High School of Peking University
Encyclopedia
The High School of Peking University , abbreviated as Běidàfùzhōng (北大附中) is the public high school affiliated to Peking University
that offers 7th-12th grade education to a highly selected pool of students from across China and abroad.
Located in Zhongguancun
, the heart of the nation's R&D center for science and technology, the High School of Peking University inherits from Peking University
the pursuit for democracy
and science
since its foundation in 1960. The school's administration and faculty highly encourage students to pursue their intellectual interests in various realms. An environment in favor of student autonomy makes it possible for students at the High School of Peking University to engage in various activities ranging from scientific research to environmental advocacy instead of the traditional way of pure textbook-studying.
The High School of Peking University has an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students. The school has established partnerships and exchange programs with more than 10 schools around the world.. Distinguished alums include Wang Yan, the founder of Sina
, Tu Xiaoyuan, first female and first Chinese recipient of the ACM's Doctoral Dissertation Award
and former Chief Scientist of iKuni, Mao Xinyu, Major General in the People's Liberation Army and grandson of Chairman Mao Zedong, and Zhang Zilin, Miss World 2007 and the first Miss World of Eastern Asian origin.
, serving as the second-stage rocket in its parent university’s four-staged educational sequence, the first, third and fourth stages being primary school, university and graduate school respectively.
Since the reformation led by Luping, the principal of Peking University in 1960, Peking University has attached high importance to improving the school.
The then-School Counselor of Peking University Yin Qizhuo was appointed the first principal of the High School and 43 teaching staff from the university were seconded to the High as academic reinforcements. With the main support from the University, the High School of Peking University soon came to be regarded as one of the top schools in Beijing. At that time, it was one of the only two schools in Beijing to accept foreign students, one of them being the second son of King Sihanouk of Cambodia.
After the launch of the Cultural Revolution
, the High School became the epicenter of the political storm because of its special political position. Motivated young students began to gather around the High School attached to Tsinghua University
, forming the very first groups of Red Guards
. Reportedly, people were found dead on campus of the High School during the period of the Cultural Revolution.
Having undergone the chaos of the early phase of the Revolution, the High School was gradually restored to peace. Dedicated teachers went on to provide the best education possible for the students in the circumstances, and graduates from the high school took the crowns in many provinces soon after the resumption of the National Higher Education Entrance Examination (gaokao) in 1978.
The educational system returned to normal after the Cultural Revolution. In the last three decades the school has seen significant changes on its faculty and campus, and it has also earned a high reputation in the academic circle. Current Principal Wang Zheng has made it a priority to rid China of poor running 'franchised' versions of the high school which were built due to a great deal of corruption that plagued the school since 2000.
district, its area being 46.7 hectares (115.4 acre) with an actual building area of 6.5 hectares (16.1 acre). It has seen great changes in the last decade, as most school facilities have been renewed or re-built during that period.
The campus also features a gymnasium in which the badminton courts and the table tennis tables are housed. The gymnasium may be re-deployed for special uses.
when the Literature Club was initially established. In nearly three decades, the school has developed more than 20 miscellaneous clubs. All of the clubs are hosted, maintained and operated by the students in this school, and every student is granted the privilege to create new clubs at their own will. These clubs, as listed below, are differentiated by their concerned fields.
The loose environment enables the students to join their favorite clubs more freely. It is said that almost everyone in this school holds membership of at least one club, as participating in club activities has been playing a major role in students' extracurricular time. These clubs feature lectures, experience sharing communication, as well as collaborative projects with groups outside the school.
The Campus Singer Competition designates the climax of the entire festival. The first competition in 2004, involved only tiny amount of contestants. The figure of the contestants quickly jumped to 250 as it develops, with approximately 800 audience viewing the final, the most anticipated event of the festival. The Students' Union of the High School of Peking University has been collaborating with other schools to organize the competition at larger scale.
Solar Wind.
/Mandarin, Chinese Painting
, calligraphy
, kungfu, but also programs outside the school to enable the foreign students to experience the Chinese culture in body. The following schools are said to have maintained regular visitation to the High School:
And the High School of Peking University visits these schools every one or two years:
, the High School of Peking University and Specialist Schools and Academies Trust
(SSAT) in July, 2007.
