Admissions Policy

GTAIS welcomes applications from expatriate students holding foreign passports, as well as students holding resident cards or passports from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The school is also accepting applications from children of overseas Chinese and returned overseas students.

Student Residency Requirement

GTAIS operates as a day school and does not offer boarding facilities.
All enrolled students are required to reside in Shantou with a parent or legal guardian for the duration of their enrollment.
This residency requirement helps ensure students’ wellbeing, daily support, and strong home–school partnership.
Families planning to relocate to Shantou are encouraged to make appropriate living arrangements prior to enrollment.

Inclusive Admissions at GTAIS

Every child at GTAIS is safe and respected.
We welcome local and international families.
Our school community is friendly, inclusive, and supportive.

A Safe and Caring School

GTAIS welcomes students from different cultures and languages.
All students are treated fairly and kindly.
The school does not allow:
- Discrimination
- Harassment
- Bullying
- Physical harm
These rules are part of our school policies and daily practice.

Fair Admissions Process

Students may apply if they meet the school’s requirements.
Admission decisions are not based on:
- Race
- Gender
- Religion
- Nationality or ethnicity
These factors do not affect how students are treated at school.

Equal Opportunities for All Students

All students can take part in:
- Classes and academic programs
- Learning support and guidance
- School activities and clubs
- Leadership opportunities

Supporting Learning Needs

We welcome students with mild to moderate learning needs when support is available.
Support depends on the school’s teachers, space, and resources.
Families must share learning support records if their child has them.
Admission priority does not mean guaranteed placement.
Every application is reviewed carefully and one by one.

Working Together With Families

Admissions is the start of working together with families.
We believe in open and clear communication.
Our goal is to find the right school fit for each child.

Contact Admissions

Our Admissions Team is ready to help.
Please contact us with any questions about admissions or student support.

Age Requirement and Grade Level Placement

Expatriate nationals who meet the age requirements below may apply. Students enrolling must be the age listed below on or before September 1 of that school year:

GTAIS Class	Age at Entry	US Grade	UK Grade	AUS/NZ
Tadpole	3 yrs*⁺	Toddler/Pre-School	N/A	N/A
PreK-1	3 yrs*	Pre-School	N/A	N/A
PreK-2	4 yrs	Pre-Kindergarten	Reception	Kindergarten
Kindergarten	5 yrs*	Kindergarten	Year 1	Year 1
1^st Grade	6 yrs*	Grade 1	Year 2	Year 2
2^nd Grade	7 yrs	Grade 2	Year 3	Year 3
3^rd Grade	8 yrs	Grade 3	Year 4	Year 4
4^th Grade	9 yrs	Grade 4	Year 5	Year 5
5^th Grade	10 yrs	Grade 5	Year 6	Year 6
6^th Grade	11 yrs	Grade 6	Year 7	Year 7
7^th Grade	12 yrs	Grade 7	Year 8	Year 8
8^th Grade	13 yrs	Grade 8	Year 9	Year 9
9^th Grade	14 yrs	Grade 9	Year 10	Year 10
10^th Grade	15 yrs	Grade 10	Year 11	Year 11
11^th Grade	16 yrs	Grade 11	Year 12	Year 12
12^th Grade	17 yrs	Grade12	Year 13	Year 13

Tadpole Program – Entry Rules

Children must be 3 years old to join the Tadpole program.
A child can start at the beginning of the next school quarter after turning 3.
Tadpole tuition is paid by quarter (every three months).
Families must pay for all quarters the student attends.
Children who finish the Tadpole program will join Pre‑Kindergarten 1 in the next school year.

Toilet Training Requirement

Children must be fully toilet trained before starting school.
No diapers, Pull‑Ups, or toilet trainers are allowed.

Grade Placement Guidelines

Grade placement is based on age, school records, academic progress, and completion of the previous grade.
Students must be ready for the grade they apply for.

Students from Calendar‑Year Schools

Some countries follow a January to December school year
(for example: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South America, Singapore, Japan, and Korea).

For these students:

August entry:
Apply for the grade you are studying now.
January entry:
Apply for the grade you have just finished.

This helps students continue learning smoothly without repeating or missing work.

Example

Example:
A student is studying Grade 4 in a calendar‑year school.

If the student applies to start at GTAIS in August, they should apply for Grade 4.

If the student applies to start at GTAIS in January, they should apply for Grade 5.

Final Placement Decision

The school administration makes the final decision on admission and grade placement.
All decisions are made carefully and in the student's best interest.