Elementary school (Pre K-5) classes:
English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Chinese, Information Technology, Physical Education, Art and Music.

Middle school (grades 6-8) classes:
English, Mathematics, Chinese, Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Social Studies (History, Astronomy, Geography, Sociology, Economics), Physical Education, Information Technology, Art,
Music and Dancing.

High school (grades 9-12) classes:
Literature and Grammar, Composition, Algebra,
Earth Science, and World Geography. [English, Mathematics, Chinese, Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Social Studies (History, Astronomy, Geography, Sociology, Economics), Physical Education, Information Technology, Art, Music
and Dancing.

The California model is used with modifications
to generalize. Virtually all state curricula are unique
but they are generally complementary. The website
for the curricula is Content Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten to Grade 12. At this site and on Teacher Resources are summary publications for each grade level. The major departure from the California model is in Social Studies for grades 3 and 4. Both of these are specific to California and BZIS has adopted a more general US wide curricula.

In every grade at Beijing Zhongguancun International School (BZIS), the school emphasizes teaching, not simply presenting information. We strive to capitalize on each child's unique way of learning and thinking. While our students follow a directed course of study, teachers constantly challenge each individual to exceed the assigned work by exploring and thinking independently. Thus the educational experience stretches the intellect, creating adventuresome learners.  In preparing students for the 21st century, BZIS strives for the highest standards in mathematics, science and technology. The school has introduced a multi-year innovative, hands-on math, science and technology program based on the latest research on how students learn best.

MATHEMATICS
At BZIS, thinking mathematically becomes as natural as thinking with language. We follow the rigorous standards of the US National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Science Foundation. The program emphasizes dynamic verbal interactions while laying the groundwork for symbolic understanding. Children learn the basic cornerstones of mathematics and develop mathematical comprehension, striking a balance between learning facts and the appreciation of mathematical concepts.

SCIENCE
In science, students far exceed didactic learning. They act as mathematicians, scientists and technology experts as they wrestle with the actual problems facing our world, such as dangers to the environment, global overpopulation, disease control and genetic engineering. The program engages students through real-life applications of obtaining and analyzing data. Students use a combination of mathematics, science and technology to address Earth's challenges, emulating the work of experts in these fields.

TECHNOLOGY
The school's computer technology program helps students become computer literate and put that literacy to use in their student life and their future - professionally and otherwise. Students are introduced to computing hardware, software  and important concepts such as input, output, data and information. They are empowered to conduct research, using tools such as Google and to put the results of such research to good use in preparing presentations through  the use of software products such as data and information Powerpoint. Such presentations emphasize the importance of a combination of graphical, textual and audio elements and give the students experience in delivering their work before their peers. As the students progress they will produce work using such professional products as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Pagemaker and Macromedia Dreamweaver. They will be able to produce fascinating graphical effects, printed publications and websites. Microsoft products such as Word, Excel, Access and, previously mentioned, Powerpoint will also be taught to equip students for life today educationally and professionally. We give a "hands on" approach enabling the students to use IT as easily as previous generations used pens and paper.

HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES
History and social studies emphasize the interdependent nature of humanity. It is critical that youngsters know about people in other places and learn to draw upon the experience of people from previous times. This understanding will enable them to compete and succeed in the multicultural "world village" of their adult years. Primary age students move from learning first about their own culture to learning about other societies, both in the contemporary and historical contexts. Upper grades cover Civilization from ancient times forward and American history.

READING/LANGUAGE ARTS
Reading, writing, listening, and speaking are the gateway skills for success in education and careers and for full participation in our society.  Our staff integrates curricular areas such as social studies, science, and health with language arts instruction. Students are provided a broad variety of texts and supplemental aids as resources. In addition, we ensure that each student learns correct use of English grammar, developing strong abilities in oral expression and vocabulary. Children need to read and write often. Our instruction is geared not only toward achievement but also toward application to realize success in other curricular areas as well.

FINE ARTS
At BZIS the arts are considered to be core subjects, each containing a distinct body of knowledge and skills. Academic rigor is a basic characteristic of a comprehensive education in the arts, including the following:
-Learning through active practice, rehearsal, and creation or performance of works in the arts
-Reading about the arts and artists
-Researching, writing, and communicating about the arts
-Reflecting on the arts in thoughtful essay or journal writing on one's observations, feelings, and ideas about the arts
-Participating in arts criticism on the basis of observation, knowledge, and criteria

We use the standards set by the state of California, which are written to apply to all students and at each grade level, build on the knowledge and skills the student has gained in the earlier grades. This standards-based curriculum design provides students with alternative ways to perceive and experience the world, and provides a way by which all students can work at a personalized pace, develop self-expression and self-confidence, and experience a sense of accomplishment.

