From Consulting to Education: A Mother's Educational Calling
The enrollment of her children, Jeremy and Joycelyn, at THIS this year, felt like the closing of a circle—a journey that began with a single Chinese character. "There's a character in my name—Hóng（黉）—that means 'ancient school,'" Jeremy and Joycelyn's mom notes. (For the sake of brevity, we'll refer to her as Jeremy's mom in the rest of the story.)
This connection, long dormant during her international management consulting career across South Korea, the U.S., China, and Germany, eventually guided her to a new path working with UNESCO on educational innovation. Their move from Germany to Beijing culminated in a decisive choice. "Selecting THIS felt like fate—and we said yes without hesitation," she says.
The Ideal Education: A Balance of Structure and Freedom
For Jeremy's mom, great education balances clear expectations with creative freedom—two qualities THIS blends seamlessly.
Teachers model respect and reason daily, while project-based learning and open assignments encourage students to think independently.
It's about learning how to think—and that's what matters most." She notes.
From Germany to Beijing: A Smooth Transition
Moving from Germany's early-dismissal, low-homework system to THIS's rotating class schedule could have been a challenge. Yet both children adapted with ease. "The school's careful planning and supportive teachers made all the difference," Jeremy's mom says. Even over summer, school staff replied quickly to emails, leaving no question unanswered.
Though homework increased, so did the kids' curiosity. Teachers have sparked real interest through inquiry-based learning.
Jeremy now reads and writes with greater independence—and Joycelyn, once a reluctant reader, can't put her books down. "She reads even in the taxi," her mom laughs. Jeremy, who used to dismiss geometry, rebuilt his interest in math through a hands-on bridge-building project. "They're not just keeping up—they're loving the process."
Dinner-table conversations have deepened, too. Jeremy brings home philosophical questions from humanities class, and Joycelyn reflects on mistakes as chances to grow. Her new go-to phrase? "Not yet."
Language and Belonging: Connecting with Chinese Culture
A key reason for choosing THIS was its "East-meets-West" approach and bilingual focus.
Joycelyn, placed in a tailored Chinese B class, receives nearly one-on-one instruction. "Now she reads poems, draws what they inspire, and expresses abstract ideas in Chinese," her mom shares. Teachers regularly update parents and offer targeted support. "My hope is that she'll join the native-level class (Chinese A) in a year or two—not because we're pushing, but because we see her moving naturally in that direction."
Growth Within and Beyond the Classroom
"The school offers opportunities we could never provide at home," Jeremy's mom says. Jeremy, once chatty and unfocused, now leads team meetings in Philosophy and Debate Club. Joycelyn practiced her TEDx talk more than 20 times before delivering it with poise. "I learned from her script—how to shape a story, build tension, weave in reflection."
What moved their mom most, though, was THIS's flexible approach to grading: "Kids can revise, resubmit, and try again. It's education that values growth over grades."
A Word to New Parents: Trust the Process
"My biggest piece of advice is: to enjoy the journey." As a newly joined family, Jeremy's mom deeply felt the warmth of the THIS community. "The admission officers, Parent Council, teachers, other parents... everyone has been so helpful. I'm no longer the mom in Germany stressing about school schedules; I can focus on my work and trust the school with my kids' education".
She joined a parent book club, finding inner peace through meditation and sharing. "We adults, brought together by our kids, get to be friends with one another and grow together with the THIS community," she reflects.
One Choice, Infinite Growth
From Germany to Beijing, the family of Jeremy, Joycelyn and their mom have really found THIS to be home. Here at THIS, each child is seen, and every kind of growth counts.
