| Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School | |
| Founded: | February 2007 |
| Type: | Public Charter school |
| Location: | Hadley, Massachusetts |
| Head Label: | Head of School |
| Head: | Kathleen Wang |
| Website: | http://www.pvcics.org/ |
The Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School (simplified Chinese: 先锋中英双语学校; pinyin: Xiānfēng Zhōng-Yīng Shuāngyǔ Xuéxiào), abbreviated to PVCICS, is a public Charter school in Hadley, Massachusetts. Founded in February 2007, PVCICS offers an immersion program that teaches Chinese Language Arts and culture in addition to a regular curriculum.[1] PVCICS' goals are to graduate students with excellent scholarship, high proficiency in Mandarin Chinese and English, plus sensitivity to multiple cultures. PVCICS serves the Pioneer Valley region.[2] [3]
PVCICS uses an immersion program to promote high fluency in the Chinese language. Different grade levels receive different amounts of Chinese instruction.
| Grades | % of daily instruction in Chinese | Subjects taught in Chinese | % of daily instruction in English | Subjects taught in English | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K-1st | 75% | Math, Science/Technology, History/Social Studies, Chinese Language Arts and Culture | 25% | English Language Arts | |
| 2nd - 5th | 50% | Math, Science/Technology, Chinese Language Arts & Culture, | 50% | English Language Arts, History/Social Studies | |
| 6th – 12th | 25% | Chinese Language Arts & Culture | 75% | English Language Arts, Math, Science/Technology, History/Social Science |
PVCICS is an approved International Baccalaureate school offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for 11th and 12th graders.[4]
Currently, the IB courses offered include: English (literature or language and literature), Math (applications and interpretation or analysis and approaches), History, Science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics), Chinese (one of three levels), Business, Psychology, and Theatre. In addition, the IB Diploma Programme requires a Theory of Knowledge (ToK) class, an Extended Essay, and Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) hours to be completed with a non-failing grade in each for earning the Diploma.
| Group | Classes offered | Standard Level (SL), Higher Level (HL) or both offered | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1: Studies in Language and Literature | English Literature, English Language and Literature | Both | |
| 2: Language acquisition | Chinese (Mandarin) | Both | |
| 3: Individuals and Societies | History (Movement to Global War), Psychology, Business | Both | |
| 4: Sciences | Physics, Biology, Chemistry | Both | |
| 5: Mathematics | Math Analysis and Approaches, Math Applications and Interpretations | Currently, Math Applications is only offered at SL. Math analysis is offered at both levels | |
| 6: The Arts | Theater. Note: Students may alternatively pick another subject from the following areas instead of an art class: individuals and societies, sciences. Currently in year 2020-2021, some combinations of classes are not feasible due to conflicting schedules, these include History and Business, and Biology and Physics | Both |