International Boarding in Asia, Middle East

By Carli Allan

Updated:

10th Aug 2022

Hong Kong

Harrow International School, Hong Kong

Curriculum: UK, IGCSEs, A Levels
Boarding options: Weekly (Sunday 7pm to Friday 4.30pm); Years 6-13
Boarding facilities: Study bedrooms for two, three and four students; common rooms; 24-hour health centre; facilities such as the sports hall, swimming pool, sports fields, tennis courts and music practice rooms are available to boarders out of school hours
Annual boarding fees: HKD 111,459
Location: Tuen Mun, New Territories

Harrow offers students the balance of a boarding experience during the week and family time at the weekends. Boarding begins from Year 6 and just less than half of the Upper School are weekly boarders.

A boarding ethos is part of the school’s DNA. Compared to a typical day school, Harrow Hong Kong has a longer school day that runs from 8am until 2pm (K1 and K2), 3.50pm (Years 1 to 5) and 4.50pm (Years 6 to 13). While some may feel that the day is too long, others may prefer its less frantic schedule and the additional time for after-school activities such as sport, music and drama. Students are expected to do daily homework – or prep as it’s called here – from Year 1. And boarders have the added advantage of having tutors on hand when doing their evening prep in the study rooms within each House.

Read our full review of Harrow International School, Hong Kong.

Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong

Curriculum: IBDP
Boarding options: Full time
Boarding facilities: Four residential blocks on campus; each room is shared by four students; 24-hour medical care
Annual boarding fees: HKD 198,000
Location: Ma On Shan Country Park, New Territories

Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong (LPCUWC) is a boarding-only school that offers a two-year IBDP programme to local and international students, and plenty of attractive scholarship opportunities.

The school, which is part of the UWC movement, has a population of just over 250 students from over 80 different nationalities. Around 45% of students come from Hong Kong, and the remaining 55% come from around the world; all students live in the four residential blocks on campus.