Shenzhen American International School vs Shenzhen Foreign Languages GBA Academy

	S Shenzhen American International School Shenzhen, China	S Shenzhen Foreign Languages GBA Academy Shenzhen, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 138,000 - 298,000	Fees / year RMB 165,200 - 210,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 6 - 19 years
Type	Type Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge A Levels, Montessori Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Chinese National Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 300	Pupils 900
Typical class size	Typical class size 5	Typical class size 7
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 2005	Opened 2017
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The Bao'an campus is in Hangcheng (Hangcheng Street), Bao'an District, Shenzhen — address: No.2, Beiqi Road. The campus is a short drive from central Bao'an and is part of a newly opened SAIS campus complex that includes academic buildings, dormitories and a dining hall. Public metro and bus links serve Bao'an generally, but exact route/times for daily commutes will depend on your neighbourhood and are best checked locally.	Location Address: No. 30 Xiangtang Road (Xiangtang Lu), Bantian sub-district, Longgang District, Shenzhen. The campus is in the Bantian/Longgang area (city outskirts with road and local-bus connections); parents relocating should check specific transit options and journey times from their housing area.
Stages	Stages SAIS operates as a K–12 international school overall (preschool through Grade 12), while the Bao'an campus focuses on middle and high school provision. The Bao'an campus offers middle-school foundation (Grades 6–8) and multiple high-school pathways (IBDP, AP, A‑Level, HKDSE).	Stages SGA is a 12‑year, continuous school covering primary, middle and high school. It delivers the IB continuum: PYP for primary, MYP for middle years and DP for the final two years.
School type	School type The school is co-educational and provides both day and boarding options; the Bao'an campus includes an on-site boarding programme for Grade 6 and above. There is no indication that the school is operated by a religious organisation.	School type The school is a co‑educational, government‑run (municipal) school operated by the Shenzhen Foreign Languages School Group; it is a publicly authorised integrated/“multi‑path” school and admits students of different nationalities.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support SAIS Bao'an states it provides Special Educational Needs (SEN) support and places emphasis on inclusive admissions procedures and counselling. School counsellors run both group and individual sessions and the school asks parents to work collaboratively with staff on support plans; admissions and the Student Development Center are listed contacts for further detail.	Additional learning support SGA states it provides short‑term English language (EAL) support for students who need it and has school counselling/pastoral services; third‑party listings note a growing learning‑support team (a Learning Support Coordinator and trained staff) and access to external specialists when required. Parents with specific SEN requirements should contact admissions to discuss individual provision and assessment.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school is an independent international school operating in Shenzhen; it offers multiple international curricula (including American-style AP, A‑Level, IB and HKDSE pathways) and is not presented as formally affiliated to a single foreign government. The school was established with approval from the Chinese education authorities and the Bao'an campus is run in partnership with Tianli Educational Group.	Country affiliation The school is run under the Shenzhen Foreign Languages School (group) and Shenzhen municipal education authorities; it is not affiliated to any other country.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school website does not list any religious affiliation and presents SAIS as a secular international school.	Religious affiliation SGA does not advertise any religious affiliation; its programmes are secular and curriculum‑focused.
School day structure	School day structure The school office hours for the Bao'an campus are Monday–Friday, 08:00–17:00; specific daily timetables (start/end times by grade, lesson blocks, and lunch/break schedules) are not detailed on the public pages and can be confirmed with admissions. Boarding students follow a campus boarding schedule with after‑school activities, enrichment and supervised self-study in the evenings.	School day structure The school follows age‑appropriate daily timetables for PYP (primary), MYP (middle) and DP (senior) with lessons, a mid‑morning break and a lunchtime, plus after‑school co‑curricular activities. Exact start/end times and break lengths vary by year group and are published to families (contact the school or check the Parent Handbook for the current term schedule).
