Washington Yu Ying PCS

Posted: February 17, 2025

The school has one of the best administrations in all of DC. They are responsive and accessible. They have very low teacher turnover and the academics are excellent. My daughter is equally fluent in Chinese and English and is excelling at math at a grade level above.

Posted: February 17, 2025

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Posted: February 10, 2025

To summarize the strengths of this school: (1) the diversity of the student body - no demographic has a majority, which is rare; this is very much by design with its IB focus (2) dedicated and capable staff and leadership - the executive director and principals spend every morning in the streets, directing traffic and welcoming students in the rain/shine/snow (3) community feel - parents and staff are very engaged even outside of school time with many events led by parent volunteers (4) unique academic experience - there's no other Mandarin immersion public school in the city that goes from PK to 5th grade (5) a lot of outdoor time - the school has many playgrounds, a garden, and a nature center on-site (5) an excellent aftercare program - it is run by the school and is the best that I've seen; no screen time and excellent student-teacher ratio; they also offer summer camps which is huge.

Posted: February 10, 2025

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Posted: February 9, 2025

We are so grateful every day that we can send our two little kids to Yu Ying. The staff is so warm and welcoming. They have a beautiful new campus for the Prek3-Kindergarden years. They have wonderful opportunities for parents to get involved in the classroom and for their special events such as KidsFest and Lunar New Year celebrations. Its amazing how quickly they pick up Mandarin and I think its because of the warm environment that fosters learning and curiosity.

Posted: February 9, 2025

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Posted: February 8, 2025

We feel very grateful to be a part of this school community. The teachers are wonderful, the administration is excellent - particularly standing out when it comes to operations and communications, the school community is highly engaged, and the facilities are excellent.

Posted: February 8, 2025

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Posted: November 21, 2024

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Posted: November 21, 2024

Washington Yu Ying PCS has a fantastic community that is diverse, warm, inclusive, and dedicated to education of our kids academically, socially, and emotionally. My kids and I have made great friends at the school, and my kids are learning Chinese too! Plus, I love the amount of outdoor space. Our kids have plenty of space to run around, play with sticks and dirt, climb play structures, and just be kids. Plus the staff are very attentive and responsive, and it feels like a lot of staff know every family, which makes the school feel like home.

Posted: November 7, 2023

We have been at Yu Ying for three years and are having a great experience. My children are currently in 1st grade and Pre K4 and enjoy the school, the teachers, and the community so much. Let provide a few details:

1. Administration and Teachers: the teachers are committed to the community and students: there is not high teacher turnover and many teachers have been there for many years. Many of the preK teachers still keep in touch with their children as they advance to the upper grades. The Administration is ultra responsive to school community concerns. Like all school communities there are concerns raised by parents on pedology, test outcomes, pedestrian and biking safety and others but the Administration is always willing to hear from the community and find a best way forward given the varied interest of the school.

2. Chinese Immersion - we are a non-Chinese speaking family so our goal for our children has always been medium fluency in Chinese that they could continue as their secondary language through high school and university. We are not seeking native-speaking status but enough to communicate and get around. We have a Chinese Au Pair that complements their Chinese learning at home. We are happy with our child's progress in written and spoken Chinese.

3. Math and ELA - Yu Ying knows as a language immersion program English literacy may be behind other English-only schools since the children are learning in two languages. In first grade for example, my son learns his math in English and Chinese morning and afternoon. So Monday math will be in English and Tuesday the same math subject will be in Chinese. Etc. The school is putting extra resources into ensuring that the students test and perform at or better on ELA than English-only speaking schools. They also offer extra resources for math and other subjects to cultivate skills.

4. School Community -is awesome and diverse in many ways - the parents are all dedicated (each parent has to volunteer 40 hours per year) and that commitment builds the school community and financial resources of the school. You will find a diversity of parents and interests among the parent community which enriches the community at Yu Ying.

5. Campus- location is beautiful will plenty of green space to let the children run, play, and explore nature.

Posted: November 7, 2023

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Posted: August 12, 2022

Posted: August 12, 2022

My two children went to Yu Ying. It gave the everything you would want from a school. I couldn't recommend it more.

Posted: August 12, 2022

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Posted: July 15, 2022

My eldest kid has completed her elementary school at Washington Yu Ying. She started in pre-k 3, 8 years ago. We had the best experience possible. The Chinese immersion program is excellent. The teachers are loving and care a lot about the well-being of students. The campus is magnificent, with a forest (where kids play); 4 playgrounds, one outdoor art and garden space; murals leading to the school.
My youngest has a learning disability, the school has help us beyond duty.
The families are diverse and very involved.

