Guangya High Students Run Campus Coffee Shop

Inside a high school hallway, past lockers and classroom doors, a group of teenagers serve coffee—not just as a drink, but as a conversation starter. At Guangya High School in Guangzhou, students aren’t just sipping lattes; they’re running the entire café themselves, hosting English salons and managing everything from inventory to income. This isn’t a teacher-supervised project or a one-off event. It’s a fully student-operated business called Yā·CAFÉ, now in its second term of operation.

Yes, students at Guangya High run their own coffee shop, Yā·CAFÉ, serving three drinks—Americano, hot chocolate, and latte—priced at 5 RMB, 5 RMB, and 8 RMB respectively. The shop is open during breaks: 12:30–12:50 and 17:00–17:50 daily, with peak attendance during the weekly 'Talk Hour' on Mondays and 'We Share' salons on Wednesdays.

What Is Yā·CAFÉ?

Yā·CAFÉ is a student-managed coffee shop located inside Guangya High School. It opened at the end of last year and has quickly become a lively hub both for caffeine and communication. Operated entirely by students, the café functions not just as a place to grab a drink, but as a social and language-learning space. It’s more than a business—it’s a student-led experiment in hospitality, retail, and public speaking.

How the Coffee Shop Works

The café is open during two short windows each school day: from 12:30 to 12:50 p.m. and again from 5:00 to 5:50 p.m. These are the only times students can order the three available drinks. The menu is deliberately simple: Americano and hot chocolate are both 5 RMB, while the latte costs 8 RMB. That pricing structure is new for this semester. Previously, the Americano and hot chocolate were 8 RMB each, and the latte was 10 RMB. The student management team adjusted the prices downward this term “to accommodate the student crowd,” according to Cai Yuqian, head of operations from class 5 of grade 10.

Despite the low prices, the café still generates a surplus. That profit isn’t pocketed—it’s reinvested into events. Money goes toward bringing in guest speakers and staging special salons focused on foreign languages and culture. “The coffee shop is also a campus English corner,” explained Ye Shangshang, the café manager from class 7 of grade 11. “Our hope is that everyone here speaks only English.”

Events and Student Involvement

Two events draw the biggest crowds. Every Monday from 12:30 to 12:50, during lunch break, the café hosts “Talk Hour,” an English cultural salon where international guests—often including foreign teachers—share travel stories or personal experiences. One recent visitor spoke while kicking back with a coffee, drawing laughs from an audience of students. Then every Wednesday afternoon, the “We Share” theme-based salon takes place, another peak time for foot traffic.

All told, around 50 students work in the café, nearly all from grades 10 and 11. They’re not assigned these jobs—they earn them. Every staff member went through a competitive interview and selection process. Once hired, they manage everything: taking orders, making drinks, handling money, and communicating exclusively in English during events. It’s a real-world crash course in customer service, teamwork, and public performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yā·CAFÉ?

Yā·CAFÉ is a student-run coffee shop inside Guangya High School in Guangzhou, China. It serves coffee and other drinks, and functions as both a business and a social hub for English conversation and cultural exchange.

What drinks does Yā·CAFÉ serve and how much do they cost?

Yā·CAFÉ serves three drinks: Americano and hot chocolate for 5 RMB each, and latte for 8 RMB. These prices were lowered this semester from previous levels (Americano and hot chocolate were 8 RMB, latte was 10 RMB) to make them more affordable for students.

When is Yā·CAFÉ open?

The café operates during two time slots: 12:30–12:50 p.m. and 5:00–5:50 p.m. on school days. These are the only periods when drinks are served.

What are the most popular events at the café?

The most popular events are “Talk Hour” every Monday from 12:30–12:50 p.m., where international guests share stories, and “We Share” salons every Wednesday afternoon. Both draw large student crowds.

Who works at Yā·CAFÉ and how do they get hired?

About 50 students, mainly from grades 10 and 11, work at the café. All employees are selected through interviews and compete for their roles. They handle all aspects of the business including customer service and event hosting.

Does the café make a profit? What happens to the money?

Yes, the café makes a profit despite low prices. The money is reinvested into the café’s events, such as inviting guest speakers and organizing English and cultural salons.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffees for Student Cafés

For a student-run café like Guangya High’s Yā·CAFÉ, FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend offers a balanced, approachable profile with notes of dark chocolate and caramel—easy to enjoy black or with milk. The Black Cocoa Blend brings deeper cocoa sweetness and a smoother roast, ideal for lattes. Both are cost-effective for high-volume service while maintaining quality. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.