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YingHua International School is the closest Chinese immersion school to Montgomery Township and the only not-for-profit, independent school in the greater Princeton area offering Chinese and English dual language education. Located in Kingston, NJ, just a short drive south along Route 206, YingHua serves children from 18 months through grade 5 as an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for the Primary Years Programme (PYP). It is the only school in the region that combines Mandarin immersion with an internationally recognized, inquiry-based IB curriculum.

How Chinese Immersion Works at YingHua

Chinese immersion is fundamentally different from the world language classes offered in most schools. Rather than studying Mandarin as a subject for a limited number of minutes each day, students at YingHua learn academic content in and through the Chinese language. Math, science, social studies, and the arts are all delivered in Mandarin by native Chinese-speaking teachers, which means children absorb the language the same way they absorbed their first language: naturally, through daily use in meaningful contexts.

Full Immersion: Ages 18 Months through Kindergarten

In the Early Years Program, children from nursery through kindergarten receive 100% of their instruction in Mandarin Chinese. Every classroom interaction, story, song, and lesson takes place in Chinese, delivered by native speakers with advanced degrees and experience in early childhood education. This total immersion during the critical window for language acquisition gives young children the strongest possible foundation in listening, speaking, and early literacy.

Children do not need to speak Chinese at home to succeed. YingHua accepts students with no prior knowledge of Chinese into the early childhood programs. The school's immersion environment is specifically designed to build fluency from scratch, and teachers are skilled at supporting children who are encountering the language for the first time.

Gradual Bilingual Balance: Grades 1 through 5

Starting in first grade, English is introduced and gradually incorporated into the curriculum. By fifth grade, the proportion of English and Chinese instruction reaches an even balance. Students in the Primary Years Programme build fluency in both languages simultaneously, developing the ability to read, write, speak, and think in Chinese and English with equal confidence.

This gradual transition is supported by close coordination between English and Chinese homeroom teachers, who plan their lessons precisely so that students acquire the full set of language arts skills in both languages within the meaningful context of the school's inquiry-based units of study.

The Academic Program: More Than Language

Choosing a Chinese immersion school near you should not mean compromising on academic rigor. At YingHua, the Mandarin bilingual program is layered within a comprehensive academic framework that meets and exceeds the standards families expect.

International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme

YingHua is an authorized IB World School, offering the Primary Years Programme for students aged 3 through 12. The IB PYP is a transdisciplinary, inquiry-based curriculum that connects subject areas through Units of Inquiry rather than teaching them in isolated blocks. Students explore real-world themes from multiple disciplinary perspectives, building critical thinking, curiosity, and the ability to draw connections across areas of knowledge.

Core elements of the IB approach at YingHua include:

• Concept-based learning that fosters deep understanding rather than rote memorization
• Transdisciplinary Units of Inquiry integrating language arts, science, social studies, STEAM, visual arts, and physical education
• The IB Learner Profile, which develops students as inquirers, knowledgeable thinkers, communicators, and principled, open-minded global citizens
• Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills spanning research, communication, self-management, and social skills
• Social-emotional learning (SEL) embedded into every subject area through the IB framework

Standards-Aligned Curriculum

In addition to the IB programme, YingHua addresses New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) for English, follows the Chinese national math curriculum (which emphasizes depth and conceptual understanding over fragmented topic coverage), and meets Next Generation Science Standards. Students receive a well-articulated, standards-aligned education that prepares them thoroughly for the academic demands of top-tier middle schools and high schools.

Why Small Class Sizes Change Everything

For families used to the class sizes found in Somerset County public schools, the learning environment at YingHua represents a significant shift. The school maintains an overall student-to-teacher ratio of 4:1, with an average class size of just 10 students. These ratios are carefully structured by age:

• 2-year-old classes: 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio
• Preschool and Pre-K: 7:1
• Kindergarten: 10:1
• Elementary grades: average class size of 10

In practical terms, this means teachers can differentiate instruction for each child, provide frequent and detailed feedback, and build genuine relationships with every student and family. In a Chinese kindergarten or preschool setting where children are building fluency in a new language, this level of individual attention makes an enormous difference. Each child receives more speaking opportunities, more time for teacher interaction, and more support navigating the unique challenges of learning content in two languages.

