Dandelion School
Dandelion School is unique. Find out more about the school:
SCHOOL VISION
In our school, we combine equality with quality in education.
SCHOOL MOTTO
Be confident, gregarious, realistic and creative.
SCHOOL HISTORY
July 2015
Dandelion School preparatory team started up the Dandelion school trial operation.
January 2016
Dandelion School obtained the school licence which was approved by the local administration. Also, the school got registered as a non-profit organisation at Beijing Civil Affairs Administration. The school becomes the first and only charitable, non-profit middle school in Beijing approved by the government, providing equal access to quality education for children in Beijing, especially for children from low-income migrant families.
2017
Dandelion School won a 5A reward (the highest quality) at the Assurance Assessment of Non-profit Organisations hosted by the Civil Affairs Administration’s Quality.
CURRICULUMS, SUBJECTS AND TEXTBOOKS
As a non-government educational institution, Dandelion School satisfies the compulsory education requirement for grades 7 to 9. Textbooks which are published by the Ministry of Education of the PRC are selected for the following subjects: Chinese-language, History and Ideological & Moral Cultivation. For other subjects, we use textbooks published by People’s Education Press. All subjects and teaching practices fully complement the National Curriculum developed by Education Ministry of the PRC. Additionally, we offer programs responding to students’ needs. Students who complete their education at Dandelion take the high school entrance examination in Beijing.
SCHOOL ENROLMENT
Students with or without a Beijing Hukou (residency registration) can apply for enrolment at Dandelion School.
Dandelion applies the ideas of the famous Chinese educator Mr Xingzhi Tao (who is considered the John Dewey of China) in practice: “We use a well-rounded education to build up society in an all-round way”. At Dandelion, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive school environment which benefits all students from various family, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Every Dandelion student is welcomed, valued, and supported to learn, to participate in diverse school activities and to fulfil their potential. We believe, for children who are growing up in the 21st century, the open and inclusive culture at Dandelion contributes to their academic achievements and has a long-lasting positive impact on their development.
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
New Campus Blueprint
Dandelion School is located at Lao Sanyu Village, Xi Hongmen, Daxing District, Beijing. The new school campus covers an area of 16,570 m². The campus design provides bright and large size classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, computer rooms, calligraphy and art studios, a new energy study room, library, research centre, music theatre, teachers’ office, residential and health facilities, out-door and in-door playgrounds. The new campus creates necessary and sufficient conditions to meet students’ learning needs and improve their boarding well-being.
The design of the new campus is an outstanding contribution of the volunteers. Every school facility has a unique name which is chosen by its donors. There are beautiful stories of love and growth behind each name. The school provides a welcoming, safe and nurturing environment to students from all socio-economic backgrounds from their first day on campus.
BOARDING LIFE
Morning exercise
At Dandelion School, all students live on campus. The boarding facilities include 100 dormitory rooms with bathrooms and showers. Normally, six boarders share a dorm room. Each dormitory floor is managed by staff. There are health rooms available, providing support and services for boarders. Security personnel are onsite 24/7, supported by video surveillance.
Meals are served by our professional catering staff in the dining hall. The dining space is open for three meals a day. We have nutritionists working on the menus. Meals are served with two dishes and one staple. Fresh milk is available for all students every morning. An extra meal is served at night for students who participate in evening study hall. Diverse menus are available, including vegetarian and halal food.
At Dandelion, we advocate simple and plain living on campus and support students in developing a regular daily routine and practicing self-management. We also encourage students to develop their ability to complete tasks independently, which is significant for their development and success. We foster students’ self-reliance, team spirit, awareness of health and self-care skills, preparing them well as they grow into adulthood.
MORAL EDUCATION
Moral and values education is integrated with all subjects and applied at the school as its cornerstone. The rainbow graffiti on the school building is a symbol, which encourages students to work together, and to be independent, self-reliant and self-disciplined. Also, students are supported to develop their leadership through addressing a range of practical issues both in and beyond the classroom.
Values taught at Dandelion include discernment, hard work, justice, empathy, dignity, and forgiveness. We help students learn these values and moral habits in daily practice. It can improve their well-being, making them better people to build up a better society.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Supported by charity and donations, Dandelion School scholarships provide opportunities for talented students who are enthusiastic about learning to develop their full potential:
• Wang Hu Zhan Literature Education Scholarship
• Deng Shi English Scholarship
• Rainbow Scholarship (China Construction Eighth Engineering Division Corp. Ltd.)
• Zhen Bei Scholarship
• Hua Chen Scholarship
• Li Hua Reading Scholarship
• Yi Fang Da Scholarship
CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK
At Dandelion, the curriculum framework is based on a profound philosophical and psychological foundation, which combines learning, teaching and practice. Guided by the following principles, the framework also encourages creativity:
Embedding Education in Everyday Life
We empower teachers and students to apply a learning method which can improve their physical, mental and knowledge development. We encourage students to turn everyday life into a learning experience.
