U.S. Department of State

2008-2009

The Hong Kong International School is a private, Christian, coeducational day school offering an educational program to students of all nationalities and religious backgrounds from pre-primary through grade 12.  The School was founded in 1966.  The school year comprises 2 semesters extending approximately from August to June.

Organization:  The School was founded 40 years ago in a partnership between the American community and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (USA).  It is also registered with the Office of Education of the Hong Kong government.

Curriculum: The curriculum and approaches are similar to those in U.S. schools.  Instruction is in English, with French, Spanish, and Chinese (Mandarin) taught as foreign languages.  The elementary program features team teaching and an emphasis on ability grouping.  The secondary curriculum offers rigorous preparation for college with many electives and a broad intercultural sports and activities program.  American standardized tests are administered, including the Admission Testing Program of the College Board.  Almost 100 percent of the School’s graduates go on to college, the majority in the United States.  Religious studies are an integral part of the curriculum in all divisions.  The School is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Faculty: In the 2008-2009 school year, there are 247 faculty members.  Of the total, 129 were U.S. citizens, 18 were host-country nationals, and 100 were third-country nationals.

Enrollment:  At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, enrollment was 2,640 (PK-grade12).  Approximately 50 percent were U.S. citizens.

Facilities:  The Lower Primary building, houses students ages 4 through 8.  A total of 35 classrooms from Reception (prekindergarten) through grade 2 are housed in shared areas called “clusters.”  Originally designed as an open-plan setting, the building continues to be updated to provide an appropriate learning environment for young children. Also included are a spacious gym, outdoor swimming pool, 2 music classrooms, a library, an art room, 6 Chinese studies classrooms, student service classrooms, administrative offices, and two rooftop playgrounds. The building also houses the admissions office, business office, computer services, accounting, purchasing, reception, and the Parent Faculty Organization. The Upper Primary building consists of 9 modified open-space clusters, each with 3 or 4 classrooms and shared common areas. There are 6 Chinese Studies classrooms. Other facilities include art and music classrooms, a gymnasium with a stage that is also used as a band/drama/dance room, a gymnastics/multipurpose gym, a library with both English and Chinese collections, a science lab, a multimedia studio, a cafeteria, and 2 outdoor play areas. The Middle School building includes classrooms, a library-media center, a video technology lab, 6 science laboratories, music and art rooms, a full-sized air conditioned gymnasium, a Black Box performance theater, a cafeteria, an amphitheater setting for school assemblies, and office space. The high school building contains classrooms, a library, an auditorium, a gymnasium, an indoor pool, weight room, squash and tennis courts, a dance room, a computer center, a video technology broadcasting studio, 2 modern language tech labs, 3 computers labs, a sports field, a learning center, science labs, rooftop recreation areas, and 2 parking floors. All buildings are fully air-conditioned.

Finances:  In the 2008-2009 school year, about 94% of the School’s income derives from tuition and fees.  Annual tuition rates are as follows: primary-grade 5: $16,551; grades 6-8: $17,192; grades 9-11: $19,166; and grade 12: $19,230. There is an application fee and the School requires payment of annual capital fees or debenture.  (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)