Beijing No.4 High School

Beijing No. 4 High School is one of the oldest schools in Beijing. Its predecessor Shuntian Secondary School (顺天中学堂) was founded in 1906 by the Shuntian Government. Along with a few other primary and secondary schools established, the Qing government nullified the imperial examination system and commenced a more institutional system on academic studies and education as a result of the Hundred Days' Reform.

Entrance to the Capital Public No. 4 Secondary School in 1915

Memorial for alumni killed in World War II and Civil War

During the Republic of China (ROC) period, the Capital Department of Education Affairs (京师学务局) exercised jurisdiction over the school and renamed it Capital Public No. 4 Secondary School (京师公立第四中学) on September 29, 1912, which is thus the anniversary commemorated until today.

The May Fourth Movement of 1919 involved representative students from the school to parade and assemble at Tiananmen. After the city was invaded in 1939 by Japan, the school was mandated to conduct education of enslavement by Japan. The surrender of Japan in 1945 ended enslaved education, and the ROC government took over, with Sun Lubin (孙鹿宾) being principal. At that time, the secret service of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) had been developing secret CCP members within the school.

In 1945, alumni from Tsinghua University, Yenching University and Peiyang University who argued against the Chinese Civil War propagated their ideas to Senior Grade 3 students in an auditorium in the Beijing No.4 High School. When the local police arrived and besieged the auditorium, a conflict with the students broke out, with several students injured by bayonet. The police then bound the alumni. The Mayor of Peking, He Siyuan, dispatched personnel to unbind them and apologized to the students.

From late 1948 to early 1949, the school was forced to cease its teaching and suspend classes when the Kuomintang army occupied the school, turned its buildings and campus into barracks to fight against CCP in the Chinese Civil War.

The Communist Party assumed control of the city on January 31, 1949. On March 15, the Beijing Military Management Commission (北京市军管会) sent Li Fusheng (李复生) to take over the school as principal. In April 1949, it set a Youth League branch and a Communist Party branch, and established a students union. It was at this time that the school was renamed to Beijing No.4 High School (北京市第四中学).

Teachers and students from Beijing No.4 High School attended the founding ceremony of the PRC

The Department of International Students was established in 2002. Since then, international students from at least 25 countries including Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Australia and Canada started to enroll in Beijing No.4 High School.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) sent an evaluating delegation to inspect Beijing in February 2001. The No.4 High School was the only educational organ that received the evaluating committee. It was believed to have contributed to the success of Beijing in the 2008 Summer Olympics bidding.

On August 6, 2007, IOC President Jacques Rogge visited the school and delivered a speech there.[7][8]

CCP General Secretary and PRC President Jiang Zemin paid a visit to the school on November 7, 1995.[9] Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited the school on September 4, 2007, and expressed his wish for the school to become a world class one.[10]

On August 7, 2008, the day before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, the school was visited by the wife of IOC President Jacques Rogge, Anne Rogge and other foreign guests.[11]

On May 5, 2011, NBA player Roy Hibbert of Indiana Pacers visited the school as a part of the NBA Cares program. Roy Hibbert taught students some basketball tactics and skills.[12]

Beijing No.4 High School Library

Historically, Shun Tian Secondary School (顺天中学堂) was situated in Wanping Senior Primary School (宛平高等小学堂) Capital Houku (京师后库) (Houku, Xicheng District, Beijing). The very old campus had been renovated and rebuilt many times, while the site was not changed. It occupied 65,733 m², of which the playground occupied 27,067 m², including basketball courts, tennis courts, football pitch, and volleyball courts. On the campus, there were around 1,500 trees and flowers in approximately 100 kinds. It also had a botanical garden where crops grown and a well pavilion.

A pavilion on campus

Observatory of Beijing No.4 High School

Principal's office of Beijing No.4 High School

The school was refurbished[13] in 1983 and it was shrunk to an area of 4.26 hectares.[13] The new campus was designed by architect Huang Hui.[14][13]

This four story building contains mostly classrooms, which are shaped in hexagons instead of rectangles. The design considerations include making the students feel less crowded and allowing the students at the side to view the blackboard with a smaller angle.[13]

The old principal's office (老校长室) is built in the style of ancient Chinese architectures. The 6-floor Technology Building has laboratories for chemistry, physics, biology, and computer sciences. On the sixth floor, there is an observatory for astronomy clubs. The Administration Building, built in 2007, has offices for teachers and staff and conference or meeting rooms, as well as a cafeteria and an auditorium. A build for music and art classes, a small clinic and dormitories can also be found on campus. The library holds roughly 170,000 books, 400 types of journals and magazines, 40 newspaper collections, 8000 optical discs and 2000 recording tapes.[15]

The school has a standard 400-meter running track, with two volleyball courts, six basketball courts and various gymnastic and other track and field facilities. There's also an indoor gymnasium and a swimming pool. Rooms for martial arts, ballet dance, table tennis and other sports are also found on campus.

The corridor from Main Building to Technology Building is one of the more notable characteristics in Beijing No.4 High School.

The Junior High Campus (or Beihai Park Campus) is located several blocks away from the Main Campus. It is adjacent to Beihai Park. It used to be the site of Beihai Middle School, which merged with Beijing No.4 High School in 2005.

International Campus (or Business Street Campus) of Beijing No.4 High School (commonly abbreviated as BHSFIC) has been the home of BHSF's oversea classes since 2012. It is a small campus located on the Business Street of Xicheng District, Beijing. Students of this campus are registered as a part of the student body of Main Campus. There is a 3-year AP Program available at this campus. Most students who graduate from this campus attend colleges abroad.

Shunyi Campus is a branch school of Beijing No.4 High School located in Shunyi, a district of Beijing. It has a huge campus (230 acres) and runs both junior and senior high school programs. Usually, however, this school is only considered as an affiliated school to BHSF administrated by the same school officials. Students there are not usually considered as a part of the student body of Main Campus, for their admission requirements and scores are different from those in Main Campus.

Opened in 2014, the Fangshan Campus is the newest campus of Beijing No.4 High School. It is located in Fangshan, a satellite town outside of central Beijing. Buildings and facilities in this campus are totally environmental friendly. Similar to the Shunyi Campus, Fangshan Campus is usually considered as an affiliated school to BHSF.

The Hohhot Campus of Beijing No.4 High School is the only BHSF branch campus that is not in Beijing Municipality. Instead, it is in the city of Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia. It is a high school ran by the local government of Hohhot but working on a very deep integration with Beijing No.4 High School. This campus opened in 2012, and it became one of the best and most reputable high schools in Inner Mongolia only after two years.

Beijing No.4 Online School is a distance education platform of Beijing No.4 High School. It combines technology and education resources which connect teachers and students in No. 4 High School and others elsewhere. Beijing No.4 Online School offers countrywide online courses to students in elementary schools and high schools. It is an open platform with rich resources.

Beijing No.4 High School is one of the first schools in China that offers different mathematics and English classes to different students according to their academic performances. In International Science Olympiad, students from this school have won 7 gold medals, 3 silver medals and 1 bronze medal. The school also has talent program called Daoyuan class.

Beijing No.4 High School is known for its high average score in National Higher Education Entrance Examinations. Its average score is higher than most other high schools in Beijing. Every year, about forty percent of students from this high school could be admitted by Peking University and Tsinghua University, the two best universities in China. A larger portion of students will attend other highly ranked institutes including schools in the elite C9 League. Some students will be accepted by top institutes in Hong Kong as well as highly reputable and ranked universities or liberal art colleges in the United States, Canada and Europe.

All students are required to take all core courses of 14 subjects, including Chinese Literature, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, English, History, Political Sciences, Geography, Musicology, Fine Arts, Basic Engineering Skills, Computer Science and Physical Education. In the second year of senior high school, students will be divided into two groups based on their interests and career plans. Liberal-arts oriented students need to complete more courses in history, politics (including Philosophy, Economics and Political Sciences) and geography, while science-and-engineering oriented students need to take more credits in mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics. Besides, one research project is required for each academic year, and additional required internships or volunteer activities should be completed. Specifically, all students have to pass the swimming-skill test before graduation. Training and exercises in military, agriculture and business are usually required.

In addition to those required courses, students need to take one elective course every semester. Topics of those elective courses vary widely, including but not limited to film study, classical music, history of World War II, poetry, fashion design, photographing, industrial engineering, programming, 3D cartoon design, interior design, cooking, ancient Chinese, quantum physics, psychology, historical geography, GIS, mineralogy, guitar performance, harmonica, French language, mass media, economics, modeling and dissection.

Beijing No.4 High School regards Physical Education as one of the most important part of high school curriculum. From the first day of class till the day before graduation, it requires all students to take at least one hour PE class every day. The winter-day long-distance race is a tradition of this school. The PE classes are also divided into required ones and elective ones. The required classes are gymnastic, track and field, martial arts, basketball, swimming and sports theories; elective courses include upper levels of previous ones and soccer, volleyball, table tennis, baseball, fitness and Bridge Card. Noticeably, as mentioned above, all students must pass swimming test before graduation. During the three-year period, most students are also required to take part in a 2-week military training and several field trips and field trainings to build up their perseverance, confidence, leadership and teamwork skills.

Beijing No.4 High School has several varsity teams including soccer, basketball, swimming and martial arts. The basketball program at this high school is a powerhouse and they have won the championship of national high school basketball tournaments 4 times since 1998.

Up to 2013, there are 24 student organizations at Beijing No.4 High School with various focuses, including:

• Archaeology Society
• Hip-Pop Society
• Ballet Society
• The Society of Debate
• The Club of Sciences and Technology
• Literature Society
• Orchestra (Now chamber music club)
• Drama Society
• The Choir
• Philanthropy Society
• Rock music society
• Astronomy Society
• The Society of Chinese Classics
• The IC A Capella Group
• Model United Nations
• Club of history book reading
• Basketball team
• Martial Arts team
• Hockey team
• Club of Kickboxing
• Society of cards and chess
• Marketing Educational Series for Entrepreneurs program
• Society of psychology
• literature society LiuShi流石文学社

• The calligraphic title Beijing Sizhong (北京四中, literally Beijing No.4 High School ) was inscribed by Guo Moruo.
• The school emblem features the Old Gate built in 1929.
• The school anthem Song of Hope and Ideal is composed by composer Shi Guangnan.
• On every May Fourth Day's night, there are Evening Parties of Lights on campus.
• On every late of December, there are Dancing Parties on campus as celebration for the New Year. Every students have to find their own partners and dressed up to come to the party.
• The old version of school uniform has a nickname Penguin, for it has white background with dark-blue sleeves which make it looks like a penguin. However, the old version of school uniform was replaced by Japanese and Korean styled new version in 2010.

Wang Daoyuan was the first principal of Beijing No.4 High School. His admonishment to first students is curved on a glacial gravel and placed on campus:

You need to know that you are born to stand on your own feet, and to advocate and follow moral behaviors. If you act charitably to others, you can harvest respect and support. However, if you greedily affiliate with power and authority, eventually you will be in trouble, so never do that. It is your knowledge base rather than others' power that will help you the most. You are not able to obtain knowledge without real-life practice. Nowadays, many scholars and students are always afraid that no one will discover their talent and promote them, but few really think of contributing their skills to their communities. I think they are on a wrong way. Learning will be endless, so will the community service be, and that is why one should never stop exploring new things. People without moral excellence cannot get this idea, neither can those vulgar playboys. Now you are in your best ages, and you are dreaming big. Will you choose to be people who will make great contribution to the community and society? Or just to be some of those vulgar ones? You have to think twice. Go and find it!

A stone inscribed with Wang Daoyuan's admonishment

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•  Singapore Singapore NUS High School[16]
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•  South Korea Seoul Seoul Science High School[16]
•  Republic of China Taipei Taipei First Girls' High School[16]
•  Republic of China Taipei Taipei Municipal Jianguo High School[16]
•  Republic of China Taichung Ming-Dao High School[16]
•  Republic of China Taipei Taipei Municipal Zhongshan Girls High School[16]
•  Republic of China Taipei Taipei Wego Private Senior High School[16]
•  Ireland Dublin Blackrock College[16]

• Fang Lizhi, an astrophysicist and prominent dissident.
• Feng Yuanzheng, a scientist and professor at California Institute of Technology, regarded as the founding figure of bioengineering, tissue engineering, and the "Founder of Modern Biomechanics"
• Yu Fuchun, the former chair and professor at Department of Physics at Peking University.
• Tu Chuanyi, a Chinese Academy of Sciences academician in earth and spatial sciences. Professor at Peking University.
• Zhang Zhaoxi, a Chinese Academy of Sciences academician in physics.
• Shi Yaolin, a Chinese Academy of Sciences academician in earth sciences; professor at University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
• Hao Bolin, a Chinese Academy of Sciences academician in physics.
• Hu Peicheng, a psychologist and professor at Peking University
• Mao Erke, a scientist in radar and information technology. Professor at Beijing Institute of Technology.
• Ding Weiyue, a Chinese Academy of Sciences academician in math. Professor at Peking University.
• Wang Zhuang, vice chief designer of Shenzhou Spaceship.
• Zhong Binglin, former president of Beijing Normal University; professor in mechanical engineering at Southeast University
• Wang Chongyu, a Chinese Academy of Sciences academician in physics. A professor at Tsinghua University.
• Ding Guoyu, a famous scholar in geology and geophysics. Chinese Academy of Sciences academician.
• Wang Wencai, a Chinese Academy of Sciences academician in biology.
• Liu Guangzhi, a mining technician at Chinese Academy of Engineering
• Wang Chengmin, a geoscientist and seismologist, formerly at China Earthquake Administration
• Ma Wenyuan, a mathematician and professor at Beijing Normal University
• Wu Yansheng, a rocket designer; president of China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology
• Chen Shihua, an engineer in water conservancy and professor at Tongji University and Peking University
• Li Yupei, a mathematician and professor at Capital Normal University, known as a popular science writer
• Xia Zhengkai, a geologist, geographer and professor at Peking University
• Wang Siyuan, a biologist and professor at Yale School of Medicine

