FAQ

Daystar Academy Beigao Campus is authorized an IB PYP and MYP school. The school is a IBDP candidate school, and is expected to obtain DP certification in 2021.   

The Beigao campus is also a member of CIS (Council of International School) and is in the middle of pursuing WASC accreditation.

At our Sanlitun Campus, we are in the process of pursuing IB PYP accreditation. However, the current teaching objectives, content, assessment, and syllabus are consistent with the IB system, as well as an inquiry-based teaching approach.

Based on the Chinese National Curriculum Standards, we are using textbooks published by the People's Education Press. 

For the English curriculum, it is based on the US National Common Core Standard. We are using Journeys textbook for English Language, and Calendar Math and Focus for English math. 

For students who need language support, the school provide LEAP program (English Second Language Support Course) and a Yuyue Program (Chinese Second Language Support Course). 

The LEAP team gives a push-in and pull-out support. The first is in-class (push-in) support where the main teacher also tutor the students in class at the same time; the second is to pull the child out (pull-out) and concentrate on English tutoring. According to statistics, if the child is below the Grade 1 level when entering the class, after one or two years of training, the level of competency will reach the same as in the United States.

The Montessori kindergarten is a mixed-age class, which uses a half-day Chinese and a half-day English program. The kindergarten class is a bridging course that is close to the primary school curriculum and uses the inquiry-based teaching model, using Journeys textbooks.

From grades 1-5, Daystar Academy uses the IB International Curriculum system, PYP Program, and the MYP Program. The school implements bilingual teaching in its teaching courses. The proportion of Chinese and English for the main subjects (Chinese, English, and Mathematics) at the primary school level is 50%. As the grade level increases, the ratio of English teaching will increase appropriately. The proportion of Chinese teaching to English teaching in middle school is 20% to 80%.

The ratio of the students per class is dependent on the size of the classrooms, but it is never more than 25 students per class.

For the Montessori kindergarten, there is a Chinese teacher, an English teacher, a Chinese assistant teacher, and an English assistant teacher. All the classes share a childcare worker. At least three teachers are present in each class.

For the Kindergarten class, there is a Chinese teacher, an English teacher and two assistants (one with the teacher and one with the students). 

For Elementary classes, in addition to the departmental teachers, every two classes share a Chinese teacher, an English teacher, a Chinese assistant teacher, and an English assistant teacher.

For our secondary program, the ratio can range from 1:18 to 1:5 depending on the class and subject.

The class will be divided into different groups according to the students' language ability. The level of difficulty of activities (reading/listening, etc.) in each group is different. Children who need additional support will have teachers by their side to help. 

Parents can learn more about the students' learning progress through different channels. The first is the home/school contact manual where it will record the child's daily work.In addition, parents can log in to the Daystar Academy Online account every Friday to be updated of detailed lesson plans, content taught and progress for the week.

For academic performance, parents can download and learn more about the students' results in each subject from Daystar Academy Online. There will be two academic assessment reports published each semester. Each inquiry unit will have a corresponding assessment released after the end of the inquiry unit.

For the learning of the English language, there are three MAP reading tests per academic year (the third week of September, the first semester/the end of the second semester). Specific progress targets will be set based on the student's scores. For Chinese Language and Mathematics, there will be one test in Dongcheng District. There will also be ISA International School tests (English Reading, Mathematics, English Writing of two genres – narrative/explanatory text).

The homework for Kindergarten,  first and second grade students mainly focuses on reading, and there is no written homework. The homework for the third and fourth grade students are controlled within half an hour. The homework for the Fifth Grade is less than 45 minutes. Lastly, the amount of work for the secondary school level is controlled within 120 minutes.

DRAGON Mission: The mission of the DRAGON program is to provide opportunities to students that connect to school-wide learner outcomes; enabling students to pursue individual passions, encourage growth and development, develop talents and skills, and further explore concepts from areas of interest.

There are mainly four components: Athletics (various ball games), Arts (Music, Art, Performing Arts, etc.), Academic (courses) and Interests group (Cooking, Chess, etc.) Some classes are conducted by Daystar teachers and highly qualified outside vendors. Activities that require external agencies need to be paid separately. Parents are welcomed to choose freely according to their children's interests and register at the age of three. The classes are conducted every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Shuttle service is provided after class; Tuesday and Thursday: 4:40 and Wednesday: 3:40. 

The specific bus route for the following school year are determined during the summer vacation to best meet the needs of our parents. Please check the Daystar Academy official website (School life - School bus) for reference route, bus stops and departure time.

Daystar Academy is one of the only schools in China to offer meals crafted from local and sustainable food sources grown without chemical pesticides or fertilizers. We believe that what we feed our students and staff has a positive result on their learning and well-being and that it is an extension of their learning. The only way to ensure the best meals possible for our students is to do it ourselves. Any other method would be a compromise to our promise to serve locally sourced foods prepared in a healthy and tasty way for our students.

At Sanlitun campus, the food program is provided by a catering that holds similar high standards in their meal preparations.