Chinese students in the United States are getting an earlier start.

In the 1970s, a typical Chinese student in the US was there for a master's or doctoral degree. They were then followed by students pursuing undergraduate degrees.

Now, Chinese are the largest international group in US kindergarten-through-12th grade, or K-12, programs of study.

November statistics show that 34,578 Chinese students were studying in primary and secondary schools in the US, or 52 percent of all international students there.

Five years ago, the number was 8,857, according to The Wall Street Journal. It cited statistics from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, a Department of Homeland Security unit that tracks foreigners in the US on student visas and the schools they attend.

At The Brook Hill School in Bullard, Texas, the number of Chinese students grew from six to 20 in the past six years, the maximum allowed from one foreign nation.

When Tang Weite first arrived at the school in 2009, the 18-year-old found that South Koreans were the dominant group at their boarding house.

Shawn Rhodes, director of residence life, said, "That trend shifted to China, as China has increased in affluence and prosperity."

Ma Shuheng, a senior at the pre-K-12 day and boarding Christian school near Dallas, said: "Not only the number is increasing. The standard (for admission) is higher, too."

He said that when he first applied in 2012, there was hardly any barrier to entry.

"Now, most students who get in have a 90-plus TOEFL score," he added, referring to the Test of English as a Foreign Language.

One of the reasons for many Chinese students studying in US schools is to escape the gaokao, China's national entrance examination, and the fierce competition that comes with it.

The other motivation is to get prepared for US colleges.

"More younger Chinese students choose to go to US high schools, as more parents believe that this leads to a better education if their kids finally choose to go to US universities and colleges," said Yu Haoyang, founder of Global Intellect Consulting in Beijing, which prepares Chinese students to apply to US schools.

"They believe that US high schools offer better English-language and cultural training, and it is easier for their kids to master these skills and become more competitive," she said.

Rhodes noticed that Chinese students nowadays arrive at a younger age, with most starting in the ninth grade. "It's better for assimilation, worldview, and to get culturally immersed so that they are much more ready for the switch to college."

Tang at Brook Hill said: "The earlier the better."

He came for the 11th grade in 2009. "Back then, we came late, so it's harder to join an athletic group or a club, which decides your social circle." He was a substitute player on the soccer team.

Rhodes said that extracurricular groups often play an important role as international students assimilate.

"(The groups) connect them with a different group and identify them as someone other than a boarding student," he said. "When a student comes later, it's more of a challenge."

He said a Chinese girl named Yiling came for eighth grade.

"She's a cheerleader. She's very well-known. And she runs for student council office; she made the most of her time at The Brook Hill," Rhodes said.

hezijiang@chinadailyusa.com