philadelphia chinese academy

a chinese-Immersion Montessori school in center city philadelphia

FUN & INSPIRED LEARNING

START YOUR CHILD’S JOURNEY

Inspiring Global Citizens Through Montessori Education & Mandarin

At PCA, our mission is to nurture children into confident, compassionate global citizens, young learners who are motivated, organized, resilient, and empowered. We achieve this by combining the time-tested principles of Montessori education with the richness of Mandarin Chinese immersion, delivered through fun, interactive, and meaningful experiences.

Children are naturally curious and eager to make sense of the world. Their innate love for order, language, and music is carefully supported by our Montessori-certified, native Mandarin-speaking educators, who guide each child’s journey with intention and care. Through guided play, music, and movement, we spark joy in learning while developing each child’s sensory, cognitive, and social skills.

music

Music is a vital part of the PCA experience. By weaving music and movement into daily lessons, we engage the whole child, enhancing language acquisition, rhythm, and memory. We intentionally harness this critical developmental window to deepen both cultural appreciation and progress toward bilingualism.

language Immersion

Our program’s foundation is a fully immersive Mandarin language environment. From birth to age six, children are in the optimal window for language and tonal learning. Our classrooms provide a rich, natural Mandarin environment, ensuring that language becomes a seamless part of daily life, spoken, sung, and experienced.

guided play

Children learn best when they are free to explore, experiment, and make choices. Our guided play approach encourages children to follow their curiosity while building confidence, independence, and problem-solving skills. We emphasize respect for self, others, and community, creating a classroom culture that values collaboration and kindness.

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our programs

montessori Learning

We provide private, language immersion Montessori education for children ages 6 months to 5 years, along with after-care programs for children up to 8 years old. Each classroom is designed to spark curiosity, cultivate focus, and encourage a lifelong love of learning.

For children 18-months until around 3-years old, we offer a toddler program focused around developing gross motor skills, early language development, and behavior modeling.

Children in toddler class need to be walking independently.

The core of our Montessori program is for children ages 3-5, where they can develop in a structured environment that emphasizes consistency, teaches respect and empathy, and fosters independence.

Children in early childhood class need to be toilet independent.

Building on the previous successes in the early childhood program, kindergarten students expand their language practice and take on more challenging work.

For children attending nearby schools, the afterschool program continues to grow and build the language skills that might otherwise start to fade.

Summer camps are only open to students who are enrolled for the full academic year.

Come See For Yourself

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an education built on values

Our responsibility is our privilege

We see Early childhood as the opportunity of a lifetime

Early childhood is a time of incredible growth, where the brain is ready to absorb and respond to everything around it. Studies show that children thrive when they learn to think for themselves in a supportive, consistent environment that listens to and respects them.

With exposure to diverse experiences and gentle routines, they build a foundation of skills and habits. This helps them feel confident and sets them up to succeed. We nurture each child’s curiosity and unique abilities. We see it as a profound responsibility and a privilege to give them the start they need for lifelong learning and connection.

Build on past success

Building on past successes gives children the confidence and skills to handle bigger challenges as they grow. Starting with small achievements—like drinking from a cup, feeding themselves, or tying their shoes—builds routines and independence that set them up for success later in life. Each of these early milestones not only teaches them a life skill but also reinforces their belief in what they can do.

When kids learn that it’s okay to make mistakes and keep trying, they develop resilience and self-confidence, making it easier for them to take on new challenges and grow into capable, confident adults.

Everything Has a Purpose

Children are naturally drawn to purposeful activities, where they feel a sense of contribution and meaning. Far beyond simple play, they seek to engage in tasks that connect to the real world and their surroundings, from using utensils to helping prepare a snack.

This purposeful engagement not only helps them build confidence and independence but also fosters their sense of belonging within the community. By offering activities that mimic meaningful, real-life tasks, we create an environment where each child can focus, grow, and truly feel valued.

Our School promotes

Respect, Independence, Consistency, and Empathy

We’re building the leaders of tomorrow

Your child will learn to think for themselves in an environment that listens to them.

Your child will be better prepared in life by learning routines and habits early on.

Your child will learn faster and more effectively when they feel respected and safe.

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it truly takes a village

We are only as strong as our community

It’s not just about what happens in the classroom.

It’s the birthday parties and the carpools, the parent get togethers and the kid sleepovers. It’s the conversations in our online community where we exchange advice or share a laugh, or just help someone know they’re not alone.

None of us do this alone. At PCA, we do so much more together.