Monday, September 6, 2010

Chinese school grows Nonprofit in Castaic goes from 20 to nearly 200 students in about a year

Chinese school grows


Chinese school grows

Education: Nonprofit in Castaic goes from 20 to nearly 200 students in about a year


Last year, the Santa Clarita Valley Chinese School opened its doors with 20 students, the majority from Chinese families who wanted their kids to formally learn their native language.

Word soon spread about the unique school, and parents lined up to sign their kids up for the classes at a Valencia tutor center.

A few weeks later, 40 kids were enrolled. By March, the school passed the 150-student mark.

And a year later, the SCV Chinese School counts about 200 students as it has expanded its courses and formed partnerships with two local charter schools.

“People realized the importance of this language,” Principal and Executive Director Jinghong Li said.

More classes, demandThe school, which offers classes for students of all ages on Sundays, eventually outgrew its rented