This ESF primary school is open to families living in Hong Kong’s Eastern District, although there’s always a long waiting list.

Built in 1924, Quarry Bay School has been part of the English Schools Foundation (ESF) group since 1980. Located in Hong Kong’s Eastern District, this primary school for Years 1 to 6 has 720 students representing 40 different nationalities. The purpose-built campus in Braemar Hill is described by parents as having a “down-to-earth feel” and a “passion for learning in a variety of ways.” The majority of Year 6 students transfer to ESF’s South Island secondary school, which is less than 10km away.

In line with all ESF primary schools, Quarry Bay School follows the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). All subjects – English, maths, social studies, science, and the arts – are taught within the context of the IB Programme of Inquiry. This road map for education looks at Who We Are, Where We Are in Place and Time, How We Express Ourselves, How the World Works, How We Organise Ourselves, and Sharing the Planet. As well as daily Chinese lessons, the school’s curriculum has a very healthy dose of technology, creative arts, and PE. There are various leadership opportunities on the student council, and as eco monitors and house captains.

Admission and fees
As with all ESF schools, parents must live within the catchment area of Quarry Bay School. This includes the areas from Wanchai from the east of Garden Road/Cotton Tree Drive (up to the northern boundary of Stubbs Road/Queen’s Road East), the north side of Happy Valley and Causeway Bay (includes Broadwood Road, Link Road, Ventris Road and Leighton Hill) and all the Causeway Bay hotels. Tai Hang Road, Jardine’s Lookout and Mount Butler, North Point, Shaukeiwan, Chai Wan, Shek O, Red Hill, Turtle Cove and Tai Tam. Tai Tam Road to the junction with Stanley Gap Road and Stanley Village Road to include The Manhattan, Faber Court, Belgravia Heights, Blue Waters and Tai Tam Gardens.

The ESF sets standard fees for all its primary schools, which is HKD 111,200 for Years 1 to 3 and HKD 93,900 for Years 4 to 6. There is also a one-off non-refundable capital levy (NCL) which starts at HKD 38,000 in Year 1 and reduces to HKD 28,000 in Year 6.

While ESF schools are not as cheap as they used to be, following the phase out of government subsidies from 2016, they still offer a more affordable education when compared to most international schools in Hong Kong. The ESF will see the withdrawal of its annual HKD 283 million subsidy from the government over the next 13 years. In 2018-19, all year groups except Years 1 to 3 will continue to be subsidised by the government; this helps to explain why Years 1 to 3 fees are higher than Years 4 to 6.

A full review will be posted shortly.

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