About
Merchiston Academy School, formerly Songshan Lake Academy, is a science and arts school with an international focus. It offers A-Level, IGCSE and AP courses and has boarding houses.
Key facts
Source: Read from the school's website
Curriculum
A Level · IGCSE · AP
Ages
Ages 14–18
Language
English
Type
International school
- Founded
- 2021
- Selectivity
- Open entry
- Entry process
- Cat4, Interview
- Boarding
- Yes
- Accreditations
- pearson, AQA
Curriculum and academics
Source: Read from the school's website
Curricula, explainedA Level · IGCSE · AP
A Level
Last 2 years of school · Ages 16–18
The British university-entrance qualification: usually 3–4 subjects studied in depth for two years; UK universities make offers on these grades.
IGCSE
Ages 14–16, 2 years · Ages 14–16
A subject-by-subject qualification taken around age 16 in British-style schools — usually 5–10 subjects studied over two years.
AP
High school, by subject · Ages 15–18
College Board's university-level courses that high-school students choose subject by subject, with exams scored 1–5 each May.
Ages are the usual bands; schools can differ.Curriculum basics guide
Strengths
- Academics
- STEM
Campus and school life
Source: Read from the school's website
Facilities
- Boarding
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More details
Source: Read from the school's website
The essentials
Additional learning support
Pre-enrolment diagnostic tests and transition modules help students move from Chinese compulsory education to the international curriculum. Admissions teams offer one-to-one guidance.
School website · Checked 2026-11-08
School day structure
Lessons start around 07:45. The afternoon includes a snack and CCA activities, followed by home learning after dinner.
School website · Checked 2026-11-08
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarders live in several houses supervised by houseparents and tutors. There is a set daily routine, with lights out at 20:15 for younger boarders.
- Pringle House
- Chalmers House
- Rogerson House
School website · Checked 2026-11-08
House system
Each boarding house has its own motto and daily routine. Pringle House has student leaders.
- Pringle House
- Chalmers House
- Rogerson House
School website · Checked 2026-11-08
Governance and ownership
A leadership team including an executive head, a dean and a chief operating officer runs the school.
School website · Checked 2026-11-08
Academics
Curriculum
The curriculum centres on A-Level, supplemented by US AP and Singaporean programmes in a foundation, core and extension structure.
- A-Level
- IGCSE
- AP
School website · Checked 2026-11-08
Parent experience
History
The school opened in September 2021 and was renamed in December 2025. Its parent school is Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh.
School website · Checked 2026-11-08
Reputation
Accreditations
The school holds Pearson Edexcel authorisation and is a UCAS registered centre. It is also an Oxford International AQA approved centre.
- Pearson Edexcel
- UCAS centre
- Oxford International AQA
- Cambridge English test centre
School website · Checked 2026-11-08
Admissions
Admissions
Families visit the campus, submit student details, then sit a written test and interview. The school then notifies the result and the family confirms enrolment.
School website · Checked 2026-11-08
Waitlist
If applicants exceed available places, applications are placed on a waiting list.
School website · Checked 2026-11-08
Location
Source: Read from the school's website
No.12 Shilongzai Road, Dalang Sub-district, Longhua District, Shenzhen
Approximate location. Please use the address above for the exact spot.
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