Type: Kindergarten

Curriculum: IB PYP

Languages: English, with dual-language options

When to apply: K1 and Year 1: Central Application is open from September 1 to 30 of the year before. All year groups: any time during the year, with applications added to waiting lists.

Campus and facilities: ESF Hillside’s new location, after a move in 2010, is double the size of its previous Sheung Wan site, providing 3,000 square feet of space on two floors and catering for 360 students. At ESF Hillside International Kindergarten, play is the primary mode of learning and the learning environment is set up to promote inquiry through a broad range of play spaces that promote creativity, critical thinking, and communication.

Competitive advantage: At Hillside the students develop their sense of self, and further develop the skills necessary to nurture positive friendships with other children. They become more aware of their place in the wider-world. Staff work with children on adult-initiated inquiries and to support those that are child-initiated. Hillside has eight classes, four in K1 and four in K2. Children start K1 in the year in which they are three years old. Children attend the kindergarten on a part-time basis, five morning or five afternoon sessions per week, with sessions being three hours long.

SEE MORE: ESF Hillside International Kindergarten

Type: Kindergarten

Curriculum: IB PYP

Languages: English, with dual-language options

When to apply: K1 and Year 1: Central Application is open from September 1 to 30 of the year before. All year groups: any time during the year, with applications added to waiting lists.

Campus and facilities: At ESF Tsing Yi, the K1 children are based upstairs and the K2 children are downstairs. The school’s learning environment is highly stimulating, creatively interactive, and equipped with age-appropriate and play-based learning resources. The children have access to a wide range of ICT equipment computers, laptops, iPads and interactive whiteboards. The library is set up to be accessible and navigable for both K1 and K2 students, who can pursue their interests using both books and digital technology.  

Competitive advantage: The core vision and mission of ESF Tsing Yi is to provide a stimulating collaborative learning environment that fosters inquiry through play-based learning. The kindergarten school nurtures its students into becoming independent, confident and caring members of the learning community, developing international-mindedness by deepening their understanding of themselves as global citizens.

SEE MORE: ESF Tsing Yi International Kindergarten

Type: Kindergarten

Curriculum: IB PYP

Languages: English, with dual-language options

When to apply: K1 and Year 1: Central Application is open from September 1 to 30 of the year before. All year groups: any time during the year, with applications added to waiting lists.

Campus and facilities: The space is functional, adaptable and well-resourced to meet the dynamic needs of the three to five-year-olds who inhabit it. The spaces are not only carefully and intentionally planned, but are also designed to support learning and stimulate imagination and creativity.

Competitive advantage: The primary goal of ESF Tung Chung International Kindergarten is to nourish each child, individually, and to meet their changing social and emotional needs every day. As part of this goal, the school strives to provide children with strong foundational skills for future academic success and also to equip them to participate as flexible, creative thinkers and engaged citizens in an increasingly complex and interdependent world. The school is structured into morning and afternoon three-hour sessions for both K1 and K2.

SEE MORE: ESF Tung Chung International Kindergarten

Type: Kindergarten

Curriculum: IB PYP

Languages: English, with dual-language options

When to apply: K1 and Year 1: Central Application is open from September 1 to 30 of the year before. All year groups: any time during the year, with applications added to waiting lists.

Campus and facilities: ESF Wu Kai Sha International Kindergarten strives to provide an engaging and enriching environment that stimulates children’s curiosity and supports independent learning. The school has large, bright spaces for learning and play, and children spend their time in classrooms, shared areas and in the indoor and outdoor play areas. All classrooms have an excellent range of resources, which includes a wealth of technology resources. The campus also has a dedicated, well-stocked library from which children and families can borrow a range of books, story sacks and other resources.

Competitive advantage: In partnership with families, the kindergarten programme aims to develop confident, creative, knowledgeable children who respect all others and participate actively within the school community. The inquiry-based curriculum encourages children to explore relevant concepts and ideas through child-centred play and exploration, real-life experiences, and focused learning and teaching activities, allowing them to develop a range of understandings, knowledge and skills in all areas of the curriculum.

SEE MORE: ESF Wu Kai Sha International Kindergarten

See also: Why Hong Kong International Schools Are Embracing Mindfulness

Type: Primary

Curriculum: IB PYP

Languages: English, with dual-language options

When to apply: K1 and Year 1: Central Application is open from September 1 to 30 of the year before. All year groups: any time during the year, with applications added to waiting lists.

