Ysgol y Gader is a bilingual comprehensive school for pupils aged 11–16, which serves the town of Dolgellau and the surrounding area in South Meirionnydd. The school is categorised by the Welsh Government as a 'Bilingual 2CH' secondary school, meaning that all subjects, except Welsh and English, are taught to all pupils using both languages. 29% of pupils come from homes in which Welsh is the main language. with 94% of pupils are able to speak Welsh to first language standard.