Picking up a private school spot
The application procedures for fully government-funded schools are completely different from those for Hong Kong’s top private schools...
The application procedures for fully government-funded schools are completely different from those for Hong Kong’s top private schools. To avoid the almost inevitable confusion, it is advised that parents should start preparing as early as possible – even before the birth of their children.
Typically, applications are submitted a year in advance, with the academic year usually starting in September. In determining which schools to apply to, parents will generally consider criteria such as proximity to home, medium of instruction, curriculum, cost, student-teacher ratio, average class sizes, and educational philosophy and vision.
Many parents have difficulty navigating the process of private school admissions. Certain schools identify with a particular country such as Japan, Korea, Canada or France and have separate English and other language sections. Others offer dual-language or bilingual systems in English and Chinese. The majority of private schools offering an international curriculum in Hong Kong follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.
Typically, students at an American international school will have US citizenship, or parents with US citizenship, and plan to go on to tertiary education at US universities. Likewise, for British-style schools. Students graduating from IB schools have the flexibility to enter university in the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong or anywhere they prefer. A majority of private schools require compulsory study of Putonghua, and expect children to be proficient on entry. Also, some schools are closely affiliated with faith denominations, though few make religious practice an absolute necessity for acceptance.
English Schools Foundation
With 22 schools in Hong Kong, including five kindergartens, nine primary, five secondary, two private independent schools and one special school, ESF is the largest provider of English-language education in Hong Kong. The ESF is non-selective, with the only criteria for entry being a requisite level of English-language proficiency. Parents should apply for entry into Year 1 when their child is four, and for entry into Year 7 when their child is 10.
International schools
International and other private schools have their own admissions procedure. Parents may apply one, two or more years prior to entry. Entry may be at ages three, four, five or six. Applications may be submitted online or in person. Schools may require parents to visit prior to application.
Since the majority of these schools are selective, the outcome is heavily reliant on the student’s performance in assessments and interviews. Parents may also be interviewed.
