Education Guide Hong Kong 2015 – 2016 A comprehensive guide to International Schools in Hong Kong How the world works better Crown World Mobility | Education Guide Hong Kong 2015 – 2016 Table of contents Introduction 3 School options 3 School grades and year level equivalents 4 Challenges 4 Home schooling and ESL 5 Special needs 6 Typical school holidays 7 Debentures 7 School type - Definitions 8 International Schools on Hong Kong Island 11 International Schools in Kowloon and NT 28 ESF Schools 43 School visits – FAQ 46 *Note: This document has been prepared by Crown World Mobility for general information only. Crown World Mobility makes no guarantees, representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, regarding the information including, but not limited to, warranties of content, representations or warranties of accuracy and reliability. 2 Crown World Mobility | Education Guide Hong Kong 2015 – 2016 Introduction More than 20% of Hong Kong’s government spending is second languages, humanities, sciences, maths and the arts. dedicated to education. It is therefore of little surprise that A-Levels, on the other hand, do not call for students to Hong Kong has developed an excellent education system, follow a complete program of study and is designed as a serving local and expat students alike, in addition to running ‘set of single subject examinations’ which can be taken in a group of world class universities. combination with any other subjects or with none. The great value of A-levels is that they allow students with The academic year in Hong Kong begins in the fall and ends clear goals to specialize at an early enough stage to give in the early summer, with the exception of the Australian themselves a chance of attending the degree of their choice International School year which starts in January and ends at a good university. Another key benefit of A-Levels is in December. During major holidays such as Christmas, that it is a well-established and respected qualification Easter and Chinese New Year, schools are closed. The that is mostly used by UK universities as part of their academic year is divided into terms or semesters, offer of admission. The IB Diploma is also respected as a depending on the school. qualification that students can use to apply to all British universities, as well as those in Europe, America and around Over the past few years, there has been a lot of focus the world. on the IB Diploma Program, as a possible alternative to A-Levels. The core value in IB lies in that it is a more broad-based education system, where students learn a greater variety With the IB Diploma students select options (specializing of subjects, which might make it more appealing to certain in three) from six required subject groups: first and university systems. School options The education system in Hong Kong offers parents a choice Alternatively, some schools ask for an annual capital of four alternatives: contribution instead. First are local schools. Such a move should be done as Third there is the option of the English Schools Foundation early as possible to minimise the stress on the child. The (ESF) system. This system adheres to the British curriculum multilingual capabilities that the child will develop are of and tends to be a little less expensive than the international enormous benefit. This option is available to parents who schools. However the academic standard is still deemed hold a valid visa and a Hong Kong Identity card (HKID). to be high, and the culture very similar to the international schools. Second is the international school system. This stream is currently the most popular for expatriate families, in Last, but not least, there are Boarding Schools. This can particular because it offers an education which is fluid and be either in Hong Kong or other Asian countries such as can cope with different international moves. However, Thailand. This is becoming an increasingly popular choice many of these schools have long waiting lists and most as it offers parents convenience and close access to their require a debenture of some nature. This debenture can children. either be a corporate or individual family debenture. 3 Crown World Mobility | Education Guide Hong Kong 2015 – 2016 School grades and year level equivalents Academic Year 2016/17 Year of Age of UK School US System School Level Australian IB School HK System Birth Child System Level System Level 2012 4-5 years Reception Primary Pre-Kindergarten (R1) Lower Primary Reception Reception Kindergarten 2 2011 5-6 years Year 1 Primary Kindergarten (R2) Lower Primary Preparartory Year 1 PYP Kindergarten 3 2010 6-7 years Year 2 Primary 1st Grade Lower Primary Year 1 Year 2 PYP P 1 2009 7-8 years Year 3 Primary 2nd Grade Lower Primary Year 2 Year 3 PYP P 2 2008 8-9 years Year 4 Primary 3rd Grade Upper Primary Year 3 Year 4 PYP P 3 2007 9-10 years Year 5 Primary 4th Grade Upper Primary Year 4 Year 5 PYP P 4 2006 10-11 years Year 6 Primary 5th Grade Upper Primary Year 5 Year 6 PYP P 5 2005 11-12 years Year 7 Secondary 6th Grade Middle School Year 6 Year 7 MYP P 6 2004 12-13 years Year 8 Secondary 7th Grade Middle School Year 7 Year 8 MYP F 1 2003 13-14 years Year 9 Secondary 8th Grade Middle School Year 8 Year 9 MYP F 2 2002 14-15 years Year 10 GSCE 9th Grade High School Year 9 Year 10 MYP F 3 2001 15-16 years Year 11 GSCE 10th Grade High School Year 10 Year 11 MYP F 4 2000 16-17 years Year12 A Level 11th Grade High School Year 11 Year 12 IB F 5 (Lower 6th) DIPLOMA 1999 17-18 years Year 13 A Level 12th Grade High School Year 12 Year 13 IB F6 (Upper 6th) DIPLOMA Challenges Often parents new to Hong Kong are not informed The popularity of the international schools in Hong Kong, ahead of the importance of submitting school applications combined with the fact that they are usually oversubscribed, according to the set deadlines. The required norm for presents a problem. Due to this, school choices are most schools is to submit the application one year prior restricted, leading to unnecessary stress for both parents to admission. Children may arrive in the middle of their and children. This is not ideal especially when you are also schooling and need to be admitted to the middle years of dealing with the trauma of moving to a new city. Longterm a primary or secondary school, rather than starting at the residents of Hong Kong usually pick the ideal primary beginning. If there are no immediate places available, the school for their children at the early age of 2. For newly child will need to be placed on a waiting list and may not get arrived parents, this can be very daunting and thus the a space immediately. Some schools will have a waiting list choice needs to be made instantly and a school search and if a vacancy becomes available, will contact the person needs to be done well in advance if possible. However, at the top of the list. Many times the children on top of the choosing the right school is only the beginning of the process. list have found places at other schools and do not want to move. This can free up places for relocating parents who Early in 2015, the Hong Kong Government has allocated five need a place urgently. school sites to two existing schools and three new schools, starting to expand operation from the 2016 academic year However, most schools do not keep the waiting list after on wards. Hopefully this can ease the challenges when the September term has started, although in some cases looking for school places, but we will have to take a wait schools hold a ‘continuing interest’ list, which can be useful. and see approach. 4 Crown World Mobility | Education Guide Hong Kong 2015 – 2016 Home schooling and English as a Second Language (ESL) Hong Kong’s Education Ordinance requires school The Hong Kong Home School Meet up attendance. Families who wish to home-school must apply Group to the Education Bureau for an exemption which is generally Website: www.meetup.com/hongkong-homeschool approved case-by-case. English as a Second Home schooling Language (ESL) Home School Legal Defense Assocation (HSLDA) There are a number of schools that provide English as a Website: www.hslda.org/hs/international/HongKong Second Language programs to students whose first language is not English. For example, Delia School of Canada, The A meet up group for home schooling families in Hong Kong Harbour School, Hong Lok Yuen International School and which hosts regular meetings for fun, learning and support. the Korean International School all provide extensive ESL support to students, either within the classroom, or on a one-to-one basis depending on their level of English. 5 Crown World Mobility | Education Guide Hong Kong 2015 – 2016 Special needs Many international schools have selective admission policies The ESF is also committed to providing Special Educational for children with special needs. Most schools provide Needs classes in all of their schools, and operates its own supplemental services for students with mild special learning school, Jockey Club Sarah Roe School in Kowloon, needs. Students with special needs are admitted when which offers 60 places for children aged five to nineteen their individual needs can be met though the amount and with the most severe learning difficulties.