Inside Chengdu International School’s Early Childhood Center (ECC), play is the work.
On a typical morning in Chengdu International School’s Early Childhood Center, the sound of laughter and playing reaches the hallway before anything else does. It’s a small scene, but it shows a lot about how we approach our youngest learners.
Three- and four-year-olds learn by doing, so ECC days are built around building, pretending, exploring, moving, and a great deal of conversation. Teachers constantly ask questions like “What do you notice?” and “What do you think will happen next?”, because talking things through is how young children build language and explore the world around them. Children are encouraged to ask questions, make discoveries, express their ideas, and develop the confidence to try something new.
In Elementary, reading opens up the world.
Somewhere around first and second grade, students shift from learning to read to reading to learn. Chengdu International School uses Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA), which teaches phonics and reading skills alongside rich content such as ancient civilizations, the human body, and folktales from around the world.
The idea is that strong readers need more than decoding skills. They also need vocabulary and background knowledge, which make harder texts easier to understand later. Alongside literacy, students study math, science, social studies, and Chinese, and they take specials including art, music, PE, library, and technology.
Every child starts somewhere different.
At Chengdu International School, we recognize that every child comes with a different background, experience, learning style, and set of strengths. Classroom teachers work closely with the Student Support team, including English Language Support teachers, so each child gets the scaffolding they need while still being challenged. This collaborative approach helps students build confidence while continuing to make meaningful academic and personal progress.
Growing as people, not just students.
If you’ve ever visited the Chengdu International School (CDIS) campus or talked with a CDIS student, you may have heard about the LifePlus Nine Qualities for Life: Connection, Courage, Curiosity, Compassion, Service, Persistence, Discernment, Humility, and Purpose. These character qualities are not just something we talk about, they are qualities we want our students to live out. They come up often in CDIS classrooms. In a young child’s day they look very ordinary: tidying up without being asked, helping a new classmate find their way around, or attempting a tricky math problem a third time. The goal is for every student to understand that their character matters, community is important, and they belong.
Upcoming Events at CDIS
Interested? Come try us out!
During Experience Days, prospective students and their families will join a short classroom activity, tour the campus, meet Early Childhood Center and Elementary teachers, and stay for questions afterward.
Choosing a school for a young child comes down to finding a place where they feel safe, known, and eager to come back the next day. Experience Days are a chance to see what that looks like at CDIS. Come and discover the Chengdu International School experience for yourself. Join us for an upcoming Early Childhood Center or Elementary Experience Day and take the first step toward discovering how your child can learn, grow, and thrive at Chengdu International School.
October 7, 2026
Step into Upper Elementary Open Day
Grades 3-5, Ages 8-11
November 13, 2026
January 22, 2027
March 12, 2027
Early Childhood Center
Experience Day
Grades 3-5, Ages 8-11
Scan the QR code in the poster to register
Spaces are limited, please sign up soon!
Venue:
Chengdu International School (CDIS)
成都爱思瑟外籍人员子女学校
Address:
60 Shuinianhe South Road, Jinjiang District
锦江区水碾河南路60号
Looking for a school to call home?
Chengdu International School offers rolling admissions. Founded in 1997, Chengdu International School is the oldest international school in Chengdu and all western China. Our vision is to see world-class servant leaders raised up in every vocation. At CDIS, we believe that education is more than the pursuit of knowledge; it is the shaping of character and the nurturing of thoughtful, responsible global citizens who Learn, Love, and Lead.
Reach out to our admissions office today for a personal tour or experience day.
