Students learn to play the violin at Boston International School in Wuxi's Xinwu district. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/China Daily]

Boston International School in Xinwu district offers peace of mind to foreign and local families

To help attract talented people from all over the world, an international school is indispensable to help address family considerations－and Boston International School which opened in the technology-focused Xinwu district in the southeastern part of Wuxi two years ago has everything to offer.

Covering some 86,000 square meters, the school has attracted a total investment of 350 million yuan ($52 million).

Offering education from a kindergarten to high-school level, the school can enroll at least 1,800 students. Graduates will be offered both diplomas of Boston International School and St. Joseph High School in the United States.

Ever since its inception, the school's head count has tripled to more than 600 during peak periods. At present, there are about 400 students from 29 countries studying at the school. The number has dropped slightly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To address the diversity of students, Boston International School has hired more than 70 foreign teachers who, on average, have 10 years of international experience. One-third have a master's degree.

The school uses the International Baccalaureate program, which is an international education program used in more than 4,000 schools across 150 countries and regions.

Overseas employees will feel more comfortable in knowing that their children can get the best possible education. An international school can also help meet the long-term position of the city, the school's academic principal Brian Rotunno said.

"The school is based on the division of the Wuxi government, which wants to attract foreign businesses and foreign investment," Rotunno said.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has held up people's travel plans, including some of Boston International School's students who wish to return, there is a silver lining. The school's boarding program has seen enrollment increase by up to 30 percent so far this year. This is because parents outside Wuxi want to provide their children with a top-level international school experience, Rotunno said.

The language program is one highlight of the school. While English is the main tool of instruction, the school offers Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, French and German. These are available for students in a mother tongue or acquisition class. All the students can choose to take a third language in Grade Six, if they wish.

The after-school program, called Boston explorers, distinguishes Boston International School. Held during the afternoon from Monday to Thursday, the school offers about 85 extracurricular activities that range from soccer and orchestra to Brazilian jujitsu.

Although Boston International School is still in its early years, long-term plans are in place. Rotunno said the vision is to make it "one of the best schools in the world".

Feng Xiaochun, director of Xinwu district, said that Boston International School will connect the district to international high-end education resources. Not only will the district's educational resources be enriched, the education level in Xinwu will be promoted.