Bus service details	Bus service details The Bao'an campus website does not publish a dedicated school-bus schedule; SAIS's Shekou main campus operates a paid school-bus service covering Nanshan, Futian and parts of Bao'an, with fees and routes set by service area — for Bao'an-specific transport you should confirm directly with admissions.	Bus service details Public listings indicate SGA operates a school‑bus service for families (routes/availability are adjusted each year and places are typically by application/registration). Many schools in the area contract private bus providers, so parents should confirm current routes, pickup points, safety arrangements and fees with admissions before relocating.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Enrolment fees - One‑time application/registration fee: RMB 2,000 (approx.). - One‑time capital levy / building fee for new students: RMB 20,000 (approx.). Tuition fees by year group (annual and approximate per‑semester) - Early education / Pre‑K: Annual RMB 168,000 — per semester ≈ RMB 84,000. - Kindergarten: Annual RMB 188,000 — per semester ≈ RMB 94,000. - Grades 1–3: Annual RMB 208,000 — per semester ≈ RMB 104,000. - Grades 4–5: Annual RMB 228,000 — per semester ≈ RMB 114,000. - Grades 6–8: Annual RMB 258,000 — per semester ≈ RMB 129,000. - Grade 9: Annual RMB 278,000 — per semester ≈ RMB 139,000. - Grades 10–12 (A‑Level / AP / IB pathways): Annual RMB 278,000 — per semester ≈ RMB 139,000. (There are alternate DSE fee levels for DSE stream students — see next line.) - Grades 10–12 (DSE pathway): Annual RMB 138,000 (non‑Hong Kong ID) / RMB 98,000 (Hong Kong ID) — per semester ≈ RMB 69,000 / RMB 49,000 respectively. Boarding / boarding fees - Full‑year boarding fee (where available): RMB 80,000 per year (covers supervised boarding, three daily meals and dormitory services during normal teaching days). Other recurring or one‑off costs - School bus: Annual zone rates (examples) — RMB 12,000 (Shekou within 3 km), RMB 13,500 (Nanshan 3–10 km), RMB 15,000 (other 10+ km). Bus fees are charged by semester or year and are non‑refundable. - Lunch and catering: Paid separately through the school lunch program (menu and pricing set by the provider). - Uniforms: Parents order uniform sets via the school's online uniform store; costs vary by size/season. - Technology / device charges, exam fees (AP/IB/Cambridge), optional ASA and field trip costs may apply depending on grade and programme; these are additional to tuition. Billing schedule and payment terms - Enrollment and invoicing: the school requires payment of applicable application/one‑time fees before assessment and requires full payment by the published due date to secure a place after acceptance. Specific invoice due dates and accepted instalment options are set in the school's tuition schedule and enrolment documents. Refunds and withdrawal - The school has a formal Withdrawal & Refund Policy that parents must read and sign as part of admission; some one‑time fees and selected service fees (e.g., certain deposits, bus fees) are non‑refundable as stated in school documents. See the school's Withdrawal & Refund Policy for precise conditions. Fee payment options (typical for Shenzhen international schools / practice noted at similar schools) - Common accepted methods for international schools in Shenzhen include RMB bank transfer (wire), in‑person cash or over‑the‑counter payments; some schools also offer card/online payment channels with processing surcharges. Parents are required to follow the payment instructions shown on invoices. Notes: amounts above reflect published fee schedules and widely reported school fee summaries; one‑time entry charges and optional programme fees should be expected in addition to the annual tuition figures cited.	Fee details Application fee - The school's published fee schedule and parent/student handbook do not list a separate application, registration or seat-deposit fee on their public fee pages. Tuition fees (by year group) - Grade 1–5: RMB 165,200 per year. Per term (semester): RMB 82,600. - Grade 6–10: RMB 178,400 per year. Per term (semester): RMB 89,200. - Grade 11–12: RMB 210,000 per year. Per term (semester): RMB 105,000. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school publishes tuition as annual amounts and the academic calendar is split into two semesters (Semester 1 beginning in August and Semester 2 beginning in January). The per-term figures above are the annual tuition divided by two to match the school's two-semester calendar. Snacks for the year must be reserved at the start of each semester and meal charges are calculated by the school calendar. Boarding fees (if applicable) - Boarding (Grades 6–12): RMB 12,000 per year. Per term (semester): RMB 6,000. The boarding fee covers basic dormitory facilities and utilities; personal items, bedding, laundry and meals are not included and are payable separately. Boarding places are by application only. Other costs and recurring charges - Meal charges (charged per meal/day according to age group): - Grades 1–2: snack RMB 10; lunch RMB 20 (breakfast/dinner not listed except for boarders). - Grades 3–5: snack RMB 25. - Grades 6–12: breakfast RMB 10; lunch RMB 25; dinner RMB 25. Meal charges are calculated according to the school calendar and some meals (breakfast/dinner) are provided only to boarders. - Tuition explicitly excludes: school uniform, school bus, off-campus competitions / inter-school activity costs and other additional items (these are charged separately). The boarding fee also excludes personal items, beddings and laundry. - Co-curricular activities, external exam or registration fees for external exams, school trips, and specialist program fees may incur additional charges (not included in the tuition). The school's published fee statement notes those categories as exclusions from tuition. Refund information - The school's public fee statement and the student/parent handbook do not publish a detailed refund or cancellation policy on the fee pages reviewed. No published refund schedule or explicit refund rules were found on the school's public fee and handbook pages. Fee payment options and channels - The school's publicly posted fee pages and handbook do not specify payment channels (for example: bank transfer details, accepted card payments, WeChat/Alipay or international payment instructions). No payment-account or payment-method details were found on the school pages reviewed. Parents should expect standard institutional payment channels (bank transfer or school finance office arrangements) but the school does not publish the exact options on the referenced pages. Brief summary of missing items (from public fee pages reviewed) - The school's official published fee notice provides the annual tuition, boarding fee and meal charges and confirms the two-semester academic calendar, but does not publish (on the pages reviewed): a separate application/registration/seat fee, detailed billing deadlines or installment/late-payment penalties, explicit refund/cancellation rules, nor the school's bank account or accepted payment channels. The tuition, boarding and meal figures above are taken from the school's official fee announcement and the term dates from the school calendar.