Hong Kong is home to some of the best international schools in the world, as well as some of the most forward-thinking frameworks and curriculum. Though having many satisfactory options is a wonderful problem to have, it can be difficult for parents to decide which school is the best fit for their child. South China Morning Post’s Kindergartens Festival: Future of Education panel series is moderated by Ruth Benny, Head Girl of Top Schools . Joining in to share their expertise and contribute their perspectives are: Shaun Porter, Founding Principal of Dalton School Hong Kong , Howard Tuckett, Headmaster of Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong , and Clayton Mullins, Western Co-Principal of Early Childhood Education at Yew Chung International School . Some insight is given into the kind of curriculum and frameworks being implemented in many private schools, and some advice is provided regarding how to choose the best school for your child. These top-notch schools focus on employing a similar child-centric framework and providing a holistic curriculum journey, which may include core academics, dual-language practice, social skills, and emotional intelligence. As Howard states, “we have a moral obligation to challenge children at a sensible, moderate level so that they are challenged but not over extended.” Part of this includes conducting developmental and skills assessments, which can be used to determine the areas in which each student excels or needs extra help. Having a child-centric framework means challenging each child in an individualised way, as opposed to comparing children with one another to measure success. Finding a creative and collaborative environment where each student’s strengths are recognised and nurtured is of incredible importance for the overall development of the child and for their progress as a successful and capable pupil. While academics are still a major factor that many parents are concerned about, the other aspects of schooling should be considered as equally important. As Clayton recommends, parents should “look for a school where [their] child’s unique ideas are valued.” Ending with some final advice from our speakers on how to pick a school best fit for your child and your family: First, inquire into how the school uses their time — what are they most focused on throughout the day, and what kind of learning framework do they implement? Next, be sure the school supports pro-social skills and has a behavioral management system in line with your family values. Ultimately, finding a school that you can create a strong partnership and a mutual understanding with is key to your child’s success. For more information about our Kindergartens Festival: Future of Education series, please visit here for more details.