CISS:the information of FAQS

How do you prepare High School students for university entrance?

One of our two High School counselors focuses on advising students for entrance into university. We offer a full slate of Advanced Placement (AP) courses (please see our High School Profile for a comprehensive list; we do not offer the IB program). As an approved SAT, ACT, and AP testing site, we administer the PSAT, SAT I, SAT II, ACT, and AP exams on campus. In addition, we coordinate on-campus recruiting visits from colleges and universities in search of highly qualified students.

Do you administer other standardized tests?

Yes. From Grade 4 to Grade 8 we administer two tests designed by the Educational Records Bureau in the United States: the Comprehensive Testing Program IV (CTP4) and the Writing Assessment Program (WrAP). These tests were designed specifically for use in independent and public suburban schools. The tests provide an assessment of writing composition, verbal and quantitative ability, reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing process, writing mechanics, and mathematics. Parents receive a detailed explanation of the child’s results along with comparisons to U.S. school norms.

Where do Concordia graduates attend college or university?

Most Concordia graduates enroll at U.S. universities, but our graduates apply to and are accepted at universities and colleges worldwide, including China. (Please see our High School Profile for a comprehensive list.)

How does the school’s Christian foundation inform classroom learning?

Concordia welcomes students and families from all faith traditions. At the same time, Christianity is an integral part of our identity and students are exposed to the Bible and the basics of the Christian faith through religion classes, regular assemblies and a positive moral environment. As appropriate, students study other world religions and are encouraged to explore and articulate their own personal beliefs.

What foreign languages are offered?

Mandarin is compulsory from Preschool through Grade 7 and taught daily. Students in Grade 8 to Grade 12 choose from daily Spanish, French or Mandarin. All three language programs include tracks for students of differing language abilities. In the Mandarin program, beginning Mandarin learners - depending on their grade level - take Conversational Mandarin (CM) or Mandarin as a Foreign Language (MFL). More advanced or native Mandarin speakers take Heritage Mandarin (HM).

What is the technology program at Concordia?

Computers are present in every classroom beginning in Preschool. Kindergarten through Grade 6 classrooms have a ratio of one computer for every two students, and students in Grade 7 to Grade 12 participate in theone-to-one laptop program supported by Concordia’s wireless environment and on-site Apple service center. (Purchase of the laptop is an additional expense beyond the tuition.) The computer does not replace paper and pencil; rather it is used to enrich and enhance the learning process. Students get personal e-mail addresses in Grade 1, and students are expected to use the computer as an age-appropriate learning tool for research, written work, graphics and presentations.

Please explain Concordia’s homeroom “communities” in the elementary school.

From Grade 1 to Grade 4, two grade levels are paired to form a “community” – the Grade 1-2 community and the Grade 3-4 community. Concordia has chosen to organize these grade levels this way based on educational research into the growth and development of children.

From Grade 1 to Grade 4, each grade-specific classroom of 18 students is paired with another grade-specific classroom of 18 students.

Students will work together with their partner classroom for Theme (Social Studies and Science) and Religion. In all other subjects – such as Mathematics, Mandarin and Language Arts – students are allowed to progress through stages of maturity and academic skill levels based more on their ability rather than on their grade designation. (Nearly all students at Concordia work at or above grade level in core subjects.)

During the subjects taught together with their partner classroom, younger students benefit from working with older students. Older students gain leadership skills, and all students enjoy a range of learning situations – from working collaboratively with teachers and other students to working independently.

Students in Grade 1 and Grade 3 may have the opportunity to “loop” with their teacher, thus staying with the same teacher in Grade 2 and Grade 4.