Posted: July 15, 2022

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Posted: October 24, 2020

We've felt incredibly lucky to be part of the Yu Ying Community for over eight years. No school is perfect, however, Yu Ying's commitment to growth, both for the staff and the students, their openness to feedback, and their agility to respond to the ever-changing needs of their staff and students make it an exceptional school.

Posted: October 24, 2020

The homework approach calls for enrichment learning at home through reading in English and Chinese and allows time for integration of class time learning through play and chosen activities after school time.

Posted: October 24, 2020

When I think about the teachers our children have had ever our 8 years at Yu Ying, the words I think of are care, dedication, energy, and creativity. Consistently, the teachers have made the time to meet with us individually to address the needs of our children, leading to a more effective learning environment for each one.

Posted: October 24, 2020

Each year, the teachers are led in trainings and professional development to address the needs of the whole child, so that they, as teachers, can better support the students in areas such as addressing conflicts and expressing their needs respectfully. Just this week, my 7 year old demonstrated for me a mindfulness stress relieving practice he'd learned at school. The International Baccalaureate program and learner profile focuses on developing principled, open-minded, reflective learners.

Posted: October 24, 2020

The leadership led the shift to online/distance learning with speed, competence, and care. They prioritize the professional development of their teachers, which benefits the students.

Posted: October 24, 2020

Over the years, each of our three children has needed some sort of unique support, and Yu Ying has effectively provided it.

Posted: October 24, 2020

Our family does not have much personal experience in this area; however, we have taken the opportunity to attend a few school-sponsored sessions specifically focused on bullying and the school's response.

Posted: July 9, 2019

Bizarre relationship with character. They seem really focused on silliness.

Posted: July 9, 2019

The "principal" is totally afraid of the parent groups -- she is a puppet who is afraid to run the school for fear of losing her cush job. Then they have another person who is supposed to be the leader (don't know what they call her).

Posted: July 9, 2019

Posted: July 9, 2019

These people define "bullying" loosely so everyone is being bullied if you believe them.

Posted: July 9, 2019

I was so excited because of the Chinese language, but then realized it's the ONLY thing the school has going for them. I will transfer my kid at end of this year. I'd rather get a good school and hire a Mandarin tutor.

Also, the kids spent the last weeks of school helping their teachers pack up their classrooms -- no work at all. It's pathetic.

Posted: July 9, 2019

They simply do not give it to them.

Posted: July 9, 2019

Some good, mostly bad. The Mandarin teachers are ok for language.

Posted: December 23, 2018

Homework is on the light side, and in math, not enough for many kids to gain mastery. After six years of the school, I haven't seen one textbook in any subject in any grade. Fifth grade math homework consists of a "math card" with two word problems to complete. Nothing the school provides for the student to reference if student is unclear on how to solve problem. You will inevitably be referred to Khan Academy.

Posted: December 23, 2018

Teachers at the school tend to skew earlier in their careers. I'm 48 years old and don't think there is more than one teacher my age and she is a new arrival, which is to say, the school doesn't have a core of veteran teachers. Yu Ying also suffers from teacher turnover, especially the Chinese teachers.

Posted: December 23, 2018

Posted: December 23, 2018

Leadership (or lack thereof) is really a problem at the school. The school has a traditional principal who seems to be removed from the day to day academic issues and communication and a "Director of Teaching and Learning" who is much more visible. Not sure what the division of labor for these two positions.

Posted: December 23, 2018

Yu Ying relies heavily on its ability to attract middle class and upper middle class kids based on its Chinese immersion model (which strikes me as more hype than substance). These kids tend to do well enough on the standardized PARC test based more so on their socioeconomic status than anything the school is doing.

Basically, if your kid has any sort of learning difference (ADHD/ADD, dyslexia, dysgraphia), which often isn't detected until second or third grade, then YY will probably not be a good fit for your learner. In addition, if your child comes from a working class background or single parent household with a non-traditional work schedule, then the school will likely not be a good fit.

If your child is coming from a middle class or better, two parent household where the parents have a flexible schedules and the child has no learning differences, then your child will likely be fine at the school.

Posted: December 23, 2018

Haven't really had much, if any, experience with bullying at the school, but have heard parents with nightmare stories. The school has an anti-bullying policy but its implementation seems to leave a lot to be desired.

