Fudan International School

Fudan International School
"Preparing Students for a Global Future."
Location
Shanghai, People's Republic of China
Information
Type	Primary School, Secondary School, High School
Established	2002
Website	http://www.fis.net.cn/

Fudan International School (复旦大学附属中学国际部, or FDIS) is a public school affiliated to Fudan University, providing both primary school and high school education. It is located in Shanghai of China. It is under co-direction of the Shanghai Education Commission and Fudan University. The school was established in 1950, and the High School started an English language international division in 2006. The school is a co-educational, college preparatory boarding and day school offering a Western curriculum for expatriate middle and high school students (grades 1 to 12).

Curriculum

The school uses an American-based curriculum, with the added requirement of Chinese as a first foreign language. Students may select another language if they can pass the Intermediate Level HSK test (the Chinese government language test for foreigners, similar to the TOEFL for English language testing).

Admissions

The school is open only to those holding a foreign passport or a green card. An ESL program is available.

Accreditation and Affiliations

FDIS is recognized and accredited by China’s Ministry of Education, and has applied for accreditation from the Western Association for Schools and Colleges (WASC) in the United States, and for membership in the East Asian Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS) membership.

Staff

Teachers are recruited worldwide, mainly from internationally known universities.

Missions and Values

The school mission is to "seek to educate our students in the tradition of excellence set by Fudan so that our students may engage the global future with creative, critical, and compassionate mind."

History

One of the premier universities in China, Fudan University was founded in 1905. Fudan is a world-renowned institution pursuing collaborative efforts with universities around the globe. The word “Fudan” literally means “continuous heavenly light”, representing independence and industry. The High School Affiliated to Fudan University (Fudan International School) was founded in 1950 as a common high school directly subordinate to the university and the Ministry of Education. In the tradition of excellence established by Fudan University, Fudan International School became one of the leading high schools in China.

An international division serving students from Hong Kong and Macao was formed in 1994. In 2002, the mission of this international division was expanded to allow foreign passport holders to study a Chinese curriculum.

FDIS opened in September, 2006 with a 10th grade class of 11 students. As of September 2008 the school enrolls 100 students (56 boys and 44 girls) in grades 6 through 12. All students must be foreign passport holders or hold green cards. Our current student body consists of 33 Japanese, 21 Koreans, 13 Taiwanese, 7 Americans, 7 from Hong Kong, 3 Canadians, 2 from Israel, 2 Australians, 2 Russians, 1 from the UK, 1 South African, 1 Italian, 1 from New Zealand, 1 Malaysian, 1 Indonesian, 1 Singaporean 1 from Poland, 1 from France, and 1 from Papua New Guinea. FIS currently enrolls 13 seniors, 28 juniors, 18 sophomores and 19 freshmen in high school. In the middle school, we currently enroll 3 sixth graders, 5 seventh graders and 14 eighth graders.

Academic Liaison

Columbia University, especially Teachers College, has had strong ties with Chinese educators as early as 1910. Drawn by the world-renowned philosopher John Dewey and by the international educational leader Paul Monroe, prominent leaders such as Tao Xingzhi, Hu Shi, Zhang Boling, and Chen Heqin adapted progressive educational ideas to Chinese conditions, and developed ideas, institutions and programs to propel modern education in China. Their efforts include mass literacy movement, synthesis of East and West educational views, establishing an improving higher education system, and developing early childhood education.

Teachers College is committed to collaborating with the Fudan International School in the training and professional development of its teachers and its management team. It will also assist in developing links and networks with other independent schools in the United States, and with international education organizations. We will also work with the Picker Center at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs in developing mentoring and internship programs for students, and career guidance for graduating students. The Fudan International School in a unique situation as it develops an innovative international program that will serve as a model for China and the rest of the world. We are glad to cooperate in this visionary project.