If you thought the OCAC campus would be quiet over the summer, think again.
Flipping through this month's photo album, we found every kind of expression you can imagine—
Kindergarteners squinting in the sunlight, proudly holding up their cyanotype prints. Middle schoolers in the lab, scalpels in hand, half nervous and half curious as they searched for a frog's sciatic nerve. By the pool, a child resting at the edge after a long swim, a hint of pride tugging at the corner of their mouth.
Flip a few more pages and the scene shifts outdoors: a young golfer on the course, gripping the club with bated breath; a girl on horseback, body taut, focused and steady as she approaches the next jump.
This July, the OCAC community was anything but quiet.
01
Summer Break, Time to Grow Free
90% English Immersion, 100% Joy
Summer mornings in the OCAC Kindergarten start with a high-five from the foreign teacher at the door.
This year, we launched a "mini study-abroad" model—foreign teachers leading the class all day, with English making up 90% of the language environment.
In Session 1, "Nature Explorers," children built treehouses like little architects, chased light and color in the shadow lab, and roamed the lakeside collecting natural treasures. Every day was a new chance to run, discover, and ask questions in the great outdoors.
In Session 2, "Heritage Creators," little hands learned cyanotype, tried tie-dye, and used 3D pens to draw blue-and-white porcelain patterns—all while practicing how to tell these Chinese stories in English.
From exploring nature to preserving culture, from physical challenges to artistic creation—every day this summer brought something new.
Four Weeks of Real Depth
The Primary School summer program focused on "four-dimensional deep growth."
For four consecutive weeks, children dove into English reading, STEAM, art, and PE—not just scratching the surface, but going deep in every area.
English reading, led by foreign teachers, built critical thinking through chapter books. STEAM classes used project-based learning to blend science, engineering, and art—from blueprints to models, completing the full project cycle. Art connected with PYP inquiry units, encouraging free expression through a variety of media. And PE went beyond swimming to include ball sports and team games.
Twice a week, off-campus social practice trips extended learning far beyond the classroom. At OCAC, "balance and integration" isn't just a slogan—it's how we learn.
The Teens Who Impressed a Harvard Professor
One of the brightest highlights of the month: the Global Academician Public Benefit Innovation Camp, hosted on the OCAC campus in mid-July.
Over eight days, dozens of selected middle school students from across the country dove into cognitive science with Harvard Professor Engert, studying neural mechanisms, animal navigation research, and model optimization.
At the final presentation, each team presented their experimental designs in English. Professor Engert was full of praise: "Your engagement and critical thinking are on par with—and in some cases even surpass—the undergraduates I teach at Harvard."
For some, this was their first taste of interdisciplinary inquiry. For others, it was learning to really listen in a team. And for many, it was the first time they dared to ask, "Why not try a different approach?"
The professor handed out certificates at the closing ceremony—and in that moment, the camera captured not just an honor, but the spark of confidence ignited by real research.
A Career Lesson Inside a Chip Factory
The best career exploration doesn't always happen in a textbook.
In early July, our secondary students visited Suzhou Keyang Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
After donning cleanroom suits and passing through an air shower, they stood at the observation window and watched the full chip packaging process for the first time. Over 300 interconnected steps—any mistake at any stage, and the entire wafer is scrapped. Suddenly, the phrase "precision manufacturing" had real weight.
During the Q&A session afterward, students learned that behind "China's chips" lies a delicate interplay of technology, business, and supply chains.
This visit was made possible through OCAC's parent talent network—a powerful resource of over 300 highly educated families, half of whom hold advanced degrees. It's another example of OCAC's commitment to "career exposure, early and real."
02
Hard Work Makes Summer Shine
Double Gold on the Golf Course
At the 21st Jiangsu Provincial Games Youth Golf Tournament, two OCAC students who have been with us since kindergarten—Rene Wang and Rayson Xiao—delivered outstanding performances.
Rene, about to enter Grade 8, advanced to the finals tied for first after the first round. Despite some early mistakes in the finals, he regained his composure, steadily made up ground, and ultimately secured team gold and individual silver.
Eleven-year-old Rayson, already a seasoned competitor, claimed team gold in the boys' Group C and placed second individually. He has won over a dozen medals to date, including a dramatic playoff-winning "birdie" at the Buick National Junior Elite Tournament.
Golf has taught them more than technique—it's taught them to stay calm under pressure and rise after setbacks.
Equestrian Spirit: Clearing Barriers, Overcoming Self
At the Provincial Games Equestrian Competition in late July, two OCAC girls also stepped onto the podium.
Maggie, a National Level 1 Athlete, has stood on podiums across domestic and international equestrian events over the years. Despite multiple falls and injuries, she never gave up. At this year's Provincial Games, she claimed bronze in the 100–105 cm category (Group A) and placed eighth in the competitive 120 cm final.
On the other side of the arena, Hazel didn't have a smooth start—a long takeoff at the first jump caused her to lose her reins for at least three seconds. But she quickly shook off the pressure, went all in, picked up speed through the second half, and fought her way back to bronze in the 100–105 cm category (Group B).
Two students, two different paths, but one shared conclusion: at OCAC, sport is never an "extra"—it's a core pillar of holistic education. The resilience to return after injury, the courage to let go after mistakes—these qualities are worth far more than any medal.
The Stage Never Disappoints Those Who Step Up
At the 2026 "Star of Hope" English Speaking Competition Jiangsu Provincial Finals, OCAC students shone bright.
Pu Jinchen, Chen Haochen, Wang Xuanling, and Wang Kelaimeng all won top prizes. Sixteen others, including Yuan Changyi, Lin Xinni, and Lin Weitong, received first-place awards, with dozens more earning second and third-place honors.
The winners' list is long—but what's even longer is the accumulation of effort behind each name. At OCAC, English is more than a subject—it's a tool for learning and for making sense of the world. And true language competence isn't measured by awards alone—it's the confidence to stand on any stage, and speak with ease.
You've been running forward, and behind you, the campus has been quietly getting better too.
This summer, the school made a significant investment in dozens of renovation projects—the theater, academic buildings, cafeteria, gymnasium, dormitories, outdoor activity areas, and more. Workers are pushing through the summer heat, turning every line on the blueprints into reality, one step at a time.
When you push open the school gates this September, you'll find that your campus has quietly leveled up.
Your Summer, What's in Your Frame?
Where have you been this summer? What did you do? What new skills did you learn?
We'd love to see your summer highlights—a beautiful scene from your travels, a book that moved you, a courageous first attempt, or a small but heartwarming story.
Scan the QR code and share your summer moments with us. We'll pick some of the best stories to feature in an upcoming post. All selected contributors will receive a special OCAC cultural gift pack.（Deadline for submissions: August 24, 2026.）
