Academics

Overview

At HCCS, we believe all students should learn a second language beginning in the early years. By providing early and sustained immersion in Chinese language and culture, we aim to support students to learn and achieve at a high academic level, be highly proficient in two languages and develop a deep appreciation for world cultures.

A few things that make HCCS standout from other schools include:

• Increased Instructional Time. Students gain an average of 2 hours of instructional time per week compared to neighborhood public schools. 
• Expanded Immersion Environment. With a cross-section of Chinese speaking staff, students can use Chinese language skills outside the classroom as they interact with the front desk, I.T. support, lunch service, recess monitors, etc.
• Unique & Effective Chinese Curriculum. We have developed our own spiral performance-based curriculum that emphasizes regularly revisiting and then building upon previously learned concepts and demonstrating learning through performance tasks.

Our Chinese immersion program meets the national standards for foreign language education as set by the American Council on the Teacher of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). 

Our program also uses proficiency benchmarks established by the World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages, ACTFL Performance Descriptors For Language Learners, ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, and NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements.