
International schools prepare your kiddo for educated globe-trotting and being an informed global citizen. There are so many fantastic schools to choose from, and one of the most important criteria for making that choice is the type of curriculum the school teaches. The British, UK, or English National Curriculum is a highly structured, incredibly globally popular curriculum developed to ensure, first and foremost, a degree of uniformity through a general framework prescribed by the UK government.
However, the global community does allow for some flexibility. For example, British education is divided into Key Stages, but this is sometimes lost on the global level, as many schools offer different curricula simultaneously or combine them to provide an even more comprehensive approach.
The rigorous curriculum is followed by a rigorous selection of teachers who get to teach it. Needless to say, only the best of the best can meet the teaching standards. The efficiency of both the curriculum and the teacher's performance is regularly reported on for each student and each subject through evaluation forms and the collected data is used to help the students flourish individually further. The curriculum prepares students for GCSE and A Level senior school qualifications, and the ultimate goal of premium UK higher education, through compulsory subjects taught at an age-appropriate level. These include:
Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong offers a British Prep School education for UK Years 1 to 13, with a quality, holistic education based on the British National Curriculum of England and Wales, complemented by an extensive Chinese-language syllabus drawn from the Chinese National Curriculum. Renowned for its strong academic standards, the school emphasizes small class sizes and personalized learning, fostering a supportive community where students can thrive.
Through a well-rounded British curriculum, Wycombe Abbey encourages self-motivated learners who are curious and engaged in their education. Here, students are guided to explore their interests and develop a love for learning in a nurturing environment. This enriched curriculum prepares all children for entry to the best secondary schools globally. Wycombe's teaching methods, experience, and heritage enable them to offer an education for each pupil that balances academic rigour with an integrated focus on mental and physical well-being.
Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong, +852 21297128, admissions@was.edu.hk, www.was.edu.hk
Founded over forty years ago as a Not-for-Profit Association to provide a high-quality British-style education for the English-speaking community in Hong Kong, Kellett School built its principles on the very best of British education while taking into account its unique position in South East Asia at the gateway to China.
The school follows the English National Curriculum, but its version is structured to enable students to meet or exceed the expectations of the English educational system. Kellet is committed to a well-thought-out cycle of providing students with challenges, offering opportunities, and entrusting them with responsibilities, with the ultimate goal of instilling in them a "love of learning and confidence for life."
Kellett School, +852 3120 0700, www.kellettschool.com
Harrow International School is one of the leading international schools in Hong Kong and across Asia. It is therefore fitting that they deem leadership a "Harrovian quality" and set out to educate leaders—teach students to contribute to the community, apply knowledge with compassion, solve problems collaboratively, make fair and just choices and face challenges with determination.
They follow an adapted and expanded version of the English national curriculum. Harrow truly stands as a giant of education, both through the physical presence of its magnificent campus and the palpable sense of purpose felt in every student and staff member, corroborated by the results they continuously achieve through cooperation.
With state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, sports complexes, and creative arts spaces, Harrow ensures an enriching learning environment. The dedicated teaching staff, experienced in delivering the British curriculum, fosters academic excellence while nurturing students' individual talents.
Harrow International School, Castle Peak Road, Tuen Mun, New Territories, Hong Kong,+852 28249099, info@harrowschool.hk, www.harrowschool.hk.
Oxbridge School provides engaging primary and secondary education for children starting at age five through to IGCSE and A Levels by age 18. The school enhances students' learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom, nurturing their curiosity and supporting every aspect of their educational journey.
With deliberately small class sizes of no more than 15 students, Oxbridge School ensures a rich, personalized learning environment—one that is rooted in the internationally respected National Curriculum of England and Wales. A bespoke curriculum of Primary subjects, including ICT, Mandarin, History, Science, Physical Education, STEAM, and PHSE, will guide students to achieve their full academic potential. Full ESL support is also provided by a dedicated ESL teacher for Years 1 and 2, in addition to a British National Curriculum Class teacher.
Oxbridge School, G/F & 1/F Star Ruby, 1 San Wai Street, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, +852 2612 1888, admissions@oxbridgeschool.hk, www.oxbridgeschool.hk
One of the leading co-educational boarding schools in the United Kingdom, Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong is a co-educational Primary School that can accommodate more than 850 international students aged 3 to 11.
Shrewsbury is fairly selective as its goal is to bring together exceptional humans, whether they be outstanding in the classroom, concert hall, sports field, on stage, or simply in person. However, they understand the pressures extraordinary people are under and protect them at all costs! They are a community that looks out for one another and offers opportunities to develop their interests and talents further!
Shrewsbury International School, 10 Shek Kok Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories, Hong Kong, +852 2480 1500, www.shrewsbury.hk
Nord Anglia International School is part of Nord Anglia Education's global family of 84+ premium international schools across 33 countries, which directly benefits kids through a Global Campus that provides them with countless online, in-school, and worldwide experiences that connect them to their peers and experts.
Their unifying philosophy is their ambitious belief in their students; according to NAIS, there is no limit to what they can achieve. This may seem like a fairy tale, but their expert team and a vast global community are in place and ready to provide them with endless support and opportunities along their personally chosen path to making a difference. It's not impossible when they have access to the extraordinary.
NAIS Hong Kong, +852 3958 1428, www.nais.hk
Lantau International School (LIS) is another school that draws inspiration from its surroundings. Boasting a unique balance of Primary English education and Hong Kong's greenest environment, they take full advantage of the best of both to create a synergistic learning experience for their students. Their surroundings are as green as their classrooms are high-tech.
LIS also has one of the highest teacher-to-student ratios among international schools in Hong Kong, allowing it to maximize student-to-teacher contact. LIS has existed since 1995, and they must be doing something right, since their students have begun enrolling their own children at the school!
Lantau International School, admin@lis.edu.hk, www.lis.edu.hk
YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College offers a comprehensive British curriculum designed for students from Form 1 to Form 6, ensuring a solid foundation for academic success. Located in Tung Chung, this all-through school fosters a nurturing environment with modern facilities, including well-equipped classrooms and dedicated sports areas.
Students engage with the English National Curriculum, offering IGCSE and UK GCE 'A' Levels, alongside the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) for a well-rounded education. With a focus on holistic development, YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College prepares students for both local and international pathways.
YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College, 2 Chung Yat Street, Tung Chung, Lantau, Hong Kong, (852) 2988 8123, info@yhkcc.edu.hk, www.yhkcc.edu.hk
Anfield comprises two Primary and two Kindergartens following the Early Years Foundation Stage and the English National Curriculum. It's a private, co-educational, Roman Catholic institution that accepts students from all backgrounds and faiths.
They pride themselves on creating a caring, family atmosphere in which they teach students to be globally-minded citizens informed by the positive teachings of Jesus Christ, irrespective (and all the while respectful) of their personal faith. They strive to constantly move forward and be innovative, create an environment that's conducive to learning, and be systematic, professional, and rigorous without compromising on their caring and support. Anfield achieves the balance by asking a lot of its students and supporting them in their weaknesses.
Anfield International Kindergarten, various locations across Hong Kong, +852 2766 3882, www.anfield.edu.hk
Yew Chung has been providing quality international education to the learners of Hong Kong for more than 80 years. Originally specializing in early childhood education, Yew Chung International School (YCIS) now provides education from early childhood through primary and secondary, drawing on the best of international education, with its Secondary program following the English National Curriculum framework.
Chinese and Western co-principals co-operate at Yew Chung International to create a school culture in which Eastern and Western values and educational models are equally respected by the whole school community, thereby nurturing bilingual education and inspiring students with the best of both worlds!
Yew Chung International School, Auditorium, 3 To Fuk Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, +852 2338 7106, www.ycis-hk.com
German Swiss International School (GSIS) has been a hallmark of international education in Hong Kong since 1969, offering a dynamic learning environment for students aged 3 to 18. With two distinct streams, the German International Stream (GIS) and the English International Stream (EIS), GSIS provides pathways to globally recognized qualifications. The EIS stands out with its focus on the IGCSE and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), ensuring students are well-prepared for future academic pursuits.
The EIS emphasizes outstanding personalized education, inspiring intellectual curiosity and self-motivation in every student. By cultivating a genuine enthusiasm for learning, GSIS empowers young minds to navigate an ever-changing world with confidence and compassion.
With a brisk pace of learning, the EIS fosters an environment that challenges and inspires students to discover their untapped potential. Committed to a holistic education, GSIS nurtures unique personal qualities and values, promoting joy and fulfillment through a rich array of subjects and activities, including the arts, sports, and community service.
