We balance rigorous academics with social-emotional learning.
Whole Child Education
Developing Future-ready Global Leaders
We believe the fundamental characteristic of the new millennium is ever-accelerating change. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent, Yu Ming aims to develop future-ready global leaders who use their education to make a positive difference in the world. Guided by our core values of integrity, perseverance, empathy and wisdom, we challenge our students to lead with humility, collaborate with empathy, think with independence, and problem solve with creativity.
Social Emotional Learning
Yu Ming believes in whole brain and whole heart education grounded on academic excellence, social emotional intelligence, and relational depth. Leveraging science-based pedagogical approaches, we focus on supporting our students to develop the skills and mindsets to lead fulfilled, joyful, and purposeful lives.
In Elementary School, students begin to develop their social emotional competencies through Responsive Classroom practices of Morning Meeting and Circle, where students touch base as a class on community issues, concerns and other discussion topics. Students also engage with the Toolbox curriculum, a research-based social and emotional learning (SEL) program that strengthens children’s innate capacity for resilience, self-mastery and empathy for self and others.
Our Upper Elementary and Middle School students deepen their SEL learning through the Compass approach, a competency-based human development model. We utilize advisories, a structured curriculum (the Compass Phase System), 
and the Circle framework to help students grow in body, heart, mind, and spirit in pursuit of excellence in every dimension. The curriculum helps students work through 5 balanced disciplines or integrated habits of success: Sharp Mind, Big Heart, Noble Purpose, and Aligned Actions, while accessing their True North.
Enriched Learning
Yu Ming students are given the opportunity to explore personal passions outside the classroom through a number of extracurricular activities, from Instrumental Music to Computer Programming, Creative Writing and Clubs. We also enrich our students’ education through deeper learning including field trips for each class, two annual week-long expeditions for middle school students, and a capstone trip to China.
Elementary School
All students participate in enrichment activities that continuously build language proficiency and cultural fluency. Visual arts are integrated in grades K-4, with a dedicated Design Lab class added in upper grades. Music is our third language and begins in Kindergarten, exposing students to musical movement with choral music and percussion, including Orff xylophones. Students then progress in their music making with recorders and ukuleles, and by 5th grade, they have the opportunity to select a brass or woodwind ensemble instrument such as flute, trombone, and saxophone.
Middle School
We offer a range of activities that complement academic instruction, from week-long learning expeditions to STEM Design Lab projects and Jazz Band. Over 20 student-led lunch-time clubs and programs are offered, inspired by student interest such as coding, cartooning, photo engineering, sports, and service. Elective and enrichment class offerings also may include Coding, Chinese Journalism, Visual Arts, Chinese Drama, Spanish and Yearbook.
