Developing Student Agency

YMCA Christian Academy (YCA) is a unique community-oriented private primary school on Hong Kong Island offering a vibrant, future-ready curriculum. Following the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and UK National Curriculum, students engage in thematic and creative units that provide a structured learning process along with specific educational objectives for each subject. These units are designed to capture students’ interest and foster learner agency, equipping them with the skills to take charge of their own educational journey.

Students learn how to be agents, taking ownership of their learning and development, maintaining a curious and reflective posture. We focus on the development of the whole child so that every student will grow and thrive academically, physically, spiritually, and socially. Each unit ends with an Exit Point where students consolidate their learning and create a project that they can share with the wider school community and family. “We are very proud that our students are able to share their knowledge confidently and with lots of passion,” said Mr. Blaik, YCA’s School Principal.

Importance of a Growth Mindset

YCA fosters a growth mindset - a positive mindset is a superpower! We help students understand that well-directed effort moves them closer to their goals. Students learn to reflect, listen to feedback, and improve on their next try. They learn that challenges are opportunities to grow and improve, and failures are just stepping stones in the learning process. We always play games at school where some students will lose. We want them to understand that losing is ok as long as they understand why they lose. They can always work on improving so that they can win next time. A great example is our 2024-25 Basketball Team. They started the season losing almost every game. After each defeat, they discussed ways to improve and started planning more practice days to refine their skills and cooperation. Their hard work paid off because they finished the season winning the HKJBL Div 3 U12 Championship.

Strengthening Student Transitions

Transition from kindergarten to primary can be huge for a child. YCA believes that if the transition is well-planned, it will help the child develop confidence and acquire skills to manage future changes in their lives. Every year, they host 4 Experience Afternoons where they invite upcoming Year 1 and 2 to their school. These events allow new students to familiarise themselves with the teachers and environment. They develop confidence and familiarity with the school before their first day of school. For students graduating from YCA, they provide secondary schools consulting services to support families in finding the most suitable school for their child.

YMCA Christian Academy
70 Bridges Street, Sheung Wan
Tel: 2537 2552
Email: admission@yca.edu.hk
Website: yca.edu.hk