How to Apply

Our priority deadline for the 2025-2026 Academic Year has now passed. If you are relocating from abroad and still interested in being considered for the next academic year, please email [email protected].

Sign in to PowerSchool to complete the application forms (01-06) within 30 days or by the application deadline, whichever is earlier. Once the application is processed by the Office of Admissions, you will receive an acknowledgment of the next steps.

Follow the instructions stated in the acknowledgment to provide supporting documents.

View supporting documents here

Select applicants will be invited to pre-entry testing, which varies by grade level. For Reception 1 & 2 and Grades 1 & 2, the assessment focuses on developmental readiness, skills and expressive and receptive language. From Grades 3 to 12, invited applicants will be assessed on their reading, language, writing and mathematical skills to determine if they qualify. Assessments may include standardized tests (e.g. MAP), writing prompts and others as needed.

Complete applications will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Families will be notified of the admissions decision by the Office of Admissions within the Decision Timeline stated in the acknowledgment.

Each student’s ability to achieve success in an atmosphere of high expectations and an environment of self-discipline and responsibility to the school community is carefully assessed.

In making this assessment, HKIS will evaluate each applicant with regard to:

1. English Language Proficiency
2. Developmental Readiness Skills (Lower Primary) or Demonstrated Academic Achievement
3. Social and Emotional Development (Lower Primary) or Personal Characteristics
4. Fit to HKIS’ Student Learning Results

• Students must have valid proof of visa status/right of abode in Hong Kong (e.g., dependent visa, HKID card, Hong Kong birth certificate, Hong Kong passport) prior to the start of school.
• A student may not enter HKIS unless he/she will be living with at least one parent who is in full-time residence in Hong Kong.
• HKIS requires all of its students to be covered by personal health insurance. HKIS does not provide medical coverage for students when accidents occur during school-related activities.
• Students transferring from a country whose school year follows a different calendar than HKIS will generally be required to continue in the year they have just completed (For example: a student currently in Grade 2 in Australia would remain in Grade 2 at HKIS for the remainder of our academic year).
• For entry into Reception One – students must be aged 4 years on or before August 31, of their year of entrance. Parents are required to submit proof of birth date in the form of a birth certificate, passport, or other official government document.
• For entry into Reception Two – students must be aged 5 years on or before August 31, of their year of entrance. Parents are required to submit proof of birth date in the form of a birth certificate, passport, or other official government document.
• A student entering high school must submit records for all previous high school coursework. Credit for graduation cannot be given without a full high school academic history.

Qualified applicants are placed in a wait pool according to our Admissions Priority System when there is no space available in the selected grade.

Every effort will be made to inform the candidate's family about space availability so that the family can plan appropriately. Given the school's admission priority system, a student's waiting status may change if there are subsequent applications from families with higher priority.

Parents and Sponsors may participate by purchasing non-interest-bearing debentures. HKIS now issues three types of debentures:

1. Family Debenture: HK$3 million
   A family may use this debenture to support multiple children from the same immediate family. Please click here for more information.
2. Standard Corporate Debenture: HK$3 million
   Corporations may use this debenture to support one child’s application. Please click here for more information.
3. Comprehensive Corporate Debenture: HK$5 million
   Corporations may use this debenture to support multiple children from one family. Please click here for more information.

Debentures are NOT mandatory. In all cases, a debenture alone does not guarantee admission to HKIS, as children must meet HKIS’s admissions requirements. 

Debentures retain their value and cannot be sold. Only the Family Debenture can be transferred, and only to the purchaser’s children or grandchildren. Holding a debenture places qualified applicants at the top of the wait pool. 

Please contact Ms. Jean Yong at [email protected] for further information. 

HKIS will implement a Dual Language Immersion program starting in the 2025-2026 school year. With this new program, HKIS will expand our excellent language and cultural learning experience to meet an even more diverse student population and needs. 

While the academic philosophy, standards, and learning experiences are aligned with the mainstream programs of the Primary school, the Dual Language Immersion program aims to deliver academic content in both Chinese and English and develop literacy skills in both languages. 

In 2025-26, the Dual Language Immersion program will be implemented across two Reception 1 classes. Parents can refer to the brochure for details and express interest in this program via the student application form.

HKIS accepts students with mild additional needs when space and resources are available. The Admissions Committee will consider all submitted information and determine, as best as possible if the student will be able to function in and profit from the regular classroom curriculum. Learning Specialists, at all divisions, work alongside regular classroom teachers to provide accommodations and interventions with the goal of enabling student learning within the context of the inquiry-based teaching and philosophy at HKIS. Students are supported with a combination of in-class and pull-out instruction depending on their specific needs.

Supporting documents for the admission of students with additional needs may include the child's most recent Educational and Psychological Assessment, Occupational Therapy reports, Speech and Language Therapy reports, additional outside services reports as well as the Individual Education Plan (IEP) from the student's current school, if applicable.

Parents whose child has additional needs are encouraged to consult directly with our office before applying to determine if the specific resources are available.