On a late January morning, students of an English class at Juyuan High School go over a recent quiz with their teacher, who answers their questions and concerns. They are preparing for their final exam. Like for many students across China, the semester is drawing to a close, ahead of the upcoming Spring Festival in mid-February. But for Juyuan students, the end of the semester also marks the completion of their first semester back at a real school after a year of studying in makeshift classrooms.

The gate of the new Dujiangyuan August 1 High School. [China.org.cn]

Dujiangyan August 1 Juyuan High School in Dujiangyan City, Sichuan Province, opened its doors last August after nearly a year of construction. The original Juyuan High School was destroyed by the earthquake in May 2008. Of the 2,800 students who went to school there, 278 died and 11 were never found. The new school buildings can withstand earthquakes up to 8.5 magnitude now.

Because the government had no funds to build a new school, donations and other aid poured in from organizations across the country. Named for the founding date of the People's Liberation Army, the school was built with 133 million yuan (US$19.48 million) from the Chengdu Military Region. The campus now boasts 35,000 square meters of classrooms, offices, an indoor gymnasium and football field for 2,400 students from Juyuan County and surrounding areas.

The monument commemorating the reconstruction of the school. [China.org.cn]

The new military partnership allows Juyuan students the option of going to college or joining the army upon graduation. So far, 60 students have gone to the Chengdu Military Region to study or visit.

"The army not only helped us reconstruct, but also provided their resources to educate the children," Vice Principal Cai Mingjian said. "We also lay the academic foundation for future soldiers."

The school also has a three-year cooperation agreement with Chengdu No. 7 High School, one of the best high schools in Sichuan Province. No. 7 High School sent a principal to Juyuan to bring in advanced management methods and to hold seminars about teaching experiences and educational principles for Juyuan's teachers.

"The students have benefited from this a lot," Cai said. "They learn how to be a team player and study very actively."

Students from poor families also have access to financial support from various sources. The Xinhua Compassion Education Foundation, based in east China's Zhejiang Province, gives 250 yuan (US$36.62) a month to eligible students, and the government covers tuition for some students. Zhao Wei, secretary of former Premier Zhou Enlai, donates 10,000 yuan (US$1,464.57) every year to a scholarship fund, though the recipients are still undetermined.

Meanwhile, a small room lies among the row of classrooms in the instruction building. Every day at noon, some students come here to talk to psychiatrists from Sichuan University and Sichuan Normal University. Called the "Heart Link Cabin," the room was a donation from Chinese television actress Mei Ting to help students cope with post-quake psychological problems.

In this photo taken on May 17, 2008, the old Juyuan High School was reduced to rubble by the Sichuan earthquake on May 12, 2008. Among the 2,800 students at school that day, 278 died and 11 were missing. [cnsphoto]