When a family chooses BCIS, they’re embracing more than just a school or an educational model; they’re joining a vibrant community and adopting a unique way of life. Our open-campus policy invites parents to experience the school's facilities, enjoy our food & drink, attend parent classes, and actively participate in community events. During the first month of the new academic year, a series of interactive events—including Parent Sharing Meetings, Back-to-School Nights, and meetings with the teaching team—encourage families to immerse themselves in the BCIS environment, offering new and returning parents alike the chance to forge meaningful connections within the community and gain insights into how BCIS continues to provide exceptional educational resources and support. 

The multi-purpose LeLe Center has been a hub of activity recently, hosting a series of these events. The Elementary School’s Parent Sharing Session helped parents, especially those new to BCIS, connect with their child's homeroom teacher in one-on-one, in-depth conversations. This event allowed parents and teachers to gain a mutual understanding of who their child/student is as a person, sharing insights into their personalities, interests, and expectations for the new school year. The session aimed to foster a comprehensive understanding of how each family supports their child’s development. Following this, a “New Family Breakfast” provided a relaxed setting for each division’s new parents to mingle. Amidst the aroma of fresh bread and coffee at the Elementary School session, fifth graders Dino and Momo shared their BCIS experiences with the new BCIS parents: “I joined BCIS when I was four years old, and I’ve been happily learning and adventuring ever since. It’s really cool here! The teachers encourage us to explore different learning methods and solve problems through teamwork. They tell us that ‘the right answer’ isn’t what matters most, it’s about how we learn.”

Elementary School Principal Fred highlighted BCIS' educational philosophy: empowering and inspiring through challenge and compassion. “We encourage children to face challenges and solve problems collaboratively while ensuring they acquire and apply necessary knowledge and skills flexibly,” Fred explained. He emphasized BCIS' commitment to student agency and inclusivity, providing a nurturing environment that enhances the process of inquiry. He also offered guidance on navigating potential social and emotional challenges during the elementary years.

At the Secondary School level, the Back-to-School Night was flexible in nature. Parents were invited to explore various parts of the school, meet with teachers from each subject in their classrooms, learn about the IB curriculum’s unique learning approaches and assessment standards, and discuss their own child’s needs. Secondary School Principal Natalie emphasized the event’s purpose in her opening remarks: “Parents need to truly understand their child’s learning environment and meet the teachers who interact with them daily. The partnership between home and school is central to a community-based school, and we hope to align our vision with that of the parents: we are always willing to listen.”

These initiatives early in the year have helped parents and teachers—particularly those new to BCIS—strengthen emotional bonds and establish basic partnerships, gaining a deeper understanding of BCIS' commitment to high-quality learning and teaching and how the IB curriculum is implemented as an IB World School.

For younger children, education often unfolds in subtle, quiet moments. Activities at BCIS's two kindergartens—the BCIS Early Childhood Center and the BCIS Courtyard Kindergarten—were designed as more interactive, engaging parent workshops. During their respective Back to School Nights and New Family Breakfasts, parents listened to Principal Jackie's explain our approaches to educational philosophy, as well as participated in exploratory games to demonstrate what their child’s learning experience will look like. Parents explored as their kids would: playing with melting ice, building with blocks, and even mimicking what kids walk like, all to be in the shoes of their children for a short time. By experiencing activities from a child’s perspective, parents could genuinely grasp the concept of "learning through play" and collaborate more effectively with BCIS as educational partners.

In addition to interacting with teachers and school leaders, the community has invested in enhancing college counseling resources this year by forming a more comprehensive support team. To help students and parents understand the support BCIS provides in college counseling and how home and school can collaborate at different stages, BCIS organized face-to-face opportunities inviting college admissions officers to campus for sharing sessions

During the first of these sessions, members of the secondary school community had the opportunity to interact with a representative from the University of Southern California, who shared insights into the university's unique programs, key points for an impressive application essay, and valuable extracurricular activities. The representative, Julie, who used to work at BCIS as a Secondary School admissions officer, emphasized the importance of holistic development, authenticity, and passion, encouraging high school students to engage in community activities, pursue personal passions, and present their true selves to colleges.

Subsequently, BCIS also organized a ‘Meet the Counselors’ event, open to secondary school families as well as parents from other grades. Yawei, a new member of the BCIS secondary school college counseling team, introduced herself to parents and shared her insights. She emphasized cultivating critical thinking and foundational academic skills in grades five and six, as well as exploring personal interests and community involvement in upper grades, leveraging resources to discover careers and develop a unique competitive edge. Yawei highlighted BCIS' emphasis on finding the “best-fit” university, highlighting that the community will continue to invite more university admissions officers for face-to-face application guidance in the months and years to come.

With confidence in its rich community, resources, and activities, BCIS remains dedicated to achieving the community’s shared goal of providing high-quality education and fostering a community of learning. Through these diverse and engaging opportunities, we aim to further enhance students' personalized learning experiences and support their journey with unwavering energy.