Renascence School International - Orange County

My daughter has been attending this school for a year now, and I have to say that I am really impressed in numerous ways. One of the primary focuses of the school is educating the children in both Mandarin and Spanish outside of just English. However, the aspects that really shine about the school are the dedication and caring of the teachers and administration. The truth is a school is only as good as the people who run it. I believe it is easy to teach children all of the basics (grammar, arithmetic, etc.) but what separates this school is that they look at other aspects such as teaching the children the importance of character. If you are looking to place your child in caring hands, you do not need to look any further.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in L4 (Pre-K) and he loves it. Though we are impressed with everything he is learning in Spanish and Chinese, we are equally impressed with what he is learning from his English class. He is currently sounding out words and wanting to spell, he's only 4.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has only been at RSI for 4 months and I am very happy with how fast he is picking up both Chinese and Spanish. He sings songs in both languages while in the car all the time. I strongly believe his is getting solid education while having fun, making friends, and learning life skills. All the staff and teachers that my son is learning from have a personal interest in his growth and well being. We are very happy here.
—Submitted by a parent

When we relocated to Costa Mesa from Australia 2 years ago, I went around and look at a few schools in the area to find the best school for my son. I was glad I found RSIOC. This is the only immersion school that teaches academic programs in 3 languages (English, Spanish Mamdarin, by native teachers (not as a foreign languages but second and third tounges) apart from a very advanced academic program. I have been constantly surprised by what my son has been learning everyday. One of the best things about this school is that the parents are very involved. its feels like an extended family. My son also has better manners and he just loves go to school and come back and speak Mandarin and Spanish in native accents.
—Submitted by a parent

My 2 children have attended this school for a little over a year. In that year, they have learned more than most kids learn in 3-4 years, and they are inspired and excited to go to school everyday. They love their classmates, and they say that they like the school better than other schools they have seen/attended because "the teachers really care and teach them interesting things." This is the most amazing curriculum and staff I have ever seen or heard of, hands down, and I have lived in 4 states and attended Ivy league undergrad and graduate programs.
—Submitted by a parent

Renascence School International has been wonderful for my children! They are learning languages in a way no other school in Orange County can compare to. Aside from learning Mandarin Chinese as a language, subjects such as Math, Science, and Geography are taught in Mandarin Chinese by native speakers. There is also daily focus on English, English grammar and Spanish. The small class size allows for plenty of individualized attention and enables all the children to achieve a high level of academically advanced learning. The parent involvement is amazing and had molded the school into a wonderful learning environment for all the children that attend!!
—Submitted by a parent

We recently relocated to Newport Beach and have two children ages 5 and 7 that attend RSI (Renascence School International). We were looking for a language immersion school for our children and have been very impressed with our experience here. The school is unique and the only one of it s kind in the Orange County area. My children went into the school with very little foreign language background and have been able to pick up Mandarin so quickly. Aside from the foreign languages, academically they are learning (and excelling in) math and English concepts that are advanced for their grade level. I have nothing but great things to say about the school and the philosophies behind it. I hope you have a chance to visit.
—Submitted by a parent

Best parenting choice to date! The directors and teachers have created an incredibly effective learning environment without the high pressure that can accompany these types of achievements. The academic results have been nothing less than astonishing, but the personal care and incredible support of our families needs really creates an amazing educational experience. As I watch my daughter's class move through this first year, I can't help but smile in knowing each one of these kids are receiving the best possible foundation for a happy and positive future.
—Submitted by a parent

We went from a Top 10 Distinguished public school in an affluent neighborhood to Renascence for their innovative ed. Initially, Renascence's Mandarin immersion attracted us to the school, but we didn't see a reason to go to a private school when we could walk to a top-notch public one. However, my kids were unengaged by the teachers AND complained that what they learned was "boring.: We tried out Renascence for a week, and were astounded by the change in my kids' attitude towards learning. They initially struggled with the 90% Mandarin classes...only English was used in English class. The different, creative way that math, reading, Chinese, Spanish and English actually made them excited to work hard and interact with their teachers and classmates. They are constantly being taught to participate, question, and try in an almost Socratic method" style. My kids went from not speaking Mandarin at all (after 2 yrs in "immersion" preschools) to reading, writing, speaking it to each other and to others they think may talk back. They read and do math 2 levels above their greased. We would never move because we couldn't find this kind of education and administration anywhere.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is such a great find! My child is loving her arts and crafts activities that are taught in different languages. In a matter of just weeks, she has begun spontaneously speaking in Spanish and in Mandarin at home, teaching the rest of our family! One of the things that I really love about the teachers is their combination of teaching excellence and ability to adapt to individual learning styles. They noticed her love of art and have nurtured it, providing her opportunities to combine tactile artistic expression with language acquisition. Mable.
—Submitted by a parent

