The High School Affiliated to Renmin University Of China (), known colloquially as Rendafuzhong (RDFZ), is the high school affiliated with Renmin University of China. RDFZ is situated in the Haidian District of Beijing, within the Zhongguancun Science and Technology Zone. RDFZ is a beacon high school accredited by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education. The school is a member of the G30 Schools group. A 2016 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report described the school as among the most famous in China.
History
The school was established on April 3, 1950 as the Beijing Experimental Accelerated Middle School for Workers and Farmers (); though plans to create an experimental school for Beijing's growing population existed as early as January of that year. Created by the Chinese Ministry of Education, which had been formally established only a year earlier, the school was used to further develop China's education system.
In 1952, the school became affiliated with Renmin University of China and was renamed to Workers and Farmers' Accelerated Middle School Attached to Renmin University of China (). In 1955, the school broadened its student population beyond workers and farmers and broadened its curriculum to include traditional high school classes. In 1956, the school was again renamed, this time to Workers' and Farmers' High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China, a name that was kept until 1960, when the name was finally changed to its current name, the High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China.
With Renmin University of China closed by the Beijing Revolutionary Committee during the Cultural Revolution in October 1970, the school briefly changed its name to Beijing Middle School No. 172. When Renmin University of China reopened in 1978, the school reaffirmed its affiliation to the university and the school's name was changed back.
A 2012 article in The New York Times alleged that the school was one of many in China to illegally accept bribes to admit students; however, this claim was denied by school officials.
Structure
Administration
The school is one of the few high schools that are directly under the administration of China's Ministry of Education.
The school is also a branch of RDFZ United, an administrative body presiding over a number of schools internationally. Besides RDFZ, there are more than ten schools under the administration of RDFZ United. For example, High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China, Shenzhen (中国人民大学附属中学深圳分校) is a new secondary school established in 2017 in Shenzhen. RDFZ United is one of the few Chinese educational organizations that have branches located outside mainland China; Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science, created by a joint venture between Chinese investor Jiang Bairong and RDFZ, is a member of RDFZ United located in Princeton, New Jersey.
Because the growing number of schools that fall under the administration of RDFZ United, a council was created to formalize the management structure of RDFZ United. Council members are mainly officials from Renmin University of China. RUC President is an ex officio member. RDFZ United's founding principal Liu Pengzhi is the chancellor of the Council. Among others, Vice President of RUC, Dean of RUC School of Law, and Principal of RDFZ are also elected to the Council.
Staff
The staff includes 50 special-class teachers and over 170 senior-level teachers. 16 teachers have been conferred the title of "pillar teacher" at the national level, and another 25 at the Beijing municipal level. 37 are recognized as advanced individuals in their disciplines in Haidian District. There are more than 40 foreign teachers from the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries.
Students
Foreign passport holders are allowed to attend so long as they have legal guardians residing in Beijing for the duration of their enrollment.
Academics
RDFZ is a beacon high school accredited by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education. In a 2016 ranking, it ranked first amongst all high schools in mainland China. In another 2016 ranking, this time of Chinese high schools that send students to study in American universities, RDFZ ranked fifth in mainland China by number of students entering top American universities. The school is a member of the G30 Schools group. The school offers the International Baccalaureate diploma, Advanced Placement and A-Level curriculums. RDFZ has been awarded a number of titles and awards by China's Ministry of Education and by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education, including: