Saturday Program
On Saturday afternoons
between
September and May
, we offer Chinese, math, ELA (Reading and Writing), programing, and Chinese folk music classes
.
After-school Program
Chinese and other enrichment (e.g., music) classes for K-5 are offered on weekday afternoons during the school year.
Summer Camp
Weekly summer camps about Chinese language and culture, folk music, tennis, etc. are offered between June and August.
Summer SAT/ACT Training
We partner with a SAT/ACT training institutions in summer to deliver the test preparation classes for high school students.
Who are the instructors?
Mr. Yong Zhang holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Tsinghua University, one of China’s top universities. With over twenty years of experience in software development and management, Mr. Zhang also has a passion for teaching computer science to young students. Last year, he introduced programming to Yucai’s students and received high praise from both students and parents. This year, he plans to challenge his students to reach even greater heights. In his free time, Mr. Zhang enjoys fishing, traveling, and hiking.
Mr. Hao Ren holds a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Tsinghua University and a PhD from Iowa State University. He has over 10 years of experience in software system safety at Honeywell Aerospace Advanced Technology Lab. In addition to his professional experience, Mr. Ren has also served as a lab instructor for college students and currently teaches a small group of 7th and 8th grade students. Mr. Ren welcomes any Grade 7 and above student with little programming background knowledge but have the curiosity to learn.
Who can attend the class?
Students in Grades 7-12 are the target audience. Adult students with no or some programming experience may also participate. All students must bring their own laptops.
To enroll in the Level 1 class, students do not need to have the prior knowlege of programming. They just need to have the curioristy and be ready to learn attitude.
To enroll in the Level 2 class, students must have a basic understanding of Python programming concepts, including variables, data types, conditions, loops, and functions.
What will students learn in the class?
The Level 1 class will start with the basics of computer science and Microsoft’s office applications. Afterwards, students will learn Python, a popular programming language, and apply it in different projects. The goal is to introduce the basics of using computers, office tools, and Python to develop interest in programming. It will build the foundation for students to move on to more advanced classes such as artificial intelligence, robotics, etc.
The goal of Level 2 class is to help students become more proficient in Python programming by working on increasingly complex projects while continuing to teach advanced Python concepts. The following topics are planned to be covered: Python Game Design & Development, Python Object-Oriented Programming, Python User Interface Development, Python Database Programming, Python Networking Programming, and Python Programming with ChatGPT. The instructor will monitor each student’s progress and adjust the pace of the class accordingly.
Why should students learn programming with Yucai?
Mr. Zhang and Mr. Ren bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in both computer science and teaching to their classes. They are committed to adapting their teaching materials to meet the needs of their students without compromising on quality. The primary focus of Level 1 is to spark an interest in programming and help students explore potential future careers in the field. After completing this class, students will have the opportunity to continue their learning journey with higher-level programming classes, designed to keep them engaged for three or more years. Choosing the right class and instructor can have a significant impact on a student’s future, and our class provides an excellent foundation for their future career path. Most importantly, we offer a long-term learning plan for all students, with instruction delivered in English.
About the Coach
Coach Alex has been coaching tennis for almost two decades. He's coached many top varsity players around the Twin Cities and even coached a boy to the state tournament AA in singles at the age of 13. He is very patient, however, and doesn’t shy away from coaching beginners too. Alex and his coach team currently coach many students from Yucai Chinese School. They have a very strict learning based teaching style.
About the Class
1) The tennis classes are offered through the Saturday program and summer camps.
2) The class will be at Wayzata Schools.
3) Students will either have the outdoor courts or indoor gym.
4) Options: The parents can pick from the following specific options A) Tennis for competition B) Tennis for Recreation C) Pickleball. To be clear, choosing tennis for competition doesn’t mean your son or daughter is currently competing. It could be. It just means that you want your kid to learn, even if totally brand new to tennis, on a path towards competitive tennis. Recreational Tennis is more fun based. Pickleball is a new trending sport.
5) The coach and student ratio is about 1:5.
6) The goals are to teach kids basic tennis skills, keep them practice, and/or compete in a team.
Benefits of Playing Tennis for Young Kids
Playing tennis can be a fun and enjoyable way for young kids to stay active, learn sport skills, and grow as individuals. Kids can gain physical, mental, and social benefits by playing tennis. More specifically, playing tennis is a great way for kids to get regular physical activity, which is important for maintaining a healthy weight and building strong muscles and bones. It also helps improve coordination and balance, and can be a great cardiovascular workout. Playing tennis requires focus, concentration, and problem-solving skills, which can help young kids develop their cognitive abilities. It can also be a great stress-reliever and can help kids learn to manage their emotions. Tennis is a social sport that can help kids make new friends and learn to work well with others. It can also teach kids important social skills, such as sportsmanship and teamwork.
Who are the instructors?
Mr. Xie is a renowned Jinghu virtuoso and a disciple of the celebrated Jinghu master, Tang Zaixin. Mrs. Hu is an accomplished Yueqin virtuoso. Both have participated in numerous performances worldwide and have over 20 years of experience teaching young students to play traditional folk instruments. In 2020, they moved to Minnesota and introduced traditional Chinese instruments to the local community and Yucai’s students. They take great pleasure in teaching Yucai’s students.
Who can attend this class?
All students, whether enrolled in our afterschool program or not, are welcome to join this class and discover Chinese language and culture through music. Students have the option to learn songs or play a traditional folk instrument.
What should students be prepared for the class?
Our teachers will provide all necessary learning materials for students to learn Chinese songs. Students will also have the opportunity to explore various traditional folk instruments. For those interested in advancing their Erhu performance skills, instruments are available for rent or purchase.
Why choose to learn Chinese folk musical instruments?
Playing a musical instrument improves memory, relieves stress, builds confidence, and makes your life fun. We are lucky to have two well-known teachers who can teach a variety of folk musical instruments, which will help you learn not only a unique musical instrument but also the Chinese culture and music theory. We will provide many performance opportunities throughout your musical journey.
What are the goals of this class?
At the beginning, students will be devided into two groups to learn erhu or singing. As students become more skilled, they will perform together as a band. Ultimately, we want students to enjoy music, learn how to compromise, respect, and constructively communicate with their bandmates. Students will build unique bonding experiences during rehearsals and performances. By working together towards common goals and adhering to rehearsal commitments and practice routines, students will develop good practice habits. Additionally, this class offers a unique opportunity for students to learn Chinese through the lens of music.
