Yinghua Academy

United States, Minneapolis

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The school at a glance

Instructs in Mandarin Chinese, English

Fees Fees not listed

Ages 5 - 14 years

Pupil numbers 852

Type Co-educational

Opened 2006

Bus Service No

Academic offering

Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum

Taught languages Mandarin Chinese

Typical class size 10

Strengths First US public charter Chinese immersion, National Blue Ribbon School 2015, 83% Intermediate-High proficiency, 73% MCA Reading / 82% MCA Math, 59% students of colour

Clubs Conservatory of Music, Dragon Life Organisation, Athletics

Stages Elementary, Middle School

Introduction

Yinghua Academy is a tuition-free public charter school in Minneapolis and the first public charter Chinese immersion school in the United States, founded in 2006. Serving K-8 with 872 students from 83 ZIP codes, 83% reach Intermediate-High Mandarin proficiency. The school earned National Blue Ribbon status in 2015.

1616 Buchanan Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413.

Gallery

The school has not added photos

The Essentials

Location

Yinghua Academy is at 1616 Buchanan Street NE in Minneapolis, MN 55413.

Stages

Kindergarten through 8th grade.

Type

Yinghua is a tuition-free co-educational public charter school.

Pupil Nationality Mix

Students come from 83 unique ZIP codes across the Twin Cities. 59% students of colour.

Additional learning support

Special education programmes are available.

Country affiliation

Strong Chinese cultural and language focus.

School day structure

School day is 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Office hours 7:45 AM to 4:15 PM.

Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership

Authorised by Friends of Education, a nonprofit 501(c)(3). Independent Minnesota public school district #4140. Parent, teacher, and community-elected governing board.

Academics

Curriculum

Mandarin Chinese immersion where the majority of content is taught in Mandarin. 83% of students reach Intermediate-High Mandarin proficiency. 73% MCA Reading and 82% MCA Math proficiency.

Exam Results

73% MCA Reading Proficiency, 82% MCA Math Proficiency.

Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The programme fosters cognitive flexibility, attention control, memory, problem-solving, and cultural sensitivity.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Special education programmes are available.

Mental Wellbeing

Counselling services and mental health resources are available.

Safeguarding

Allergy, medication, immunisation, and lice protocols are in place.

Parent Experience

History

Founded in 2006 as the first public charter Chinese immersion school in the United States.

Community

YACA parent organisation with volunteering, classroom coordinators, and Red Envelope Campaign fundraising.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

YACA (Yinghua Academy Community Association) with board, meetings, and activities.

Facilities

Facilities Overview

Campus includes the Dr. Debra Hua Lu Library.

Sports Facilities

Athletic programmes span fall, winter, and spring sports.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

Enrichment Programme and tutoring services are available.

Arts & Creative

Conservatory of Music offers music instruction.

Cultural & Language

Lunar New Year celebration is integrated into the curriculum. Middle School Travel Abroad programme is offered.

Social & Hobbies

Dragon Life Organisation provides student leadership opportunities.

Leadership & Professional

Dragon Life Organisation develops student leadership.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Aftercare and extended learning programmes, plus summer camp.

Languages

Language Provision

Mandarin Chinese is the primary language of instruction with English integration.

Bilingual Teaching

Mandarin Chinese immersion with English integration.

Immersion Programs

The majority of subject content is taught in Mandarin Chinese as a second language.

Reputation

Awards

2015 National Blue Ribbon School. #1 Best Charter Elementary and Middle School in MN (Niche 2024). Ranked among MN best schools by Star Tribune (2021, 2023).

Accreditations

Authorised by Friends of Education. Independent MN public school district #4140.

Admissions

Open enrollment. Kindergarten enrollment runs January 6 to February 26.

School Events

The school has not added events

FAQs

Where is Yinghua Academy located and what grades does it serve?

Yinghua Academy is located at 1616 Buchanan Street NE in Minneapolis, MN 55413 and serves Kindergarten through 8th grade for students ages 5 to 14.

What type of school is Yinghua Academy and when was it founded?

Yinghua is a tuition-free, co‑educational public charter school founded in 2006 and recognized as the first public charter Chinese immersion school in the United States.

How do I apply for a spot at Yinghua Academy?

Admissions operate through open enrollment; families apply during the district's open enrollment period. Specific application steps follow the open enrollment process for Minnesota public charter schools.

When is the kindergarten enrollment window each year?

Kindergarten enrollment runs from January 6 to February 26 each year.

What is Yinghua's instructional model and curriculum focus?

Yinghua is a Mandarin Chinese immersion school where the majority of content is taught in Mandarin with English integrated into instruction. The program emphasizes both academic content and Chinese language proficiency.

How do Yinghua students perform on assessments?

Yinghua reports 73% MCA Reading proficiency and 82% MCA Math proficiency. In addition, 83% of students reach Intermediate‑High Mandarin proficiency.

What campus facilities does Yinghua Academy have?

The campus includes the Dr. Debra Hua Lu Library as a dedicated academic resource. The school campus supports academic and extracurricular programming consistent with a K–8 charter school.

What sports and athletic programmes are available?

Yinghua offers athletic programmes across fall, winter, and spring seasons, providing students opportunities to participate in seasonal sports throughout the year.

What after-school activities and enrichment opportunities are available?

Yinghua offers an Enrichment Programme, tutoring services, a Conservatory of Music for music instruction, student leadership through Dragon Life Organisation, and seasonal aftercare and summer camp options.

Does Yinghua offer travel or cultural experiences for students?

Yes, Lunar New Year celebrations are integrated into the curriculum and the Middle School Travel Abroad programme provides international cultural experience opportunities for middle school students.

What special education services are available?

Special education programmes are available to support students with identified needs. Services are provided in accordance with the school's public charter special education provisions.

What mental health and safeguarding supports does the school provide?

Counselling services and mental health resources are available to students, and the school has protocols for allergy management, medication, immunisation, and lice to support student safety.

What are the school day and office hours at Yinghua?

The school day runs from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, and office hours are 7:45 AM to 4:15 PM.

How is Yinghua governed and how can parents participate?

Yinghua is authorised by Friends of Education and operates as Independent Minnesota public school district #4140 with a governing board elected by parents, teachers, and community members. Parents can also participate through YACA, the school's parent organisation, which coordinates volunteering and fundraising.

What awards and recognitions has Yinghua Academy received?

Yinghua was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2015, ranked #1 Best Charter Elementary and Middle School in Minnesota by Niche in 2024, and has been listed among Minnesota's best schools by the Star Tribune in 2021 and 2023.

Is Yinghua officially authorised or accredited?

Yinghua is authorised by Friends of Education and designated as Independent Minnesota public school district #4140.

How proficient do students become in Mandarin at Yinghua?

Eighty‑three percent of Yinghua students reach Intermediate‑High Mandarin proficiency, reflecting the school's immersion approach where most content is taught in Mandarin.

Which languages are taught at Yinghua and how is English incorporated?

Mandarin Chinese is the primary language of instruction with English integrated into the program to support literacy and content learning in both languages.

What is Yinghua's history and founding mission?

Yinghua Academy was founded in 2006 as the first public charter Chinese immersion school in the United States, with a mission to provide Chinese language immersion alongside rigorous academic instruction.

How can parents connect with the school community and volunteer?

Parents can get involved through YACA (Yinghua Academy Community Association), which runs volunteering efforts, classroom coordinators, meetings, and fundraising initiatives such as the Red Envelope Campaign.

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