The Best International Schools in Hong Kong to Enroll Your Kids
Photo by Website/DBIS
Choosing a school for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make as a parent, but it doesn’t have to be hard. Here are our top picks for the best international schools in Hong Kong that provide a comprehensive and diverse education for students.
Hong Kong International School (HKIS)
Unique things about this school:
- Emphasis on spirituality in learning
- Emphasis on giving back to society
Hong Kong International School offers a hands-on learning environment, starting at reception through Year 12. Through experimental and exploratory learning in younger years, and through academics, co-curricular activities, leadership and service in higher years — the HKIS curriculum encourages students to grow to be self-motivated learners, who are leaders and experts at teamwork.
HKIS offers a strong music curriculum that includes choir, string, and band programs as well as a visual arts, design, and technology program in higher levels which allows students to explore programming, game design, fashion, graphic design, photography, robotics, and theatre stagecraft. Sports programs are also encouraged to help students lead a balanced and healthy lifestyle. All in all, 29 Advanced Placements (AP) subjects are available to high school students.
Location: Hong Kong Island School, Repulse Bay, 23 South Bay Close, Hong Kong
Contact: +852 2812 5000
Website: https://www.hkis.edu.hk
Discovery Bay International School (DBIS)
Unique things about this school:
- Offers multiple educational curriculum
- Small classroom sizes and better school-home support
At DBIS, the education curriculum is based on the English National Curriculum which focuses on developing curiosity about the world around us and fostering a desire to explore and inquire. Small class sizes allow teachers to understand their students better and develop strong school-home links and track their progress in the classroom. Students are encouraged to have a strong sense of self-identity to celebrate their individualities and appreciate the diversity of their peers. DBIS also offers education from nursery and reception up to Year 13.
Students in Years 7, 8, and 9 study English, Mathematics, Second-Language, Science, Humanities, Design Technology, Arts, Computer Science, and Physical Education. Years 10 and 11 will complete their choice of subjects as per the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations. There are also options to complete a Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) Extended Diploma in the student’s last two years at DBIS.
Location: Discovery Bay International School, Discovery Bay Road, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Contact: +852 2987 7331
Website: https://www.dbis.edu.hk
Kellett School
Unique things about this school:
- Not-for-profit parent owned school
- One school, two campuses
- Provides mental-health support for students
Kellett School is committed to providing challenges, entrusting responsibility, and offering opportunities to students. The aim for every student at Kellet School is for them to achieve personal excellence, build transferable skills, cultivate their well-being, and develop a global outlook.
Founded in 1979 as a non-profit association, Kellett School provides a high-quality British education to the English-speaking community. Educating 1300 students from ages 4 to 18, students are prepared for GCSE and IGSCE examinations taken in Year 11. The A-levels programme is adopted in Years 12 and 13, providing students with excellent pre-university qualifications. Additionally, the Global Citizenship programme allows students to develop the knowledge and skills to be confident and significant members of the global community.
Location: Kowloon Bay Prep and Senior, 7 Lam Hing Street, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong
Contact: +852 3120 0700
Website: https://www.kellettschool.com
Harrow International School Hong Kong
Unique things about this school:
- Boarding and day school system
- Educates from ages 3 to 18
Harrow International School offers British education in a vibrant international setting located in a magnificent crescent- shaped building near Gold Coast Tuen Mun. With 450 years under their belt, the school has been a leading global name in education that produces outstanding results in GSCE and A-level programmes. Fostering a house structure culture, Harrow facilitates cross-class friendships amongst students coupled with strong pastoral support.
From sixth form, Harrow International School provides students with a strive for academic excellence with A-Level education and AS-Level education. Small classroom sizes allow hands-on support for GSCE and A-level examinations.
Location: Harrow International School, 38 Tsing Ying Road, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
Contact: +852 2824 9099
Website: https://www.harrowschool.com
Island School
Unique things about this school:
- ‘Quest Week’ annual challenges focused on personal growth and giving back to the community
- Offers non-exam courses in early years
Island School’s distinct approach to teaching and learning focuses on igniting passions in their students by developing critical thinking, confidence, global awareness, adaptability, and mutual respect. This is done in the hope that their graduates gain confidence to face the future with optimism, excitement, and transferable skills to adapt to a changing world.
Students at Island School may choose between Interdisciplinary Units, Elements (non-exam courses), and subject lessons from Years 7 to 8. In Years 10 to 11, students can choose between Elements and the IGCSE programme. In their final two years, students may choose between the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and the International Baccalaureate Careers Programme (IBCP).