In virtue of the platform provided by SSAT, the High School of Peking University commits itself to the promotion of the Chinese language
and the Chinese culture by sending teachers aboard and writing textbooks. The SSAT Confucius Institute was awarded the Confucius Institute of the Year 2008.
and American Secondary Schools for International Students and Teachers
(ASSIST). Every year, the High School sends two outstanding students to participate in an exchange program where the two participants will spend 8 to 9 weeks as ordinary students at Scotch College, and in the next year the corresponding students from the Scotch College will pay similar visits to the High School. The ASSIST program, provides opportunities for outstanding students in the High School to attend the finest American independent secondary schools on one-year scholarships.
Peking University
Peking University , colloquially known in Chinese as Beida , is a major research university located in Beijing, China, and a member of the C9 League. It is the first established modern national university of China. It was founded as Imperial University of Peking in 1898 as a replacement of the...
that offers 7th-12th grade education to a highly selected pool of students from across China and abroad.
Located in Zhongguancun
Zhongguancun
Zhongguancun , or Zhong Guan Cun, is a technology hub in Haidian District, Beijing, China.It is geographically situated in the northwestern part of Beijing city, in a band between the northwestern Third Ring Road and the northwestern Fourth Ring Road...
, the heart of the nation's R&D center for science and technology, the High School of Peking University inherits from Peking University
Peking University
Peking University , colloquially known in Chinese as Beida , is a major research university located in Beijing, China, and a member of the C9 League. It is the first established modern national university of China. It was founded as Imperial University of Peking in 1898 as a replacement of the...
the pursuit for democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
and science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
since its foundation in 1960. The school's administration and faculty highly encourage students to pursue their intellectual interests in various realms. An environment in favor of student autonomy makes it possible for students at the High School of Peking University to engage in various activities ranging from scientific research to environmental advocacy instead of the traditional way of pure textbook-studying.
The High School of Peking University has an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students. The school has established partnerships and exchange programs with more than 10 schools around the world.. Distinguished alums include Wang Yan, the founder of Sina
Sina.com
SINA is an online media company for China and Chinese communities around the world. SINA operates four major business lines: Sina Weibo, SINA Mobile, SINA Online, and SINA.net. SINA has over 100 million registered users worldwide...
, Tu Xiaoyuan, first female and first Chinese recipient of the ACM's Doctoral Dissertation Award
Women in computing
Global concerns about current and future roles of women in computing occupations gained more importance with the emerging information age. These concerns motivated public policy debates addressing gender equality as computer applications exerted increasing influence in society...
and former Chief Scientist of iKuni, Mao Xinyu, Major General in the People's Liberation Army and grandson of Chairman Mao Zedong, and Zhang Zilin, Miss World 2007 and the first Miss World of Eastern Asian origin.
History
In 1951, the authorities started building a school for workers and farmers in an attempt to expand their horizons. In 1957, the facility was reorganized and designated as Beijing No. 104 High School. Three years later, the school was renamed to High School of Peking University under the direction of Peking UniversityPeking University
Peking University , colloquially known in Chinese as Beida , is a major research university located in Beijing, China, and a member of the C9 League. It is the first established modern national university of China. It was founded as Imperial University of Peking in 1898 as a replacement of the...
, serving as the second-stage rocket in its parent university’s four-staged educational sequence, the first, third and fourth stages being primary school, university and graduate school respectively.
Since the reformation led by Luping, the principal of Peking University in 1960, Peking University has attached high importance to improving the school.
The then-School Counselor of Peking University Yin Qizhuo was appointed the first principal of the High School and 43 teaching staff from the university were seconded to the High as academic reinforcements. With the main support from the University, the High School of Peking University soon came to be regarded as one of the top schools in Beijing. At that time, it was one of the only two schools in Beijing to accept foreign students, one of them being the second son of King Sihanouk of Cambodia.
