores up past 90%, but knowing that Chinese is a non-phonetic language and our students get a limited amount of English every day, we are over the top happy with these results. We thank all the dedicated staff and parents who are an integral part of the success, and of course, once again – CONGRATULATIONS AND WAY TO GO, SMART AND HARD WORKING KIDS!! Mandarin Chinese Immersion Summer Camps The total immersion setting provides opportunities for students to learn key vocabulary and skills through activities in a fun, hands-on, camp environment. This summer's sessions are titled "Abacus for Kids: Learning Chinese Language and Culture through Math Activities" and "Earth, Wind and Fire: Learning Chinese Language through Science Discovery." For more information, click here. Making the Case for Chinese: Yinghua Featured in Documentary about Chinese Language Learning According to the Asia Society in Washington D.C., Young Americans from all walks of life are learning to speak Chinese in elementary and secondary schools. In this documentary key educators and politicians weigh in on the global advantage of studying Mandarin. Watch a clip of the documentary here. Yinghua Featured in TIME Magazine Here's what the November 23rd, 2009 issue of TIME magazine had to say about our school: Yinghua, the first such immersion program in the Midwest, is on the leading edge of a movement that in recent years has seen Chinese-language programs spread rapidly throughout the U.S. In 2000 an estimated 5,000 kids were taking Mandarin in the U.S. This year the number is closer to 60,000. Read the article here. The photo essay can be seen here. Our Mission The mission of Yinghua Academy is to prepare our students to be engaged and productive global citizens by providing a research-based educational program that includes a rigorous academic program, immersion in Chinese language and culture, and a nurturing and supportive school environment. A “Snapshot” of Yinghua Academy Yinghua is a tuition-free public elementary school serving K-6th grade in the 2009-2010 school year. Yinghua Academy will add a grade each year up to 8th grade, so it will begin serving K-8th grade starting in the 2011-2012 academic year. Click here to download an Introduction to Yinghua Academy. Yinghua Academy's program has three components:
Overall, the goal of Yinghua Academy is to help our students to:
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