[SCMP Archive] First ever American school to open in Hong Kong
The Hong Kong International School is set to open after several years’ planning.
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[First published on Apr 20, 1966] The new Hong Kong International School, described as an American school in Hong Kong, will be ready by next summer, Dr Eugene Seltz, Chairman of the Board of Managers, said yesterday.
He said that excavation on the site in Repulse Bay was well under way and that the $4m school would begin classes in September next year.
The Hon W.D. Gregg, Director of Education, will officiate at the ground-breaking ceremony on Thursday, April 28 at 4:30 pm, followed by reception at 5pm at the Repulse Bay Hotel.
Dr Seltz said that the project had been the subject of research and planning for more than three years. The school would offer a full course of study for primary and secondary education, including junior and senior high school according to the system in North America.
Experienced and qualified teachers specially selected would comprise the staff for the 24-classroom institution offering a thorough college preparatory course for enrolment in North American Universities.
Schools geared to the American curriculum were in operation in Tokyo, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok and Manila. There was a great need in Hong Kong for additional secondary schools and the International School would help to meet this need, Dr Seltz said.
Owned and operated by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, the school would be run on a non-profitmaking basis and fees would probably start from $2000 a year.
Children of all nationalities able to learn through the medium of the English language would be eligible.
Centrally air-conditioned facilities will include science laboratories, arts and crafts rooms, library, music room, offices, cafeteria and a gymnasium. A church will also be included in the building complex for use by the school and the Repulse Bay Lutheran Church.