Location: Island School, No. 20 Borrett Road, Mid-levels, Hong Kong
Contact: +852 2524 7135
Website: https://island.edu.hk
King George V School
Unique things about this school:
- House system and tutor groups to build a sense of community
- Creativity, Action, Service (CAS programme) fosters a culture of supporting and giving back to communities
King George V School (KGV) has been growing and adapting with Hong Kong since its beginnings in 1894. At KGV, there is a strong emphasis on creating a “school for one” through a lived experience, developing a deep sense of belonging, identity, and purpose. KGV’s motto is “Honestas Ante Honores,” which promotes authenticity and honesty, to appreciate the hard work that underpins achievement and growth and to strive to be every students’ genuine selves.
As a coeducational international secondary independent school, KGV offers the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students in Year 7 to Year 9, after which in Year 10 and Year 11 students will study the GCSE programme. In their final years, students can choose between completing a BTEC qualification and the IBDP.
Location: King George V School, 2 Tin Kwong Road, Ho Man Tin, Hong Kong
Contact: +852 2711 3029
Website: https:www.kgv.edu.hk
Chinese International School (CIS)
Unique things about this school:
- One-year optional study abroad in the China campus in Year 10
- China Experience programme which includes travel to Yangshuo, Xian Nanjing, and Kunming
- School break opportunities to visit historical sites in Europe, Hawaii, and Botswana
Chinese International School (CIS) prides itself on being the microcosm of Hong Kong, where their Chinese roots blend with the international backgrounds and perspectives of families and staff, creating a bridge between China and the world. It is the first bilingual intercultural school of its kind in Hong Kong and continues to foster Chinese and English skills in their students to help them appreciate Chinese culture and history.
From reception to Year 6, homeroom is headed by two teaching partners — a native Mandarin speaker and a native English speaker — to plan and facilitate student learning in all subjects as a dual-language learner. The secondary school programme from Years 7 to 9 teaches the MYP, after which in Years 10 and 11, students will be following a school-developed assessment criterion. In their final years, students will aim to complete the IBDP.
Location: Chinese International School, 1 Hau Yuen Path, Braemar Hill, Hong Kong
Contact: +852 2510 7288
Website: https://www.cis.edu.hk
West Island School (WIS)
Unique things about this school:
- One-on-one tutoring
- House system
- Horizons Week
- Extensive co-curricular sports programme, strong links with clubs and organizations to develop elite athletes and provide additional opportunities
West Island School’s core values are expected to be upheld by students, alumni, parents, and staff. These include commitment, community, compassion, consideration, and courage. Each of these values allows West Island students to be responsible through service and action, uniting common humanity, acting with kindness towards themselves and others, acceptance, and reaching beyond comfort zones to challenge oneself.
From Years 7 to 9, Students will follow the MYP, after which they will study the IGCSE in Years 10 to 11. In their final years, students can choose between two IB programmes: IBCP and IBDP.
Location: West Island School, 250 Victoria Road, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
Contact: +852 2819 1962
Website: https://www.wis.edu.hk
Victoria Shanghai Academy (VSA)
Unique things about this school:
- Offers student support services such as counselling, learning support, and university counseling
- Introduces STEM resources in the early years to facilitate a career in a STEM field
Victoria Shanghai Academy (VSA) is an IB World School in Shum Wan, emphasising on bilingual education where the secondary school programmes are delivered in English and supplemented by a strong Chinese programme. In addition to being a private independent, non-denomination, co-educational day school, VSA is the first IB World School in Hong Kong to provide the Primary Years Programme (PYP), MYP, and the DP.
PYP is taught for students from Year 1 to Year 5, after which they will study the MYP in Years 6 to 10, and the DP is offered in the students’ final years of study.
Location: Victoria Shanghai Academy, 19 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong
Contact: +852 3402 1000
Website: https://www.vsa.edu.hk
Sha Tin College (STC)
Unique things about this school:
- Student-led initiatives to explore passions
- Sha Tin College Art Galleries
- CAS Week (dedicated to broadening perspectives and supporting communities)
Sha Tin College aims to support students in achieving these values: holistic learning, positive relationships, curiosity and passion, persistence and resilience, creativity, integrity, and community learning. With over 18,000 students from more than 70 nationalities and cultures, STC is committed to creating an environment where everyone is appreciated for who they are through their diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.
From Years 7 to 9, students will study the MYP, after which they will study the IB in Years 10 to 13. Leadership opportunities such as NOVA (a charity dance showcase), STC’s student-led media team, the environmental council, and student-led arts magazine are some ways the school fosters passion, teamwork, and initiative in students. STC also provides information on summer programme opportunities on their website for families who may be considering universities abroad.
Location: Sha Tin College, No. 3 Lai Wo Lane, Fo Ton, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
Contact: +852 2699 1811
Website: https://shatincollege.ed
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