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International Schools — The Primary Choice for Expat Families
Hong Kong has 50+ international schools serving the expat community, offering British, American, IB, Canadian, French, German, Japanese, and Korean curricula. The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is the largest international school group, offering relatively affordable fees, while schools like HKIS, CIS, and Harrow International charge premium tuition.
- ESF (English Schools Foundation): 22 schools across Hong Kong; primary HK$139,000/year, secondary HK$181,100/year (2025/26); IB and UK-style curriculum; most affordable international option
- HKIS (Hong Kong International School): American curriculum; HK$211,000–243,000/year; campus in Repulse Bay and Tai Tam; strong reputation for well-rounded education
- CIS (Chinese International School): bilingual English-Chinese curriculum; HK$287,000–343,000/year; academically rigorous; popular with families wanting bilingual children
- Harrow International School Hong Kong: British curriculum; HK$180,000–210,000/year; opened 2012; boarding option available
- Debenture / capital levy: many top schools require a debenture or nomination right purchase (HK$500,000–7,000,000+) in addition to tuition — some are refundable, others are not
- Waitlists: apply as early as possible — top schools have 1–3 year waitlists; some accept applications from birth; ESF has a centralized application system