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Tzu Chi Academy
San Dimas, CA
Welcome!
2026-2027 School Year Registration
Registration dates:
Returning students begin 04/01/2026.
New students begin 05/01/2026.
Tzu Chi Academy, San Dimas achieves WASC accreditation in 2024.
2026-2027 Enrollment
School Details
School hours
- School begins on August 23, 2026, and takes place Sunday between 9:00AM – 12:30PM. School ends on May 16, 2027.
Curriculum
- All students have two periods of Chinese classes, one period of Humanity class, and one period of extracurricular class.
Chinese Curriculum and Extra Curriculum
- Use Let’s Learn Mandarin as a textbook.
- Classes are still under planning, subject to official announcement of the start of school and may include: Tea Ceremony, Flower Arrangement, Drawing, Cooking, Brush calligraphy, Pen Calligraphy, Poetry recite and Art and Craft etc.
Class Size
- There will be a maximum of 20 students per class. For a class to commence, a minimum of 10 students is required. If the minimum number is not reached, or for any other reason, the school reserves the right to cancel the class.
Placement Test
- All new students (PinYin 2 and above grades) need to take a placement test, and placed to classes according to proficiency level. Further notification of test dates will be provided later.
Enrollment
- Enrollment completion is determined by the order of completion.
Parents Please Note:
- A weekly reminders regarding school events will be sent on Friday either to your Email or as text or voice message.
- Parents are strongly urged to participate in school activities throughout the school year including: Orientation, First Day of School Assembly, Parent/Teacher Conferences, Chinese New Year Celebration Humanity Class, May Three days in one, Buddha-Bathing, TzuChi Day and Mother’s Day, Closing Ceremony.
Requirements
Age
- 4 years old to under 18 years old.
- Pre-k class is available for beginner’s levels of proficiency from ages 4. Must be at least 4 years old before September 1, 2026.
- PinYin1~ Higher Grade is available from ages 5 and up. New students enrolled in PinYin2(age6) or higher will be assessed before enrollment.
Uniform
- Students are required to wear uniform during class: Tzu Chi shirt, long navy trousers，white sneakers and use solid navy or gray backpacks (no colorful or animated backpack). Tzu Chi shirts are purchases from school office, with cash or by check payable to TZU CHI ACADEMY.
- Navy Blue trousers and white sneakers, and solid navy or gray backpacks, may be purchased at stores such as Kohl’s, Target, or Walmart.
Tuition and Fee (Per Annum Basis, Not Tax Deductible):
- Registration fee: $40 (non-refundable) is required for all students. Returning students, who enroll in class before 05/01/26 may waive the $40 registration fee.
- Tuition (include textbook and homework workbook) and Extracurricular Material Fees: $640.
- Second Sibling discount $20 (only applicable if both students are registered together on the same enrollment form).
Registration Dates
- Returning students begin 04/01/26.
- New students begin 05/01/26.
Withdrawal and Refund Procedure
Please fill out the Withdrawal/Tuition Refund Request Form and email the form to school. 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.
**Tuition is not refundable after the 7th week of school year.
- Requests received before school start: 100% refund after deducting $40.00 processing fee.
- Requests received during school 4th Week (include 4th week): 75% refund after deducting $40.00 processing fee.
- Requests received during school 5th to 7th Week (include 7th week): 50% refund after deducting $40.00 processing fee.
- Tuition is not refundable after the 7th week.
- 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.
Learn Mandarin and connect with the world through real conversations and cultural experiences! Join our fun and practical 12-week Saturday program for adult learners.
Who We Are
Tzu Chi’s Humanities Class in San Dimas was established in September of 2005. In 2006, the course’s name was officially changed to “Tzu Chi Academy,” becoming the nineteenth Tzu Chi Academy in the United States.
Adhering to the philosophy of Tzu Chi’s educational missions, Tzu Chi Academy provides a unique focus on Chinese culture and language, in addition to the teachings of Tzu Chi’s founder, within a beautiful campus environment. Tzu Chi educators also bring high-quality, compassionate teaching methods with equal emphasis on language and the humanities to inspire kindness, gratitude, and respect for all.
As one of Tzu Chi’s four major missions, our educational mission upholds the teaching philosophy of love-based holistic education, combining multiculturalism with cultivating life ethics, moral concepts, and humanistic education. That is, respect, care, love for one another, and giving back to one’s community. Through humanistic education, students develop character, dignity, thoughtfulness, open-mindedness, and positive life goals.
In addition to teaching Chinese language skills, such as speaking, reading, writing, and typing, our humanities classes, cultural classes, and Jing Si Aphorism lessons, promote character education.
The school’s motto, “Kindness, compassion, joy, and unselfish giving,” inspires awareness, responsibility, helpfulness, community-mindedness, and care for the Earth.
- Language classes utilize the “MeiZhou Chinese” textbook, Jing Si Aphorisms, and further supporting materials.
- Tzu Chi’s humanities program is based on the overseas version of the “Great Love Navigator” course plan, which was adapted by Tzu Chi USA Headquarters’ Education Development Office, with Jing Si Aphorisms as additional teaching material.
- Cultural classes incorporate Tzu Chi songs, sign language, tea ceremonies, flower arrangement activities, the art of paper cutting, vegetarianism, environmental protection, painting, yoga, drama, etc.
Enrollment is open to students 4–18 years of age.
As one of Tzu Chi’s four major missions, our educational mission upholds the teaching philosophy of love-based holistic education, combining multiculturalism with cultivating life ethics, moral concepts, and humanistic education. That is, respect, care, love for one another, and giving back to one’s community. Through humanistic education, students develop character, dignity, thoughtfulness, open-mindedness, and positive life goals.
In addition to teaching Chinese language skills, such as speaking, reading, writing, and typing, our humanities classes, cultural classes, and Jing Si Aphorism lessons, promote character education.
The school’s motto, “Kindness, compassion, joy, and unselfish giving,” inspires awareness, responsibility, helpfulness, community-mindedness, and care for the Earth.
- Language classes utilize the “MeiZhou Chinese” textbook, Jing Si Aphorisms, and further supporting materials.
- Tzu Chi’s humanities program is based on the overseas version of the “Great Love Navigator” course plan, which was adapted by Tzu Chi USA Headquarters’ Education Development Office, with Jing Si Aphorisms as additional teaching material.
- Cultural classes incorporate Tzu Chi songs, sign language, tea ceremonies, flower arrangement activities, the art of paper cutting, vegetarianism, environmental protection, painting, yoga, drama, etc.
Enrollment is open to students 4–18 years of age.
Gallery
2025 School Events
May 27, 2023
2022 Graduation Ceremony
May 27, 2023
Humanities Class
January 21, 2023
Jing Si Aphorisms Drawing Contest
October 10, 2022
News
A Welcoming Place for Every Child
Tzu Chi Academy, San Dimas
Phone: (909) 447-8614
Email: [email protected]
School Location (Sunday):
Tzu Chi USA Headquarters San Dimas Campus
1100 S. Valley Center Ave.
San Dimas, CA 91773
Hours: 9:00 AM–12:30 PM Sundays
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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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