International Schools in Hong Kong vary in curriculum and teaching style making it accommodating for most expat families. Most international schools use an English-based curriculum which can be divided into the British, American, Canadian and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs.
Curricula at International Schools in Hong Kong
The majority of international schools in Hong Kong are using International Baccalaureate. Many schools identify with a particular country (such as Singapore, Canada or France) and offer separate English and foreign-language sections. An increasing number of schools offer their students to study Mandarin Chinese, reflecting Mandarin’s growing influence in Hong Kong. This can be extremely beneficial to expat children in international schools as it serves as a strong competitive advantage when applying for third-level education, and especially when applying for jobs in Hong Kong or Mainland China.
International Schools in Hong Kong tend to be very competitive and waiting lists can often reach just below 100 students per grade. Tuition for International School can be as high as almost HK$200,000 a year (for senior year). This may be a negotiating point when taking an expat package from an international employer – getting a place at a top international school in Hong Kong would be a significant financial benefit.
Applications to International Schools in Hong Kong
Applications to International Schools should ideally be submitted as early as possible, preferable a year before matriculation, and usually in autumn. Some schools will ask for a reservation fee from expat families (which is normally refundable) and can he as high as 50% of the annual tuition, it is also common with smaller non-refundable application fees.
The most competitive schools often sell monetary “debentures” that give priority in the admissions process. Debentures can be issued to an individual or to a corporation to help secure. The debentures are used as capital to fund school maintenance and are reimbursed, without interest, after the child leaves the school. Schools usually cap the number of debentures they issue a year. There is however no guarantee that the expat child will be accepted.
Here is a list of some of the private international schools in Hong Kong. For a complete overview please refer to the Government Education services web page www.edb.gov.hk.
English Schools Foundation
www.esf.edu.hk
American International School
Tel: 2336 3812 / 2336 5276
Australian International School
Tel: 2304 6078
Beacon Hill School
Tel: 2336 5221
Bradbury School
Tel: 2574 8249
Canadian International School
Tel: 2525 7088
Carmel School
Tel: 2964 1600
Chinese International School
Tel: 2510 7288
Christian Alliance International School
Tel: 2713 3733
Clearwater Bay School
Tel: 2358 3221
Delia School of Canada
Tel: 3658 0508
Discovery Bay International School
Tel: 2987 7331
Discovery College
Tel: 2987 7331
French International School
Tel: 2577 6217
German Swiss International School
Tel: 2849 6216
Tel: 2522 1919
The Harbour School
Tel: 2816 5222
Harrow International School
Tel: 2824 9099
Hong Kong Academy
Tel: 2575 8282
Hong Kong International School
Tel: 3149 7000
Hong Lok Yuen International School
Tel: 2658 6935
Independent Schools Foundation Academy
Tel: 2202 2000
International Christian School
Tel: 3156 1234 (Kindergarten) 3920 0060 (Elementary) 3920 0100 (Secondary)
Island School
Tel: 2524 7135
Japanese International School
Tel: 2834 3531
Kellett School
Tel: 3665 5300 (Secondary), 2551 8234 / 2875 0262 (Primary)
Kennedy School
Tel: 2855 0711
Kiangsu-Chekiang Primary School and College
Tel: 2570 4594 (Lower Primary) 2570 1281 (Upper Primary & Secondary)
King George V School
Tel: 2711 3029
Kingston International School
Tel: 2337 9031
Korean International School
Tel: 2569 5500
Kowloon Junior School
Tel: 2714 5279 (Year 1 to 3) 2394 0687 (Year 4 to 6)
Li Po Chun United World College
Tel: 2640 0441
Norwegian International School
Tel: 2638 0269
The Peak School
Tel: 2849 7211
Quarry Bay School
Tel: 2566 4242
Renaissance College
Tel: 3556 3556
Sha Tin Junior School
Tel: 2692 2721
Sha Tin College
Tel: 26991811
Singapore International School
Tel: 2872 0266 (Primary) 2870 6891 (Secondary)
South Island School
Tel: 2555 9313
Victoria Shanghai Academy
Tel: 2760 4324
West Island School
Tel: 2819 1962
Yew Chung Hong Kong International School
Tel: 2338 7106



