Success Story
Shekou International School
Shenzhen, China
 |
|
Shenzhen's leading school for expatriates |
Mission: To provide a comprehensive and challenging academic program, and to enable students to continue their learning with the knowledge, abilities, and understanding gained from their experience living abroad.
Philosophy:
We believe that . . .
- Family is the primary influence on a child’s development and learning.
- Developing skills necessary to live in an ever changing world is essential.
- A foundation in basic skills is essential for quality education.
- Development of independence, collaboration, and critical thinking are fundamental to quality education.
- Meaningful learning is enhanced through active involvement in the learning process.
- People are accountable for their actions.
- Honesty and respect are essential in successful relationships.
- Learning to set goals and priorities is a requisite to successful learning.
- A supportive, positive partnership among school, family, and community fosters successful learning.
- All children can learn when the expectations and learning environment support the child.
- Desire to learn is an intrinsic human quality.
- Respect and recognition of cultural diversity is fundamental to understanding and developing an appreciation of others.
- Cooperation and collaboration are essential to an individual’s success in a diverse society.
- Active involvement in community service is a critical component in developing responsible, caring youth.
Expected Student Learning Results
SIS students will be prepared to
I. Communicate Effectively by
-
Listening, reading, writing, and observing to gain understanding.
-
Analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating information.
-
Using a variety of media to receive and express needs, knowledge, desires and opinions.
II. Demonstrate Personal Management by
-
Showing competence through mastering skills and learning strategies.
-
Exhibiting confidence, initiative and self-reliance.
-
Developing habits to maintain mental and physical health.
III.
Work
Collaboratively by
- Using effective skills to foster, develop and maintain relations within diverse settings.
- Establishing and accomplishing goals within a group.
- Actively contributing to their immediate and expanding communities.
IV. Be Complex Thinkers by
- Asking questions to improve critical and creative thinking.
- Interpreting and evaluating significant concepts within various contexts.
- Creating images to represent significant concepts.
History/Accreditation/Location: Four major oil companies (Amoco, Phillips, CACT, and Arco) established Shekou International School (SIS) in 1988 as a private, coeducational, day school to provide for the education needs of the children of expatriate families from these companies and other international corporations in the area. Located in the expatriate suburb of Shekou, it is convenient to Shenzhen city, central Hong Kong, and Hong Kong International Airport. The school serves Nursery school through Grade 12 (ages 2 – 18) and has been fully accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) since 1990. SIS provides an American/International education for dependents of American, British, Korean, Japanese, and other multi-national professionals living in Shenzhen. The school year is from August to June.
Organization: International Schools Services assumed governance of the school in 2004 through its wholly owned local enterprise Academic Information Consulting (Shenzhen) Company, Ltd. ISS is a non-profit, educational service organization located in Princeton, New Jersey, whose goal is to develop schools that will be models of excellence in international education.
Curriculum: SIS offers a curriculum based on current practices and trends in Western countries with adjustments to meet the unique situations of students living overseas. Learning is an active process at SIS, and the students master pre-established benchmarks in each of the areas of study. Parents receive regular feedback on students’ progress and are actively involved in the school. SIS practices selective enrollment. An Admissions Committee is responsible for maintaining a balance of fluent English speakers to ESOL students in each classroom. SIS offers an immersion program with support for speakers of languages other than English. All instruction is in English with the exception of world language classes, which are conducted in Mandarin and French. Core subject areas include Literacy/Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science. AP courses are offered in the high school, both on site and online. The core curriculum is enhanced by courses such as Art, instrumental and vocal music, drama, technology integration, library, life skills, world languages, and physical education. SIS provides a variety of after school sports, cultural activities, and clubs. The school also conducts social and academic exchanges with local area national and international schools.
More information about the curriculum at SIS is available here: http://www.sis.org.cn/Curriculum.htm
Facilities: SIS boasts some of the finest facilities among international schools in China. The Mountainside campus serves PreK-5 and is located in an all expat gated community where the elite in Shenzhen reside. It features an all weather sports center, air conditioned gym with climbing wall, a swimming pool, access to tennis and fitness centers, and more. Classrooms are modern and airy and well resourced. At the Middle School and High School, the facility @ Bayside is brand new and state of the art. Modular classrooms, high tech labs, collaborative spaces, art and music studios, and sports facilities are key features.
Technology: SIS features over 300 networked computers and operates fully equipped labs; every classroom has additional work stations. The school is 100% wireless, and, at High School, each student is issued a laptop, while all middle schoolers also have laptop access. Secondary students can take elective courses through Virtual High School http://www.govhs.org/.
SIS Media Center: The Media Centers includes more than 14,000 volumes of curricular resources and more than 500 videos and periodicals for circulation. It is the largest English library in Shenzhen.
Classroom without Walls: In every grade, students travel within China for an afternoon or even a week to places such as the Flower Market, Cultural Village, Ocean Park in Hong Kong, Macau, Yangshuo , Foshan, Outward Bound in Hong Kong, Sichuan, Mongolia, and the foothills of the Himalayas!
Faculty: SIS’s mission is furthered through the continuous efforts of the faculty to work toward the school’s core goals. The staff is comprised of over 44 teachers and 22 teaching assistants. The Director, Curriculum Coordinator and two Principals make up the Administrative team.
Enrollment: As of the 2007-2008 school year, the enrollment is approximately 525 expatriate children from the U.S., UK, Korea, Japan, and 29 other countries.
Guidance and Counseling Program: High School students also have a comprehensive college planning program organized through the counseling department while at Elementary and Middle the focus is on building strong character. A full time counselor and part time psychologist are on staff.
Teachers: SIS hires only the finest experienced teachers available. Recruiting from around the world, our staff is recognized for hard work, intelligence, good will, and abidingly, a love for children.
SIS Families: SIS families truly value a quality education. As a result, the students have a zest for learning and pursue academic excellence. SIS parents are from the upper echelon of the corporate community in Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Guangdong. Key corporations served are BP, IKEA, Samsung, Wal-mart, Microsoft and others.
View The Shekou International School website
Start a new school | Selling a School
Success stories:
International School of Aruba | Cayman International School | Shekou International School
Success stories:
For more information: