[NYer]

Jiacheng Wang, a senior at John F. Kennedy from Ningbo, a coastal city, said he left China to obtain a well-rounded education in the arts and sciences. “I wanted to have time to do the things I love,” he said, including drumming and singing. He said that the school’s religious affiliation played almost no role in his decision to enroll, but he now finds the school’s daily prayers calming. Sometimes before bed now, he prays alone.

DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, N.J., recruits students from China. Credit Ángel Franco/The New York Times “I believe in science,” Mr. Wang said. “But now, I’m kind of 50 percent Christian. I start to believe this God stuff.”

Asked during a phone interview from China whether she believed her son would convert, his mother, Li Qijun, 46, replied dismissively in Mandarin. “That won’t happen.”

Ping!

[sitetest]

My sons’ high school (which is my own alma mater) has always had a sprinkling of international students, but this coming fall will begin a formal program of welcoming Chinese students to the school. The initial number for this coming year’s enrollment will be 10, I think.