Posted: December 23, 2018

After six years, my kid is conversational in Mandarin but has deficits in other key subject areas. Writing is not emphasized at the school, but when it happens is largely limited to a word processing program as opposed to physically putting pencil to paper. Curriculum and instruction doesn't seem to be well thought out or consistent between grades. I recall only one semester in one academic year (second grade) where English vocabulary/spelling words were provided consistently. After that brief period it ended with no continuation in later grades.

As a parent, I spend a lot of time and financial resources augmenting my child's education which leads me to believe classroom instruction is not effective or efficient. Yu Ying also has a transparency issue where you will likely not get a good sense of what is happening or learning objectives on a daily or weekly basis. If I had to do it over again, I would have likely selected another school.

Posted: August 24, 2018

There is a difference in a student being supported with learning differences and a student being supported because they are not taught a particular skill. I've always felt that because some of the teachers were not tenured, they were not capable of teaching to the student and meeting them where they are. Yu Ying seems to be a one size fits all type of institution and if you don't get it, you don't get it. Thus the need for tutors and all the other expenses that go along with sending a child to this institution.

Posted: August 24, 2018

no, No, and NO! While I think they try or have tried something, I have not seen the results proving that WHAT they have tried has been effective.

Posted: August 24, 2018

While I have to say my child did benefit and gain the ability to communicate in Mandarin to some degree, the sacrifice of my child's integrity, self esteem, and ability to learn without being labeled was a deal breaker, thus the reason why I transferred her out before graduating from 5th grade. I honestly believe allowing her to stay at Yu Ying until 5th grade would have been an extreme disservice to her scholarly endeavors.

Posted: August 24, 2018

My student received homework once a week to be returned the following week. I never knew how well she did on her homework or class work because the work would not be graded and returned in a timely manner. Despite multiple requests as to the academic quality of my child's work, I never received a response unless it was during a Goal Setting Conference (GSC), Student Led Conference (SLC) or, a one-on-one with a teacher. The conferences always seemed to be geared to what the students are doing, but rarely any talk about how the teachers are helping and reaching the students. I always say "the measure of a GREAT teacher is not the students they instruct and can tell or show information to them one time, the measure of a GREAT teacher is knowing how to change your approach and instruction so that the student who does not get it the first time or fifth time gets it the next time you explain something to them." Yu Ying teachers grossly miss the mark on this.

Posted: August 24, 2018

My child's best year was Kindergarten and the seasoned teaching staff seemed to dissolve after that. During her first grade year, one teacher had a baby midway the school year and was out the rest of the year. A substitute was there the remainder of the year. Needless to say, I was highly disappointed, as the first few years of a child's development in grade school is crucial. Aside from that, I too have experienced rude and undesirable interactions with the Chinese teachers at the school. My child was there for five years and her absolute best year was in Kindergarten. I constantly had to reinforce or teach certain skills because my child just was not learning them at Yu Ying because they were not taught. I discovered that it is very difficult for an institution to operate an immersion program and still keep up with the Common Core. It is impossible for the teachers to cover all the necessary skills needed for PARCC and other assessments if they are teaching in English/Mandarin every other day.

Posted: August 24, 2018

Absolutely NOT! ...I constantly struggled to help my child maintain her integrity. Sometime she would be damned if she did/didn't defend herself or her position. Prior to her last year, I felt like she was alone most of the time if anything were to happen where it was her word against another student or a teacher. Oh, the days my child would cry and complain because some child lied on her or accused her of doing something she did not do. It really helped to know my child's character, and that is what saved her most of the time, the fact that she was very consistent in moral character.

Posted: August 24, 2018

Until this last year, I had NO regard for the administration or any of the talking heads. ...but this last year I was able to establish some what of a connection with a new administrator and that seemed to work out for my child better than any previous attempts to establish a connection so that I could feel at peace knowing my child was in good hands at school.

Posted: November 9, 2017

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Posted: November 9, 2017

It's our first year (PK4) at this school and I am heartbroken. Coming from a far superior pre-school in another state, I am continuously disappointed by this school each day. The Chinese teachers are RUDE, sent home a rude letter about my daughter, again PK4!!!! Not middle school or anything, and how they can't understand her so they basically just ignore her. Today I found out at lunch time, instead of letting/helping the younger kids eat lunch, they turn down the lights and watch questionable movies. From talking to other parents, I'm finding that most kids get distracted and don't get to eat their lunch - starving by the end of the day. I literally cannot wait to transfer out of this school. I have two kids and have never dealt with such mean, incompetent teachers anywhere. I'm surprised about any of the good reviews, they must be older, because something sure changed here. I will not recommend this school to anyone.

Posted: February 28, 2017

Crazy stuff happens and this recently graduated teachers, don't have a clue. "Work it out" is what my child has shared an adult teacher responded with.

Posted: February 28, 2017

I know too many parents struggling with LD students and feeling all alone.

Posted: February 28, 2017

They get things done when it comes to new projects, but they miss the mark in developing students with integrity and the leaders of the future.

Posted: February 28, 2017

I would not give the school that credit. They are okay.

Posted: February 28, 2017

Some are and some are not. Luck of the draw.

Posted: February 28, 2017

Posted: February 28, 2017

I have been a Yu Ying parent for 6 years and have two children in the school. I have long held out promise for the school's benefit to my children, but still I find myself up at 12 am the night before the lottery closes praying for better options. The issues from my perspective are Staff and Administration arrogance (not teachable), cliques, a bent to support and focus on the exceptional children (that boost their esteem), while marginalizing children who need more work, lack of awareness and engagement on bullying, lack of sensitivity to parents who are from various economic backgrounds, employing ill-equipped teachers, and in general overselling and under delivering.

Bullying and Arrogant Educators-It's late and I am clearly tired, but I will say this. I have seen atrocious things happen to my kids at this school and no one noticed until it was too late and when it was all over they held a united front, did not apologize or change much to prevent a recurrence. Ill-equipped teachers--My kids have been placed into special academic booster groups for what is clearly a lack of experience by new teachers. Lack of Sensitivity for People of varied economic background-this is not a place from a person who cannot take off work on a Friday half day (imagine the perks on that job). If you can't take off ($50 per kid per day)... This is real.

Overselling and under deliverying-I can't blame them (right?) who would not say "WER'E NUMBER ONE!!" And tell all the parents to vote that way. But these parents (myself included) largely pay $25 per hour and up for tutors, have nannies and o'pairs, or pay nearly $1000 a month for after care (which I admit is very cool,... but the cost).

All in all, I give Yu Ying and average to bad rating, because the parents pad the truth with their money and their mouths. I am just tired of being quiet about it.

Posted: May 23, 2016

Our son was lucky enough to be accepted into one of the first PK-3s. We could not be happier that he got into Yu Ying!! He is very interested in Chinese (already) and in less than an year of full immersion he is able to make full sentences to reply to his teacher. The administration is very professional and all the staff is friendly. The teachers are very caring and my son never looked back (to daycare); he really wants to go to school every day and even watches Chinese shows at home. The environment is nurturing with 2 playgrounds, a wooded area and many activities revolving around everyday's life (cooking, picking vegetables, learning about insects etc). We made the right choice and we are grateful to be part of the Yu Ying family!

Posted: May 21, 2014

Washington Yu-Ying started out as a great school. it had an engaged staff and great administrators and a principal that the children loved. However a change in key administration and many teachers and staff moving on to other pursuits has caused a deep void in the school. i have never seen a public school that costs so much. The reduced fees for participation in the after school program are still expensive. In addition, in my personal case, my child is more proficient in Chinese than English. In addition, their are clicks or special groups at the school and all children are not afforded the opportunity to participate in all activities. In addition, bullying is a serious problem. Teachers do nothing when children tell them they are being bullied and the child being attacked is often the one suspended when defending themselves. Some of the Chinese teachers are very abrasive. The attitude and the lack of support from administration to help children keep their hands to themselves is crazy. In addition, the children of the staff are treated very different than other children. This school has no idea of how to control children and other children suffer because of it.

Posted: October 24, 2013

I am the proud parent of two Washington Yu Ying students. I couldn't be happier with the school. The teachers are engaged and passionate, the administration is communicative and innovative and the school community is friendly and diverse. I also feel there is a great collaboration between teachers/administration and parents. IB program allows kids the develop into well-rounded children. Washinton Yu Ying is also a Green Ribbon school! They organize fuel- free commute to school regularly (which takes a lot to coordinate since kids come from all over the city). Finally, the after-care school program is excellent, offering variety of quality classes, such as music, sports, photography, creative writing. Overall, I would highly recommend this school to anyone in Washington.