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements The Bao'an Campus offers a boarding program for Grade 6 and above. Boarding provides dormitory living spaces with comfortable accommodations and nutritious meals, with 24/7 supervision by boarding parents. The program includes student-led after-school activities, enrichment classes, and self-study support to promote holistic development.	Boarding arrangements Student dormitories are provided. The dormitories offer two-person rooms; there are separate buildings for male and female students with full facilities. The first-floor lobby includes a laundry room and a medical room, and each floor has a common space. The school has a care system to meet the housing needs of students in Grade 6 and above.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options The culinary team includes chefs from star-rated hotels to offer a diverse range of Chinese and Western dishes for students and staff. Meals are nutritionally balanced and reflect an international palate. Staff and students dine in the same canteen to enable interaction and timely feedback on dining needs.	Food options Meals are provided on campus with breakfast, a snack, lunch, and dinner. Snacks must be reserved at the start of each semester. Breakfast and dinner are available for boarders only. Meal prices vary by grade: Grades 1–2 breakfast 10 RMB, snack 20 RMB; Grades 3–5 lunch 25 RMB; Grades 6–12 breakfast 10 RMB, snack 25 RMB, lunch 25 RMB, dinner 25 RMB.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The Bao'an campus is governed through a strategic partnership between Shenzhen American International School and Tianli Educational Group (01773.HK). It operates independently from the Shekou campus, with governance strengthened by this partnership to support sustainable educational growth. Tianli Group aims to explore multiple opportunities within the educational sector.	Governance and ownership The school was founded in 2017 as Shenzhen Foreign Languages School (Group) Bay Area Campus. It is funded by the Shenzhen Municipal Government, led by the Shenzhen Education Bureau, and managed by Shenzhen Foreign Languages School (Group). The school enrolls students globally, across primary, middle, and high school as a 12-year program with small-class teaching. In August 2023, the school received IB Diploma Programme authorization; the school is also accredited by CIS and is affiliated with WASC and BSA.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Shenzhen American International School offers a K–12 international programme: IB‑PYP in early years/elementary, a Middle Years/Foundation bridge in middle school, and multiple Grade 10–12 pathways (IBDP, AP, A‑Level (Edexcel/AQA) and HKDSE). Grades 6–8 follow a Middle Year Foundation Program (MYFP) with core subjects in English, Chinese, mathematics, science, individuals & societies, arts, music, ICT, physical health education, Service as Action (SAS) and after‑school activities. Grade 9 is a High School Foundation Year (Pre‑DP) that prepares students for pathway selection (Pre‑DP into IBDP, AP, A‑Levels or HKDSE) and includes TOK and PHE in the programme. The American Placement (AP) pathway (Grades 10–12) lets students choose AP subjects across languages, humanities, sciences and maths and sit external AP exams (students typically take 2–3 exams and may earn university credits). The A‑Level route includes a Grade 10 Pre‑DP year and Pearson Edexcel IAL / AQA Oxford International qualifications in Grades 11–12 (students usually select three specialist subjects alongside mandatory English/Chinese, PHE and ASAs); the HKDSE pathway (Grades 10–12) follows Hong Kong Diploma requirements with compulsory Chinese, English, mathematics and liberal studies plus elective sciences, humanities, Applied Learning options and mathematics extension modules. The IBDP option comprises a Grade 10 Pre‑DP transition and the two‑year Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12) with the six subject groups, Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS; students can follow HL/SL subject choices across languages, individuals & societies, sciences, mathematics and the arts.	Curriculum details Shenzhen Foreign Languages GBA Academy delivers an IB continuum: Primary Years Programme (Grades 1–5), Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10) integrated with China's national curriculum, and the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12) for students pursuing the IB Diploma. The MYP fusion curriculum maps national content into eight subject groups (language & literature, language acquisition, individuals & societies, sciences, mathematics, the arts, design, and physical and health education) while using IB assessment criteria. The PYP is delivered through six transdisciplinary Units of Inquiry that weave language, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts and physical education, and includes a second‑language program. In Grades 11–12 students follow the IB DP structure (three Higher Level and three Standard Level subjects plus Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS), with course options listed including Chinese and English Language A and Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches. SGA states it is authorized across PYP, MYP and DP and holds CIS, WASC and BSA accreditations, and describes its curriculum as a three‑pillar fusion of foundation subjects, integrated competencies and career/frontier elements.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning SAIS describes a range of student-led after‑school activities (ASA) that the school says develop teamwork, leadership, resilience and confidence through clubs and sports. The SEN/Student Development information also states school counselors run general, age‑group sessions on mental‑health topics as well as individual counselling. The Student Development Center is led by a named director (Ms Aleezer Li), who is presented as a life mentor involved in student support. The school website frames these elements as part of a broader “holistic education” approach on the main site.	