About Us

Our History & Mission

Established in February 1994 in Arcadia, California, First Chinese School was founded in response to the rapid growth of local Chinese immigrant families. Our mission is to pass on the profound and beautiful heritage of Chinese culture, foster cultural identity, and nurture the next generation to become upstanding, well-rounded individuals with high academic and cultural literacy.

From our inception, the school has been staffed by highly experienced, dedicated, and compassionate educators. In our inaugural summer session, enrollment quickly reached nearly 200 students. This overwhelming trust and support from parents laid a solid and lasting foundation for our school's continuous growth and long-term development.

Academic Programs & Curriculum

First Chinese School specializes in high-quality Chinese language education tailored to each student's proficiency level. To ensure optimal learning outcomes, we maintain a strict small-class policy across diverse learning tracks:

• Traditional: Zhuyin (Bopomofo) & Traditional Characters

• Simplified: Hanyu Pinyin & Simplified Characters

Engaging Supplementary Materials: Beyond core textbooks, we incorporate lively, practical materials—such as children's poetry, Tang poetry, and tongue twisters—to comprehensively enhance students' listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, while concurrently emphasizing character development and moral education.

Flexible Learning Options

To meet the diverse needs of modern families, we offer comprehensive programs year-round:

• After-School Program: In addition to Chinese language studies, we provide academic tutoring in English and Mathematics. We specifically engage American teachers to guide students in English writing, helping them enhance their language expression and overall academic skills.

• Saturday Chinese School: Offers a systematic, structured Chinese curriculum, allowing students to advance their language proficiency over the weekend.

• Summer Camp: A rich, multi-faceted annual program that combines academics, arts, physical activities, and cultural experiences, allowing students to learn and grow in a fulfilling and enjoyable environment.

Holistic Development & Enrichment Classes

We believe in nurturing the whole child. To promote balanced growth in academics, ethics, physical health, and social skills, we offer a wide array of elective and enrichment courses, including: Mental Abacus (Soroban), Drawing, Calligraphy, Dance, Arts & Crafts, and Group Singing.

Commitment to Teaching Excellence

To maintain the highest standards of academic excellence, First Chinese School hosts annual educational seminars. These professional forums encourage our faculty to collaborate, exchange pedagogical insights, and continuously refine their teaching methodologies to deliver the best possible education.

Administrative Structure

Our school operations are led by the Principal, supported by the School Secretary. The Director of Academic & Student Affairs oversees both curriculum administration and student conduct, collaborating to plan and drive the school’s development.

To ensure efficiency, our administrative operations are fully computerized. Our faculty is selected by a dedicated teacher recruitment committee, with a strict emphasis on professional credentials. Furthermore, to strengthen the connection between the school and families, we established the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) to actively partner in our students' learning journey.

Parent-Teacher Association (PTA)

Established in November 1995, the First Chinese School PTA is a voluntary organization composed of student parents. Operating as an independent yet equal partner to the school, the PTA’s primary mission is to build an open channel of communication between parents and the administration, provide constructive recommendations for school affairs, assist faculty in organizing campus activities, and serve as a bridge for parent networking.

Since its inception, the PTA has established a proud tradition of hosting community events, including historical milestones such as our College Planning Seminars led by university students to guide younger peers, large-scale Lunar New Year Galas with over 400 attendees, and Mother's Day Family Picnics. The association is funded by parent membership dues and governed by an elected committee of officers who manage PTA affairs on a one-year term.

Major Activities & Community Engagement

In addition to our formal curriculum, the school organizes annual field trips that blend education with entertainment. To help students appreciate Chinese cultural traditions, we host special events aligned with traditional festivals. Our students also regularly participate in various competitions and cultural events organized by the Southern California Council of Chinese Schools (SCCCS).