2024 Trailblazer event
Among this year’s graduating class, many students have completed their entire 12-year education journey at Pao School. Among them are Callista and Lorie. Lorie is now enrolled in Cornell University, while Callista is enrolled in Skidmore College, a liberal arts institution in the United States.
Year 5 Graduation Photo of Lorie's Class
(Lorie, first on the right in the front row)
For Lorie’s family, their Pao School journey started with their older son, Jason, who transferred to Pao School in Year 6, joining the school's second cohort of students. His mother was drawn to the Pao School’s educational philosophy which led to her decision to enroll him there. Currently, Jason is employed at an asset management firm in the United States.
In contrast to her brother Jason, who was a quick learner, Lorie exhibited a slower pace of learning from a young age. Her initial struggles with Pinyin left her mother frustrated. However, during a parent-teacher conference at Pao School, Lorie's first homeroom teacher, Lisa, explained that Lorie was a ‘deliberate’ learner. When given the necessary time, she would eventually be able to excel. Lisa underscored the importance of parental patience in guiding a child's educational journey, allowing the time for exploration and dedicated learning. This realization brought immense relief to Lorie's mom, enabling her to work closely with the teachers at Pao School.
Photograph with Philip Sohmen, Executive Deputy Chairman at the "Swim for Love" Event (Far Right: Lorie)
Lorie encountered challenges in mathematics during Middle School, but her teacher, Sue, offered her encouragement and provided extra help. With the help of her parents and teachers, Lorie found her own rhythm. At the end of Year 8, she was thrilled to receive the ‘Principal’s Award’ for the first time. In the subsequent years, she continued to receive awards yearly for her academic excellence.
Participation in the SSSA Swimming Competition at Songjiang Campus
Lorie’s mother credits Pao School’s educational philosophy for her daughter’s steady progress. The school’s recognition of each child’s uniqueness boosts confidence and provides an environment that fosters emotional connections among students. It also helps parents to approach their children’s individual learning style with greater patience and tolerance.
Sports Day at Primary School
Lorie’s 12 years of Pao School education remain a source of fond memories for her mother. She still recalls her daughter’s eagerness on the first day of Year 1, when Lorie announced excitedly that not only could she borrow books from the library on her own, she could borrow up to five at a time. This gave Lorie a sense of responsibility and ignited her passion for regular reading. “Reading empowered her to grow as a person and established her bilingual thinking skills,” her mother remembers.
Winter Concert in Primary School, 2014
Lorie’s high school biology teacher, Steve, once jokingly asked her father “What did you feed Lorie to make her so outstanding?” to which her father replied “Love and patience”.
Family Portrait at Lorie’s Year 9 Graduation Ceremony
Callista's family comes from the United States. Her mother, originally born in Shanghai, relocated to the US during her teenage years. Her parents chose Pao School over an international school because they liked its whole person education philosophy, and wanted their children to excel in Chinese.
Callista’s mother was impressed by the principal and teachers from their first encounter. In particular, she expressed appreciation for their positive response to reasonable suggestions. She recalled one occasion when Callista and her classmates had approached the principal following a heavy rainstorm that caught students and parents off-guard. They had proposed that the school keep a stock of umbrellas for lending out on such occasions. The idea was taken up almost immediately.
Callista actively participates in the classroom
Callista’s mother says the Pao School’s strong emphasis on character education “is not about teaching children how to excel academically, but how to be good human beings.” The hands-on learning experiences organized by the school have a profound impact on the students. On one occasion, Callista had been talking about her experience in Inner Mongolia, during a practical activity, and how challenges seemed to dissipate as she gazed at the stars in the night sky. Reflecting on this, Callista's mother noted: "Education beyond the classroom helps children discover silver linings in tough times, providing invaluable skills and memories."
Completed a group task in the Year 4 EU class
Completed an EU project in the Year 5
In Primary School, Callista learned to play the piano and cello, and then in Middle School, she began her bassoon studies. High School music teacher, Nicholas, would enter into deep discussions with the students, encouraging them to be daring, hardworking, and purposeful. “He demonstrated to the students that life is full of possibilities, which shouldn’t be limited by other people’s opinions,” Callista’s mother said.
Callista had decided to continue her education at Skidmore College, a small liberal arts college, whose campus atmosphere reminds her of Pao School. She plans to major in either music therapy or an education-related subject, with the aim of contributing to society and helping others.
Class group photo of Year 4
(Callista, 5th from the left in the back row)
Thanks to Pao Schools whole person education, our children have grown up courageous, resilient and independent, ready to embark on a new journey to pursue their dreams. We are grateful to the teachers who have nurtured our children to be the unique individuals they are today. As they start their new journey, they will always treasure their twelve years at Pao School.
--Ningning’s father
at the Pao Trailblazer event