After the launch of the Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
, the High School became the epicenter of the political storm because of its special political position. Motivated young students began to gather around the High School attached to Tsinghua University
High School attached to Tsinghua University
The High School Attached to Tsinghua University , or Tsinghua High School for short , is one of the most prestigious and historically-significant high schools in China, located in Beijing.-Translation of its Name:...
, forming the very first groups of Red Guards
Red Guards (China)
Red Guards were a mass movement of civilians, mostly students and other young people in the People's Republic of China , who were mobilized by Mao Zedong in 1966 and 1967, during the Cultural Revolution.-Origins:...
. Reportedly, people were found dead on campus of the High School during the period of the Cultural Revolution.
Having undergone the chaos of the early phase of the Revolution, the High School was gradually restored to peace. Dedicated teachers went on to provide the best education possible for the students in the circumstances, and graduates from the high school took the crowns in many provinces soon after the resumption of the National Higher Education Entrance Examination (gaokao) in 1978.
The educational system returned to normal after the Cultural Revolution. In the last three decades the school has seen significant changes on its faculty and campus, and it has also earned a high reputation in the academic circle. Current Principal Wang Zheng has made it a priority to rid China of poor running 'franchised' versions of the high school which were built due to a great deal of corruption that plagued the school since 2000.
Campus
The campus of the High School of Peking University is located in the ZhongguancunZhongguancun
Zhongguancun , or Zhong Guan Cun, is a technology hub in Haidian District, Beijing, China.It is geographically situated in the northwestern part of Beijing city, in a band between the northwestern Third Ring Road and the northwestern Fourth Ring Road...
district, its area being 46.7 hectares (115.4 acre) with an actual building area of 6.5 hectares (16.1 acre). It has seen great changes in the last decade, as most school facilities have been renewed or re-built during that period.
West Teaching Building
Since its completion in 2003, this six-storied building has been serving as one of the two major teaching facilities where all the Senior students (approx. 1600) take their lessons. There are nearly 40 standard cubic classrooms distributed all over the entire construction. Besides the essential equipment, ventilating fans, air conditioners, multimedia devices and an electrical surveillance camera are deployed in every such classroom. The building houses 4 chemistry laboratories, 4 physics laboratories, 3 biology laboratories and 2 IT laboratories open to the students for experimental lessons or individual practice when applied. The West Teaching Building also features an auditorium with a capacity of 800 people, as well as an underground floor used as storage and a parking space for bicycles.East Teaching Building
This construction was completed in 1999 and re-decorated in 2007, being the other major teaching facility on campus. The entire building consists of two sections: the laboratory section on the north side, where there are 3 physics, chemistry, biology and IT laboratories; the other section on the opposite, which houses nearly 30 standard classrooms sharing identical configurations with the ones in the West Teaching Building. It also features a central lawn (visible in the picture on the right).Dormitory, cafeteria and library
The dormitory was completed in 2003. Each room in the students' residence has the capability of holding up to 6 students. The residence for school staff and visitors stands 11-story high. Better conditions are provided in these rooms as they are all configured with an air conditioner, a television and a private washroom. The cafeteria, completed in 2004, is a five-storied building with an underground parking space. The first three stories are set to serve its enrollment, and the fourth floor is for staff and visitors. The fifth floor is basically a training facility for school's dance team, which may also be adapted to special uses when needed. The library is in fact a multi-function structure with an area of 3,000m² that saw its completion in 2009. It features a conference room and a multi-function hall. As for its fundamental function, the library stores a collection of 100,000 books with wireless network accessible.Physical Education facilities
| Facility | Qty | Facility | Qty | Facility | Qty |
| Basketball Court | 4 | Soccerfield | 1 | Badminton Court | 8 |
| Tabletennis Table | 9 | 300m Track | 1 | Sandpit | 2 |
The campus also features a gymnasium in which the badminton courts and the table tennis tables are housed. The gymnasium may be re-deployed for special uses.
