Our upper grades program harnesses the power of experiential, interdisciplinary and project-based learning to develop students who are curious, creative and uniquely equipped to meet the challenges of the future. The program provides a 100% English language environment, with all classes taught in English to prepare students for postsecondary education overseas. Highlights include:
  • 1
    Interdisciplinary, project-based learning across STEAM and humanities
  • 2
    Mentorship for the pursuit of passions and individual interests
  • 3
    World-class college counseling to prepare students for higher education overseas

Upcoming Events

Signature Programs

Interdisciplinary Projects
Avenues’ signature interdisciplinary project-based learning experience, encompassing STEAM, humanities, and global studies. It blends project-based pedagogy (inspired by programs at Stanford’s d.school and MIT) with a great books curriculum (in the spirit of core curricula at Columbia University and the University of Chicago) to provide transformative learning experiences in connection with the themes of discovery, innovation and foresight. In multi-week units of study, students read thoughtfully paired texts—integrating the subjects of English, history, global studies, science, art, design, engineering and mathematics—while completing hands-on projects related to their reading. The result is a rare combination of academic depth and interdisciplinary breadth: great works both read and created.
Problem-Based Math
Building perseverance, collaboration and lifelong problem-solving skills
Our problem-based mathematics program is taught in English with an emphasis on collaboration, communication and small-group discussion. Course content is challenging and includes applied mathematics problems connected to the interdisciplinary Great Works program.
Mastery
Giving every student an opportunity to find and pursue his or her passion
We pledge to graduate students who are confident because they excel in a particular passion, and we provide students with the space, time, and resources to first identify and then pursue that passion in depth. In the Mastery Program, students dedicate a full day of their week to personalized learning experiences co-designed with their mentors and coaches. Mastery can take many forms and is customized for each student to ensure deep and purposeful learning.
The Deans Program
Personalized support and mentorship across the social and physical changes of adolescence
The deans at Avenues are full-time mentors whose sole responsibility is the social-emotional well- being and academic success of their students. Working closely with faculty and acting as a point of contact for parents, deans ensure that students are fully supported and appropriately challenged at school.
World-Class College Counseling
Access to Avenues' global network of college counseling expertise
We are serious about guiding our students to colleges and universities where they will thrive. As a part of Avenues’ global network, students at Avenues Shenzhen will benefit from our proven college counseling expertise, which has guided more than 1000 graduates of Avenues AWE curriculum to some of the world’s most prestigious colleges, including Brown, Columbia, Harvard, Stanford, and Yale. The relationships that we have nurtured with colleges and universities around the world, and the resources that we have developed for our students will be fully available to our students in Shenzhen.

Academic Program

The upper grades program begins by establishing a foundation of integrated, interdisciplinary studies before allowing students to sharpen their focus in a range of advanced electives. As students progress towards graduation, they are given increasing choice and freedom to direct their own studies, with opportunities to take advanced-level coursework in the sciences and humanities, as well as access to a range of signature programs including the Avenues Institute for Advanced Mathematics, the Avenues Humanities Fellowship and the Mastery Learning System. The Avenues World Elements define both the learning experiences and the learning outcomes that our students work towards across all their classes.
  • English

    As part of our integrated, interdisciplinary approach to the humanities, in the upper grades, English is taught in conjunction with World Course. By reading literary texts alongside historical ones, students develop a holistic understanding of what makes us human, over the ages and across the world. Students develop a range of skills from the Avenues World Elements table, including reading, writing, discussion, public speaking, and empathy, while engaging with classic works, and exploring questions of identity and meaning.


    Grade 10: Global Humanities Modernization: English
    Students engage with the causes and effects of modern globalization, and what literature can teach us about them. While studying significant chapters in the history of modernization–colonization, the Enlightenment, the scientific and industrial revolutions, the rise of modern Islam and the World Wars–students examine the human impact of globalization through the literature of displacement, migration and identity. Texts for study have included: Frankenstein, Wake and Things Fall Apart.


    Grade 11: American Literature
    In this interdisciplinary course, students learn to think about America from two angles: the historical forces–such as sry, Indian removal and imperialism–shaping American society, and how storytelling and mythmaking have contributed to the shaping of national identity. Students also develop their skills as writers, crafting personal essays that draw on their own experiences, values and beliefs. Texts for study have included The Great Gatsby, selected poems by Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson, and essays by James Baldwin, Margaret Fuller, and Ralph Waldo Emerson.


    Grade 12: World Literature
    Students engage with a range of literary genres with attention to questions of style, structure, and meaning. Texts are drawn from those that examine issues of race, class, gender and sexuality, originating from global perspectives and traditions. Writing assignments range from poetry and short stories to personal and analytical essays. Texts for study have included personal narratives by Ishmael Beah, Charles Blow, Michelle Zauner and Karl Ove Knausgard.


    English Electives

    • Advanced Humanities: The New Yorker (10)

    • Advanced Journalism (11–12)

    • Shakespeare’s Masterpieces (11–12)

    • Advanced Shakespeare’s Masterpieces (11–12)

  • World Course

    In grades 10–11, the World Course is part of an intensive, interdisciplinary humanities program taught in conjunction with English. In grade 12, the Senior Seminar rounds out the World Course pathway. In grades 11–12, students may also choose from a range of humanities electives (see next section).


    Grade 10: Global Humanities Modernization: World Course
    This course examines the causes and effects of modernization and globalization, from the Enlightenment through the rise of decolonization movements around the world after the Cold War. Students make connections between historical and contemporary events, with particular reference to international politics, social and economic stratification, and the environment.


    Grade 11: American Studies: World Course
    This class examines the concept of the American Dream and how its definition has evolved over time based on social, political and economic conditions. Drawing on the fields of history and literary studies, students investigate the untold and sometimes troubling aspects of America’s past, and explore how storytelling and mythmaking have contributed to the shaping of national identity.


    World Course Electives

    • Advanced History (10)

    • Eastern Philosophy (11–12)

    • International Relations and Globalization (11–12)

    • Philosophy: What is Wisdom? (11–12)

    • Advanced Philosophy: What is Wisdom? (11–12)

  • Math

    Integrated Math (grades 8–11)
    Integrated Math is a four-year, seminar-style class in which students deepen their understanding of mathematical reasoning and learn to articulate mathematical concepts accurately in both writing and discussion. In all four years of Integrated Math, a STEM section is available for students who have demonstrated a capacity and desire to extend their exploration of curricular topics to STEM applications.  


    In 10th grade, students take Integrated Math 3, a seminar-style class that covers fundamental geometry skills, including an extended study of volume and trigonometry. Later in the year, students explore matrices, exponential functions, and logarithms.


    In 11th grade, students may take either Integrated Math 4 (a prerequisite for a 12th grade calculus course) or Integrated Math with Data and Probability (for students interested in statistics). 


    In 11th and 12th grade, the following electives are available: 

    • Advanced Multivariable Calculus (global elective) (11–12)

    • Statistics (11–12)

    • Data Science (11–12)

    • Introduction to Calculus (12)

    • Calculus (12)

    • Advanced Calculus (12)

  • Natural Sciences

    In 9th grade, students take Integrated Science 1, in which they learn to think and behave like scientists and engineers. The course fosters a deep understanding of concepts such as energy transfer and system dynamics that are foundational for all fields of science and engineering. Students engage in authentic scientific investigations and engineering design projects.


    Integrated Science 2 follows in 10th grade, with continued emphasis on cultivating scientific habits of mind and practice. Through laboratory exploration, group discussions and readings, students develop an understanding of the properties, structure and behavior of matter, as well as energy systems on a global scale through the lens of climate change.


    In grade 11, students take biochemistry, an in-depth study of the chemical processes that drive biology. The course promotes a deep understanding and appreciation of complexity, diversity and the interconnectedness of life on earth, from the molecular level to the level of the organism. Topics include cell metabolism; classical and molecular genetics and evolutionary theory; and energy transformations. Students engage in extensive laboratory investigations, including dissections, and investigate biotechnological solutions to modern problems across medicine, food production and human wellbeing.


    Science Electives

    • Advanced Physics (10)

    • Advanced Physics (global elective) (11–12)

    • Cosmology and Astronomy (11–12)

    • Advanced Chemistry (11–12)

    • Advanced Physics with Calculus (12)

    • Advanced Biology (12)

  • Modern Languages

    In both the Mandarin Chinese and English language tracks, students progress their skills through a series of year-long courses, ranging from introductory to intermediate to advanced, while advancing in all four areas of the Avenues Language Scale: oration, discussion, writing and reading. Ninth grade students begin at the level appropriate for them. By 12th grade, many students are in a position to choose from advanced electives exploring literature, culture and society in their respective target languages.

  • Social Sciences

    Students in grades 10–12 may choose from a robust menu of electives in the social sciences, including philosophy, sociology, psychology, business, and economics.


    Grades 10–12

    • Business Strategy (global elective)

    • Psychology (global elective)


    Grades 11–12

    • Anthropology: The Rise of Humanity

    • Consciousness, Ethics and the Search for Meaning

    • Philosophy of Economics

    • Psychology

    • Sociology

    • Solving Big Problems with Big Data

  • Visual Arts and Design

    Visual Arts

    In grade 9, students may choose to take Introduction to the Creative Process, a full-year studio course in which they create a range of original artworks while reflecting on and documenting their process.


    In grade 10, students may choose a visual arts workshop from drawing and painting, mixed media, photography, or sculpture. An elective in digital art is also available. These workshops are prerequisites for higher level art classes in 11th and 12th grades.


