The Overseas Chinese Academy Suzhou (OCAS), a new school with an established and well-reputed administrative team, has joined Search Associates. Founded in 2016, OCAS is the first school in the world specifically designed to cater to the international education needs of the children of overseas Chinese returnees. The school is located next to Suzhou Singapore International School, about 30 minutes by high-speed train from Shanghai and a two-hour flight from Hong Kong.
With nicknames such as the Venice of the Orient and the Garden City of China, the city of Suzhou is widely considered the most comfortable and convenient place to live in China. Not only is Suzhou culturally rich, with a 2,500 year history and the drive to be one of China’s most modern cities, it also boasts UNESCO World Heritage gardens and canals famous around the world. Museums, art galleries, the opera and all kinds of cafés and restaurants draw families to Suzhou.
In addition to brand new classrooms, libraries and labs, the bright and modern facilities at OCAS include a large theater, art studios, a gymnasium, game room, and swimming pool. With 500 places available for boarders and the capacity for 2,000 students, OCAS is in the process of expansion from Grades 1-5 this year to K-12, beginning in August 2018.
OCAS currently enrolls 720 competitively selected students, 90% of whom are Chinese and 5% are from North America. The school aims to provide 15 years of K-12 dual-language education, emphasizing the development of both Chinese and English as students’ mother tongues. OCAS embraces Chinese culture while cultivating students who are globally-minded, caring and knowledgeable about the world at large. The curriculum draws from both the East and the West, established on the basis of the Chinese national curriculum, characterized by American innovative curricula, and integrated within the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework. OCAS is accredited by the China School Licensing Board and delivers all levels of the IB Programme. The teaching staff of 60 includes 25 educators from China and 20 from North America and the U.K.
OCAS is interested in hiring single teachers, couples, and interns. The school will consider exceptional, newly-certified teachers and teachers certificated in non-English language countries. Candidates must hold an academic degree in the subject they will be teaching, however. To obtain a work visa, teachers must be certificated and under 60.
The salary and benefits package allows for great savings or the chance for a family of four to live on one salary. In addition to a moving allowance, furnished staff housing is available on campus. Teachers choosing housing elsewhere will receive a housing allowance, depending on the size of their family. The full tuition benefit is provided for up to two children, and airfare for home leave is reimbursed once a year. Fully-covered worldwide health insurance (except the U.S.) includes dental and emergency evacuation. Because OCAS will eventually deliver every level of the IB program, IB professional development is provided. Additional professional development opportunities will also be available, both within the school and beyond. Lunch is provided every school day. There are local employment opportunities for non-teaching spouses.
To gain access to Overseas Chinese Academy Suzhou‘s full profile on the Search Associates database, including a list of all open positions, candidates can apply for membership by clicking here. Candidates already registered can easily access the school profile directly through their dashboards.
Please Note: The information presented about this school was valid on the date published. This information may change, and the most up-to-date information can be found on the school profile.