Posted: October 23, 2013

My daughter has been attending this school for, four years the teachers have been so supportive and helpful to my daughter and me. The school does such a great job with trying to assist students who may need extra help. WME

Posted: September 15, 2013

We really like Yu Ying, the dynamic staff and diverse student body. My daughter started in PreK 2 yrs ago and is speaking Chinese w/other native speaking children. She loves going to school---especially when the school is decorated during the chinese new year & the kids learn about chinese culture, eat dumplings and moon cookies. She loves the nature center, garden, tree swing, the chicken coop (they had for a couple of months) and can be found after school playing on the awesome playground. We like the healthy food choices (no candy or sugary snacks), the streamlined morning drop off process, the REEF after school programs offerings (which have gotten better over time), the student led conferences (where students present to the parents what they have been learning), the parent portal w/teachers' blogs and the responsiveness of staff. I am always impressed when I see the head of school/principal greeting students in the morning. Our only concern has been ensuring that our daughter is challenged in the classroom since she is above level.The teachers have been willing to think creatively about this and work w/ us during the parent conferences but its always a concern.

Posted: August 12, 2013

We have been at Yu Ying for 2 years with our oldest, and our 2nd is starting PreK-4 soon. Overall, the school is great. In fact, we can't move outside of DC because we don't know where to find a better school for the kiddos. How to improve: most of the teachers are young and relatively inexperienced. This is common in charters, but seems exacerbated among the Chinese staff. We had a problem with multiple Chinese teachers during the school year, which was worrisome to parents. The administration handled it well, holding a parent meeting, and laid out a strategy to prevent this problem in the future. In response to other reviews: 1) Yes, the parent association's listserv is intense / annoying, but you don't have to subscribe to stay involved. The school connects with parents regularly through email / parent web site. 2) I think the school runs the risk of inducing fundraising fatigue at times. But the only "mandatory" giving is a 1-time fee of $100/student for school supplies (saving you from buying them yourself), all other giving is optional. We generally don't use aftercare and pack our kids' lunches, but on the occasions we've used these services, the fee is appropriate.

Posted: March 10, 2013

Yu Ying has been a wonderful experience for us. My daughter (PreK4) comes in every day singing new songs and sharing new words. She loves learning Mandarin, and the full-immersion experience has been so much fun. I was initially concerned that a public school would not offer enough of an academic challenge to a very bright, high-scoring child, but the second language really has me sold. I am so happy about everything: teachers, language, facility, student cohort, families/community - it's hard to believe a school like this is free.

Posted: August 26, 2012

In reponse to the parent on August 23rd. I have no idea where you have been sending your child I find many of the things that the poster on August 22nd stated to be true. However, I do believe that the administration and teachers want the children to excel, I believe that they arent aware of how to effectively implement policy in a way that provides guidance but desnt alientate its parents. They have a tough time with being friendly and receive a low low score in this area. Additionally, the school is suffering from low test scores, because they simply dont do enough to help the children. And anything that is added or offered is always at a ost. This is a very money hungry school and it shows through their cost for After-School Care, their penalty for late-pick-ups, their costs for School Supplies, Cost for PTA fees... The list goes on.. Parents dont want to participate becasue they know that Yu Ying is always trying to make a dollar.. Good School, Great potential.. Administration needs to be gutted..

Posted: August 22, 2012

In response to the post from a parent on 8/22. Clearly our kids are in different schools. I love that the administrators and others kids are part of the school. It shows they are vested. I'm surprised that someone told you not to drop in to meet with the teachers or administration. I drop in regularly and my sons teachers have my cell phone number to call me anytime. The school is not perfect. I think some of the teachers are less experienced then I might prefer. The test scores need to improve. The email list can be viscous - I think this is more about who we've become as people then the school. (Checkout some other parenting email lists and you'll see what I mean.)

Posted: August 21, 2012

Did the administration write all of these reviews because this doesn't appear to be the same school that my son attends. First, the administration is not accessible. You have to send emails (as the preferred communication) and can never just walk in and simply meet with and talk to the administration or your child's teacher. Second, the parents are absolutely, certifiable crazy! I have never met a group of obnoxious people. They use a parent portal to communicate. If you post a comment on the portal and a parent doesn't agree with it, you will be attacked, threatened and/or bullied. Third, the administration and parents have "clicks" and favorites. If you are not part of one, you are ostracized. Fourth, all of the administration's kids attend the school and they can do no wrong. However, if your child sneezes to loud, he is written up for disturbing others. Fifth, the principal's mother works the front desk. Sixth, when you need special accommodations for your child, the school's response is "this may not be the best school for your child." Last, they beg for money ALL the time and charge you for everything. Word of advice, don't believe all the bells and whistles.