Campus and facilities: Beacon Hill School occupies a seven-storey building, with a number of state-of-the-art special-purpose rooms that includes a drama studio, a learning technologies room, art room, library and music rooms. Students in Years 3 to 6 also benefit from 1:1 Chrome books.

Competitive advantage: Beacon Hill school has a strong focus on the arts, technology and language. Students can experience the development of creativity and technical skills through lessons about virtual reality art creation, 3D printing, and coding. The school also offers a range of programmes, such as a Perceptual Motor Programme, Social Thinking, Friends for Life and B2, to make the school as inclusive and supportive as possible for each student’s individual needs. The school only has 540 pupils enrolled, so every child gets the special attention he or she deserves.

SEE MORE: BEACON HILL SCHOOL

See also: The Best International Schools In Hong Kong: 2019 Edition

Type: Primary

Curriculum: IB PYP

Languages: English, with dual-language options

When to apply: K1 and Year 1: Central Application is open from September 1 to 30 of the year before. All year groups: any time during the year, with applications added to waiting lists.

Campus and facilities: The campus, opened in 1980, includes a state-of-the-art library, full gymnasium, school hall, music room with soundproof studios, netball courts, multi-level adventure playgrounds, undercover play areas, large sand pit and an art studio. Bradbury school has also made accommodations to provide space for rugby, netball, cricket, soccer, swimming, basketball, running, judo and kickboxing.

Competitive advantage: Bradbury School is an IB World School and is a member of The Association of China and Mongolia International Schools. The school places high importance on building a strong partnership with its parents with an active Parent Teacher Association. The mission of the school is to create independent thinkers, learners and leaders who care about the world around them.

Bradbury School, 43C Stubbs Rd, bradbury.edu.hk

SEE MORE: BRADBURY SCHOOL

Type: Primary

Curriculum: IB PYP

Languages: English, with dual-language options

When to apply: K1 and Year 1: Central Application is open from September 1 to 30 of the year before. All year groups: any time during the year, with applications added to waiting lists.

Campus and facilities: Located in the Eastern New Territories, the Clearwater Bay School serves the Sai Kung, Clearwater Bay and Tseung Kwan O communities. Students have access to iPads, HP Chromebooks, Acer Spin Touchscreen Chromebooks and Macbook Air laptops. The Learning Resource Centre (library) is filled with a variety of materials from all media to enrich the school curriculum and motivate students to read.

Competitive advantage: Clearwater Bay School is accredited by both the International Baccalaureate Organization and the Council of International Schools. The school highly values respect and intercultural understanding to create a safe and welcoming learning environment for the 35 different nationalities and cultural backgrounds represented in its community. The staff will cater to the individual learning needs of students through a developmentally appropriate curriculum that is differentiated to extend students needing further challenge and to support students who experience difficulties.

SEE MORE: CLEARWATER BAY SCHOOL

Type: Primary

Curriculum: IB PYP

Languages: English, with dual-language options

When to apply: K1 and Year 1: Central Application is open from September 1 to 30 of the year before. All year groups: any time during the year, with applications added to waiting lists.

Campus and facilities: Located on Hong Kong Island in the Mid-Levels community, Glenealy has the city at its forefront. In 2011, Glenealy began work on its long-term goal of making the interior facilities as conducive to learning as possible. The new library was the first space redesigned after researching how to facilitate a learning-focused environment. The full-scale final project, including outdoor learning spaces, will be finished in December 2019.

Competitive advantage: The Glenealy School believe that learning encompasses far more than just academic skills—students must also be taught ways to develop a positive mindset, be resilient and learn from mistakes. The school’s mission statement is to empower learners to flourish and make a positive difference. Students can feel this empowerment through the multitude of experiences offered through the arts, sports, the outdoors, and Chinese language and culture.

SEE MORE: GLENEALY SCHOOL

Type: Primary

Curriculum: IB PYP

Languages: English, with dual-language options

When to apply: K1 and Year 1: Central Application is open from September 1 to 30 of the year before. All year groups: any time during the year, with applications added to waiting lists.

Campus and facilities: The present-day campus has two main blocks—the North Wing, which was the original building; and the East Wing, which was added in 1998. With these two blocks, the campus can accommodate 30 classes with a maximum capacity of 900 children. The campus overlooks the South China Sea and has regular use of the adjacent Stanley Ho Sports Centre. Kennedy takes pride in being a Green School, complete with a school garden, compost capabilities and sustainable facilities.

Competitive advantage: Kennedy School offers a high-quality, modern, liberal education based on the IB PYP, with links to the English National Curriculum and adapted to meet the needs of children living in Asia. Music, performing arts and physical education are strengths of the school. A strong interest in environmental and ecological issues is also a feature of the school. The school can provide rich and varied extracurriculars because of its connection to Hong Kong University’s Stanley Ho Centre, located next door.

SEE MORE: KENNEDY SCHOOL

See also: Top 10 Trends In Primary School Education 

Type: Primary

Curriculum: IB PYP

Languages: English, with dual-language options

When to apply: K1 and Year 1: Central Application is open from September 1 to 30 of the year before. All year groups: any time during the year, with applications added to waiting lists.

Campus and facilities: Learning is supported by access to a spacious, light and airy library housing a wide variety of books and resources. The campus also includes a dance studio, music suite, stage with professional light and sound, specialist creative arts area and a multi-media room to ignite the students’ creativity. The full gymnasium, gardens and outdoor classrooms designed by students are used for a wide variety of sports and recreation.

Competitive advantage: Students at Kowloon Junior School have an immense opportunity to pursue their passions through in-class inquiries, specialist classes and the extensive co-curricular activities offered during the day, after school and during the weekends. The younger students benefit from the ongoing working relationships with King George V High School, Kowloon Junior School’s main feeder school, and the Jockey Club Sarah Roe School.

SEE MORE: KOWLOON JUNIOR SCHOOL

Type: Primary

Curriculum: IB PYP

Languages: English, with dual-language options

When to apply: K1 and Year 1: Central Application is open from September 1 to 30 of the year before. All year groups: any time during the year, with applications added to waiting lists.

Campus and facilities: The Peak School moved to its current building in 1954 and the campus boasts a large playing field for students to engage in sports and recreation. In addition, the school is always looking for ways to redesign and redevelop their learning spaces. As part of this effort to modernize the school, a new Performing Arts area was introduced in 2012 that includes two soundproof studios, new audio/visual setup and a deck area. There is also a school garden where students can grow their own food and learn about sustainability.

Competitive advantage: The Peak School prides itself on being a community school that respects and appreciates the contributions of everyone involved, between the students, parents, teachers and community partners. Peak School offers the IB PYP curriculum focused on an inquiry approach to learning. The school hopes to inspire its students with all of the attributes and attitudes of the Learner Profile. With 33 nationalities and 19 languages represented, diversity is at the forefront of this school’s values.

SEE MORE: PEAK SChool

See also: Testing Much? The Pros And Cons Of Exams In Education

Type: Primary

Curriculum: IB PYP

Languages: English, with dual-language options

When to apply: K1 and Year 1: Central Application is open from September 1 to 30 of the year before. All year groups: any time during the year, with applications added to waiting lists.

Campus and facilities: A recent school refurbishment programme has ensured the provision of new facilities and the upgrade of existing learning spaces for Sha Tin Junior School’s 900 students. Facilities include Learning and Access Centres, a gymnasium, a performing arts studio, a Learning Technologies Suite and a DARC (Design, Arts, Recording and Cooking) Room. Shared facilities (with Sha Tin College) include an indoor swimming pool and a sports hall.

Competitive advantage: The school vision of “Learning for Life” is underpinned by four core values present in each aspect of the students’ educational experience: wellbeing, inclusivity, flexible minds and making a difference. The school has a close partnership with its partner secondary school, Sha Tin College, allowing for greater resources and opportunities for the students. The school is guided by the philosophy of Positive Education and inquiry-based learning.

SEE MORE: Sha tin junior school

Type: Primary

Curriculum: IB PYP

Languages: English, with dual-language options

When to apply: K1 and Year 1: Central Application is open from September 1 to 30 of the year before. All year groups: any time during the year, with applications added to waiting lists.

Campus and facilities: After moving to its new location at Braemar Hill in 1985, Quarry Bay School recently had a major refurbishment of the campus. The internal and external premises of the school are now updated to a very high standard. The new remodel allows for active learning both inside and outside the classroom. To promote the arts, the facilities have a large stage with seating for 150 people and a professional digital sound and lighting system. There are also basketball and netball courts, a computer suite and rooftop educational areas.

Competitive advantage: Quarry Bay School uses the IB PYP as its curriculum framework. This transdisciplinary, concept-driven approach allows the school to meet the challenges of educating in the 21st century by constructing a personalised programme that is engaging, relevant, challenging and significant for its diverse school population.

SEE MORE: quarry bay school

Type: Secondary

Curriculum: IB MYP; IBCP; IB Diploma; GCSE/IGCSE; BTEC qualifications

Languages: English, with dual-language options

When to apply: Year 7: Central Application is open from September 1 to 23 of the year before. All year groups: any time during the year, with applications added to waiting lists.

Campus and facilities: As one of the oldest schools in Hong Kong, an assessment in 2011 showed that it was time for a major redevelopment. When renovations are complete, the eight-storey building will include a performing arts centre, an indoor swimming pool, a sports hall, basketball courts, modern laboratories, sky gardens, a central cafe, innovative learning environments and creative studios. There will be designated parking for school buses under the school buildings to facilitate pick-up and drop-off. The school is committed to maintaining the quality of teaching and learning while the school is at its temporary location in Sha Tin, since the beginning of January 2018.

Competitive advantage: Incorporating a family atmosphere through a house system, the students at Island School care for each other and celebrate one another’s international heritage. The core goal of the school is to ignite a passion for learning in every student. The teachers show students how they can problem-solve, question and think creatively with new concepts and ideas. Students graduate with traits of resourcefulness, adaptability and confidence.

SEE MORE: Island School

Type: Secondary

Curriculum: IB MYP; IBCP; IB Diploma; GCSE/IGCSE; BTEC qualifications

Languages: English, with dual-language options

When to apply: Year 7: Central Application is open from September 1 to 23 of the year before. All year groups: any time during the year, with applications added to waiting lists.

Campus and facilities: King George V School originated as the Kowloon British School in 1902, moving to its present site in 1936. The present name dates from 1948. Today it serves students from Kowloon and the New Territories. It occupies a large site of over ten acres and has its own AstroTurf sports field and outdoor swimming pool. There are two new buildings completed in 2013 (a building for performing arts and a science block) and there is also an extensive Learning Resource Centre.

Competitive advantage: King George V School has a strong tradition in sport, music, dance, community service, charity work and environmental sustainability. The school also organised a House system, run and inspired by the students, to provide additional learning and relationship-building opportunities. The core purpose of the secondary school is based on the belief that every student can “be their own remarkable” as they achieve improve and learn.

SEE MORE: King George V School

Type: Primary and secondary

Curriculum: IB PYP, IB MYP, IB Diploma and IBCP

Languages: English, with Putonghua as a mandatory second language from Years 1-11, and additional second-language options available for Years 12-13

When to apply: Year 1: September 1-30 of the previous academic year. Years 2-13: ongoing; please see website for details.

Campus and facilities: Facilities include the Performing Arts Centre, ICT Centre, black box theatre, 25m indoor swimming pool, music rooms, library, science laboratories, gymnasiums, climbing wall, outdoor basketball courts and outdoor sports field.

Competitive advantage: Renaissance College is one of two Private Independent Schools within the ESF. In addition to being an IB World School, it is also accredited by US body WASC and the Council of International Schools.

SEE MORE: ESF RENAISSANCE COLLEGE

Type: Secondary

Curriculum: IB MYP; IBCP; IB Diploma; GCSE/IGCSE; BTEC qualifications

Languages: English, with dual-language options

When to apply: Year 7: Central Application is open from September 1 to 23 of the year before. All year groups: any time during the year, with applications added to waiting lists.

Campus and facilities: Sha Tin College opened in September 1982 to meet the increasing demand for places from families in northern Kowloon and the New Territories. With commanding views over the Sha Tin countryside, the College boasts a swimming pool and a multipurpose sports hall, along with music rooms, drama studios, design and technology workshops, science labs, a food technology centre and other specialist classrooms.