We have 2 children that attend this school and we are AMAZED at how much Spanish and Chinese our children are learning. It is awesome to hear them speak it and see my oldest get so excited when she can read some characters off of a Chinese food menu. Our 1st grader excelling in her reading, english, and math, which is such a blessing to us as her former school told us that she was just an average kid, but not anymore. The classes are small and intimate and the teachers strive to get the very best out of each student. We are in constant interaction with the directors and receiving endless feedback/updates from the teachers on how our children are doing - which is fantastic. If you are looking for an outstanding school with advanced learning/academics, language immersion, and OUTSTANDING teachers, than pick this school!!! The best decision we ever made for our children. Dina & Andy
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a GAME CHANGER! It is evident that my son is destined to have a future in front of him that I could have never imagined. As a business man, I interact frequently with companies that are global. To survive in business today, most companies have to think on that broad scale. The world has become smaller with technology, and this school will enable my son to compete and shine on an academic level (math/science/writing/arts), a cultural level and a linguistics level. Every friend of mine in a multitude of business sectors ALL deal with foreign countries for sourcing materials to selling product. It is imperative we keep up with the rest of the world's developed countries and this is the ONLY school I found that is setting up these kids with an experience unmatched. Robert, father
—Submitted by a parent

I am thrilled that my 4-year old daughter is learning Mandarin Chinese and Spanish as the language of instruction. She is counting in Mandarin and Spanish and is even teaching her 9-year sister how to speak Spanish. When I learned Spanish in school it was as a foreign language. At Renascence school, they are taught math, art, music, science in Mandarin and Spanish so my daughter is learning to think in those languages. It will be a major advantage for her, to be truly tri-lingual. Peter Drucker said 10 years ago, that if you can speak Mandarin Chinese or English, you can pretty much communicate with the everybody in the world by 2025! Renascence is an awesome place for integrated advanced learning. My daughter is fortunate. Andrew L.
—Submitted by a parent

I have seen an enormous difference in my granddaughter since she has started this AMAZING school. She has become overall a more confident child. She has begun speaking more and engaging others with eye contact and astute listening. I am thrilled with match concepts already on display as we cooked in the kitchen and counted change for her piggy bank. I wish I could go back to school :) Sharon, grandmother

There were many reasons that we concluded Renascence School International was the best choice for our son but these are the top three: First, the academic curriculum. Second, the language immersion. Third, the value of this program is unbeatable.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been a student since it opened this fall. The school has a really great hard working culture that is also fun for the kids. Before school I would have to bribe him to pick up a pencil or crayon and now he is asking to drawing and write! He of course is picking up a lot of Chinese and Spanish but what surprised me is the native accent he has developed in each language. It is very exciting to see him grow in so many ways because of this program. I only wish there was something like this when I was growing up.
—Submitted by a parent

Within 1 month of being in RSI OC, our son has learned and retained more Mandarin in the prior year he spent with an in home Mandarin tutor. He has also become so creative. He now enjoys doing art for hours where before he needed to be stimulated. 2 7 years old is the age to get them started on a foreign language. We waited too long for our 14 year old and we see her struggle where our son flourishes! We are so excited to give him this opportunity! Growing pains are expected in any business, but the staff at RSI make up for it with their care and passion in what they are doing. My child loves it and what he has accomplished academically and with his foriegn language proves it. Kelly Hamlin, Irvine, CA
—Submitted by a parent

I LOVE THIS SCHOOL!! My daughter is 4 and she is in the L4 class. She impresses us everyday with all that she is learning, showing us that she can count in spanish and chinese including all her colors is pretty impressive. Please dont bother reading the negative review below.
—Submitted by a parent

W have had 50% faculty turnover in the first 6 weeks, coupled with high student departure rates. Some teachers are being put in the classrooms with no prior teaching experience- definitely no classroom management experience- and parents are not kept in the loop about what is going on unless they fight for it. Academic needs of students are not being adequately addressed, and this school does not live up to what the website claims. Struggling kids are told to repeat the prior grade, rather than be given proper support. Advanced kids are stuck repeating material they already know. My kids are bored, and the administration is not acting on our concerns. Rote memorization and repetition rather than creative learning and conversational learning. We are terribly disappointed. Our kids were improperly assessed and misplaced in their grade levels-- their assessments are totally random and if we hadn't fought for decent academic placement we would have been repeating grades (and they are bored as it is). There are better options out there for Mandarin instruction and definitely better options for academic advancement. DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT YOU ARE TOLD. Disorganized at every level.
—Submitted by a parent

I am so impressed with the level of education my child is receiving at this school. Having an advanced degree, education like this is the key for my child to succeed in any career with global competition. The curriculum, the care, the communication and the class size are found NO where else in Orange County. The most telling sign: she can't wait to go to school every day! William, father
—Submitted by a parent