    In grades 11–12, students may choose from a range of electives:

    • Advanced Art Studio I and II

    • Ceramics Studio I and II

    • Film and Animation (global elective)

    • Film Studio I and II

    • Studio Practice


    Design and Engineering

    In grades 9–12, students may choose to take the Design and Engineering Workshop, which meets in Avenues’ maker space, the iLab. Through project work, students develop foundational skills in design thinking, fabrication (including CAD, 3D printing, woodworking and metalworking), and computer programming.


    In grades 10–12, students may choose from the following:

    • Computer Science: Programming Foundations (global elective)

    • Advanced Computer Science (global elective)


    Students may participate in Avenues’ Robotics: FIRST Tech Challenge, a competitive robotics program which participates in league competitions.

  • Performing Arts

    Students may choose from a range of electives in the performing arts, with a focus on music. In addition, our after-school drama club allows students with strong interest in the performing arts to showcase their talent through several annual drama productions including plays, musicals, cabarets, open-mics, and more.


    • Introduction to the Creative Process: Music (9)

    • Vocal Workshop (9–10)

    • Advanced Music (9–12)

    • Instrumental Music Workshop (10)

    • Music Theory and Practice Workshop (11–12)

  • High Intensity Practice

    Developed by the Avenues R&D team, High-Intensity Practice (HIP) is premised on the idea that frequent, intense practice of key thinking skills over a period of years—specifically, empathy, creativity, abstraction, metacognition, critical thinking, mental agility, and planning—can significantly improve working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, and possibly even fluid intelligence.


    In 9th grade, the HIP methodology is applied to both coding and Mastery, one of Avenues’ signature learning experiences. In Principles of HIP and Mastery, students develop foundational thinking skills and then apply them to an area of interest and passion, in preparation for additional Mastery experiences in the later grades. In HIP Thinking Through Coding, students undertake coding challenges designed to develop advanced problem-solving skills, creativity and critical thinking.


    In 10th grade HIP, students continue to develop and exercise flexible thinking skills through regular writing and math practice.

  • Wellness and Movement

    All students take Wellness and Movement (WAM) throughout their time in the upper grades. 


    In grades 9-10, students build a foundation for lifelong active pursuits and personal wellbeing, both in theory and practice. They explore a range of movement and fitness activities, cultivating aerobic endurance, strength, flexibility and balance. Wellness discussions focus on healthy decision-making in regard to mental health, stress management, nutrition, sleep and drug and alcohol use. A sexual health unit supports students to explore their own personal values and build safe and healthy relationships.


    In grades 11–12, students choose from a range of movement courses, in addition to participating in discussions and projects focused on topics including mental health, coping strategies, sexual health, relationship skills and healthy decision-making. Movement course options include:


    • Studio WAM (yoga, pilates, aerobics)

    • Personal fitness (weight lifting and circuit training)

    • Court sports (basketball, volleyball, badminton, floor hockey)

    • Community WAM (spinning, boxing, HIIT at local fitness studios)

    • Independent movement (e.g. out-of-school activities or commitment to at least two athletics teams)

  • Senior Seminar (Grade 12)

    A college-level interdisciplinary learning experience that defies categorization, Senior Seminar represents the pinnacle of an Avenues education. Each year, readings and discussions focus on a particular theme in the humanities and social sciences (in 2023-24, the theme is China). Students think critically and work collaboratively, exploring applications of what they have learned throughout their time at Avenues. Students complete both a group research project and an independent research project as part of the class.

A global curriculum for a world school

What do Avenues students learn? The Avenues World Elements table is our answer to that question. Designed by our research and development team, the Avenues World Elements is a global curricular system that defines the learning outcomes of Avenues students at all grade levels.

Upper Grades by Numbers

  • 1:1
    Dean’s program and college counseling
    Mastery program
  • 1:4
    Teacher–Student ratio
  • 11+
    Field trips home and abroad
  • 82+
    Projects, electives, clubs and sports teams

The Deans Program and College Counseling

The deans at Avenues are full-time mentors whose primary responsibility is the social-emotional well-being and academic success of their students. Working closely with faculty and the Student Success Team (comprising counselors, psychologists and learning experts), deans ensure that students are fully supported and appropriately challenged at school. After working with one dean in grades 10 and 11, in grade 12, students are assigned a dean with expertise in college counseling, who guides them through the college process. The deans at Avenues work as a global team, collaborating with colleagues on other campuses in order to provide students with comprehensive support.

Student Clubs

Each year middle grades students can choose from more than 20 clubs and affinity groups designed to extend academic work, foster belonging, and facilitate the pursuit of passions. Students are encouraged and supported to propose their own clubs in partnership with faculty advisors–an opportunity for them to develop their leadership and community-building skills. Current and past club offerings include:

Admissions Process

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