Hong Kong is a shoppers’ paradise, known for the view visitors can enjoy from high altitude, celebrate festivals, sample local food, watch sports competitions, and visit movie settings in the city. Hong Kong’s culture is unique, sporting a sophisticated fusion of east and west, whilst simultaneously representing a mix of different backgrounds.
And when it comes to the matters of education, the city’s educational system does not fall far behind the best ones in the world.
A frontrunner in providing top-tier education in Hong Kong, which excels in keeping students’ minds engaged, excited and enthralled, is the Hong Kong International School (HKIS). With two illustrious campuses – the lower and upper primary schools located in Repulse Bay, and the middle and high schools located in Tai Tam – HKIS is a leading place of learning that inspires a socially engaged community of collaborative, creative and resilient learners dedicated to realizing their full potential.
“The school is committed to delivering exceptional teaching, and continually evolve their programs and facilities to enhance and optimise the student experience”
A Playground for Higher Thinking
HKIS is a leading private co-educational college preparatory school for students from reception one (pre-kindergarten) to grade 12.
Since 1966, HKIS has provided an American-style education grounded in the Christian faith. Here, they encourage student achievements in an inspiring environment, and their programs reflect the rich multicultural and international character of the student body. HKIS offers a warm and inclusive learning environment for over 2,850 students of 40 nationalities and diverse religious backgrounds. The school is committed to delivering exceptional teaching, and continually evolve their programs and facilities to enhance and optimise the student experience.
HKIS has four divisions across two campuses located on the south side of Hong Kong island: lower primary (pre-Kg to grade 2), upper primary (grades 3-5), middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12). HKIS is a member of the East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) and is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
How to get in?
The school seeks students who will not only benefit from the educational experiences the school provides but will also actively contribute to their school community. Applicants are assessed for their potential to meet HKIS’s high academic standards and expectations of self-motivated and collaborative learning.
Applications are accepted year-round, with priority deadlines on October 31 for reception 1 – grade 5, and February 1 for grades 6-12.
Tuition fees: R1 – grade 5: $196,200, grade 6-8: $201,900, grade 9-11: $225,000, grade 12: $225,950. Annual capital levy: $20,000. Applicants can apply up to two years in advance.
Academia
The academic programs at HKIS reflect the rich multicultural and international character of their student body with an emphasis on Chinese language and culture. Providing educational excellence with an emphasis on inquiry, compassion and community service across all grades. They offer courses that challenge and inspire students and their graduates attend all manner of the top universities around the world.
The high school at HKIS offers 27 advanced placement (AP) courses. Education outside the classroom allows students to deepen their educational experience through cultural immersion and service learning. HKIS offers a multitude of co-curricular activities, dozens of clubs, and has a competitive athletics program with teams competing in local and international conferences.
Leadership that Inspires
Dr. Ronald (Ron) Roukema is the Interim Head of School of HKIS. Ron received his BA in history education from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, on a full scholarship through the North Carolina Teaching Fellows program. He earned his MA in School Administration from East Carolina University and was awarded an Ed.D (Doctor of Education) in educational leadership with a concentration in ‘curriculum and instruction’.
Since joining HKIS in 2014, Dr. Ron Roukema has served as Upper Primary Principal, Provost, and, since 2017, Interim Head of School.
Fascinating Infrastructure
HKIS completed redevelopment of its elementary schools in Repulse Bay in 2018, creating a purposebuilt facility to support early childhood learning through play. Middle and high schools in Tai Tam boast world-class facilities including robotics labs and makerspaces, classrooms equipped with modern learning technology, science labs, music and art studios, performance spaces, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a large track and sports field.
Additionally, HKIS has a long-term plan to upgrade and build the best facilities to support student learning at every stage of education to ensure that students have the spaces they need to reach their full potential.
To sum it up, HKIS is an exciting place to be at. It is the place to be!
Mission: Dedicating our minds to inquiry, our hearts to compassion, and our lives to service and global understanding.
An American-style education grounded in the Christian faith and respecting the spiritual lives of all.
Vision: HKIS will be a leading place of learning that inspires a socially engaged community of collaborative, creative, and resilient learners dedicated to realizing their full potential.