Daystar Academy: Top School for Your Child?

Introduction

Daystar Academy is a private bilingual school in Chaoyang District, Beijing. It was founded in 2002 and is part of Ivy Education Group. It serves students from kindergarten to Grade 12. There are three campuses: Beigao, Sanlitun, and Quanfa. Students learn in English and Mandarin Chinese.

The school offers a bilingual curriculum. It includes Chinese national courses. It also includes the International Baccalaureate framework. The academic sub-curriculum has two programs. One is the IB Middle Years Programme (IBMYP). The other is the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP). The academic awards are the IB Diploma and the IB MYP Certificate. The International Baccalaureate exam board manages both.

Daystar Academy has a bilingual Montessori program for young kids. It also offers courses in social innovation. These courses teach 21st-century skills. They help students succeed in school. The school has a 1:5 teacher-to-student ratio. It helps students with programs like LEAP, which teaches English for school. There’s also the YuYue Program for learning Chinese.

Annual tuition ranges from approximately RMB 190,000 to RMB 254,000, depending on grade level. The school is accredited by the Ministry of Education. It accepts both foreign passport holders and local Chinese students.

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What Is Daystar Academy and Its Founding Story?

Daystar Academy opened in Beijing in 2002. American educator Dawn Vermilya and her husband, Cai Jinyong, started the school. Their goal was simple. They desired a school that offered complete bilingualism and biculturalism for their own children. When they couldn't find one, they built it.

The school is part of Ivy Education Group. Today, three campuses serve Beijing's Chaoyang District — Beigao, Sanlitun, and Quanfa. Together, they take children from age 1.5 all the way through grade 12.

Daystar holds full IB World School status. The Beigao Campus runs all three IB programmes — the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme, and the Diploma Programme. Very few schools in Beijing can say that.

In April 2024, the school earned dual accreditation from CIS and WASC. Only about 1,500 schools worldwide hold both. In China, 36 do.

This is not a new school; Daystar has a track record, real results, and a clear sense of purpose.

Why Choose Daystar Academy for Bilingual Education?

Most international schools in Beijing teach in English only. A few concentrate on Chinese. Daystar does something different: instructors teach both languages with equal care.

The school blends Western and Eastern teaching methodologies in one clear curriculum. Chinese classes follow the Chinese National Curriculum using official Ministry of Education textbooks. English classes follow US Common Core Standards. The IB framework connects both.

The language of instruction changes by grade level.

• Kindergarten to Grade 2: About 60% Chinese, 40% English
• Grades 3 to 5: 40% Chinese, 60% English
• Grades 6 to 10: About 20% Chinese, 80% English
• Grades 11 to 12: Around 10% Chinese, 90% English

This is not bilingual in name only; at every stage, students build real skills in both languages.

Students who need extra help have two options. The Fish LEAP programme supports non-native English speakers. The Yu Yue ("Fish Leap") programme helps international students strengthen their Chinese. Both use a personal plan — not a one-size-fits-all approach.

How Does Daystar Academy Achieve Academic Success?

The results are strong. For the Class of 2025, 85.7% of US university applicants got into a top-30 school. That list includes Columbia University, the University of Michigan, and UCLA. For UK-bound students, 100% got into a top-10 UK university — including University College London.

The Class of 2024 averaged 15 university offers per student. Average scholarships reached $927,000 USD per student.

The IB Diploma Programme at Beigao Campus is demanding. Students choose six subjects at Higher or Standard level. They also write a 4,000-word Extended Essay. They take a Theory of Knowledge course. They complete 150 hours of hands-on projects through CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). The top DP score is 45. Most leading universities want 38 or above.

What makes Daystar stand out is its Social Innovation Programme. Launched in 2021, it's the first of its kind in a K-12 school in China. Students don't study social issues — they act on them. Past projects have tackled food waste, rural education, and the environment. In Grade 11, the programme runs alongside the full IB Diploma as a required course. Top universities look for this kind of depth. Daystar delivers it.

What Is the Student Experience Like at Daystar Academy?

The school has a strong character education programme. Five core values shape daily life: Respect, Unity, Care, Excellence, and Service. Teachers use a "Virtues Language" system. They name the value they see in a student's action. Students learn these values through practice — not rules.

Every division has a trained educational psychologist on staff. Bilingual counseling is available in both Chinese and English. For families moving from Southeast Asia or India, this matters. Your child may face real change challenges. Daystar has the structure to help.

