The most fundamental change is the change of value. We cultivate the unique personality of each individual student according to the established American education philosophies. Thus, we would focus on developing the following values:

The idea of studying abroad has been around for only a short period of time but developed very fast. The burgeoning number of Chinese applicants and the underlying truth has been a hot issue for the American media. It was reported by Deerfield Academy and Hotchkiss School that the number of Chinese applicants has increased ten times. For example, in 2005-2006 school year, each of them only received less than 20 applications, but up to 2011-2012, it was over 200. If these Chinese students were all accepted, one third of the school population would be from China. “This has been an incredible growth explosion”, said Patricia, Dan of Admission and financial Aid at Deerfield Academy”. It then becomes much more difficult to understand Chinese students and their strengths, as there is cheating from time to time, and the language barrier. The cultural barriers added even more complexity to it. “I cannot understand these Chinese applicants the same way as I understand the Americans”, said Patricia. This is a tough situation they are facing: as the applicant number grows rapidly, cases of cheating grow too. In this case, how do they obtain reliable information? Admissions officers at Deerfield High School said that they would pay more effort on direct personal communication with Chinese applicants, such as interviews and informal e-mail communications. “Every aspect of performance must be consistent with who the applicant truly is”, said JJ Briones, Associate Dean of Admissions at Deerfield Academy. This is also what we are working on with the students, to dig out each student’s unique personality and charms with a genuine heart.
[Read Full Article: "Our Characteristics"] (In Chinese)

For each student, we will appoint three teachers--a senior expert counselor, a teacher from China, and an assistant counselor—to help with school selection, application process, written documents and so forth. The teachers we selected for the students often show a good combination of various areas of specialties: such as sports, in conjunction with music and academics. They can be seen as living encyclopedias, professional in every aspect concerning application. However, instead of following the students everywhere and making them do things, these teachers tend to provide general guidance and let students participate and do by themselves. Only in this way can the teachers be a good resource and scaffolding for the students. At the same time, the assistant counselor and the teacher from China will also provide necessary help throughout the whole process. In order to ensure that every student receives the most individualized and complete consulting service, each counselor can only take care of around 15 students at a time.。

IvyLabs is famous for its high quality students and strict requirement on academic literacy. The organization originated in the Yale campus, so the team members are mostly graduates from Ivy League universities, who are alumni or previous deans of admissions in these private schools. Some are still working as admission interviewers currently. We have maintained a very good relationship with these schools and universities and receive a good reputation in the circle.

Ivy Labs has developed the following unique educational methods and learning strategies and plans for our students: 【Early Stage Planning】， 【’Ten-steps’ Method for Successful Application】， 【“Ivy Bridge” for Young Chinese students】and 【Continuing Guardianship and Academic Advising】 Under this framework, students’ potentials can be maximized, and they would experience successful transition to the high school learning phase. Meanwhile, our teamwork model can greatly improve the effectiveness of the implementation of our education programs.

• [Read Full Article: "Our Unique Approach"] In Chinese
• Private Secondary School Service Flow Chart (In Chinese)

【Early Stage Planning】

Ivy Labs has various education plans and programs catering for the needs of the students and their parents to help them get into their dream schools. These projects are interrelated and mutually complementary and reinforcing, allowing students to stand on a higher starting point in the process of applying to the university in the future, to be closer to a more ideal school. [Read More About "Early Stage Planning"] (In Chinese)

【’Ten-step’ Method for Successful Application】

In secondary school preparation and application process, experts in Ivy Labs have researched and concluded a "ten-step” method for students and parents to reference and implement. We would provide a well-trained and experienced team to help each student tailor-make their own learning process in these series. Through the use of ten-step method, students will be improved in various aspects, including time management, long-term planning and training, as well as short-term decision-making and strategy development. At the same time, our team will collaborate with these teenage students to demonstrate to the admissions committee their personal study plan and their life goals. Apart from these, we also give advice on how to plan extracurricular activities in order to help students stand out from the many applicants. [Read More About "Ten Steps Method"] (IIn Chinese)

【“Ivy Bridge” Program for Young Chinese Students】

First of all, congratulations! The launching of this program means that your child has been officially admitted by his/her dream high school already! However, due to the huge difference in educational systems in the US and China, students with a Chinese educational background may find it challenging to adapt to the academic study and culture in American high schools. Based on years of research and practice, we have developed a program—Ivy Bridge, specifically for young Chinese students preparing to study abroad. Here we aim at providing a clear picture of life and study in the US for these young students with expectations, so that they can be bridged during this transitional period. This allows them to obtain the necessary skills to survive and grow in the high school, and to learn to adapt to American high school life in advance. [Read More About “Ivy Bridge” Program for Young Chinese Students] (In Chinese)

【Continuing Guardianship and Academic Advising】

We treat every our secondary school student as of our own family member. Once they been accepted to their favorite private schools, we will continue provide these students with our support to ensure that they will have smooth transition to a completely new environment, new education style, and new life; to ensure that they can be more independent, to ensure they will succeed both academically and personally; to ensure they are fully prepared for challenges and, ultimately, success! Our continuing support includes but not limited to new student survival guidance; acting on behavior of parents to communicate with schools; break and holiday arrangements; emergency and disaster management and communicating with parents; course selection advisory and academic tutoring. [Read More About "Continuing Guardianship and Academic Advising"] (In Chinese)