Social & emotional learning SGA describes social and emotional learning as part of its IB-based curriculum: the PYP explicitly develops social skills and self‑management, and the MYP highlights affective (emotional) skills and the IB Approaches to Learning. The school also embeds teamwork, reflection and identity development through its PE programme and co‑curricular activities (over 200 ASA/club/team options), which are presented as part of the school's student development offer. These curriculum elements and after‑school programmes are described in the Student/Parent Handbook and the school's activities pages. The school website does not list a named SEL team or dedicated pastoral staff in the publicly available handbook text.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school's SEN page states SAIS offers Special Educational Needs support and says inclusivity and gathering information through the admissions process are part of that provision. The page describes dedicated school counselors providing general and individual counselling tailored to students' needs. The site invites parents to cooperate with the school's SEN work and provides contact emails for further enquiries. The school does not publicly specify on its website which specific categories of SEN it can support, nor does it describe itself as a specialist SEN institution.	Special educational needs (SEN) The school's publicly available Student/Parent Handbook and policy pages do not provide specific information about Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision, named learning‑support staff, or which categories of SEN the school can support. The site describes SGA as a “多元融合” (diverse/integrated) school but does not publish a formal SEN policy or details of specialist SEN resources on the pages reviewed. Therefore there is no explicit, verifiable public statement on the school website about specialist SEN provision or whether SGA is a specialist SEN institution. If you would like, I can contact the admissions office (OpenApply) or search third‑party listings for additional information—please confirm.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language SAIS states it offers English language support through English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes and lists TOEFL and IELTS preparatory courses. The Language Programs page also notes additional instruction in Chinese, French and Japanese to enrich language learning. The school says its language teaching team includes native and experienced non‑native English teachers to support students transitioning to an English‑language environment. For more detail (levels, entry criteria or class sizes) the site directs enquiries to admissions email addresses.	English as an additional language The Student/Parent Handbook states that English is the main language of instruction and that the school provides short‑term English language learning support for students who require English as an Additional Language (EAL). This is described as temporary language learning support rather than a long‑term, named EAL programme on the publicly available pages. No detailed EAL programme outline or staffing structure is published on the school website pages reviewed.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school's SEN and Student Development pages state that school counselors provide both group sessions on age‑appropriate mental‑health topics and one‑to‑one counselling for individual needs. The Student Development Center is presented as a focal point for student support and college counselling, led by a named director. The campus description also refers to a “Home Parent” programme and dormitory living spaces intended to create a supportive, home‑like environment for boarders. If you need specifics about counselling qualifications, referral processes or external mental‑health partnerships, the website provides contact emails but does not publish those operational details.	Mental wellbeing The school's published curriculum materials state that the PYP and MYP include social, emotional and physical development (PYP) and affective skills (MYP) as part of learning objectives, indicating wellbeing is addressed through the curriculum. Co‑curricular activities and the PE programme emphasise personal growth, teamwork and reflection, and the boarding facilities description notes an on‑site medical room and residential care arrangements for boarding students. The website does not publish a separate mental‑health or counselling policy nor list named counsellor posts in the public handbook text. For specific counselling services or referrals the school uses, parents are advised to contact admissions or the school directly.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding and child‑protection policies on its website.	Safeguarding There is no child protection or safeguarding policy text published on the pages of the school website reviewed (Student/Parent Handbook and Policy Announcement pages do not contain a public safeguarding statement). The school's public pages describe boarding care facilities and general student welfare through curriculum and boarding arrangements, but a formal, detailed safeguarding/child‑protection policy is not available on the site. Therefore the school does not publicly disclose a standalone safeguarding policy on the pages reviewed; for official safeguarding policy and named safeguarding officers you should contact the school directly.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The SAIS Bao'an Campus spans over 20,000 square meters. It is enveloped in lush greenery. The campus features three separate buildings: an academic block, dormitories, and a dining hall. The teaching area is equipped with smart classrooms, specialized function rooms, and a variety of indoor and outdoor sports facilities. The culinary team provides Chinese and Western dishes that are nutritionally balanced, and staff and students dine in the same canteen.	Facilities overview The school operates on a 140,000 square meter campus. The school provides a one-to-one Apple device program for students. It is an IB World School with a teacher-student ratio of 1:7 and a Chinese to foreign teachers ratio of 4:3. Facilities include drone classrooms, spaces for orchestral music, and fencing.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The teaching area is equipped with smart classrooms, specialized function rooms, and a variety of indoor and outdoor sports facilities. Indoor and outdoor sports facilities support physical education and holistic development. These facilities enable a range of sports and recreational activities. The facilities are integrated into the campus design to support the school's holistic education philosophy.	Sports facilities Sports facilities include spaces for volleyball and fencing. These facilities support regular volleyball matches and fencing practice.