*This FAQ is for Cord Program only, Advanced Chinese, Enrichment and Summer Camp Program will have different policy.
What ages and grade levels students are eligible for Acme program?
Our Core program welcomes students ages 4 years 9 months to 12 years with Advanced Chinese available for middle school students.
Does Acme provide transportation?
Acme does not provide direct transportation, but may assist families in connecting with third-party service providers. Acme is not liable for any issues related to third-party transportation.
What is the pickup policy?
Students may only be picked up by authorized adults listed on your child’s pickup form, and families may add multiple names to the authorized list. All pickup adults must sign out the student with a legal signature on the sign-out sheet.
Please note that late pickup fees apply for any pickup after 6:30 PM.
What does your core instructional program look like at Acme?
Students can be dropped off around 2:30 PM or after their regular school dismissal. Our core instructional program runs from 3:00–6:00 PM and is divided into three periods:
  • First Period (3:10–4:00 PM):
    Students are split into two groups. One group attends  Chinese class,  while the other stays in grade classroom joining Homework Club for English and Math workbooks or tutoring.
  • Second Period (4:10–5:00 PM):
    The groups switch. The students who were in Homework Club go to Chinese class, and the others come back to grade classroom joining Homework Club. This rotation supports small-group instruction and personalized support.
  • Third Period (5:15–6:00 PM):
    All students are in Grade Classroom. Activities may include cultural lessons, Chinese homework help, Arts and Crafts, Club Meets, Cooking Class, indoor/outdoor activities, or other themed learning.
Optional elective classes are also available during certain time slots throughout the afternoon. For details, please refer to our Afterschool page.
What is Acme's standards when hiring teachers? Are they qualified to teach my child(ren)?
Yes — Acme maintains strict hiring standards to ensure every instructor is highly qualified and meets all safety requirements.
  1. All staff must have legal authorization to work in the U.S., pass a Live Scan background check, and complete a health screening.
  2. Homework Club instructors hold a bachelor’s degree, have teaching/tutoring experience, and are fluent in English.
  3. Chinese teachers must meet at least two of the following:
  • Bachelor’s Degree or above from a recognized university (China or U.S.)
  • Passing a U.S. Chinese proficiency test
  • Teaching experience
  • U.S. or China teaching credentials
  • Certification in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language
  • Native Chinese fluency
  • Education-related degree
We hire only qualified, experienced educators who can support strong academic and language growth.
How are Chinese classes structured?
At Acme, students from 4years 9 months up to G6 can choose between two Chinese learning pathways based on parents’ expectations and goals:
  1. Chinese Immersion : Basic Level - Level 10
  2. Chinese as a Second Language (CSL) : CSLI: Level 1-2; CSLII: Level 1-3
Placement is not based on grade level, but on each student’s actual Chinese proficiency. New students receive a teacher assessment and are placed into the level that best matches their skills, ensuring they learn at the most appropriate pace. As a result, students from different grades may be in the same Chinese class.
For G6 and above, students may join our Advanced Chinese Program, which ranges from Advanced I all the way to AP Chinese preparation. Teachers will assign students to the appropriate Advanced level after assessment.
Right now there is only Advanced Chinese I available, additional Advanced levels will continue to open as the program expands.
What’s the difference between Chinese Immersion and CSL?
  • Chinese ​Immersion is designed for students who already have regular exposure to Chinese at home or in their community. Classes emphasize listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with most instruction conducted in Chinese to build deeper language proficiency.
  • CSL (Chinese as a Second Language) is for students with limited or no Chinese background. The curriculum focuses on building foundational listening and speaking skills first, using more English support to ensure understanding and confidence.
Both pathways are leveled based on proficiency, not grade, and students are placed into the appropriate level after teacher assessment to ensure the best learning experience.
How do I know the progress of my child?
Acme provides multiple systems to keep parents informed about their child’s learning progress:
  • Weekly Homework Package - Blue Bag
  • Weekly Notice Email
  • Teacher–Parent Conference (Spring Semester)
  • End-of-Year Report Card
  • Ongoing Case-by-Case Communication
Together, these measures ensure consistent, transparent communication so families always understand their child’s learning journey at Acme.
My child has a lot of morning school homework. How does that work with the Acme schedule？
During Homework Club period, students follow a default priority order to ensure essential schoolwork gets done:
  1. Morning School Homework
  2. Acme English & Math Workbook
  3. Chinese Homework
If your child has special needs or a different priority order, we are happy to adjust the homework plan based on parent requests. Our goal is to help students stay on track while supporting both school and Acme learning expectations.
How does your AI-Driven Math tool help my child?
Acme partners with Afficient Academy to use Afficient Math Webpage for students in Grade 3 and above. Students complete 20 minutes of Afficient Math every day during Homework Club using Acme-provided computers. Internet access is restricted to the program only, and teachers supervise students to ensure proper use. If parents feel this program is not suitable, they may opt out and return to a traditional paper workbook.

​Key benefits of Afficient Math compared to paper workbooks:
  • Personalized: Auto adjusts to each student’s level and learning pace.
  • Immediate Feedback: Students correct mistakes right away, improving mastery.
  • Intelligent Practice: Targets weak areas and reinforces learned skills.
  • Efficient: Many students complete a full grade level in 2–4 months with strong results.
This AI-driven approach allows students to strengthen skills, close learning gaps, and advance confidently at a pace that matches their ability.
Beyond regular classes, what other activities does Acme offer?
We run year-round fun, learning-forward events that turn language into real-life practice while building confidence and community:
  • Halloween Parade (Oct) – Costume parade, treat stations; creativity + public etiquette.
  • Holiday Party (Dec) – Whole afternoon group competition games and fresh made popcorn movie time!
  • Lunar New Year Celebration (Jan/Feb) – Few days celebration of Lunar New Year with Traditional games and cultural crafts!
  • Academic Competitions (Feb) – Theme challenges that build goal-setting, stage presence, and resilience.
  • Easter Activities (Spring) – Egg hunt + mini-challenges!
  • English Spelling Bee Competition (Spring) – Grade divisions, certificates for all, trophies/prizes for winners.
  • Annual Open House Event (May)  - Student showcase—songs, poems, and short skits—bringing a year of progress to life on stage!
  • Summer Camp (Jun–Aug) – Weekly themes in STEM/Arts/Sports emphasizing hands-on learning and teamwork.
Event and program details (dates, seats, sign-up links etc.) are sent by email to enrolled families. 
Does Acme offer daycare on no-school days?
Yes, daycare may be available on no-school days:
  • Full day (9AM–3PM)
  • Half day (12PM–3PM)
Availability is announced one week in advance, and an additional fee applies.
Please note that daycare may be canceled if the minimum enrollment requirement is not met.
What happens if my child is absent?
Parents should notify the Acme office as soon as they become aware that an absence may occur — whether by email, phone call, or in person — so we can record attendance properly. There is no refund for student absences or early departures. If a student needs to be away from school for more than 7 days, please contact the office to follow the long vacation process.
What should I do if my child becomes sick?
  • Student is required to stay home if they show signs of illness, especially fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher), vomiting, diarrhea, or symptoms that prevent comfortable participation. Students must be fever-free for 24 hours without medication before returning.
  • For certain contagious illnesses (such as flu, strep throat etc.), students may need a doctor’s clearance to come back to school.
  • If a child becomes ill during the school day, parents are expected to pick up the student promptly, usually within an hour. Schools also require families to keep medical and emergency contact information up to date for safety.
  • Medication at school require a medication authorization form signed by a doctor, and Medication need to be delivered in original labeled packaging. Students cannot self-administer medication unless approved by the school.
How does Acme handle food allergies?
Acme provides nut-free snacks, and students may bring their own snacks as long as they are nut-free. To protect students with allergies, food sharing is not allowed at any time. While we work hard to maintain a safe, nut-free environment, we cannot guarantee a 100% allergen-free setting.
Parents must report any student allergies during enrollment. Acme compiles all allergy information into a detailed list and shares it with Homework Club teachers so staff can identify risks quickly and respond appropriately in case of an incident.
Does Acme use photos of students for publicity?
With parental consent, Acme may use student photos for:
  • Website
  • Social media
  • Promotional materials
Families may decline by informing the office.
How does the referral credit work?
If a family refers a new student who remains enrolled for more than 3 months, the referring parent receives a $100 school credit!
What is the withdrawal policy?
A 30-day written notice is required. Refunds are prorated based on the last day of the 30-day notice period, start from the date after we receive parent's written notice.