High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China


The High School Affiliated to Renmin University Of China, known colloquially as Rendafuzhong , is the high school affiliated with Renmin University of China. RDFZ is situated in the Haidian District of Beijing, within the Zhongguancun Science and Technology Zone. RDFZ is a beacon high school accredited by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education. The school is a member of the G30 Schools group. A 2016 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report described the school as among the most famous in China.

History

The school was established on April 3, 1950 as the Beijing Experimental Accelerated Middle School for Workers and Farmers ; though plans to create an experimental school for Beijing's growing population existed as early as January of that year. Created by the Chinese Ministry of Education, which had been formally established only a year earlier, the school was used to further develop China's education system.
In 1952, the school became affiliated with Renmin University of China and was renamed to Workers and Farmers' Accelerated Middle School Attached to Renmin University of China. In 1955, the school broadened its student population beyond workers and farmers and broadened its curriculum to include traditional high school classes. In 1956, the school was again renamed, this time to Workers' and Farmers' High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China, a name that was kept until 1960, when the name was finally changed to its current name, the High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China.
With Renmin University of China closed by the Beijing Revolutionary Committee during the Cultural Revolution in October 1970, the school briefly changed its name to Beijing Middle School No. 172. When Renmin University of China reopened in 1978, the school reaffirmed its affiliation to the university and the school's name was changed back.
A 2012 article in The New York Times alleged that the school was one of many in China to illegally accept bribes to admit students; however, this claim was denied by school officials.

Structure

Administration

The school is under the administration of and accredited by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education.
The school is also branch of RDFZ United, an administrative body presiding over a number of schools internationally. Besides RDFZ, there are more than ten schools under the administration of RDFZ United. RDFZ United is one of the few Chinese educational organizations that have branches located outside mainland China; Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science, created by a joint venture between Chinese investor Jiang Bairong and RDFZ, is a member of RDFZ United located in Princeton, New Jersey.

Staff

The staff includes 50 special-class teachers and over 170 senior-level teachers. 16 teachers have been conferred the title of "pillar teacher" at the national level, and another 25 at the Beijing municipal level. 37 are recognized as advanced individuals in their disciplines in Haidian District. There are more than 40 foreign teachers from the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries.
TermName
Hu Chaozhi 1950–1956
Xia Jia 1956–1959
Di Wenyu 1960–1962
Chen Bangyou 1967–1969
Wu Yingjie 1971–1978
Dong Fang 1983–1984
Hu Junze 1984–1992
Zhu Disheng 1992–1997
Liu Pengzhi 1997–present
Zhai Xiaoning 2014–2019
Liu Xiaohui 2019–present

Students

Foreign passport holders are allowed to attend so long as they have legal guardians residing in Beijing for the duration of their enrollment.

Academics

RDFZ is a beacon high school accredited by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education. In a 2016 ranking, it ranked first amongst all high schools in Mainland China. In another 2016 ranking, this time of Chinese high schools that send students to study in American universities, RDFZ ranked fifth in mainland China by number of students entering top American universities. The school is a member of the G30 Schools group. The school offers the International Baccalaureate diploma
, Advanced Placement and A-Level curriculums.
RDFZ has been awarded a number of titles and awards by China's Ministry of Education and by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education, including:
There are two academic departments in RDFZ:
It is notable that, not to be confused with ICC, RDFZ also has an international student office that places foreign nationals into domestic and international curriculums.

Admissions

Junior High School

Due to the lack of standard test, junior high school admission in Beijing is usually complicated and not without controversies. Admitted junior high school students usually come from one of the following admission programs:
Admitted senior high school students usually come from one of the following admission programs:
Since the turn of the 21st century, RDFZ has been sending the highest number of graduates to Peking University and Tsinghua University in Beijing. The dominance peaked in 2009 Gaokao, when 30 percent of the graduating class gained admission to Peking University and Tsinghua University.. Some critics have attributed RDFZ's academic success to the growing disparity in education resources. However, others have argued RDFZ's trailblazing experience in liberal arts and general education is the main reason of the success.
Around 100 students of the graduating class pursue their tertiary study abroad. RDFZ is also known for sending students to Ivy League universities.

Campus

The school is divided into several campuses spanning an area of. These include the Main Campus, the First Branch Campus, the Second Branch Campus, the Xishan Campus, the Chaoyang Campus, the Beihang Fuzhong and the Zhengzhou Campus. The school has a virtual science laboratory donated by Apple Inc., an electronics classroom, a graphic design classroom, a New Dynamic English classroom, a distance learning classroom, a driving simulator and a self-service network-based laboratory. Each classroom in the school is equipped with a multimedia system.

Extracurriculars

Student government

The students' union serves as the school's student government and is under the authority of the Communist Youth League of China. The union is divided into several departments, each with a specific purpose. The activities department, for example, is responsible for school events including dances, concerts and competitions. Some departments, like the presidium and secretariat, have purely administrative duties. The union's editorial division is responsible for issuing the quarterly student magazine. The union also manages a service department called the Volunteer Group, whose purpose is to provide volunteer services to the neighboring Haidian District.

Student clubs

More than two-thirds of RDFZ students are involved in extracurricular groups or clubs. Popular clubs include Model United Nations, the Debate Club, the Astronomy Club, the Art History Club, and the Bridge Club. Student artistic and athletic organizations sponsored by the school include an orchestra, a marching orchestra, a dance troupe, a martial arts group, a choir, and a gymnastics team.

Exchange program

RDFZ has an international student exchange program stretching across four continents. Visits are arranged for students and teachers annually between RDFZ and its sister schools listed below.

Asia

The school has two alumni associations: