Top Schools in Hong Kong: A Guide for Newcomers
For newcomers settling in Hong Kong, navigating the local and international education landscape can seem overwhelming at first. However, the good news is that educational options have expanded significantly in recent years, offering excellent alternatives to traditional overseas boarding schools.
Education in Hong Kong
The education system in Hong Kong has seen substantial improvement, with many new schools opening up, including prestigious British schools. This expansion has helped alleviate pressure on the historically popular institutions.
In terms of infrastructure, schools in Hong Kong range from older, more modestly maintained buildings (common in both local and less expensive international schools) to sleek, modern campuses that resemble universities. While outdoor spaces like playing fields are limited, schools make do with what they have and often arrange transportation for students to access sports facilities.
Due to Hong Kong’s compact size, most areas are served by school bus services. Still, it’s advisable to live close to your child’s school, whether on Hong Kong Island or in the New Territories, to make after-school activities more manageable. These can range from sports, which are often conducted through external clubs, to school productions and community events. Volunteering and engagement in school communities are highly encouraged.
Key Tips:
• Plan Ahead: It’s important to put your child on the waiting list for top schools, even if you’re unsure how long you’ll be in Hong Kong. There’s often more movement than expected, and many families stay longer than planned.
• Curriculum Considerations: If returning to your home country, transitioning back into the same curriculum is usually smooth. Some Hong Kong schools are renowned for their academic rigor, especially in subjects like mathematics, as students here are often tutored extensively from a young age. If a switch in curriculum is required (e.g., from IB to British), additional tutoring is commonly sought.
Choosing a School in Hong Kong: A Comprehensive Guide
For expat families moving to Hong Kong, selecting the right school is a key decision, particularly as many see it as an opportunity for their children to learn Chinese. One budget-friendly option is enrolling your child in a local Chinese school. However, this path comes with challenges, especially for non-Chinese speakers, as both the application process and daily communication can be difficult. Additionally, learning in a new language can be socially and emotionally demanding, particularly as children get older. For younger children, starting in a Cantonese nursery or kindergarten is more common since most local schools still teach in Cantonese, rather than Mandarin.
As children advance to primary level, the workload and stress increase significantly in local schools. Tutoring becomes the norm, with little room for sports or play-based activities, and academic results take precedence. For this reason, many international families transition their children to international schools at this stage. Many of these schools now offer rigorous Mandarin programs, allowing children to develop their language skills while maintaining a well-rounded curriculum.
International vs. Local Schools
While some families choose the local route for the sake of language acquisition and integration, others opt for international schools. The English Schools Foundation (ESF) runs many English-speaking schools in Hong Kong, though it has transitioned from the English National Curriculum to the International Baccalaureate (IB), making these schools more multicultural and appealing to families from Europe and Australia.
Historically, British families would either send their children back to the UK for boarding school after attending ESF or Kellett School (a British international school) or continue through ESF schools offering the English National Curriculum. Families of other nationalities, such as Australian, French, German, and Swiss, often preferred their respective international schools, which prioritize national passport holders.
However, with high demand and limited places, finding spots in popular schools, especially for Year 1 and Year 7, became increasingly challenging. To address this, the government provided licenses and grants for new international schools. In 2007, Kellett expanded with a senior school and a second primary campus in Kowloon, while other international schools also opened, easing the burden on oversubscribed institutions.
Despite the growth of schools offering IB programs, there is still a shortage of those teaching the English National Curriculum. The few that do are often all-through schools, and they no longer teach the UK Common Entrance exams, leading parents to rely on tutors.
Schools Offering Chinese Language Programs
International schools with strong Chinese (Mandarin) programs are highly sought after. These schools often balance excellent academic performance in both English and Chinese with a good selection of sports and extracurricular activities, making them an attractive (though expensive) alternative to the local system. However, in schools with dual language streams (such as French/International or German/International), Mandarin is introduced later (typically in Primary 3), unlike schools that begin with Chinese from the start.
Application Process and Fees
The application process for international schools can be time-consuming and typically requires submitting numerous supporting documents online, with hard copies often requested. As ESF schools have moved away from government subsidies, their fees are now comparable to other international schools. Still, they remain highly popular, with long waiting lists, especially among local families. ESF schools prioritize students living within their catchment areas, fostering a strong sense of community, though residency does not guarantee admission. To allow immediate entry and raise funds, ESF has introduced debentures, a system widely used by other schools as well.
