Dalian Huamei School, Huamei School in Dalian

• Location: Dalian, China,
• Year of foundation: 2010,
• Language of instruction: English, Chinese,
• Type of education: mixed. 

Dalian Huamei School (DHS) is an international bilingual school offering programs for children aged 3 to 17.

It was opened in 2010 as a boarding school for Chinese citizens studying in grades 9-12, and in 2018 a new academic department was added to it, making Dalian Huamei School an institution with full secondary education circle. Today, the educational institution offers its students a unique choice between a Chinese bilingual or traditional direction in elementary school, comprehensive American programs for middle and high school. This approach guarantees an exceptional educational experience that combines the study of China's rich heritage and obtaining qualifications in demand at leading colleges and universities around the world.

Dalian Huamei School is famous for a number of advantages, including excellent academic results of students, comprehensive support for each student by experienced and qualified teachers, a wide range of extracurricular activities, and, of course, bilingual education. The goal is to reveal the talents and exceptional abilities of all students, and the best conditions are created for this: from a comfortable and safe campus with many specialized premises to a diverse academic and leisure program.

Recently, an EAL optional program has become available at the school, allowing students to improve their English language proficiency outside of regular class hours. The course involves placing students according to their initial skill level – from beginner to intermediate – followed by creating an engaging and intensive plan for developing reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Teachers lead small groups and offer individual lessons as needed.

Dalian Huamei School teaches programs for all stages of school education:

• Elementary: National or Bilingual — for ages 6 to 11,
• Middle School — for ages 12 to 14,
• American High School or AP Program — for ages 15 to 17.

During the summer months, intensive short courses are held on campus for the youngest schoolchildren aged 2.5 to 6 years old.

Students can choose the studying option that suits them best: attending classes and events during the day or staying in a comfortable residence on campus. Several buildings have been prepared for accommodation, providing separate living spaces for boys and girls; each building includes four-bed rooms with bathrooms, common recreation areas, laundry facilities and other premises. The residential rooms are well furnished, air-conditioned, have an air purification system, heating, and access only with a resident card.

The educational territory includes Campus Village, which offers family accommodation: these apartments are equipped with modern appliances and amenities to meet the needs of any family.

A selection of Chinese and Western cuisine is offered daily in the large DHS dining hall. The lunch menu is published on the website each month so that students and parents can order meals together. Elementary school pupils are encouraged to bring a healthy snack, all students are allowed to bring packed lunches from home.

The DHS leisure program offers more than 50 areas for talent development and maintaining student interests, including:

• Various sports — students are divided into teams according to age and skill level, and then participate in competitions in athletics, running and jumping, swimming and other areas on Tuesdays and Thursdays,
• A large number of sports sections: football, basketball, swimming, table tennis, fitness, yoga, dancing and others,
• Social activities — participation in social projects to help the local community and acquire important personal qualities: students visit nursing homes, environmental organizations, animal shelters, where they spend time with their wards, participate in research,
• Visual and performing arts — many areas of study, classes for which are held in specialized studios and workshops. Under the guidance of qualified subject specialists and in cooperation with specialized organizations (for example, The Juilliard School), students study ballet, play musical instruments, engage in painting and game design,
• Interest clubs: reading, programming, cooking, sewing, ecology, photography and many others.

Throughout the year, exciting trips around the region are organized for pupils, during which they can get acquainted with students from other schools, visit attractions and enjoy traditional Chinese cuisine and natural beauty. The latest trips took place in Chaoyang, Anbo and the Liaoning region.

Even after the school closes for the summer, a summer recreation program operates on campus for children aged 2.5 to 6 years old: daytime learning provides an excellent opportunity for interaction in a safe, supervised environment while developing skills that will be useful for students in elementary school.

• The "Best International School 2014" award, received at the annual English Education Conference in Beijing,
• Cooperation with leading educational institutions: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, UNICEF, The Juilliard School, IMG Academy,
• Multinational student community with representatives from over 30 countries,
• Bilingual education — in English and Chinese.

DHS is located in Dalian, occupying a large area of 8000 sq. m. with numerous administrative, academic and residential buildings:

• Separate buildings for teaching junior, middle and senior students: they are equipped with lecture halls, practical laboratories, computer rooms,
• Three libraries: for secondary school, elementary school and bilingual. There are study areas and group work spaces, access to online resources,
• Three design laboratories with modern equipment and various materials for practice,
• Indoor and outdoor sports facilities,
• 25-meter heated swimming pool,
• Art, dance, yoga, drama studios,
• Media center.

The open campus area includes not only sports grounds for team and pair sports and individual training, but also walking areas and playgrounds for students of all ages.

The academic year runs from the beginning of September to the beginning of July, includes three trimesters and breaks during seasonal holidays: in October, December-January, February, April. Classes are organized on weekdays; lessons are not held on weekends and during national and international holidays.

The list of additional expenses will include:

• Registration and administrative fees,
• Accommodation and meals,
• Individual classes in subjects, extracurricular clubs,
• Some extracurricular activities, such as trips and museum visits,
• Personal educational materials, school uniform,
• Medical insurance,
• Personal expenses.

The future student's family should fill out the online registration form, provide documents and pay the admission fees. The admissions committee invites applicants for an interview, testing:

• For primary school students — assessment of English and Chinese language proficiency, a math test,
• For middle and high school students — tests for reading, writing, and speaking skills in English.

Based on the results of the entrance exams, a decision is made regarding admission.

High school students achieve excellent results during their studies and when taking final exams, receive a diploma and enter leading colleges and universities in China, the USA, Great Britain and other countries.

To apply to DHS, foreign applicants must have a passport, health insurance, a visa or residence permit, and provide an academic transcript from their previous place of study. Depending on the educational stage the foreign student is applying for, the admission criteria will vary slightly — the older the future student, the higher the requirements for their academic preparation and language level.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision