Shanghai Xingzhi High School
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| Shanghai Xingzhi High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
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99 Ziqing Road, Baoshan District, Shanghai 201900 | |
| Coordinates | 31°24′18″N 121°29′49″E / 31.405°N 121.497°E |
| Information | |
| Other name | 上海市行知中学 |
| Type | Public Senior High School |
| Motto | Among all teachings, the most important is to teach people to seek the truth; among all learnings, the most important is to learn to be a genuine person.[1] |
| Established | July 1939 |
| Founder | Tao Xingzhi |
| Principal | Shen, Wei |
| Staff | 130 |
| Grades | Three-year system (Year 1, Year 2, Year 3) |
| Number of students | Approximately 1,200 (2019) |
| Area | About 21.5 acres |
| Website | https://school.bsedu.org.cn/xzhs/ |
Shanghai Xingzhi High School, The predecessor was[2]the Yucai School, founded in Chongqing in 1939 by educator Tao Xingzhi. The school is located near Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal.
School History
[edit]Republic of China Period（1939—1949）
[edit]The predecessor of the school was Yucai School, founded by educator Tao Xingzhi in July 1939[3]The original site was located in Beiquan, a suburb of Chongqing, the provisional capital of the Republic of China. The school opened on July 20th,[4]with Tao Xingzhi personally serving as the first principal. In early August, the school moved to Gusheng Temple in Caoshijie, Hechuan County. It later relocated to Hongyan Village in early 1946.[3].During the war, Tao Xingzhi selected over 150 children, aged six to fifteen, from fifteen provinces who had fled to the rear and were residing in various orphanages. These children were chosen for their exceptional talents.[5]The establishment of the school received significant attention and support from the Southern Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, led by Zhou Enlai. [6].Tao Xingzhi and Lu Ziying (Director of the Beibei Experimental District)[7]also invited renowned figures such as Feng Yuxiang, Shao Lizi, Zou Taofen, and Wu Yuzhang to give special lectures at the school, quickly increasing its reputation.[8].Zhou Enlai personally visited Yucai to meet with the teachers and students, inscribing the words, "Each generation surpasses the previous one." Leaders of the Republic of China government, including Chiang Kai-shek and Chen Cheng, also visited the school, which was effectively managed by the Chinese Communist Party, in 1943, and gave it positive evaluations. [6].The school's activities were reported in the National Government-controlled newspapers "New Women's Movement Communications" and "Modern Women."[9]
The School in Chongqing
The teaching approach of Yucai School is different from that of typical schools, emphasizing both basic education and specialized education equally. Basic education includes mandatory cultural courses (fundamental courses) such as Chinese, mathematics, physics, chemistry, history, geography, English, philosophy, music, and physical education, taught according to different grade levels. Specialized education is organized based on students' talents, with specialized groups such as music, drama, literature, painting, and social science. Later, additional groups were established for natural science, dance, and general studies.[10][11]
The heads of the music group were He Luting and Fan Jisen, with other famous musicians such as Ren Guang, Ren Hong, Ma Sicong, and Xia Zhiqiu teaching. The heads of the drama group were Zhang Min and Qian Feng, with playwrights Shu Qiang and Shui Hua teaching successively. The literature group's heads were Wei Dongming and the renowned poet Ai Qing, who often leveraged his social connections to invite prominent literary figures in Chongqing to give lectures at the school. For example, Guo Moruo talked about current affairs and historical drama, Mao Dun discussed novels, Xia Yan lectured on drama, Shi Dongshan spoke about films, Feng Xuefeng talked about Lu Xun, Nie Gannu lectured on essays, Shao Quanlin, Hu Feng, and Ye Yiqun discussed literary theory, Cao Jinghua talked about Soviet literature, Yuan Shuibo lectured on satirical poetry, and Sha Mei spoke about Sichuan opera. The heads of the painting group were Chen Yanqiao and Liu Tiehua; Chen Yanqiao was a student of Lu Xun. Artists Zhang Wang, Wang Renfeng, Feng Zikai, and Hua Junwu also taught at the school. The head of the dance group was Dai Ailian, with renowned dance educators Wu Xiaobang and Sheng Jie as teachers. The head of the social science group was Sun Mingxun, and the head of the natural science group was Qu Zhongxiang.
Additionally, many prominent writers and intellectuals in Chongqing, such as Jian Bozan, He Qifang, Tian Han, Wu Yuzhang, Deng Chumin, Zhou Gucheng, Qin Bangxian, Sa Kongliao, Xu Chi, Yao Xueyin, Li Guoquan, and Lu Yi, also taught or gave lectures at the school.
The school also organized "Forest Lectures," inviting figures such as Guo Moruo, Xia Yan, Cao Jinghua, Liu Baiyu, Zhou Erfu, Shao Quanlin, Ai Wu, Ge Baoquan, Sha Ting, and Cheng Jinwu to give speeches.
Yucai School required teachers to "cultivate talents for the benefit of the entire nation, guide students to unite as seekers of truth, unite as conscious educators, unite as skilled workers, and unite as little soldiers resisting aggression." Unlike another aristocratic school in Chongqing, now known as "Chongqing Nankai High School," Principal Tao Xingzhi emphasized that Yucai School was not about cultivating "superior individuals" but "ordinary people" who would return to the common people and educate more of them, becoming a force for the people's progress.
Post-War Developments
After the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan, on April 11, 1946, Tao Xingzhi flew from Chongqing to Nanjing to prepare for the relocation of Yucai School and the establishment of Shanghai Social University. In mid-April, he visited Zhou Enlai in Meiyuan New Village, Nanjing, to discuss plans for relocating Yucai School to Shanghai. Tao Xingzhi arrived in Shanghai on April 18, 1946. Due to overwork, Tao Xingzhi suddenly passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage on July 25, 1946, in Shanghai, before the relocation plan could be initiated.
Relocation of Yucai School to Shanghai
After Tao Xingzhi's death, Vice Principal Ma Lvxian was unanimously elected by the school board to succeed him as the principal of Yucai School. In August of the same year, the school's academic director, Fang Yuyan, went to Shanghai to take over the relocation affairs. Shanghai businessman Zhao Zhulin, who admired Tao Xingzhi's enthusiasm for education, donated his garden and nine houses in Yuqing Bridge, Dachang Town (also known as Zhao's Garden), to Yucai School in April 1947.
From April to July 1947, various specialized groups of Yucai School moved to Shanghai in three batches, while the general group remained in Chongqing to establish Yucai School (Branch). Under Ma Lvxian's leadership, the relocated teachers and students in Shanghai continued Tao Xingzhi's legacy, operating the school in Zhao's Garden at Yuqing Bridge, Dachang, starting in May 1947. Meanwhile, the branch in Chongqing continued under the leadership of directors Guo Ping and Sun Mingxun, operating under the name of Yucai School.
Early Period of the People's Republic of China
[edit]In 1949, with the establishment of the People's Republic of China, Yucai School in Shanghai was transformed into a public school. The development of the school was directly guided by Dai Botao, the Director of the Shanghai Municipal Education Bureau, which allocated teachers' salaries, operating funds, and People's Scholarships. In 1950, the Shanghai Municipal People's Government assigned the former "Youth Village" school premises at 306 Tanggu Road to Yucai School, where the various groups of the Arts Department moved. Yucai School re-established its General Department. In the summer of 1950, Yucai School in Shanghai opened admissions to the public for the first time. The Arts Department conducted classes at 306 Tanggu Road, Hongkou District, while the General Department's Journalism and Social groups held classes at the main campus in Dachang, Baoshan District.
In the spring of 1950, Yucai School (Branch) in Hongyan Village, Chongqing, moved to 92 Xiejiawan, Jiulongpo District, and was renamed Chongqing Yucai School, officially operating independently with Sun Mingxun as principal.
In September 1951, Yucai School was renamed Shanghai Xingzhi Arts School, comprising the Arts Department and General Department. Later, the General Department at Dachang was converted into a Secondary School Department, offering a full-time secondary school curriculum.
In 1952, Shanghai Xingzhi Arts School established a Normal Department at 435 Wanhangdu Road (formerly 435 Fanhuang Road).
In 1953, Shanghai Xingzhi Arts School was abolished and renamed "Shanghai Arts Normal School," offering specialties in music, dance, and fine arts. It became the earliest public normal school in Shanghai dedicated solely to arts education. The school ceased operations in 1955.
In 1953, to permanently commemorate Tao Xingzhi, the Secondary School Department at Dachang, Baoshan District, was renamed Shanghai Xingzhi Middle School, gradually developing into a full-time comprehensive middle school. Ma Lvxian continued to serve as the principal of Shanghai Xingzhi Middle School.
During the ten-year turmoil of the Cultural Revolution starting in 1966, the school faced significant disruptions and was renamed three times: "Dongfanghong" Middle School, "Dachang" Middle School, and "Fengqing" Middle School. Despite frequent vandalism of the school's facilities during the Cultural Revolution, the school gate remained relatively intact and was used until the school's second relocation in 1993.
In 1978, Shanghai Xingzhi Middle School was approved by the Shanghai Municipal Education Bureau as one of the 26 key middle schools in Shanghai.
Reform and Opening-up Period
[edit]At the end of 1985, the school decided to expand its high school education scale, ceased enrolling middle school students, and gradually established itself as a senior high school primarily for boarding students.
In August 1993, Xingzhi High School relocated from Yuqing Bridge in Dachang to 1 Baolin Zhi Road, Baolin Jiucun, Baoshan District (now renamed to 99 Ziqing Road). The new campus had a total investment of nearly 30 million yuan, with Baosteel Group contributing over 17 million yuan. The school covers 5.53 hectares and is divided into three areas: teaching, school-run enterprises, and a boarding service center. The total building area is 18,000 square meters, including 18 classrooms, 3 physics labs, 3 chemistry labs, 2 biology labs, 2 computer labs, and 2 language labs. Each classroom is equipped with a TV, VCR, tape recorder, and projection teaching equipment. There is also an octagonal lecture hall with 286 seats, a library, a cafeteria for teachers and students, an indoor gymnasium, an athletic field with a 400-meter synthetic track, and an off-campus 6-story boarding service center and Xingzhi Industrial Company.
In July 1996, the first cohort of students enrolled after the relocation to Baolin Zhi Road participated in the college entrance examination, with Sheng Xiaohua achieving the highest science score in Shanghai that year with 542 points.
In the late 20th century, the school combined Tao Xingzhi's educational philosophy with quality education practices, developing the "True Man Education" model. Subsequently, the school explored teaching models such as the "Four-Action Strategy" and "New Xingzhi Efficient Classroom."
In March 2001, the school successfully passed the initial evaluation for becoming an experimental and exemplary high school in Shanghai and was designated a key school for nationwide recruitment by the Municipal Education Commission.
In 2004, through the efforts of the school's main leaders and the support of the Baoshan District Education Bureau, a large-scale renovation and expansion project was officially approved. The Baoshan District Government invested 120 million yuan, and Baosteel Group allocated 55 mu of land for the construction of two student dormitory buildings, a dining center, and an outdoor student sports center. The school also rebuilt the new teaching building, library, and auditorium.
In 2005, the school was listed as one of the first 28 experimental and exemplary high schools in Shanghai by the Municipal Education Commission.
In 2006, Zhang Buhua, Deputy Director of the Baoshan District Education Bureau, became the principal, and the large-scale renovation and expansion project commenced.
By 2008, the renovation and expansion project was completed, giving the school a modern and aesthetically pleasing appearance with brand-new buildings and facilities.
Track and field is a traditional sports category at the school. In 2000, the school was named one of the first pilot secondary sports teams by the Shanghai Sports Bureau and the Education Commission. In 2003, it was approved as a secondary track and field sports team school. As a longstanding traditional track and field school, it was selected as a demonstration school for Olympic education for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
In 2009, the school established a collaborative development community with universities. It formed an independent enrollment selection alliance with Shanghai University, a key university under the "211 Project," along with 24 other key high schools in Shanghai. This collaboration aimed to connect high school and university education, providing students with pathways to become high-quality, versatile, and innovative talents.
In the information age after 2010, guided by "Internet+Education," the school made its first attempts at deeply integrating information technology with curriculum reform through routine recording, micro-lectures, smart learning spaces, and cloud academies.
In 2015, the school founded the Shanghai Xingzhi Industrial Printmaking Research Institute, providing students with new avenues for arts education and enriching aesthetic education content.
Campus Culture
[edit]School Emblem Interpretation
The three-ring school emblem: In 1939, Tao Xingzhi conceived the idea, and Chen Yanqiao, the director of the school's painting group, designed the first generation of Yucai School's emblem. The emblem has a triangular shape with a blue outer frame and three interlocking red rings inside, with the characters "育才" (Yucai) on the rings.
The first circle represents the unity of the entire school. The second circle represents global unity. The third circle represents the unity of the past and present.
The meaning of the three-ring emblem can also represent:
Nationalism, democracy, and people's livelihood. Wisdom, benevolence, and courage. Truth, goodness, and beauty. Labor-Study Group. Integration of teaching, learning, and doing. Nature, labor, and society. Mind, hands, and machine. Facing difficulties, analyzing difficulties, and solving difficulties. Understanding society, adapting to society, and transforming society. Reviewing the past, grasping the present, and creating the future. Affirmation, negation, and negation of the negation.
School Motto and Spirit
School Motto: "Among all teachings, the most important is to teach people to seek the truth; among all learnings, the most important is to learn to be a genuine person."
In September 1943, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Baihou Middle School, Tao Xingzhi composed a poem to commemorate it:
"The source of water is alive, flowing like the Mei River. From Kuoling to Lingyun, there is no hesitation. The southern wind blows, and my path has neighbors. Despite numerous disasters, like polishing jade. A beautiful and auspicious birthday, October 10th. Teaching wherever you go, spreading virtue widely. Sharing longevity with the people, singing together for generations. Using both hands and brains, knocking on the door of the unknown. After the cold, knowing that pine and cypress do not wither. Seeking benevolence and attaining benevolence. Standing tall with strong bones, worshiping collective creation. Though defeated, ultimately succeeding. Teaching people to seek the truth, learning to be genuine. The world is for the public, education is selfless. Yang did not do it for me, remembering the spirit of Baihou."
From this, the school motto "Teaching people to seek the truth, learning to be genuine" was derived and has been upheld in the school's education to this day.
Dedication: "Bringing a heart full of dedication, without taking away a blade of grass."
The establishment of Xin'an Primary School is considered one of Tao Xingzhi's significant achievements in promoting rural education.
On June 6, 1929, Xin'an Primary School was officially established on a peninsula in Xiaohu, Huai'an, Jiangsu. Tao Xingzhi served as the first principal, followed by his student Wang Dazhi. At that time, Xin'an Primary School faced shortages of funds, personnel, and school buildings, and classes were held in a dilapidated temple. Tao Xingzhi wrote a couplet for the teachers and students: "Bringing a heart full of dedication, without taking away a blade of grass," encouraging them to overcome difficulties and continue their education. He provided spiritual support, professional guidance, and financial assistance. In his book "The Book of Life," he wrote, "I have made up my mind. I am willing to beg for alms for Xin'an Primary School."