Debentures, both individual and corporate, help secure a place in sought-after schools, with corporate debentures typically offering a better chance of admission. If relocating with a company, it’s worth negotiating for corporate debentures as part of your package. Be cautious of sibling admissions, as some schools do not offer sibling priority, which could complicate future enrollment. To ease the financial burden, some schools offer non-refundable annual levies as an alternative to debentures, which can be especially costly at the most sought-after institutions.
Special Education Needs (SEN) in Hong Kong
In recent years, several international schools in Hong Kong have begun to support students with mild special education needs (SEN). Admission is case-specific, with schools assessing each child to determine if they can meet their individual needs. Notable schools in this area include The Harbour School and Hong Kong Academy, both of which emphasize holistic education for students.
For children with moderate to high needs, the options are more limited. The only English-speaking school specializing in SEN for these students is The Jockey Club Sarah Roe School (operated by ESF).
Pre-schools, Kindergarten, and Nurseries in Hong Kong
Early childhood education in Hong Kong is often integrated within larger international schools, though some reputable stand-alone options offer a more intimate learning environment. Woodlands Pre-School is one such option, operating eight campuses on Hong Kong Island and one in the New Territories. It has a strong reputation for providing early education in a cozy setting, which many parents prefer for their children’s foundational years before transitioning to larger international schools. The school offers an international curriculum, including the English Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), and follows a Montessori approach at one campus.
Top Schools in Hong Kong
1. Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK)
• Curriculum: Adapted Australian Curriculum, New South Wales HSC, IB Diploma
• Ages: 4-18
• Location: Kowloon Tong
• Known for its Australian curriculum, the school also offers the IB Diploma as an alternative qualification. The school has a strong sporting program, including an aquatic center, and serves a diverse student body, with the majority holding Australian passports.
2. Canadian International School (CDNIS)
• Curriculum: PYP, MYP, IB Diploma, Ontario High School Diploma
• Ages: 4-18
• CDNIS caters primarily to Canadian students but includes over 40 nationalities. The school is dual-accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
3. Chinese International School (CIS)
• Curriculum: Adapted curriculum, MYP, IB Diploma
• Ages: 4-18
• Located at the top of Braemar Hill, CIS is known for its high academic standards, particularly in Mandarin. The student body is primarily global Chinese, with a substantial number of Hong Kong-born students.
4. ESF Schools (English Schools Foundation)
• ESF operates several primary and secondary schools across Hong Kong, all offering an international curriculum. Notable schools include:
• Bradbury School: PYP; Ages 5-11
• Kennedy School: PYP; Ages 5-11
• South Island School: MYP, IGCSE, IB Diploma; Ages 11-18
• West Island School: IGCSE, IB Diploma, BTEC; Ages 11-18
• ESF schools are highly sought-after for their strong sense of community and diverse student body.
5. French International School (FIS)
• Curriculum: French curriculum, National Curriculum for England, IGCSE, IB Diploma, OIB
• Ages: 3-18
• With four campuses, FIS offers both French and international streams, providing a bilingual education. Its eco-campus at Tseung Kwan O is a state-of-the-art facility, and the school was the first in Hong Kong to be an IB World School.
6. German Swiss International School (GSIS)
• Curriculum: German Curriculum, International Abitur, IGCSE, A Levels
• Ages: 5-18
• Located on The Peak, GSIS offers bilingual education with a choice between the German International Abitur and the English IGCSE/A Levels.
7. Harrow International School
• Curriculum: National Curriculum for England, GCSE, A Level
• Ages: 2-18
• The only British school in Hong Kong offering boarding, Harrow is in high demand. Located in the New Territories, it attracts high-net-worth families, particularly Hong Kong Chinese with second passports.
8. Hong Kong International School (HKIS)
• Curriculum: American curriculum, American High School Diploma, AP
• Ages: 4-18
• One of the largest international schools in Hong Kong, HKIS offers an American-style education and has strong ties to the US State Department. The school is located across two campuses on the south side of Hong Kong Island.
• Curriculum: National Curriculum for England, IGCSE, A Level
• Ages: 4-18
• Kellett offers a British education, with campuses in Kowloon Bay and Pok Fu Lam. The school is known for its strong arts and music programs, with exam results consistently above the UK average.
• Curriculum: PYP, MYP, IB Diploma
• Ages: 4-18
• A new addition to Hong Kong, Malvern College is part of the prestigious UK school network. It offers the International Baccalaureate across all levels and is known for its eco-friendly, award-winning campus.
These schools represent a wide range of educational approaches and curricula, providing a variety of options for families seeking quality international education in Hong Kong.