Competitive advantage: Sha Tin College has developed a culture of taking responsibility for fulfilling one’s own potential and that of others for the good of humanity at all levels. The goal of the secondary school is to challenge students to become mature, open-minded, caring, responsible, committed, passionate and compassionate. Sha Tin College is reviewed and accredited by the Council of International Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, IB five-year review, ESF internal review and ESF stakeholder surveys. All of these reviews are combined to aid the school in its strategic development planning, to ensure the brightest future and continued improvement for its students.

SEE MORE: Sha Tin College

Type: Secondary

Curriculum: IB MYP; IBCP; IB Diploma; GCSE/IGCSE; BTEC qualifications

Languages: English, with dual-language options

When to apply: Year 7: Central Application is open from September 1 to 23 of the year before. All year groups: any time during the year, with applications added to waiting lists.

Campus and facilities: South Island School has an indoor 25m heated swimming pool, sports hall, an AstroTurf with floodlights, fitness and weight training area, climbing wall, two outside basketball/tennis courts and an indoor gymnastics and trampolining area. To facilitate sports such as rugby, football and hockey, there are training sessions that are conducted off-site at the Aberdeen and Happy Valley pitches. The film and media department has its own TV studio complete with an HD projector, surround sound system and electronically controlled white screen. The Fine Arts are also supported with a full stage, music rooms and art studios. The school is keen on a 1:1 laptop program, using Apple computers inside and outside of the classroom.

Competitive advantage: It caters for 1,440 students from 39 different nations. The school prides itself on a strong values-based philosophy, international outlook, a personalised curriculum and high academic standards. There is a focus on the development of the students’ personal qualities, fostering a skill set that is creative and contemporary and that develops community responsibility under the banner “Making a Difference.” The school also has a Learning Support Class for children with moderate learning difficulties.  

SEE MORE: South Island School

Type: Secondary

Curriculum: IB MYP; IBCP; IB Diploma; GCSE/IGCSE; BTEC qualifications

Languages: English, with dual-language options

When to apply: Year 7: Central Application is open from September 1 to 23 of the year before. All year groups: any time during the year, with applications added to waiting lists.

Campus and facilities: The school has purpose-built specialist rooms in all subjects and in particular: specialist science laboratories, a modern library, performance space for drama and dance, two gymnasiums, state-of-the-art design technology workshops, three art studios, seven music studios and two music classrooms that both have raised performance platforms. There are also outdoor courts for a range of sports, a 25m swimming pool and a large auditorium. The proximity to Hong Kong University’s playing fields provides further sports facilities. West Island School is a 1:1 laptop school with digital literacy as part of the curriculum.

Competitive advantage: The school motto of “Strength from Diversity” encourages students to think globally and appreciate the internationality of the school population. Over 120 activities are offered for students to enrich their studies with extracurriculars and leadership roles. The vast majority of students graduate and attend international universities, with 90 per cent achieving admittance to their first-choice institution. Following the International Baccalaureate programme, West Island School dedicates one week annually for students to exclusively focus on their Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) project; they also have a 1:1 tutoring programme for students to meet with a tutor about their progress and commitment to their CAS project.

SEE MORE: West Island School

See also: What Can We Learn From Finland's Education System?

Type: Secondary and Primary

Curriculum: An Individualised Educational Programme for each student

Languages: English, with dual-language options

When to apply: Please refer to the Admissions page on the website for full details

Campus and facilities: The campus and facilities are specifically outfitted to meet all the needs of its students. There are rooms designed for music therapy that are filled with instruments and dance spaces. The physiotherapy department is well resourced with a variety of mobility aids, standing frames, a specially heated pool for hydrotherapy and suspension equipment for accessing a treadmill. Within the speech and language therapy service, there is a range of alternative and augmentative communication technological options for children.

Educational Approach: Jockey Club Sarah Roe School is a specialist resource school that supports students with a wide range of individual educational and emotional needs. The school aims to empower children and young people to maximise their potential and be prepared to make their next transition in life, whether it is into mainstream education or the workforce. Each student has his or her own Individual Educational Plan to personally tailor the teaching style to his or her literacy, numeracy, communication, personal and social education, and behaviour targets. The multidisciplinary team of therapists support the students along every step of their educational career.

SEE MORE: Jockey Club Sarah Roe School