School of Chinese Studies

School of Chinese Studies Programs at a glance:

• Mandarin Munchkins (18 months-2 years old)
• Afterschool Downtown
• STEAM + Mandarin
• Afterschool UES
• Summer Day Camp
• Private Tutoring
• AP & SAT Prep

About the School of Chinese Studies:

The School of Chinese Studies (the School, 华美学苑) provides insightful, stimulating, and time-tested education programs enabling students of all ages to grow their understanding and appreciation of China.

Founded in 1933, the School was the first China-focused educational center in the United States, and was chartered in 1944 by the Board of Regents of the New York State Department of Education. Today, the School’s comprehensive slate of courses fosters a life-long learning community for anyone looking to learn more about China’s language, art, culture, history, people, and society. For more than 80 years, the School has also lead the identification, development, application, and dissemination of best practices for teaching Chinese language and culture in K-12 classrooms throughout New York City.

We believe that early exposure to Chinese language and culture tremendously benefits children’s cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Our education programs build a solid foundation for children to gain linguistic skills, deepen their cross-cultural competence, and pursue life with an open mind.

When introducing children to Chinese language and culture, we inspire their creative minds through experiential learning and play. Our early childhood education experts have created an early school year curriculum that develops an enduring interest in a multi-cultural world through activities that center on meaningful activities in a child’s everyday life.

For children old enough to learn in a more systematic and structured way, we provide rigorous instruction that provides them with a solid command of oral and written Chinese language skills. Content in these courses weave in key aspects of both traditional and contemporary Chinese culture.

Our dynamic and dedicated educators are specifically trained in early childhood education and in teaching Chinese as a second language and are devoted to furthering the personal growth of each and every student. Students enjoy instruction in the Institute’s state-of-the-art Lower Manhattan facility, where young people are introduced to China and develop a lifelong interest in one of the world’s oldest and richest cultures.