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Tzu Chi Academy
Cupertino, CA
Welcome!
2026-2027 School Year Registration
Registration Starts on: 03/14/2026
Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning
Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning (TCML) has officially established itself at the Tzu Chi Northwest Region, launching practical and culturally rich Mandarin Chinese courses for adult beginners.
2026-2027 Enrollment
School Information
School Hours
- School dates: 08/22/2026 – 05/15/2027, Saturdays except holidays (32 Weeks)
- School hours: Saturdays: 9 AM – 12 PM.
Curriculum
- All students have Chinese classes, Humanity classes, and holiday activities
Chinese Curriculum
- Use “Living Mandarin” and “MeiZhou
Chinese" as textbooks.
Class Size
- There will be a maximum of 25 students per class. For a class to commence, a minimum of 5 students is required. If the minimum number is not reached, or for any other reason, the school reserves the right to cancel a class.
Placement Test
- All new students (first grade and above) need to take a placement test. Further notification of test dates will be provided later.
Enrollment
- Determined by the order of registration completed.
Parents Please Note:
- A weekly reminder regarding school events will be sent on Thursdays, to your Email.
- Parents are strongly urged to participate in school activities throughout the school year including: Orientation, First Day of School Assembly, Parent/Teacher Conference, Chinese New Year Celebration Humanity Class, Buddha-Bathing Ceremony Humanity Class (May), Last Day of School Assembly.
Requirement
Age
- Pre-K: Children who are four years old by 9/1/2026 (born before 9/2/2022). Please upload the proof of age while applying for registration.
- K: Children who are five years old by 9/1/26 (born before 9/2/2021) may be enrolled in the Zhuyin (K) class.
Uniform
- Students are required to wear uniforms during Classes.
- Winter Long Sleeves: $25; Summer Short Sleeves: $20
- Uniforms are available at the school office on school beginning day and parents conference day. (pay by cash or check)
- Navy Blue or black trousers.
Placement test for New students
- All New students enrolling in the Zhuyin (K) class or above must pass a test before admission which will be based on their test result. Parents will be contacted for the schedule of the placement test. For details, please see section Placement Test for New Students
Tuition Fees
Fees
- Per annum, not tax deductible.
- Registration fee: $50 (non-refundable) is required for all students.
- Tuition: $600
- Uniform purchases need to be paid separately through cash or by check payable to TZU CHI ACADEMY.
Early Bird Discount
- $25 discount of Tuition fee before 5/25/2026
Sibling Discount
- 10%($60) discount of Tuition for the 3rd child enrolled. (only applicable after the 2 siblings have already registered)
Other Discount
- 10%($60) discount of Tuition for Children of Teachers at Tzu Chi Academy in Cupertino
Registration Dates
- Returning students begin 03/14/2026
- New students begin 03/14/2026.
Instructions for Refund/Withdrawal from school
- Please fill out the Withdrawal/Tuition Refund Request Form and email the form to school. School email: [email protected]。School finance department will refund in the same payment method.
- Refund processing time may take 3~4 weeks, NO REFUND will be given for the registration fee and Material fee after school starts.
- No refunds will be given for expelled students.
- Students truant for three times and above will automatically be expelled and no refunds will be given.
- Refund Table:
Tuition Refund Amount: | Full Refund (Tuition $ 600 Only) | 50% Refund of Tuition | No Refund |
Withdrawal Date: | Before the school year starts | Start of school year to the 3rd week | After the 3rd week of the school year |
Placement Test for New Students
- New students, except pre-K students, shall take a placement test. The school staff will contact parents for the test date.
- The placement test will be composed of a written test and an interview, which will focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- Zhuyin(K) class: The study will focus on the learning of 37 Zhuyin symbols, with focal consideration of students’ acceptance of the Mandarin Class.
- Grade 1: The test will be on the reading and writing of the Zhuyin symbols, including vowels, rhymes, and combined rhymes.
- Grade 2 and above: Please refer to the MeiZhou Chinese textbooks http://www.mzchinese.net/ and do the textbooks (of the student’s “class level before the summer) listening, speaking, reading, and writing quizzes. (Preparations may only be focused on the latter half of the textbook for each class level, the teacher will take one or two lessons to perform the quiz.)
- Students taking the placement test do not need to be stressed about the test, as the results of the interview will be at discretion subject to the student’s interactions.
*** Testing of students enrolling in the Zhuyin(K) class will be in-person meetings through which the teacher may learn about students’ interactions in Chinese and their knowledge of the Zhuyin symbols. Parents are allowed to accompany the students during the test.
Who We Are
Our School
Tzu Chi Academy Cupertino established in September 1999, aims to promote Tzu Chi’s humanity education. The curriculum includes cultural classes, including current affairs, doing good deeds, filial piety, environmental protection, mutual help and other current world issues, so that children can use Chinese in their lives while learning Chinese.
Principle: Yulin Hua
Assistant Principle: Jen-Wu Huang
Total number of students: 140
Class: Pre-K, Zhuyin (K), Chinese classes 1 – 10, 12 classes in total
School time: Saturday morning from 9:00-12:00
1st Period: 9:00-9:50;
2nd Period:10:00-10:50;
3rd Period (cultural classes): 11:00-12:00
Other School Events: Winter Distribution, Chinese New Year Charity Sale, Vegetarian Class, Parent Humanities Seminar, etc.
Principle: Yulin Hua
Assistant Principle: Jen-Wu Huang
Total number of students: 120
Class: Pre-K, Zhuyin (K), Chinese classes 1 – 10, 12 classes in total
School time: Saturday morning from 9:00-12:00
1st Period: 9:00-9:50;
2nd Period:10:00-10:50;
3rd Period (cultural classes): 11:00-12:00
Other School Events: Winter Distribution, Chinese New Year Charity Sale, Vegetarian Class, Parent Humanities Seminar, etc.
Gallery
School Fair
Apr 4, 2026
Open House
Mar 14, 2026
End of Year Blessing Ceremony
Feb 7, 2026
Student Excellence Rewards Redemption
Jan 24, 2026
Year-End & Winter Solstice Events
Dec 20, 2025
Watsonville Gifts Distribution
Dec 7, 2025
Watsonville Gift Drive Kickoff
Nov 8, 2025
Halloween Event
Oct 25, 2025
Environmental Protection Class
Oct 18, 2025
News
A Welcoming Place for Every Child
Tzu Chi Academy, Cupertino
Phone: 408-389-8845
Email: [email protected]
School Location (Saturday):
Lynbrook High School
1280 Johnson Ave., San Jose, CA 95129
Hours: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM, Saturday
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Tzu Chi Academy was first established in Los Angeles in 1994 under Tzu Chi USA education departmentwith a unique focus on teaching students Chinese language and culture and the practice of joyous giving by showing sincere compassion. Learn more
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