South Teaching Building
The South Teaching Building, where the workplaces for all the administrative staff are situated, was completed in 1960, being the oldest construction on campus. It used to serve as the major teaching facility before the completion of the West Teaching Building and the East Teaching Building. Partial students (approximately 500) of Beida Resource Middle School of Beijing (北达资源中学) also take lessons in this building.Clubs
The earliest club of the High School of Peking University dates back to 1980when the Literature Club was initially established. In nearly three decades, the school has developed more than 20 miscellaneous clubs. All of the clubs are hosted, maintained and operated by the students in this school, and every student is granted the privilege to create new clubs at their own will. These clubs, as listed below, are differentiated by their concerned fields.
| Club | (Chinese) | Club | (Chinese) |
| Benevolence Club | 爱心社 | Philharmonics Club | 爱乐社 |
| Technology and Information Club | 信息俱乐部 | Film Club | 电影社 |
| Orienteering Club | 定向越野社 | Comic & Animation Club | 动慢社 |
| Radio Station | 广播站 | Roots & Shoots | 根与芽 |
| Hip-hop Club | 街舞社 | Economics Club | 经济社 |
| Science Club | 科技俱乐部 | Traditional Folk Music Club | 民乐社 |
| Model United Nations Model United Nations Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda.... |
模拟联合国 | English Club | 群英社 |
| Sibling Project | 手足联谊社 | Go Club | 围棋社 |
| Literature Club | 文学社 | Drama Club | 戏剧社 |
| Poem Club | 杏坛诗社 | Psychology Club | 心理社 |
| Speech Club | 演讲社 | Soccer Club | 足球社 |
The loose environment enables the students to join their favorite clubs more freely. It is said that almost everyone in this school holds membership of at least one club, as participating in club activities has been playing a major role in students' extracurricular time. These clubs feature lectures, experience sharing communication, as well as collaborative projects with groups outside the school.
Art Festival
The Art Festival was founded under scholastic authority in 1997. In 2002, the Students' Union succeeded to supervise the festival, converting the once new year party into a three-week festival held in December when distinctively talented students may show their skills to the fullest. It stands now as an integration of various special performances plus a new year celebration (also the closing ceremony of the festival) at the end of the month.The Campus Singer Competition designates the climax of the entire festival. The first competition in 2004, involved only tiny amount of contestants. The figure of the contestants quickly jumped to 250 as it develops, with approximately 800 audience viewing the final, the most anticipated event of the festival. The Students' Union of the High School of Peking University has been collaborating with other schools to organize the competition at larger scale.
Magazine
Overhearing the High School of Peking University (偷听北大附中) is a school magazine hosted by the Students' Union of the High School of Peking University. Its first issue being published on campus on July 12, 2007, this quarterly magazine aims at spreading latest news in and out of the campus, selling approximately 500 copies for each issue, as stated by its editors. The school's Creative Media Workshop, a studio made up of dozen enthusiastic students, now takes charge of editing the magazine.Solar Wind.
Exchange visits
The High School of Peking University has established relationships with over 10 schools in the world. It offers not only various on-campus curriculum that covers ChineseChinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
/Mandarin, Chinese Painting
Chinese painting
Chinese painting is one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world. The earliest paintings were not representational but ornamental; they consisted of patterns or designs rather than pictures. Early pottery was painted with spirals, zigzags, dots, or animals...
, calligraphy
Calligraphy
Calligraphy is a type of visual art. It is often called the art of fancy lettering . A contemporary definition of calligraphic practice is "the art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious and skillful manner"...
, kungfu, but also programs outside the school to enable the foreign students to experience the Chinese culture in body. The following schools are said to have maintained regular visitation to the High School:
- Seifu Gakuen Junior & Senior High School, Japan
- College Claude Debussy, France
- Ressu upper secondary schoolRessu upper secondary schoolRessu Upper Secondary School is a school located in the centrum of Helsinki, Finland. Ressu is one of the oldest Finnish speaking schools in Finland and it's considered to be one of the most prestigious schools in Finland. It is also the hardest one to get into, requiring a very high grade point...
, Finland - St. Paul's Convent SchoolSt. Paul's Convent SchoolSt Paul's Convent SchoolSchool BadgeHeadmistressesSr. Joanna Marie Cheung Sr. Margaret Wong School typePrivate, Girls' School, DSSReligious affiliationCatholicFounded1854Location...
, Hong Kong - Cary AcademyCary AcademyCary Academy is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian, college-preparatory secondary school in Cary, North Carolina established in 1996. The school places an emphasis on the use of technology in the classroom, with tablet computers issued to all students...
, USA - Scotch College, MelbourneScotch College, MelbourneScotch College, Melbourne is an independent, Presbyterian, day and boarding school for boys, located in Hawthorn, an inner-eastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
, Australia - Presbyterian Ladies' College, MelbournePresbyterian Ladies' College, MelbournePresbyterian Ladies' College, Melbourne , is an independent,private, Presbyterian, day and boarding school predominantly for girls, located in Burwood, an eastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
, Australia - Heinrich Heine Gymnasium, Germany
- The Waseda University Senior High School, Japan
- River Valley High School, Singapore
And the High School of Peking University visits these schools every one or two years:
- College Claude Debussy, France
- St. Paul's Convent SchoolSt. Paul's Convent SchoolSt Paul's Convent SchoolSchool BadgeHeadmistressesSr. Joanna Marie Cheung Sr. Margaret Wong School typePrivate, Girls' School, DSSReligious affiliationCatholicFounded1854Location...
, Hong Kong - Scotch College, MelbourneScotch College, MelbourneScotch College, Melbourne is an independent, Presbyterian, day and boarding school for boys, located in Hawthorn, an inner-eastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
, Australia - Seifu Gakuen Junior & Senior High School, Japan
- Seiseiko Senior High School, Japan
- River Valley High School, Singapore
- Heinrich Heine Gymnasium, Germany
- Ressu Comprehensive SchoolRessu Comprehensive SchoolRessu Comprehensive School is an international school in Kamppi, Helsinki, Finland. There are currently 12 grades in the school, grades 1-4 following the PYP, 5-9 the MYP and 10-12 the Finnish national curriculum. The language of instruction is given in three languages - English, Finnish and French....
, Finland
SSAT Confucius Institute
The SSAT Confucius Institute was founded collaboratively by Peking UniversityPeking University
Peking University , colloquially known in Chinese as Beida , is a major research university located in Beijing, China, and a member of the C9 League. It is the first established modern national university of China. It was founded as Imperial University of Peking in 1898 as a replacement of the...
, the High School of Peking University and Specialist Schools and Academies Trust
Specialist Schools and Academies Trust
The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust is an independent, not-for-profit, membership organisation with headquarters in the United Kingdom, dedicated to raising standards and achievement in secondary schools in England and internationally...
(SSAT) in July, 2007.
In virtue of the platform provided by SSAT, the High School of Peking University commits itself to the promotion of the Chinese language
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
and the Chinese culture by sending teachers aboard and writing textbooks. The SSAT Confucius Institute was awarded the Confucius Institute of the Year 2008.
Study abroad
The school currently hosts two study-abroad programs with Scotch College, MelbourneScotch College, Melbourne
Scotch College, Melbourne is an independent, Presbyterian, day and boarding school for boys, located in Hawthorn, an inner-eastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
and American Secondary Schools for International Students and Teachers
ASSIST (organization)
ASSIST is a non-profit organization with tax-exempt status incorporated in the state of Vermont...
(ASSIST). Every year, the High School sends two outstanding students to participate in an exchange program where the two participants will spend 8 to 9 weeks as ordinary students at Scotch College, and in the next year the corresponding students from the Scotch College will pay similar visits to the High School. The ASSIST program, provides opportunities for outstanding students in the High School to attend the finest American independent secondary schools on one-year scholarships.
Former principals
| Principal | (Chinese) | In office |
|---|---|---|
| Yin Qizhuo | 尹企卓 | 1960–1966 |
| Meng Guangping | 孟广平 | 1971–1980 |
| Xia Xuezhi | 夏学之 | 1980–1984 |
| Chen Jian'gang | 陈剑刚 | 1984–1985 |
| Xia Xuezhi | 夏学之 | 1985–1992 |
| Mao Meihua | 毛美华 | 1992–1997 |
| Zhao Yulin | 赵钰琳 | 1997–2001 |
| Kang Jian | 康健 | 2001–2009 |
| Wang Zheng | 王铮 | 2009– |