Fairmont Private Schools and Ambow Education Partner to Offer Dual-Diploma Program for Chinese Students This Fall

ANAHEIM, Calif., June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Fairmont Private Schools , the oldest and largest non-sectarian K-12 college preparatory school group in Southern California, and Ambow Education, a leading provider of educational and career enhancement services in China, will offer dual-diploma programs for high school students in China, starting with 21st Century Experimental School in Beijing.  Plans for the dual diploma program with Ambow's 21st Century Experimental School were approved by China's Ministry of Education this spring.

Fairmont Private Schools will leverage its international education experience, world-class Advanced Placement (AP) exam pass rates, and nationally recognized faculty to provide Chinese high school students greater opportunities for refining their language and academic skills in preparation for international college acceptance.  With the 21st Century Experimental School dual diploma program, Fairmont solidifies its commitment to the Chinese educational market and anticipates forging a number of high school partnerships throughout China.

Fairmont began offering English as a Primary Language™ (EPL™) instruction through Fairmont International Academy (FIA) in 2003.  The one-year program was conceived as a bridge from students' home country schools to quality American high schools, and ultimately, to college in the U.S.  The popularity of FIA in China set the stage for the partnership between Fairmont Private Schools and Ambow Education.

"We have similar goals and a common dedication to providing students the best possible learning opportunities so they are prepared to lead and to serve in an increasingly global world," said Fairmont CEO Robertson Chandler.  "Since founding Fairmont International Academy, Fairmont has been on the forefront of working with educational leaders throughout Asia to create novel solutions to the growing demand for language learning and academically-strong college preparatory programs.  We look to our partnership with Ambow and the 21st Century Experimental School dual diploma program as the model for multiple agreements to come."

Fairmont's Director of International Education, John Barrier, sees the dual diploma program as an opportunity to combine strengths.  "21st Century Experimental School offers an exceptional academic program with a College Board-approved Advanced Placement (AP) program.  Fairmont Prep has one of the strongest AP programs in the U.S. and has been recognized by the College Board as having some of the nation's best science and technology AP instruction."

Fairmont will work to bolster 21st Century Experimental School's AP program by providing ongoing teacher training and professional development.  Students will benefit from academic and college counseling and access to Fairmont Preparatory Academy's library of brick and mortar as well as eLearning coursework.  Fairmont Master Teachers and administrators will make regular visits throughout the school year to mentor teachers, review classroom teaching practices and assess student portfolios.  Twenty-first Century Experimental School teachers will also have the opportunity to attend professional development workshops at Fairmont Preparatory Academy next summer.

"There is increasing demand in China for a more Western style pedagogical approach," says Rebecca Wood, Fairmont Preparatory Academy Dean of Advanced Studies.  "Fairmont's teacher training will emphasize the importance of student participation, independent thought and critical inquiry."  Wood, together with Fairmont Preparatory Academy Master Teachers, will begin teacher training this summer.  

About Ambow

Ambow Education Holding Ltd. is a leading provider of educational and career enhancement services in China.  Founded in 2000, Ambow's mission is to address two critical demands in China's education market: the desire for students to be admitted into top secondary and post-secondary schools and the desire for graduates of those schools to obtain more attractive jobs.

About Fairmont

With six campuses in the Orange County area, Fairmont Private Schools is the oldest and largest family of non-sectarian private schools in Southern California. Starting in preschool and continuing through high school graduation, Fairmont prepares students to succeed in colleges of quality and challenges them to become exemplary citizens of a global society. For more information, please visit www.fairmontschools.com.

SOURCE Fairmont Private Schools