Chinese American International School

Chinese American International School Chinese American International School is the first Preschool through eighth grade school in the country to provide instruction in both Chinese and English.

In 1981, a group of multi-ethnic San Francisco Bay Area parents, educators and civic leaders implemented a compelling vision. They created a school with a bilingual, multicultural curriculum in English and Mandarin Chinese to prepare children for an increasingly interconnected world. Shirley Lee, a founder and the Head of School for 15 years, began teaching four young students in two modest classr

ooms. CAIS was the first school of its kind in the nation and remains one of the few independent Pre-K through eighth grade English-Mandarin immersion programs in the U.S. This bold experiment has become a shining model of success. Today, the school enrolls more than 510 students. Under the leadership of Head of School Jeff Bissell, CAIS graduates continue to enter leading high schools and universities. Some alumni now study and work in China, while others enjoy exciting careers in the U.S. that draw on their bicultural education. The school has grown from two classrooms to three campuses in Hayes Valley.

Our students are making new friends, trying new things, and creating wonderful memories together. We can’t wait to see a...
09/04/2026

Our students are making new friends, trying new things, and creating wonderful memories together. We can’t wait to see all the learning, laughter, and adventures this school year will bring!

Xinyi Xu is a native of Shanghai and a graduate of East China Normal University 华东师范大学. Following her undergraduate educ...
09/03/2026

Xinyi Xu is a native of Shanghai and a graduate of East China Normal University 华东师范大学. Following her undergraduate education, Xinyi came to the United States where she completed an MA in curriculum and instruction at Michigan State University. Xinyi taught in a public Mandarin immersion school in Michigan for several years before moving to Oakland where she was a founding faculty member at the K-8 Yu Ming Charter School, a Mandarin immersion school with which CAIS has interacted regularly over the years. Xinyi held several roles at Yu Ming during her decade-long tenure there including classroom teacher, Chinese program coordinator, division director, and K-8 director of curriculum and instruction. In the latter role she oversaw the implementation of schoolwide Competency Based Learning (CBL) and project based language learning at the Middle School. Under her leadership, Yu Ming Charter was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2019 and a California Distinguished School in 2020. Since 2021, Xiny has served as Chief Schools Officer for Level Learning where she led national strategy and implementation of a data-driven, skill-based, objective mastery-based language and literacy platform for Spanish, Mandarin, and English language learners, including support for nearly two-thirds of all K-8 Mandarin immersion programs in the US.

In a message to the CAIS community, she shared, “I am incredibly excited and honored to be the next CAIS Middle School Director. I’ve long admired CAIS’s pioneering dual language immersion work and innovative learning. I am eager to leverage my experience to support faculty, students, and families, ensuring CAIS middle schoolers are deeply connected and prepared to make a positive impact.”

Welcome to Middle School, sixth graders! Our sixth graders are officially Middle Schoolers! We’re so excited to see them...
09/02/2026

Welcome to Middle School, sixth graders! Our sixth graders are officially Middle Schoolers! We’re so excited to see them take on new challenges, discover new interests, and grow throughout this next chapter of their CAIS journey.

NEW at CAIS: Performing Arts! Our Middle School students are stepping onto the stage and exploring the many sides of per...
09/01/2026

NEW at CAIS: Performing Arts!

Our Middle School students are stepping onto the stage and exploring the many sides of performing arts, from stage presence and performance skills to creativity, collaboration, and storytelling. A special welcome and thank you to Brandon Joseph, our Performing Arts teacher, for bringing your passion and expertise to CAIS. We’re lucky to have you!

More Summer Highlights from our teachers & staff!Ruiting Feng- Preschool Lead Teacher “I visited Teachers College, Colu...
08/31/2026

More Summer Highlights from our teachers & staff!

Ruiting Feng- Preschool Lead Teacher

“I visited Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City this summer. It was a wonderful opportunity to explore the campus, reflect on my own teaching practice, and think about new ideas I can bring into my work with children.”

Cristina Calcagno- Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development in English

“I went to Montana and enjoyed time rafting, swimming and hiking in Glacier National Park.”

Tingting Fu- Preschool Lead Teacher

“My son and I joined a four-day tour in Beijing. On the first day, we had to leave the hotel at 1:30 a.m. to go to Tiananmen Square and watch the flag-raising ceremony. We also visited the Great Wall. It was tiring, but definitely a memorable experience!”

Elaine Chang- Director of Admission and Enrollment Management

“My family and I went to the exhibit of Chibi Maruko-Chan in Taipei. I got to see a lot of scenes from 樱桃小丸子, one of my childhood favorite TV shows.”

Maison Thompson- Kindergarten English Teaching Associate

“I attended my grandma's 90th birthday in Orlando where I played her favorite song!”

Wei Qian- Director of Lower School

“Our family spent some time enjoying the summer vibe in Maui during July. Neil (incoming P2) and Mason (incoming G5) had a wonderful time in the water and on the beach! Can’t wait to hear about your summer!”

Xinyi Xu- Middle School Director

“From Michigan to California! Here we come, CAIS! So excited for this next adventure and everything ahead!”

A big CAIS welcome to all of our new students and families! Today marked the beginning of a new journey for many of our ...
08/28/2026

A big CAIS welcome to all of our new students and families! Today marked the beginning of a new journey for many of our Firedragons. We’re excited to learn, grow, laugh, and create memories together throughout the year. Welcome to the CAIS family!

First Day Coffee with our CAIS families! Even the grownups got in on the first-day fun! After drop-off, Advancement Team...
08/27/2026

First Day Coffee with our CAIS families! Even the grownups got in on the first-day fun! After drop-off, Advancement Team members Berkley, Myra, and LiJin welcomed parents and guardians for coffee, tea, and caffeinated connections. Families caught up with friends, shared summer stories, and welcomed new faces into the CAIS community.

Student Services Team Director Sarah Affolter is a literacy specialist, instructional coach, and learning support educat...
08/27/2026

Student Services Team Director Sarah Affolter is a literacy specialist, instructional coach, and learning support educator who believes that every student deserves access to meaningful, inclusive learning—and that strong school communities are built through collaboration, reflection, and a commitment to equity. She comes to CAIS with experience spanning classroom teaching, teacher education, and systems-level literacy leadership, most recently serving at the International School of Beijing and previously with San Francisco Unified School District as an instructional coach and reading specialist. Sarah is passionate about supporting diverse learners and empowering educators with research-based practices—from the science of reading to culturally responsive teaching. She is especially committed to helping students find confidence in their voices and identities through literacy. She looks forward to joining the CAIS community, partnering with colleagues and families, and supporting students to thrive as joyful, capable learners.

A new year. A new beginning. For some students, today was a reunion with old friends. For others, it was the beginning o...
08/26/2026

A new year. A new beginning. For some students, today was a reunion with old friends. For others, it was the beginning of a brand-new journey at CAIS. From preschoolers taking their first steps into the classroom to returning students ready for another year of discovery, every first day tells a different story.

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3250 19th Avenue
San Francisco, CA
94132

Telephone

+14158656000

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