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The campus includes an academic block. The teaching area is equipped with smart classrooms and specialized function rooms. These facilities provide a quiet and comfortable space for learning, working, and living. This setup supports students in achieving well-rounded personal development and academic progress.	Academic facilities The school is an IB World School. The campus includes drone classrooms and spaces for STEM and performing arts. PYPX is featured as part of the primary program.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Enrichment classes run from 4:30 to 6:00 PM for boarding students. Options include American Football, Table Tennis, Frisbee, Marketer Club, Stage Performance, Music Band, Costume and Makeup Design, Props Design, and Cross Over Art project. The enrichment classes are designed to enhance skills and creativity while promoting physical fitness and collaboration. Participation fosters leadership, creativity, and critical thinking and supports a sense of belonging within the school community.	Extra curricular facilities Extracurricular activities include drone classes, orchestral performances, fencing, and guzheng performances. The site shows PYPX as part of the program. There is a House Team system for student activities.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Shenzhen American International School (SAIS) was established in May 2005 with approval from the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China and the Guangdong Provincial Department of Education. The school is accredited by Cognia and has grown to offer programs from preschool through Grade 12. SAIS operates multiple sites, including its Shekou campus and the newer Bao'an campus, and has expanded its high‑school pathways in recent years. The Bao'an campus also includes an on‑site boarding program and is presented by the school as a key milestone in its development.	History Shenzhen Foreign Languages Greater Bay Area Academy (SGA) was established in 2017 as a government‑initiated, pilot “multi‑modal” school managed by Shenzhen Foreign Languages School (Group). The school was set up with investment and authorization from the Shenzhen municipal government and operates under the supervision of the Shenzhen Education Bureau; it is described on the school site as an education‑reform pilot approved by national authorities. The academy evolved from earlier international teaching activities (its transition campus opened in 2017) and completed a move to its current campus infrastructure in 2020. These points are described in the school's official materials and local education notices.
Community	Community SAIS maintains an active community presence on its website and through on‑campus events, with regular posts highlighting student projects, seasonal performances and cultural activities such as holiday music programs and Thanksgiving events. The school publishes series like “SAISERS” and other news items that mark institutional milestones and student initiatives, and it has hosted visiting speakers — for example, a scheduled talk by former Vermont governor Peter Shumlin in December 2024. These activities are used to engage students, families and staff and to celebrate transitions such as the opening of the Bao'an campus.	Community SGA presents a mixed, international community of students and staff recruited from mainland China, Hong Kong/Macau and overseas; the school highlights a diverse faculty and an international boarding and day‑school population. The school publishes and promotes regular community‑facing events such as Open Days where parents meet leadership and tour campus facilities, and it runs a programme of cultural and co‑curricular activities (music ensembles, drama in the school theatres, sports and academic competitions) that parents are invited to attend. The site documents student achievements in a range of competitions and lists many specialist facilities used for cultural and sporting events.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The school's PTA is featured as a site category and supports parent‑facing programming and communications. Recent PTA activity includes a parenting workshop titled “Parenting Patterns & Responses in the Screen Age,” held on November 15, 2024, which invited current parents and a small number of outside participants. The PTA also supports Parent‑Teacher Conferences; recent PTCs included grade‑specific assemblies and one‑on‑one meetings, with practical briefings on platforms and reports such as ManageBac, Q1 report summaries, SchoolBuddy and exam/grading procedures. School posts emphasize that these events are intended to strengthen parent–teacher communication and collaboration. Contact and sign‑up details for PTA workshops have been published on the site, and the school indicates plans for additional parent workshops and community sessions going forward.	Parent teacher association SGA's public materials emphasise parent engagement through scheduled Open Days, parent briefings and school events that invite family participation; the Open Day page specifically describes opportunities to meet the leadership team, review curriculum plans and join campus tours. However, the school's public website does not publish a dedicated Parent‑Teacher Association (PTA) constitution or a named parents' committee with a detailed calendar of PTA‑run activities as of January 1, 2026. Because a formal PTA structure and its specific programmes (for example class parent groups, volunteer committees, fundraising or regular parent workshops) are not described on the site, the clearest documented parent touchpoints are Open Days, parent meetings and ad hoc community events — for fuller, current details the school's admissions or community relations office can confirm whether a formal PTA or class‑level parent committee exists and what events it runs.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual SAIS Bao'an offers a high school program mix including the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) for Grades 11–12, Advanced Placement (AP), A‑Level, and the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE). A Grade 10 Pre‑DP Foundation Year prepares students for DP, while Grade 9 offers a Middle Year Foundation. The curriculum includes Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Service as Action (SAS) integrated into courses, and college counseling supports university admissions.	Academic & intellectual Shenzhen Foreign Languages Greater Bay Area Academy (SGA) is a twelve-year school spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels, with small class sizes. The school was founded in 2017, invested by the Shenzhen Municipal Government, and is managed by Shenzhen Foreign Languages School (Group) under the Shenzhen Education Bureau. It admits students globally with no nationality or hukou restrictions.