Quick summary of key school information
School details
| Number of students |
750 |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
20 |
| Most common nationality |
Chinese |
| Ratio of local students to international students |
7:3 |
| Native English speaking teachers |
Our teachers are mostly native English and native Chinese speakers. We do have other nationalities who speak English fluently. |
| Language support for students not fluent in English |
English as an Additional Language |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
Chinese (mostly first language, but we also offer some Chinese as an additional language) |
| Max. number of students per class |
25 |
| Average number of students per class |
22 |
| Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
No, but we have a fully qualified Chinese teacher in each Primary Homeroom (ie 2 teachers in each room) plus additional staff for Math. |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
We use Apple iPads in primary, Macbooks in Secondary. Smartboards in every classroom. We also have an additional computer lab (iMacs), design studios, TV Studios and much more. |
| Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures) |
Yes, we are fully functional in online learning in both Primary and Secondary. |
| Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
No. |
| External examinations or assessments available |
IB MYP and IB DP |
| Results in these examinations |
NA at this point. We are PYP Authorized, MYP Authorized, and a DP Candidate School. Our first MYP Cohort will be May 2024. |
| Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes. |
| Approximate hours of homework given |
Progressive amounts. |
| Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
Our first graduating class is in 2025 - we predict 100% will attend university abroad |
| Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Yes, we have two full-time school counselors on staff plus three medical doctors. |
| Learning support offered |
From August 2024, we will have a Learning Support Coordinator and two English teachers who are trained in Learning Support. These staff give training and advice and support the most pressing cases, but we currently do not have full-time SEN staff. We provide social and emotional counseling plus pastoral support for all students. |
| The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
We differentiate in the classroom and provide extension work for students who need more of a challenge. We also encourage particularly able students to join national and international academic competitions such as the American Math Competition, Vex Robotics, Model United Nations, and the World Scholar's Cup. |
| Student access to education psychologist |
Outsourced with the option for a discount with a partner institution. |
| Entry evaluation for students |
Entrance Assessment |
| Brief description of entry evaluation required |
Assessment based on NWEA MAP English and Math in Primary, WIDA in Secondary Grade 6 to Grade 9 with additional Math and Science Tests for Grade 10 and above. We review previous school documentation and interview each student in English. |
| Waiting list |
For some grades, yes |
| Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
Ongoing enrollment |
| Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes |
| School start time |
8:00am |
| School finish time |
Approximately 3:30pm |
| Supervised care before/after school |
We are a Day School and a Boarding School. Students have after-school activities from 3:30pm to 4:30pm after school plus school teams. |
| School bus service available |
Yes. |
| School provided lunches |
Yes. |
| Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Yes, we offer a vegetarian option. Students with further dietary needs may bring a packed lunch. |
| Uniform required |
Yes. |
| Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
Over 50, including painting, ceramics, music, robotics, virtual reality, fashion, board games, debating, Model United Nations, World Scholar's Cup, American Maths Competition, Vex Robotics, languages, and orchestra |
| Sports activities included |
Dozens, including swimming, water polo, table tennis, golf, fencing, soccer, basketball, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, yoga, squash, and badminton, and rhythmic gymnastics |
| Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Yes, we are part of the International Sports League and the Pearl River Conference and compete with dozens of schools. |
| Facilities at the school |
We are a state-of-the-art campus with over a hundred fully-equipped classrooms, 2 Boarding Houses, centralized security with 2000 cameras for student safety, and a huge number of facilities including a Science and Innovation Centre with 20 laboratories, 2 libraries, elevator access in every building, calligraphy rooms, art studios, a design wing, a virtual reality suite, a black box theater, a 200-seat theater, a 900-seat theater, dance studios, a space lab, a neuroscience lab, a TV studio, 2 canteens, a cafe, and a park. |
| Sports facilities at the school |
SGA has a full range of sports facilities, including a football field, a 400-meter running track, a basketball court, a volleyball court, two general gymnasiums, a swimming pool, a table tennis room, a fencing hall, a martial arts studio, a golf simulation suite, a squash court, a rock climbing hall, and fitness center. |
| Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
Shenzhen Foreign Languages GBA Academy (SGA) is the perfect place for young people to learn and succeed. As a flagship IB integrated government school with a world-class faculty and a state-of-the-art campus, we are an international community built on a solid foundation of traditional Chinese values. When subjects capture a young person’s imagination, learning becomes an adventure. |
| Teaching approach of the school |
We are a student-centered, inquiry-based school that understands students study best when they love to learn. Our students pour themselves into their work because they love it and delight in exceeding our expectations. SGA goes to great lengths to find accomplished educators from across China and around the world who care, and who go that extra mile because of the difference they make in young people’s lives. |