At the start of the new academic year, Haidian Kaiwen Academy, a leading bilingual international school in Beijing, celebrates exciting news.

Two Class of 2027 students—Tiger Wu (Wu Qiyou) and Ella Jiao (Jiao Yingtong)—have received early admission offers from top U.S. universities through their achievements in golf. Tiger Wu was admitted to the University of Notre Dame with a full scholarship, while Ella Jiao received an offer from Northwestern University.

Growing Through Time: The Making of Student-Athletes

Tiger and Ella joined Haidian Kaiwen Academy in Grades 9 and 8 respectively. Over the past two years, both have achieved outstanding results in domestic and international golf competitions.

In interviews conducted this summer, they shared not only their achievements, but also the discipline, resilience, and growth behind them—revealing how family support and the school environment together created the foundation for their success.

“Doing Something Well Takes Time” — Tiger Wu

Tiger began playing golf at age eight. What started as a casual introduction gradually became a passion shaped through years of training, competition, and self-discovery.

Over the past two years, his performance has accelerated significantly:

– Champion, FILA China Junior Golf Elite Tournament (2024)

– Four-time winner, China Tour Series (2025)

– Champion, AJGA Tournament (USA)

– Third place, U.S. Junior Amateur Championship (USGA)

Yet, Tiger emphasizes that success did not come easily. “I struggled a lot when I was younger. I couldn’t find my rhythm. But those setbacks helped me grow.” Through setbacks, he developed mental resilience—supported by his family’s steady encouragement and a mindset focused on long-term growth.

Support from Haidian Kaiwen Academy

When Tiger joined Haidian Kaiwen Academy, the school provided:

– Personalized academic support

– Flexible scheduling for competitions

– Daily access to golf training facilities

“Golf requires consistency. Practicing almost every day helped me improve quickly.”

Tiger attributes his current performance not just to talent, but to years of patience, reflection, and disciplined effort. “Winning feels good—but only for a short time. What I really enjoy is improving, controlling the ball better than before.”

Despite his success, Tiger remains focused on long-term goals, including studying business in college while continuing competitive golf. “If I have the chance to go professional, I won’t give it up.”

His philosophy is simple: “You have to take your time. Be patient.”

“Golf Is a Sport Where You Compete with Yourself” — Ella Jiao

Ella’s journey began in childhood, accompanying her father to golf courses. Initially uncertain about her interest, her passion grew after winning a junior tournament in Grade 6. “Golf is not just hitting a ball—it’s calculation. Distance, slope, wind… you have to think.”

In Grade 8, Ella set her goal: gaining admission to a U.S. university through golf. That same year, she joined Haidian Kaiwen Academy.

Performance Highlights

– Champion, AJGA debut tournament (2024)

– Strong results in multiple U.S. competitions

– Early admission to Northwestern University

Despite her success, Ella admits she faced pressure: “This year I overthought during competitions. Now I remind myself—don’t think too much.”

Her key realization: “Golf is really about competing with yourself.”

Balanced Support System

Ella credits her growth to:

– Supportive, low-pressure parenting

– Personalized academic support from the school

– Flexibility during competitions

“If I’m not happy playing golf, I study. If I’m not happy studying, I play golf. If neither works, I sleep—and everything resets.”

Her next goal is to compete at the collegiate level—and eventually pursue professional golf. “It will be hard—but also very rewarding.”

The Foundation Behind Success

The journeys of Tiger and Ella highlight a broader pathway: athletics as a bridge to higher education.

At Haidian Kaiwen Academy, this path is supported by a strong ecosystem:

Personalized Support for Student-Athletes

– Flexible academic planning

– Competition support

– Access to training facilities

Athletic Scholarships

In addition to academic scholarships, the school offers specialized sports scholarships, including golf and swimming.

A Culture of Sports and Growth

At Haidian Kaiwen Academy, sports are not extracurricular—they are part of the school’s culture.

Students engage in:

– Daily physical education programs

– After-school sports (ASA)

– Competitive school teams

– Community-wide athletic events

Facilities include:

– International-standard track

– Professional tennis courts

– Golf training facilities

– 50m swimming pool

– Indoor and outdoor baseball fields

Competitive Sports Development

The school has built 28 athletic teams across sports such as: soccer, basketball, volleyball, golf, tennis, swimming, track & Field.

In recent years, Haidian Kaiwen Academy joined the ISAC International School Athletic Conference, achieving strong results across multiple sports.

Long-Term Growth Philosophy

As Head of PE Mr. Paul Halfpenny noted:

“It’s not just about results—it’s about growth. Seeing students develop from beginners into competitive athletes is what matters most.”

Beyond Admissions: A Philosophy of Growth

Tiger and Ella’s achievements represent more than university offers—they reflect years of dedication, supported by family and school.

At Haidian Kaiwen Academy, a Beijing-based bilingual international school, the belief is clear:

– Growth comes from persistence

– Confidence is built through challenge

– True success lies in long-term commitment

Their journeys are not endpoints—but beginnings.

And their stories will continue to inspire future Kaiwen students to explore, persevere, and become the best version of themselves.