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When greeting students and staff at Paint Branch Elementary School in College Park, it might work just as well to say "ni hao" — the Mandarin Chinese equivalent of "hello" — as it would to say hello in English.

The school's yearlong "One World, One Dream" program incorporates Chinese culture into virtually every aspect of the school's curriculum. It officially kicked off Oct. 15 with a visit from China's Hubei University Lion Dance and Martial Arts Troupe, which entertained students inside the school's gymnasium.

"The kids were literally amazed," said Principal Jay Teston. "It definitely has piqued their interest."

The program is run in accordance with the University of Maryland, College Park, and the Confucius Institute, a Beijing-based nonprofit organization that promotes Chinese education at universities throughout the world. The students at Paint Branch began learning about China last year and many said they cannot wait to learn more.

"I really enjoy Chinese culture," said Eric Elue, 11, a sixth-grader from Laurel, moments after recounting the tai chi demonstration at the Oct. 15 assembly. "Especially the martial arts."

The ways that Chinese culture is applied at the school go far beyond social studies. Students learn about China's native animals in science class, and the 12-year Chinese Zodiac cycle is used to teach math to first-graders. The personality traits that go with each year are also used to build vocabulary.

Paint Branch has brought in Hong Xie, a Chinese exchange teacher, and the school plans to send about 15 students to its sister school — Nankai University Elementary School in Tianjin, China — this spring.

Teston, who visited Nankai University Elementary School along with three staff members in July, said he has been in contact with educators in Tianjin, and sixth-graders at the two schools will soon begin exchanging e-mails.

"Students [in Tianjin] receive English instruction from first grade to sixth grade," Teston said. "So, there's that common language that we can use."

Paint Branch will offer its own Chinese language program for a select group of students in the coming weeks, Teston said. Lessons will be taught after school and the hope is that at least 15 students will participate.

Ronald Pothen, 11, of Lanham said the program will make his sixth-grade class more knowledgeable and mindful of other cultures.

"If we go to China this year, we'll know what things we should respect in China and not disrespect," he said.