Academics - Overview

Fei Tian Academy of the Arts provides a rigorous academic program that prepares students for post-secondary education. Students at Fei Tian complete all the basic New York State requirements in (i) English, (ii) Social Studies, (iii) Science (Life Sciences and Physical Sciences), (iv) Mathematics, (v) Visual Arts, Music, Dance, and Theatre, (vi) Health Education, and (vii) Physical Education. Wherever applicable, the state-recommended syllabi for public schools are used as guidelines. 

Besides the standard New York State requirements, students are also required to complete additional electives selected from foreign languages, fine arts, and the humanities. Special emphasis is placed on traditional Chinese history, culture, and arts. Fei Tian Academy of the Arts has a number of additional artistic and advanced coursework requirements for graduation.

 

Additional Art Courses

Our additional art courses are courses intended for students who have successfully completed the basic academic courses or the equivalent.

Elective Courses for the Dance Program:

  • Music for Dancers
  • Introductory Fine Arts
  • Performing and Acting
  • Computer Art Design 
  • Technical Theater

Elective Courses for the Music Program:

  • Music Fundamentals
  • Solfège
  • Music Appreciation
  • Chinese Music (folk and opera)
  • Introductory Fine Arts
  • Computer Art Design 
  • Performing and Acting
  • Technical Theater

 

 

Language and Cultural Instruction

 

All students at Fei Tian Academy of the Arts are required to complete courses in Chinese language and culture, regardless of their prior background in Chinese. These are beginning, intermediate, and advanced level courses in Chinese language, and a two-semester course in Chinese History.

Additionally, ESL (English as a Second Language) is offered to students whose native language is not English. Students who are determined by entrance assessments to be in need of additional English instruction are required to attend ESL courses.

Curriculum Areas

 

Fei Tian Academy of the Arts consists of an Intermediate School and a High School. The Intermediate School prepares students for High School. Fei Tian employs a yearly credit system: one unit (course credit) represents an accumulated length of study equivalent to one instructional period (45 minutes) per day, five days a week, for the duration of one school year.

Intermediate School Levels: There are three intermediate levels. The following courses are required each year:

  • English language arts (1 unit)
  • Social studies (1 unit)
  • Chinese language and culture (1 unit)
  • Mathematics (1 unit)
  • Science (1 unit)
  • Health, physical education, and family and consumer sciences (1 unit)
  • Physical education (2 units)
  • Library and information skills (1/2 unit)
  • Arts (at least 3 units); not part of the academic program at Fei Tian

High School Levels: There are four levels of high school study. These classes are designed to meet or exceed New York State high school requirements:

  • English language arts (4 units)
  • Social studies (4 units)
  • Science (3 units)
  • Mathematics (3 units)
  • Health education (1/2 unit)
  • Physical education (2 units)
  • Chinese language and culture (4 units)
  • Electives (2 units)
  • Arts (at least 12 units); not part of the academic program at Fei Tian

 

Physical, Health, and Safety Education

A unique feature of the health and physical education at Fei Tian is our emphasis on developing students’ knowledge, skills, and habits in order to maintain a healthy body, mind, and spirit.  Students learn to develop a healthy and responsible lifestyle and maintain a safe environment. They also learn to manage their personal and community resources as responsible citizens.

Included in the safety classes are highway safety and traffic regulations, fire drills, fire/arson prevention, and the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse. The importance of conserving natural resources is also taught.

Physical education is required for all grade levels. Through physical education, students acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to establish and maintain physical fitness, participate in physical activity, and maintain personal health. A daily Falun Dafa exercise routine helps students tone their bodies and helps them tackle their busy schedules without feeling stress.

Chinese and English Language Instruction
As part of Fei Tian’s unique bilingual educational philosophy, teaching materials are provided in both English and Chinese where appropriate. For example, in a social studies or science class that is normally taught in Chinese, students will be given supplementary texts in English. In a Mathematics class, major concepts are explained in both English and Chinese. In addition, incoming ESL students in the Intermediate School are mainstreamed into English social studies classes to help them master academic English skills.

Talented and Gifted Students

At Fei Tian, talented and gifted (TAG) students who master a subject more quickly than their classmates will be exposed to some of the material covered by the next grade. For example, math TAG students in intermediate school might take the equivalent of a high-school-level algebra course. Elective and Advanced Education courses are also provided for TAG students in high school.

Advanced Elective courses cover subjects in English, History, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Art. Students are encouraged to take national Advanced Placement (AP) exams after completing the Advanced Elective courses.  Passing AP exams allows students to earn college-level credits that are accepted by most universities in the U.S.

Fei Tian also offers a number of honors courses that prepare students for SAT Subject exams, including:

  • Biology II
  • Physics II
  • Pre-Calculus
  • Global History II
  • U.S. History II