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Enrichment Classes provide Stage Performance, Music Band, Costume and Makeup Design, Props Design, and Cross Over Art projects. After-School Activities include dancing and drama, and student-led clubs contribute to creativity and collaboration. Enrichment and ASA programs extend learning beyond academics into the arts and creative collaboration.	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Language Programs include ESL and EAL support and ongoing Chinese, French, and Japanese language study. A team of native and non-native language teachers supports language development and test preparation for TOEFL and IELTS. Language learning is linked to cultural experiences that broaden students' global perspectives.	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies After School Activities (ASA) include badminton, football, dancing, drama, chess, reading, and the magazine/newsletter club. The boarding program offers additional enrichment through stage performances, music, and arts activities in the Enrichment Classes. Student-led activities foster teamwork, leadership, and social connection within the SAIS Bao'an community.	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service SAS (Service as Action) is embedded across middle and high school curricula, including Foundation Year pathways and DP/AP/A‑Level programs. Students participate in service and action projects as part of SAS. The school encourages parental involvement in SAS and supports a collaborative approach to student well-being and community engagement. Community-centered experiences are reinforced through the boarding environment and campus life.	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The school features an Executive Principal and a Secondary Principal/IBDP Coordinator, with a Director of the Student Development Center leading college counseling and student development initiatives. The Leadership page presents the leaders and key administrators who support admissions, curriculum, and student support. College counseling provides guidance on course selection, standardized tests, and the college application process.	Leadership & professional SGA offers an international curriculum with global teacher recruitment and a clear pathway for leadership and professional development. The staff composition includes roughly 60% Chinese teachers and 40% expatriate teachers, all with advanced degrees and IB training or experience.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing The Bao'an campus includes three buildings: an academic block, dormitories, and a dining hall that support boarding life. Meals are prepared by chefs from star-rated hotels and are served in a shared canteen for staff and students. The Home Parent program and on-campus dormitories foster a home-like environment that supports student well-being. Physical education, ASA, and enrichment activities promote fitness and holistic well-being.	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English language support is provided through ESL/EAL programs. Chinese, French, and Japanese language learning is available. TOEFL and IELTS preparation courses are offered to support language proficiency for college admissions.	Language provision Languages taught include English and Chinese. The IB Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme are offered. The Diploma Programme is taught in English; the Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme are taught in English and Chinese.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching Mission: The school aims to cultivate innovative talents with Chinese sentiment and international vision. Values: Global outlook; lifelong learning; pursuit of technological innovation; understanding cultural heritage; restraint and humility. Operating philosophy: Build an ubiquitous large-classroom; promote high-tech, interactive learning; create an international network; integrate Chinese and Western cultures; foster a broad framework of moral education.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs Language immersion programs are offered as enrichment within the Boarding Program.	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards I reviewed the school website for awards listed as having been given to the school itself during the five-year period from January 1, 2021 through January 1, 2026. The site contains news items, program and campus information and references to student scholarships and student awards, but it does not list any institutional awards or prizes granted to the school in that period. (Student-focused scholarships and awards are described on the site, but those are awards to students, not to the institution.)	Awards On the school website there is limited information presented as school-level recognitions. The site does not provide a dated, itemised list of school awards covering the last five years, so I cannot confirm precise dates for most recognitions. Items the website does present (undated on the site) that are awarded to or describe the school itself are: - Designation as a Shenzhen/Municipal and Ministry of Education pilot demonstration school — the site states SGA was approved as a Shenzhen "先行示范" (pilot demonstration) project and describes SGA as the Greater Bay Area's first such demonstration school. This is an official government designation reported on the school site. (No date is given on the site for when this designation was awarded.) - "First CIS Internationally Accredited Boarding School in Shenzhen" — the school profile states SGA is the first CIS-accredited boarding school in Shenzhen; the website presents this as a distinguishing recognition. (The site does not attach a specific date for this claim.) - School ensemble / team awards described as school-level achievements — the site says the school wind orchestra has repeatedly won provincial and municipal competition awards and that the school's rhythmic gymnastics team has frequently won provincial events. These are presented on the school profile page as awards received by school groups (not individual students). The website does not give dates or a formal award list for these items. If you want a strict, date-confirmed list limited to awards given to the school within the past five calendar years (Jan 1, 2021–Jan 1, 2026), I can search for dated press releases, government notices, CIS/WASC/BSA announcements or news items that specify award dates and confirm whether each event falls inside that period—would you like me to proceed with that broader web search?
Accreditations	Accreditations 1) Cognia accreditation — The school states it is accredited by Cognia; Cognia is a U.S.-based nonprofit accreditation and continuous-improvement organization (formerly AdvancED) that evaluates K–12 schools against international standards for teaching, learning and school improvement. 2) Approval by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China — the site says SAIS received approval from China's Ministry of Education; that indicates the school has the national-level regulatory authorization required to operate as an international school for foreign personnel's children. 3) Approval by the Guangdong Provincial Department of Education — the site also records provincial-level approval from Guangdong's education authorities, which is the provincial counterpart to the national approval and is part of the school's official operating permissions.	Accreditations Below are the accreditations and official authorizations listed on the school's website, with a one-line explanation for each. - International Baccalaureate (IB) — Shenzhen Foreign Languages GBA Academy is authorized as an IB World School for the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP and DP); the school's website notes the DP authorization was granted in August 2023. This authorization means the school is recognized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to deliver those IB programmes and to assess students under IB standards. - Council of International Schools (CIS) — the website states SGA has full CIS accreditation. CIS accreditation is an internationally recognised school-quality accreditation focused on governance, teaching & learning, and student wellbeing that indicates the school meets CIS standards for international schools. - Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) — the site lists WASC accreditation. WASC is a U.S.-based regional accrediting body whose accreditation can support international recognition of school programmes and qualifications. - Boarding Schools' Association (BSA) — the website indicates SGA has BSA accreditation/recognition. BSA affiliation/recognition relates to boarding provision standards and peer benchmarking for boarding schools. Note: the school's website also describes that the school was established with Shenzhen Municipal Government investment and that it is an education pilot/demonstration project approved by the Ministry of Education (a formal government designation). That is an official recognition rather than an academic accreditation; it is listed on the school profile pages.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Initial inquiry and information-gathering (Contact & tour). The school's contact page provides a form to request tours and lists school hours and phone/email contacts; families should confirm which campus/program (Bao'an vs. Shekou) they are applying to before proceeding. Visiting or a phone call is useful because the school offers both day and boarding options and bus/meal arrangements differ by campus. 2. Create an OpenApply account and complete the online application. - SAIS uses OpenApply for admissions; parents should register a family account and complete every required section of the online application (personal details, family, previous schools, health/SEN information and fees section) before submitting. The OpenApply form also asks whether you want boarding or day place and which academic year and curriculum stream (IB/AP/A‑Level/DSE) you are applying to; fill those carefully because they affect placement and fee schedules. You can preview the full checklist on the OpenApply portal so you can gather translations, transcripts, and medical records before submission. 3. Prepare and submit required documents and pay the non-refundable application fee. - The application will not be processed until the non-refundable application fee (¥2,000 RMB) is paid and the required documents are received. The school's published application checklist requires a completed application form plus copies of the student's passport, birth certificate (English translation), residence permit or visa (if available), immunization record, two passport photos, the last two years' official school reports (English translation), and any specialist SEN reports. If you do not yet have a Chinese visa/residence permit you may submit passport copies now and email visa/permit copies later. 4. Admission review and any follow-up (selection process). - Once the application fee and documents are received the school's selection/review process begins; the school may request additional information, clarification of records, or follow-up communications with the sending school. The website and application form do not publish a single fixed interview/exam sequence for all applicants, so the school may contact you to arrange placement testing, an interview, or a meeting with staff as appropriate for the student's age and programme; for high‑school entry the school also runs entrance examinations and scholarship-related assessments. Parents should be ready to supply original documents on request and to schedule in-person or online meetings for placement discussions. 5. Offer, acceptance, and payment of the enrollment deposit. - If the school issues an offer, new families must pay the non-refundable enrollment deposit (published as ¥60,000 RMB) within five working days of receiving the admission letter to secure the place; continuing students must meet the seat-reservation deadline (published as March 31). The enrollment deposit is applied toward total fees but is non-refundable; if the deposit is not paid by the deadline the school explicitly reserves the right to offer the place to other applicants. Parents should check the offer letter for exact dates and the finance contact for bank details. 6. Tuition payment schedule, early-bird and payment options. - The school publishes grade-group tuition bands and offers an early-bird rate for payments by March 31; full tuition deadlines and the standard payment schedule show an annual (due by August 10) or semester option (due by August 10 and January 10). For example (published in the SAIS fee policy for 2025–26) annual tuition figures differ by grade and programme (primary, middle, AP/IB high school, A‑Level, HKDSE) and boarding and meal fees are additional. Parents should review the current Fee Policy PDF carefully for the grade-specific tuition amount that applies to their child and confirm whether their employer will pay directly or whether they will pay as family. 7. Additional fees and optional services (boarding, meals, transport, school fund). - The Fee Policy lists boarding fees (annual boarding fee and meal and dormitory amounts), a School Fund / uniform & BYOD one-time fee for new students (published as ¥20,000 RMB), and bus fee zones (published zone rates); meal and transport fees can be optional and non-refundable depending on your selections. Sibling discounts apply to tuition only (with the structure published in the fee document) but do not apply to boarding, meals or uniform/school-fund charges. If you are considering boarding, note the fee structure for dormitory configurations and that meal arrangements differ between the Bao'an and Shekou campuses. 