The Cognitive Advantages of Chinese Immersion

Large-scale longitudinal studies suggest that long-term academic achievement is improved in the context of dual language immersion. Research by Collier and Thomas (2004; 2017), Kim, Curby, and Winsler (2014), and Winsler et al. (2008) has demonstrated that by approximately grade five, students in dual language immersion programs match or outperform their peers in monolingual settings on standardized assessments, including English language arts.

The cognitive benefits of bilingualism extend across multiple dimensions:

1. Enhanced executive functioning, including stronger analytical skills and better attention management
2. Increased problem-solving ability and mental flexibility
3. Improved memory, multitasking capacity, and creative thinking
4. Greater cultural competence and the ability to understand diverse perspectives
5. Improved adaptability when navigating unfamiliar or complex situations

At YingHua, these benefits are not theoretical. They are built into the daily experience of every student. Learning content through two languages strengthens the brain's ability to manage competing information, switch between tasks, and think in more flexible and creative ways.

Programs and Scheduling for Families

YingHua's programs are designed with the practical needs of busy families in mind.

Early Years Scheduling Options

• Nursery and Preschool: full-day (8:45 AM to 3:30 PM) or half-day (8:45 AM to 12:30 PM), with 3-day or 5-day weekly options depending on the program
• Pre-Kindergarten: full-day program
• Kindergarten: five full days required
• Before care available starting at 7:30 AM
• After care extending to 6:00 PM
• Students in after-school programs are escorted by teachers at the end of the school day

Primary Years Curriculum Highlights

• Chinese Language Arts guided by both Common Core State Standards and ACTFL second language standards
• English Language Arts with a focus on phonics, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, reading, and creative writing
• Mathematics using the Chinese national math curriculum, emphasizing depth over breadth
• Units of Inquiry connecting science, social studies, arts, and language across transdisciplinary themes
• Visual arts, physical education (basketball, soccer, badminton, and gymnastics), and SEL programming

Every child in the Early Childhood Program is also paired with an older student through the school's buddy program, creating cross-grade connections that foster empathy, leadership, and a sense of community from the earliest ages.

A Close-Knit, Globally Minded Community

YingHua International School was founded in 2007 and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS). Its community of families is multicultural, multi-ethnic, and globally minded, united by shared values of excellence, diversity, integrity, and compassion.

Traditions like the Lunar New Year celebration, Unit Presentations, and the Grade 5 Exhibition bring the school community together throughout the year. The active Family Association creates connections among parents and caregivers, and the school's small size ensures that every family feels seen, valued, and included. Graduates of YingHua are bilingual and biliterate in both English and Chinese, prepared for compassionate and ethical global citizenship, and equipped with a passion for lifelong learning.

Tuition and Financial Aid

YingHua is committed to making Chinese immersion education accessible to a wide range of families. The school offers flexible, interest-free tuition payment plans and a 10% sibling discount for each younger sibling after the first child enrolls. Approximately 17% of current students benefit from the school's financial aid program, which provides support based on demonstrated financial need.

For detailed information on tuition rates and financial aid options, visit the Tuition & Affordability page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child need to speak Chinese at home to succeed?

No. YingHua accepts students with no prior knowledge of Chinese into the early childhood programs. Children do not need Chinese support at home. The immersion environment is specifically designed to build fluency from scratch through daily interaction with native Chinese-speaking teachers.

What ages does YingHua serve?

YingHua enrolls children from 18 months (nursery) through grade 5. The Early Years Program covers nursery through kindergarten in 100% Chinese immersion, and the Primary Years Programme serves grades 1 through 5 with a gradual balance of Chinese and English instruction.

How far is Kingston from Montgomery Township?

The campus at 25 Laurel Avenue in Kingston, NJ, is a short drive south along Route 206, making it easily accessible for families in the Skillman area and throughout Somerset County.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. Approximately 17% of current students receive financial aid based on demonstrated need. The school also offers interest-free tuition payment plans and a 10% sibling discount. Visit the Tuition & Affordability page for details.

How do I schedule a tour?

You can schedule a campus visit to learn more and arrange a time to see the school in person.

Visit YingHua and See the Difference

The best way to understand what makes YingHua's Chinese immersion program different from anything else available in the region is to visit the campus and observe the learning environment firsthand. We invite families from the Skillman area, Somerset County, and throughout the greater Princeton region to see classrooms in action, meet our teachers, and discover how Mandarin immersion and the IB curriculum work together to prepare children for a globally connected future.

Schedule a campus visit or request more information to start a conversation about how YingHua International School can give your child the gift of bilingual fluency and a world-class education.