Research Skills Development
Dandelion students are supported in developing research plans and practicing research skills in any subject. In this process, students can learn how to collect information, solve new problems, see patterns, and combine multiple perspectives.
Teaching Diversity
Dandelion acknowledges that every child is unique. We promote diversity in the classroom. Students are taught differently. They are involved and encouraged to share different perspectives and experience. No one is left behind.
Featured Subjects and Activities
Our featured subjects and activities are designed to meet students’ diverse needs, including Exploring Careers, The Shared Experience of Growing Up, Learning Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Skills, etc. We also provide extended investigation lessons once or twice per month.
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
At Dandelion, we combine classroom practices, student clubs, classroom enrichment activities and summer/winter camps in order to provide students rich and varied learning experiences.
Student Clubs
Student clubs at Dandelion are always the most popular. Each school day, we have different club activities scheduled. Our boarding school system enables students to spend more time on what they love the most.
Teachers and volunteers guide students through the club activities. There are all sorts of clubs available, including traditional Chinese painting, tea art, traditional Chinese woodworking, sports, dance, music, knitting and gardening. The Dandelion School orchestra and choir are often invited to attend special events every year.
Gardening Club
Classroom Enrichment Activities
Dandelion connects and uses a range of social resources to develop classroom enrichment activities. Students are also involved in activity design and planning. In addition, many classroom enrichment activities are proposed and supported by volunteers and the local administration. Currently available well-established classroom enrichment activities include Exploring the Spring in Beijing, Autumn Day Trip to a Museum, Apprentice Day, International 'Respect Day', Art Festival, Science Day, Sports Festival, Reading Day, Chinese Traditional Festival, etc.
Science Day
Summer/Winter Camps
To meet students’ diverse needs and maximise their potential, Dandelion School organises and operates summer and winter camps each school year. The summer camp has been serving students for fifteen years. Winter camp was set up in 2016. The camp design and operation are based on the principles of equal opportunity and student interests first, which provide students with a great chance to develop their cognitive and self-management skills. The involvement of alumni and volunteers is a highlight of the camps.
The summer and winter camps have a range of themes, including learning English, programming, music, choir, photography, art, community engagement, dance, painting metal, Intangible Cultural Heritage skills, creative knitting and Model United Nations. Students and volunteers always have a lively and happy time in summer and winter camps.
SCHOOL STAFF
At Dandelion, essential characteristics of the teaching staff are caring for students and shared vision and values. Dandelion School staff members teach in accordance with each student’s aptitude, create a positive learning experience, and support every student to improve academic performance. In the journey of learning, teachers make sure that every student is accompanied. They never give up on anyone, and no one is left behind.
Dandelion School Staff
In partnership with various organisations, Dandelion School provides high-quality training programs for teachers, notably, for young teachers, including Zhong Jin Teacher Development Program, Finland Aurora Training Program, and Desheng Investigation Program. World-class education centres have been established at Dandelion, including Dalio Quality Education Centre, Dalton Learning Lab, and Huamei Classroom, to explore best teaching practices and new models of learning.
At Dandelion, we are proud of our volunteers. Volunteers from all over the world are highly involved in school activities. Coming from diverse backgrounds ̶ such as retired teachers, professors, teachers and students from world-famous universities, ̶ they contribute their time, knowledge and expertise to improve the school’s education outcomes. They are the colourful pieces of a jigsaw puzzle when assembled, offering students a blueprint for tomorrow.
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
Working with volunteers from the Dalton School, US
Our students are living in the age of globalisation. It is significant to empower them to participate in shaping a better-shared future for the world. Dandelion School has established collaboration with various international organisations at all levels of the school. Our signature international collaboration programs are available not only for students but also for teachers.
By 2020, over 70 overseas education exchange groups had visited Dandelion School. Dandelion has been in partnership with Harvard University for ten years in the program My Future and in partnership with Dartmouth College for eight years in the program Warmth of Winter.
International collaboration creates excellent opportunities for the students and teachers to learn and understand social, cultural and ethnic diversity, to appreciate different perspectives, and to thrive in an inclusive environment.
ALUMNI
According to statistics, Dandelion School students have achieved outstanding outcomes at all levels. The percentage of Dandelion students enrolling in high schools is 100%. In 2019, 85.71% of students were enrolled in standard high schools and 14.29% were enrolled in vocational high schools. All students at Dandelion had completed their mandatory education well.
Among Dandelion graduates, 13 students obtained offers from United World Colleges and also won full scholarships. United World Colleges also support them to pursue their further studies at Harvard University. One of them, Meng Yu, has been pursuing a Master’s Degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education since 2019.
DANDELION COMMUNITY
The Dandelion community is made up of six elements: students, parents, teachers, volunteers, donors and local administration. It is a unique community. The birth and development of Dandelion School are based on the six elements. The community is working together toward a common goal, which is to support students systematically. Our parents committee plays an essential role at Dandelion School by facilitating parental participation and ensuring the best possible educational outcomes for the benefit of all students.
The original Chinese article: 蒲公英中学简介 | 青少年参天大树之长成