The student body is diverse. At Beigao Campus, about 15% of students are international. At Sanlitun Campus, that rises to 20–30%. The school community includes students from 32 countries. That's not arranged; it's life at Daystar.

After school, the DRAGON Programme offers over 120 activities. Sports and clubs cover soccer, tennis, debate, and more. The school also runs coding and robotics, a strong music programme, drama, dance, and a student media team called Phoenix TV. Teachers with ABC and CBS experience lead that last one.

What About Daystar Academy's Campuses and Facilities?

Beigao Campus is the main campus. Located in northeast Chaoyang District, it covers 40,000 square meters. The facilities are among the best at any Beijing international school.

Key facilities at Beigao include:

• Full-size stadium with FIFA-certified artificial turf and a 400-meter track
• Baseball field
• Tennis courts (many hard courts)
• Indoor gymnasium for basketball, volleyball, and badminton
• IB-standard science labs (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
• Visual arts classroom with ceramics and digital art tools
• Music studios with recording equipment and practice rooms
• Design studio with 3D printers and laser cutters
• Fresh air filtration system across the full campus

Sanlitun Campus is in Beijing's embassy district. It serves Grades 1 to 5. Students in 5th Grade/Year 6 move to Beigao after finishing here. The campus has a greenhouse, an indoor gym, and flexible classrooms built for inquiry learning.

Quanfa Campus is the Early Learning Centre. The Montessori programme here has obtained full certification. Teachers hold the American Montessori Society, the Association Montessori Internationale, or the North American Montessori Center credentials. Facilities include an indoor pool, an arts room, a music and dance studio, and a quiet outdoor space. The bilingual Montessori model splits the day—half Chinese, half English—so children build a clear base in both languages.

How Much Does Daystar Academy Cost, and Are There Scholarships?

Daystar is not a low-cost school. But compared to other top international schools in Beijing — where fees often reach RMB 300,000 to 400,000 per year — it offers strong value for what you get.

2024–2025 Annual Tuition Fees

• Quanfa Campus – Montessori Kindergarten (ages 1.5–5): RMB 190,000
• Beigao Campus – Pre-Kindergarten (ages 5–6): RMB 218,000
• Sanlitun Campus – Primary School (Grades 1–5): RMB 231,000
• Beigao Campus – Primary School (Grades 1–5): RMB 234,000
• Beigao Campus – Secondary School (Grades 6–12): RMB 254,000–269,000

Other fees to plan for:

• Application fee: RMB 2,000 (non-refundable)
• Meal fees: Around RMB 8,000–10,000 per year
• School bus fees: Around RMB 15,000–20,000 per year
• Uniform fees: Around RMB 1,200 per set (required)
• After-school activities: RMB 5,000–22,000 per year (optional)

Extra costs amount to an extra RMB 30,000–50,000 per year on top of tuition.

Sibling discounts are available. The school reduces fees for second and later children. Confirm the exact terms with admissions.

Scholarships cover Grades 1 to 12. Eight types are on offer — Academic Honours, Social Innovation, Artistic Talent, Financial Aid, and more. Each requires a separate application.

To hold a place, you must pay full tuition on time. Missing the deadline means losing the seat.

Is Daystar Academy the Right Fit for Your Child?

Daystar works well for families who want both Chinese academic depth and global recognition. If you want your child to be bilingual, earn an IB Diploma, and apply to top universities worldwide, this school has an impressive track record.

The character education programme and Social Innovation Programme give students a sense of purpose beyond grades. That matters for long-term growth.

That said, Daystar is not for every family. The fees are high. The bilingual model asks a lot from children and parents. Some families also want faith-based schooling — a Christ-centered education that builds on God-given talents within a faith community. Daystar does not offer that.

Think hard about what your child needs. Visit the campus. Talk to current parents. Ask clear questions about language support and the college counseling process.

Conclusion

Daystar Academy is one of Beijing's strongest bilingual schools. The IB results are solid. The bilingual model goes deep. The facilities are excellent. And the Social Innovation Programme pushes students to think beyond themselves.

For families from Southeast Asia and India, it checks many boxes. The bilingual model keeps cultural roots alive while opening doors to top universities. The student body spans 32 countries. The support systems — from LEAP programme to on-campus counselors — mean your child won't struggle alone.

The school itself is a strong choice, but the process of getting in takes time, local knowledge, and careful planning.

Alifa Education Services helps international families place their children in the right schools in China. From choosing a campus to submitting a strong application, Alifa handles the hard parts.

You focus on your family. Alifa handles the rest. Book your free consultation with us today. The right school is out there — and the right guidance makes all the difference.