Charter Vision
Discover how Dragon Gate Academy’s charter model will transform K-8 education in San Francisco with a tuition-free Mandarin Immersion program that goes beyond traditional SFUSD schools. A seamless K-8 journey to intensive language immersion, DGA offers unparalleled advantages for students, parents, and teachers, fostering fluency, cultural pride, and academic excellence. Learn why our charter vision matters, the benefits it brings, and how we’re working to gain approval in time for the 26-27 school year—your support can make this dream a reality for our community!
A Distinct Approach to Mandarin Immersion Education
At Dragon Gate Academy (DGA), we will offer a transformative K-8 Mandarin Immersion experience that sets us apart from traditional SFUSD schools, delivering unparalleled advantages for families and educators passionate about bilingual education.
-
Charter Flexibility: Asa charter school, DGA will design a robust, culturally immersive curriculum tailored for MI, ensuring students achieve fluency in Mandarin and Cantonese while excelling academically.
-
Seamless K-8 Journey: Unlike SFUSD schools, where MI programs often face constraints like limited middle school options, DGA will provide a single, centrally located campus for sustained language development.
-
Innovative Integration: Our approach will integrate Mandarin across all subjects—creating a deeper, more meaningful learning experience.


Advantages of Charter Model for
Mandarin Immersion
DGA’s charter status will unlock unique advantages that make our MI program a game-changer for San Francisco families and educators.
-
Intensive Language Immersion: With greater autonomy than SFUSD schools, we will ensure daily engagement with Mandarin and Cantonese across subjects, surpassing the limited language exposure in district programs.
-
Continuity and Community: Our single K-8 campus will eliminate the disruption of transitioning between schools, fostering a tight-knit community where cultural immersion is woven into every aspect of learning.
-
Accessibility for All: Parents will gain access to a tuition-free MI education that rivals expensive private schools, while teachers will thrive in a setting that encourages innovation and professional development.
A Dream Within Reach
San Francisco families, this is our moment! Imagine a tuition-free K-8 Mandarin Immersion school where every child, no matter their background, can learn, grow, and dream in a language that opens doors to the world. The SFUSD Board of Education is holding a public hearing to decide the future of Dragon Gate Academy, and your voice can make this dream real.
-
When: July 30th 6:30pm
-
Where: SFUSD Board of Education, 555 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
-
Why: To show the Board that our families need Dragon Gate Academy—where no child is turned away or priced out.
Parents have shared their struggles: crushing rejections from oversubscribed programs, long commutes tearing families apart, or private school costs that feel like a betrayal of hope. Dragon Gate Academy is our answer—a school where kids learn Mandarin and English side by side, celebrating our city’s vibrant heritage and preparing them for a boundless future.