As an international school with a complete IB International Baccalaureate teaching system, HWA established a school philosophy of tolerance and understanding towards cultural differences from all over the world since its inception. Our faculty members come from over 15 countries/regions and possess degrees and teaching experience from leading global institutions. Here, we provide them with opportunities to showcase their valuable teaching experience and interact with students on a teaching platform to share their practices.
15 : 1
HWA strives to maintain smaller class sizes, aiming for a student-to-teacher ratio of 15:1. We firmly believe that this approach allows teachers to truly understand each student - from their academic achievements or struggles to their emotional well-being and social circles. We ensure that every child receives personalized support from their teachers both inside and outside the classroom. The small class sizes at HWA enable students to receive focused guidance in all aspects, from sports coaches to extracurricular activity sponsors.
The IB curriculum is one of the most established educational programs globally, standardized and managed by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) based in Geneva, Switzerland. All IB courses are tailored according to the IB learner profile, representing the ten attributes valued by IB World Schools.
The IB curriculum is divided into four programs:
Primary Years Program (PYP): Designed specifically for students aged 3-12 years, based on six interdisciplinary themes like 'Who We Are', 'How the World Works', and 'Where We Are in Place and Time'. PYP is highly adaptable to local contexts and encourages inquiry-based learning within individual subject areas.
Middle Years Program (MYP): Offered to students aged 11-16, featuring eight subject groups, each with a minimum of 50 hours. The focus of MYP is to encourage students to learn through practical experiences and connect their learning to the real world.
Diploma Program (DP): Suitable for students aged 16-19, DP consists of six subject groups and five core elements: Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Activity, Service, and the Extended Essay. The program also includes an independent research project and a community service project. DP results are used for university admissions.
In addition to these core curriculums, we offer a wide range of extracurricular activities (CCAs), including sports, music, arts, and various interest clubs. Notably, we provide a series of activities related to Chinese culture, such as Guzheng, Tea Ceremony, and Calligraphy, aimed at deepening students' understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture. These activities not only enrich the students' learning experience but also facilitate their holistic personal development beyond academic achievements.
We are a forward-looking modern institution that advocates holistic teaching methods and lifelong learning. In the classroom, our teachers not only guide the curriculum, but also actively encourage students to participate, cooperate, challenge what they have learned from textbooks, and apply it flexibly to real life situations.