From this, Tao Xingzhi required teachers to uphold this spirit of dedication in Yucai School, which continues to this day.
Four Daily Questions
During the third anniversary celebration of Yucai School, Tao Xingzhi proposed four daily reflection questions for the teachers and students:
Have I made progress in my health? If so, how much? Have I made progress in my studies? If so, how much? Have I made progress in my work? If so, how much? Have I made progress in my morals? If so, how much?
Tao Xingzhi emphasized health by placing it as the first question, reflecting his concern for the health of teachers and students. He stated, "Health is the first priority. Without health, everything is lost!" He proposed building a "health fortress" at the school due to past student illnesses and the school's inability to hire a doctor due to the country's economic backwardness. He suggested four strategies: scientific observation and diagnosis, dietary regulation and improvement, rest to prevent fatigue, and replacing doctors with health education.
Regarding "academic progress," Tao Xingzhi proposed a five-character motto: "Focus, gather, delve, analyze, and perseverance." "Focus" means concentrating on a specific problem for research; "gather" means collecting a large amount of data; "delve" means in-depth research; "analyze" means dissecting and analyzing, emphasizing the distinction between true and false materials; "perseverance" means maintaining long-term persistence in research.
For "work progress," Tao Xingzhi suggested three points: standing firm in one's position, being agile and accurate, and completing tasks well.
For "moral progress," Tao Xingzhi believed that morality is the foundation of being human. He proposed building a "Great Wall of personality" in the school, considering morality as the foundation of the "Great Wall of personality."
These four questions are easy to understand and remember. Tao Xingzhi hoped that Yucai's teachers and students would use these four aspects to improve themselves in daily life. This spirit is still emphasized in the school's education today.
Life is Education, Society is School
"Life is education" is the core of Tao Xingzhi's life education theory, emphasizing the educational significance of life itself and opposing traditional education that is detached from life and centered on books.
Firstly, Tao Xingzhi believed that education contains the meaning of life. From a horizontal perspective, the way of life is the content of education. He stated, "Living a healthy life is receiving a healthy education; living a scientific life is receiving a scientific education; living a laborious life is receiving a laborious education; living an artistic life is receiving an artistic education; living a life of social revolution is receiving an education of social revolution." From a vertical perspective, life accompanies a person throughout their existence: "Life education is innate, and it ends with life; one starts learning at birth and graduates when entering the coffin." Tao Xingzhi advocated for people to actively engage in life, choosing and accepting a "good life" that is progressive and uplifting in the contradictions and struggles of life.
Secondly, Tao Xingzhi believed that actual life is the center of education. He stated, "Life and life friction immediately produce educational effects. Both the frictee and the frictioner undergo changes and thus receive education." He advocated that education should be closely linked to life, and the education required by life is valuable and meaningful.
Thirdly, Tao Xingzhi believed that life determines education, and education transforms life. Life determines education, as the goals, principles, content, and methods of education are all based on life needs. Conversely, education can transform life and promote life progress.
"Society is school" is another important tenet of Tao Xingzhi's life education theory, embodying the idea of "life is education" in the relationship between school and society.
Firstly, "society is school" means that society contains the meaning of a school, or using society as a school, emphasizing the implementation field of the life education theory. Tao Xingzhi opposed John Dewey's "school is society" viewpoint, believing that schools are still like bird cages, restricting students. He hoped to dismantle the "high walls" between schools and society, using all social forces for education, making students adaptable to life and integrated with the people.
Secondly, "society is school" also means that the school contains the meaning of society. Tao Xingzhi advocated that traditional schools must be reformed according to social needs. Schools should combine with social life, utilizing social forces to promote school progress while mobilizing school forces to help social progress, making schools truly an indispensable part of social life.
This school spirit originated from the American philosopher and educator John Dewey's viewpoint of "education is life, school is society," which greatly influenced Tao Xingzhi.
References
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