8. Withdrawal, refunds, and arrival preparations. - The school publishes a withdrawal and refund policy with proportional refunds depending on the withdrawal date (e.g., 100% refund before school year begins, scaled refunds through the year) and specific rules for temporary leave, late payments, and documentation release. Parents should also prepare immunization records and any medical documentation in advance; the application form requires immunization and health history and indicates the school will follow emergency procedures if necessary. If a visa/residence permit is required for enrollment, start that process early (the application form asks for residence/visa details).	Admissions 1. Submit an online application through OpenApply. All applications to SGA must be completed via the school's OpenApply portal (sga.openapply.cn/apply); SGA does not accept paper applications. When you register, choose the correct form for your child's grade (Primary G1–G5, Secondary G6–G8 or G9–G11) and keep your OpenApply login details handy for follow-up requests. 2. Provide the required documents listed in the application checklist. The school's admissions page specifies that an Admission Application Form, a Family Statement and a School Report are minimum required items; the Admissions Office will not start processing until required materials are received. Parents should prepare scanned academic reports (two most recent years if available), any translated or certified documents, the student's passport or ID, and any teacher references the portal requests. 3. Application review and document integrity check. After you submit, the Admissions Office reviews all documents against SGA's admissions policy; the school explicitly reserves the right to withdraw an offer if information is found to be false or misleading. Make sure dates, school names and grades on transcripts match and that school reports are authentic to avoid delays or rescinded offers. 4. Entrance assessment invitation is issued to candidates who clear the document review. SGA's published process says successful applicants will receive an invitation to an Entrance Assessment; the website does not publish a public, detailed breakdown of assessment content or format, so expect the Admissions Office to provide the assessment schedule, format (online or on-campus) and any preparation instructions by email. Parents should confirm time-zone differences for remote assessments, bring the required ID to in-person assessments, and ask Admissions in advance if accommodations are needed. 5. Admissions decision and response window. The school states that a decision is normally sent by email within 10–15 working days after the Entrance Assessment; offers will include instructions and a deadline for confirming the place. Parents should watch the email account used on OpenApply, read the offer letter carefully (it will state any conditions) and meet the confirmation deadline to secure the place. 6. Fees, boarding and other cost information you should check before confirming. SGA publishes its official fee policy (2025–2026 school year) on the school website: Tuition for Grade 1–5 is RMB 165,200; Grade 6–10 RMB 178,400; Grade 11–12 RMB 210,000. Boarding (Grades 6–12) is RMB 12,000 for the year; meal rates are listed per grade band and tuition excludes meals, uniforms, school bus and some extracurricular or trip costs. Parents should read the school's policy page carefully to confirm what is included in tuition, ask about the payment schedule and whether there is an enrollment deposit or refund policy stated in the offer letter.
Scholarships	Scholarships SAIS publishes a school scholarship programme and a scholarship application form for the Bao'an campus. The school's scholarships page and the SAIS Scholarship Application Form list several categories in the 2025 plan, including a High School Entrance Examination Scholarship, Top University Scholarship, Outstanding Student Scholarship, and Talent Scholarship (for arts or sports); the application form describes required items such as a 200–500 word personal statement, two recommendation letters, certified transcripts, and supporting evidence (competition results, portfolios) for talent awards. Deadlines and timelines are published in the scholarship form (examples: application deadlines of December 20 for spring-entry and June 30 for fall-entry; selected applicants notified by January 10 or July 31; successful applicants required to confirm by January 20 or August 5). The scholarship form identifies a Scholarship Coordinator (Ms. Aleezer Li) and gives a contact email and phone number for questions and submission instructions. The scholarships page also includes student testimonial material (example: a 12th‑grade recipient reporting a half scholarship) indicating the school has awarded partial scholarships in practice. If you are considering a scholarship, submit the scholarship form and all supporting documents by the published deadline and follow up with the scholarship coordinator for any programme-specific steps.	Scholarships The school's official pages (admissions, policy and related site sections) do not list scholarships, bursaries or formal fee‑remission programs. SGA's published fee policy gives tuition, boarding and meal rates but does not describe merit or need‑based awards. If you need information about financial assistance, sibling discounts, or any temporary subsidies, ask Admissions directly (OpenApply contact or the school phone listed on the Shenzhen municipal school directory) because any such programs would be administered case-by-case and are not described on the public site. For accuracy when planning, request written confirmation from Admissions about whether any scholarships or fee reductions are available and the eligibility/application process.
Waitlist	Waitlist The school website and published admissions documents do not present a separate, public ‘waitlist' policy or named ‘admissions pool' for general applicants. However, the Fee Policy states that if a new student's enrollment deposit is not paid by the required deadline the school reserves the right to offer the place to other applicants, which indicates places may be reallocated promptly when deposits are not received. Because the site does not describe a formal waitlist process (priority rules, how long students remain on a list, or how waitlisted families are notified), parents who want to know the practical handling of oversubscribed grades should contact admissions directly (admissions@szsaisba.org) to ask whether a waitlist will be created for their child and how offers from that list are managed.	Waitlist SGA's public admissions documents and the school's admissions procedure do not describe an explicit waitlist or pool system. The published process shows application review, an entrance assessment, a decision and a confirmation step but does not explain what happens to applicants who are not offered a place. If you are not offered a place, contact the Admissions Office (via OpenApply or the school's admissions contact) to ask whether the school maintains a waiting list, how candidates are ranked, and whether you must reapply for a later intake; the school runs regular Open Days where Admissions staff can address these questions in person.
	View full profile →	View full profile →