German Swiss International School (GSIS), info@gsis.edu.hk, www.gsis.edu.hk
Founded in 1991, Singapore International School (SIS) provides a Singapore-style education that takes students on an adventure from their early prep years through pre-university, ages 3 to 18. With strong backing from the Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE), SISHK ensures a robust learning experience filled with discovery and growth every step of the way.
The secondary years program at the Singapore International School Hong Kong, modeled along the lines of the rigorous Singapore education system, builds on their bilingual primary years program and prepares students for the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations at the end of Secondary 4, followed by the two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). All this blends seamlessly into what is ultimately their own curriculum with a focus on holistic development of 21st-century skills in a bilingual environment!
Singapore International School, www.singapore.edu.hk
At HK International Learning Academy (HKILA), students from Year 1 to Year 9 engage with the latest UK National Curriculum objectives. This dynamic approach ensures that learners receive a well-rounded education that not only covers traditional subjects but also promotes critical thinking and creativity. With a commitment to individualized education, HKILA instills a positive attitude to learning, encouraging students to embrace challenges with a "can-do" spirit.
HKILA partners with Dimensions Curriculum, an award-winning UK-based developer, to enhance their teaching quality. This collaboration allows for innovative and cohesive learning solutions, helping students become responsible global citizens. The curriculum also emphasizes global education through Philosophy for Children (P4C) and Global Dimensions lessons, fostering a critical mindset toward international issues.
HK International Learning Academy, 92 Siena Avenue, G5, Office Block 2 DB Plaza North Discovery Bay, Lantau Island, Hong Kong, +852 6114 3088, hkila@studyhkila.edu.hk, www.studyhkila.edu.hk
Founded in 1963, The French International School (FIS) is one of Hong Kong's most established international schools. FIS boasts a lively community of over 2,700 students from 45 different countries, creating a rich tapestry of diversity and collaboration.
This school offers the British curriculum in its international stream. As the only school in Hong Kong to provide the IEYC, IPC, IGCSE, and IBDP programs, FIS equips students with a robust education that paves the way for future success.
In addition to the British curriculum, FIS also offers a French stream aligned with the national curriculum accredited by the French Ministry of Education, facilitating smooth admissions to AEFE partner schools worldwide.
French International School of Hong Kong, www.fis.edu.hk
Discovery Bay International School is nestled amidst the greenery of the beautiful and tranquil island of Lantau, which, along with the community of Discovery Bay, strongly informs the way the school operates in its philosophy and practice.
The curriculum is based on the National Curriculum of England, starting with the Early Years Foundation Stage, progressing through each Key Stage, and culminating in GCSEs and A Levels. BTEC pathways are also available. The curriculum is enhanced to reflect DBIS's international setting. Central to the school's philosophy is the holistic development of each child, ensuring their unique strengths flourish. Student leadership and community involvement are strongly encouraged.
Discovery Bay International School, Discovery Bay, Lantau, Hong Kong, +852 2987 7331, admissions@dbis.edu.hk, www.dbis.edu.hk
Korean International School (KIS), located in Sai Wan Ho, offers a premier educational experience for students aged 4 to 18. With over 900 students representing more than 25 nationalities, KIS fosters a vibrant multicultural environment that enriches every aspect of learning.
The school features two distinct sections: the Korean Section, which follows the National Curriculum of Korea, and the International Section, where the British Curriculum is delivered in English. This dual approach gives families the flexibility to choose the educational path that best suits their children.
As a leading institution, KIS provides a British-style academic program designed for the English-speaking community. Grounded in the National Curriculum for England, the British curriculum is broadened to offer a holistic experience that seamlessly blends local and global perspectives. Serving students from Reception through Year 13, this all-through structure promotes continuity in learning and nurtures a strong sense of belonging within the KIS community.
Korean International School, 55 Lei King Road, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong, +852 2569 5500, admissions@kis.edu.hk, www.kis.edu.hk
California School, established in 1992, is located in the bustling Yau Ma Tei district, offering an intimate educational setting for students aged 12 to 18. This all-through school delivers an authentic British curriculum, focusing on IGCSE and GCE A-Levels, which are internationally recognized and pave the way for university admissions worldwide.
With modern classrooms, dedicated science labs, and collaborative learning spaces, California School fosters an engaging learning environment. The team of experienced teachers provides personalized support, ensuring that each student’s academic journey is tailored to their unique strengths and interests.
California School, 3/F, Front Block, 550 Nathan Road, Lung Ma Building, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Hong Kong, (852) 2388 9844, info@californiaschool.edu.hk, www.californiaschool.edu.hk
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