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Ben Young

The Korean International School (KIS) is determined to correct the misconception that students “must” be Korean nationals if they wish to attend.
“Parents always ask us if our school is only for Korean students,” says Chris Chadwick, principal (international section). “You wouldn’t ask that about the French International School (FIS), American International School, or Chinese International School. Anyone can attend; it’s just a matter of whether it’s the right programme for you.”
As a former principal of FIS, Chadwick is familiar with the type of dual-stream curriculum commonly used by schools catering to expatriate families from different countries. 

Principal Chris Chadwick
For example, at FIS, students in one stream follow the French National Curriculum, with lessons conducted in French. In the parallel international stream, lessons are taught in English.
KIS has a similar model, offering both Korean and international options, with the latter significantly larger in terms of overall student numbers. 
“We have around 400 students, while the Korean stream has around 110,” says Chadwick, adding that the school takes pride in its talented and diverse student body, a sentiment echoed by the pupils themselves.
“We are like the United Nations”, says Marco Tang, head of the student council. “We have a lot of different nationalities.”
Tang, who attended a local primary school, says coming to KIS has allowed him to thrive like never before.
“I used to be a pretty shy, not confident, and didn’t like to talk much,” he says. “But once I started at KIS my English improved, the teachers gave me so much help and support, and now I have the confidence to talk to anyone.”

Marco Tang
Tang believes that small class sizes played a significant role in his newfound success. 
“In the local school, I used to be in classes with 60 or more students,” he says. “The teachers would not let you ask many questions during lessons, and they simply didn’t have enough time to focus on each student.”
In KIS, however, there are rarely more than 10 in a class and, sometimes, no more than three.
“For Year 13, we have around 50 students and eight teachers,” says Chadwick. “Many Hong Kong schools have year groups with 150 to 200 students. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t get to know people as easily.”
KIS is proud to be one of the few remaining schools in Hong Kong to offer the GCE A-Level qualification.
“We are one of the last bastions of British education,” says Chadwick. “We feel it is a more focused path. It is a less stressful course than the IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma and lets the kids decide what they want to do.”
Jessica Hunter, a Year 13 student, won special recognition for getting the highest mark in Hong Kong in her AS Level examinations in both biology and English language. She decided to attend KIS specifically because of the A-level curriculum which, clearly, has allowed her to flourish.  

Jessica Hunter
 “I used to go to West Island School, but found the IB system very difficult,” Hunter says. “I feel the A-Level qualification is worth just as much as the IB but, in my opinion, is easier to study.”
KIS also opens the door to universities around the world. Tsang has won a full scholarship to study business administration at Marymount College in the United States, while Hunter recently received an offer to study biology at the University of Birmingham. 
However, another Year 13 student, Jasper Thong, has chosen an entirely different career path. As the 2016 Asian Formula Renault B-Class Series champion, he is on the way to fulfilling his dream of becoming a professional race car driver.
“KIS has given me an unlimited amount of support throughout the four years I’ve been here,” Thong says. “All members of staff understood I’m pursuing something very different from what other students are doing. Without their help, I would never have made it this far.”

Jasper Thong
Chadwick emphasises that the school has no intention of changing its curriculum, class sizes or caring approach in the near future. He also says he enjoys the fact that KIS stands out as unique from the rest of Hong Kong's international schools. 
“It works for us,” he says. 


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KIS: A school of many talents

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The Korean International School (KIS) is determined to correct the misconception that students “must” be Korean nationals if they wish to attend.


KIS: A school of many talents

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The Korean International School (KIS) is determined to correct the misconception that students “must” be Korean nationals if they wish to attend.

The Korean International School (KIS) is determined to correct the misconception that students “must” be Korean nationals if they wish to attend.