The Introduction of International High School

2016-03-25

Principal’s Introduction

 For young people, high school represents the most important step in their education thus far – the point at which they make the transition from youth to adulthood, and from school to university and the professional world. Today, in our increasingly globalized and interconnected age, more and more of these young people are choosing to pursue this transition abroad. To succeed, they must not only excel academically; they must develop qualities of maturity, integrity, independence, creative thinking, and open-mindedness. At Xiwai International High School, it is our responsibility to instill these qualities, and ensure that every student graduating from our program is fully prepared, not just to live and study overseas, but to flourish there.

 In order to instill these qualities, Xiwai International High School offers a comprehensive and rigorous course of study that challenges students to think creatively, discover and nurture their passions, and develop themselves into responsible and successful global citizens. At Xiwai, we realize that the challenges students face abroad will not be confined to the classroom; they will also have to navigate different and often unfamiliar cultures and ways of life, and cultivate a healthy independence as they pursue their dreams far from home. At the same time, we recognize the importance of having strong roots – of being well-grounded in one’s own national heritage, culture, history, and traditions, and of being able to represent one’s country proudly on the international stage. In pursuit of this balance, we offer a distinct blend of Eastern and Western, Chinese and international education. We are one of only 21 schools licensed by the Shanghai Education Bureau to offer such a program – and among these schools, our program is unique.

 As Principal of our International Middle and High School division, I invite you to discover what it is that makes a Xiwai education special. In the following pages, you will find detailed information about our program, our staff, our unique integrated curriculum and courses, and other features of our school. You are welcome to visit, meet our students and teachers, and see for yourself why Xiwai is such an exciting place to learn and grow. I look forward to seeing you on campus!

  Sincerely, 

Enrico Piccinini

International Middle and High School Principal

Teaching and Curriculum

 The High School’s innovative curriculum combines intensive, multidisciplinary English language study and project-based learning with required courses in Chinese Language, History, Geography, and Politics and Ideology, as well as regular excursions to important cultural and historical sites both near and far – from the outskirts of Shanghai to the caves of Dunhuang and the caravan routes of the old Silk Road. Through classes in Chinese culture, students are encouraged to cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation of their own national heritage and traditions, while a corresponding emphasis on Western-style courses and extracurricular activities – from Drama and TV Production to Robotics, Speech and Debate, and intramural athletics – prepares them for the culture and admission requirements of universities abroad. The result of all this academic and cultural synthesis is an education that shapes young adults into both proud Chinese nationals and broad-minded global citizens.

 The High School’s focus on cross-cultural learning can be seen, not just in the curriculum itself, but in the way that classes are taught and school life is managed. All English classes, for example, are co-taught by one foreign and one Chinese teacher, who plan lessons together, observe each other’s classes, and collaborate on everything from classroom management and communication with parents to developing effective teaching strategies tailored to the specific needs of their students. From their foreign English teachers, students gain exposure to authentic English, an understanding of the varied cultures of English-speaking countries, and firsthand insight into the English-language high school and university systems to which they hope to gain admission. From their Chinese English teachers – many of whom have studied abroad themselves – the students gain invaluable perspective and support from fellow Chinese nationals who understand the specific linguistic and cultural challenges facing Chinese students overseas.

 Our determination to provide our students with a global education extends beyond academics into the vastly important sphere of character-building and mentoring – especially critical in a boarding school where students spend their weekdays and evenings on campus, and invaluable for high school students who will soon be leaving the comfort and familiarity of home to live and study thousands of miles away. As in most Chinese schools, students at Xiwai are grouped into homeroom classes. Unlike other Chinese schools, however, Xiwai provides each class with not only two Chinese homeroom teachers, but also a foreign mentor tasked with providing students with additional guidance and essential information about the unique challenges and opportunities of studying abroad. As with the co-teaching system, the aim here is to combine and consolidate a variety of cultures, experiences, and perspectives to enhance the students’ understanding and well-being.

 Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are an essential part of university admission requirements in English-speaking countries, where students are expected not just to excel academically, but also to challenge themselves and pursue their passions and interests outside the classroom. To that end, we provide many opportunities for students to better themselves and gain valuable experience and life skills. Students can take part in student government through our elected Student Union; volunteer to help the environment and promote sustainable development through Roots and Shoots, a global environmental awareness organization founded by the world-famous Dr. Jane Goodall; participate in intramural sports like basketball and soccer; and apply themselves in Elective courses ranging from Anthropology and Business to Film Studies and TV Production. We also offer many opportunities for students to attend summer study programs in the United States, Britain, and other countries, where they can gain early exposure to both the challenges and the benefits of living and studying abroad.

Excursion Program

The Excursion Program is unique to Xiwai, and is premised on the belief that the deepest and most meaningful learning takes place outside the classroom and in the real world – where students can apply the knowledge they have learned, expand their intellectual, cultural, and personal horizons, and see how theory translates into practice. Every month, students take at least one day-long field trip to a place of interest connected to what they have been learning in the classroom – an ancient water town, a science and technology museum, an exotic wildlife park, a dramatic evening performance in a packed theater, and many others. In addition, every spring semester, International High School students go on a longer, week-long expedition to a significant historical and cultural site in China. Previous locations have included the ancient archaeological sites of Anyang, the deserts of Dunhuang, and the grasslands and steppes of Inner Mongolia. The purpose of these excursions is to cultivate students’ awareness and appreciation of their own rich cultural heritage, while also instilling in them the values of travel, open-mindedness, and teamwork – all essential qualities for success overseas.