Early JuneOpen
Week 1
Market day
Children play shopkeepers and shoppers, counting and bargaining in Mandarin with play money and baskets of fruit.
- Ages 5 to 12
- 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Mandarin immersion, kindergarten to grade 8, in Sugar Land, Texas
Mandarin is the language of the classroom
Children at Stylus learn math and science in Mandarin and read and write in English. Children entering kindergarten or grade 1 need no Mandarin to start.
- Mandarin as the language of instruction
- Kindergarten to grade 8
- Ten teachers
The language path
Mandarin leads the day, and English joins in
Mandarin is the language of instruction for math and science in every grade. English is the language of reading, writing and history in the afternoon, and the balance shifts a little as children grow.
- 01
Mandarin first
Kindergarten and grade 1SkillsMornings in Mandarin: songs, stories, counting and the day's routines
Math and science taught in Mandarin from the first week
Letters and first reading in English each afternoon
No Mandarin needed to start
Moving upChildren stay with their class, and the teachers tell families what the next year asks.
- 02
Reading in two languages
Grades 2 and 3SkillsReading short stories aloud in Mandarin, and writing characters by hand
Math and science still taught in Mandarin
English reading, spelling and short writing in the afternoon
Social studies in English, with Mandarin words for the people and places
Moving upA family meeting each winter looks at what a child reads in each language.
- 03
Writing in both
Grades 4 and 5SkillsParagraphs and short reports in Mandarin and in English
Mandarin for math and science, English for history and literature
Group projects planned in one language and presented in the other
A spoken talk to the class once a term
Moving upGrade 5 ends with a family evening where students talk about a project in both languages.
- 04
Two languages across subjects
Grades 6 to 8SkillsMath and science in Mandarin, with problems read and explained aloud
Humanities, essays and discussion in English
Mandarin literature and longer writing in a weekly seminar
Electives and a service project in the community
Moving upGrade 8 ends with a talk before families, and the school helps each family look at the choices ahead.
Where to startAsk which grade fits your child
Sample levels.
Two halves of a day
Mornings in Mandarin, afternoons in English
The day begins with a morning meeting in Mandarin, and the first lessons are math and science. After lunch and recess, children read, write and study history in English. Teachers move between the two languages whenever a child needs it.
Math and science taught in Mandarin
Reading, writing and history in English
Art, music and movement in both languages
A Mandarin-speaking teacher in every room
Classes
Classes by grade, and where each language sits in the day
Every grade keeps the same hours. The morning belongs to Mandarin and the afternoon to English, and each class has the size shown here.
| Ages | Class size | Morning in Mandarin8:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.5 days | Afternoon in English12:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.5 days | After care3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.5 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mandarin firstKindergarten and grade 1 | 12 | OfferedEvery lesson in Mandarin | OfferedReading and writing in English | OfferedQuiet play and a snack |
| Reading in two languagesGrades 2 and 3 | 14 | OfferedMath and science in Mandarin | OfferedEnglish reading and social studies | OfferedHomework help |
| Writing in bothGrades 4 and 5 | 14 | OfferedMath, science and Mandarin writing | OfferedEnglish literature and history | OfferedHomework help |
| Two languages across subjectsGrades 6 to 8 | 16 | OfferedMath, science and a Mandarin seminar | OfferedHumanities and electives | OfferedStudy hall |
Fees and what each is for
- Application
- Covers reading the application and meeting the child. Due when a family applies.
- Enrollment
- Holds a place after an offer is accepted, and counts toward the year's tuition.
- Books and supplies
- Texts in both languages and classroom materials, ordered by the school.
- Field trips
- A few outings each year, billed when a family signs the permission slip.
- After care
- Billed by the month for the days a family uses.
- Summer language weeks
- Billed a week at a time, when a family registers for a week.
Sample programs.
Summer language weeks
Summer language weeks, early June to late July
Summer weeks run 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., one theme a week, with the same teachers. Children who do not study here during the year are welcome, and no Mandarin is needed to join.
Summer
- Late JuneOpen
Week 3
Stories and puppets
Hearing, retelling and acting out folk tales with paper puppets, then writing a short story of one's own.
- Ages 5 to 12
- 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Mid JulyOpen
Week 5
Paper, brush and paint
Making cards, scrolls and paper lanterns, and learning to write characters with a brush.
- Ages 5 to 12
- 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sample sessions.
The year at a glance
When to visit, apply and hear from us
Families apply a year before the first day. Open houses begin in the fall, and decisions go out in March.
This school year
October and January
Most Tuesdays and Thursdays, October to March
TourVisit days
A morning in a classroom, then a conversation with the head of school.
October
Applications open
For the fall a year away.
Early February
DeadlineApplication deadline
Every family hears at the same time.
Mid-March
Decisions
By letter and by phone.
Early April
DeadlineEnrollment agreements
Signed to hold a place.
Sample dates.
From families
What families say about the first year
4.8
42 reviews
5★36
4★5
3★1
2★0
1★0
“We do not speak Mandarin at home, and nobody at the visit made us feel we should. The teachers explained what the first weeks look like and when they would write to us.”
Kenna L.“Our daughter hums the morning song in the car. The Friday note tells us what the class has been doing in both languages.”
Aristides M.“We applied a year ahead and heard back in March, as promised. The head of school answered every question we had.”
Baoyu H.
Sample reviews.
Questions
What families ask us
What if my child knows no Mandarin?
Children entering kindergarten or grade 1 need none. Teachers use gestures, pictures and songs, and speak English to a child when it matters. For older entrants, we talk at the visit about which grade fits.
Which subjects are taught in Mandarin?
Math and science, in every grade, and Mandarin reading and writing. English carries reading, writing, history and literature in the afternoon.
Can we visit before applying?
Yes. A visit day is how most families begin: a morning in a classroom and a conversation with the head of school.
How does tuition work, and how do we ask about aid?
Tuition is set by the year and by the grade band. The tuition page explains how a place is held and how to ask about financial aid.
How big are the classes?
Class sizes are on the program matrix, by grade band. The school has about seventy-five students.
Is there before or after care?
After care runs until 5:30 p.m. on school days. Families register for the days they need.
Visit
Book a visit day
Spend a morning in a classroom, hear Mandarin used for math and science, and talk with the head of school about your family. Children are welcome to come along.
Phone(281) 555-0113
Office hours
- Monday to FridayToday
- 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday and SundayToday
- Closed