THE STANDARDS:
Artistic Perception - Processing, analyzing, and responding to sensory information through the language and skills unique to the fine arts.
Creative Expression - Creating, performing and participating.
Historical and Cultural Context - Understanding the historical contributions and cultural dimensions of music and art; analyzing the role of music and art in past and present cultures throughout the world, noting cultural diversity as it relates to music, musicians, and composers, as well as art and artists.
Aesthetic Valuing - Responding to, analyzing, and making judgments about works of music and art, critically assessing and deriving meaning from works of music and the performance of musicians according to the elements of music, aesthetic qualities, and human responses, reacting to artwork, developing observational skills and appreciation.
Connections, Relationships, Applications - Connecting and applying what is learned in music and art to learning in other art forms and subject areas and to careers.

ATHLETICS/PHYSICAL FITNESS
The PE curriculum at BZIS follows a comprehensive global syllabus encompassing: Soccer, Basketball, Badminton, Swimming, Hockey, Table Tennis, Softball and Track. Our students regularly undertake fitness tests as stipulated by the "US President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports".  We participate in friendly sporting fixtures with other international  schools fostering friendship and sportsmanship in all our students.    

CHINESE LANGUAGE CLASS
Introduction  
BZIS identifies the Chinese Language Class as a required course for all students. We are very flexible and are willing to arrange classes to suit the individual needs of the students. The study environment is friendly and full of a sense of Chinese culture . Teachers are excellent. They are well prepared, through and very enthusiastic. They pay close attention to students' learning process and encourage students when they make even just a little progress in their Chinese study. Lessons are flexible, which are arranged to meet the language efficiency of our students and where knowledge can be attained in an enjoyable way.

Curriculum Content 
As well a systematic approach to grammar, students are exposed to different types of materials selected on the basis of their language efficiency. Fluency is emphasized in speaking activities either in pairs or groups. Writing is based on guided paragraph writing providing a systematic grounding of skill leading to opportunities for creative writing.

Classes & Textbooks 
"因材施教"，which means "to teach students in accordance with their aptitude", is the classic idea by Confucius on the way of teaching followed by Chinese teachers all along Chinese history for over two thousand years. And it is the same with us. BZIS provides excellent classes that are for individuals and small groups.

The Chinese Classics Reading Program provides BZIS students a great opportunity to get to know and learn about Chinese Classics such as LunYu , Three Character Primer , Tang Poems and Song Ci....

Activities 
It is always important for BZIS Chinese Language teachers to teach to students' learning styles. Various class activities are planned for different types of students.

AUDITORY LEARNERS
learn best by doing the following:

1. interviewing, debating                                                  
2. participating on a panel giving oral report               
3. giving oral reports                                        
4. participating in oral discussions of written material
　
VISUAL LEARNERS
learn best by doing the following:
1. cartoons                                                            
2. posters                                                       
3. maps, graphs, charts  
4. text with many pictures
5. computer program
 
TACTILE LEARNERS
learn best by doing the following:
1. drawing and coloring
2. playing board games
3. making models
4. following instruction to make something

KINESTHETIC LEARNERS
learn best by doing the following:
1. playing games that involve their whole body
2. movement activities
3. setting up experiments

GLOBAL LEARNERS LEARN
best by doing the following:
1. reading together
2. listening to recorded books
3. story writing
4. computer programs 
5. games
6. group activities

Evaluation
Two semester examinations are arranged per year with the emphasis on grammar, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Course revision usually takes place two weeks before the semester examination.

ESL PROGRAM
At BZIS, the English as a Second Language (ESL) program works with students whose native language is not English. The students are first assessed on their level of English proficiency using the Kaufman test of Educational Achievement. Based on the assessment, if students are eligible for ESL, they will receive assistance from the ESL teacher either in a pull-out program or support in the regular classroom. The pull-out model is a reading and grammar-based curriculum that covers the four areas of language acquisitions: reading, writing, speaking and listening.