Hong Kong's Low-Cost International Schools
Affordable all-through schools
Hong Kong Adventist Academy (HKAA)
Curriculum: US, UK and Hong Kong
Years: Grade 1-12
Student enrolment: 200
Fees: Annual tuition fees are HKD 95,000 (primary), HKD 113,000 (secondary)
Additional costs: Non-refundable application fee of HKD 300; textbooks
Location: Hong Kong Island
Highlights: No debenture or capital levy; hybrid of American, British and Hong Kong curricula; Adventist school
Hong Kong Adventist Academy (HKAA) is Hong Kong’s only Adventist private school. Opened in 2011, HKAA has a small and growing school community of around 200 students and is popular with the Adventist community within Asia. There’s a large population of children from Korea, the US and Japan, but around 40% of students come from Hong Kong. Based on the campus of the Hong Kong Adventist College in Clearwater Bay, HKAA offers a combination of US, UK and Hong Kong curricula, alongside a deeply-rooted religious education.
What the school says:
“We offer a hybrid of the American Common Core, International Primary Curriculum, and local Chinese and mathematics curriculum. In the high school section, we offer a US high school diploma program in affiliation with Griggs International Academy (GIA). Thus, the senior secondary students would be able to graduate with an accredited US high school diploma offered by GIA.”
Click here for the full review of Hong Kong Adventist Academy (HKAA).
California School
Curriculum: UK National Curriculum (IGCSEs and GCE A Levels)
Years: Primary 1 to Form 7
Fees: Annual tuition fees are HKD 17,600 to HKD 47,850
Additional costs: Non-refundable application fee of HKD 80-200; a refundable registration deposit of HKD 1,290; field trips, some after-school activities, bus, lunch, and uniform
Location: Kowloon
Highlights: No debenture or capital levy; IGCSEs and GCE A Levels; 100% English medium of instruction
California School offers an all-though UK education that includes IGCSEs and GCE A Levels. Located in Kowloon, this international school is particularly popular with Hong Kong families who are looking for an affordable alternative to the local education system. The school only accepts non-Chinese students if they have previously attended the government-run Delia or Sir Ellis Kadoorie Schools.
What the school says:
“Students of other schools normally transfer to California School in F4. because they want to earn IGCSE/GCE qualifications instead of HKCEE… At California School we not only provide professional academic training but also strive to develop the social character of the whole student.”
Click here for the full review of California School.
Korean International School (International Stream)
Curriculum: EYFS , UK National Curriculum, Cambridge International Primary Curriculum, IGCSEs and A Levels
Years: Reception to Year 13
Student enrolment: 400
Additional costs: Field trips, some after-school activities, bus, lunch, and uniform
Fees: Annual tuition fees are HKD 79,800 to HKD 100,900 (primary) and HKD 112,300 (secondary)
Location: Hong Kong Island
Highlights: No debenture or capital levy; IGCSEs and GCE A Levels; 100% English medium of instruction
While the Korean International School (KIS) was established in 1960 with just six students to provide for the needs of the Korean community in Hong Kong, today it offers both a Korean and an international stream to an international community of students. The international section is significantly larger, with 400 students compared to 110. The school has a decent academic record; in 2017, 74% of all IGCSE grades were A*-C, and over 50% of A Level grades were A*-C. The majority of students here go on to study at a university in the UK, followed by Hong Kong or the US.
What the school says:
“We believe firmly in providing a secure and stable environment in which students from all backgrounds can grow, work and play together while in Hong Kong, so that they can go anywhere in the world with full confidence. We hope that the special environment at KIS, where two curriculums coexist side by side, whilst challenging, will provide extra stimulation and motivation.”
Click here for the full review of Korean International School.
Sear Rogers International School
Curriculum: UK National Curriculum (IGCSEs and A Levels)
Years: Years 1-13
Student enrolment: 115
Fees: Annual tuition fees are HKD 79,200 (Year 1) to HKD 963,000 (Year 13)
Additional costs: Non-refundable application fee of HKD 600; a refundable registration deposit of HKD 7,200-10,700; consumable fee of HKD 4,000; field trips, some after-school activities, bus, lunch, and uniform
Location: Kowloon
Highlights: A teacher to student ratio of 1:20; IGCSEs and A Levels
Sear Rogers International School (SRIS) is a private secondary school in Kowloon that offers a British education leading to IGCSEs and A Levels. One of the oldest schools in Hong Kong, SRIS has a small population of just 115 students and a decent teacher to student ratio of 1:20. Teaching follows the UK National Curriculum for students aged 12 to 18 years, largely coming from South East Asia and Hong Kong. Facilities at the school’s campus include a gymnasium, science labs, library, home economics room, art studio, music room and several computer suites.
What the school says:
“What makes our curriculum at SRIS stand out is the way we merge the strength of the British National Curriculum with a cutting-edge policy and framework from the UK called Every Child Matters.”
Click here for the full review of Sear Rogers International School.