• Li Ao, a Taiwanese writer, social commentator, historian, and independent politician[17]
• Wang Meng, a writer; previously the vise president of Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China[18]
• Bei Dao, a prominent Misty Poet and a dissident.
• Feng Zhi, a poet and writer
• Ngapoi Jigme, former president at Radio Free Asia
• Yu Dan, known for her popular retelling of Confucianism and other ancient Chinese philosophies.
• Zhou Xiaozheng, a famous socialist and professor at Renmin University
• Li Yiyun, a writer and professor at University of California, Davis.
• Cong Weixi, a famous writer
• Shen Zhihua, a historian researching on cold war; a professor at East China Normal University and a guest lecturer at Chinese University of Hong Kong.
• Zhang Shunjiang, the very first Chinese professor in sciences of decision making. Professor at University of Science and Technology of China. Visiting professor at New York University.
• Fu Yang, the vice chair of All China Lawyers Association
• Li Qiang, professor and chair of School of Social Sciences at Tsinghua University. Visiting scholar at Bristol University and University of Michigan.
• Dai Shihe, a painter; the chair of the Department of Oil Painting at China Central Academy of Fine Arts
• Zhang Taisu, a professor at Yale Law School
• He Fangchuan, a historian and professor at Peking University
• Li Qiang, a scholar in social science and professor at Tsinghua University
• Zhang Xiaoshan, the director of Rural Area Development programs at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

• Yu Zhengsheng, a politician; former member of Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party
• Liu Yushan, a politician; the Secretary-General of the Executive Yuan in 2005-2007.
• Bo Xilai, a former Chinese politician; On 22 September 2013, Bo was found guilty of corruption, stripped of all his assets, and sentenced to life imprisonment.
• Ma Kai, a politician, formerly a State Councilor and Secretary General of the State Council of China[18]
• Ling Qing, former Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations (1980-1985)
• Wang Kunlun, a Chinese politician and co-founder of the Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang
• Liu Yuan, a Chinese politician and serviceman; previously the vise commander of Chengdu Military Region[18]
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• Qiao Zonghuai, former vice president of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in China
• Jiang Xiaoyu, previously represented in Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
• Chen Yuan, the former Vice Chairperson of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference; Head of China Development Bank
• Luo Shiqian, the former Party Secretary of Shanghai
• Zhang Xuesong, Deputy Chief of the Intellectual Property Division of Beijing Municipal High People's Court
• He Pengfei, Lieutenant general of the Navy in the People's Liberation Army; son of He Long
• Chen Haosu, former chairman of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries
• Tao Xiping, member of National People's Congress Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee
• Nie Dajiang, president of Lanzhou University; former vice chief minister in Publicity Department of the Chinese Communist Party
• Geng Shuang, a politician, formerly the deputy director of the Foreign Ministry Information Department of China
• Xu Xiaoyan, Lieutenant general of the People's Liberation Army, official in the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission
• Yang Dongming, Lieutenant general of the People's Liberation Army Air Force
• Sun Yinbai, a celebrated translator with the Flying Tigers during the World War II

• Xie Fei, a film director; notable films include Black Snow and Woman Sesame Oil Maker.
• Chen Kaige, a film director; notable films include Farewell My Concubine, Together, The Promise and Caught in the Web.[18]
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• Gao Xiaosong, a songwriter, musician, and talk show host[18]
• Zhang Lu, a famous soccer game commentator. Vise chair of board at Beijing Guoan F.C.
• Shu Chang, an actress who played roles in Xiaozhuang Mishi, The Story of a Noble Family, Huang Taizi Mishi, Lian Cheng Jue, Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils and Royal Tramp.
• Liu Yushan, an artist; chief editor at Central Fine Arts Publishing House
• Han Maofu, international referee of basketball
• Wu Jing, an actor who played roles in the Wolf Warrior series, The Sacrifice, The Climbers, and The Wandering Earth
• Wang Weiguo, an actor and winner of Plum Blossom Prize
• Ya Ning, a TV host in China Central Television

• Yu Xiaoyi, financial analyst, and investment banker turned venture capitalist[19]
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• Qin Xiao, president of China Merchants Bank