Bridging Cultures: The Story Behind Bert Hsu Academy
- Ann Hsu
- Oct 6
- 1 min read
An interview by DingDing TV
Many Asian Americans in the SF area were dismayed that the public schools had gone too political and had forgotten about educating the kids. They were successful in recalling some members of the School Board. Ann Hsu helped lead the recall to success and served on the school board afterwards.
Driven by a profound dissatisfaction with the state of American public education, Ann Hsu embarked on a mission to create a different kind of school. Her journey was sparked by her time on the school board and her own children's experiences, leading her to critique what she saw as lowered academic standards and a lack of rigor in the U.S. public education system.
In this interview, Ann Hsu discusses how she fused her entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for education to create Bert Hsu Academy—a unique institution dedicated to blending the academic rigor and discipline of Chinese education philosophy with the emphasis on creativity and independence fostered by American schools.
You'll hear how the school’s core philosophy prioritizes bicultural understanding, teaching Chinese culture (including history, calligraphy, and medicine) in English to ensure accessibility. Ann Hsu explains why the curriculum strategically focuses on English skills first, followed by math and then Chinese, to equip students for success in America while fostering a deep appreciation for their heritage.
Discover the inspiring story of Bert Hsu Academy, named after Ann Hsu's bicultural professor father, and learn how one entrepreneur is working to redefine education for a new generation.
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