Cambridge A-Level Centre at Hangzhou Foreign Language School
The Community
Established in 1964, Hangzhou Foreign Language School (HFLS) is the only high school in Zhejiang Province of 50 Million people, granted the right to send 20% of their graduates to college exempt from the national college entrance examinations. This model public school occupies 405-acres and hosts the Cambridge A-Level Centre (an independent program within the school). The Centre is run in concert with the Chinese Education Ministry. English is strongly emphasized in addition to the science and liberal arts college prep studies in the Centre. 100% of students attend universities and colleges abroad. Both schools are boarding with most students leaving on the weekends. All students are Chinese nationals.
Accreditation
HFLS was accredited in 2008 as an International Examination Centre by the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). Advanced Level courses and General Certificate of Education (GCE) were introduced to HFLS. This qualified the high school to host the only Cambridge Advanced Level Program in Zhejiang Province. English is the Center’s language of instruction and British A-Level courses are offered. Admission is selective through HFLS strict admission tests and interviews. International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is 10th grade, Advanced Subsidiary (AS) is 11th grade and 12th grade is the Advanced Level (A2).
Faculty
Centre faculty includes highly qualified and experienced professionals from Great Britain, America, China, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, etc. The student to faculty ratio is approximately ten to one.
CENTRE CURRICULUM
10th Grade
5 of 6 IGCSE courses - mathematics, physics, chemistry, economics, business studies English as a second language; all these subjects are taught by English speaking teachers. Chinese, Information Technology and P.E. instructors are Chinese teachers．
11th Grade
4 courses of 6 choices –AS physics, AS chemistry, AS biology, AS accounting, AS economics, and A2 mathematics as a one-year course; all students take English, Information Technology and P.E. The instructors are foreign teachers from English speaking countries.
12th Grade
3-4 A2 courses of 7 choices: finishing the two year courses we have physics, chemistry, economics, business studies; A2 further mathematics, AS biology, and AS accounting are offered as one year courses; with EAP (English for academic purposes) and P.E. taught to all. All instructors are foreign teachers from English speaking countries.
Extracurricular Activities
Student organizations include: Student Government, International Business Enterprise, Chinese Culture and Literature Club，Film Club, French, Model UN, Music Band, Parliamentary Debate, Student Union, Earth Watch, Tick Tock Magazine, Volunteer Association, Habitat for Humanity, Cisco Hope School, Year Book
