The
Chinese American International School in San Francisco is more than just your typical bilingual academic institution. The school prides itself on being a Mandarin immersion school, teaching and exposing the students to the language, culture, and more. San Francisco has always been known for its extensive Chinese community so it's no surprise that such a school was set up in the city. Fortunately, instead of just focusing on the students of Chinese descent, all kids are welcome to study and learn here. They'll get introduced to everything Mandarin which will prove advantageous to their future!
Source: Chinese American International School Facebook Page
History of Chinese American International School
San Francisco Supervisor Carol Ruth Silver established the Chinese American International School in 1981. At the time, she was looking for a Chinese bilingual school in the Bay Area that could accommodate her adopted Taiwanese son. Upon discovering that there was no academic institution in
San Francisco at the time, she decided to open such a school herself. By collaborating with district attorney Mimi Luk, Justice Harry Low, then-Asian Art Museum curator Yvon d'Argence, Bernard Ivaldi (former head of the French American International School), and more, the school was finally set up. It first opened in September 1981 and was the first Mandarin-English school in the city at the time.
What is Chinese American International School's Campus Like?
The Chinese American International School is located on Waller Street near the city center. The street spans various
neighborhoods in San Francisco, including Mint Hill, Haight-Ashbury, Cole Alley, and more. Today, the school boasts a big campus with massive buildings that house all the standard school facilities. They include big classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, a big library, and ample outdoor spaces. It's worth noting that the Chinese American International School's current location is where Mercy High School used to be. The latter secured the property in 2021, moving its campus to this site during the pandemic.
Source: Chinese American International School Facebook Page
The Chinese American International School Student Body
From what started as a small school of only four kindergarten students, the Chinese American International School is a fairly large international school in San Francisco. Today, the school welcomes a little over 550 students per year, composed of both new enrollees and those returning who have yet to graduate. To break this down even further, there are around 210 preschool students, 200 primary school students, and about 140 middle school students. Despite being a Chinese-American international school, it’s still also diverse. The student body is made up of about 72.3% Asian students, 16% White students, 2.9% Hispanic students, 2% Black students, and 0.4% Multiracial students.
What is The Chinese American International School's Curriculum?
San Francisco's Chinese American International School received national recognition for its unique Chinese-American educational program in 1987. It was also at that time that the US Department of Education designated the school as the “national prototype for Chinese language education in elementary schools.” Hence, the school is also widely considered the pinnacle of Asian-American education in the country. Naturally, it stands out for its Mandarin immersion program, which makes use of the language both in class and in their everyday operations. All students, regardless of their native languages and backgrounds, will learn how to speak Mandarin here.
Source: Chinese American International School Facebook Page
How Much Does It Cost to Study at Chinese American International School?
Much like the other prominent international schools in San Francisco, the Chinese American International School is pretty expensive. Its preschool alone already costs around $39,600.00 per year, considerably higher than how much other similar institutions in the city cost. Upon reaching primary school, the tuition fees go up again, this time about $42,600.00 per year. The good news here is that the price doesn't change from grade 1 to 8 and it's fairly common among many primary and secondary schools in the city. Still, when you consider how high the
living costs in San Francisco are, these tuition fees are still very expensive.
Where is The Chinese American International School in San Francisco?
As already mentioned, the Chinese American International School is located on Waller Street near the center of the city. The street is fairly long and spans numerous central neighborhoods in San Francisco. Fortunately, these same districts are also the most popular and a good many of them are largely residential. Not only do they boast some of the best
luxury homes to rent in San Francisco, but they also have relatively peaceful areas. So it's fairly easy to get a nice place near the school, even for families with little kids.
Source: Chinese American International School Facebook Page
The Chinese American International School is undoubtedly one of the more unique international schools in San Francisco. It's a Mandarin immersion school that caters to the city's Chinese community but all students, regardless of their background, are welcome to study here.
